Do Hornady A-Tip Bullets Change The Long-Range Game?

October 22, 2019

Hornady A-Tip 8 — The Hornady A-Tip comes in packages of 100 (in two blocks of 50) and are loaded sequentially as they come off the press. Hornady includes a polishing bag to clean the lube off the bullets.

Boasting uniform aluminum tips, does the Hornady A-Tip represent the next big advancement in long-range bullets?

What Makes The A-Tip A Cut Above Other Match Bullets:

Machined aluminum tips kept to very tight tolerances.
Bullets maintain their intended shape in flight.
Center of gravity shifted for optimum stability.
AMP bullet jacket modified for seamless tip/ogive transition.
Bullets are packaged sequentially, right off the press, for utmost consistency per batch.

“Dial 14.8 mils elevation and hold a full 4 mils left for wind.”

So came the instruction from Kyle Lynch, a fellow gun writer and my partner for some shooter/spotter exercises we were participating in at the Leupold Optics Academy.

I spun the elevation turret of the scope and backed off just a bit on the magnification to remove some of the mirage, holding on the 4-mil hash in the horizontal bar, and broke the trigger on the Ruger Precision rifle. It took a couple of seconds or so for the bullet to get to the steel, but the splatter at the center of the orange dot of the 1,500-yard steel was extremely gratifying, considering the wind, which was gusting to 20 mph on the Oregon high desert. Living in the Northeast, I don’t have a lot of opportunity to take things out very far, so when I do get a chance, I jump at it.

Hornady A-Tip 4 — If the 6.5mm bullets were impressive up to now, the Hornady A-Tip has just made them even better. (Photo: Hornady)

This particular event saw Leupold pair with Hornady, which has recently announced the release of its newest match bullet: the A-Tip. Using a machined aluminum tip in place of a traditional hollow-point or polymer tip, the A-Tip bullet just might be the next big advancement in long-range bullet technology.

Rocket Science

As the Hornady website states, “Yes, it is rocket science!” The company’s R&D team put forth a huge effort in manufacturing the best match bullet it could create—a tall order, considering the field-proven success of the Hornady ELD-Match bullet.

Using an aluminum tip is not a new idea; Hornady has used it before (on its National Match line, it employed a seriously large aluminum tip. And the original Winchester SilverTip line used a flat aluminum cap over a cup-and-core bullet in an attempt to mitigate premature bullet breakup, which sort of worked). Neither of these bullets has the silky-smooth transition of aluminum tip to copper jacket, nor does it hold the tolerances that the Hornady A-Tip holds.

Hornady A-Tip 2 — (below) Hornady’s A-Tip bullets are packaged sequentially. (Photo: Hornady)

Hornady chose aluminum for a meplat material for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s capable of being manufactured to very tight tolerances, and it’s equally capable of maintaining the intended shape. As we all know, uniformity is a very important part of the accuracy equation, and the meplat of a bullet can have a drastic effect on its resistance to atmospheric drag. Now, it should be blatantly obvious that machining a tip for each bullet is not exactly cost-effective; or maybe it’s better said that the process and the material will add to the cost of the A-Tip bullet.

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Secondly, Hornady uses the shape and weight of the tip to purposefully shift the center of gravity to the location the company desired for optimum stability. The tip is certainly long—long enough to require a special seating plug, which Hornady offers for sale for its dies—and it’s quite obviously consistent, as you’ll find out in a bit. Hornady has engineered the A-Tip from the ground up: It’s much more than just an aluminum tip on an existing bullet profile. The company is offering a truly unique experience for those in pursuit of the finest accuracy … or better yet, precision.

A Slight Digression

Hornady has modified/improved its AMP bullet jacket for the new A-Tip bullet, and the results are pretty obvious once you start putting them downrange. A sleek ogive and long boat tail complement the design, giving the bullet a very high BC (ballistic coefficient) value; speaking of which, perhaps a bit of discussion regarding “ballistic coefficient” is warranted, considering Hornady’s attitude regarding that term.

Hornady A-Tip 3 — Hornady offers the A-Tip in 6mm, 6.5mm and .30 caliber. (Photo: Hornady)

Ballistic coefficient is a unit-less number that uses the bullet’s sectional density, mass and coefficient of form to compare it to a specific model. Most times, it’s the G1 or G7 models for our rifle bullets. While this method is certainly a useful application in predicting trajectory curves, it most certainly has its flaws, because BC is a fluid number and can, and most certainly will, change with varying velocities. Sometimes, a bullet’s BC is averaged across a wide spectrum of velocities; and sometimes, those numbers can be slanted to give a better impression of a bullet’s performance.

For example, the G1 figures for any bullet will certainly be more attractive than the G7 values, even though the G7 values are more than likely closer to the truth. Even without leaning toward a higher velocity range in order to slightly inflate numbers, Hornady seems to be drifting away from BC, because its 4 Degrees of Freedom (4DOF) ballistic program relies on a bullet’s axial form factor rather than on BC.

Axial Form Factor in the Real World

The 4DOF program is a good one and was a real eye-opener to me on the shoot in Oregon. We were using rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with ammunition handloaded by the good folks at Hornady (you see, the A-Tip bullets are only available in component form) and looking through excellent Leupold glass, so that eliminated any excuses.

Hornady A-Tip 7 — The 135-grain 6.5 mm A-Tip makes a perfect mate for the Creedmoor case, as the author experienced at the Leupold Optics Academy.

We took the environmental data, including elevation above sea level, temperature and humidity, and measured the muzzle velocity of the rifle. After zeroing at 100 yards, we then took the measurement of the elevation of a five-shot group at a target at 577 yards (this distance can be any arbitrary distance, but a target between 500 and 750 yards usually produces the best results) and adjusted the trajectory curve by taking some percentage of the modeled axial form factor.

Because my rifle was running a bit hotter than some others—it was pushing the 135-grain A-Tip to a muzzle velocity of 2,769 fps on the LabRadar—I needed a lower percentage. Nonetheless, once all was plugged into the program, Kyle and I were seeing consistent hits out to 1,500 yards, with the wind calls being the only serious challenge.

The shooting range at Madras, Oregon, was slightly more than 2,000 feet above sea level; the air was certainly on the dry side (making for thicker air); and the temperatures were mild (between the high 60s and mid-70s). However, once I crunched the numbers for the 6.5 Creedmoor with the 135-grain A-Tip, I quickly took note of the fact that the particular rifle I was shooting would have the bullet stay supersonic just over the one-mile mark. The Creedmoor is no speed demon, and that performance is a testament to the A-Tip and the way it maintains energy downrange.

Made for Long-Range Work

Hornady has taken a unique approach to packaging this new bullet. Instead of a simple bulk packaging, Hornady has decided to give reloaders the least invasive treatment possible: The A-Tip bullets are packaged sequentially, right off the press, without cleaning off any excess lubricant or anything else.

Hornady A-Tip 10 — Hornady’s 250-grain A-Tip should prove to be an excellent choice in big cases such as the .300 PRC and .300 Norma Magnum … provided the twist rate of the barrel will stabilize the big bullet.

When you buy a box of 100 bullets, you get 100 bullets just as they come off the press, in order; and Hornady will offer the sequential deal for up to 1,000 bullets. This process helps minimize the need for bullet sorting, whether by weight or base-to-ogive dimension, by giving the consumer the most consistent product available.

Included in each package is a polishing bag (it resembles a Crown Royal bag, but it’s in Hornady red, with the big “H” logo embroidered on it). This allows the user to clean the lubricant off the bullets just a few at a time. How this might translate to loaded ammunition, I don’t know, but I’d bet Hornady will find a way (Hornady has insisted that no imminent plans for loaded ammunition exist).

Regarding construction, Hornady feels that the lead core/copper jacket combination makes a better choice for the quintessential target bullet than does a homogenous alloy, because it can better control the parameters of the bullet and develop a more uniform product than even the lathe-turned designs. Having worked with a good number of bullet designs over the years, I can attest that the Hornady A-Tip grabbed my attention right away, because that tip/ogive transition is nearly seamless.

Hornady A-Tip 5 — Hornady had used an aluminum tip on its National Match bullet in the past, but it was nothing like the A-Tip. (Photo: Hornady)

The initial release of the A-Tip shows three calibers and five models, and I’ll include the listed BC values as a comparison to other bullets: the 110-grain, 6mm bullet (G1 .604 and G7 .304); 135-grain, 6.5mm bullet (G1 .637 and G7 .321); 153-grain, 6.5mm bullet (G1 .704 and G7 .355); 230-grain, .308-inch bullet (G1 .823 and G7 .414); and finally, the 250-grain, .308-inch bullet (G1 .878 and G7 .442). All are on the heavier end of spectrum, especially the 230- and 250-grain .30-caliber bullets—with the exception of the 6.5mm, 135-grain bullet, and that gave stellar performance.

As you might have deduced, these bullets are designed for long-range target work; Hornady has indicated that it hasn’t taken terminal ballistics into account at all with the A-Tip, and it doesn’t recommend it for hunting.

I can attest to its long-range capabilities. And although the Ruger Precision rifle is recognized as a good value, it is certainly not a custom rifle. Yet, the Hornady A-Tip might have you wondering if you need one.

Hornady A-Tip 11 — The 135-grain, 6.5mm bullet—handloaded in the Creedmoor case—was efficient enough to stay supersonic out to one mile.

I am a firm believer that a bullet of this shape and length needs a bit of time (or distance, depending on how you look at it) to settle down, and the A-Tip gave me better accuracy at 300 yards than it did at 100 yards, settling down from 1 MOA at 100 to ½ MOA at 300.

I can easily see the 110-grain, 6mm mated with the 6mm Dasher, 6XC and 6mm Creedmoor; and that 153-grain, 6.5mm is certainly going to see duty in my 6.5-284 Norma—not to mention the 6.5 PRC. I think the 230-grain A-Tip might be squeezed into the .300 Winchester Magnum case, but more than likely, both it and the 250-grain A-Tip will be at home in the .300 PRC and the .300 Norma Magnum.

In a sit-down with Hornady Marketing Director Neil Davies, I inquired about future developments of the A-Tip line … perhaps a .338-inch offering or a modification of a 165- or 168-grain A-Tip for the .308 Winchester. In true professional fashion, Neil would neither confirm nor deny these future offerings.

The cost of the manufacturing process is reflected in the price of the A-Tip bullets, with street prices running between $80 and $90 per box of 100 bullets. However, if you take accuracy and the various rifle competitions seriously, this is a small price to pay for this level of performance. At the very least, the Hornady A-Tip will help push the boundaries of match bullet design, but I suspect that the A-Tip will become a new benchmark in bullet performance.

The article originally appeared in the 2019 Long-Range Shooting issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Interarms Mark X In .375 H&H: Market-Grade Mauser Proves A True Value

Patrick Sweeney

October 21, 2019

Does buying the exact same gun twice make sense? It does if you're talking about the affordable and accurate Interarms Mark X in .375 H&H.

What Made The Interarms Mark X Mauser Stand Apart:

Produced by Serbian Zastava Arms, which has a long history manufacturing Mausers.
Swam against the surplus Mauser market with brand new rifles.
Available in more than 8x57mm—calibers from .243 up to .458.
Used a commercial Mauser action, sans striper-clip guide and thumb-clearance groove.
Some came with adjustable triggers.

There I was, cruising a gun show many years ago. I spied a bolt-action rifle with a nice-looking stock on it sitting on one of the myriad tables. It was classic in design. Solid recoil pad. A Mauser action.

OK, I thought, picking it up. Oh, a .375 H&H.

I worked the action (that tells you how long ago it was—they didn’t use zip ties on the actions back then), and it felt pretty smooth. I threw it to my shoulder, and the sights were dead on. This rifle fit me! I looked at the receiver, expecting to see a set of German or Argentine proofmarks. Instead, I saw “Interarms” and “Mauser Mark X.”

This was getting interesting, so I flipped the price tag over and blinked. This was a giveaway price! That made me suspicious, so I pulled the bolt out, looked down the bore to see if there was rust or pitting. Nope. Was the barrel straight? You betcha.

I turned to the guy behind the table.

“OK, what’s up?” He knew what I was asking.

Interarms Mark X 9 — Roll-marked right across the receiver ring is “Whitworth,” where it was assembled.

“I want that rifle gone. I’ve sold it three times already, and the previous owners each brought it back.” Here, he switched to a whiney voice. “It kicked too hard, or the ammo was too expensive, or their wife nixed the idea of an African hunt.”

As I paused to think about it, he continued (in a normal voice). “At that price, I won’t buy it back. You buy it, it’s yours.”

So, I bought it.

Mauser Mark X Backstory

The Mauser Mark X was a line of rifles built on regular Mauser 1898 actions, manufactured in the Balkans by the company known as Zastava Arms. This manufacturer began making Mauser rifles between the wars, when it got licensed by FN to make a modernized 1898. In between World War I and World War II, many countries (some of them quite new), armed, and the arm-of-choice was usually the 1898 Mauser.

After World War II, Zastava cleaned up and resumed production of the Mauser, known by then as the M48. You’d think that war surplus could have supplied many buyers, but there was always a desire to equip one’s army with new rifles and not rebuilt ones of unknown provenance.

Interarms Mark X 4 — The Whitworth name is marked twice on the receiver ring, and the barrel is engraved with the chambering. Note the recoil lug below the receiver ring, which is a good idea on a wood-stocked .375 H&H.

Enter into the picture a company known as Interarms. Sam Cummings, the owner, did a brisk business in buying up and shipping off surplus arms, excess to various countries’ needs. The Gun Control Act of 1968 (I know, that’s ancient history, but that’s where we are right now) put a real roadblock in the path of importing surplus, so Cummings went to Zastava and contracted for new rifles.

Instead of a surplus Mauser in 8×57, you could buy a new Mauser in .30-06, along with many other calibers. You could have had a Mauser Mark X in calibers from .243 up to .458 while Interarms was bringing them in.
There were a lot of other rifle makers using the Mauser action, either surplus or new, to provide American shooters with the bolt-action they desired.

Mine, the Mark X Alaskan Magnum, (aka Whitworth Express) in .375 H&H, is a standard-length action that has been opened a bit internally to accommodate the big cartridge. The .375 came to us by way of Holland & Holland (London) in 1912. The idea was simple: Provide a medium-bore rifle in the new, but well-established, smokeless powder—offering everything the big-bores with lead bullets could not. Because it used only jacketed bullets, the .375 was able to deliver rifle-level velocities with terrific penetration.

My rifle is also one of the ones marked ”Whitworth” and bears British proofs. All the Mark X Interarms rifles were made on “commercial” Mauser actions. That is, they lacked the stripped clip guide and the groove in the left sidewall for thumb clearance. They all came with scope base holes drilled and tapped on the receiver. The lack of a stripper clip guide and the scope mounts holes meant a gunsmith had a lot less work to do to make it a hunting rifle.

Interarms Mark X 1 — A standard Mauser bolt handle, bent and swept, and a new, FN-style striker shroud. There’s a safety button on the side that’s part of the adjustable trigger mechanism.

These rifles also came with a new, sleeker bolt shroud, and the safety on mine is on the right side of the action, connected directly to the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism is adjustable, but I’ve never felt the need to change it, because it came properly set (I have no way of knowing whether that was from Interarms or one of the previous owners).

The Alaskan Magnums came with cut checkering on the stock, not pressed, a recoil lug throughbolt, and it lacked the gloss finish and white-line spaces so in vogue back in the 1970s and 1980s.

The .375 Case

The case of the .375 has a belt at the bottom. This is for headspacing, a concept not much in use in the United States for some time after 1912. It isn’t that it’s stronger; it allows the tapered case to be securely and consistently headspaced.

Interarms Mark X 3 — The receiver did not have the thumb cut for stripper clips, and the rail has all the markings.

Why is the case tapered? In 1912, the British were still using cordite. This was a relatively quick-burning rifle powder that came in long strands. Think of a sheaf of uncooked spaghetti strands, standing on end in the case, and just long enough to not touch the base of the bullet.

The British arsenal loading procedure was to create the belted case but leave it in full diameter. The machines (or operators) dropped a measured amount of cordite strands into the case. Then, the case would be necked to create the shoulder and the bullet was seated. With the powders in use today, the cases are formed, necked and shaped. Powder is then dropped and the bullet is seated, but the shape remains.

That was the process there and then, and it required tapered cases. Consequently, the .375 H&H is tapered.
The end result here is a German design from 1898—licensed from a Belgian company in 1924, machined by a Yugoslavian manufacturer in the 1970s and imported soon after by an American entrepreneur—that is fed with ammunition manufactured here, in the United States, in the 21st century.

Thumper Recoil

Oh, and the recoil? It might be “moderate” by the standards of the end of the 19th century, but make no mistake: It thumps you. The Mauser Mark X was a relatively light rifle for the time, between 7½ and 8 pounds in the standard calibers. Mine? Eight pounds, 13 ounces, empty. Trust me: That is light in a .375 H&H. The heavy-bullet .375 H&H load has a bullet twice the weight of a standard .30-06 at nearly the same velocity. You’re getting anywhere from one and a half times to twice the recoil of a .30-06.

Interarms Mark X 6 — The solid red rubber recoil pad is still springy after all these years. You’ll need it if you find a Mark X of your own in .375 H&H.

Even so, you get accuracy, penetration, reliability … and panache. As an acquaintance of mine is wont to say, “The advantage of overkill is that things stay killed.”

Now, I’m not sure I’d want to be hunting whitetail deer with a .375 H&H, but were I going after anything bigger, I know a solid hit with a .375 is going to get the job done. Right now.

Wait A Minute

The story on my .375 H&H? When I went home, I unwrapped the rifle, stepped up to the rack and shoved it into an empty spot. And then, I stopped, my hand still on the rifle. Right next to it in the rack was a … you guessed it: an Interarms Mauser Mark X Alaskan Magnum in .375 H&H—with the same classic stock. As I said, it’s a rifle that’s so nice, I bought it twice.

Over the course of a few months, I took both of them to the range on several range trips (I was a full-time gunsmith then, and range trips were at least weekly; during some seasons, they were several-times-a-week affairs) and determined which of the two was the better-shooting rifle.

It wasn’t easy. First, there is the recoil. I found that accurate benchrest work involved two groups from each rifle, maximum. Only later did I discover the trick of a standing support for test-firing magnums. If I shot any more than two groups each (and it took all day to do that), I wasn’t shooting my best. So, one box of ammo per trip, averaged over many trips, with several different loads.

Interarms Mark X 8 — A standard Mauser, but lacking the clip guide, and already drilled and tapped for a scope.
One of these days … .

Second, they were both accurate, and the difference was small. I’d say that one was better than the other by a bunch less than an inch at 50 yards. Yes, 50 yards. I wasn’t going to invest in identical scopes to scope both of them for a fair comparison. Shooting them at different times would not have produced accurate results. And, with iron sights, 50 yards was as far as I was willing to walk many, many times to determine accuracy.

No, I’ve never been to Africa on a hunt. I’ve been there for an IPSC competition, with one near-event that might have resulted in “hunting” or at least an altercation. Had that happened, it would have been over and done with using a 1911, not a Mauser. I’ve visited Canada a bunch of times and Alaska several times. However, a .375 H&H wouldn’t have been appropriate on any of those trips (I’ve got to correct that).

So, it sits in the rack, patiently waiting. It’s sighted in and shoots all the loads I’ve ever tested in it to the point of aim. That part is a hallmark of the .375 and bolt-action rifles—one I can attest to.

All bullet weights shoot to the same point of impact in a given rifle out to useful distances. As a result, you can switch from the 300-grain FMJ buffalo penetrators to the 270-grain spitzer soft-points and not worry about changes in point of impact. The same rifle can be used on dangerous game and big plains game—all in one trip. If you have to have a flatter-shooting load for use out past 50, 75 or 100 yards, Buffalo Bore offers a 235-grain bullet: a TSX in the .375 H&H.

Interarms Mark X 10 — Any self-respecting Alaskan or African rifle made back then had to have a folding leaf rear sight (100, 200 and 300 yards, you betcha!).

Right now, the cartridge is 107 years old. The bolt-action design is 121 years old. My rifle is probably 40-plus years old, and the ammunition I will have it loaded with will benefit from the latest bullet design and powders to be had.

Some things just don’t go out of style or lose their effectiveness. All hail the .375 Holland & Holland! As long as we’re hunting critters that can stomp, claw or bite us, there will be rifles in use chambered in .375 H&H.

Oh—if you want yours, start looking. They can still be had at reasonable prices. Who knows? Maybe yours will be the former stablemate of mine.

The article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Taurus Raging Hunter Even More Raging In .454 Casull

Elwood Shelton

October 17, 2019

With power to spare, the .454 Casull is a natural addition to the large-frame Raging Hunter line of revolvers.

What The Raging Hunter Offers Game Getters:

The choice between 6.75- and 8.37-inch barrel.
Integrated Picatinny rail to make adding an optic a snap.
Fully adjustable rear sight.
Recoil-mitigating cushioned insert grip.
Snappy trigger in both single- and double-action.

Taurus Raging Hunter and .454 Casull … you might call it a match made in heaven.

Optimized for putting down big game, the wicked large-framed revolver should get the most out of the asininely powerful cartridge. Especially given you can get the Taurus with plenty of bore—up to 8.37 inches, if you so desire.

Available with a matte black or stainless steel finish, the five-round revolver has the looks to go with its power and a slew of game-getting enhancements. To name a few, integrated Picatinny rail, fully adjustable rear sight, cushioned insert grip, and snappy trigger—both in single- and double-action.

Overall, for the caliber and configuration, the revolver comes in decently priced. The matte-finished models have an MSRP of $910 and the stainless steel models $919.

More from Taurus:

(Miami, FL) – Taurus, manufacturer of quality handguns for hunting, self-defense, and competition, has announced that its newest member of the Raging Hunter revolver series, the Raging Hunter .454 Casull, is now shipping to dealers nationwide. The .454 Casull Raging Hunter joins the original .44 Magnum and the recently introduced .357 Magnum chambers offered in this exciting hunting revolver platform.
The Taurus Raging Hunter earned the 2018 American Hunter Handgun of the Year Golden Bullseye Award for its innovative design, reliability, and value, delivering on all the key points serious handgun enthusiasts seek in a hunting revolver. Ergonomics and shooter comfort come by way of the revolver's exceptional balance, lightweight barrel housing, and cushioned insert grips. A sleeved barrel construction, factory-tuned porting, and a gas-expansion chamber to reduce muzzle rise make the Raging Hunter quick on follow-up shots and an ideal revolver for short- and mid-range big-game hunting.
Available in three barrel lengths—8.375, 6.75, and 5.125 inches—the .454 Casull Raging Hunter features a spurred hammer, DA/SA action, and a five-round cylinder. It is available in two frame colors—matte black or stainless—with matte black barrels and cylinders. An integrated Picatinny rail provides easy optic mounting while shooters who prefer open sights will appreciate the fully adjustable rear sight for precision zeroing.
All barrel lengths and color combinations of the new Raging Hunter .454 Casull are available and currently shipping to dealers nationwide.

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Raging Hunter Specs

Frame Size: Large
Capacity: 5 rounds
Height: 6.50 inches
Width: 1.80 inches
Barrel Lengths: 6.75, 8.37 inches
Weight: 50 ounces with 6.75-inch barrel; 57 ounces 8.37-inch barrel
Overall Lengths: 12.60 inches with 6.75-inch barrel; to 15 inches with 8.37-inch barrel
Front Sight: Fixed
Rear Sight: Adjustable
Safety: Transfer Bar
MSRP: $910 matte finish; $919.55 stainless steel

For more information on the Raging Hunter, please visit www.taurususa.com.

6 Areas To Focus On To Ensure Your Semi-Auto Pistol Runs Right

Richard A. Mann

October 17, 2019

Want to make certain your pistol goes bang each time you pull the trigger? Then home in on these six vital facets that ensure your gun runs like a top.

What Factors Ensure A Properly Functioning Pistol:

Ammunition Compatibility
Stoppage Mitigation
Trigger Reset
Cognitive Shot Cadence
Pistol Maintenance
Magazine Maintenance

With the limited time we all have available, what skills and drills do you practice?

Well, you practice the basics, of course; even a simpleton should know that. No use practicing multiple target engagements and shooting from unconventional positions unless you’re performing the basic skills acceptably. Just like working with a hammer, you wouldn’t try driving two nails at once or hammering from the reverse position if you simply can’t effectively drive a single nail straight on.

When I speak of basic skills, I’m talking about drawing the handgun from the holster safely, swiftly and efficiently. I’m talking about lining the sights up on the target and pressing the trigger and putting a bullet where it’s supposed to go.

But let’s assume you’re smarter, or at least, better trained, than the average bear. If so, what other skills should you practice, and which drills should you perform? Your time is valuable; no use wasting it when you have it.

1. Ammunition Compatibility

One of the most critical things to sort out with your pistol is reliability. Unlike revolvers that tend to reliably fire any ammunition they’re chambered for, semi-automatic pistols can sometimes be finicky when it comes to ammo they’ll reliably cycle all the time. The only thing worse than having unreliable ammo on the range or during a shooting match is having unreliable ammo during a gunfight.

Select quality practice and defensive ammunition from a reputable manufacturer. I’ve seen case-head separations and guns almost come apart due to using poor-quality or remanufactured ammunition. Some manufacturers even offer practice and defensive loads that offer the same recoil impulse and point of impact on target. This can be a good idea. Regardless of the ammunition you purchase, run at least 100 rounds of the defensive ammunition through your pistol in whatever condition of “clean” you intend to carry it in before you ever trust your life to it.

Of course, some like to handload to save money, and if you shoot a lot, you can, indeed, see a savings—although I wouldn’t suggest using handloads for defensive purposes. This isn’t because of liability reasons but because few of us can handload ammunition that is as reliable as the major manufacturers offer. Sure, a squib load, failure to fire or a cartridge stuck in the chamber can be sorted on the range, but you won’t have the time to do it when some goblin is trying to hammer you into a blood puddle.

2. Mitigating Stoppages

Speaking of jams or stoppages: If you shoot enough, you’ll experience them. This is a reality of shooting—and it doesn’t matter how reliable you think your Glock or whatever pistol might be. Some stoppages are caused by the gun, some by ammo and some by the shooter. No matter how you end up with one, it’s a good idea to know how to sort it out in a hurry.

Some trainers classify stoppages in different categories, such as a “class I,” “class II” and “class III.” I don’t. I figure the problem is that the gun will not go bang! and my job is to fix it as easily and quickly as possible.

Learn More About Handguns:

Gun Digest’s 10 Best Shooting Drills And Firearms Training Posts
The Shot Timer And Defensive Handgun Training
Video: Developing A Fundamentally Sound Trigger Pull
Sig P6: Remembering A West German Icon Of The Cold War
The All-Arounder: Springfield Armory XD(M) 10mm

When I was training police officers, I kept it really simple, because police officers did not train nearly enough. The protocol was that if your gun stopped shooting, reload it. By ejecting the magazine in the gun, inserting a new one and racking the slide, you’ll instantly clear just about any type of stoppage, and you don’t have to do any investigating to figure out what “type” of stoppage you have.

Another facet of reloading that’s important is the way you release or cycle the slide. Lots of shooters like to use the slide lock as a slide release. On some handguns with proud slide locks—such as the Walther CCP—that’s easy to do. However, consider that you might need to cycle the slide to sort out a stoppage or to reload if the slide lock fails to work. That’s why I always taught, and continue to suggest, releasing or cycling the slide by hand. That system always works; and, keep in mind that you might find yourself using a handgun that is not equipped with a slide lock.

3. Mastering Trigger Reset

Working with trigger reset is a drill that too few shooters practice enough. When you pull a pistol’s trigger, it will travel all the way to the rear and cause the pistol to fire. As you ease the trigger forward, it will reset for the next shot. When this audible and tactile reset occurs, there’s no reason to let the trigger travel any farther forward. Stop the relaxation of the trigger finger at that point and assess to see if another shot is needed. If so, begin the trigger-pull sequence again.

A good way to work this drill is to start by slow firing and working with the trigger reset between every shot. Once you get comfortable doing this, increase the speed between shots while maintaining a focus on resetting the trigger correctly. Ideally, you should spend about 50 rounds working with trigger reset during each practice session.

4. Cognitive Shot Cadence

As you decrease the time between each shot, you’re speeding up your shot cadence. At each distance you engage targets, you will have a set cadence (that is, the time between shots) that will allow you to still get accurate hits on target. As the distance to the target increases, so does your time between shots. You’ll learn this cadence with practice.

Where cadence becomes important is when you’re transitioning between targets at different distances. You might be able to hammer three or four shots center mass on a hostile target at 5 yards, but at 10 yards, you’ll likely have to slow to controlled pairs. To practice shot cadence, set up targets at 5, 10 and 15 yards. Then, work to put about three or four rounds on each target as fast as you can to keep all the shots in a 5- or 6-inch circle. Soon, you’ll be able to transition between distances and adjust your shot cadence accordingly.

5. Maintenance Musts

I mentioned chainsaws and hammers earlier. Like pistols, they are tools, and the more moving parts a tool has, the more frequently it needs to be serviced. Hammers don’t need a lot of attention, and I’ll bet few ever get as much as a wipe down. Chainsaws, on the other hand, need constant attention. Pistols fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.

Fortunately, performing maintenance on a pistol is relatively easy. After field-stripping, it’s a good idea to use an air hose to blow away all debris from all the parts and magazines. Then, apply some lubricant—something such as Mil Comm is ideal—to the hood of the barrel where it locks up with the slide and to the muzzle end where it contacts the slide or barrel bushing. Beyond that, pistols don’t need a lot of attention, and some lubricant along the slide rails is about the only other place it’s needed.

How often do you service a pistol? There is really no set time frame. In the military, they make soldiers clean firearms after every range trip. This is not so much because it’s necessary; it’s a method to help soldiers learn/train to care for their weapons. If you want to clean your pistol after every range session, go ahead. If you only want to clean it when it’s necessary, I’d strive for at least a field-strip, wipe down and lube about every 500 rounds. Of course, if you have reliability issues before you get to 500 rounds, you might want to consider a more frequent cleaning.

6. Maintaining Magazines

A final note relates to pistol magazines: They’re often neglected and taken for granted. Magazines are more than just ammunition delivery devices. They are, in fact, a very critical part of a semi-auto pistol. Without them, you have a single-shot that’s not very easy to operate.

Take care of your magazines. Field-strip and inspect them regularly. Wipe them down after every range session—but avoid oil and/or lubrication; these only serve to attract debris and dust to a mechanical device that doesn’t like debris and dust.

The other thing you can do with your magazines is number them. This will allow you to keep track of them and identify one or more that might be causing feeding issues. If you’re having reliability issues that appear to pop up infrequently, it could be a magazine. If you don’t have yours numbered, you’ll have a hard time identifying where the problem might be coming from.

There you go: a half-dozen skills and drills you might have been overlooking when it comes to developing proficiency with your defensive pistol. Too often, I think folks find a few hours to spend at the range or mess with their pistol. And even though they might have fun, during the process, they effectually waste time by not engaging in constructive drills or skill development.

Time is too precious to waste … and so is your life. Best prepare accordingly.

The article originally appeared in the September 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Video: When And How To Execute A Tactical Reload

Gun Digest Editors

October 16, 2019

The tactical reload might be the most misunderstood reload, but is essential to maximize your firepower potential.

Administrative and speed reloads are both fairly cut and dry, where shooters generally get a bit hung up is the tactical reload. The concept is straightforward enough, switching out a partially spent magazine for a fresh one, thus ensuring maximum firepower. Confusion generally coalesces around the when and how to execute this defensive pistol fundamental. The short and long of it, one of these points has a direct bearing on the other.

Tactical reloads are the slowest of the reloads since you are manipulating two magazines with one hand—among other operations. Above, instructor and gun writer Richard man covers the finer points of how to fundamentally perform the reload. Blood pumping and adrenaline in overdrive, getting the switch done efficiently is a challenge, one with dire consequences for failure. Those moments might be all an assailant requires to gain the upper hand. Bare-bones basics, the tactical reload is only attempted if there is no immediate threat.

For more information on Walther, please visit www.waltherarms.com.

For more information on Panteao Production, please visit www.panteao.com.

Learn How To Run Your Defensive Pistol:

The Advantage Of Shooting From The Kneeling Position
Effectively Shooting From Cover Or Concealment
Choosing The Right Concealed Carry Pistol
Perfecting The Failure Drill For Self-Defense
Video: Executing A Fast And Effective Speed Reload
Finer Points Of Clearing Corners
Defensively Speaking, Is Perfec tSight Alignment Imperative?

The Shot Timer And Defensive Handgun Training

Richard A. Mann

October 15, 2019

Not simply a tool of competitive shooters, the shot timer is the ideal instrument to sharpen life-saving handgun skills.

How Can A Shot Timer Help You Train To Defend Your Life?

Isolates and creates a baseline to work from on a number of defensive shooting aspects … reloads, draw, shot-to-shot performance.
Effectively measures the time it takes to solve a dynamic shooting problem.
Shows how much and how quickly shooters improve.

In 1924, Ed McGivern set a world record by firing six accurate shots from a double-action revolver in 4/5ths of a second. An elaborate timing contraption attached to the revolver verified the event. Because of the wires, McGivern’s gadget did not lend itself to real-world application, so shooters continued to use stopwatches, sometimes even attempting to read 1/10th second divisions with a magnifying glass, erroneously assuming their reaction time was good enough to push a button that fast. This of course is impossible and results were not only a guess, but they were very dependent on the man running the watch.

The father of the “Modern Technique of the Pistol” and Gunsite Academy founder, Jeff Cooper, espoused the importance of speed in his motto: “Diligentia, vis, celeritas” — shortened to DVC — which is Latin for “accuracy, power, speed.” We measure accuracy on targets, power with mathematical calculations and speed with time. As it relates to shooting, time measurements are so small that a specialized device is necessary.

In 1982, Ronin Colman, a shooter who attended the first American Pistol Institute (API) class ever held at Gunsite, created the PACT Championship Timer. Colman said that when he first introduced his timer to competitors at the World Shoot, all they wanted to do was try and break McGivern’s record. Since then, shot timers have become so trustworthy and prolific that they’re used to decide the outcome of shooting matches worldwide. Not only that, but they’re now very compact and affordable.

That said, competition is one thing and self-defense is another. In a life-or-death situation, time matters — but there will be no beep to signal when to draw, start shooting or reload. So, how can a shot timer help you train to defend your life?

In the early ‘90s, when I became a police firearms instructor, the standard timing device was still the stopwatch or turning targets. As a competitive shooter, I realized the versatility offered by a shot timer and picked up a PACT Club Timer for about $100. It changed the way we trained, and officers soon began shooting better and faster because of it.

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We could effectively measure the time it took an officer to solve a dynamic shooting problem. But, more importantly, we could isolate every aspect of an officer’s performance. We could tell how long it took him to get his first shot off, the time between the first and second shot — actually the time between any and all shots — and we could even see how long it took them to conduct a reload or solve a stoppage. The important part was not that the officer necessarily met a par time, but that with practice their times improved. With the shot timer, it could all be measured and you can do the same during your training.

It really goes back to Cooper and DVC. Any attempt to sort out a problem with a firearm is nothing more than the measure of accuracy, power and speed. A shot timer lets you maximize your ability to balance this equation. Every portion of a second you save — while still maintaining accuracy with a powerful firearm — will increase your odds of survival. As Barrett Tillman, a Gunsite graduate and good friend of the late Colonel Cooper has said, “You will not rise to the occasion, you will default to your level of training.”

Can you draw your handgun from concealment, deliver a lethal shot on a human-sized target, at a distance of 7 yards, in 1.5 seconds? Can you draw and place two shots in the torso and one in the head in 3 seconds? Can you work to improve on these times and know you’re actually progressing? Can you do all of this alone, without the help of a training partner? There’s only one way to know for sure and only one tool that will help you do it: If you’re a serious shooter, you need a shot timer!

I typically rely on the PACT Club Timer. It tells me everything I need to know about my shot string at a glance. The shot number and total time are highlighted, with first shot and last split time displayed instantly at the end of a shot string. I can review individual shot times and splits, and the unit tells you if it’s set to delay or instant go. It’s designed to fit your hand and weighs 7.2 ounces. The microphone and buzzer are located on the side away from your hand, and it’s loud enough for even old gun writers to hear. All of the waterproof controls are recessed so there’s no chance of accidental activation. It has a suggested retail price of $129.95 with a lifetime warranty. I cannot imagine going to the range — or even conducting dry-fire practice — without it.

The article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

RCBS Picks Up The Pace With The MatchMaster Powder Dispenser

Elwood Shelton

October 15, 2019

Twice as nice, the RCBS MatchMaster powder dispenser's twin-tube design makes for faster, more accurate reloading.

How The MatchMaster Speeds Up Measuring Precise Powder Charges:

Large main charge tube quickly dispenses the body of a powder charge.
Small trickle tube metes out fine measurements of powder, accurate within 0.10 and 0.04 grains.
Dispenser is programable and controlable from RCBS's smart-device app.

High-volume rifle ammo reloaders learned a long time ago the benefits of automatic powder dispensers. Eminently more precise than volumetric measurement, the handloading tools also do a number on load time. Throwing charges is generally a bottleneck, one for a long time with no easy way around it when it came to rifle cartridges.

While things have been good in these quarters, they're getting a whole bunch better. Introducing an entirely new concept to the system, RCBS’s MatchMaster finds an extra gear in automatic powder dispensers. The difference from what’s already come down the pike, the device’s twin-barrel design. It’s almost a head-slappingly simple improvement.

Essentially, the MatchMaster has a large main charge tube that spits out the main measure of power. Then, a smaller-diameter tube trickles out the fractions of a grain your perfect load requires. Pretty slick and something that should make RCBS’s next-generation dispenser all the more useful … especially to those with itchy trigger fingers.

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RCBS doesn’t appear to compromise speed for precision, with the MatchMaster delivering between 0.10- and 0.04-grain accuracy on every charge. Furthermore, the device makes it all the more simple to program—at least, for the mildly tech-savvy. The powder dispenser is Bluetooth ready and links up with RCBS’s loading app, which gives reloaders complete control from their smart device. Not that display screens were all too taxing, but this certainly frees you up from hunching over it while you dial in a load.

A surprise to no one, technology comes with a price tag, which is fairly large for the MatchMaster. With an MSRP of $899, newbie handloaders might not jump at the cutting-edge gadget. But old hands, with a backlog of pet loads on their to-do list, will more than certainly see the value.

More From RCBS:

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – October 10, 2019 – RCBS, the leading manufacturer of ammunition reloading equipment for rifles and pistols, announced today that it has released the company’s fastest and most accurate powder dispenser with the launch of the new RCBS MatchMaster. Featuring precise 0.04 grain consistent measurements and a new patent pending dual tube dispensing technology for enhanced speed, the new RCBS Matchmaster saves users precious time on the reloading bench while promoting maximum accuracy.
Among its many design enhancements, the one-piece Matchmaster unit features an LCD touchscreen display that is Bluetooth compatible with the new RCBS app. This exclusive compatibility provides complete user control to calibrate scales and dispense powder in auto or manual modes. With pre-configured powder types readily accessible, handloaders now have the ability to create and or modify their own customized powder configurations in order to easily fine tune their favorite loads.
Through the MatchMaster’s patent pending dual tube dispensing technology, the dispenser is capable of delivering quick charges, each delivering between 0.10 and 0.04 grain accuracy every time. This consistency allows handloaders to obtain the most reliable performance possible while promoting confidence in each individual round.
The MatchMaster delivers charges in two mode configurations: Standard mode and Match mode. Standard mode drops charges to 0.10 grain accuracy in under 20 seconds while the Match mode drops charges to 0.04 grain accuracy. Other standard features include a patent-pending Bottom Drain function with Open Drain Alert. This exclusive combination ensures users will never experience unwanted powder on their bench when filling the dispenser.
“The new RCBS Matchmaster has taken powder dispensing and weighing to the next level,” said Will Hemeyer, Sr. Product Line Manager for RCBS. “With its user adjustable powder settings, Bluetooth compatibility, and revolutionary dual tube dispense technology, the Matchmaster reduces reloading time and simplifies the entire operation all while maintaining zero impact to charge accuracy.”

For more information on the RCBS MatchMaster, please visit www.rcbs.com.

What Factors Do You Need To Consider In An AR-15 Trigger Upgrade?

Tiger McKee

October 14, 2019

There is a slew of aftermarket AR-15 trigger upgrades out there, each offering a little something different. How do you choose?

What Factors Do You Need To Consider In An AR-15 Trigger Upgrade:

Smoothness Of Pull
Crispness Of Break
Right Pull Weight
Positive Reset

The AR’s modular design makes it easy to swap out parts, even for components like the entire trigger group. However, this is a double-edged sword: Yes, anyone with some mechanical sense (and sometimes a few specialty tools) can configure the AR to their liking, but parts such as the trigger group should be chosen carefully.

A good trigger must have three distinct attributes: smooth to cycle, crisp at the break and light throughout. Smooth and crisp are constants; they’re features desired in every trigger of any gun. Lightness or pull weight, meaning the amount of pressure required for the trigger to break, is more subjective. In fact, the proper trigger weight depends on your application. Trigger reset is another factor to consider, but it’s not quite worthy of a Top 3 designation.

Selecting the proper trigger is a critical part of making an AR your AR. So, let’s break this down a bit more.

Oh, So Smooth

A smooth trigger is a great advantage in the quest for accuracy. A crunchy, gritty trigger makes it difficult to get good hits, and it’s more important to consistent accuracy than many people realize. As you apply pressure to a poor-quality trigger, the trigger moves with a jerky motion, and then it stalls. You apply more pressure and the trigger jumps past that spot, causing you to jerk as it moves rearward. This action is repeated until — eventually — the trigger breaks, firing the shot. Every jerk of the trigger finger moves the sights off target due to pressure.

AR-15 Trigger 2 — No matter what anyone says, don’t try to polish or hone any of the trigger components. This is a sure way to create a malfunctioning AR, which can misfire or go full-auto. Do the research, spend the money and get the right trigger for your application.

A smooth trigger allows you to press without stops and starts. It’s one uninterrupted pressure motion from start to finish, ensuring the shot is fired with minimal disruption of the sight picture each and every time. A good rifleman can shoot accurately with a heavy trigger as long as it’s smooth.

Extra Crispy

Being “crisp” is another desirable trigger trait. Ideally, pressure is applied to the trigger in a smooth and steady action as discussed above. Without any indication that it’s about to release the hammer, the trigger breaks, thus firing the shot. In a good trigger, there’s no mechanical pause or hesitation between the press and the actual release.

There are two techniques used to fire the shot. One school of thought — which is what I teach — is steady application of pressure to the trigger until the AR decides to fire. This is called a surprise break. Other shooters claim they can tell where the break is, so they press until only a couple of ounces are left, then pressing that off when the sights are perfect, essentially “deciding” when to fire the shot. This can be accomplished consistently, but only by expert marksmen. For the rest of us, especially beginners, making the weapon fire usually ends up with the shooter anticipating the recoil and jerking the sights off target at the last moment.

AR-15 Trigger 3 — Trigger design will be based on application. On the left is ALG’s ACT (Advanced Combat Trigger), which is the standard military design but coated with nickel boron for a smooth, crisp release. On the right is a two-stage trigger by Geissele, the G2S, which has a 2.5-pound first stage with a 2-pound release.

No matter what technique is used, a crisp trigger will make firing the shot much easier. This applies to a single-stage military-type trigger, which fires with one smooth press. This also applies to the two-stage trigger, where the first half or so of the trigger cycle requires one pressure, then it lightens up a good bit for the final movement, requiring very little pressure to fire the shot. Regardless of the type of trigger you’re using, it must be crisp.

Wearing The Weight

Pull weight is the most subjective feature among trigger considerations, and it’s almost exclusively dictated by application. An extremely light trigger is used for surgical-marksmanship-type target shooting, which is generally done from a bench. Competition or “match” triggers are just for those purposes. For law enforcement or self-defense use, you need a “combat” trigger.

Target triggers are very light, and they’re used for shooting a very tight group under controlled conditions. For this type shooting, a very light trigger pull is acceptable and recommended. Triggers will often break with a just a couple of pounds of pressure — sometimes only ounces. A target trigger is not to be used for any other application: Under any other type conditions, they’re too light to be safe.

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Hunting and competition matches are “field” applications. You can use a match or competition trigger, which is what I call a medium-weight trigger. Usually, match/competition triggers will release at about 3½ to 4 pounds; however, hunting and competitions are still somewhat controlled conditions. It’s nothing like the disorder experienced during a fight. Match/competition triggers are still too light for combative settings. (Light triggers are often not heavy enough to ignite the primer in mil-spec type ammo.)

During a violent confrontation, you’ll be moving, using different firing positions and firing multiple shots. You’re under physical and mental stress because lives are on the line. During such an event, you’ll likely lose dexterity and feeling in the fingers. A trigger that’s too light will cause negligent, unintentional shots to be fired. I’ve seen this happen during training and practice — it will definitely become a problem under actual combative conditions.

I recommend a trigger weight of 5½ pounds for defensive use, but it still needs to be smooth and crisp. I also prefer this pull weight because it’s consistent with the pistols I carry. Fighting is chaotic: The more factors I can control, such as having a uniform trigger weight regardless of the weapon, the less variables I have to think about.

Trigger Reset Considerations

It’s also important to consider trigger reset. After the shot is fired, you relax your finger, releasing the trigger, but only to the point that the disconnector releases the hammer and it’s captured by the trigger — this is trigger reset. Now you’re ready to press through another shot.
Resetting the trigger is the key to firing multiple shots accurately and efficiently. Allowing the finger to lose contact with the trigger wastes time, plus it increases the chance you’ll jerk or slap the trigger on the next shot.

In most triggers, the lighter the trigger’s pull weight, the lighter or softer the reset feels. Reset on a light trigger is difficult to distinguish. If you’re not careful when firing multiple shots with a light reset, it’s easy to fire another round while trying to feel the trigger reset.

A positive trigger reset that’s easy to feel is mandatory for combative/defensive purposes. An advantage of the 5½-pound trigger is that the spring pressure is enough so that all you have to do is relax your finger and the trigger will reset itself.

Choosing Your Trigger

When choosing a trigger for your AR, make sure to carefully consider your intended application. For match/comp triggers, ask other shooters in that discipline what they use. For defensive work, you need a combat type trigger. No matter what the application, do not modify, hone or polish the trigger components. They are hardened, but only to a very shallow depth. Removing material is a sure path to a malfunction or negligent discharge with the fire-control group.

AR-15 Trigger 1 — Remember, gear or equipment cannot make up for a lack of skill. Regardless of what you’re shooting with your AR or the type trigger being used, accuracy always relies on applying the fundamentals of marksmanship.

Once you decide what duties you need your trigger to perform, you can narrow it down to a specific type. There are adjustable triggers and drop-in triggers that are housed in pre-assembled, ready-to-install groups. There’s a lot of variety out there, and something will fit your needs perfectly. Do your research and upgrade that trigger now.

Just keep in mind that the proper trigger is a great accessory, but it won’t make up for a lack of skill. As always, practice the fundamentals: aim, hold, press and follow-through.

The article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

11 Videos To Get You On Track Reloading Ammunition

Gun Digest Editors

October 14, 2019

From improved accuracy to saving money, there are a host of reasons to reload ammunition. We’ll kick-start your career at the reloading bench with these 11 videos that take you through the basics.

What Do You Need To Know About To Start Reloading Ammunition:

Basics Of Reloading
Reloading Tools
Case Resizing
Primers
Powders
Bullets
Specialty Cases
Reloading Troubleshooting
Primers and Case Charging
Cartridge Assembly
Safety

Fair warning, reloading won’t save you money. Yes, yes, what you’ve heard is correct … each cartridge you turn out from your press costs around half of the factory stuff. But improved accuracy and tailor-made options literally at your fingertips, you’re going to end up shooting more. A lot more. It’s just the nature of the beast. But there’s no more satisfying way to burn (pun intended) your shooting budget.

To help you along this route, we’ve compiled 11 videos that cover each nook and cranny of the discipline. Custom ammunition manufacturer and Gun Digest author Phil Massaro takes you through each step, the tools you need and the supplies you require to start loading on your own. From the outside, handloading might appear a daunting proposition, rife with challenges. But as you’ll see, with patience and a willingness to learn, reloading is a hobby and passion nearly any serious shooter can master.

1. Basics Of Reloading

What goes into reloading ammo? Here are the four basic handloading steps — resizing and removing the primer, inserting a new primer, adding powder and seating a new bullet.

2. Reloading Tools

It's not uncommon for beginning reloaders to feel overwhelmed by all the gadgets one can buy for handloading. But we relieve some of the pressure with a rundown of the tools you need to get started.

3. Case Resizing

Before anything, you need to get your brass in shape. Here are the finer points to case resizing.

4. Primers

What is the difference between a large rifle primer and a magnum large rifle primer? Can you use magnum primers in standard cartridges and vice versa? Find out.

5. Powders

There's more than one way to send a bullet flying. Here's a breakdown of the three main types of smokeless powder for reloading, with insight on the practical uses of each.

6. Bullets

Not every bullet is appropriate for every job. Find out what projectile you'll need to win a shooting match or put meat on the table.

7. Specialty Cases

Need more brass for reloading? Don't overlook specialty cases and surplus brass!

8. Reloading Troubleshooting

From getting a case stuck in a die to cracked brass, not everything goes as planned at the reloading bench. Luckily, there are ways to avoid or remedy these dilemmas.

9. Primers and Case Charging

It's time to make ammo! In turn, it's the point you seat your primers and charge your cases with powder.

10. Cartridge Assembly

The final step of reloading a cartridge is seating the bullet, but there's more to it than just pulling your press's handled. Find out how to precisely measure your cartridges and add a crimp if necessary.

11. Safety

Good reloading is safe reloading. Here are the particulars for keeping a safe reloading environment and an organized bench.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Bolt-Action To A Rifle Chassis

Elwood Shelton

October 11, 2019

With the advent of the rifle chassis, the bolt-action has never been a better performer. Here are five reasons why.

Why Should You Upgrade Your Bolt-Action With A Rifle Chassis:

Accuracy—vastly improves accuracy potential of a rifle.
Adjustability—provides a custom fit to an individual shooter.
Versatility—accessory attachment systems tailor a rifle to its application.
Magazines—in general, utilzes much more universal ACIS magazines.
Applications—born in competition, the rifle chassis is useful for any endeavor where precision is at a premium.

It’s a rock. The bolt-action that is.

For more than 100 years, the basic design of the rifle hasn’t changed making it an ultimate example of, if isn’t broke, don’t fix. What else out there, shot to shot, trigger pull to trigger pull delivers greater accuracy on a more consistent basis? Improve on that, might as well ask for more shine in the sun. Though, in recent years, that's exactly what's happened to the tried and true rifle.

Well … kind of.

While the bolt-action in all its forms has remained amazingly unchanged in more than a century of service, in recent years its platform has made an incredible leap forward. One might even say, the rifle chassis has caught the gun's main interface with the bolt-action itself. A long time coming, but well worth the wait.

Still dubious? Then check out the top five reasons you need to upgrade to a rifle chassis. Get the right platform for your applications and you be dazzled at what these modern marvels can do for favorite turn-bolt.

Accuracy

Hands down, this is it—reason No. 1 to choose a rifle chassis. There’s no other system out there that does more to make an average rifle an absolute tack driver. Bantered about in precision shooting circles, the expected accuracy improvement of installing a rifle chassis is somewhere around 20 percent. That is, the average groupings your rifle produces will shrink by that magnitude. That’s incredible. A couple of things are at play in the rifle chassis that deliver such incredible results.

rifle-chassis-lss-xl_gen2 — All that metal the MDT LSS Gen2 is made out of isn't just for deadly good looks. That's what get you on target.

First, it’s made of metal. In turn, it has much more rigidity than wood, polymer or carbon fiber stocks. This is important because it's more resistant to flexing under the recoil impulse. Lesser options that buckle send your bullet on an errant trip. This means less accuracy and more frustration.

Next, a rifle chassis offers superior bedding. Take the MDT LSS Gen2 for instance. The lightweight, entry-level chassis has a monolithic V-block bed, which makes metal-to-metal contact on the entirety of your rifle’s action. Most traditional stocks either have little (maybe two points) or no metal-to-metal contact. What this adds up to is a system where an action can move and yawl shot to shot and overtime.

Finally, the rifle chassis free-floats your rifle’s barrel no matter its profile. Therefore, your barrel’s harmonics remain as pristine as first-fallen snow in the middle of the night. It’s astonishing how many modern gunmakers still don’t take the time to integrate this facet into their designs, despite the known benefits.

Adjustability

Metal might form the heart of the rifle chassis and provide its primary advantage, but it’s far from its only asset. The system is also among the most adjustable available, giving shooters a truly custom experience each time they’re behind the trigger.

Rifle-Chassis-hs3 — There's no shortage of attachment points on this MDT HS3.

Standard fare on the rifle chassis is the adjustable buttstock, important, given you can modify your rifle to your frame perfectly. A good example is the MDT ESS. The competition specialist has 1 inch of play in length of pull and comb height. Furthermore, the butt pad is height adjustable, letting you tinker it this way and that to get the perfect fit into your shoulder pocket.

While this is among the most important adjustment systems, it’s not the end of the line for a rifle chassis. Again the ESS. This particular rifle chassis comes with ample M-Lok slots at the one, three, five, seven, nine and 11 o’clock positions of the fore-end. In short, accessories—whatever you might need—are a snap to add.

Additionally, if you need to balance your rifle or add more weight to soak up recoil, most rifle chassis offer ways to adjust the weight of the chassis. MDT’s system, for instance, conveniently attaches via M-Lok slots.

Versatility

Buy a traditional stock and what you see is what you get. Not so with a rifle chassis. Many —not all mind you—are modular in design, meaning you are free to add different components as you see fit. The MDT LSS Gen2 mentioned before illustrates this point perfectly. The chassis is compatible with any AR-style buttstock and pistol grip on the market today. So, if you’ve had good luck with Magpul’s PRS stock, there’s no reason to switch up. Or if you can’t stand a beavertail grip, there’s no need to subject yourself to one. Much like the AR-15, the only limit to customizing your rifle chassis is your imagination.

Magazines

Certainly, there are traditional stocks that accept removable box magazines. However, there are a lot that stick to a rifle’s proprietary version. A rifle chassis dashes this concept against the rocks and replaces it with universality. ACIS magazine compatibility is the standard, opening the door not only to higher capacity options than found with factory designs, but more affordable ones.

Learn More About MDT Chassis And Gear:

4 Must-Have MDT Chassis Rifle Upgrades
MDT ESS Chassis: Redefining The Modern Precision Rifle
MDT LSS Gen2 Chassis: Flexible Foundation Of A Precision Rifle

Application

In the world of stocks, the rifle chassis is a thoroughbred. But get it out of your head it purely exists in the realm of competition or professional operation. Like many firearms advancements, it certainly has roots in those spheres, yet has blossomed to the general shooting public.

Rifle-Chassis-mdt_lss_gen2_rock — A rifle in a LSS chassis is as comfortable on the hunt as it is in a match.

With the right rifle chassis, your Sunday-afternoon plinker transforms into a laser-like joy machine. And hunting—especially in the more wide-open Western states—nothing could up your success rate more dramatically than restocking your standby deer or antelope rifle with a chassis. The only prerequisite to upgrade to a rifle chassis is a desire to shoot accurately on a more consistent basis.

For more information on MDT rifle chassis systems, please visit www.mdttac.com

.224 Valkyrie: A Small Fry With Legs

Gun Digest Editors

October 11, 2019

Maintaining supersonic speed well past 1,000 yards, the .224 Valkyrie has fast become a long-range staple.

What The Secret To The .224 Valkyrie's Downrange Performance:

6.8 SPC parent case gives the cartridge excellent powder capacity.
Many loads remain supersonic well past the 1,300-yard mark.
Heavy-for-caliber bullets improve the Valkyrie's wind-drift characteristics.

The .224 Valkyrie cartridge by Federal came on the scene in late 2017 as a long-range AR-15 round with modest recoil. It’s basically a necked-down 6.8 SPC with a long and skinny .224-diameter bullet that has a high ballistic coefficient. AR-15 shooters should be able to add a new bolt and a new barrel and fire the Valkyrie without a problem. Standard .223 Remington magazines should also work, but they should be function tested to ensure proper feeding.

Get More .224 Valkyrie Info:

Does The .224 Valkyrie Make Sense For Most Shooters?
.224 Valkyrie Upper Options That Go The Distance
.224 Valkyrie Rifle: Building A Small Bore Precision Bolt-Action

General Comments On The .224 Valkyrie

The Valkyrie’s edge comes at long distances. A 77-grain MatchKing .223 Remington drops to subsonic speeds before it hits 1,000 yards. With a similar bullet, the Valkyrie maintains supersonic speed past 1,300 yards. Or, looked at another way, the Valkyrie with a 90-grain MatchKing (ballistic coefficient of .563) delivers 402 ft-lbs. of energy at 1,000 yards, compared to the payload of 158 ft-lbs. a .223 Remington 77-grain MatchKing brings. The amount of bullet drop and wind deflection is likewise much less with the .224 Valkyrie. Ballistically, then, the .224 Valkyrie shoots more like a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 143-grain Hornady ELD-X bullet.

Both for reasons of timing — pairing well with the current long-range precision rifle trend — and of ballistic excellence, the .224 Valkyrie came on strong very quickly and shows no signs of peaking in popularity anytime soon.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Cartridges of the World, 16th Edition.

Video: Developing A Fundamentally Sound Trigger Pull

Gun Digest Editors

October 10, 2019

Want to hit what you're aiming at time and again? Hone your trigger pull.

Trigger pull and sight alignment. mWhen you first get into shooting, you’re bashed over the head with these two concepts until your brain nearly leaks from your ears. There’s a sound reason for this redundancy. In all the ways you interact with a handgun, these two bear the most weight on if you score meaningful hits or fly way off the mark. A little secret, one has a lot of influence over the other.

Sloppy trigger work is the bane of accurate pistolcraft, pushing or pulling your sight alignment off, sending your round up, down, left or right of its intended mark. Ensuring this doesn’t plague you every time you’re at the business end of your pistol is a matter real estate … that is, where you settle down your trigger finger. That is, in short, the center of its pad. Easy as pie, but it’s an aspect that even seasoned shooters wrestle with if they break discipline.

Learn How To Run Your Defensive Pistol:

The Advantage Of Shooting From The Kneeling Position
Effectively Shooting From Cover Or Concealment
Choosing The Right Concealed Carry Pistol
Perfecting The Failure Drill For Self-Defense

The breakdown, for the most part, comes with a shooter removing his or her finger from the trigger after taking a shot. Not completely off, but enough the digit loses contact. Over the course of several shots, this causes displacement, thus accuracy decay.

The cure? A more deliberate trigger pull, one that follows the shot all the way through and to the pistol’s reset. Purposeful might sound like slow, but it’s quite the contrary. The reset of most semi-automatic pistols is extremely short … just a few fractions of an inch. Easing the trigger to this point sets up the next shot more quickly because it’s more efficient. Plus, with work it becomes faster.

For more information on Walther, please visit www.waltherarms.com.

For more information on Panteao Production, please visit www.panteao.com.

Ruger PC Carbine Chassis Models Go Online

Elwood Shelton

October 10, 2019

A precision pistol-caliber long gun? Ruger shoots for it with the modern feeling PC Carbine Chassis.

What Separates The PC Carbine Chassis From the Rest Of The Line:

First in line to feature pistol grip and telescoping buttstock.
Outfitted with glass-filled polymer chassis.
Compatible with both Ruger SR-Series/Security-9 and Glock magazines.
Available in state-compliant configurations.

Ruger struck a vein of gold dusting off a legacy pistol-caliber carbine concept a few years back and continues to mine it for all it’s worth. The numerous configurations of the plucky little PC Carbine are proof enough of the gunmaker’s and gun buyers' enthusiasm for the 9mm. And its options only continue to grow.

Most recent to the lineup, three PC Carbine Chassis Models, an unusual move given pistol cartridges aren’t known for their leg stretching. This factor aside, the new carbines boast features many pistol-caliber fans will find desirable.

Get More Information On Ruger Guns

Chief among these, the Chassis Models are the first PC Carbine options outfitted with pistol grips and adjustable, folding buttstocks (six-position, telescoping, Magpul MOE). For many, these are worth the price of entry. Though, if you are captivated by the thought of a surgical 9mm long-gun, the line extension brandishes many of the facets found on full-powered precision rifles.

Per the name, the most obvious is the chassis, but Ruger’s put a bit of a twist on it opting for lightweight glass-filled polymer over aluminum. Also, the barrel is free-floated inside a CNC-milled and M-Lok compatible handguard.

Despite these tweaks, Ruger kept the features that made the PC Carbine popular in the first place on the new options. Three of the most notable, the takedown feature, action and mag well. The takedown feature has been one of the most popular aspects of the line, simple to boot. Just a lever push and a twist and the barrel assembly separate from the action. Similar to preceding models, the Chassis PC Carbines utilize Ruger’s Dead Blow action, which features a tungsten weight to shorten bolt travel and reduce felt recoil. As to the mag well, they are compatible with both Ruger SR-Series/Security-9 magazines as well as Glock—with the assistance of an insert—making them plum easy to feed.

Concerning the three models of Chassis PC Carbines, their variations are omitted features to meet less enlightened states’ oddball gun laws. Two models come with 10-round magazines, one of them without a threaded muzzle. The full-strength carbine has both a threaded muzzle and ships with one 17-round magazine. Cost, the PC Carbine Chassis models are a bit above the previous iterations with an MSRP of $799 across the board. A small price for those who want a more modern “carbine” feel out of the gun.

More From Ruger:

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is excited to introduce three configurations of its new Pistol Caliber Carbine (PC Carbine™) Chassis model. The standard model of this refreshed PC Carbine boasts an abundance of new features, including a glass-filled polymer chassis system; six-position, telescoping, Magpul® MOE® buttstock; flared magwell for improved magazine reloading capabilities; ergonomic pistol grip with extended trigger reach; and a factory-installed, barrel-mounted Picatinny rail. Additionally, two 10-round state compliant models are available. One with an adjustable stock and threaded barrel, and the other with a fixed stock and non-threaded barrel.
The new, glass-filled polymer chassis system allows for the use of standard AR pistol grips and collapsible buttstocks. The adjustable ghost ring rear sight of the original PC Carbine has been replaced with a factory-installed, barrel-mounted Picatinny rail, which allows for the forward mounting of optics. These new models utilize a CNC-machined, hard-coat anodized aluminum handguard with Magpul M-LOK® accessory attachment slots on all four sides for easy mounting of M-LOK-compatible accessories.
These models also maintain several hallmark features of the original PC Carbine, including: an easily interchangeable magazine well system that allows the rifle to accept common Ruger and newer Glock® magazines; dead blow action with a custom tungsten weight that shortens bolt travel and reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise; reversible magazine release and charging handle to accommodate right- or left-handed shooters; a simple takedown mechanism to allow for quick separation of the barrel/forend assembly from the action; durable heat-treated, chrome-moly steel bolt; cold hammer-forged chrome-moly steel barrel with ultra-precise rifling; and in some models, a ½” x 28 threaded barrel.
The PC Carbine Chassis model ships with the SR-Series™ magazine well installed and an additional magazine well that accepts newer Glock magazines. A 9mm Luger Ruger American® Pistol magazine well is available separately at ShopRuger.com.

PC Carbine Chassis Specs
Stock: Adjustable, Black Synthetic Chassis with Aluminum Free-Float Handguard
Capacity: 17 (state complient 10)
Barrel Length: 16.12″
Overall Length: 32.25″ – 35.50″
Front Sight: None
Rear Sight: None
Barrel Feature: Threaded, Fluted (non-threaded state complient available)
Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28
Weight: 7.3 lb.
Length of Pull: 10.50″ – 13.75″
Material: Aluminum Alloy
Finish: Type III Hardcoat Anodized
Twist: 1:10″ RH
Grooves: 6
Suggested Retail: $799.00

Get More Ruger Info:

Gun Digest’s 10 Best Shooting Drills And Firearms Training Posts

Gun Digest Editors

October 9, 2019

Get trigger time with these shooting drills and employ the rock-solid training techniques and you’re certain to see your groups shrink and your skills improve.

What Are The Top Shooting Drills And Training Advice:

Follow Through
AR-15 Shooting Drills
Defensive Handgun Drills
Failure Drill
Practicing Handgun Fundamentals
Dry-Running The AR-15
Shadowland Drill
What To Practice With A Defensive Handgun
Drawing A Handgun
Handgun Training Myths

Unlike riding a bike, marksmanship isn’t something that sticks with you for a lifetime. Certainly, it’s possible to learn and retain the fundamentals—breath control, trigger discipline and the like. But without regular training these foundational elements evaporate. This why renowned Marine Corps sniper Carlos Hathcock called marksmanship a deteriorating skill. Use it or lose it.

Put in these terms, firearms training takes on a new sense of urgency. Range time and shooting drills are a must, it doesn’t matter if you put a rifle or shotgun to your shoulder or a pistol in your hand. And we’re here to help get you on track to make the most of your next time behind the trigger with 10 of Gun Digest’s best shooting drills and training tips and techniques. Consistently send rounds down range with these drills and employ these experts' solid advice and you’re certain to see your groups shrink and your marksmanship improve.

1. Video: Practicing Follow Through For Faster Pistol Shooting

Want to shoot fast and accurately? Work on your follow-through.

2. 5 AR-15 Drills To Master Your Rifle

More than just shooting off a bench rest, these AR-15 drills are meant to help you improve the handling of your rifle, along with your marksmanship.

3. 6 Defensive Handgun Drills You Need To Run

Here are six handgun drills that are certain to get you closer to mastering the art of the pistol.

4. Video: Perfecting A Self-Defense Classic: The Failure Drill

Developed by Col. Jeff Cooper, the failure drill prepares you for defensive shooting situations where a center mass shot doesn't do the job.

5. 7 Critical Aspects of Pistol Shooting

These seven fundamentals of handgun training apply whether you’re boning up with your self-defense pistol, plinking with a .22 or practicing for a match.

6. Dry-Run Drills to Master the AR

Whether you’re new to the AR or are getting acclimated to a brand new rifle, deliberate and mindful dry runs will jump-start command of the carbine.

7. Video: Challenge Your Handgun Skills With The Shadowland Drill

Richard Mann’s Shadowland Drill sharpens important handgun skills in a single course of fire.

8. What Things Do You Need To Practice With Your Defensive Pistol?

Effective handgun shooting drills are designed to provide practice for the tasks most likely required in an actual defensive shooting. What, then, are the things we need to practice?

9. Video: Practicing Your Draw Without Unholstering Your Handgun

You can still sharpen the majority of your draw stroke even at ranges that don’t allow you to pull from your holster.

10. 7 Defensive Handgun Training Myths

There are many myths out there when it comes to proper defensive handgun training techniques. Here, seven of the most common are debunked.

Gun Values: What Makes Some Old Guns Princes And Other Paupers?

Jerry Lee

October 8, 2019

Gun Collecting 2 — This is a Browning Superposed Diana Grade 20-gauge shotgun.

Gun values can sometimes seem esoteric. What makes one firearm worth $100,000 while a similar one can be bought for a measly few hundred dollars? Why is one a collectible antique and another just a used gun?

What Are The Factors That Go Into Gun Values:

Condition
Origin
Historical Significance
Provenance (Individual Gun's Ownership/History)

As with virtually any item, whether antique or merely used, condition is of prime importance. But more than that, origin and history are important, too. Provenance is a convenient word often used to describe an object’s origin, ownership chronology and overall history. It’s a term used to authenticate the true background of a piece of artwork such as a painting, piece of sculpture, book or some other work of art. And who can argue that a firearm cannot be a work of art? I’m not referring necessarily to finely engraved and gold-inlayed guns, although they can be quite valuable. But take a look at a minty Colt Paterson revolver or high-grade Browning Superposed. Are they not works of art?

An item’s provenance (from the French word provenir, meaning “to originate”) can provide such things as the identity of the original owner, date of manufacture, shipping location and price. Several gun manufacturers will provide, for a price, this kind of information on their letterhead: among them, Colt and Winchester.

Learn What Your Guns Are Worth Now!

Another key factor in establishing the value of a firearm is determined by its rarity. I’ve heard gun owners say, “It’s worth that because they only made [fill in the blank].” Or simply, “They aren’t making them anymore.” These comments can be true, but rarity by itself might not be enough to establish a value. A particular model might’ve had a short production history because it wasn’t received well by the gun-buying public and, for whatever reason, never caught on with the masses.

Gun Collecting 1 — A Colt 1836 Paterson, which was the first production revolver manufactured by the Colt company.

Who owned the gun and how was it used? This provenance can make the difference between a firearm that’s merely expensive and one that’s worth a fortune. Guns that belonged to famous lawmen and outlaws, military figures or movie stars can demand a significant premium when offered for sale.

When the infamous bank robbers, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, were killed by a posse of lawmen in 1934, Bonnie had a Colt Detective Special .38 taped to her thigh, and Clyde was carrying a Colt 1911 .45 Auto. These guns were sold at auction a few years ago for a little over a half-million dollars — $264,000 for Bonnie’s revolver and $240,000 for Clyde’s 1911.1
Other celebrity-owned guns have been sold for staggering figures: President Theodore Roosevelt’s F-grade Fox shotgun for $875,000,2 Gen. George Patton’s Colt SAA .45 revolver for $75,000,3 Elvis Presley’s engraved Walther PPK/S .380 for $62,500,4 Wyatt Earp’s Colt SAA .45 for $225,000,5 and Adolf Hitler’s gold-plated Walther PP .32 for $114,000,6 which was reportedly the gun he used to commit suicide.

So, what’s that old gun worth? The real answer: Whatever someone is willing to pay for it. But the record for a single firearm sold at auction, at least for now, belongs to a very special Winchester. See the sidebar at right about The Geronimo Rifle.

More Gun Collecting Info:

The Walther PP Series
The Quintessential 22 Pistol: The Colt Woodsman
The Rocky History Of The L.C. Smith
The Browning SA-22
Colt Python: The Cadillac Of Revolvers

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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GUN DIGESTWE KNOW GUNS SO YOU KNOW GUNS

Boasting uniform aluminum tips, does the Hornady A-Tip represent the next big advancement in long-range bullets?

What Makes The A-Tip A Cut Above Other Match Bullets:

Rocket Science

Load Up More Ammo Info:

A Slight Digression

Axial Form Factor in the Real World

Made for Long-Range Work

Does buying the exact same gun twice make sense? It does if you're talking about the affordable and accurate Interarms Mark X in .375 H&H.

What Made The Interarms Mark X Mauser Stand Apart:

Mauser Mark X Backstory

More Rifle Articles:

The .375 Case

Thumper Recoil

With power to spare, the .454 Casull is a natural addition to the large-frame Raging Hunter line of revolvers.

What The Raging Hunter Offers Game Getters:

Take Another Spin With Our Revolver Content:

Raging Hunter Specs

Want to make certain your pistol goes bang each time you pull the trigger? Then home in on these six vital facets that ensure your gun runs like a top.

What Factors Ensure A Properly Functioning Pistol:

1. Ammunition Compatibility

2. Mitigating Stoppages

Learn More About Handguns:

3. Mastering Trigger Reset

4. Cognitive Shot Cadence

5. Maintenance Musts

6. Maintaining Magazines

Compatible with any pistol boasting a Sig slide cut, the Romeo 1 Pro offers a low-profile and rugged red-dot aiming solution.

How The Romeo 1 Pro Out Does Other Reflex Sights:

Scope Out More Optics Info:

The tactical reload might be the most misunderstood reload, but is essential to maximize your firepower potential.

Learn How To Run Your Defensive Pistol:

Not simply a tool of competitive shooters, the shot timer is the ideal instrument to sharpen life-saving handgun skills.

How Can A Shot Timer Help You Train To Defend Your Life?

Get More Concealed Carry Information:

Twice as nice, the RCBS MatchMaster powder dispenser's twin-tube design makes for faster, more accurate reloading.

How The MatchMaster Speeds Up Measuring Precise Powder Charges:

Load Up On Reloading Info:

There is a slew of aftermarket AR-15 trigger upgrades out there, each offering a little something different. How do you choose?

What Factors Do You Need To Consider In An AR-15 Trigger Upgrade:

Oh, So Smooth

Extra Crispy

Wearing The Weight

Need More AR Knowledge:

Trigger Reset Considerations

Choosing Your Trigger

From improved accuracy to saving money, there are a host of reasons to reload ammunition. We’ll kick-start your career at the reloading bench with these 11 videos that take you through the basics.

What Do You Need To Know About To Start Reloading Ammunition:

1. Basics Of Reloading

2. Reloading Tools

3. Case Resizing

4. Primers

5. Powders

6. Bullets

7. Specialty Cases

8. Reloading Troubleshooting

9. Primers and Case Charging

10. Cartridge Assembly

11. Safety

Sponsored Content

With the advent of the rifle chassis, the bolt-action has never been a better performer. Here are five reasons why.

Why Should You Upgrade Your Bolt-Action With A Rifle Chassis:

Accuracy

Adjustability

Versatility

Magazines

Learn More About MDT Chassis And Gear:

Application

Maintaining supersonic speed well past 1,000 yards, the .224 Valkyrie has fast become a long-range staple.

What The Secret To The .224 Valkyrie's Downrange Performance:

Get More .224 Valkyrie Info:

General Comments On The .224 Valkyrie

Want to hit what you're aiming at time and again? Hone your trigger pull.

Learn How To Run Your Defensive Pistol:

A precision pistol-caliber long gun? Ruger shoots for it with the modern feeling PC Carbine Chassis.

What Separates The PC Carbine Chassis From the Rest Of The Line:

Get More Ruger Info:

Get trigger time with these shooting drills and employ the rock-solid training techniques and you’re certain to see your groups shrink and your skills improve.

What Are The Top Shooting Drills And Training Advice:

1. Video: Practicing Follow Through For Faster Pistol Shooting