Enjoy the Shooting Sports USA Archives
As fall becomes winter, many Americans will be spending more time indoors at home. For some folks that means long sessions in front of the boob tube. Here’s a better idea — there’s a vast resource of great gun-related content available online for FREE. Check out the Shooting Sports USA Articles Archive. SSUSA maintains a vast digital library with hundreds of articles going back to June 2009.
It’s easy to find back issues of Shooting Sports USA magazine. Here’s how: First, navigate to the current SSUSA Online Issue. Then click on the “ARCHIVES” icon in the upper right area (indicated with red arrow). When you click on “ARCHIVES”, a window will open with a selection of Shooting Sports USA magazine covers/dates in a vertical column. The most recent issue (September 2022) will appear at the top. You can then scroll down — use the vertical scroll bar to go from September 2022 (the latest issue) all the way back to June 2009. Click any issue cover to read.
How to Find and Save Articles
To search back issues, select “MORE OPTIONS” from the toolbar (top left). Then click the “SEARCH” button. When that opens, select either “Search Archives” for ALL back issues or “Search Only this Issue”. When you’ve made your choice, enter your search term(s). For example, you can search for “Camp Perry” or “Palma” or “F-Class Championship”. You can also save any archived issue as a PDF for viewing offline. Just click “SAVE” to download the article you’re currently viewing/reading.
Read Sample Articles
Here are a couple of our favorite SSUSA feature stories from recent years. There are hundreds of other informative articles worth reading.
New York state’s cynical response to the landmark NYSRPA v. Bruen case, which affirmed a Constitutional right to carry firearms, was to defy that decision completely. New York’s politicians, lead by authoritarian N.Y. Governor Kathy Hochul, passed legislation (S51001) that put nearly all of the state “off-limits” to persons with carry permits. The goal was to render New York CCW permits essentially useless because CCW use was geographically forbidden throughout the state. Thankfully, Second Amendment advocacy organizations FPC and SAF have now challenged these new restrictions in New York state.
The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) has filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Boron v. Bruen*, its lawsuit challenging New York’s “sensitive location” handgun carry bans in public parks, public transportation, and all private property without express consent. The motion can be viewed at FPCLegal.org. That new legislation, S51001, banned carry nearly everywhere, including public buildings, shopping centers, parking lots, train stations, parks, and countless other locations.
The FPC’s lawyers note: “Under S51001, ‘ordinary, law-abiding citizens’ … are again prevented from carrying handguns in public for self-defense in almost all corners of the State, except in what Governor Hochul said were, ‘probably some streets’.” The FPC’s motion to enjoin enforcement of the new law adds that: “S51001 makes a mockery of the Supreme Court’s holding in Bruen, which reaffirmed that personal security “emphatically extends to include ordinary, law-abiding Americans ‘outside the home’.”
“The New York Legislature appears to think that when the Supreme Court closed the door on New York’s may issue permit regime it opened a window for equally onerous location restrictions,” said FPC Director of Legal Operations Bill Sack. For more on FPC’s pro-Second Amendment initiatives, visit FPCLegal.org
About the Firearms Policy Coalition
Firearms Policy Coalition (firearmspolicy.org), a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization, exists to create a world of maximal human liberty, defend constitutionally protected rights, advance individual liberty, and restore freedom. FPC’s efforts are focused on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and adjacent issues including freedom of speech, due process, unlawful searches and seizures, separation of powers, asset forfeitures, privacy, encryption, and limited government. The FPC works through litigation, research, scholarly publications, legislative and regulatory action, and other programs.
* On September 28, 2022, the original first-named plaintiff, John Boron, has been voluntarily dismissed from the action. Plaintiffs Brett Christian, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., and Second Amendment Foundation will continue in the case as plaintiffs. A motion to change the caption and short title of this action has been filed. If that goes through, the lawsuit may be re-titled “Christian et al v. Bruen”.
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Reloading components can be hard to find, and bullets and powder are considerably more expensive than a few years back. And while centerfire pistol ammunition has started to come down in price, it is still way more expensive than .22 LR rimfire ammo. For these reasons, more pistol shooters now train with .22 LR rimfire pistols. Along with rimfire ammo’s greater affordability, these shooters often find that they enjoy rimfire’s much lower recoil and reduced noise levels. Fortunately, more gun makers now offer .22 pistols with ergonomics similar to centerfire pistols, making realistic training with a .22 LR very feasible.
SIG Sauer P322 is tested extensively with multiple rimfire ammo brands:
September-October 2022 Tactical Life Issue Features .22 LR Handguns
The September-October 2022 issue of Tactical Life features .22 LR rimfire pistols that have been designed to emulate full-size defensive pistols. With these new-generation, full-size rimfire 22s sharing the same ergonomics as 9mm SIGs and Walthers, this is a good way to train. The cost benefits can’t be denied. With good .22 LR ammo available for under $5.00 per 50-ct box, you can shoot 200 rounds of .22 LR for less than the cost of 50 rounds of 9x19mm centerfire ammo. This lets pistoleros hone their shooting skills, with more target time, at a fraction of the cost.
The latest issue of Tactical Life reviews an interesting selection of .22 LR rimfire pistols. Fred Mastison’s cover story reviews new full-size, semi-auto .22 pistols from FN, Sig Sauer, and Walther. Mastison tests the FN 502, SIG P322, and Walther WMP. Plus, Mastison chronicles 10 other new .22 pistols offered this year.
Tactical Life’s editors observe: “With many kinds of ammunition still very hard to find, available ammo quite expensive and runaway inflation making expendable income for range visits increasingly harder to come by, it’s a good thing that manufacturers have — whether intentionally or not — made 2022 the year of the .22. With a good .22 pistol or rifle and a couple of bricks of ammo, you can shoot all day for what just a few hours of shooting centerfire rounds would cost you.”
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KEY FEATURES: Ballistics Solver, GPS Tagging, Weather Forecast, Field Notes with Photos
Hunters, here’s a great FREE mobile APP for both Apple and Android systems. The ZEISS Hunting App offers many practical functions: full-featured ballistics calculator, field notes with photo archive, compass function, GPS tagging for documentation of hunting experiences, and a detailed weather forecast service. The Hunting App is offered as a FREE download for Android and iOS (iPhone/iPad) mobile devices.
Three Minute Video Explains Zeiss Hunting App Features:
The Zeiss Hunting App integrates multiple useful features — ballistics solver, compass, GPS tagging, hunt history. The “Field Notes” function can record a wide variety of info — you can save photos, record your shots and hits, log animal sightings during the hunt, and even plot game locations on a map. Zeiss explains: “This allows users to optimally record events, the game population in the hunting territory, and their own hunting experiences.” Shots can be tagged via GPS through the shooter’s and the target’s position, and then displayed on a map. The Field Notes hunt diary shows all entries in chronological order.
Full-Featured Ballistics Solver
The integrated ballistic calculator allows hunters to easily customize the settings to suit their favorite cartridges. You can enter your own data, or choose bullet/cartridge info from a database containing over 7000 ammunition types from a variety of manufacturers. The ballistics solver can be programmed for for current weather conditions (temp/humidity), and the angle (inclination) of the shot.
Weather Functions
The weather tool offers a Five-Day Forecast, and you can choose multiple locations. In addition to the current location, users can also display the weather for their hunting areas of choice. The weather forecast includes temperature, precipitation, wind direction, wind speed, humidity, and air pressure. (Note: For precise ballistics solutions, you must input the ACTUAL conditions at your shooting location).
This video explains how to define a hunting zone and set GPS location tags on the map:
Hunt Log and Photos
The Field Notes function can do many things. You can log all your shots and hits, and you can plot game sightings during the hunt. Events can be augmented with photos and GPS data. With the Field Notes mapping function, you can even locate game populations in the hunting territory. A compass and automatic night mode round off the list of smart features.
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Do you have a friend or family member who is a first-time gun owner? Then show them this article. It provides important guidelines for new gun owners. There’s an Infographic printed below. And, there’s a helpful Firearm Storage and Safety Assessment Quiz. This walks gun owners through questions related to safe handling and storage of firearms. Here is Part One of the Quiz. If you click on this part, you can complete the entire Quiz and see how you score.
One of the most unique and popular air rifle matches in the world takes place next week in Arizona. The Extreme Benchrest Championship, hosted by Airguns of Arizona, takes place October 6-9, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the 11th annual Championship and Airguns of Arizona plans on making this the biggest and best one yet. NOTE: The event name is a bit of a misnomer. This is NOT just a benchrest match. In fact this event encompasses multiple airgun disciplines — Benchrest, Silhouette, Field Target, and Action Steel — with targets at 50, 75, and 100 yards.
About the Extreme Benchrest Championship in Arizona
Extreme Benchrest earns its name with airguns being shot as far as 100 yards outdoors where the elements will test the best in ammunition, air rifle, and shooter. With very few limitations on equipment, this all-inclusive match is exciting and truly a test of marksmanship. This multi-discipline event tests shooters in precision as well as speed and adaptability in the field. Along with traditional Benchrest shotoing, the event includes Speed Silhouette, Big Bore, Field Target, and Action Steel shooting. Manufacturers from across the globe are providing top level prizes and awards. Competitors will participate with some of the finest air-gunners in the country. CLICK HERE for more information.
This video is WORTH WATCHING — it shows multiple disciplines and many airgun types:
Sightron Will Be Major Sponsor of Extreme Benchrest Championship for Air Rifles
“We are very excited to be the official optics sponsor of this incredible championship,” said Mack Matsumoto, President of Sightron. “Sightron optics are made to compete at the highest level. The SII Blue Sky 20-60×85 HD spotting scope will definitely be a huge advantage for the competitors utilizing them. The new S6 series of riflescopes among others will be on display during the championship.” To learn more about the complete Sightron product line, go to Sightron.com or visit Sightron’s Facebook Page.
Sightron will be sponsoring the attendee goodie bag with several promotional items. Sightron is also providing a $2899.99 SVIII 5-40x56mm ED Illuminated LRM riflescope for the raffle. Sightron will bring multiple SII Blue Sky 20-60×85 HD angled spotting scopes for viewing by spectators. Several of these will be linked to televisions in the attendee shooting area.
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Over 30 million Americans participated in target shooting or hunting last year. Notably, there is greater diversity among hunters and target shooters than ever before. In 2021, 32% of target shooters were female, up from 25% a decade ago. And the share of Black or Hispanic target shooters has been increasing 5% and 4% respectively per year.
This interesting information was revealed in a new report released by the Outdoor Foundation and the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports. According to that report, the user diversity of hunting and target shooting participation increased significantly in the USA over the past decade.
The 2022 Special Report on Hunting and the Shooting Sports provides a comprehensive look at the more than 30 million Americans who participated at least once in hunting (gun or archery) or target shooting in 2021. Highlights from the new report include:
Firearms Target Shooting Participation:
— 6.2% of the U.S. population ages 6 and over participated in target shooting
— 32% of participants were female, up from 25% a decade ago
— Share of target shooters who were Black or Hispanic increased 5% and 4%, respectively, on average for the past 3 years
— “High cost” was the number one barrier reported for target shooting
— “For recreation” was the number one motivation for target shooting
Hunting Participation:
— 4.6% of the U.S. population ages 6 and over went hunting at least once
— 27% of participants were female, up from 16% a decade ago
— Share of hunters who were Black or Hispanic increased 4% and 1%, respectively, on average for the past 3 years
— 68% of hunters were introduced to hunting by a family members
— 49% of hunters first participated before reaching the age of 18
— “For food/meat” was the number one motivation for hunting
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The 37th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference, scheduled this weekend, September 30 through October 2, 2022 at the Westin Dallas-Fort Worth Airport hotel, in Irving, Texas. The event will feature more than 70 speakers covering a wide range of topics including Second Amendment legal actions, the upcoming November 8 midterm elections, state and local affairs, the media, personal protection and more. If you want to go, CLICK HERE for discounted Westin Hotel rates for attendees.
Co-sponsored by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), the 37th annual GRPC will feature a weekend of panel discussions, special reports by leading gun rights advocates, an awards luncheon and more. The event brings together speakers from across the country to offer insights on current and upcoming court cases, the outlook for state and federal elections in November, concealed and Constitutional carry updates, and the impact of the notable Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which affirmed the right to legally bear arms in public.
Some 600 to 800 Second Amendment activists are expected to attend. “We’re anticipating a good turnout, with lots of opportunities for networking, one-on-one conversations, updates on various lawsuits in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, and the outlook for November and beyond”, said SAF founder and Executive V.P. Alan M. Gottlieb.
You can attend the GRPC event for FREE — there is no admission fee. Register now via the Second Amendment Foundation website: www.SAF.org/GRPC.
SAF and CCRKBA leaders will be joined by representatives from Gun Owners of America, the National Rifle Association, Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership.
This is the first time in three years the GRPC has been an in-person event. In 2020 and 2021, the conference was conducted online as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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With the huge popularity of NRL22 and PRS rimfire matches, along with the growth of rimfire benchrest events, and local rimfire fun matches, we’ve seen heightened demand for all types of .22 LR ammunition. Plus the high cost of centerfire bullets and limited availability of powders and primers has pushed many centerfire shooters into the rimfire fold. Accordingly, quality .22 LR ammunition has been harder to find this year, and prices have been escalating. Thankfully, if you use Ammoseek.com, you can still find most types of .22 LR ammunition, from bulk-pack plinking fodder to high-end Lapua, ELEY, RWS, SK, and Norma.
Find Rimfire Ammunition Fast with AmmoSeek.com
Here’s a great search service that can help you locate hard-to-find ammunition and reloading components — while saving money in the process. AmmoSeek.com monitors scores of online vendors — checking current pricing and available inventory, for pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammunition. Looking for .22 LR ammo for your rimfire trainer or NRL22 rifle? Just select “.22LR” from AmmoSeek’s “Quick Seek” menu. NOTE: In mobile view type “22LR” in the “Search Ammo by Caliber” field top center.
And here are the 9/27/2022 search results for .22 LR ammunition. These are five of the 1000+ entries, starting with the least expensive, just six cents ($0.06) per round:
How to Search by Manufacturer and Bullet Weight
You can also search for a particular .22 LR ammunition manufacturer, and/or search by bullet weight. Just click on the “Modify Search Link”. Once you see the “Modify Search” column on the left, scroll down and you can sort by price (cost per round) and/or shipping cost. Here are the first results of a search for ELEY .22 LR rimfire ammunition:
Midsouth Shooters currently has a large selection of Rimfire Ammunition in stock:
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Henry Repeating Arms will offer two limited-edition models to mark company’s twenty-fifth anniversary. The two rifles, one rimfire and one 44-50 Centerfire, pay tribute to the beginnings of Henry Repeating Arms as a company and the origins of the lever action rifle’s enduring legacy in America.
25th Anniv. Edition .22 Rimfire
Twenty-five years ago, from a small factory in Brooklyn, New York, Henry Repeating Arms began shipping the now world-renown model H001 Classic Lever Action .22. Since then, the company has sold more than one million of the rifles.
Now, the company is introducing the 25th Anniversary Edition (model H001-25), which features semi-fancy genuine American walnut furniture and an engraved, nickel-plated receiver cover with 24-carat gold plated highlights. The handsome rifle comes with a fully adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, and a hooded blade front sight. The tube magazine holds 15 rounds of .22 Long Rifle, 17 rounds of .22 Long, or 21 rounds of .22 Short. The Classic Lever Action .22 25th Anniversary Edition is limited to 5,000 units with a $1,130 MSRP.
25th Anniversary .44-40 Henry Original Deluxe
The rifle is a faithful recreation of the original patent except for more robust materials and the concessions needed to accommodate the more modern .44-40 WCF cartridge, of which the rifle can carry 13 rounds. Other features include a folding ladder rear sight, a brass blade front sight, a hardened brass crescent buttplate with a period-correct storage compartment, and near full coverage engraving on the hardened brass receiver flats. The H011D-25 New Original Henry Deluxe Engraved 25th Anniversary Edition is limited to only 2,500 units with an MSRP of $3,990.
Above, Henry Repeating Arms CEO and Founder Anthony Imperato selects the rosewood blanks to be used for the buttstocks on the New Original Henry Deluxe Engraved 25th Anniversary Edition rifles. “It was love at first sight with this rosewood, and I immediately knew we needed to do something special with it,” said Imperato. “The richness and warmth of the wood is the perfect complement to our hardened brass and polished blued steel.”
About Henry Repeating Arms:
Henry Repeating Arms is one of the leading rifle and shotgun manufacturers in the USA and a world leader in the lever action category. The company currently employs over 550 people in its Wisconsin and New Jersey facilities. The company is named after Benjamin Tyler Henry, who invented and patented the Henry lever action rifle in 1860 – the first practical repeating rifle and America’s unique contribution to historic firearms design. Visit Henry Repeating Arms at henryusa.com.
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Sometimes you’ll get a barrel that doesn’t stabilize bullets the way you’d anticipate, based on the stated (or presumed) twist rate. A barrel might have 1:10″ stamped on the side but it is, in truth, a 1:10.5″ twist or even a 1:9.5″. Cut-rifled barrels, such as Kriegers and Bartleins, normally hold very true to the specified twist rate. With buttoned barrels, due to the nature of the rifling process, there’s a greater chance of a small variation in twist rate. And yes, factory barrels can be slightly out of spec as well.
After buying a new barrel, you should determine the true twist rate BEFORE you start load development. You don’t want to invest in a large supply of expensive bullets only to find that that won’t stabilize because your “8 twist” barrel is really a 1:8.5″. Sinclair International provides a simple procedure for determining the actual twist rate of your barrel.
Sinclair’s Simple Twist Rate Measurement Method
If are unsure of the twist rate of the barrel, you can measure it yourself in a couple of minutes. You need a good cleaning rod with a rotating handle and a jag with a fairly tight fitting patch. Utilize a rod guide if you are accessing the barrel through the breech or a muzzle guide if you are going to come in from the muzzle end. Make sure the rod rotates freely in the handle under load. Start the patch into the barrel for a few inches and then stop. Put a piece of tape at the back of the rod by the handle (like a flag) or mark the rod in some way. Measure how much of the rod is still protruding from the rod guide. You can either measure from the rod guide or muzzle guide back to the flag or to a spot on the handle.
Next, continue to push the rod in until the mark or tape flag has made one complete revolution. Then re-measure the amount of rod that is left sticking out of the barrel. Use the same reference marks as you did on the first measurement. Next, subtract this measurement from the first measurement. This number is the twist rate. For example, if the rod has 24 inches remaining at the start and 16 inches remain after making one revolution, you have 8 inches of travel, thus a 1:8″-twist barrel.
Determining Barrel Twist Rate Empirically
Twist rate is defined as the distance in inches of barrel that the rifling takes to make one complete revolution. An example would be a 1:10″ twist rate. A 1:10″ barrel has rifling that makes one complete revolution in 10 inches of barrel length. Rifle manufacturers usually publish twist rates for their standard rifle offerings and custom barrels are always ordered by caliber, contour, and twist rate. If you are having a custom barrel chambered you can ask the gunsmith to mark the barrel with the twist rate.
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At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. Sportsman’s WH — Savage Axis Rifle/Scope Combo, $329.99
⏺ Truly great deal for 6.5 Creedmoor Deer Rifle with Bushnell Scope
Planning to hunt this season? Here’s a shockingly good deal on a scoped 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rifle. The Sportsman’s Warehouse exclusive Savage AXIS XP rifle features a black synthetic stock paired with a carbon steel, button-rifled sporter barrel chambered for 6.5 Creedmoor. This package rifle is ready to shoot, right out of the box, thanks to a mounted and bore-sighted Bushnell 4-12x40mm scope. Being a Savage, with a barrel nut, you can easily add a pre-fit barrel in a larger caliber.
2. Creedmoor Sports — Berger Bullet and Ammo Sale
⏺ Top-quality match bullets and excellent loaded ammo priced favorably
Did you know that Berger makes both bullets AND loaded ammunition? If you’re in the market for either check out the Berger Bullet & Ammo Sale at Creedmoor Sports. This is a great opportunity to pick up bullets and ammo at favorable prices. Some of the most popular bullets will sell out — so don’t delay.
3. Midsouth — LEE Breechlock Challenger Press Kit, $144.99
⏺ Heck of a deal on a good press and complete reloading system
For under $150 you can get pretty much everything you need to reload, except dies. This Lee Breech Lock Challenger Kit includes Press, Powder Dispenser, Scale, Hand Primer Tool, Funnel, Chamfer Tool, Primer pocket tool, and more. We like the press — the handle is adjustable and the primer-catching system sends spent primers into a receptacle for no mess cleanup. This $144.99 Kit comes complete with the Breechlock Quick Change die system. If you are looking to get started in handloading, or want a back-up second press with accessories, this is a great deal.
4. Graf & Sons — Winchester Centerfire Ammo REBATE
⏺ Save 20% on good loaded rifle ammunition
Need some good made-in-USA factory ammo? Check out the Winchester Ammunition Rebate at Graf & Sons. For a limited time, get a full 20% OFF eligible centerfire rifle ammunition. Maximum rebate amount is $75 per household. Offer is valid on qualifying purchases made between September 19, 2022 and December 4, 2022. The 20% Rebate applies to these types of Winchester loaded ammo: .223 Rem, 5.56x45mm, 7.62 x 51mm (.308 Win), and 300 Blackout.
⏺ Great deal — versatile rotating bench for varminting or home range
If you shoot on your own property or an undeveloped range, it’s great to have a portable shooting bench. The very affordable Birchwood Casey Xtreme Shooting bench offers superior comfort with a 2” thick padded back rest and seat. The benchtop rotates a full 360 degrees — great for varminting. The 23″ W X 34″ L padded top offers a comfortable, stable shooting surface for target practice or field hunting.
6. Amazon — Field Dressing Kit, $69.97
⏺ Must-have kit for game hunters — very useful
Heading out on a fall hunt and need tools to prepare the game meat you harvest? The versatile Knine Outdoors Field Dressing Kit offers a great selection of tools for a low price. This very complete Dressing Kit includes: 12″ Boning Knife, 9-1/2″ Gut-Hook Skinner, 8-1/2″ Hawkbill blade knife, 8-1/2″ Caping Knife, 12″ Gut-Hook Butcher Axe, 10-1/2″ Skinning Cleaver, 8-1/2″ Bone Saw, Ribcage Spreader (7″ to 12″), 9-1/4″ Game Shear, 11-7/8″ x 7-7/8″ Cutting Board, Knife and Shear Sharpener, and Cleaning Gloves.
7. Midway USA — Competition Range Bag, $59.99
⏺ Large capacity with good padding and strong fabric
The MidwayUSA Competition Range Bag is one of the best range bags on the market. Offered in four colors (Black, Charcoal Grey, Olive Drab, and Coyote Tan), this range bag can transport everything you need for a match or a day at the range. It boasts five notable carry compartments: huge primary bag, removable stage bag/ammunition carrier, two removable pistol rugs, and a removable fired brass/ammo carry bag. If you do a lot of pistol or 3-Gun shooting, this bag is a very good choice.
8. Amazon — Tri-Layered Scent-Safe Bag, $28.37
⏺ Handy, effective, very useful scent-blocker bag for game hunters
When you’re hunting for wild game, the last thing you want is to have your prey smell you coming. The Hunters Specialties Scent-A-Way Scent-Safe Travel Bag has a durable nylon outer and inner layers enclose a specially formulated foil that locks out foreign odors and locks in cover scents. Hunters we know have used this bag and recommend it.
⏺ Easy to see hits at distance, convenient 200-target roll
When shooting plain paper targets, it can be hard to see impacts. With these handy 4″ Splatterburst Targets your hits instantly display in bright yellow upon impact. Spend more time shooting and less time looking for shots. These adhesive targets peel off the 200-ct roll and then stick firmly to your target backer. Get a roll of 200 adhesive targets for $22.99 on Amazon. That works out to just 11.5 cents per target.
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Winchester’s new “Introduction to Ammunition — Ammo 101” is a four-part series including custom illustrations and information for four major ammunition categories: rifle, pistol, rimfire, and shotshell. The Ammo 101 series provides a detailed overview of centerfire rifle, centerfire pistol, rimfire, and shotshell ammunition, showcasing ammunition construction, components, calibers, and common usage. The Ammo 101 resource is free to download from Winchesters.mediaassets.com. Or, simply click one or more diagrams below. Each image will launch a large PDF which you can print or download.
TIP: Click Each Image for Full-Screen Printable PDF
Shown below are the first four ammunition information sheets prepared by Winchester. These show all the key components of cartridges and shotshells, and explain the functions. These diagrams are useful for training, and for persons getting started in reloading.
Ammo 101 Centerfire Rifle Cartridge Diagram (click for PDF)
Ammo 101 Rimfire Cartridge Diagram (click for printable PDF)
Ammo 101 Pistol Cartridge Diagram (click for printable PDF)
Ammo101 Shotshell Diagram (click for printable PDF)
About the Ammo 101 Series
The FREE Ammo 101 resources can help instructors nationwide who introduce new entrants to the shooting sports and hunting. Instructors can incorporate these resources into their training presentations, use them as handouts, or have them printed locally.
“The basics of ammunition… is what we want to deliver with the Ammo 101 series,” said Matt Campbell, Winchester V.P. of Sales & Marketing. “With millions of people across the United States starting their journey in the shooting sports as new firearm owners, providing easy-to-understand information on ammunition types is one way we can help educate our customers.”
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Readers often ask “What’s the difference between a Weaver scope rail and a Picatinny Rail?” The answer is not as simple as it seems. The dimensions of a Picatinny Rail should be consistent (from one rail-maker to another), since there IS a government spec. Conversely, there is some variance in “Weaver-style” rails. The width of the groove is the most important difference between Picatinny Rails and Weaver-type rails. “Mil-spec” Picatinny rails will have a grove width of 0.206″ while Weaver rails typically have a narrower, 0.180″ groove width.
Does your rifle have a Weaver Rail or Picatinny Rail? Check the dimensions to be sure.
Brownell’s has a helpful GunTech™ Article that discusses the Picatinny Rail vs. Weaver Rail. That article explains:
What are the differences between the ‘Picatinny’ and the ‘Weaver’ systems? The profile of the two systems is virtually identical. Depending on the quality of the machining done by the manufacturer, the two systems should be indistinguishable from the profile. The key difference lies in the placement of the recoil grooves and with width of the grooves. MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) grooves are .206″ wide and have a center-to-center width of .394”. The placement of these grooves has to be consistent in order for it to be a true Picatinny MIL-STD system. Weaver systems have a .180” width of recoil groove and are not necessarily consistent in a center-to-center measurement from one groove to the next.
In many instances, a Weaver system has a specific application that it is machined for, so interchangeability is not necessarily an issue. A MIL-STD-1913 system must adhere to the specifications listed above in order for it to be considered MIL-STD, since the military desires uniformity in the recoil grooves to allow for different systems to be mounted on the weapon with no concern for compatibility.
Now, what does this mean? Boiled down, it means that accessories designed for a Weaver system will, in most cases, fit on a Picatinny system. The reverse, however, is probably not the case. Due to the larger recoil groove, Picatinny accessories will not fit a Weaver system. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, but for a good rule-of-thumb, [full-width] Picatinny won’t fit Weaver, but Weaver accessories WILL fit Picatinny.
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Today we feature a big-caliber rifle used for the most prestigious Extreme Long Range (ELR) competition, the King of 2 Miles. This rifle was built for Derek Rodgers, a talented shooter with amazing credentials. An F-TR World Champion, Derek is the only shooter to have won the F-Open USA National Championship AND the F-TR USA National Championship. Derek also won the 2017 King of 2 Miles competition. Last Sunday GunDay we featured the 33XC rifle used by Clay Rhoden to capture the inaugural American King of 1 Mile competition. That story was quite popular, so this Sunday we offer an even more powerful rig, Derek’s .416 Barrett with a massive 40″ barrel.
Derek Rodgers won the King of 2 Miles competition in 2017, so he knows all about Extreme Long Range (ELR) shooting. While Derek won his 2017 KO2M title shooting the .375 CheyTac cartridge, Derek decided that something even bigger was in order. So Derek commissioned this impressive ELR rifle chambered for the jumbo .416 Barrett cartridge. This big round drives heavy Cutting Edge solid bullets from 475 to 550 grains in weight.
Here’s the Big Rig that delivers those .416-caliber projectiles. This monster rifle weighs 40+ pounds and sports a 40″ Bartlein barrel — more length for more velocity. Derek’s ELR rifle features a McMillan Beast 2 stock, BAT EX action, and Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm scope. Derek explained why he moved up to a bigger caliber: “I built a new rifle with the anticipation of seeing impacts easier. It was not just a larger caliber being more effective on hitting ELR targets, but rather hoping that a missed shot would have a much larger impact. Impacts beyond a mile become harder to see due to terrain and vegetation. So any added dust or splash erupting from the earth is a decisive benefit over an equally-accurate smaller caliber.” Here is Derek’s full report on his .416 Barrett rifle.
Derek Rodgers Campaigns a .416 Barrett
Report by Derek Rodgers Cartridge Choice — I chose a standard .416 Barrett cartridge as it allows for bullets up to and slightly exceeding 550 grains. It really does bridge the gap between the .375 variants and a 50 BMG. There are several great solid ELR bullet options from manufactures like Cutting Edge that range from 475-550 grains. These offer a variety of extremely high BC options for barrels that have different twist rates. Most loads will utilize the slowest burn rate powders commercially available. Good options are Vihtavuori 20N29, RL50, H50BMG and other powders with a similar burn rate.
Shooting the .416 — Tamer than Expected
An initial observation is that the rifle is very controllable and feels much like a larger F-TR gun. The rifle weighs 40+ pounds, balanced and stays on target very well. The recoil is manageable and linear. This seems to give a straight rearward impulse that does not affect positioning. This allows for quick repositioning into battery and faster follow-up shots.
Image courtesy ELR competitor Corbin Shell.
Rifle Details — BAT EX Action, Bartlein 40″ Barrel, McMillan Beast 2 Stock
Derek’s .416 Barrett ELR Rig features a BAT EX action with a Bix’N Andy trigger. Out front is a gigantic 40″ long, 1:9″-twist Bartlein barrel fitted with a Terminator T5 muzzle brake. The handsome McMillan Beast 2 stock combines a lower center of gravity design with a higher butt location. Given that high butt geometry, McMillan cleverly fitted the higher buttpad with a port allowing the cleaning rod to pass through (see photo below). On top is a Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm scope in NF rings on a +60 MOA rail, with Holland 34mm bubble level. The stock is supported by a Phoenix bipod and rests in an Edgewood bag designed for the McMillan Xit F-TR stock.
Note the extended Buttpad height. That helps with recoil in prone position. This McMillan Beast 2 stock includes a pass-through hole for the cleaning rod.
Derek Rodgers Wins 2017 Ko2M with 3368-Yard Hit
Back in 2017, Derek Rodgers won the King of 2 Miles Competition at Raton, New Mexico. Derek, shooting with Team Applied Ballistics, was the first KO2M marksman in history to hit the target at the maximum 3368-yard (1.91 mile) distance. Here’s that historic shot:
At the 2017 K02M, with his McMillan-stocked .375 CheyTac rifle, Derek shot brilliantly from the start. He was perfect — without a miss — at the first three yardages: 1543, 1722, and 1888. He had some misses at 1953 and 2667 yards, but then he out-shot all competitors at 3028 yards, going two for five. No other shooter managed a single hit at 3028 yards. Then it all came down to the big one — the last (and greatest) challenge, the target at 3368 yards (1.91 miles). Derek nailed it… and the celebrations began.
Here’s Derek with his 2017 Ko2M-winning .375 CheyTac rifle. Now he’s stepped up in bore size.
Gunsmithing by Blake Barrel and Rifle in Arizona
Derek’s rifle was built and chambered by Bryan Blake of Blake Barrel and Rifle in Phoenix, Arizona. The chambering was done with a Manson Precision reamer. Derek explains: “Bryan and his family have been in the machine shop business for several generations and have the expertise and equipment to handle larger barrel diameters associated with F-Class to ELR-type rigs. I tried to consider all angles and potential pitfalls that might occur during the building process. However, Bryan added his own touches to make the project his own. He truly created a work of art and supplied a turn-key rifle that is meticulously built from the inside out and looks as great as the tolerances it holds.”
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It’s easy to find back issues of Shooting Sports USA magazine. Here’s how: First, navigate to the current SSUSA Online Issue. Then click on the “ARCHIVES” icon in the upper right area (indicated with red arrow). When you click on “ARCHIVES”, a window will open with a selection of Shooting Sports USA magazine covers/dates in a vertical column. The most recent issue (September 2022) will appear at the top. You can then scroll down — use the vertical scroll bar to go from September 2022 (the latest issue) all the way back to June 2009. Click any issue cover to read.
Sometimes you’ll get a barrel that doesn’t stabilize bullets the way you’d anticipate, based on the stated (or presumed) twist rate. A barrel might have 1:10″ stamped on the side but it is, in truth, a 1:10.5″ twist or even a 1:9.5″. Cut-rifled barrels, such as Kriegers and Bartleins, normally hold very true to the specified twist rate. With buttoned barrels, due to the nature of the rifling process, there’s a greater chance of a small variation in twist rate. And yes, factory barrels can be slightly out of spec as well.
