How To: Handloading the 30 Nosler

August 23, 2016

Standing around the Nosler booth at the 2016 SHOT Show chatting with the usual suspects from that fine organization, I was introduced to the latest development in the Nosler line of cartridges: the 30 Nosler. Zach Waterman, Nolser’s public relations guru, was beaming as he told all about their new creation.

“Phil, in a nutshell, this cartridge gives .300 Weatherby ballistics in a .30-06-length receiver; we’re all really stoked about this one,” Zach said.

I could see why; the Nosler series of cartridges—including the .26, .28 and .30 Nosler—are based on the Remington Ultra Magnum case, but shortened to 2.500 inches in order to fit in a standard long-action rifle. The test data affirmed their design goals; the 30 Nosler will indeed match the velocity of the revered .300 Weatherby and will give a significant increase in velocity over the current standard-length .30-caliber champion, the .300 Winchester Magnum. The 30 Nosler’s nice, sharp shoulder provides good headspacing, and the rimless design will combat the usual case stretching just north of the belt that is associated with the .375 H&H-style magnum case. The 30 Nosler gives a case capacity increase of roughly 9 percent over the .300 Winchester Magnum, and is only a couple of grains of capacity behind the .300 Weatherby Magnum.

I was fortunate enough to have a good friend of mine, Nathan Chesney of Hillbilly Rifles, ask me to test drive one of his new rifles in 30 Nosler, and I didn’t hesitate at all to accept the job. This rifle fit like a glove, had a trigger that broke like an icicle, and was topped with a Leupold 4.5-14×40, so there was no blaming the gun for any part of this experiment. Nate had even equipped this gorgeous gun with a muzzle brake just to make sure I could shoot it well.

L-R-The-.30-Nosler,-The-.300-Winchester-Magnum,-The- — Left to right: 30 Nosler, .300 Win. Mag., .30-06 Springfield.

I obtained 50 pieces of 30 Nosler brass from Nosler itself and headed to the reloading bench. Obviously, I wanted to see what this new case would do, and if it was indeed a significant increase over the .300 Winchester. After setting up the RCBS dies, I full-length resized all the component brass, and set out to grab the remainder of the components. I’d need a large rifle magnum primer, and as usual the Federal Gold Medal Match GM215M got the nod. I knew this case would probably work best with the slow-burning powders, so I grabbed some of Hodgdon’s RETUMBO and H4831SC, some IMR7828, and a pound of Alliant’s Reloder 25, an old standby in a .30 Magnum case. For projectiles, I tried to give a good cross-section of the available components: Sierra’s 168- and 190-grain Match King; the Nosler AccuBond and Ballistic Tip; the Swift Scirocco II; the Berger VLD Hunting and the Barnes LRX boat tail. I was looking for some bullets which would give a good, long bearing surface, to build up the pressures which would generate the velocities you’d expect from the 30 Nosler and yet take advantage of the flat trajectory.

Some of our chosen combinations yielded absolute winners; others, well, not so much. Speaking in generalizations, the initial experiments yielded a couple of facts: Our test gun liked the longer bullets, and it also liked both Hodgdon’s H4831SC and Alliant’s Reloder 25. I can’t say that I’m really shocked by this, as both of these powders have long been excellent performers in the large-capacity cases. The 30 Nosler has the same SAAMI Cartridge Overall Length as the .30-06 Springfield and the .300 Winchester Magnum—3.340 inches—but our rifle had a longer magazine as well as a longer throat, so we were able to test some of the bullets at a longer COL, and still be safe. Load data came from the Nosler No. 8 Reloading Manual, and was interpolated for bullets other than Nosler.

Advertised velocities can be a funny thing. Let’s use the .300 Win. Mag. as an example. You can, if you’d like, approach 3,150 fps with 180-grain bullets, using canister-grade powders, and while I’ve come close to that figure before, those maximum loads were never remarkably accurate. I have spent a lot of time reloading for that particular cartridge, and usually find the best accuracy at around 2,950 to 3,000 fps, depending on the rifle. Does that make it a disappointment? Not at all, as my goal is to produce accurate ammunition, and not necessarily wring every last ounce of velocity potential out of the given cartridge.

Hodgdon's-H4831SC-and-Alliant's-Reloder25-worked-best-across-the-spectrum-of-bullets — Hodgdon’s H4831SC and Alliant’s Reloder25 worked best across the spectrum of bullets.

Same thing happened with the 30 Nosler. I found the accuracy—again, in our given rifle—at slightly less velocity than could potentially be obtained, but enough to still warrant the use of the new, bigger case. The two bullets that produced the best accuracy were the Sierra 190-grain Match King and the 175-grain Barnes LRX BT, each producing ½ to ¾ MOA, consistently. The Sierra gave good groups, and good standard deviation on velocity with two loads: 78.0 grains of H4831SC, for an average velocity of 2,940 fps, and 81.0 grains of Reloder 25, for an average velocity of 2,960 fps. Both of the Sierra loads used a COL of 3.350 inches, which functioned perfectly through the Hillbilly Rifle. Considering this rifle was brand new, I’m perfectly okay with that performance.

The Barnes 175-grain LRX BT gave the best accuracy among the hunting bullets I tested, printing groups averaging right around ½ MOA, at an even 3,100 fps, with a standard deviation of less than 10 fps. I seated the Barnes a bit shorter at 3.320 inches, as these bullets often like to jump, over a charge of 81.0 grains of RL25. I’ve often had trouble getting Barnes bullets to shoot well from my rifles, but this was clearly not the case in the .30 Nosler. The combination of good 100-yard groups and a very low standard deviation, mated with a bullet that will retain both velocity and energy downrange, encouraged me to try this bullet in some other rifles I own, and I’m looking forward to taking it afield this autumn.

There were other bullets that gave decent, if not stellar performance; while the groups wouldn’t necessarily impress the target community, I knew they would suffice for 95 percent of my hunting situations, and would hit with authority. The 180-grain Swift Scirocco II (a long-time favorite of mine), seated over a charge of 79.0 grains of H4831SC, printed groups of just over MOA, at 3,010 fps. The 180-grain Nosler AccuBond gave 100-yard accuracy of 1.5 MOA, at 3,030 fps, but a very low (5 fps) standard deviation of velocity when seated over a charge of 84.0 grains of RETUMBO. As I’ve found in some other .30 Magnums, the AccuBond bullet will give “disappointing” groups at 100-yards, yet seem to “tighten up” at longer distances, especially when you have a consistent velocity reading on the chronograph.

Do note, there is a definite correlation between low standard deviation on velocity and good accuracy at longer ranges, but that’s an entirely different article altogether.

RCBS- — RCBS 30 Nosler Reloading Dies. The author full length resized all component brass.

I tried the Berger 190-grain VLD Hunting bullet and Sierra 175-grain Tipped Match King over a couple of loads, but this particular rifle didn’t like either one. I suspect it may have something to do with the shorter bearing surface of the VLD and shorter Match King, but I’ve had excellent results with these bullets in other guns; sometimes a bullet that works well in one barrel won’t shoot worth a damn in another. That’s what drives us reloaders crazy, yet at the same time makes the experimentation so much fun.

The 30 Nosler holds a tough position: It is the new kid on the block in a neighborhood filled with celebrities. The .30 magnums have fervent devotees, and trying to get that crowd to accept a new neighbor is no easy task. However, based on my experiences with this strange, new face, it performs as advertised. In the 30 Nosler you have a non-belted case (so as to avoid the problems associated with case-stretching in front of the belt) that gives velocities that are a definite improvement over the .300 Winchester, while being housed in a standard long-rifle action. The velocities I observed were right on par with those generated by the .300 Weatherby loads, and while we may be splitting hairs over 50 fps or so, I think the central point is that the cartridge does indeed perform well and is capable of excellent accuracy.

Am I going to sell all my .300 Winchesters to run out and buy a 30 Nosler? Probably not, but I certainly wouldn’t be unhappy carrying one in any hunting situation, irrespective of shot distance. If you’re in the market for a new .30-caliber magnum cartridge, I’d look long and hard at the 30 Nosler while making my decision: It has all the attributes you’ll need.

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the June 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Bushnell Offers Shooters New AK Optics

Drew Warden

August 22, 2016

Bushnell’s new AK Optics line has two new optics purposefully built for the AK and its many variants.

While there’s no question that the AR-15 holds the top spot in terms of popularity among American shooters, the AK and its many variants have also been becoming increasingly sought after firearms. In response to this, the aftermarket for AK parts and accessories has grown tremendously in recent years, with manufacturers offering plenty of new options for shooters wanting to customize their AKs.

One of most functional upgrades shooters can make to their AK is adding a quality optic. Luckily, Bushnell has recently introduced two new optics tailor-made for the AK platform with its new AK optics line.

The two new additions include a 1-4x24mm riflescope and a 1x magnification 25mm red dot optic. Both of these new AK optics are O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for waterproof and fog proof performance no matter the conditions.

The AK Optics 1-4x24mm scope features an illuminated 7.62×39 BDC reticle for more accurately determining where a bullet will strike as range increases and incorporates fully multi-coated optics and anti-reflective coatings for improved clarity and contrast. It also includes 11 brightness settings for adapting to any situation, and utilizes a rugged, 30mm one-piece aircraft aluminum tube for its construction.

The new AK Optics 1x25mm Red Dot provides the same excellent quality in a more streamlined, rapid targeting format. The optic uses a 3 MOA red dot and, like the riflescope, features 11 intensity settings for the red dot. An Amber-Bright high-contrast lens coating boosts detail while suppressing lens flare, and the sight’s integral mount is compatible with any Picatinny rail or Weaver-style case.

MSRP on these new optics is $249.99 for the AK Optics 1-4x24mm riflescope and $99.99 for the AK Optics 1x25mm Red Dot. For more information, visit the Bushnell website.

The AK: Rifle for the Motherland

Marco Vorobiev

August 17, 2016

The history behind one of the world’s most storied rifles.

The appearance of the AK Rifle on the world stage was spurred not by the ambition of some government, but by the drive of one soldier to help his Motherland. It was in the hospital while recovering from wounds sustained in combat that Tank Corps Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov first had the idea to create an entirely new infantry rifle. After talking to many wounded infantry soldiers, the aspiring designer drew a picture of many shortcomings with Soviet small arms that were carried into combat against well-armed and equipped enemies.

He wanted to create a gun that would give his Motherland an advantage on the battlefield. Unlike many firearms designers, Kalashnikov was driven with only one desire: to make a contribution to his country’s victory over Nazi Germany.

AK-2 — Kalashnikov’s first working gun was assembled at the railroad depot in Kazakhstan. It looked nothing the AK we know today.

He started work on his new gun in 1943 in Kazakhstan, where he was recovering from his wounds. It was there, and not in Tula or Izhevsk Arsenals, where the AK rifle got its roots. Later came years of trial-and-error, configurations and re-configurations, with relocation to the Degtyaryov Machine Plant in the city of Kovrov, before the very first AK sample was presented for testing in 1946.

Meanwhile, the Germans were delivering a new rifle of their own to the battlefields of WWII, The MP 43 (Machinenpistole Model 1943), or later renamed by the Fuhrer himself, Stg .44 (Sturmgewehr Model 1944), the world’s first assault rifle.

The new rifle, created by Hugo Schmeisser, did not employ any new technological principals or concepts. After all, the concept of a battle rifle capable of full automatic fire and chambered for a less powerful cartridge compared to the conventional rifle caliber belonged to the Russian designer Vladimir Fyodorov and his automatic rifle.

Adapted for service with the Russian Imperial Army, the Avtomat Fyodorova (Fyodorov Automatic) chambered in the lighter 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge, was put into mass production in 1915 and saw service in WWI, the Bolshevik Revolution, the Russian Civil War and the Soviet “Winter” War against Finland.

However, the true breakthrough for the new Stg .44 gun was the design and development of a new intermediate rifle cartridge, the 7.92x33mm Kurtz. This laid the basis for the development of virtually all modern carbine cartridges, including the infamous Soviet 7.62x39mm Model 1943, or as it is known, the M43 round. Another of Schmeisser’s achievements was the creation of a reliable rifle that could be built out of stamped steel and supplied to the troops quickly and in large numbers.

The decision to transition all the main small arms in the Soviet Union to an intermediate cartridge was made while WWII was still raging. Such a cartridge had been created by 1943, and shortly thereafter the development of the entire family of small arms began, including a self-loading carbine (SKS), the automatic assault rifle, and a light machine gun (RPD).

Several designers and designer teams entered the assault rifle development competition, and among them was young sergeant Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, who at that time was already working on his new rifle.

AK-1 — The Fyodorov Automatic Rifle fired the smaller 6.5X5mm Arisaka rifle cartridge and was capable of full-automatic fire.

In 1946 Kalashnikov and his team, alongside other participants, submitted a sample of his automat to the competitive evaluation, where it demonstrated very good results.

For the second stage of the competition that took place in 1947, Kalashnikov reworked his rifle, and in the modified form it was recommended for acceptance by the Armed Forces. After initial army tests in 1949, Kalashnikov’s automatic rifle was officially accepted as “7.62mm Kalashnikov’s Automatic Rifle model 1947,” or more simply, AK (sometimes in addition designate AK-47). In its original form the AK-47 had a combination receiver assembled from stamped and milled parts, however that design proved to be insufficiently rigid, so the AK-47 went into mass production with a fully milled receiver.

One of the myths connected with the AK is that Kalashnikov “copied” the AK from the German WWII assault rifle known as the Stg.44. At first glance, the external configuration of the AK and the Stg.44 is similar, as is the concept of the automatic weapon firing an intermediate cartridge. Similar barrel outlines, front sights and gas tubes are caused by the utilization of similar gas systems invented long before Schmeisser and Kalashnikov.Other than mere appearance, however, these rifles couldn’t be more different. It is quite probable that Mikhail Kalashnikov knew about the Stg.44, however it is also obvious that the creation of his rifle was guided by other known samples and systems. Kalashnikov’s main achievement (or his team’s, to be exact) was optimum configuration of already known and proven solutions into one uniform working machine that met all the requirements.

Later, the original Kalashnikov design saw several changes. Due to production expense, the milled receiver was ditched in favor of a more economical and lighter stamped one. A muzzle brake compensator was added and the bayonet-knife was redesigned.

AK-5 — China was the first “friendly” country that received a license to manufacture its own AK.

Everyman’s Rifle
The inherent reliability, simplicity of production, and the simplicity of operation saw a huge demand for the new rifle. By the 1950s, the entire 1.5 million-strong Soviet Armed Forces were armed with AKs. After signing the Warsaw Pact that united militaries of all the socialist states in Europe, the need arose to standardize the way combined forces were armed and how they fought.

At the same time, scores of new AK rifles were already being supplied to communist China. Arming the Warsaw Pact allies put a strain on the Soviet firearm industry, so the decision was made to start licensing other countries to build their own AK rifles. This move would ultimately provide the necessary relief to increase domestic production and grow the import of AKs to the USSR “friendlies” around the world.

Proliferation of the AK throughout the world was done both ways: in the form of the ready weapon, and in the form of licenses to manufacture with all necessary documentation, tooling, and technical assistance.

AKs were manufactured in Bulgaria, Hungary, East Germany, Egypt, Iraq, China, Romania, North Korea, India, Finland, and Cuba. Even greater numbers were simply “given” to numerous other countries, basically anyone who would, even in passing, mention sympathy to the Marxist-Leninist ideology. The post-Soviet Union era saw the continuation of those licensing practices, with factories built in Venezuela, Libya, and Malaysia.

AK-10 — In Africa the AK has become the main battle rifle for every armed group both government and tribal.

The spread of this iconic weapon is so wide that it is almost impossible to imagine an armed conflict today without an AK playing first fiddle in it. The rifle had seen service in every conflict in every theatre, from Korea to the present. Every so-called revolutionary group in South America, every anti-colonial movement in Africa in the 60s and 70s, every anti-west organization in the Middle East in the 80s, every Balkan conflict in the 90s, Iraq, Afghanistan, Al-Qaida, and ISIS, all are forever associated with AK rifles.

Many countries’ armed forces use the Kalashnikov rifle or one of its variants as their main battle rifle. In fact, more men and women in uniform carry AKs today than any other rifle, bar none. No other rifle even comes close.

Kalashnikov’s rifle has, to some extent, served as an example for design and development of such systems as Valmet (Finland), INSAS (India), Galil (Israel) and the SIG SG-550 (Switzerland). Commercial semi-automatic variants of the AK rifle enjoy considerable popularity in Russia and abroad, especially here in the US.

A truly prolific weapon, the AK in one form or another has been and continues to be sold by the millions. It is estimated that over 70 million rifles have been produced and sold worldwide.

This article is an excerpt from the Gun Digest Shooter’s Guide to AKs.

Know Your Cartridge: 6.5 Grendel

Gun Digest Editors

August 17, 2016

The 6.5 Grendel cartridge underwent three years of development before Bill Alexander (Alexander Arms) released it in 2003 as a long-range cartridge specifically intended for the AR-15 family of rifles and carbines. The 6.5 Grendel transforms the military 7.62×39 parent case by necking it down to 6.5mm, blowing out the shoulder, and changing to a Small Rifle primer and flash hole. As a close relative of the benchrest-proven 6.5mm PPC, the 6.5 Grendel is the ideal length to seat long-ogive 120-grain and 130-grain bullets within the AR-15 magazine length constrictions. Accuracy in the 6.5 Grendel, in suitably barreled AR-15 rifles, readily attains sub-MOA, making it a great choice for long-range deer and varmint hunting. Seventeen 6.5 Grendel cartridges will fit into an Alexander Arms-supplied magazine dimensioned to fit into the magazine well of an AR-15’s lower receiver. Factory loads do not exceed 50,000 psi. Alexander Arms (AlexanderArms.com) supplies rifles, magazines, ammunition, reloading dies, and brass.

Alexander Arms relinquished its trademark claim on the 6.5 Grendel as the 13th edition of this book went to print, which led to SAAMI standardization. Hornady and Wolf are now factory loading this round.

Learn More About The 6.5 Grendel:

Why Buy A 6.5 Grendel?
6.5 Grendel VS 6.5 Creedmoor: Which Is Right For You?
6 Top Performing 6.5 Grendel Ammo Choices
6 Top 6.5 Grendel Upper Options For Every Budget
4 Excellent 6.5 Grendel Barrel Options For Your Next Build

Editor’s Note: This brief is an excerpt from Cartridges of the World 14th Edition.

Gallery: AR Sights and Lights

David Hart

August 15, 2016

[imagebrowser id=470]

The right optic, laser sight or flashlight makes the perfect addition to any AR, and it can be a tactical advantage in any defensive or combat scenario.

As if your life wasn’t filled with enough choices already, along come a dozen new sights built just for AR-platform rifles. They are as complex or as simple as you want and range in price from a few hundred dollars to around $1,000, or more. They include standard reflex-type sights to scopes and even high-definition night-vision optics. No matter the size of your budget or the type of shooting you prefer, one thing’s for sure: Any of these optic options will make a great addition to your gun safe.

So what’s a dedicated shooter to do? Buy two or three, of course, and then buy a new rifle to attach them to. See? It wasn’t such a dilemma, after all, was it? Check out these great AR sights and lights to give your rifle a tactical edge.

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the July 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Built for Duty: FN Military Collector Series M4 and M16

Doug Larson

August 15, 2016

The new FN 15 Military Collector Series M4 and M16 are as close as a civilian can get to a real M4 or M16 without joining up.

Many manufacturers of AR-style rifles for the commercial market say their product is built to military specifications, or Mil-Spec. But if they are intended for the commercial market, they are not truly Mil-Spec. They can’t be because Mil-Spec ARs are by definition select-fire guns that fire in either the semi-automatic or automatic mode. Some select fire models have a mechanism to limit the number of rounds fired with one pull of the trigger, and others are limited by only the number of rounds left in the magazine. Nevertheless, a commercial AR must be semi-automatic only.

But there is more to Mil-Spec than the fire control system, and even though many manufacturers recognize this fact and promote their guns as Mil-Spec, they may not be. For example, the Mil-Spec sets forth not only dimensions of parts and the materials used to make them, but also the testing procedure for assuring the part meets a minimum quality standard. In the case of the M4 or M16, each bolt must be built to those specifications, but also tested with a high-pressure round and then examined using a magnetic device to detect any flaws. Although some manufacturers may perform this test, some may not, and others may perform it on only a portion of the guns coming off the assembly line.

In the minds of most people, Mil-Spec denotes a very rugged, well made piece of equipment that will stand up to hard use in adverse conditions. And for this reason, as well as the fact that the M4 and M16 are well known to most people through movies and television, a lot of people just want to own whatever it is that the military is using.

The Military Collector
Other buyers just want to have a copy in their collection of the AR that is actually used by the military. Now, except for a few features that by law are not possible to include on an M4 or M16 destined for the commercial market, FN America has made it possible to own a genuine Mil-Spec gun.

The FN 15 Military Collector Series M4 and M16 have similar corresponding parts like handguards, bolt carrier groups and receivers, but the FN guns have actually been built to Mil-Spec where possible. And Mil-Spec means that not only are the parts made to a certain dimension, but the surface treatment is of a certain thickness and hardness, fasteners are affixed a certain way and certain inspection steps have been performed. To do these things costs more money than a typical manufacturer is willing to spend on a commercial AR.

Mil-Specs

Often the gas key bolts on a commercial AR are not secured according to the Mil-Spec. They may not be staked at all, or staked in a less expensive manner than called for by the Mil-Spec. Mil-Spec staking is done to lessen the chance that those bolts holding the gas key to the bolt carrier will loosen under use, but it costs more to stake them correctly.

To reduce costs, some commercial manufacturers will not subject bolts and barrels to high-pressure testing, or they will test only a portion of each production run. But Mil-Spec calls for firing a very high-pressure round through each gun and then running a magnetic particle inspection to assure that there are no cracks or other defects present.

According to J.P. Reconnu, FN 15 Product Manager for FN America, LLC, “The FN 15 Military Collector M4 and M16 are as Mil-Spec as you can get without having to enlist.”

He went on to say that there are only four main differences between the FN 15 and the real deal.

To comply with current law, the first is that they are set up for semi-automatic fire only. However, for authenticity of appearance, the markings on the receiver indicate safe, fire and auto. The second difference is, again to comply with current law, the 14.5-inch M4 barrel has a permanently attached flash suppressor making the barrel length 16 inches, whereas the real M4 has a removable flash suppressor. Third, the lower receiver does not bear the imprint “Property of U.S. Government.”

The fourth difference concerns the Unique Identifier (UID) label. That’s the sticker on the right side of the lower receiver that contains some writing and a QR code. On a real M4 or M16, it is used to identify the manufacturer and contains a specific code for each government contractor. Instead, the QR code on the Military Collector guns links to the FN website.

Otherwise, these guns really are Mil-Spec.

Features

The M4 is a carbine-length AR-pattern gun based on the M16. Besides shortening the barrel to 14.5 inches—16 inches with the permanently attached A2-style flash suppressor—and replacing the handguard with a shorter one, the buttstock is replaced with a collapsible buttstock with six positions. A sling swivel is located on the left side of the barrel just below the front sight. Those are the most obvious differences between an M4 and an M16.

The barrel on the M16 is 20 inches long and does not have the grenade launcher cut like the M4 does. While both guns have a bayonet lug at the base of the front sight base, the M16 also has a sling swivel attached at the bottom just in front of the handguard.

Bores and chambers on both guns are chrome-lined and barrels phosphate-finished. The handguards are made by Knights Armament, the M4 being the M4RAS and the M16 being the M5RAS. They sport M1913 Picatinny rails on four sides and are supplied with rail adapter covers. Also provided are vertical foregrips made by Knight.

The upper receiver on both the M4 and M16 are of the flat top design; no longer is a carry handle standard. Attached to the rear of the upper receiver is the correct flip-up iron sight made by MaTech. It is adjustable for windage and elevation and is graduated for aimed fire at 100-yard intervals from 200 yards to 600 yards. The front sights are both A2-style posts.

Triggers are Mil-Spec all the way, so don’t expect a competition trigger. These are military two-stage triggers designed for hard use, not precision or competition. Still, with practice, they are quite manageable. The safety or selector switch is ambidextrous, and the pistol grip is standard.

The bolt carrier group is, again, Mil-Spec, which means the bolt is properly marked with HPT-MPI indicating it was high-pressure tested and magnetic particle inspected. It and the bolt carrier are phosphate-finished, and the carrier is chrome lined.

In testing, the sample guns performed as expected. There were no problems encountered, and accuracy was actually better than is called for in the Mil-Spec.

If you are looking for the confidence inspired by owning a Mil-Spec AR, or if you just want the closest example a civilian can get on the commercial market to a real M4 or M16, FN has what you are looking for.

For more information, contact FN America, 855-536-4872, FNAmerica.com.

Specifications:

FN 15 Military Collector Series M4
Type: Semi-auto, direct gas impingement
Caliber: 5.56x45mm
Barrel Length: 16 in., 1:7 twist
Overall Length: 30.5 to 34.2 in.
Weight: 6.6 lbs.
Stock: Synthetic
Sights: A-2 style front, adjustable rear
Finish: Black phosphate and anodized
Capacity: 30+1 rounds
Price: $1,749

Performance:

FN 15 Military Collector Series M4

Load:
Black Hills 75-gr. Match BTHP

Velocity (fps):
2,710

Average Group (in.):
2.23

Best Group (in.):
1.69

Load:
Gorilla 77-gr. Sierra Matchking HP

Velocity (fps):
2,448

Average Group (in.):
1.08

Best Group (in.):
0.54

Load:
Speer Lawman 55-gr. FMJ

Velocity (fps):
3,116

Average Group (in.):
2.31

Best Group (in.):
1.74

Specifications:

FN 15 Military Collector Series M16
Type: Semi-auto, direct gas impingement
Caliber: 5.56x45mm
Barrel Length: 20 in., 1:7 twist
Overall Length: 39.5 in.
Weight: 8.2 lbs.
Stock: Synthetic
Sights: A-2 style front, adjustable rear
Finish: Black phosphate and anodized
Capacity: 30+1 rounds
Price: $1,749

Performance:

FN 15 Military Collector Series M16

Load:
Black Hills 75-gr. Match BTHP

Velocity (fps):
2,731

Average Group (in.):
2.82

Best Group (in.):
2.79

Load:
Gorilla 77-gr. Sierra Matchking HP

Velocity (fps):
2,531

Average Group (in.):
1.50

Best Group (in.):
1.41

Load:
Speer Lawman 55-gr. FMJ

Velocity (fps):
3,229

Average Group (in.):
3.43

Best Group (in.):
2.70

Editor’s Note: This article is an excerpt from the July 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

First Look: Traditions Vortek StrikerFire

Drew Warden

August 12, 2016

Traditions is well known for producing quality modern muzzleloaders, and the company currently has several different lines for today’s hunters. One of the manufacturer’s newest offerings is its Vortek StrikerFire, which – as its name suggests – features an internal striker fire system instead of the typical hammer.

The new Traditions Vortek StrikerFire is loaded with great features, such as a recessed push-button cocking/decocking system and a two-stage trigger that breaks at about 2 pounds. Also, brand new for 2016, the gun has received a nitride coating both on the outside and inside of the barrel to reduce fouling and overall wear and tear on the exterior.

Our friends at Deer & Deer Hunting caught up with Traditions to get a first hand look at the new gun. Watch the video above to learn more about the new Traditions Vortek StrikerFire.

Colt Adds New Expanse M4 Model

Drew Warden

August 10, 2016

Earlier this year, Colt unveiled its new-for-2016 Expanse M4 rifle, a moderately priced, entry-level AR. This rifle’s price point made it an excellent starting point for shooters looking to get into ARs for the first time, or those looking to build a completely customized rifle from the ground up using a quality Colt rifle.

Expanse-Cover-Assist-SM — The new Expanse M4 model comes with a forward assist and dust cover.

The only real knocks against the Expanse M4 were that it did not have a forward assist or a dust cover. While not strictly necessary for many typical shooting applications, a lot of shooters like having those two features on their rifles, and some voiced this preference to Colt.

In response, Colt has now introduced a new model of the Expanse M4 (Model CE2000) that includes a Colt dust cover and forward assist and uses the same excellent Colt forgings, bolt and other parts used on the rest of the M4 line.

“This was a natural move for us,” said Justin Baldini, Product Director for Colt. “We simply listened to what our customers and our Colt Stocking Dealers were telling us, and the story was simple. Folks want the added features of a real Colt dust cover and forward assist, and they want it to come that way from the factory.”

Like the previous M4 Expanse, this model with the forward assist and dust cover is competitively priced, making it an equally great option for new AR owners or a custom build, or for collectors who want an authentic Colt M4. MSRP on the new Colt M4 Expanse with forward assist and dust cover is currently listed at $749.

“We couldn’t be happier to deliver to our customers exactly what they want,” said Paul Spitale, Senior VP at Colt. “It’s a proud moment to be able to build on the success we’ve had with the Expanse M4 in a way that provides an even better ownership experience to the discerning firearms enthusiast.”

For more information, visit Colt’s website.

Face-Off: Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870

Robert Sadowski

August 9, 2016

Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870: Which one is right for defending your home? Learn some of the differences between them here.

There are iPhones users, and there are Android users. Proponents of one rarely cross over to the other. It’s the same with Remington’s 870 and Mossberg’s 500. Even though both shotguns are quite similar, there are differences, differences that are favored by some over others.

The Model 500 and Model 870 are both legendary, each being produced in the tens of millions, and still counting. Not bad for two designs that were developed in the early 1950s (Remington) and early 1960s (Mossberg) in a time when telephones had cords and a dial. It is hard to argue which is the most popular.

The 870 and 500 are safe, adaptable, proven in the field, the streets and in combat. Originally designed for sporting use, theses pump-action shotguns have been adapted to tactical, LE and defensive applications. Models range from hunting and competition to tactical and home defense. As home defense weapons, the 500 and 870 are both natural fits.

Being pump-action or slide-action shotguns, they are safer to use because the actions are manually operated. The pump in the pump action ejects a fired shell and chambers a fresh round via manipulation of the forend. Some may debate the intimidation factor of the sound of a pump gun on someone who has come to do you or your family harm, but at least it provides confidence to the home defender and tells the intruder in no uncertain terms to get out now while you can.

mossberg500-1 — Dependable and user-friendly, the Mossberg 500 is well-suited for defensive use.

Shotguns like the 870 and 500 are unique defense weapons since they offer multiple options that range from serious prodding to tremendous violence. Less-lethal loads with rubber balls or plastic sabots can take care of a hungry spring black bear raiding your bird feeder and hopefully give it a clue to scamper away. Firing 00 buck essentially unleashes nine pellets—similar to shooting a target nine times with a 9mm pistol at once. Slugs offer long-range defense with accuracy that rivals some rifle cartridges.

The complexity of shotguns comes in learning to feed the tube. Shotguns have a limited magazine capacity and need to be constantly refilled. Changing over from a 00 buck or less-lethal load to a slug with shells in the magazine tube takes training—training that may mean the difference when running a shotgun in defensive situations.

First, the similarities. Both the Mossberg and Remington were designed for use with interchangeable barrels. Loosen and/or remove the magazine cap (Remington) or loosen the magazine nut (Mossberg), pull off the barrel and replace it with another. They both use dual-action bars for a smoother and more reliable pump action. The bolt of both shotguns also locks in the rear of the barrel and does not use the receiver. Both feed off a tubular magazine that can be plugged to abide hunting laws or removed to have extra round capacity for home defense. They also disassemble in a similar fashion, and the trigger group of both are easily removed for cleaning by removing either two (Remington) or one (Mossberg) trigger housing pin(s). They both are available in 12 or 20 gauge, good options for home defense. In 12-gauge options, they both accept 2¾- and 3-inch shells.

Model-870ExpressTac_1 — Both the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500 use dual action bars for reliable operation. The 870 features a slightly heavier steel receiver and has a safety to the rear of the trigger on the trigger guard.

Now, how about the differences? The Mossberg Model 500 features an ambidextrous safety located at the top of the receiver where a shooter’s thumb naturally rests when firing the 500. The aluminum receiver makes the 500 lighter. The Flex TLS System variant changes the playing field with regard to the versatility of a pump shotgun. Users can quickly—within seconds—re-configure the 500 for hunting or tactical and back again without any tools. So a traditional stock can be replaced with a pistol grip, or a traditional fore-end can be swapped for one with a tactical light. Depending on the model, the magazine capacity is 6+1 or 8+1.

The Remington Model 870 uses a steel receiver, which makes it a bit heavier, which is not necessarily a bad thing in a home defense shotgun. More mass means less felt recoil. The safety is located behind the trigger in the rear of the trigger guard and favors right-handed shooters. The action bar lock is located on the left side of the trigger guard just forward of the trigger. The Model 870 has an edge in power with Express models that accept larger 3½-inch shells for greater payload, power and range. Magazine capacity is 4+1 or 6+1 depending on the model.

The final similarity with the 870 or 500 is the vast number of aftermarket parts that allow a home defender to customize these shotguns to better suit the user’s need to protect and defend their homeland. With either pump, you have an excellent home defense weapon.

This article is an excerpt from the March 2016 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Federal Premium Introduces Power-Shok Copper

Drew Warden

August 9, 2016

In recent years, some ammunition manufacturers have started offering alternatives to lead bullets in many of their loads. With some states changing their laws regarding the use of lead-based projectiles on ranges and in the field, offering loads with non-lead projectiles is a prudent move on the part of these manufacturers.

Understanding this movement toward non-lead bullets, Federal Premium has introduced the new Power-Shok Copper, a lead-free version of the company’s classic and affordable Power-Shok rifle ammunition, which hunters have been using for years. Instead of the traditional lead bullet, the Power-Shok Copper uses an environmentally friendly hollow-point copper projectile that offers the same dependability on big game as the original Power-Shok.

The new copper projectile delivers deadly downrange terminal performance and accuracy with a design that ensures consistent expansion and efficient energy transfer into the target. The new Power-Shok Copper loads utilize all-new Catalyst lead-free primers for reliable ignition and quality Federal Premium brass.

The new Power-Shok Copper loads are available in the following common hunting calibers: .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. Projectile weights range from 85 to 150 grains, and prices range from $32.95 to $33.95.

For more information, visit Federal Premium’s website.

AK Optics Solutions

Jim Grant

August 9, 2016

The AK platform poses unique challenges when it comes to optics. Here are some AK optics options for shooters who want to stretch out their rifle’s range and capabilities.

“Kalashnikov rifles are inaccurate, crudely-made guns all but worthless past 100 yards.” If you’ve heard this, or something very similar, from either shooting buddies or cantankerous gun shop staff, you’re not alone. While the best-known myth of the AK-47 is its unstoppable reliability, its alleged inaccuracy is a close second.

Wait, myths and allegations?

You read that right. The AK may be inherently less accurate than rifles with less reciprocating mass or free-floating barrels, but the little Avtomat is still capable of successfully engaging targets well past 300 yards. There’s a catch though: The AK has more than just its violent, long-stroke piston-driven action working against it; it also suffers from lousy iron sights and rounds with a drastic ballistic curve.

The solution to these performance impediments is a simple one; something distant shooters and marksmen have known for decades. A shooter can’t hit what they can’t see. So take the obvious step and purchase an optic for your AK. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. Utilizing optics on Kalashnikovs is a somewhat tricky proposition. Thankfully, we’ve assembled this concise guide for your journey to reaching zen-like precision with your AK (or something like that).

Mounting Options

The biggest hurdle to overcome when installing optics on your Russian lead-slinger is finding the best way to attach them to the rifle. While most modern rifles have rails of some built in to the receiver or barrel itself, the AK comes from an era when only spotters and snipers utilized optics on combat.

Well, there is one other type of soldier equipped with optics: night sentries.

Japanese night raids in the pacific theater of operations taught the USMC the value of illuminating the inky-black perimeter around forward operating bases with a modified version of the M1 Carbine equipped with an infrared scope, the T3. Along these same lines, the Soviet military developed the AKMn in 1954. This rifle featured an effective flash suppressor and a side rail mount for enormous Soviet night vision scopes.

For nearly six decades, the Soviets utilized this mount for specialized units and rifles but waited to equip their standard infantry rifles with these rails until the early 1990s. The design is largely unchanged, with all standard-pattern AKM side rails capable of using the same mounts. Non-standard mounts like those found on Yugoslavian/Serbian rifles exist, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll stick to Soviet-pattern.

What this means for shooters is that in order to mount optics to their AK without modifying it or buying new parts, they must utilize a side rail mount. Shooters willing to replace parts or install new ones have more options, but side mounts are the most common and easiest to utilize.

AK_Optics_SW01 — Side rail mounts, such as RS Regulate’s AK-300 series, are the easiest way to get optics on your AK.

Which brings me to my first recommendation. I have run a ton of different mounts on dozens of AK carbines, and after running plenty of “good” mounts I finally found a perfect one. This may not seem groundbreaking to most readers, but rarely in the gun industry is something objectively superior in all regards to its competitors: The RS Regulate AK-300 is one such product.

At least for shooters looking to mount Trijicon ACOG magnified scopes or Aimpoint 30mm reflex sights. The reason is due to the modularity and flexibility of the system. I say system because, unlike most mounts consisting on a singular component, the RS Regulate is a two-part system. Just like AR-15 receivers, the mount has an upper and a lower.

RS Regulate does this so shooters can buy special uppers designed for specific optics, like their ACOG-friendly AKOG. Another benefit of this modular design is that it allows you to keep a desired upper, while purchasing a different lower that either affects the fore/aft position of the optic or which side rail it mounts to—including the atypical mounts found on Yugoslavian and Serbian rifles like the NPAP.

What’s more, the mount allows for lateral alignment with the rifle’s barrel. Because of the “L-shaped” design of side-mounts, if the rail or mount doesn’t align the optic directly over the barrel, you will have to deal with point of aim/point of impact horizontal alignment issues. Not totally unlike fighter planes of WWII with wing-mounted guns that had to be adjusted for point of convergence, or where the path of both barrels meet.

That said, unmagnified optics like reflex sights aren’t as affected by these alignment issues as magnified ones. Simply due to the size of the sight’s aiming dot—a four MOA dot represents a one-foot circle at 300 yards. Because of this, these types of optics aren’t typically used at longer ranges where any misalignment concerns are drastically multiplied.

While the AK-300 series of mounts are great for magnified optics and reflex sights alike, for RMR-style mini red dots, I prefer a scout-type setup. This raises some unique issues with the AK, since the vast majority of available models on the market lack a monolithic rail.

Which leaves two options: Replace the rear sight assembly with a picatinny rail segment, or utilize a railed handguard. Each has its own pros and cons. The replacement segment is very minimalistic and lightweight, but it tends to mount too high with most optics and is situated slightly too far back for my personal taste. Ideally, a red dot could be installed on the muzzle itself, but that isn’t realistic.

The next best thing on the AK is to install one on a railed handguard. There are a few options available, but every polymer one I’ve tested failed to correctly hold zero. So shooters will have to use either a steel or aluminum railed handguard.

AK_Optics_SW03 — Mounting mini red dots on a railed aftermarket handguard is another good optics option for AK users.

The problem with these is that they’re usually bulkier and heavier than either wooden or polymer handguards, and they consequently make the rifle feel sluggish and nose-heavy. One of the few exceptions comes from one of my favorite AK aftermarket parts makers: Manticore Arms.

This small machine shop has been churning out specialty parts for Tavors, Steyr AUGs, AR-15s and AKs for years. One of its best-selling products is the ALFA Rail. Available in standard and extended lengths, the ALFA rail is a KeyMod aluminum handguard that closely matches the shape and size of wooden handguards.

AK_Optics_SW04 — The ALFA Rail from Manticore Arms is the author’s favorite choice for mounting mini red dots in a forward position.

It features KeyMod slots on both sides as well as 45-degree offshoots, permitting shooters to mount lights, lasers, foregrips and other accessories however they want. Not only that, but it also includes a Picatinny railed upper handguard. This is one of my favorite aspects of the ALFA.

Like other railed handguards, it lets shooters mount reflex optics in a forward location, ideal for sights of this type. Unlike most railed handguards, the ALFA is lightweight and lacks all the jagged edges of competing designs covered in picatinny rails.

Optics

Choosing optics isn’t always an objective process. While light reception is important, some people just prefer certain brands, reticles and even tube diameters. Thankfully, the list of compatible AK optics is much shorter than those that function correctly with the AR-15.

First off, most optics designed to co-witness with an AR-15 are a poor choice for the AK. This is because they mount far too high to be comfortably used by the shooter. One exception is the Primary Arms PAC5X scope.

Normally, the PAC5X prismatic scope would sit far too high to be considered an ideal optic for an AK, or AKM carbine. However, the PAC5X utilizes the same mount as the Trijicon ACOG. This is important, since RS Regulate makes an upper for their scope rails that fits ACOGs perfectly.

AK_Optics_SW05 — The Primary Arms PAC5X pairs well with RS Regulate’s mounting system, greatly expanding the capabilities of a typical AK-style rifle.

Thus, shooters can utilize a fixed magnification, ultra-bright prismatic scope like the PAC5X on a platform that rarely sees such high-end optics. What’s better is that the PAC5X is available with a 7.62x39mm BDC reticle, making it a great fit for the traditional AKM carbines chambered in the Soviet cartridge. Shooters looking to run one on a 5.56mm or 5.45mm AK can utilize the 5.56mm BDC version, which affords them the benefits of a high-end, ultra-bright optic with many of the same features, at a much more affordable price.

Shooters looking for a different magnified scope option should take a look at offerings from Hi-Lux. Shooters can mount the new Hi-Lux CMR-AK762 optic with ease on their AK’s side rail, with either a 30mm RS Regulate upper, or a Midwest Industries mount.

In either case, the optic’s adjustable magnification and built-in 7.62x39mm BDC help stretch the relatively slow-moving .30-caliber round’s legs. This makes the CMR optic a great tool for shattering myths about the round’s allegedly limited range.

As far as reflex sights, any will do so long as they can be used on a pistol slide as well. Though this isn’t so much a requirement as a helpful suggestion. The last thing a shooter wants after sinking money into upgrades and accessories is to find that their new optic sits too high to be comfortably used with standard AK buttstocks.

Obviously, this is just a small sample of the sight options available for the AK platform today. As the rifle gains more and more followers and owners, the aftermarket parts trade will swell alongside it. So if you don’t see an option on this list that fits your definition of the perfect aiming solution, sit tight—the next best optic might be just around the corner.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2016 Issue of Gun Digest the Magazine

The Rise of 80 Percent Firearms

Joshua Stevens

August 8, 2016

Do-It-Yourself 80 percent firearm builds represent a great chance to increase your gun knowledge, and they have been becoming more and more popular in recent years.

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with the Kalashnikov family of firearms. As a teenager on the cusp of legally transitioning to manhood, I decided to practice my American rights by purchasing my first rifle. Naturally, I gravitated toward the AK style of firearms. Being a few weeks from high school graduation and perpetually broke, I aspired to get the best deal I could while getting a quality firearm. During the weeks between deciding to buy a rifle and actually turning 18, I had time to scour every gun publication I could get my hands on in an attempt to make an informed decision. During my search, I came across these AK kits that, for between $59.99 and $99.99, promised a truly custom, one-of-a-kind rifle on a budget. My interest was piqued, to say the least.

In the end, though, I settled on an unconverted, plain Saiga AK and plunged headfirst into kitchen-table gunsmithing. But in the back of my mind, I never forgot those alluring jumbles of Cosmoline-soaked parts, nor would I forget the promise of a cheap, built-at-home rifle. Back then, the Internet wasn’t anything close to what it is today, and finding information on how to make a kit actually work was nearly impossible, so I shelved the idea for the time.

Years later, I was still a single young man, but I now had a job for Uncle Sam and a check burning a hole in my pocket. In my mind, the only reasonable thing to do with that money was to buy guns. Once again, I saw those kits. They cost a little more by this time, but it was still a negligible price at most. I did some more research on the subject and decided that while I was living in a military barrack, there was no way I could turn these kits into guns without losing my job or facing felony charges.

Then, two years ago, I finally had the money, a house, and the information I needed to make this dream of building my own AKM a reality. Anyone who knows me understands I’m not a man who jumps into something without careful consideration; this project was no different. I spent years learning everything I could, carefully building a tool list, making sure every angle was covered and every part accounted for. And finally, after years of dreaming about it, the big day came. I was hiding behind my truck, a length of paracord held tightly in my hand, the other end tied off to an ugly hunk of metal—vaguely resembling an AKM—securely attached to a wooden pallet. When that first shot rang out in the hot desert air, I knew instantly that I was hooked. I had just built my own firearm from chunks of metal in a box, and it hadn’t killed me.

To this day, I refuse to tally up how much I spent on building that rifle, partially because I don’t want my wife to have another reason to kill me, but also because I don’t care. Conservatively speaking, I would estimate that in tools, refinishing products, gauges, and everything else, I spent approximately three times the cost of a nice factory rifle. Holding in your hands a fully functional rifle that you built yourself is an indescribable feeling that, in my mind, was worth every penny I’d spent—and then some.

During the course of this project, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many firearms enthusiasts who have freely offered more advice than I could have ever wanted on the subject, and who continue to be a source of guidance and inspiration. This growing community of 80 percent builders has caused no shortage of controversy. In 2014, a California senator famously humiliated himself while making a speech regarding the danger of what he called “ghost guns.” While his speech was filled with ignorant comments and blatant lies, he succeeded in garnering negative attention from a number of gun control groups toward the gun-building community.

80-percent-receivers — The AR-15 80-percent lower and the 80-percent 7.62×39 AKM pattern flat, and rails that are welded to the flat. Two of the most popular 80-percent receivers, both require completely different equipment to finish.

For the sake of argument, I would like to clearly define what exactly an 80 percent firearm really is. Legally, the only part considered a regulated firearm is the receiver. A receiver is defined differently depending on the firearm, but it’s generally the one part that holds the trigger, chamber and magazine all together so the firearm can actually function. Think of the receiver as the heart and soul of the firearm. Because of its essential role, the federal government defines it as the one essential part that is legally regulated the same as a finished firearm. This means that everything else is just a part and completely unregulated. A receiver generally looks like a hunk of oddly shaped metal with holes drilled in specific places and a serial number prominently located in a visible area. This is considered a finished 100-percent receiver, and it requires a background check and Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder to transfer it to the new owner.

An 80 percent receiver is, as the name would suggest, an unfinished receiver. In the eyes of the law, it is a hunk of metal that in its current form is unable to be used as a firearm. Normally, an 80 percent receiver design is submitted to the BATFE for approval before being sold to the public to ensure it cannot easily be converted into a functional firearm. As a general rule, 80 percent receivers require specialized tools, a solid foundation in the fundamentals of firearm mechanics, and careful construction. They’re not for the faint of heart. Because the components that make up the majority of a firearm are unregulated parts, and the 80 percent receiver is also unregulated, all of these items can be ordered online and sent directly to your front door with the swipe of a credit card. You can see why there is controversy surrounding this type of firearm build.

This political turmoil surrounding home-built guns has, like most gun control rhetoric, only served to make the guns even more popular. We live in an age where information on almost any topic can be found with the click of a button. It’s all too easy for someone to hop on the Internet and find step-by-step instructions for every part of the gunmaking process. With modern machinery and materials, someone with the correct tools, a lot of patience, and a mechanical knack can, with some difficulty, make a fully functional firearm. Gone are the days of thumbing through a poorly illustrated gun magazine trying to figure out what the author is talking about. Now you can watch a clear video of someone walking you through the whole process.

80-percent-paste — A 20-ton press, along with this specialized jig, is used to stamp the AKM receiver into shape. This is one of the first steps to the build. It’s important to lube the receiver so that the sides are bent correctly and don’t shear off under the immense pressure. I’ve found that wheel bearing grease works best for this step.

However, it’s not as simple as some would have you believe. My first AK was an abomination. For some of the parts, I tried an advanced welding method I was unfamiliar with. Out of impatience, I also used the incorrect tool for another process. These two mistakes resulted in an unstable receiver; and while the rifle still fired, it was unsafe. Ultimately, it took $25.00 and around 20 extra hours to fix, but that mistake taught me a great deal. I mention this because even with experience, with easy methods of learning the process and with a garage full of tools, making a firearm still isn’t an easy process. It’s expensive, time consuming and will greatly test the patience of even an experienced gun owner.

With that being said, you might ask, “What’s the allure?”

People get into 80 percent builds for a number of reasons. Some living in states with restrictive gun laws enjoy building a gun without the hassle and additional fees required by their state. For some, it’s a hobby, like building model airplanes, just a tad more complicated. Others feel it’s an expression of their constitutional freedom, and enjoy the idea of having a firearm built in the privacy of their own home. Some think it’s the ultimate way to really learn about a particular firearm, and feel it enhances their firearm knowledge. Finally, as firearms become harder to find and gun prices rise, so does the allure of building one yourself.

Over a decade ago, I would have never thought it possible to build a firearm from precision-machined parts, using gauges and jigs that would have the same or better quality than can be purchased commercially. Now, all this time later, I’ve built six so far, with seven, eight, and nine already in the works. I personally wanted to expand my skill set and gain a better appreciation for the work that goes into the firearms I’ve grown to love. And I feel I did exactly that during the process. I got to learn a variety of things I would never have otherwise, met amazing people, and became part of a passionate community.

I am by no means an expert on the topic. If anything, I consider myself an experienced beginner with enough knowledge to be dangerous. All of that aside, I am often asked about 80 percent builds by firearms enthusiasts thinking about getting into the hobby. Normally, I advise them against it. Make no mistake: It’s not some form of elitism that causes me to offer this advice, but rather the nature of this type of work. To build a firearm, one must start with a very serious mentality and 100-percent commitment. There is a myriad of safety and legal considerations that must be taken into account. Nothing about this process should be viewed with a complacent attitude nor taken lightly.

80-percent-stuff — This jig is used with a mini-mill to cut the fire control pocket from this AR-15 lower. The first time I did this process I used a polymer 80-percent lower, seen in the bottom of this photo, to test the process. Polymer isn’t difficult to work with or expensive compared to aluminum; this helped me economically work up to the real thing. I highly recommend testing everything like this before jumping right in.

In completing an 80 percent build, you are attempting to take heavy-duty, dangerous machines and use them to shape and tame a piece of metal so that it will contain the massive pressures, fire, and explosions used to send a projectile racing at a high speed toward a target. This process can be done safely, but extreme care must be taken. And because you are manufacturing a firearm, there are laws that you must adhere to. All of this is the responsibility of the individual undertaking the project, and it’s not all intuitive. The correct mindset is essential, and any doubt about the process is an excellent reason to consider not undertaking the project in the first place, especially when a firearm of equal or greater quality can be found in your local gun shop for less than what the home builder would pay.

However, if you, like me, are set on this path, modern technology is here to aid you in overcoming these obstacles. Most companies that sell products specific to the 80 percent builder also employ experienced builders, and they will often offer legal and safety guides with their products. A quick Google search will help you find many websites full of advice from average Americans all over the country who have completed similar projects and are more than happy to share their passion and hard-learned lessons. Finally, because this is becoming such a popular hobby in the firearms community, there are a wide variety of resources for tools, guides, and parts. A few big names in the firearms world only exist to sell products and parts for these 80 percent firearms, demonstrating just how popular this hobby really is.

I predict that these builds will only become more popular as technology advances: Tools will become even more affordable and available for the hobbyist, information even easier to share, and precision parts even easier to manufacture. While it most certainly will never be for everyone, there will always be a segment of gun owners that loves to tinker, and this is the next logical step of that tinkering. By nature, Americans have always been a hearty people, self-reliant and independent. And firearms have always been intrinsically tied to those all-American values. I honestly can’t think of anything that honors and promotes those values more than having the tools, knowledge and ability to assemble your own firearm from a bin of parts and metal.

Editor’s Note: This article is the winning submission of a student writing contest that Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) conducted in partnership with Gun Digest. This writing contest was created to provide opportunities for SDI students to gain visibility on their writing skills in the form of a published article in Gun Digest’s online blog.

First Look: Ithaca Precision Rifle

Drew Warden

August 4, 2016

Ithaca Gun Company has long been known for its classic Model 37, an innovative bottom-loading, bottom-ejecting pump-action shotgun produced since the late 1930s. Recently, however, the American manufacturer based in Sandusky, Ohio, has branched out by developing and releasing its very first rifle design.

Dubbed the Ithaca Precision Rifle, the gun is built off of the classic Remington Model 700 design and has been tailor-made for long-range work. Each rifle features a 4340 chromoly steel billet receiver, a 4140 single piece billet non-welded bolt, and a competition-grade barrel and trigger.

Ithaca produces the new Precision Rifle’s action entirely in-house using high-quality CNC-machining equipment, and the bolt raceway is wire electrical discharge machined (EDM) for added precision. Each barrel is also paired to the action by experienced craftsmen and comes with 1/2 MOA guarantee.

Our friends at Deer & Deer Hunting got an exclusive first-hand look at the new Ithaca Precision Rifle with Zach Amert of Ithaca Gun Company to get the details about the new gun. Watch the video above to learn more about Ithaca’s first-ever rifle.

One Gun to Hunt Them All: The Historic .404 Jeffery

Philip Massaro

August 2, 2016

The actual year that the .404 Jeffery was released is a source of debate and even argument among those who study cartridge history, and particularly African hunting cartridges. Most research will indicate that 1909 was the official release date, yet Phil Shoemaker — the famous brown bear guide from Alaska — has a rifle that dates back to 1907, clearly original and clearly chambered for the .404 Jeffery.

It doesn’t really matter; let’s agree that the latter portion of the first decade of the 20th century saw the .404 burst onto the scene. Its purpose was to replicate the ballistics of the steadfast .450/400 3-inch Nitro Express in a bolt-action rifle, and it worked. The bullet diameter was changed from .410” to .411” for the .450/400 to .423” for the .404 Jeffery — for reasons I can’t quite figure out — and the new case drove a 400-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 2,125 fps for 4,020 ft-lbs of energy, as well as a 300-grain copper pointed bullet at 2,625 fps, designed for long-range work. The .404 has an 8-degree shoulder; usually a cartridge that doesn’t feature a rim or a belt features a much more prominent shoulder in order to facilitate good headspacing. That said, I’ve never had a single problem with headspacing in the .404 Jeffery, and that slight shoulder allows the cartridge to feed like a dream — and that’s an important feature on any dangerous-game cartridge. While it became very popular among British rifle makers, it was also embraced by German rifle makers, designated as the 10.75x73mm.

That early muzzle velocity of 2,125 fps may seem sedate when compared to the .375 H&H Magnum or the .416 Rigby, which run at 2,550 fps with a 300-grain bullet and 2,410 fps with a 400-grain bullet, respectively. But it is enough to ensure reliable expansion and penetration with the standard cup-and-core softpoints and steel jacketed solids. All this in a cartridge that has, possibly, the mildest perceived recoil of any of the dangerous-game cartridges I’ve used. The combination of mild recoil and the ability to place those bullets where they need to be is tantamount to quickly dispatching game animals. It was so effective, in fact, that the game departments of both North and South Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe), Tanzania and Kenya chose the Vickers bolt-action rifle chambered in .404 Jeffery as the standard-issue rifle. In my opinion, if it was good enough for those guys required to handle the problem animals, it is good enough for me. The .404 Jeffery has the distinction of taking what many consider to be the greatest North American trophy ever taken — the Chadwick ram — the world record stone sheep taken in British Columbia in 1936 by Dr. Chadwick.

The original .404 load quietly made a fantastic reputation among those who had the opportunity to use it on a daily basis — folks like John “Pondoro” Taylor, who in his classic book, African Rifles and Cartridges, would testify to the effectiveness of the Jeffery cartridge. But, that original load didn’t stick around for long. Kynoch bumped the muzzle velocity from 2,125 fps to 2,225 fps, also increasing the muzzle energy by almost 400 ft-lbs, recognizing the fact that the .404 Jeffery case was capable of more than what was being loaded. More about that in a minute…

The early part of the 20th century saw many great safari cartridges introduced; some would fade into obscurity and some would go on to become undeniable classics that few hunters would not insist on having in their collection. The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum certainly heads that list; it is perhaps the single most useful cartridge ever invented, and while it may not be perfect for everything, it will certainly get the job done on any game animal, anywhere. The writings of Robert Ruark brought the proprietary .416 Rigby into the spotlight, and I’d confidently say that without that book, the Rigby cartridge and the .416-inch bore diameter would’ve walked off into the sunset. The prestigious firm of Westley Richards answered the .404 Jeffery by releasing the .425 Westley Richards, using a .435” diameter bullet at 2,350 fps for just over 5,000 ft-lbs of energy. However, the severely rebated rim of the .425 didn’t give reliable extraction, so it didn’t gain a huge following, and is a rarity today.

The .450-400 3” NE was, and still is, a wonderful choice for a hunter, but the rimmed cartridge is usually reserved for the double rifles and single-shots; the former became very expensive to produce and the latter fell out of vogue until the advent of the Ruger No. 1 in the 1960s. By the middle of the 20th century, much of Africa had begun the plunge into political turmoil, and ammunition for many of the big double rifle calibers like the .450 NE and .470 NE became increasingly harder to find.

To fill the void, the .458 Winchester Magnum came on the scene in the 1950s in the affordable and reliable Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifle, reproducing (at least in theory) the ballistics of the venerable .450 Nitro Express. For many years, a sportsman didn’t have much choice for a safari; you either grabbed a .375 or a .458. Still, there were those few who quietly hoarded .404 rifles and ammunition, using the vintage rifles with great effect on all shapes and sizes of game.

This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest 2017, 71st Edition.

1...222223224...440 Page 223 of 440

GUN DIGESTWE KNOW GUNS SO YOU KNOW GUNS

Bushnell’s new AK Optics line has two new optics purposefully built for the AK and its many variants.

Great Gun Deal Alert

Want More Great Gun Deals? Get the E-Newsletter

Learn More About The 6.5 Grendel:

The right optic, laser sight or flashlight makes the perfect addition to any AR, and it can be a tactical advantage in any defensive or combat scenario.

Mounting Options

Optics

MUST READ ARTICLES

Get The

Magazine

Get The

Newsletter

Get The

Book

Information

Subscriptions

Resources

Business