Ruger has released its new AR-Lower Elite, a fully assembled lower receiver with upgrades like the company’s Elite 452 trigger.
Ruger made its entry into the AR market some years back with its SR-556 gas piston rifle, and in the years since, the American manufacturer has only continued to update and improve its AR product line. In 2014, the company added the AR-556, its first direct impingement AR. In the next year, it tweaked the previous SR-556, developing a Takedown version, and introduced an upgraded, aftermarket AR trigger in the Elite 452.
Now, Ruger has announced the release of its AR-Lower Elite, a fully assembled, full-featured lower receiver that’s perfect for those contemplating a custom AR build. The complete lower includes Ruger’s Elite 452 trigger, a Magpul MOE SL stock and a Magpul MOE grip.
The Elite 452 trigger is a great upgrade over the GI-style trigger on most standard AR lowers, dropping the pull to a smooth and crisp 4.5 pounds. I have one equipped on one of my personal ARs, and I saw a dramatic improvement over the trigger that came factory installed on the gun. And of course, the Magpul MOE SL stock and MOE grip are both surefire enhancements over the standard six-position carbine stock and the A2-style grip.
The new Ruger AR-Lower Elite is constructed from the same hard-coat anodized, CNC-machined 7075-T6 forged lower receiver as the manufacturer’s AR-556 rifle. It is fully assembled to include the pivot and takedown pins, bolt catch, magazine release, trigger guard, Mil-Spec buffer tube, buffer and spring. All the user has to do is match the AR-Lower Elite with any complete Mil-Spec upper receiver assembly, and it’s ready to go.
The new Ruger AR-Lower Elite weighs 2.2 pounds and is available for $299. For right around $300, and coming with several upgraded features, this new lower should be a consideration for anyone interested in assembling a custom AR.
The Alexander Arms Ulfberht is a potent tool for long-range shooters that is capable of excellent accuracy, particularly as distances stretch.
According to ancient Norse history, a unique type of sword made of uncommonly strong and durable steel was produced during the Viking Age between the 9th and 11th centuries; the swords were engraved with the name “Ulfberht” and were regarded as some of the finest steel weapons of the time. It was the time of the Dark Ages, and weapons evolved, but today’s raider still relies on the same stealth, swiftness and force. There is a reason Alexander Arms chose to call its .338 Lapua Magnum rifle the Ulfberht. The name is appropriate because this semi-automatic rifle is capable of repeatedly hitting out to 1,000 yards or more with velocity and energy that only the .338 Lapua can generate. The hammer of Thor from afar.
When you speak with Bill Alexander, you immediately get the sense he is a student of the gun.
“I learn something new every day about our guns,” Alexander said. “Because no testing can conclusively create the environment the weapon will be used. I’ve been building these rifles for six years, and the design is ever evolving.” As we talk, Alexander pulls me into his world and the world of the Ulfberht and the .338 Lapua Magnum. This world of big-bore, long-range rifles is one filled with managing details—too fast a rifling, too slow rifling, the cut of rifling, consistency of ammunition, managing recoil—and channeling the power of the caliber to do what you want it to, which is hitting relatively small targets at long distances.
The Ulfberht design is based on the old Soviet Degtyaryov machine gun, also know as the DP-28 light machine gun, which fired the 7.62x54mmR cartridge and was in use with the Soviet military from 1928 through the 1960s. The Ulfberht, like the DP-28, uses a gas piston system, but Alexander Arms flipped the operating system so the gas piston is above the barrel, similar to the current RPD machine gun. Alexander modified the gas system, allowing the user to operate the rifle in hot and cold environments and with a variety of .338 Lapua ammunition types, including with suppressed fire. The gas regulator tube adjusts with four possible options. To adjust, loosen the cylinder nut at the front of the gas block, and then relieve the tension on the tube by slightly pulling back the charging handle. You can then rotate the gas regulator and re-tighten the index pin once the desired gas setting is achieved. The bolt speed and angle of ejected cases is an indication of too much or too little gas. If the bolt speed is too slow, cases will eject toward the back of the rifle; too fast and they eject forward. Ideally, cases should eject perpendicular or straight out of the ejection port.
The .338 Lapua generates a lot of pressure, about 61,000 PSI.
“To make the rifle stronger,” Alexander explains, “we decided to press fit the barrel into the receiver so the receiver helps absorb some of the pressure when a round is fired.”
This also helps to keep the receiver thin, not that the Ulfberht is lithe. Unloaded it weighs close to 20 pounds sans scope, bipod and loaded magazine. This is a heavyweight rifle designed to shoot with a bipod. Trust me, the weight is a bonus with the .338 Lapua. Lots of steel is needed to support the 27.5-inch barrel and contain the power of the cartridge. The BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) uses two steel flaps located on the left and right sides of the BCG. The bolt handle is round and knurled, so it has plenty of texture and rolls off your fingers’ tips when manipulated. The action is quite smooth. Unique to the Ulfberht is the ejection port, which is under the operating handle. The port allows the operator to load a single round.
The receiver is constructed of forged 9310 steel alloy with the barrel made of 4150 chrome-moly. It has a 1:9.3-inch twist rate.
“The rifling,” said Alexander, “uses a similar set-up as the old English Enfield rifle rifling with six grooves cut deeper and squared off.”
The deep grooves help resist fouling and keep the rifle running and accurate. A three-prong flash hider is screwed onto the muzzle, and the M18x1.5 threading allows use of other muzzle devices including cans. A 30 MOA Picatinny rail is topside, offering the user plenty of room and elevation for mounting a high-power scope and other optic accessories for long distance work. The handguard is made of aluminum and vented to assist cooling. Screw holes are placed in the 3, 6, and 9 o‘clock positions so users can mount accessories and a bipod. You will need a bipod for the Ulfberht, one that is well constructed.
An Ergo Deluxe pistol grip is fitted to the receiver, which is also equipped with a Geissele Automatics SSA two-stage trigger. The pull weight averaged at 4.5 pounds. At the aft end is a Magpul PRS adjustable rifle stock. The stock has an adjustable cheek riser and LOP. The stock also folds to the right side of the receiver. The weapon can be operated with the stock in the folded position. It rapidly deploys or stows with the press of a button, locking the stock in the folded or extended position. This feature enables this massive rifle to be more compact and more easily transported.
A polymer magazine with a 10-round capacity feeds the Ulfberht. The magazines are close fitting and with no doubt extended use will wear the polymer so the magazines fall free. An AK-style magazine release is located in front of the trigger guard. Magazines load similar to AR-style magazines, straight up the mag well.
Because the Ulfberht is serious firepower, I acquired some serious glass from Meopta. The ZD 6-24x56mm RD is specifically designed for long range. The illuminated Mil Dot 2 reticle has an integrated range finder and is calibrated for tactical calibers like 7.62×51 NATO/.308 Win., .338 Win. Mag. and .50 BMG/12.7x99mm NATO. Serious glass for a serious rifle. The scope features fast eye focus and MeoTrak II finger adjustable windage and elevation turrets. One click equals .25 MOA. Clicks are tactile and audible, and zeroing was especially easy. I used a Leupold MK2 Integral Mounting Systems (IMS) one-piece base, which gave me enough height to clear the Meopta’s 56mm objective. In hindsight—no pun intended—the Leupold set worked on the Ulfberht, but the mount is meant for AR-style rifles and was all I had on hand. In the future, I’ll use two rings spaced farther apart along the Meopta’s tube.
Shooting a .338 Lapua is not like shooting a .308 Win. or even a .300 Win. Mag. Lapuas like the Ulfberht are large rifles and require appropriate gear such as a sturdy bipod (Alexander prefers Atlas bipods), a tough scope like the Meopta that can cope with recoil with mounts that are just as capable, and a shooting bag to place under the toe of the stock to achieve a steady, effortless aim.
Frontline Defense (FrontlineDefenseUSA.com) is located in Warrenton, North Carolina, and it’s a top-notch facility offering handgun and rifle/carbine training. They also have a 1,000-yard range. Serious rifle, serious glass, serious yardage. Long-range shooting instructor and owner of Frontline Defense, Paul Smith called corrections and the Meopta and Ulfberht were beginning to run in sync. Smith is a Distinguished Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Sniper School. His real-world training and insights make him a valuable resource to those shooting long. The last bit, to use one of Bill Alexander’s English expressions, was Bill Alexander himself. Bill offered to meet us at the Frontline Defense facility to wring out the Ulfberht. Bill brought with him some R&D prototype rifles, the next evolution of the Ulfberht. He also showed up with a bucket of Hornady ammo. With ammo prices at about $6 a round, I had a hard time scrounging up a few boxes of ammo. The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge itself has been going through some growing pains. Initially, only Lapua produced ammo, but as the interest in long-range shooting has increased, other ammunition manufacturers are producing the round.
As Bill showed us, there are differences in the extractor groove and rim of cases from two different manufacturers. These differences in case dimensions, let alone changes in powder—yes, they are loaded to the same velocity, but the way the powder burns and fouling may be very different—will effect any .338 Lapua rifle shooter. In fact, I experienced some issues with ammo, which I compounded by adjusting the gas tube. Bill quickly tore down the rifle and cleaned it.
“With a clean gas tube your first two shots will be low,” said Bill after reassembling the rifle. “Your next shots will group higher and cluster.”
That is exactly what happened at 100 yards when I fired the first magazine of a newly cleaned bore and gas tube. The rifle needed those two fouling shots and then settled down to sub-MOA 3-shot groups. Any flyers were my own fault. Paul and Bill also grouped rounds similarly well and better.
“If your shots continued to be all over the place,” Bill further explained, “I would suspect it was the optic or mount. The .338 Lapua has a devil of a time bouncing up the insides of scopes.”
Bill showed off his R&D rifles. Internally, the extractor on the next generation has been redesigned to compensate for the differences in brass cases; the piston head is more like an AK-74 position; the gas tube can be removed with a cartridge case; the tube itself has 12 gas settings; the recoil spring is stiffer; and there are more changes.
The evolution of the Ulfberht is ongoing, and Alexander Arms will eventually have retrofit kits available to owners of older generation rifles. We fired an Ulfberht with a muzzle brake, and the reduction in recoil was evident compared to the rifle with a three-prong flash hider. The third rifle Bill was touting was equipped with a carbon fiber handguard and the barrel was relieved of metal in circular cuts. The cuts in the barrel reduced overall weight by two ounces. The third variant was also equipped with a suppressor.
The difference between shooting a .338 Lapua with a flash hider and compensated can be judged by the differences in felt recoil. The compensator greatly reduced recoil. The Ulfberht has more of push in the shoulder rather than a jolt. It is quite manageable if you are accustomed to larger calibers.
The 1,000-yard range is a platform that looks out at targets starting at 300 yards out to 1,000 yards with targets at 100-yard increments. With the naked eye, you can barely see the white steel plate at 1,000 yards, and that target measures 18×30 inches. Temperature was 87 degrees with a left-to-right wind of 5 mph according to the Kestrel. Paul adjusted for elevation and held into the wind with the comped rifle. First shot was dead on at elevation off by about 6 inches. Adjust, breathe, fire. When shooting long range at steel, there is that perceptible lag after the sound of the shot and the sound of lead hitting steel. In the spotting scope, the white steel target danced. The next three rounds continued to hit steel. I was on deck and -took direction from Paul acting as spotter. Miss. Correction. Lead on steel. I continued to hit steel until the magazine was empty.
The Ulfberht shows its trueness at distance. The 100-yard sub-MOA group is pretty to look at, but the reality is that a cartridge like the .338 Lapua is built for the long game, and the ability to hammer steel at 1,000 yards in fast, successive fire is the Ulfberht’s sweet spot. For more information, visit AlexanderArms.com or call (540) 639-8356.
Specifications:
Alexander Arms Ulfberht Caliber: .338 Lapua Magnum Action: Semi-auto, long stroke piston Barrel Length: 27.5 in. Overall Length: 41.25-50 in. Weight Unloaded: 19.8 lbs. Buttstock: Magpul PRS Handguard: Alexander Arms aluminum Pistol Grip: Ergo Deluxe Sights: None, optics ready Finish: Black Melonite Capacity: 10+1 MSRP: $5,800
Christensen Arms’ new AR-15 variant, the CA-15 Gen 2
Christensen Arms has put its design and materials know-how to work to produce a new generation of AR-15 and AR-10 rifles that come in among the lightest in their classes.
Versatile and adaptable, AR-style rifles have won throngs of fans through their ability to become nearly all things to all shooters. Whether sitting in a tree stand during the whitetail rut or at hand to protect hearth and home, few rifles boast a wider spectrum of use.
From a practical standpoint, there are other aspects of this style of rifle that have made it a prime choice, no matter its application — agility and weight. Once the platform is mastered, the AR becomes one of the fastest rifles to the shoulder and from target to target. It is able to place accurate shot after accurate shot on the fly and in the blink of an eye. On top of that, the tactical rifle is among the lightest available, giving its operators the ability to carry more kit, such as magazines, or carry the weapon comfortably for long stretches of time.
With these attributes in mind, Christensen Arms’ next generation AR-style rifles should prove intriguing for any shooter aiming to hit targets on the fly or measure gear in ounces. Drawing upon the Utah-based gunmaker’s vast materials knowledge, the CA-15 and CA-10 Gen 2 rifles are among the lightest rolling off production lines today.
The CA-15 (chambered in .223 Wylde) comes in under 6 pounds — 5.8 pounds with a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel and 5.9 pounds with a stainless steel barrel. This is impressive, given many comparable Mil-Spec 16-inch-barreled AR-15s weigh in right around the 7-pound mark. Also, given the shootablity of the 5.56×45 NATO/.223 Rem. (both can be shot safely out of a Wylde chamber), kick shouldn’t be an issue, despite the rifle’s lightness, except for the truly recoil shy.
Christensen Arms’ new AR-10 variant, the CA-10 Gen 2
The CA-10 (available in both .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor) outfitted with a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel comes in at 7.2 pounds, making it among the lightest production AR-10s to come down the pike. Shooters opting for a stainless steel barrel won’t add much heft to the platform, as it still weighs in at just 7.7 pounds. This is no small feat for either material, given the .308 has an 18-inch barrel and the 6.5 has a 20-inch tube.
Much of the weight savings of the next-generation Christensen Arms black rifles appears to come from the newly designed handguard. In particular, the ample KeyMod or M-LOK slots along the 3 and 9 o’clock positions have removed material from the handguards, and, thus, weight from the rifle. At the same tick, the company has made the platform more user-friendly compared to the previous generation models, which were drilled and tapped for the addition of Picatinny Rails and had integral rails running on top and bottom.
Christensen Arms has retained the full-length top rail, and it continues to mill its top and bottom receivers from 7075 aluminum. Presently, both the CA-15 and CA-10 are available exclusively with direct impingement operating systems, which is a bit of a break from the past, if the company does not expand the options. The Gen 1 CA-15 could be purchased with a piston operation, though this feature would definitely add weight if it is ever offered for the Gen 2.
Some of the other notable features common to Christensen Arms’ AR-15 and AR-10 rifles include a BMC Gunfighter adjustable buttstock, a titanium flash hider on the carbon fiber barrel (stainless steel on the steel barrel), button rifling, a match-grade trigger and a match chamber. The CA-15 and CA-10 also both come in three finish options: black anodized, tungsten Cerakote or burnt bronze.
Acquiring the technology Christensen Arms has engineered into its firearms definitely takes shooters into a tonier neighborhood price-wise compared to the rest of the AR market. The CA-15 has an MSRP of $1,749 for the stainless steel barrel variant and $2,295 for the carbon fiber. The CA-10 has an MSRP of $2,595 for the stainless steel barrel model and $2,995 for the carbon fiber. But those who put a premium on the weight of their firearm, whether heading afield or thinking defense, might well put these rifles on their wish list.
If the Rimfire section of the ammunition counter in a sporting goods store is well stocked, you will see stacks of boxes labeled .22 Long Rifle (LR), .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR), .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR), and .17 Winchester Super Magnum (WSM). If the store has a comprehensive line of ammunition, you may also see a few boxes of .17 Mach 2, .22 Short, .22 Long or perhaps those dinosaurs known as the .22 CB Short and .22 CB Long that live on for some reason. It is possible that you may also see a box or two of .22 Winchester Rim Fire (WRF), a cartridge that was introduced in 1890 along with the Winchester Model 90 pump rifle that was chambered for the cartridge.
If this list of approximately 10 cartridges makes it seem as if there are many choices in rimfire calibers, look again. The .22 Short, Long, Long Rifle and the two CB rounds may all be fired in a .22 LR chamber. The .22 WMR is a separate caliber, as are the .17 HMR and .17 Mach 2. We can ignore the .22 WRF for the moment, but it can be fired in a .22 WMR.
What we have is really a short list of rimfire cartridges, most of which can be used in firearms of one caliber, but as we shall see it has not always been so.
Cartridge development
We should not lose sight of the fact that developments in different areas of science and technology are interrelated. For example, it would not be possible to build a long-range rocket without developments in rocket fuel (which is a problem in chemical science). It was not possible to produce the atomic bomb until methods of enriching uranium were developed. The high performance of cartridges today is in great measure the result of improvements in propellants and metallurgy. A cartridge consists of a primer, propellant, projectile, and a case to contain these components. In order to ignite a propellant, some substance that explodes is needed.
The cause of the explosion is actually percussion (crushing the primer), which is the result of a spring-loaded striker (hammer or firing pin) changing positions at the time of firing.
In order to have shot-to-shot uniformity (which is required for accuracy), it is necessary to have the same amount of explosive (primer) ignited in the same way for each shot and to have the same amount of propellant in each cartridge.
Early developments in muzzleloading firearms include ignition systems known as the flintlock and the cap lock, which used a percussion cap. In the flintlock, the primer consisted of a small amount of fast burning black powder of fine granulation (FFFFg) that could be easily ignited by the sparks produced when a piece of flint struck a piece of steel, which is known as the frizzen. The priming charge was held in the flash pan, which had a hole that led downward into the barrel where the main propellant charge was held. The gas resulting from the burning powder in the main charge provided the driving force to move the bullet down the bore.
As firearm technology developed, so did the chemistry of explosives. It was discovered that mercury fulminate exploded violently when it was struck. Therefore, percussion caps were produced that consisted of a small amount of mercury fulminate contained in a small copper cup that fitted over a hollow nipple. When the hammer fell and struck the cap, the mercury fulminate in the percussion cap exploded, which in turn ignited the powder charge as fire was directed from the primer into the barrel breech.
The percussion cap was introduced in the early 1800s, and its use in muzzle loading rifles continues to the present time.
From muzzleloading to metallic cartridges
Cap lock rifles of yesterday and today are relatively reliable devices. This author has fired many rounds through his muzzleloading Rimfire Rifles with only a few instances of misfiring or delayed firing (known as a hang fire). Loading a cap lock rifle is a slow process because the powder charge must be measured and poured into the barrel and a projectile loaded on top of the charge. The process is slightly faster if the projectile is a “bullet” rather than a lead ball that is used with a lubricated cloth patch.
New developments in muzzleloading make use of propellant that is compressed into pellets of known weight. One or more of these pellets can be dropped down the barrel and projectile loaded on this charge.
Over time, it became apparent that producing a single unit containing the primer, propellant and projectile that could be loaded in one operation would be a great convenience. That is exactly the impetus that led to the development of so-called metallic cartridges. However, there still remained the problem of where to place the primer in the cartridge and how to cause it to explode reliably so it could ignite the powder charge. Attempts to solve that problem led to several early designs in metallic cartridge Ammunition.
Early designs in metallic cartridges
Black powder had been in general use in muzzleloading firearms for many years, so it was the propellant utilized in early metallic cartridges. Black powder consists of a mixture of potassium nitrate (saltpeter), charcoal (carbon) and sulfur in the approximate percentages 75, 15 and 10, respectively. Burning rate of the propellant, which is designated by an “F” system, is controlled by the particle size. A granulation known as FFFFg (very fine, often referred to as “4F”) is a very fast burning form, whereas a coarse granulation designated ofFg is comparatively slow burning. Black powder used most often in rifles is FFg (medium) although FFFg (fine) is used in handguns or rifles of small caliber.
One of the early designs for a self-contained cartridge is known as the pin fire, and it dates from about 1830, when it was invented in Paris by Monsieur Casimir Le Facheux. The cartridge contained a bullet, propellant (black powder) and a primer. However, the blow of the hammer was transmitted to the primer by means of a pin that stuck out of the side of the case at the rear. This meant that the cartridge had to be oriented in the chamber in such a way that the hammer would strike the pin to push it into the case to crush the primer.
Although placing the cartridges in the firearm in the correct orientation made loading slow by today’s standards, it was still rapid compared to loading a muzzleloader. With pin fire cartridges, there was also the possibility that the protruding pin could be struck accidentally, which could force it into the case causing the cartridge to fire. From the standpoint of safety, the pin fire left a lot to be desired. However, cartridges of this type were fairly popular in Europe and some shotguns employed this type of cartridge.
Pin fire cartridges were produced in several calibers, including shotgun rounds.
Another cartridge design consisted of a closed tube that contained the bullet and propellant with the primer being contained in a small protruding portion at the rear end of the tube. This type of cartridge, known as the Moore teat fire, was loaded into the front of the cylinder of a revolver with the teat at the rear where it could be struck by the hammer. The front end of the cartridge was flared to form a retaining flange that fit against the front of the cylinder.
Cartridges of this design were produced in the mid-1800s. Because the protrusion that held the primer was located in the center of the cartridge head, it was actually a centerfire design rather than a true rimfire.
Teat fire cartridges were developed in the 1800s before rim fire cartridges were introduced.
Each of the early cartridge designs described above contained a primer that was sensitive to shock. Subsequent designs would also rely on shock or percussion to cause the primer to explode, but the primer would be located differently in the cartridge.
In 1845, a man named Louis N. Flobert in France loaded a round ball in a percussion cap and produced a very small cartridge known as the .22-caliber BB (bulleted breech) cap. Power was the result of the primer because no powder was used. Some American versions of this cartridge employed a conical bullet (hence these were known as CB caps) that was loaded over a small powder charge. In 1851 at an exhibition in London, Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson became convinced that this cartridge design could be refined.
The rimfire appears
The rimfire cartridge was developed by producing a cartridge case, with a flange or rim of larger diameter than the body, by folding the rear of the case over on itself. The rim was hollow, which allowed the priming mixture to be contained in the rim.
The priming mixture was placed in the case while wet, and spinning the case caused the mixture to fill the void in the hollow rim. When the primer was dried, it then became sensitive to shock. Crushing the rim by a forward blow of the firing pin caused the primer contained within it to explode, which in turn ignited the powder charge.
A short. self-contained .22-caliber cartridge called the Number One Cartridge (essentially identical to the .22 Short of today except for primer and propellant) was introduced in 1854 by Smith & Wesson for use in a small revolver. The revolver was designated as the Smith & Wesson Model 1 First Issue, which was produced from 1857 to 1860. It was followed by the Model 1 Second Issue that was produced from 1860 to 1868 and the Third Issue from 1868-1881.
All issues of the Model 1 had a hinge that connected the barrel to the top of the frame at the front end. It was opened by means of a latch at the bottom of the front edge of the frame, which allowed the barrel to be tipped up so that the cylinder could be removed for loading and unloading.
The cartridge employed a 29-grain bullet that was propelled by 3-4 grains of black powder contained in a case that was slightly longer than that of the BB cap. A patent was granted on August 8, 1854, for the rimfire cartridge, and it became the precursor of the .22 Short.
Although it is certainly no powerhouse, the .22 Short has been used as a target load for many years in firearms designed specifically for that cartridge. As strange as it may seem, the .22 Short was originally viewed as a self-defense load that could be fired in a small handgun! In modern times, small semiautomatic pistols chambered for the .22 Short have been produced for concealed carry and self-defense. Fired from a rifle, the 29-grain bullet from the .22 Short high velocity load has a velocity of approximately 1,095 ft/sec., whereas the 27-grain hollow point bullet has a velocity that is a slightly higher.
The four approaches to firing metallic cartridges are illustrated here. The cartridges illustrate (left to right) teat fire, pin fire, rimfire and centerfire types.
Introduced in 1887, the .22 Long Rifle (LR) is by far the most popular rimfire cartridge. However, another .22 rimfire cartridge appeared in the 30-year interval between the introduction of the Short and the Long Rifle cartridges. That cartridge, the .22 Long, was introduced in 1871 and made use of a 29-grain bullet propelled by a charge of five grains of black powder. As with other .22 rimfires, the .22 Long eventually became loaded with smokeless powder.
The current .22 Long cartridge has an advertised muzzle velocity that is about the same as that of the .22 Short. Any difference in power is more imagined than real, and there is no logical reason for the .22 Long to survive. Most of the Rimfire ammunition companies have ceased production of the .22 Long.
The .22 LR
When we come to the .22 LR, we arrive at a cartridge that is the most popular and widely used metallic cartridge that exists. It is used throughout the world for recreation, competition and hunting. The original load consisted of a 40-grain bullet and a five-grain charge of black powder.
Ammunition in .22 LR caliber is loaded in many parts of the world, and in some instances to the highest level of technical perfection. The accuracy capability built into a competition rifle chambered for the .22 LR is matched by several types of ammunition that are specifically designed for competition at the highest level. Such ammunition is a far cry from the old black powder loads with corrosive priming that appeared in the 1880s.
The .22 LR uses a bullet of 0.223-inch diameter that has a short section that is smaller in diameter (the heel), which fits inside the case. The lubricated portion of the bullet is outside the case.
Although the target shooter has special ammunition available, the hunter of small game and pests has not been left out. The .22 LR high speed solid uses a 40-grain bullet that has a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,235 ft/sec., whereas the 36-38-grain hollow points are about 40-50 ft/sec. faster.
The .22 LR is in many ways the most useful cartridge in existence. A rifle or handgun chambered for this round can be used for many purposes.
Lithgow Arms is a known commodity in the land down under. But now the Australian gunmaker is giving Americans a shot at its well-thought-out rifles.
Lithgow Arms is one of those historic gunmakers that few American shooters have caught wind of. That is, unless they’ve kicked up the red dust of Australia’s outback.
The New South Whales manufacturer has been turning out arms for Australian shooters and military for more than a century now. And it has armed Aussie soldiers in nearly every conflict its country has been involved with in the past 100 years. From Gallipoli to Afghanistan, Lithgow Arms has proudly waltzed into battle.
American shooters got a taste of the company’s tactical arms a year ago with the release of the gunmaker’s bullpup EF88/F90. And now it is following up on its Steyr AUG variant with the state-side introduction of its two sporting rifle models.
Legacy Sports International is now importing Lithgow Arms’ LA101 and LA102 CrossOver bolt-action rifles, giving shooters access to the meat of the company’s rimfire and centerfire catalog.
Lithgow Arms LA101 CrossOver
LA101 CrossOver When it appeared in 2014, the LA101 CrossOver won plenty of accolades as the first commercial rimfire to be produced in Austrialia since the early 1980s – and for good reason. Not only was it exclusive, but it was a well-thought-out design, offering shooters features typically found on high-end rimfires.
In addition to a military-grade steel free-floating barrel, the rifle also boasts one of the most rock-solid actions available. The heart of the action is its rear-locking design, featuring three hardened lugs, an ingenious setup that makes for a smooth-feeding rifle, a shorter bolt throw and a safer firearm with less material for a faulty cartridge to act on. On top of that, the .22 LR, .22 WMR and .17 HMR’s lugs create an extremely solid lockup, thus, providing a much more rigid and accurate shooting platform (especially compared to rimfires that rely on the bolt handle to lock the action).
American shooters get the choice of dressing their LA101 in either an injection-molded nylon or laminated wood stock. The wood option makes for a bit of a heftier firearm at 7.2 pounds, compared to the synthetic option, which tips the scales at 6.6 pounds. In both cases, the stocks are cut with a butt hook, giving shooters extra material to improve accuracy when shooting off the bench or in the prone position.
The nylon stock option is a bit more versatile, allowing shooters nearly an inch of play in length of pull, facilitated by removable spacers. This feature gives the version an overall length of 39.25 to 39.65 inches. The laminate option is a set 39.25 inches in length.
The rifle comes with a flush-fitting five-round magazine, integral scope base, four-point bedding in the stock, textured rubber recoil pad and Cerakote treatment on all metal parts.
The .22 LR and .22 WMR are both cold-hammer forged with 1:16 twist rates. The .17HMR is button broached with a 1:9 twist rate. Each barrel is 20 inches and cut with a target crown to protect the muzzle.
Lithgow Arms LA102 CrossOver
LA102 Crossover Built off the success of the LA101, the LA102 CrossOver was introduced in 2016 and Lithgow appears to have turned a similar eye to producing a solid rifle.
In particular, the centerfire rifle has three forward locking lugs, and the action has an enclosed receiver. Again, Lithgow has put a lot of effort in creating a rigid and stable platform to launch a bullet, thus increasing its accuracy potential.
The .223 Rem., .243 Win. and .308 Win. rifles, however, have a few extra bells and whistles compared to the rimfire model. Perhaps the most notable is the single-stage trigger’s three-lever style module adjustment. Shooters have extreme control on how they break a shot with simple pull weight, sear engagement and overtravel adjustment. Each can be tuned without having to disassemble the rifle.
The LA102 comes with the option of an injection-molded nylon or walnut stock. Similar to the LA101, the synthetic stock has an adjustable length of pull, modifying from 13.27 to 14 inches. Overall length of the synthetic version is 42 to 42.8 inches, and it tips the scales at 7.7 pounds. The walnut model is 42.4 inches and comes in at 8.2 pounds.
The LA102 boasts a 22.047-inch cold-hammer forged barrel, Cerakoted and designed with a target crown. The rifle feeds off a flush-fit box magazine which holds four rounds for the .243 and .308 and five for the .223. The centerfire CrossOver also has an integral Picatinny rail scope mount.
Presently, the MSRP on the LA101 CrossOver synthetic model is $1,079, while the laminate is $1,215. The LA102 CrossOver synthetic MSRP is $1,255, and the walnut stock is $1,390. It will be an interesting experiment to see if the American shooting crowd sees these new players as wonders from down under.
Specifications:
LA101 CrossOver Weight: 6.6 lbs. (Poylmer), 7.2 lbs. (Laminate) Overall Length: 39.25-39.65 in. (Polymer), 39.25 in. (Laminate) Barrel: Cold hammer forged (.22LR and .22WMR); Button Broached (.17HMR); 20.9 in.; threaded tenon; 11° target crown; semi-match chamber tighter tolerances than SAAMI spec; 1:16 6 groove (.22LR and .22MWR); 1:9 6 groove (.17HMR). Receiver: Rear locking; high tensile steel with hardened locking lugs; sized for magnum rimfire; compact length; recoil lug; two-piece bases. Bolt: Three locking lugs; 60° bolt lift; hardened handle; one-piece firing pin; de-cocking feature; perpendicular sear engagement; Nylon bolt shroud and knob. Trigger/Safety: two-position safety (bolt can be opened on safe); 3.3-lb. pull Magazine: Flush-fitting Nylon five-round LA magazine (CZ 452/455 compatible (.22LR), CZ455 compatible (.17HMR / .22WMR). 10-round LA magazine available soon. Coating: Cerakote H series on barrel, receiver, sight bases and bolt handle. MSRP: $1,079 (Polymer), $1,215 (Laminate).
LA102 CrossOver Weight: 7.7 lbs. (Polymer), 8.2 lbs. (Timber) Overall Length: 42-42.8 in. (Polymer adjustable), 42.4 in. (Timber) Barrel: Proprietary, military grade steel, cold hammer forged. Medium varmint weight, target crowned. Coated in Cerakote Barrel Length: 22 in. Muzzle Thread: M14 x 1 Right Hand Receiver: High tensile steel with plate recoil lug. Picatinny rail. Coated in Cerakote Stock: Floated design with three sling studs, available in polymer, walnut and laminate Length of Pull: 13.27-14 in. (Polymer Adjustable), 13.66 in. (Timber) Trigger: Single stage, three way adjustable for weight, sear engagement and draw length. Factory set at 1.5 kg release Adjustment Range: Approximately 1.7-4.2 lbs. Safety: Three-position, bolt shroud mounted, rotating safety catch with indicator. Safety catch over cocks and blocks the firing pin and disconnects the trigger Magazine: Removable, single-stack box magazine, polymer construction MSRP: $1,255 (Polymer), $1,390 (Timber)
The Benelli Performance Shop has introduced three new models for 2017 intended to cater to three specific hunting niches.
Benelli has developed a well-earned reputation among the hunting community for its ultra-reliable semi-auto shotguns, which have been used to bring down a whole slew of game birds, ranging from small species like quail and dove up to larger birds such as turkey and Canada goose. And now, for 2017, the Benelli Performance Shop is bringing out three new custom-built models for specific hunting categories.
These three new Benelli Performance Shop models are the Performance Shop Ultra Light Upland, the Performance Shop M2 Waterfowl Edition and the Performance Shop M2 Turkey Edition. As the names suggest, these guns have all been tailored to meet certain hunting niches courtesy of key enhancements from the Performance Shop.
The new Benelli Performance Shop Ultra Light Upland is available in 12 and 20 gauge and is designed to be the lightest semi-auto shotgun in production in both gauges. The gun utilizes a featherweight alloy receiver; a shortened magazine tube; and a strong, lightweight carbon fiber rib across both models. All of these are with weight reduction in mind, and the result is a shotgun that weighs just 5.2 pounds in its 20-gauge format, and an equally svelte 6.1 pounds in its 12-gauge variation.
Added to this are several other functional upgrades, including an enlarged bolt handle and release, a lengthened forcing cone and EDM barrel porting, a Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish and three Rob Roberts Triple Threat extended choke tubes. The reduced weight – as well as all of these upgrades – make this Ultra Light Upland perfectly suited for the long walks and shooting situations upland hunters often encounter. The gun, in either gauge, retails for $2,799.
The Benelli Performance Shop M2 Turkey Edition, on the other hand, represents an ideal scattergun for taking down toms. Featuring Performance Shop enhancements from Rob Roberts, a key figure in shot pattern development, the M2 Turkey Edition is everything a hunter could ask for in a turkey gun.
Offered in both 12- and 20-gauge configurations, the Performance Shop M2 Turkey Edition sports a 24-inch, EDM-ported Crio barrel and a Burris FastFire II red dot sight pattern tested using Federal Premium ammunition. In its 12-gauge variation, the gun wears a Patriot Brown Cerakote finish and comes with a ComforTech field stock and SteadyGrip stock decked out in Mossy Oak Bottomlands camo. Meanwhile, the 20-gauge variant has a ComforTech field stock, and the stock, receiver and barrel are finished in Realtree APG. Both feature a lengthened forcing cone, one custom XFT extended choke and five standard Benelli chokes. Prices for the M2 Turkey Edition are $3,399 for the 12 gauge and $2,599 for the 20 gauge.
The last new Benelli Performance Shop model is also built off the base M2; however, this one is built completely with waterfowlers in mind. The new Performance Shop M2 Waterfowl Edition takes Benelli’s already time-and-field-proven M2 in both 12 and 20 gauge with a 28-inch barrel and adds custom upgrades such as a honed and polished action, a custom-tuned trigger group, three Rob Roberts Triple Threat chokes, a lengthened and polished forcing cone, a HIVIZ Comp front sight, an oversized bolt handle and enlarged bolt release, and a paracord survival sling.
The 12-gauge version of the M2 Waterfowl Edition utilizes a ComforTech stock dipped in GORE OPTIFADE Waterfowl Timber and Texas Tan Cerakote finish. The 20-gauge variant has a ComforTech stock but wears a Realtree MAX-5 finish. Prices for the new Performance Shop M2 Waterfowl Edition are $2,699 for the 12 gauge and $2,399 for the 20 gauge.
Specifications:
Benelli Performance Shop Ultra Light Upland Type: Semi-auto Gauge: 12, 20 Chambering: 2 3/4, 3 in. Capacity: 2+1 Barrel: 26 in. (12 gauge), 24 in. (20 gauge) Stock: Satin Walnut with WeatherCoat Finish: Burnt Bronze Cerakote Overall Length: 47.5 in. (12 gauge), 45.6 in. (20 gauge) Weight: 6.1 lbs. (12 gauge), 5.2 lbs. (20 gauge) Length of Pull: 14 1/8 in. Drop at Comb: 1 1/2 in. Drop at Heel: 2 1/2 in. Sights: HIVIZ Comp front sight and metal mid bead Choke Tubes: Crio – C, IC, M – Rob Roberts Custom Triple Threat Price: $2,799 Manufacturer: Benelli USA
Benelli Performance Shop M2 Turkey Edition Type: Semi-auto Gauge: 12, 20 Chambering: 2 3/4, 3 in. Capacity: 3+1 Barrel: 24 in. Stock: ComforTech and SteadyGrip Buttstocks/Mossy Oak Bottomland (12 gauge), ComforTech/Realtree APG (20 gauge) Finish: Patriot Brown Cerakote (12 gauge), Realtree APG (20 gauge) Overall Length: 45.5 in. (12 gauge), 45.3 in. (20 gauge) Weight: 7 lbs. (12 gauge), 6.2 lbs. (20 gauge) Length of Pull: 14 3/8 in. Drop at Comb: 1 3/8 in. Drop at Heel: 2 3/8 in. Sights: Burris FastFire II Choke Tubes: Custom XFT Extended Choke, 5 standard Benelli (C, IC, M, IM, F) Price: $3,399 (12 gauge), $2,599 (20 gauge) Manufacturer: Benelli USA
Benelli Performance Shop M2 Waterfowl Edition Type: Semi-auto Gauge: 12, 20 Chambering: 2 3/4, 3 in. Capacity: 3+1 Barrel: 28 in. Stock: ComforTech/OPTIFADE Waterfowl Timber (12 gauge), ComforTech/Realtree MAX-5 (20 gauge) Finish: Texas Tan Cerakote (12 gauge), Realtree MAX-5 (20 gauge) Overall Length: 49.5 in. (12 gauge), 49.3 in. (20 gauge) Weight: 7.2 lbs. (12 gauge), 5.9 lbs. (20 gauge) Length of Pull: 14 3/8 in. Drop at Comb: 1 3/8 in. Drop at Heel: 2 3/8 in. Sights: HIVIZ Comp front sight and metal mid bead Choke Tubes: 3 – Rob Roberts Custom Triple Threat Price: $2,699 (12 gauge), $2,399 (20 gauge) Manufacturer: Benelli USA
For 2017, the Ruger Precision Rifle will now be available in one of the most popular chamberings: 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington.
Ruger has gone a long way in opening the gates to the everyman who looks to bang steel at 1,000-plus-yards out.
Although the Ruger Precision Rifle still runs a pretty penny relative to the rest of the rifle market, in the scheme of chassis rifles, it is definitely at the affordable end. And the New Hampshire gunmaker has made certain that “economical” doesn’t mean “cheap” when it comes to its tactical bolt-action. Going on its second year of production, the platform in all its chambering options has proven an accurate and affordable choice.
And in 2017, the line has expanded in an inevitable direction. Like the majority of newly minted modern rifles, Ruger is releasing its Precision Rifle in a 5.56x45mm NATO/.223 Rem. variant. The move certainly will keep the rifle well fed, as the round is as common as cornflakes, given the popularity of the AR.
Shooters with their wallets already broken open for Ruger’s new black rifle darling will have to keep a few points in mind when it comes to taking advantage of the ubiquity of ammo. The rifle’s 20-inch cold hammer-forged barrel has a 1:7 twist, compared to the more common 1:9. Thus, it is set up to handle the heavier, longer end of the 5.56/.223 bullet spectrum. It is ideal for stabilizing 77- to 90-grain projectiles, giving the rifle fodder to live up to its long-range potential.
The new iteration of the Ruger Precision Rifle comes with all the fine-tuning features of previous versions, including a fully adjustable folding buttstock.
Ruger has tailored another feature of the rifle to its potential projectiles with its magazine design. The 10-round AI-style Precision Rifle magazine is a bit roomier in length, ensuring the longer, higher ballistic coefficient projectiles load and feed properly.
Potentially, the small-bore variant of the Precision Rifle could be a bit more challenging to print tight groups at the extreme end of its range compared to the rifle’s .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor iterations. To be sure, wind drift and bullet drop calculations will have to be precise for the 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. Precision Rifle to excel at a country mile. But, like the whole line of rifles, Ruger has made sure it has armed shooters with a full range of tools to ensure accuracy once the math is done.
Like the previous Precision Rifles, the new edition has a free-floated barrel, left-folding stock with adjustable comb (height and length of pull), ergonomic pistol grip and Precision Rifle handguard. It is also outfitted with Ruger’s Hybrid Muzzle Break, 20 MOA scope base and the Ruger Marksman Adjustable trigger, which can be dialed between 2.25 and 5 pounds.
Perhaps the real hidden virtue of the new Ruger rifle is its potential shootability. The 5.56/.223 rounds are known as being extremely forgiving in the first place, but combined with the Precision Rifle’s in-line recoil path — facilitated by its AR-style stock — the bolt-action looks to be a true kitten.
Like the rest of the Ruger Precision Rifle family, the new 5.56/.223 variant has an MSRP of $1,599.
Specifications:
Ruger Precision Rifle Caliber: 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. Stock: Folding, Adjustable Length of Pull and Comb Height Barrel Length: 20 in. Barrel: Cold Hammer-Forged, 5R Rifling Handguard: Ruger Precision Rifle Short-Action Twist: 1:7 RH Grooves: 5 Weight: 9.8 lbs. Capacity: 10 Height: 7.30 in. Overall Length: 39.25 – 42.75 in. Length of Pull: 12-15.50 in. Folded Length: 31.60 in. Width: 3.30 in. MSRP: $1,599.00
Swagger Bipods offer both flexibility and rigidity when needed, enhancing the shooter’s accuracy in the field in virtually any condition or environment.
Traditionally, there has been a tradeoff when it comes to bipods. With a typical bipod or shooting implement, stability comes at the cost of flexibility and movement after you’ve established a shooting position. Pulling a double on a coyote hunt could be a tricky proposition with conventional bipods, unless the dogs come running on exactly the same line.
Swagger Bipods has solved much of this problem with its innovative and adaptable new shooting system. The solid, yet flexible bipods are engineered to adjust to any shooting environment and move from target to target while at the same time always providing the utmost stability for the shot.
The heart of the Nebraska-based manufacturer’s lightweight bipods is what the company calls its Crazy Legs Technology. Attached to the base via a shock cord, the spring-loaded system affords play on both the horizontal axis and the vertical, opening up shooting angles that were considered impossible with conventional bipods. And telescoping legs modify to a shooter’s circumstances and position, whether he find himself prone on the floor of sagebrush flats or sitting on an uneven, rocky ridgeline.
Gun Digest Editor-in-Chief Eric Conn has had plenty of experience with Swagger Bipods, at the range and in the field, and has found them a worthy addition to his shooting gear. He goes over the finer points of this well-thought-out system in the above video, giving shooters a better idea of exactly how Swagger Bipods are capable of enhancing almost any hunt.
The new POF-USA Renegade + rifle takes the company’s standard direct gas impingement AR to the next level.
The AR-15/M16 has been around since the mid-1960s, with various improvements added to make it more reliable. But most people would be hard pressed to find an AR with more design changes than those made by Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF).
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the company’s first entry that found widespread acceptance in the AR market was a gas-piston design. For many years, POF’s ARs were all piston guns, but recently it began producing a direct gas impingement (DGI) AR, the Renegade, which has now been followed by the Renegade +.
At first glance, it looks like an AR, a sleek and handsome one. But closer examination reveals a number of design changes, most carryovers from the company’s traditional piston guns.
Features At the front, the 16.5-inch barrel ends with the company’s Triple Port Muzzle Brake that has three large lateral ports on each side, three small ports on the top right, and another small one on the top left. It is designed to decrease felt recoil and muzzle rise, and in testing, it was very effective.
The barrel has 1:8-inch twist rifling, a compromise between a 1:7 or 1:9 twist. While it doesn’t satisfy everyone, the 1:8 twist seems to be a good compromise; at least it worked well on the test gun.
Making this DGI system a bit different from a typical one, POF installs its Dictator gas block that can be adjusted to one of nine positions, each of which meters a slightly different amount of gas to the system. This allows the user to adjust the amount of force applied to the bolt carrier group for the selected ammunition so that spent cases are extracted with just the right amount of force. Unnecessary wear to parts is avoided, spent brass is tossed in a predictable pattern, and the gas system can be adjusted for use with or without a sound suppressor.
Holding the barrel to the upper receiver is a massive heat sink barrel nut that is designed to pull accuracy-robbing—and wear-producing—heat away from the chamber and barrel. The nut also increases rigidity between the receiver and barrel to aid accuracy.
E2 Inside the chamber is a feature that is not readily apparent, but aids in a challenge inherent to the AR design. Over the years, extraction has been a problem for the AR-15, especially when the design was new. Various fixes have been applied, including a stronger extractor spring and insert as well as the addition of a spongy o-ring that surrounds the spring to increase the force with which the extractor grabs the shell casing. POF employs these features, but went a step further with its E2 Dual Extraction Technology.
The E2 chamber has four grooves cut into the sides that allow a small amount of gas to get between the chamber and neck of the spent case. This assists in breaking the contact between the chamber wall and the brass case and also pushes the case toward the rear.
The Renegade handguard permits the barrel to float freely. Instead of just one attachment system for accessories, the handguard has both Picatinny rails and Magpul’s M-Lok system. There are also plenty of holes for ventilation to assist in barrel cooling. Additionally, the handguard has quick-detach sling mount sockets on both sides at the front and rear.
Controls The upper receiver is built to military specifications, but the lower receiver has a number of enhancements. POF calls it the Gen 4 lower, and all the controls are truly ambidextrous. Releasing the bolt to strip a round from the magazine can be done either by retracting the charging handle and letting go, or by pressing the top of the bolt stop toggle on the left. But with the Renegade +, it can also be done by pushing a button on the right side of the receiver.
The bolt can be held to the rear in the conventional way, or by pressing a bolt catch button located at the bottom of the receiver just behind the magazine well and inside the trigger guard. It is easily done with the trigger finger.
The trigger guard is integral to the lower receiver, but is enlarged so a gloved trigger finger fits. The magazine well is generously beveled to encourage fast and positive magazine changes. Additionally, the lower has QD sling mount sockets built into the left and right side of the endplate.
POF even modified the receiver extension by adding what it calls a carrier cradle. It is a lip at the bottom of the front of the tube that extends slightly forward and supports the rear of the bolt carrier when in battery. POF’s reason for this is to prevent carrier tilt, which is a problem on some ARs. The tube also sports three drain holes. POF added another enhancement to its lower receiver: The trigger and hammer pins on a Mil-Spec AR are secure, but POF replaced them with KNS Precision stainless steel anti-walk pins for additional piece of mind.
An obvious difference compared to a Mil-Spec AR is the trigger. POF uses a special drop-in unit with a straight trigger. It is a non-adjustable, single-stage trigger with an advertised 3.5-pound pull weight. On the test gun, it broke cleanly with no discernible take-up or overtravel.
POF has even made improvements to the Mil-Spec charging handle, which has been known to break. The Tomahawk Ambidextrous Charging Handle is large so that it can be more easily grasped even when it sits below an optic, and the latch unlocks when grabbed from the right or left.
Furniture POF equips the gun with a Mission First Tactical EPGI16 Engage pistol grip that features interchangeable front and backstraps that are available from Mission First Tactical. The Battlelink Minimalist Stock is also from Mission First Tactical and is billed as the lightest buttstock on the market.
POF also made changes to the bolt carrier group (BCG). Instead of the standard phosphate finish, POF plates the BCG with NP3, a nickel-PTFE coating that is corrosion-resistant and adds lubricity. And instead of a bolted-on gas key, it is integral to the carrier, eliminating the possibility of coming loose.
Instead of a standard cam pin with its rectangular head, the patented POF cam pin has a round, roller head. This reduces friction that occurs when a normal cam pin contacts the inside of the receiver, which is often the case as is evidenced by a wear spot.
There were no malfunctions while range testing the Renegade +. The Triple Port muzzle brake did an effective job of reducing felt recoil and muzzle rise, making return to target for follow-up shots easy.
The sample Renegade + lived up to POF’s promise of minute of angle (MOA) accuracy, and it printed groups at 100 yards well within that standard. Whether the gun is used for hunting, competition or personal protection, the accuracy is probably well beyond most shooter’s needs.
If you want an AR that is a bit different, take a look at the Renegade +. Patriot Ordnance Factory, 623-561-9572, POF-USA.com.
Specifications:
POF-USA Renegade + Type: Semi-auto, direct gas impingement Caliber: 5.56 NATO Barrel Length: 16.5 in., 1:8 twist Overall Length: 33.5 in. (collapsed) Weight: 6.4 lbs. (empty) Stock: Mission First Tactical Sights: Optic Ready Finish: Black, type 3 hard coat anodized Capacity: 30+1 Price: $1,899 Manufacturer: Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF-USA)
The new Ruger American Magnum extends the manufacturer’s American rifle series with a heavy-duty option for those pursuing big game.
Over the last many decades, Ruger has forged a reputation as one of America’s premier firearms manufacturers, with iconic models like the No. 1, Mini-14, 10/22 and the Mark I/II/III as its headliners. Ruger has also been the workingman’s gun company because of its ability to provide well-made, sweet-shooting firearms with blue-collar price tags. The Ruger American rifle series, which arrived on the scene back in 2012, epitomizes everything the company stands for and has, in a few short years, lived up to the prestigious Ruger name.
The newest edition to the lineup is the American Magnum rifle, which is available in either 7mm Remingtom Magnum or, as tested for this review, .300 Winchester Magnum. Like its predecessors, the American Magnum is well built but inexpensive, carrying an MSRP of $699 (the non-magnum, all-weather variant goes for $629, while the base model American runs $489). It’s hardly the stylish bolt gun our forefathers daydreamed about, but it’s part of a newer trend to make simple yet effective rifles for the everyman.
American Made The American Magnum is currently available in two calibers and one configuration with a black synthetic stock and matte stainless steel barrel, which measures 24 inches in length regardless of caliber. The barrel is capped by a thread protector and 5/8”-24 threading for easy configuration with a suppressor or muzzle device. The optic mounting system is a continuous Picatinny (or Weaver-style) rail that runs the length of the action, something that, after playing with so many AR-style rifles, makes it a lot easier to mount an optic than the older style bolt gun scope mounts. For testing, I mounted a 4-20×50 Nikon Monarch 5 ED riflescope with the long-range hunting BDC reticle. Not only is the glass incredibly sharp and light transmission exceptional, the BDC (bullet drop compensation) reticle makes it possible to quickly dial in targets at various faraway distances, helping you get the most downrange effectiveness out of the .300 Win. Mag. With an MSRP of $599, the Monarch 5 ED gives you plenty of optical horsepower without blowing your budget.
The American Magnum features a detachable, single-stack box magazine that holds three rounds. The release lever is located on the front of the magazine and tucks up into the rifle, reducing the likelihood of an accidental detach while in the field. The single-column design, which is more and more common on rifles today, is remarkably simple to load and operates without flaw. The one downside is that you’ll need to load from the magazine, not from the top of the receiver, which is more practical in the field but slightly less so at the bench.
The action features a one-piece, three-lug bolt with 70-degree throw, giving you plenty of room to clear the scope. Dual cocking cams help create a smooth, easy cycling of the action from the shoulder. Time and use has already improved the smoothness of the bolt cycle, which is not bad to begin with. The rifle also features Ruger’s patent-pending Power Bedding system, which positively locates the receiver and provides a free-floated barrel. The rifle features a tang safety with a black “S” and red “F” for a quick, visible indicator of the firing position. The nylon synthetic stock is fairly light, holds up under rough weather and won’t swell or contract, and helps minimize recoil. The soft rubber buttpad also helps out in this regard, especially with magnum cartridges.
Range Performance Lots of companies boast of “cheap” rifles, but none of that really matters if they can’t shoot straight. Lots of companies boast of MOA accuracy, too, but the claims of marketing folks don’t always jive with the range data. I’ve shot the original American rifles, however, so I had pretty high expectations for the Magnum series as I headed to the range. Not surprisingly, the American Magnum did not disappoint.
Testing was conducted with the aforementioned Nikon Monarch 5 ED scope and three loads: Hornady’s Superformance 180-grain SST and 150-grain GMX from the Full Boar line, and Federal Premium’s 165-grain Nosler Partition. Data was pulled from three, three-shot groups that were taken at 100 yards from a Caldwell Lead Sled from Brownells. As I’ve typically found, the .300 Win. Mag. performed exceptionally well with a heavier 180-grain bullet, which seems to be the sweet spot. The Hornady Superformance 180-grain SST posted the best group of the day at an impressive .39 inches, with an average group size of .86 inches. The larger 180-grain bullet carries plenty of energy and speed (3,130 fps at the muzzle in the Superformance load) out to considerable distances, making it ideal for elk and other hard-to-drop game. The smaller Full Boar load with a 150-grain GMX bullet produced a respectable average group of 1.83 inches and a best group of 1.57 inches. Federal Premium’s venerable 165-grain Nosler Partition averaged 1.48 inches with a best group of 1.34 inches; velocity is right around 3,000 fps.
In terms of shootability and feel, which are even more important with a hard-pounding magnum rifle, the American is comfortable to shoot, balances well and is designed to minimize excessive recoil (the option to add a muzzle device or suppressor would help a great deal more). As a 5-foot-8-inch male, the length of pull is too much (13.75 inches), but the weight is good for carrying (7.5 pounds without scope or magazine; in the 8.5- to 9-pound range fully equipped). The Ruger Marksman trigger, which adjusts from 3 to 5 pounds, is as good as ever and helps improve accuracy.
Parting Shots With a sturdy design, great trigger and accurate barrel, the Ruger American Magnum will likely be a staple among shooters, especially those who are already fans of the American series of rifles. The addition of two magnum calibers is a welcome one, particularly for Western hunters and long-range aficionados. The synthetic stock and stainless barrel will no doubt hold up to the worst conditions, and with an adequate optic the American Magnum is easily a long-range workhorse. With an MSRP of $699, and a retail price likely well below that, the Ruger American Magnum is another great offering for the workingman.
Specifications:
Ruger American Magnum Caliber: .300 Win. Mag. Stock: Black Synthetic Barrel Length: 24 in. Barrel Material: Stainless steel, matte Twist: 1:10 in. Magazine: Detachable box, single stack, 3 rounds Weight: 7.5 lbs. (unloaded) Length of Pull: 13.75 in. Overall Length: 44.5 in. Price: $699 Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Kimber has added five new Micro 9 pistol models for 2017 – all with the same functionality and specs of the originals, but catering to the tastes and preferences of individual shooters.
The 1911 holds a special place in American shooters’ hearts. The time-tested design has served honorably in numerous American military conflicts. It has won its share of shooting competitions. And it has been an all-around faithful companion to marksmen of all stripes.
Given this pedigree, it is no surprise the John M. Browning-designed pistol has become a trusted choice of many concealed carry practitioners. And Kimber has been at the forefront of providing 1911s tailored to slip seamlessly into the belt line and provide the dependability upon which the pistols have built their name.
One of the most recent forays the New York gunmaker has made in concealable, self-defense models of the pistol is its Micro 9 line. The sub-compact, aluminum-framed 9mm is a miniaturized 1911 that hit the market a little over a year ago, giving shooters a quality-made clandestine option.
The company must have struck the right nerve with the greater shooting world, because Kimber has been quick to follow up with an expansion of its initial six offerings. Kimber has added five new variants of the Micro 9 for 2017. And while they all have the same functionality and specs of the original pistols, as the gallery above attests, they are definitely designed to cater to the individual shooter’s tastes.
Ruger is continuing to bet on the American Pistol, expanding the options for shooters with a new variation for 2017.
The American Pistol seemed to have an impossible task. Ruger’s polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol was released to a market plum lousy with that particular style of handgun. Perhaps beating the odds, the pistol has found its place in the ocean of black plastic.
The New Hampshire gunmaker is continuing to bet on the American Pistol, expanding the options with a new variation for 2017. The .45 ACP Compact model is now available with an ambidextrous manual safety.
Located at the rear of the frame and configured to be engaged and disengaged with a flick of the thumb, the safety offers ample real estate for manipulation. The size is a plus, allowing quick operation with gloves or when fine motor skills are degraded by adrenalin. It also adds a peace of mind to the popular concealed-carry sized pistol, adding a redundancy against a negligent discharge.
The only vital spec the manual safety modifies on the pistol is its width, and it scarcely does that. The option tacks on .11 inches of width to the original’s dimensions, giving it a final measure of 1.51-inches across.
From there, the 29-ounce .45 ACP American Pistol Compact is familiar to those who know the line. The pistol has a 3.75-inch barrel and ships with a 10- and 7-round magazine. The handgun features replaceable grip modules, allowing shooters to customize the gun’s fit to their hand. And it is outfitted with genuine Novak LoMount Carry three-dot sights and a mil-standard 1913 accessory rail.
This is the second .45 ACP in the American Pistol line to be released with a manual safety. Earlier on, the 4.2-inch barreled Duty model was offered with the option. Ruger is also releasing the Duty and Compact 9mm with the same feature.
The manual safety variation of .45 ACP American Pistol Compact MSRP is $579.
The new Uberti 1872 Open Top is a classic beauty that faithfully replicates the old school Richards/Mason conversion revolver.
Shooters today tend to take for granted self-contained metallic cartridges that combine the primer, powder and projectile into one unit that is easy to load and handle. But when they first appeared, they were a gigantic advancement over the time-consuming process of stuffing powder, wad and ball into a barrel and then adding a cap to set it all off.
The first practical metallic cartridge revolvers developed by Colt were introduced in 1871. A Colt engineer named Richards designed a system to allow old cap and ball revolvers to fire the newfangled metallic cartridges. Modified guns were called Colt Richards conversions and had a new breech plate, firing pin, rear sight, ejector rod and usually a new cylinder.
Then another Colt engineer named Mason made some improvements, which included mounting a firing pin on the hammer. By this time though, all the old cap and ball barrels that were fitted with a loading rammer had been used up, so new barrels were used that did not have the rammer recess. These newer modified guns were called Richards/Mason conversions.
A great many old cap and ball revolvers were sent to Colt to be converted to fire metallic cartridges using either the Colt Richards or Richards/Mason conversion. These conversions were very popular in the Old West even after the Colt Singe Action Army (SAA) had been made the primary military handgun. It seemed that the public was satisfied with the conversions and most SAA production was going to the government anyway.
There were mainly three calibers or cartridges used for conversions. They were the .38 rimfire, .38 centerfire and the .44 Colt centerfire, with the most well known probably being the .38 Colt. It used a heel-type bullet – similar in appearance to the bullets used in .22 rimfire ammunition today – with 130- to 150-grain projectiles and a diameter of about .375 to .380 inch. Eventually, the round was modified and became the .38 Long Colt with a .357-caliber bullet of about 150 grains.
For testing, Uberti sent a Model 1872 Open Top revolver chambered in .38 Special, which is representative of a Richards/Mason conversion. It does not have need of a breech plate to fill the gap between the breech and the back of the cylinder, and a barrel representing one of new manufacture for the period is used. This gun is nevertheless a nearly accurate replica of a revolver that was used in the Old West.
Original revolvers of the time did not have a safety, but the replica 1872 does have one, of sorts. This is probably dictated by regulations regarding imports, since the gun was produced by Uberti in Italy. To engage the safety, the revolver needs to be unloaded and in the half-cocked position. Then a small screwdriver is used to partially turn a screw on the right side of the hammer, which causes a steel post to rotate out from the face of the hammer. The post prevents the firing pin, which is integral to the hammer, from striking the primer of a cartridge. It’s not quick to engage or disengage, but in an age of run-away litigation, is a sad necessity.
When single-action revolvers were common, shooters knew how to carry them to prevent a discharge if they were dropped and the hammer was driven forward to strike the primer of a cartridge. It was simple. Carry the revolver with an empty chamber beneath the hammer. Yeah, the gun is a six-shooter, but it was safer to carry only five rounds if the gun wasn’t going to be fired immediately after loading.
Accomplishing this is actually pretty simple. First, pull the hammer back to the half-cock position. This frees the cylinder to turn clockwise when viewed from the rear. Open the loading gate on the right side of the revolver and drop a cartridge into the exposed chamber. Rotate the cylinder clockwise, past the next empty chamber, to the second empty chamber. Then load a cartridge and continue rotating the cylinder clockwise putting a round into each of the next three chambers. Now there are five rounds in the cylinder. Close the loading gate while keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction.
Next, keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction, cock the hammer fully. This should rotate the cylinder one-sixth turn and lock it in place over the empty chamber. Carefully lower the hammer all the way by pulling the trigger and retarding the fall of the hammer with the thumb. The hammer should now be all the way forward on an empty chamber. Double check this by carefully checking to make sure the cylinder is locked in place and, again while the gun is pointed in a safe direction, looking at the rear of the cylinder to check that the chamber under the hammer is empty.
The test 1872 Open Top was nicely finished and well fitted. The 7.5-inch barrel as well as the cylinder, trigger guard, ejector, ejector rod housing, and grip frame were nicely polished and blued. The recoil shield, loading gate and hammer were attractively color case hardened, and the front blade sight appears to be made of brass. Stocks, or grip panels, were of dark-stained walnut with a gloss finish.
The un-fluted cylinder features depictions of naval scenes, which is true to the period. Markings include 1871 on the left side of the barrel and patent dates of 1871 and 1872, as well as “.38 Cal” on the left side of the frame. The hammer spur is checkered to help prevent the thumb from slipping when cocking the hammer, and the rear sight is nothing more than a bump at the rear of the barrel in which a shallow U notch has been cut. Sight alignment was to point of impact, an important factor in a gun where the sights are not adjustable.
Takedown for cleaning is simple but does require a screwdriver, hammer and drift. After making sure the gun is unloaded, the hammer should be half cocked. Then, the retention screw for the barrel wedge on the left side of the barrel should be turned about 1/4 turn so the flat allows the wedge to be removed by gently tapping it out from the right side. Next, the barrel assembly can be removed from the frame. That may require gently tapping with a soft hammer because the fit is tight, as it should be. Then the cylinder may be pulled forward and separated from the frame.
Shooting the 1872 with a variety of .38 Special loads proved to be pleasant. The gun was accurate, and recoil – due to the weight of the gun and relatively low velocity of .38 Special ammunition – was light. And, because the gun is single action and takes longer to reload than does a magazine-fed semi-automatic, shooting became a more leisurely activity. It also made one appreciate the challenges faced by a shooter in the 1870s that might have defended his life with a gun like this.
For more information, visit Uberti.com or contact Stoeger Industries at 800-264-4962.
PERFORMANCE UBERTI 1872 OPEN TOP
Load Velocity (fps) Average (in) Best (in.)
American Eagle 130 FMJ 876 .67 .64
Black Hills 148 HBWC 691 .70 .63
Hornady 110 Critical Defense 1,004 .72 .69
Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second 15 feet from the muzzle by chronograph, and accuracy in inches for three five-shot groups at 7 yards.
Specifications:
Uberti 1872 Open Top Revolver Caliber: .38 Special Barrel Length: 7.5 in. Overall Length: 13 1/4 in. Weight: 44 oz. Stock/Grip: Walnut Sights: Fixed rear notch and front blade Action: Single action Finish: Blued Capacity: 6 Price: $569
This year, Ruger has made an interesting leap with its Gunsite Scout Rifle, marrying it to a one-off of another of Cooper’s ideas — the Thumper — by bringing it out in .450 Bushmaster.
Jeff Cooper was a whirlwind of firearms ideas. Some faded away with the years, others are running strong decades after they sprouted from the Colonel’s synapse.
Next to his notions on self-defense, perhaps one of the most enduring of his concepts has been the scout rifle. The aim of the utility firearm was to do a little bit of everything equally well, and since the early 1980s, gun enthusiasts and makers have proved Cooper’s idea sound. With a slew of home-brew iterations and a handful of manufactured models, the scout rifle has staked its place in shooters’ hearts and the overall gun marketplace.
Ruger embraced the concept wholeheartedly with the introduction of the Gunsite Scout Rifle series a number of years ago. And since, it has expanded the line of rifles to encompass a wide variety of calibers and options — some coloring outside the lines of Cooper’s original definition of the rifle.
This year, the New Hampshire gunmaker has made an interesting leap with its Scout Rifle, marrying it to a one-off of another of Cooper’s ideas — the Thumper.
The Ruger Scout Rifle is now being offered in the behemoth .450 Bushmaster, a round that throws an ample slug of copper-jacketed lead down range. And while the round wasn’t invented by Cooper himself, its development was most definitely spurred by the Colonel’s Thumper — a large-bore infantry semi-automatic, meant to deliver more punch per trigger squeeze.
This is the second bolt-action rifle the company has released for the round in the last few months. Late in 2016, Ruger added the .450 Bushmaster to its American Rifle line, making it among the first major manufacturers to offer the caliber in a bolt-action platform.
In addition to shooters who have an innate desire to throw 250-grain projectiles downrange or at watermelons, chambering the round for the platform does have a practical side.
The .450 Bushmaster has become a popular hog-hunting round, delivering devastating terminal ballistics to every form of wild or feral porcine. Combined with the maneuverability and quick target acquisition characteristics of the scout rifle, Ruger may have coined a superior hog gun. On top of that, it should fit the bill for Michigan deer hunters and a few other states that have restrictions on the rifles.
The new Gunsite Scout rifle features an American walnut stock with checkered forend and grip. It has a soft rubber recoil pad, incorporating Ruger’s spacer system that allows for length-of-pull adjustment.
It has a Picatinny rail mounted on the barrel for the addition of the scout rifle’s traditional long eye relief scope and allowing access to the receiver. It comes outfitted with an adjustable ghost ring rear aperture sight and protected front blade sight. And it boasts Ruger’s Precision Rifle Hybrid Muzzle Brake on its 16.1-inch barrel. Ruger has also kept the rifle at the weight specs Cooper laid out for the scout rifle, tipping the scales at 6.6 pounds.
The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle has a MSRP of $1,199.
.450 Bushmaster Scout Rifle Specs Stock: American Walnut Front Sight: Protected Blade Rear Sight: Adjustable Ghost Ring Capacity: 4+1 (detachable box magazine) Barrel Length: 16.1 in. Overall Length: 37 to 38.5 in. Finish: Matte Black Length of Pull: 12.75 to 14.25 in. Twist Rate: 1:16 in. Grooves: 6 MSRP: $1,199
Christensen Arms has introduced the A-Series aluminum-framed 1911s for 2017, some of the lightest and most affordable pistols in the company’s catalog.
Think Christensen Arms and shooters typically conjure up visions of ultra-light rifles.
The Utah company’s innovative use of carbon fiber in the construction of barrels, stocks and rifles has set them apart. But in the shadow of the gunmaker’s long guns is an equally impressive family of pistols.
Christensen Arms has applied its unique materials know-how to churn out a slew of inventive 1911s, always with a focus on their strength, lightness and aesthetics. Stainless steel, titanium, carbon fiber and even Damascus steel have been machined and formed to create the venerable semi-automatic pistol.
Christensen Arms A4.
The company added another material to the docket in 2017, introducing its first line of aluminum-framed handguns. In addition to being some of the lightest pistols in Christensen’s catalog, the 7+1 capacity .45 ACP and 9+1 9mm A-Series 1911s are also among the most affordable.
Before the introduction of the 4-inch barreled A4, 5-inch barreled A5 and threaded-barreled A5-TR, shooters would have to shell out nearly $3,000 to get into most of the company’s pistol models. Christensen has vastly expanded its handgun market, with each iteration of its aluminum series coming in under $2,000.
The A-Series frame is machined from 7075 aluminum, a zinc alloy commonly used for producing the upper and lower receivers of AR-15s. The high-strength aluminum keeps pistols whisper light, with the A5 tipping the scales at 2.2 pounds, the A5-TR at 2.4 pounds and A4 at 2 pounds. The compact pistol is actually the lightest in Christensen Arms’ catalog.
The stainless steel slides of the A-Series — available in black finish or polished steel — are newly designed and hand fit to their frames. The gun features a tunable match-grade trigger, and Christensen Arms isn’t shy about boasting about the pistol’s smoothness of operation and accuracy. The company guarantees a 5-shot, 2-inch group from 25 yards.
Christensen Arms A5-TR.
Christensen opted for rugged G10 grips, aggressively texturing them to facilitate a solid, positive purchase. The company has further ensured a stable grip on the pistols by checkering the front strap. And for a dash of a customized look, it has also outfitted the guns with a skeletonized trigger and hammer.
The A5-TR has a few extra accoutrements, including suppressor sights and a tactical rail below the barrel. The .45 ACP has a .578×28 thread, while the 9mm has a 1/2×28 thread.
All of the pistols are manufactured at Christensen Arms’ Gunnison, Utah facility, and each has a MSRP of $1,995.
Col. Jeff Cooper developed the Mozambique-Failure Drill for dealing with defensive shooting situations where a center mass shot won’t do the job.
Sometimes shooting a bad guy in the chest just isn’t enough. Felons can be high on adrenalin or drugs to the point that they do not recognize or respond to pain. They could also be wearing body armor. Some years back, Col. Cooper developed what he called the “Mozambique Drill” for the purposes of dealing with this type of situation. Today, with the proliferation of zombies in our culture, it could be called the “zombie drill” or “zombie check,” because a head shot is the only way to kill a zombie. At least that’s what I’ve been told.
As the story goes, a Rhodesian named Mike Rousseau was serving as a mercenary in the Mozambican War of Independence. During a fight, he bumped into a guerrilla soldier armed with an AK-47. Rousseau immediately performed a double tap — two shots to the center of the torso. However, even with two new and bleeding nipples, the guerrilla was still coming at him, so Rousseau tried for the head. It kind of worked. The bullet hit the base of his attacker’s neck, severed the spinal cord, and stopped the fight.
Hearing this story, Cooper later incorporated this three-shot drill into his program of instruction as a way to end a fight that cannot be immediately stopped with bullets fired into the chest. Over the years, this drill has morphed into a variety of other drills and, if you put any two firearms instructors together, you’ll get a different opinion as to how it’s to be properly executed.
Ideally, a more practical application might be to fire two shots to the torso, take two steps back and to the side to keep your distance and, if your attacker is still attacking, attempt the head shot. However, here we are more concerned with your shooting than tactics, because the subtle nuances of the proper tactics can vary from situation to situation.
For simple evaluation purposes, position a target with a V1 and V2 zone 5 yards to your front. At the start signal, draw from concealment and fire two shots into the V1 zone and one shot into the V2 zone as fast as you can do so without missing either zone. If any of your three shots land outside the V zones, you have failed the drill. A par time for this drill should be four seconds. Most police officers cannot do it in less than five seconds without a miss. Anything less than three seconds is very good.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
Ruger has released its new AR-Lower Elite, a fully assembled lower receiver with upgrades like the company’s Elite 452 trigger.
The Alexander Arms Ulfberht is a potent tool for long-range shooters that is capable of excellent accuracy, particularly as distances stretch.
