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September 29th, 2026

Suppressor Use When Hunting — What You Need to Know

There is an informative article on the NRA’s American Hunter website regarding suppressor use for hunting. The article, What Hunters Need to Know About Suppressors, answers common questions about suppressor use on hunts. Suppressors are currently legal in 42 states, and can be used for hunting in 41 states (Connecticut prohibits suppressor use while hunting).

As that NRA article is a few years old, it does NOT have current information on suppressor purchasing rules and fees. Effective 1/1/2026, there is NO $200 fee to acquire a suppressor (aka silencer). There have been recent legal challenges to the NFA paperwork rules for purchasing a suppressor. Some states are honoring the injunction issued by a Federal court in Silencer Shop v. ATF, so in some states an NFA Form 4 may not be required. But you should still expect to fill out some paperwork in most states. Get current suppressor regulations by state on the Silencer Shop website.

The American Hunter article also discusses how well suppressors actually reduce noise. User should be aware that the sound level of a large, centerfire hunting cartridge will still exceed 130 decibels (dB) on average, even with a typical suppressor (silencer) in place. For that reason, we recommend that hunters continue to wear ear protection even when they shoot suppressed.

For example, Thunder Beast Arms says its Ultra 9 Suppressor will reduce the report of a .308 Win to 132-134 dB: “The ULTRA 9 will suppress a typical .308 bolt-action rifle down to approx. 132-134 dB. It also has very little or no ‘first round pop’ (FRP) in most applications.” NOTE: These dB levels are measured in accordance with MIL-STD-1474D using BK 2209 SLM offset one meter from muzzle.

For more general information about hunting with suppressors, definitely check out the Suppressor INFO Page on the Boone & Crockett Club website.

How Loud Are Unsuppressed Rifles?
Firearms Are Loud — 140 dB to 175 dB. Audiology group ASHA explains: “Almost all firearms create noise that is over the 140-dB level. Exposure to noise greater than 140 dB can permanently damage hearing. A small .22-caliber rifle can produce noise around 140 dB, while big-bore rifles and pistols can produce sound over 175 dB. Firing guns in a place where sounds can reverberate, or bounce off walls and other structures, can make noises louder and increase the risk of hearing loss. Also, adding muzzle brakes or other modifications can make the firearm louder. People who do not wear hearing protection while shooting can suffer a severe hearing loss with as little as one shot[.] Audiologists see this often, especially during hunting season when hunters and bystanders may be exposed to rapid fire from big-bore rifles, shotguns, or pistols.” Source: ASHA, Recreational Firearm Noise Exposure.

suppressor fact and fiction moderator silencer

How Much Does a Good Suppressor Really Reduce Firearm Sound Levels?
That depends on the rifle, the cartridge, and the effectiveness of the suppressor. The American Hunter article explains: “Suppressors retard the speed of propellant gases from the cartridge that rapidly expand and rush out of the barrel. It’s these gases that produce the loud boom that’s heard for miles. A suppressor’s series of internal baffles slows these gases so they are not all released at once, thereby muffling the sound.” Many good commercial suppressors can achieve 30-35 dB sound suppression. However, Zak Smith of Thunder Beast Arms says: “There are a bunch of manufacturers who publish values that are not reproducible, or use an ad-hoc test instead of a mil-spec test. In many cases we’ve tested the exact same suppressors they’ve advertised with 30-40 dB reductions and found they are actually in the high 20s instead.”

Again, for this reason, we recommend that hunters use ear protection, such as NRR 25+ banded ear plugs, even when shooting suppressed.

Choosing a Suppressor for Hunting Use
The American Hunter article explains that there are many types of suppressors on the market. Bigger suppressors are heavier, but they normally are more effective. You also have a choice in muzzle attachments:

“For most hunting applications, direct thread is the best choice. If you intend to buy only one suppressor yet you have multiple guns, it’s advantageous to buy a model sized and rated for the largest caliber you intend to use. While a suppressor made specifically for a .223 Rem. will reduce the sound of that round slightly better than a model made for .30 caliber, for example, you can use a .30-caliber can for smaller calibers — but not vice-versa. In general, the bigger the can, the more it reduces sound. Smaller suppressors, however, are easier to carry in the woods.” — American Hunter


Chart from American Suppressor Association.

States Where Suppressor Ownership is Allowed
Currently, the following 42 states allow private ownership of suppressors: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY. NOTE: Suppressors are legal in Connecticut, but hunting with silencers is not allowed in Connecticut.

How to Acquire a Suppressor
To acquire a quality suppressor, you first should shop around, comparing verified performance and price. Unfortunately some manufacturer’s dB (sound level) claims are exaggerated. Give due consideration to size, weight, and durability. When you’ve selected a brand and model, find a reputable dealer authorized to sell suppressors. There have been many recent policy changes by the ATF. Such changes are covered by this video:

BENEFITS OF SILENCERS

NOISE REDUCTION
According to OSHA, the threshold for a hearing safe impulse noise is 140 dB. Without hearing protection, exposure to any impulse noise over 140 dB causes varying degrees of permanent noise-induced hearing loss, which can also lead to tinnitus. Most well-engineered silencers take the dB level of their host firearm well below 140 dB, making those silencers effective primary hearing safety devices. You should always still wear hearing protection (muffs or plugs) when using suppressors.

RECOIL REDUCTION
By containing the explosion at the muzzle, suppressors significantly reduce perceived recoil energy, reduce the rifle’s rearward movement on recoil, and reduce rifle torquing and muzzle flip. The reduction of recoil (and rifle torquing/hopping) lessens shooter fatigue and helps the shooter get his sight picture back on target rapidly after firing. With smaller calibers, a suppressor may enable the shooter to maintain a nearly-continuous sight picture, following the shot into the target. In addition, by reducing felt recoil (and muzzle blast), a suppressor can help inexperienced shooters avoid flinching.

Permalink - Articles, - Videos, Hunting/Varminting, News 1 Comment »
September 29th, 2026

Smart Reloading — With New Brass, Use Expander Mandrels

Expander Mandrel reloading case neck tension cartridge brass

Before you load that new cartridge brass for the first time, run an expander mandrel down the case necks. This will iron out dents and provide more uniform neck tension. Chose a mandrel diameter that provides appropriate neck tension.

Expander Mandrel reloading case neck tension cartridge brassLapua brass is so good that you’ll be tempted to just load and shoot, if you have a “no-turn” chamber. However, some minimal case prep will ensure more uniform neck tension. Keeping your neck tension very uniform allows more consistent bullet seating. That, in turn, usually yields better accuracy, and lower Extreme Spread and Standard Deviation (ES/SD). Lapua brass, particularly 6mmBR, 6.5×47, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win comes from the factory with tighter-than-optimal necks.

Before you seat bullets, at a minimum, you should inside chamfer the case mouths, after running an expander mandrel down the necks. The expander mandrels from both Sinclair Int’l (Brownells, $14.99 stainless, $24.99 Titanium Nitride coated) and K&M will both leave the necks with enough neck tension (more than .001″) so you can then seat bullets without another operation. We suggest putting a bit of lube on the mandrel before running it down the necks — but remove any lube that gets inside the necks before seating bullets. If you do a lot of loading you may benefit from a Titanium Nitride-coated mandrel.

Sinclair Expander Tool Mandrel Both Sinclair and K&M Tools make a die body specifically to hold expander mandrels. The $61.99 Sinclair version fits caliber-specific expander mandrels which measure approximately .001″ less than bullet diameter for each caliber. This is an updated “Gen II” design that completely captures the mandrel within the die so the mandrel cannot pull out. It also has an O-ring in the die cap that allows the mandrel to self-center within the case neck. Brownells offers two sizes of Sinclair die bodies for expander mandrels: .17 -.338 caliber (#749011715 $61.99); and .357 – .50 caliber (#749008843, $49.99). All Generation II dies are machined from stainless steel and the standard diameter 7/8-14 dies include the Sinclair Stainless Steel Split Lock Ring.

Once you run the expander mandrel down the necks of Lapua brass, after you account for brass spring-back, you’ll have about .002″ neck tension*. This will make the process of seating bullets go much more smoothly, and you will also iron out any dents in the case mouths. Once the case mouths are all expanded, and uniformly round, then do your inside neck chamfering/deburring. The same expander mandrels can be used to “neck-up” smaller diameter brass, or prepare brass for neck-turning.

Forum member Mike Crawford adds: “These expanders can also reduce runout from offset seating. Prior to bullet seating, expand the sized necks to force thickness variance outward. With the Sinclair system, the necks will springback fine, and will not be pulled out of center. This leaves plenty of tension, and bullets seated more centered. I do this, even with turned necks, to get improved seating.”

Mandrels vs. Expander Balls on Decapping Rods
If you haven’t acquired an appropriate expander mandrel for your brass, but you DO have a full-length sizing die with an expander ball, this will also function to “iron out” the necks and reduce tension. However, using a die with an expander ball will work the necks more — since you first size them down, then the ball expands them up again. Typically (but not always), run-out is worse when using an expander ball vs. an expander mandrel.


* This .002″ tension is what we have observed with Lapua 6mmBR, 6.5×47, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win brass. This might vary with much smaller or larger cases, and of course a different brand of brass might yield different results. If you get too little tension with your current mandrel, you can get a smaller-diameter mandrel from 21st Century Innovation, with stainless, Black Nitride, or Titanium nitride versions. The Nitride models have less friction.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Gear Review, Reloading Post comment »
September 28th, 2026

BargainFinder 575: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

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.

Brownells — Clearance Sale + Save 20% with Code EXTRA20

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⏺️ » Deals on guns, ammo, optics, and gear plus 20% OFF Code

Get major savings with the Brownells Clearance Sale. Along with the already discounted prices, on many of these clearance items you can save an additional 20% with Code EXTRA20. Sale items include rifle scopes, pistols, bipods, shooting rests, ammo (rifle, pistol, shotgun), cartridge brass, bullets (Berger, Sierra, Hornady), reloading equipment, rifle cases and more. Definitely check out this Clearance Sale. There are exceptional deals plus 20% savings. Or, if you can’t use the 20% Off code you can get FREE Shipping for orders over $99 with Code FREESHIP99.

MidwayUSA — RCBS Reloading Tools Sale

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⏺️ » RCBS reloading equipment and tools with big savings

If you need a press, reloading scale, dies, or other loading tools, definitely check out the major RCBS Sale running now at MidwayUSA. They have everything RCBS on sale, including Presses, Combo Reloading Kits, ChargeMaster Electronic Scale/Dispensers, Priming tools, Mechanical scales, Dies and more — all priced to move. There are very significant savings, up to 25%. For example the innovative RCBS Summit Press is $75 off, a 20% savings while a RockChucker combo reloading kit is $125 off, also 20% discount.

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Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Hot Deals, Hunting/Varminting, Optics Post comment »
September 28th, 2026

New National Records Set at CMP New England Games

2026 cmp new england games camp ethan allen record

2026 cmp new england games camp ethan allen recordThe 2026 CMP New England Games were held September 19-27, 2026 at the Camp Ethan Allen National Guard Training Site in Jericho, Vermont. This is one of the nation’s most scenic ranges, with beautiful green countryside and generally good shooting conditions.

» CLICK HERE for New England Games INFO

At this year’s CMP New England Games some impressive new records were set by SGT Zevin Linse, a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit’s Rifle Team. The CMP reports that USAMU SGT Linse set a new CMP National Standing Position High Power 200-yard Record.

After setting a new mark early in the games with a 200-13X standing score SGT Linse returned on September 26th to break his own record — raising it to 200-14X — the best-ever at a CMP Competition.*

Along with this remarkable single match performance, SGT Linse shot superbly throughout the entire event, racking up a new CMP National Aggregate Record. His impressive performances on the line over three days of 80-shot matches led to Linse’s 2400 Aggregate score of 2390-136X, a new CMP Match record.

Linse shattered the previous record of 2383-111X, set at last year’s New England Games by MSG Kristoffer Friend of the U.S. Army Reserve team. It should also be noted that Linse’s teammate, SPC Amber Kingshill, also broke the previous record with an impressive 2400 Aggregate score of 2386-114X.

Photos from the Camp Ethan Allen Range in Vermont

2026 cmp new england games camp ethan allen record
2026 cmp new england games camp ethan allen record
2026 cmp new england games camp ethan allen record
2026 cmp new england games camp ethan allen record

2026 cmp new england games camp ethan allen record


* The NRA National standing position 200-Yard record is 200-15X shot by Gary Anderson in 1971. We believe that SGT Linse’s 200-14X is the top score for a major CMP match. SEE NRA Records Resource Page.

Permalink Competition, News, Shooting Skills Post comment »
September 28th, 2026

Get FREE Access to Gun Law Summaries for All 50 States

NRA-ILA state law summary carry second amendment registration firearms

Will you be traveling out of state this spring? Or do you have questions about your own state’s firearms laws? Then you’ll want to have quick access to summaries of gun laws in America’s 50 states. Here’s a very valuable online resource you may want to bookmark.

The NRA-ILA (Institute for Legislative Action) has a great feature on the NRA-ILA’s homepage. From the NRA home page, NRA-ILA.org, you can instantly access a host of information for all 50 states. There is a menu box that includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, New York City, and Guam. Look for the box that appears below the “NRA-ILA Top Stories Banner”:

NRA-ILA state law summary carry second amendment registration firearms

Alternatively, look at the UPPER LEFT for three horizontal lines. Click that to open a drop-down menu. Then select the third line Gun Laws > State Gun Laws. That will open a page with all the 50 states listed in order A to Z. Or bookmark the NRA-ILA State Gun Laws Page.

NRA-ILA state law summary carry second amendment registration firearms

Shown below is part of the NRA-ILA’s coverage for Texas. There is a summary of the most important Texas gun laws. Below that is a map showing the states that recognize Texas carry permits.

NRA-ILA state law summary carry second amendment registration firearms
NRA-ILA state law summary carry second amendment registration firearms

Permalink - Articles, Handguns, News Post comment »
September 27th, 2026

Sunday GunDay: anTi Action Hunting Rifle — 4.93-Lb w/ Scope

ultra light weight hunting rifle defiance anti action kevlar stock Accurate Shooters forum

Hunting season is here (9/26/26 was officially National Hunting and Fishing Day). There are many challenges with hunting — choosing your territory, finding your prey, and also carrying lots of heavy gear many miles into the backcountry.

We know that many hunters would like to carry less weight in the field, but still want an accurate and rugged rifle. In our Shooters’ Forum, there’s an interesting thread about a very light hunting rifle. Featuring a Defiance ultra-light action, this 6.5×57 Lapua lightweight tips the scales at just 4.93 pounds including scope and rings! And it is just 4.2 pounds without the mounted optic. For reference, a half-gallon of milk weighs 4.3 pounds, so this rifle is LIGHT! Here’s a report from the proud owner who built the rifle for a future Kodiak Island Alaska mountain goat hunt.

Ultralight Rifle Report by Forum Member Dave

I decided I wanted the challenge of a Mountain Goat hunt after I turn 60. It was the perfect excuse to put together an ultralight, something I had wanted to do for years. I wanted to see how light a bolt action rifle could actually be. My goal was to stay under 5 pounds, without going to a Titanium action, including rings and scope. I knew this would be difficult but I did manage to achieve the goal.

I started with a Defiance anTi model Rem Model 7 short action. This is an extremely smooth action that weighs just 19.2 ounces in this size. I had Carson Lilja of Lilja Barrels program a barrel taper to my dimensions for a 6.5mm 1:8″-twist stainless, 3-groove 22″ barrel. As fitted in the rifle, the barrel is free-floated except for the first inch or so forward of the action.

ultra light weight hunting rifle defiance anti action kevlar stock Accurate Shooters forum

Other rifle components are: Bix’N Andy Dakota trigger, aluminum trigger guard, blind magazine with an aluminum follower, titanium action screws, and a Leupold 3-9X lightweight optic in Talley rings. I also had an aluminum adapter installed in the for-end to accept a magnetic mount Javelin carbon fiber bipod.

ultra light weight hunting rifle defiance anti action kevlar stock Accurate Shooters forum

The rifle was chambered up in 6.5×47 Lapua by my friends at Sportsman’s Outfitters in Knox, Pennsylvania. Then I sent the barreled action to Wayne at Oregunsmithing (Pendleton, OR) to have a Kevlar stock built. The stock weighs a whopping 14 ounces! When it came back I had everything Cerakoted (see bottom photo before coating). This stock was a full custom, built around my barreled action. Wayne’s work was reasonably priced with a 3-month turn around.

Excellent Accuracy — 5/8″ Three-Shot Groups at 100 Yards
Now it was time to shoot the rifle and I was not disappointed. It shoots both Barnes TTSX 100s or Swift Scirocco II 130s into 5/8″ at 100 yards. Off a bipod at 400 yards, three go into 3″ or so. This thing is crazy light even though it wears a 22″ barrel.

ultra light weight hunting rifle defiance anti action kevlar stock Accurate Shooters forum

Without scope and rings, before Cerakoting the action and barrel, this 6.5×47 rifle tipped the scales at a mere 4.20 pounds (67.2 ounces). (NOTE: The barreled action is now matte black after Cerakoting, see above). Check out this 4.2-lb rig without optics:

ultra light weight hunting rifle defiance anti action kevlar stock Accurate Shooters forum
ultra light weight hunting rifle defiance anti action kevlar stock Accurate Shooters forum

Sunday GunDay BONUS: FREE ZEISS Hunting App

Zeiss hunting app android google apple iphone ios

iPhone/iPad Hunting App (iOS) | Android Hunting App (Google)

KEY FEATURES: Ballistics Solver, GPS Tagging, Weather Forecast, Field Notes with Photos

ZEISS offers a FREE mobile Hunting 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.

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.

NOTE: The rifle featured in this story was built for an Alaska Mountain Goat Hunt. The ZEISS Hunting App can provide info by species type, including deer, elk, and yes, Mountain Goats.

Zeiss ios apple android hunting App mobile

Permalink Gear Review, Gunsmithing, Hunting/Varminting Post comment »
September 27th, 2026

Top 10 Best-Selling Bolt-Action Rifles in the USA

Best selling rifles gunbroker gun genius chart

What are the top-selling new bolt-action rifles in the USA? You might be surprised — there are no Remingtons among the Top 5 bolt guns. In the bolt-action category, Ruger has the top spot with its Ruger American Rifle, followed by the Winchester Model 70, Tikka T3x Lite, Ruger American Ranch, and standard Tikka T3X. Below we list the Top TEN Bolt action rifles, based on sales for the full 12 months of 2025. These rankings are based on Gunbroker.com sales data, listed on the Gun Genius Report Page. Every month, Gun Genius lists the Top 5 Best Selling Guns for each major category of firearms sold on GunBroker.com. This culminates in this year-end report detailing the Top Selling Firearms of the Year. Results from the 2025 year-end report are shown below.

Shopping for a rifle? Your buying decision may be simplified by seeing what other consumers have chosen, as revealed by nationwide sales trends. You can check firearms sales figures using “Gun Genius”, a data-crunching service of Gunbroker.com. On GunGenius.com you can select any type of firearm (handgun, rifle, shotgun) and see the top sellers for that category. Below are the Top Ten best-selling NEW bolt-action rifles. On the Gun Genius site you’ll find links for gun specifications.

Best selling rifles gunbroker gun genius chart

Here are the TEN top-selling NEW bolt-action rifles for 2025:

1. RUGER AMERICAN RIFLE
Best selling rifles 2025 ruger american gen 2 II

2. WINCHESTER 70 SUPER GRADE
Best selling rifles 2025 winchester 70 super grade

3. TIKKA T3X LITE
Best selling rifles 2025 tikka t3-x t3x lite

4. RUGER AMERICAN RANCH
Best selling rifles 2025 ruger american ranch camo gen 2 II

5. TIKKA T3X
Best selling rifles 2025 tikka t3-x t3x lite

6. RUGER AMERICAN PREDATOR
Best selling rifles 2025 ruger american predator gen 2 II

7. WINCHESTER XPR
Best selling rifles 2025 winchester xpr

8. RUGER HAWKEYE
Best selling rifles 2025 ruger hawkeye

9. BROWNING X-BOLT
Best selling rifles 2025 browning xbolt x-bolt

10. RUGER M77 HAWKEYE
Best selling rifles 2025 ruger m77 hawkeye

Get Sales Rankings for Other Categories of Firearms
On GunGenius.com, in addition to the bolt-action rifle category above, you can chose lever-action rifles, semi-auto rifles, single-shot rifles, semi-auto pistols, revolvers, semi-auto shotguns, pump shotguns, and more. You can also filter for sales trends (upwards and downwards). Drill down to see detailed product specifications and current prices.

Permalink Gear Review, Hunting/Varminting, News Post comment »
September 26th, 2026

Today is National Hunting and Fishing Day 2026

2021 National Hunting Fishing Day license where to hunt

Today — September 26, 2026 — is National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD). We’re proud to recognize how important hunting is for millions of Americans — as a source of food for families and as an important connection with nature and the outdoors. The NFHD website has helpful resources for hunters, and in this article we provide links for Where to Hunt, How to get Hunting Licenses, and Hunter Education.

NHFD was first established by President Nixon in 1972. According to NationalToday.com, NHFD’s “roots go back more than 100 years to President Theodore Roosevelt, who introduced the first laws regulating the hunting of wildlife in the United States.”

This month we hope some of our readers can take new shooters afield and introduce them to hunting. Many hunters receive their first introduction to hunting from family or friends as a tradition passed down from generation to generation. There are over 9.2 million hunters in the United States.

2021 National Hunting Fishing Day license where to hunt

hunter education national hunting fishing day

To have a successful hunt you must first get to areas where game thrives. Finding the right places to hunt is essential. The NSSF offers a nationwide Where-to-Hunt database of hunting areas. You can click on a particular state, then specify the specicies you wish to hunt. This is a very useful resource.

hunter education national hunting fishing day

In most states, when hunting game animals, you’ll need a hunting license and/or zone permit. The Federal Fish & Wildlife Service has state-by-state listing for hunting licenses on FWS.gov. Click the box below to learn how to get hunting licenses in your region.

hunter education national hunting licenses fishing day

For all hunters, whether they have mentors to guide them or not, the most important first step into the woods begins with a state-certified hunter education course. Click the box below to see hunting education opportunities around the nation.

hunter education national hunting fishing day

Game Resources — To learn more about different game species, click these NSSF links:

Game Animals Resources | Game Birds Resources

2021 National Hunting Fishing Day license where to hunt

FREE Printable Deer Hunting Target

To help you prepare for a fall hunt, here is a free, printable Deer Practice target. Hone your skills on a trio of bucks with a red bullseye centered on the animals. You can print the targets in black and white, but they look best in color. Right-click the image below to download a FREE printable target PDF file.

hunting NRA Blog Target deer buck turkey hog PDF printable target

Permalink - Articles, Hunting/Varminting, News Post comment »
September 26th, 2026

Saturday Movies: Six Good Hunting Videos for Nat’l Hunting Day

national hunting fishing day NSSF hunter deer elk game
Deer hunting photo courtesy NSSF.

national hunting fishing day hunt hunter moviesHunting season has started in many parts of the country. And today, Saturday, September 26, 2026, is National Hunting and Fishing Day. Every year, this event is held on the 4th Saturday of September. First recognized by President Nixon in 1972, this is now the 54th year the event has been celebrated across the USA. To help mark this day, we are offering six informative videos for hunters. These cover planning your hunt, selecting good optics, and optimizing your rifle.

Comparison of Seven Popular Deer Hunting Scopes

This is a summary review of seven (7) popular hunting scopes, as available in 2024 (there may be newer variants). This video consist mostly of manufacturer-created marketing content with a few minutes of independent reviews. Consider this video a place to start when shopping for a new hunting optic. You’ll want to check independent reviews when you select a particular model. The seven riflescopes featured in the video are: Vortex Optics Razor HD LHT 3-15x42mm (SFP); Trijicon Tenmile (FFP); Maven CRS.1 Lightweight 3-12x40mm (SFP); Nightforce SHV 5-20x56mm (FFP or SFP); Athlon Ares BTR GEN2 (FFP); SIG Sauer SIERRA6 BDX (SFP); Vortex Optics Diamondback (SFP).

How to Sight-In Your Hunting Rifle

This video and related article offer good basic advice for sighting-in a hunting rifle. There are a series of six points covered. Here’s Tip #1: “Find a safe place to shoot your rifle with a backstop. If possible, use a bench and a rock-solid shooting rest. Sighting-in is all about consistency, so the less human error you have, the better. For safety, be sure to also bring ear and eye protection.” READ FULL ARTICLE on NRAWomen.com.


NRAwomen.com website NRA lady shooter hunting sighting in sight-in

Prepare For Your Hunt — Get Fit and Practice Positions

As part of the NRA’s Tips & Tactics video series, Kristy Titus explains how to prepare for a hunt. Titus, co-host of the Team Elk TV show has hunted around the globe. She grew up in the outdoors, running pack mules in Oregon with her father. In this video, Kristy discusses fitness training and demonstrates field positions that can be employed during a hunt.

Kristy explains: “Hunting can lead you into some steep, rough country. It’s really important that you train both your body and your mind to handle the elements and the rigors of hunting So, if you plan on going on a mountain hunt, get out and train your body. Train with your firearm. Get off the bench and have some fun with this. Do some positional shooting or, if you want to add a stress dynamic… have someone put you under a time parameter.”

Elk Hunting — Great North American Adventures

A North American elk hunt represents the adventure of a lifetime for many. Before heading out on an elk hunt, you want to maximize your chances of success by having the right equipment, and by doing your homework before the hunt. This National Shooting Sport Foundation (NSSF) video offers good advice on planning your first elk hunt.

Nanook MG Kelbly action hunting steel RMEF rocky mountain Elk Foundation
Success! Elk hunt photo from West Canyon Ranch, a private hunting ranch in Utah.

Nanook MG Kelbly action hunting steel RMEF rocky mountain Elk Foundation
Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF).

Deer Hunting in Norway’s Fjord Mountains

Norway Fjord Hunting SkorpenHere’s a video with some truly stunning scenery. Watching this video is like taking a virtual vacation to Norway, where you can explore the scenic mountains in the Fjord region. Forum member Kenneth Skorpen (aka “Sal”) has created a cool video of a deer-hunting trip he took in Norway. He didn’t bag a buck on this trip, but the walk in the Fjordland mountains took Kenneth through some spectacular scenery. (At the 11:25 time mark you’ll see an amazing sunset over the Fjord.)

Kenneth did encounter a doe that had fallen down the mountain, and apparently broken its neck (14:35 time mark). The terrain is very steep, and Kenneth observed that: “I feel fortunate to be able to do this, but I also feel very tired in my legs. Did you know that the hares around here have shorter left legs due to the steep hills?”

Load Development for .308 Win Hunting Rifle

In this video, F-Class ace Keith Glasscock shows load development with a .308 Winchester hunting rifle. Here Keith uses a large X-type sandbag for a front support. He is shooting a Remington 700 bolt-action rifle, with Barnes TSX solid copper bullets, PPU Brass, Federal 210m primers, and AR Comp powder. Keith said the Barnes bullets were excellent — he commented that these bullets were “match quality in terms of precision”. Keith achieved some very small three-shot groups with AR Comp and the TSX projectiles. Keith did note that point-of-impact shifted up significantly with increases in charge weight (see 6:20-7:10). With thinner-contour hunting barrels, this is not unexpected. But POI change should be observed carefully during load development, as you may need to adjust your zero after completing testing.

Keith Glasscock .223 Rem load development

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September 25th, 2026

Gun Rights Policy Conference Now in Dallas — Livestream Links

gun rights policy conference grpc dallas texas September 25 26 27 2026

gun rights policy conference grpc dallas texas September 25 26 27 2026The 41st Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) kicks off today (9/25/26) in Dallas, Texas. The event will continue through Sunday, September 27, 2026.

» CLICK HERE for full GRPC Agenda

Co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), this is one of the most important gatherings of Second Amendment legal experts and Federal ATF and DOJ administrators. To view the full list of GRPC 2026 speakers and the final agenda visit SAF.org/GRPC.

LIVEstream GRPC Events Saturday and Sunday
For those who can’t make the event, the Saturday and Sunday GRPC 2026 sessions will be livestreamed on SAF’s YouTube channel beginning at 8 a.m. (CST) on Saturday and 9 a.m. (CST) on Sunday. You can also view via the SAF Livestream links below, or click on the Video starting Saturday morning.

Saturday SAF Livestream Link | Sunday SAF Livestream Link

The 2026 GRPC event runs at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport hotel. The $25 Registration Fee includes access to all Gun Rights Policy Conference events, including Friday and Saturday evening receptions.

gun rights policy conference grpc dallas texas September 25 26 27 2026

This year’s keynote address will be given by the Honorable Roger T. Benitez (Ret.), a highly respect Federal Judge who authored many landmark decisions while serving as a Federal District Judge in California. Judge Benitez authored multiple key decisions which have helped to restore and safeguard gun rights in California. Judge Benitez is considered to be one of the most important judicial defenders of the Second Amendment in the post-Heller era. Other notable speakers are ATF Director Rober Cekada, and William Kirk, Second Amendment attorney, and host of the Washington Gun Law YouTube channel.

Additional Notable Speakers Will Include:
Robert Leider, ATF Chief Counsel
Barry Arrington, Acting Chief of Civil Rights Division (2d Amend. section), U.S. Department of Justice
Joseph Greenlee, NRA Institute for Legislative Action Litigation Counsel Office
Alan M. Gottlieb, Founder and Executive V.P., Second Amendment Foundation
Adam Kraut, Executive Director, Second Amendment Foundation
Chris Boeck, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at Silencer Shop
Mark Smith, Constitutional lawyer and host of The Four Boxes Diner YouTube Channel
Cam Edwards, Editor of BearingArms.com and the host of the Cam & Company podcast
Brandon Herrera, Second Amendment advocate and Congressional candidate

Pre-Conference AMM-Con Event
In addition to attending GRPC, registrants can also participate in the AMM-Con pre-conference event on Friday, September 25. This is a gathering of leading Second Amendment media personnel.

2026 GRPC Official Sponsors
GRPC 2026 is sponsored by NSSF, USCCA, U.S. Law Shield, Silencer Shop, Colt, Vortex, Magpul, Credova, Volquartsen, Trijicon, GrabAGun, RAYVN Group, AZFirearms Auctions, and Taurus.

gun rights policy conference grpc dallas texas September 25 26 27 2026

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