A look at four .223 Remington loads that cover four distinct applications, all using one primer and powder.
The .223 Remington is one of my most used rifle cartridges, and I wanted to develop four loads for it that could be relied upon to do everything I need to do with that chambering. I wanted a load for varmints and small game, another for big game, one for tactical applications and one for precision on paper and steel. But—and here’s the kicker—I wanted to keep it as simple as possible by only using one powder and one primer, and I wanted to do it all with moderate to high velocity and sub-MOA precision.
I began the project by looking over my .223 Remington load notes that go back more than three decades. I also talked with other handloaders, and then I compared reloading data from various manuals. Here’s a look at what I ended up with, and I believe that these four, one-primer/one-powder loads, might very well work for you and your rifles, too.
Brass
I had a lot of .223 Remington brass on hand, but not more than a hundred or so empty cases from the same manufacturer, and I wanted to build these loads with duplicate components. Over the years, I’ve had great success creating consistent loads with Nosler brass, so that’s where I started.
One case, one primer, one powder and four different bullets can deliver most of the loads anyone shooting a .223 Remington needs.
I ordered 500 new cases, and when they arrived, I weighed 100 of them and found the standard deviation to be less than a half-grain. The only case preparation I performed was to slightly chamfer the inside and outside of the case necks. Remember: The goal was to keep it as simple as possible.
Primers
Primers can drastically impact pressure and velocity consistency, and precision. Years ago, working at a ballistic lab with pressure testing equipment, I witnessed the same primer deliver pressure variations of as much as 6,000 psi, while only altering velocity by about 30 fps. More importantly, this resulted in a point-of-impact variation at 100 yards of more than 2 inches.
Primers matter because they can deliver fluctuating results when paired with certain powders in certain cartridges. Federal’s small rifle primers provide very consistent ignition.
Primers matter a lot more than many shooters think. My notes indicated some of the best loads I have assembled for cartridges that use small rifle primers were put together with Federal small rifle primers. Fortunately, I had 1,000 of those.
Powder
I like powders that meter consistently, especially when loading from a powder dispenser. This generally means ball/spherical powders. If you want to build loads with wide variance in bullet weight, it also means you need a versatile powder. You can consult load manuals, but it’s easier to just visit Hodgdon’s website to plug in the cartridge and the bullet weights you want to use and see what pops up. I did this for the .223 Remington, specifying 50-, 60-, 70- and 77-grain bullets, and eight powders were offered.
CFE 223, as the name suggests, is a great general-purpose powder for the .223 Remington.
Over the years, I had used all but one of these powders in the .223 Remington. That one untested powder was CFE 223. I had heard lots of good things about CFE 223 in the .223 Remington, and though its burn rate is minutely slower than the other seven powders, I took a gamble. CFE stands for “copper fouling eraser” to highlight that the powder has been tweaked to deter copper fouling.
I cannot comment with any supporting definitive proof on how well this works, but my impression is that it does limit copper fouling. During the development of these four loads, which consumed more than 100 rounds, I never once cleaned my rifle’s barrel, and precision only improved throughout the process.
Bullets
This is where diversity with a cartridge happens, and it’s especially true with the .223 Remington, which can be used successfully in so many different applications.
I chose the 50-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, which is very volatile on small critters.
Nosler’s 50-grain Ballistic Tip bullet is ideal for predators or small game.
I’ve probably killed more big game with Nosler AccuBonds than any other bullet, so the 70-grain 0.224-caliber version seemed perfect for deer, black bears and hogs.
For tactical applications, many overlook the Nosler Partition, but these bullets do a great job against intermediate barriers.
Though often thought of as antiquated, Nosler’s 60-grain Partition bullet is excellent at defeating intermediate barriers, penetrates well and creates massive wounding.
And finally, for paper and steel, I chose the Nosler 77-grain Custom Competition.
For a load you’ll want to use on steel or paper, especially at distance, the Nosler 77-grain Custom Competition bullet is ideal. It does, however, require a 1:8 twist or faster.
The Data
With each load, I started 5 percent below maximum and worked up while watching for high pressure signs and keeping an eye on velocity. Because the chamber and magazine length of my New Ultra Light Arms rifle allows for it, I used a longer than normal overall cartridge length. I stopped when sub-MOA groups and practical velocities were consistent. Though velocity consistency was better with the lighter bullets—in some cases with single-digit standard velocity deviations—the combination of the Federal primer, Nosler Brass and CFE 223 powder was capable of producing excellent on-target precision with all four bullets.
NOTES: Reported velocity and standard velocity deviation (SD) is the average for 10 shots fired over a Caldwell G2 chronograph with the screens set 10 feet from the muzzle. Reported precision is the average of three, three-shot groups fired from a sandbag rest at 100 yards.
A few things are worth noting. Out of my 22-inch barrel, the 50-grain load did not deliver near advertised velocities for a maximum charge. Also, many claim Nosler Partitions are incapable of extreme precision. However, if you kick up the throttle just a bit, they shoot better. This is especially true—and possible—in a modern bolt-action rifle, because .223 Remington load data is kept right at or below 55,000 psi. The Partition and the other three loads all delivered sub-MOA precision.
Sub half-MOA accuracy was easy to obtain with Nosler’s 50-grain Ballistic Tip and CFE 223 powder.
The remaining question was this: Would these four loads also work well in my 5.56 NATO chambered AR-15? I dropped all the loads to slightly below the maximum listed powder charge and reduced their overall length to 2.248 across the board to work with AR-15 magazines. CFE 223 powder does not crowd the case, so seating bullets deeper was a non-issue. Out of that rifle’s 16-inch barrel, which also has a 1:8 twist, velocity consistently was similar, and based on all the AR-15s I have tested over the years, precision on target was better than average … with flawless reliability.
Some folks will tell you Nosler Partition bullets are not accurate. They’re wrong. With the right combination of powder, primer and twist rate, they’ll shoot with extreme precision.
Goals Achieved
Initial terminal performance confirmation was conducted by shooting into blocks of Clear Ballistics. (See table below.) Last spring, I used the Ballistic Tip load to take a turkey gobbler at 239 yards (rifles are legal for turkeys in West Virginia). I also put a doe in the freezer with the Partition load, and a 200-pound whitetail buck on the meat pole with the AccuBond load. Both the Partition and AccuBond bullets will penetrate more than 16 inches and upset to about 1.7 times their original diameter. They are much deadlier on big game than conventional wisdom and most hunters realize.
NOTES: Reported velocity is the average for 10 shots fired over a Caldwell G2 chronograph with the screens set 10 feet from the muzzle. Reported penetration and recovered bullet frontal diameter and weight are the average of three shots fired into blocks of Clear Ballistics at a distance of 50 yards.
I do think there is some tweaking to do with the AR-15 loads; I might have left a little velocity in the powder can. But, as they are, and for both of my most-used .223 rifles, this collection of handloads is capable of handling any task I need to tackle with a .223 Remington, and all I need is one powder, one primer and four bullets to do it.
Though from a velocity consistency standpoint it might seem that CFE 223 is not a good match for heavy bullets in the .223 Rem., this target would beg to differ.
Handloading is an enjoyable pastime that will allow you to create loads not commercially available, while possibly saving a little money. And it’s all much easier to do if you can use a single powder and primer. If you’re looking for a stable of .223 Remington loads that will allow you to extract the most of what the cartridge can offer, these four bullets are a good start, and I suggest you give CFE 223 a shot.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
You don't need to spend a lot to get the best 9mm carbine. We pick a passel with plenty of bang for the buck.
Gun trends come and go, but among the most enduring has been one of the most controversial – pistol-caliber long guns. The concept of a carbine or rifle that grazes on handgun ammunition is nearly the same vintage as America’s love affair with firearms.
As those familiar with this style of gun know, long guns that pitch handgun ammo were a staple in the American West. In those days, the system made a world of sense. Minor catastrophes, be it blizzards or bushwackers, could leave a pioneer high and dry in the ammunition department. You never knew when the next wagonload would mosey down the trail, after all. In turn, the piece of mind of, say, a Colt Frontier and Winchester 1873 feeding from the same trough likely saved lives.
Today, the practicality of pistol-caliber carbines is hotly debated. Truly, few subjects outside of politics and religion ignite passions as quickly. To some, such carbines are analogous to outfitting a Formula One racer with a moped engine. To others, they’re the ideal economical plinker, wieldy home-defense option and perfect survival tool. Each has valid points, and maybe you’ve thought you’d like to investigate the matter first-hand to make up your mind.
Problem is, with a recent upswing in popularity, the market is filled with options that make experimentation somewhat cost-prohibitive. In most cases. There are still deals if you know where to look – all less than $1,000 and solid in performance.
While many of these are available in other calibers, we’ve opted to concentrate on 9mm carbines. In general, the cartridge performs well out of long guns and gives shooters a good taste of this style of firearm’s potential. Out of a carbine, the 9mm gains modest velocity, is highly suppressible, generates little recoil and is offered in more models. Moreover, it’s the cheapest of all handgun ammunition, so you won’t break the bank giving the style of gun a run.
Who knows, given a chance, you might find the 9mm carbine is what you’ve been after all these years.
Why You Should Trust Our Picks
Accurate information is key to informed choices. The Gun Digest team brings more than a half-century of combined firearms expertise to the table. And I personally, have more than a decade of experience reviewing firearms and working in the industry. As well as, a lifetime of training and shooting everything from mouse guns to dangerous-game rifles. PCC falls somewhere in the middle but, yeah, I’ve shot plenty of them too—including the ones on this list.
Dusting off an old concept, Ruger cooked up a real one of its most popular new(ish) firearms with this 9mm carbine. Evolving the old Police Carbine concept, the PC Carbine arms shooters with a familiar configuration that has some handy tricks up its sleeve.
First and foremost, it’s a takedown rifle. No matter the model, I find this aspect appealing as it makes it easier to tote the rifle around, given it breaks down to backpack size.
That said, my money goes down on the folding stock model. It roughly collapses to the same size as when it's taken down, but it's much quicker to deploy. On top of this, it's outfitted with a M-Lok handguard with plenty of real estate for accessories.
The next aspect of the Ruger PCC that wins top marks is its overall accuracy and reliability. Working with it, I feel extremely confident at hitting out to 50 yards. Not tack-driving accuracy at that range, but enough to put down a threat.
It's lights out at close quarters thanks to its tungsten Dead Blow Action. The system makes the carbine's recoil an afterthought and really picks up the pace on follow-ups and target transitions.
An added bonus to the Dead Blow, it makes the PC Carbine tick like a clock. In my time with it, the gun digested everything from hollow points to ball and produced zero malfunctions.
The one issue–partly the tungsten's fault–I have with the gun is it's heavy for its size–more than 7 pounds. But this is far from a dealbreaker.
Faxon Firearms is no stranger to PCCs. Luckily for shooters, the Ohio based gunmaker has leaped from PCC components to complete builds a few years back with the affordable and feature-rich (for its price) Bantam.
Honestly, the 9mm carbine has plenty of room to grow, but if you’re looking for a solid gun off the shelf it more than ticks off the boxes.
The bell of the ball on this mighty mite is its barrel–not surprising given it's Faxon. Really, it's over-engineered for the purpose and should dang near last a lifetime.
More than anything, this adds reliability to an overall reliable system. Again, this is a PCC that didn't gag on anything we fed it–from high-class defensive ammo to steel case. No complaints there.
Given the price tag is at the tonier end of affordable 9mm carbines, I would have liked to have seen tighter groups. It shot a little loose at 25 yards but in line with the vast majority of this class of gun.
The Bantam boasts foraged receivers with a tensioning screw to ensure the tightest possible mate-up between upper and lower. The latter is a bit of an OCD tamer, but if you can’t live with a bit of rattle it’s a godsend.
It’s Glock magazine compatible, a must nowadays given Glock calls the tune for 9mm mags. And the paddle-style mag release is a nice addition, picking up the pace on reloads.
Based on the legendary PP-19 Vityaz Russian submachine gun, Palmetto State Armory gives AK shooters a 9mm carbine option that should prove very familiar to Russian gun fans.
From lever safety to paddle mag release and side charging handle, the PSA AK-V MOE Rifle is easy to slip into if you run an AK variant. Like the Vityaz it's based on, and most other pistol-caliber carbines, the AK-V is simple blow-back operated.
On the range, the PCC's accuracy won't blow you away—it's what you'd expect out of 9mm long gun, 1.5-inch groups at 25 yards. However, the American-made, Russian-inspired gun ticks like a Swiss timepiece.
Again, this is a system that loses some points on weight. At 7 pounds it's more than I'd want in a 9mm carbine. Yet it's more than passable as a competition fun gun or range toy.
Note, PSA made the gun compatible with CZ Scorpion magazines, of which I have mixed feelings. Yeah, they're plentiful, but not to the degree of Glock mags.
Is it me or does this carbine look familiar? Yeah, Smith & Wesson took a lot of cues from Kel-Tec in its PCC, but danged if they didn't make it a bit more appealing in a number of ways.
A small matter, but one I've liked, is the FPC–and S&W's ARs–moving away from rote AR grips. In its stead is a proprietary grip modeled after the company's M&P pistols and featuring such extravagances as replaceable backstraps.
The other aspect I dug, is how the backpack gun folds up–horizontally. Landsake, a system that doesn't run right into your optic–who'da thunk it? Yet, it makes the gun eminently more practical and concealable.
The gun is plasticky, which for me was a turnoff. Everything, the frame, the rail the buttstock–all of it is polymer. However, while I didn't torture test the gun, quite a few other trusted sources have and the FPC passed with flying colors.
Interestingly, the polymer nature of the gun makes it among the lightest of this list at a tick over 5 pounds. Given this, the PCC almost feels like an oversized pistol.
Accuracy-wise, it's about what you'd expect from a PCC. (Tired of hearing that yet?) I got groups of slightly less than 2 inches at 25 yards.
Prepping is one of the areas where the pistol-caliber carbine concept thrives.
Given its potential to eliminate ammunition concerns between a long gun and pistol, it’s a robust strategy. And TNW has contrived among the best tools for the job.
Flexible beyond belief, the Aero Survival Rifle isn’t bound purely as a 9mm carbine. Quick-change barrels open the blowback semi-auto to a host of chamberings, including .22LR, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, 10mm and .357 SIG.
Since its task is to tackle the unexpected, this sort of flexibility has the potential to pay dividends. I've got to admit, the system inspires peace of mind.
Adding to the Survival Rifle’s usefulness, it’s a takedown. At 16 inches taken down, it’s a perfect insurance policy in a truck, boat or, what it was originally designed for, airplane.
This is particularly true if it’s paired with a case TNW cooked up for the rifle that stows it and a couple of spare barrels, so you can match the rifle to the ammunition on hand.
About the only negative I have about the PCC is its bolt is as stiff as a starched collar.
Compact as they come, Kel-Tec may have cooked up the ultimate backpack gun in the SUB-2000. It certainly created among the most unique 9mm carbines (also available in .40 S&W) at the end of the market already known for being idiosyncratic.
Honestly, despite any faults, I can't help but love this design.
What makes the SUB-2000 so intriguing is its unique folding design. Hinged at the fore of the receiver, the carbine folds into a neat 16-inch package, ideal for keeping it handy in a rucksack, sports bag or vehicle. And it's even gotten better as the gun enters its third generation.
The Gen3 carbine's barrel twists as it folds, meaning you can reduce it to its maximum size while keeping an optic on the top rail. Like many shooters, this was one of my main complaints with the first two generations of the SUB-2000.
Deployment is still quick on the carbine even with the modification and it's as light as ever — a mere 4 pounds. This is thanks to the extensive use of fiberglass-filled nylon that makes up a majority of the gun. Polymer top to bottom isn't necessarily my favorite aspect of the gun, but it serves a purpose.
Additionally, I like Kel-Tec designed flexibility into the system, given your choice of magazine compatibility: Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, Beretta and Glock. Likely this has you covered, no matter what pistol you carry.
Adding to its appeal are easy and intuitive controls, such as the under-the-buttstock charging handle. Not to mention plenty of extras – ample rail space, fiber optic front sight, sling mounts and a wealth of aftermarket upgrades.
Swimming decidedly against the tide, Palmetto State Armory’s AR-9 doesn’t aim to send your heart, and wallet, into palpitations. Crafting everything in-house, the company controls costs, at the same tick turns out an honest-to-God value in its 9mm carbine. In fact, for its price, the 16-inch rifle is among the best deals going in a category of pistol-caliber long gun that seems to get more expensive every year.
Accuracy is where the blow-back earns high marks, getting everything out of the Parabellum and a bit more. Adept enough to drill steel at 50 yards, longer if you want to push it. An elusive trait in pistol-caliber carbines. Furthermore, like a good date, it isn’t picky about what it eats.
Honestly, you don’t need to own a boat to be intrigued with Just Right Carbine’s Takedown Marine. Nickel-plated stainless steel barrel, the 9mm carbine (also available in .40 S&W and .45 ACP) is about as flashy as they come. Glitz, however, is beside the point.
At its heart, the Takedown Marine is a survival/utility carbine, meant to weather abuse. Corrosion-resistant, the gun is impervious to the severe damage that salt water and moisture in general wreaks on unprotected steel. You needn’t have a high-seas adventure planned to reap the Marine’s benefits either. The nickel plate also does a heck of a job ensuring you have a fully functional gun at the ready if you happen to live in the wetter corners of the country or if you needed an option stowed away that didn’t require constant maintenance.
As expected, the Marine is a blowback-operated carbine, which endows it with an admirable trait as a utility gun — it chews through nearly any ammo. Given it accepts Glock magazines, keeping it fed shouldn’t prove a problem either. In addition to this, JRC has included some other intriguing features to make it handy no matter the circumstances: reversible ejection, a very manageable 6.5-pound weight, top rail for the addition of an optic and, as its name implies, a takedown feature. Retained by a screw-on forestock, the gun is a snap takedown into a tidy package about 16 inches in length.
Takedown Marine Deals
Sportsman's Guide
$600
Hi-Point 995
995 Specs Barrel Length: 16.5″ Overall Length: 31″ Sights: Front: Post Rear: Adjustable Ghost Ring Peep Thread Pattern: 1/2″-28 Weight: 7 lbs. Magazine: Hi Point MSRP: $364
Pros
Affordable
Reliable
Low Recoil
Cons
Plug Ugly
Proprietary Magazines
Who hasn’t sauntered into a gun show and caught one of these beauties winking at you? Safe bet, you at least jingled your pocket change to see if you had enough to take one home.
Despite its blue-light special price tag, the 995 performs respectably for a utility long gun that appears designed especially for this role. Rudimentary as they come, the carbine’s simple blowback operation gives it the chops to chew through any ammo. Additionally, 9mm coming out of a 6.25-pound gun is a kitten in the recoil department.
No one would describe the 995 as a tack driver. With that said, it’s capable of making hits at 100 yards when you’re familiar with it. The downside to the carbine, you get what you pay for in looks. Furthermore, designed to skirt the 1990s “assault weapons ban,” it comes with a 10-round magazine (20-round magazines are available).
Freedom Ordnance generally doesn’t come to the fore when talking 9mm carbines. A shame, given its AR-style FX-9 is a regular jackhammer. The simple blowback outfit proves reliable with most ammunition and is configured such that if you know how to run Eugene Stoner’s brainchild, you know how to run the carbine.
That said, where the 16-inch barreled 9mm earns high marks is its accuracy. The FX-9 is most certainly a 100-yard gun and makes hits on closer targets seem like cheating. It’s a nimble bugger to boot. Weighing in at right around 6 pounds, it isn’t the lightest option on the market. Yet it’s wispy enough to engage multiple targets as fast as you can pull the trigger.
Quality made for an entry-level carbine, the FX-9 receivers are milled billet aluminum, while the steel components are nitride and nickel-boron nitride coated. The gun has last-round hold open – always nice – and the system is completely modular, making it a snap to go shorter, which there is ample opportunity to do. The one sticky point, if you happen to be left-handed, is the magazine release is configured for right-handed shooters and is not ambidextrous.
FX-9 Deals
Palmetto State Armory
$650
9mm Carbine FAQ
What is the effective range of a 9mm carbine?
The maximum effective range where a 9mm carbine is both accurate and the bullets it fires have the velocity to function properly is generally pegged at 50 yards with a maximum range of 100 yards. However, the 9mm cartridge is lethal much further than the maximum range.
What is the point of a 9mm carbine?
It depends on what the shooter is looking for in a 9mm carbine. For home/personal defense, the 9mm carbine is much easier to control and place accurate shots than a pistol. Given the cost of ammunition, it is a more affordable option for competition. For the casual shooter, they’re just plain fun and inexpensive to shoot.
What grain is best in a 9mm carbine?
The most common loads for 9mm are 115 and 124 grains, which perform well out of carbines in defensive and competitive circumstances. However, when shooting suppressed, a 147-grain subsonic load would be more appropriate.
Are 9mm carbines CA Legal?
Yes, 9mm carbines are legal in California, as long as they meet the state’s laws about the gun’s features and capacity. You should check California gun laws before purchasing a 9mm carbine to ensure it complies.
Are 9mm carbines Short Barreled Rifles (SBRs)?
Not necessarily. Most 9mm carbines have 16-inch or greater barrels, classifying them as rifles. However, there are SBR 9mms and AR-style pistols. The former requires a tax stamp and federal registration to purchase, while the latter does not. Furthermore, modifying a firearm originally manufactured as a pistol with a stock or vertical forward grip makes it an SBR. Note, possession of an unregistered SBR is a felony under federal law. Please refer to ATF guidelines to ensure your gun is in compliance, particularly if you build one yourself.
Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.
Plinking, pest control, teaching youth—there are a lot of different roles a rimfire rifle can fill. Whether you already own one or several, given its very affordable price, the Rock Island Armory TM22 Feather is worth a look. With aesthetics inspired by old-school AR carbines, the TM22 is a lightweight semi-auto chambered for .22 LR. Despite the removable carry handle rear sight, it still has plenty of modern features. Among these are a top optics rail and fully adjustable stock. Plus, the pistol grip and buffer tube adapter can both be replaced by AR-pattern aftermarket parts. The rifle ships with two, 10-round magazines, but 15- and 25-round mags are available as well. MSRP: $249
Chiappa Little Badger Take Down Xtreme Rifle
Whether you’re a bush pilot or a backpacker, having a firearm of any type can mean the difference between life and death if things go south. When space and weight considerations take priority over firepower, Chiappa’s Little Badger Take Down is a top option. A break-action single-shot .22LR, the Little Badger is capable of breaking down into two pieces, each about 16 inches in length. With a total weight of only 2.9 pounds, this is ideal for anyone who needs a compact survival gun. The rifle features built-in iron sights as well as Picatinny rail segments on the barrel and grip area for attaching accessories like a red-dot or a proper pistol grip. It might not be a standout at the range, but it could save your skin. MSRP: $310.37
Smith & Wesson M&P22 Magnum
Fans of .22 Magnum should be excited to see Smith & Wesson’s latest foray into the caliber. Called the M&P22 Magnum, the pistol uses the same TEMPO barrel system as Smith’s new M&P 5.7 pistol chambered for 5.7x28mm. This unique system will theoretically improve the full-size polymer handgun’s performance and reliability, but perhaps the most notable feature of the M&P22 Magnum is its 30-round capacity. That’s a lot of firepower for what’s a relatively small package, and it would be just as useful for varmint control around one’s property as it would be fun at the range. Modern features like an optics-ready slide, accessory rail and flat trigger only make it more appealing. MSRP: $649
Heritage Manufacturing Co. Tactical Rancher
Tactical is a word that’s not too often used to describe revolvers, but Heritage’s Tactical Rancher is one of them. Just how tactical is it? Honestly, not that much, but it has a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, a threaded muzzle and provisions for attaching a sling, and that’s more than most revolver carbines can claim. The rifle comes with a six-round .22LR cylinder, but it can accept a .22 Magnum cylinder as well. Whatever cowboy operator fantasies you might have, the Tactical Rancher would be a solid way to live them out. MSRP: $355.99
CCI Clean-22 Hyper Velocity
Anyone who shoots a lot of rimfire knows just how dirty these little guns can get. If you’re a high-volume .22LR shooter, CCI’s Clean-22 Hyper Velocity is a great option. This ammo is loaded with 31-grain round-nose projectiles that have been coated in purple polymer, resulting in less fouling. This is especially true if you have any cans on your rimfire guns, as CCI says that Clean-22 will reduce lead buildup in suppressors by up to 80 percent. With an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,550 fps, CCI ensures that the ammo is both accurate and reliable in semi-auto firearms. MSRP: $10.99 / box of 50
Lapua .22 LR Super Long Range
The .22 LR cartridge is good at a lot of things, but shooting at long ranges isn’t one of them. Thankfully, companies like Lapua are working hard to mitigate that. Lapua .22LR Super Long Range was designed specifically for use at distances beyond 100 yards, making it a great choice for any shooter who needs accuracy at extended ranges. The load features a 40-grain round-nose projectile with an impressive G1 BC of 0.172 and an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,106 fps. Whether you’re a hunter, competition shooter or anything else, this ammo should help you hit your mark. It’s not cheap, but it could revolutionize your .22LR rig. MSRP: About $0.45 per round
Winchester Ammunition XPERT .22 LR
Winchester Repeating Arms released the Xpert .22LR bolt-action rifle not that long ago, and now Winchester Ammunition has designed the perfect ammo to go along with it. Bearing the same Xpert name, the ammunition features a 42-grain copper-plated hollow-point projectile and has an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,320 fps. Winchester says that the ammo is loaded very consistently and describes it as very flat shooting, making it easier to score good hits at longer ranges. Plus, the im-pressive velocity helps ensure reliable expansion. Whether you shoot paper for sport or game for sustenance, Xpert .22 LR will help get the job done right. MSRP: About $0.10 per round
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
According to a recent estimate by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), over 21.5 million Americans are now licensed to carry a firearm in the United States.
With that many and more legally licensed citizens — including those who keep guns strictly in the home for domestic protection, along with people who open carry or live in one of the dozen states that do not require licenses — the odds are increasing that someone will have to use their firearm to defend against a serious crime.
Realizing this possibility, at least eight organizations have recognized the need for some type of coverage plan for the armed citizen who might someday act in self-defense. Unlike television, stopping a villain with lethal force isn’t the end of the drama — it’s often just the beginning.
Stepping up to the plate with protection programs are the United States Concealed Carry Association, Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, U.S. Law Shield, CCW Safe, Second Call Defense, Lockton Affinity Outdoor, Right To Bear and Firearms Legal Protection. Each has a slightly different approach to the challenge because in this game, there are problems and there are solutions.
The hard truth is that most armed citizens simply have no idea of the legal minefield they step into the second they press the trigger. As more than one of the people we interviewed explained, from that moment, your life is changed forever.
Even if no criminal charge is filed, because we live in a litigious society, there are attorneys just chomping at the bit to make life miserable for armed citizens in civil court. That’s the reality. Defending a life with a firearm can break people — it can destroy life savings, families and jobs.
What You Need To Look For In CCW Insurance
Whether home, auto or concealed carry, insurance policies cover only certain things. In turn, you need to take the time to consider exactly what each option offers and if it will fit the minimum you need to protect you after a righteous shooting.
While many concealed carry insurance policies cover several expenses you’ll possibly encounter (we’ll get to those shortly), there are coverage areas that are essential in a good plan.
Attorney Fees: This is the meat and potatoes of any CCW insurance plan and should be where you put most of your consideration. Criminal and civil defense doesn’t come cheap and if your case goes to trial you might find a bill that runs up to six figures. It is a good idea to review if a policy covers retainer, criminal defense and civil defense and damages.
Bail Bond: Whiling away in a jail cell is a miserable experience, and is detrimental. You need to earn a living, consult with your attorney and put your affairs in order. All of these are difficult to accomplish behind bars, which is why bail-bond coverage is typically part of a sound concealed carry insurance policy.
Coverage Across State Lines: Insurance laws differ from state to state, which can cause problems if you travel with your defensive firearm. If you tool around the country you must read the fine print of where each policy covers you.
Expert Resources: One of the best ways to protect yourself from the legal ramifications of a lethal-force event is to understand the law and your rights. Access to solid and well-researched resources on these topics and concealed carry training prove invaluable and make you a more proficient armed citizen.
Other Areas Of Concealed Carry Coverage
In many cases, CCW policies go well beyond legal expenses and cover some other aspects you might not have considered, but you’ll possibly be on the hook for:
Crime Scene Clean Up
Negligent Discharge
Spouse And Family Self-Defense
Property Damage
Firearms Replacement
Work Loss Coverage
Personal Use Of Firearm (non-defensive)
You’ll find there are other areas covered by some concealed carry insurance plans worth contemplating. Many of them fall within the policies themselves, however, some cost extra. Certainly, they’ll make a plan more expensive, but are heartening, given how quickly expenses can add up if you’re involved in a self-defense situation.
Policy Caps
Insurance, no matter what it covers, has caps. In short, there is a set amount of money it will cover, then you’re on the hook for the rest. This goes for any of the add-ons you might select for your plan, as well.
Your budget dictates how much you can afford in a concealed carry insurance plan, but you want to make certain you don’t undercut yourself when it comes to coverage. On the surface, something along the lines of $250,000 coverage for attorney’s fees might sound solid, but could potentially shelter you from only a fraction of the total expense.
Pros One of the most established and largest – 660,000 paying members – concealed carry-focused associations in the country, United States Concealed Carry Association brings a lot of gravitas to the game. The company's focus is what it calls its “Three Pillars”—mental, physical and legal preparedness. In turn, the company offers firearms and concealed carry training and resources with membership, as well as an insurance plan that many consider among the best available.
Cons A deal-breaker for some, USCCA is geographically limited. While membership is available in most states, New York, New Jersey and Washington state residents are out of luck. Also, while not exactly a con, the Platinum and Elite plans cost more money than the entry-level Gold plan despite not offering any extra-legal services. The Gold plan already grants full access to USCCA's self-defense liability insurance and all the benefits that it includes. The two more expensive plans merely grant access to USCCA's CCW knowledge resources. If those options interest you, there's nothing wrong with them, but be aware that if all you want is CCW insurance the Gold plan is all you need.
Pros There are some weighty names from legal, self-defense and firearms areas at your disposal with the organization. In turn, you have some true firepower if you go to trial. Right off the bat, with Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network you get up to $25,000 for bail and $25,000 for an attorney, of your choice, for both criminal and civil cases. As legal proceedings go on, the network can provide more monetary support for criminal, civil, appeals and retrials. Furthermore, it’s an inexpensive organization to become a part of, $135 your first year and $95 per year after.
Cons ACLDN is not an insurance plan – it’s a pre-paid legal service – so its coverage isn’t as extensive as many others. It doesn’t cover civil damages or compensation while you’re in court or firearm loss protection. Additionally, further monetary support, past the initial $25,000, goes through a review board before it’s awarded. And there’s no tiering to the program – it’s one-size-fits-all.
Up to $25,000 paid to the member's attorney by the Network if the member has been involved in a self-defense incident
Further grants may be available
Up to $25,000 to post bail on behalf of a member who has used force in self-defense
Access to Network’s affiliate lawyers
Case review by network experts
Access to Network’s expert witnesses
Other Resources
Eight-DVD set of lectures explaining the use of deadly force for self-defense, the legal aftermath of using a gun in self-defense, and how attorneys prepare the court case defending one who used deadly force in self-defense.
Pros What you get for the price of the plan is among the biggest selling points of U.S. Law Shield (originally known as Texas Law Shield). Essentially, there is no cap on the coverage of legal fees, both for criminal and civil proceedings. This is incredible peace of mind, given how quickly those expenses add up. For $10.95 monthly payments and $19.95 set-up fee, that’s a lot of coverage. No wonder the Texas-based program has some 700,000-plus members and keeps growing. Not the case at one point in its history, the plan is presently available in all states–except Washington, New Jersey and New York–as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Cons First and foremost, you have to use an attorney from the network that they choose. This is potentially a turn-off for many, with good reason. In all likelihood, this will be the most important lawyer you’ll ever hire and you’ll have little say on who it is. The other issue, many of the coverage areas that come standard in other policies are add-ons, geographically limited, or unavailable. A good example, nationwide coverage costs another $2.95 a month, which may or may not make a difference to you.
Membership Individual $10.95 monthly/$131.40 annual; Two Adults $21.90 monthly/$240 annual
Legal Resources
No cap on attorney fees criminal and civil
24/7/365 access to Attorney-Answered Emergency Hotline
Non-emergency access to independent program attorneys
Option to purchase Bail Bond and Expert Witness add-on coverage
Other Resources
State-specific educational videos, law updates, and online resources
Pros No cap for criminal and civil legal defense, both covered up front, is the most eye-catching aspect of the CCW Safe plan. Up to $100,000 in bail bond protection doesn’t hurt either. These are generally the meat and potatoes of any concealed carry insurance program and this one has them in spades. In addition to that, the plan has up to $1 million of civil damage protection through its basic permit-holder plan. CCW Safe also offers a multitude of options, including policies for constitutional carry states, home defense and active and retired law enforcement. Note, the coverage differs from plan to plan, so read the fine print.
Cons While the plans overall are among the most comprehensive, there are a few caveats. You can choose your attorney, however, they must be vetted by CCW Safe first – this may or may not be a con, depending on how you look at it. The constitutional carry plan only works in your state, so you're naked once you cross the state line. And there are certain conditions CCW Safe spell out up front that will negate your policy, such as the use of force against a family member or someone in your residence with your permission. CCW Safe is also not available in New York, New Jersey or the state of Washington (except some NY LEOs).
Protector Plan
$179 annual
Eligibility Retired/Active Military and Law Enforcement with a concealed carry permit
Legal Resources
Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
Critical Response Team on site
$500,000 bail coverage
Vetting of Attorneys by National Trial Counsel
Unlimited Attorney fees covered upfront
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
All trial fees covered upfront
Firearm Replacement during trial
Spouse and children under 18 covered in home only
Up to $5,000 in red flag law defense
Up to $250 a day of work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $1,500) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3,000 for crime scene clean-up home
Appeals and expungements covered
Add Ons
Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220
Defender Plan
$209 annual
Eligibility Valid Carry Permit
Legal Resources
Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
$500,000 of bail coverage
Critical Response Team on site
Vetting of Attorneys by National Trial Counsel
Unlimited Attorney fees covered upfront
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
All Trial Costs covered upfront
Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $5,000 in red flag law defense
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $1,500) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3,000 for crime scene clean-up home
Appeals and expungement covered
Add Ons
Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220
Constitutional Carry
$299 annual
Eligibility Constitutional Carry States
Legal Resources
Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
$250,000 bail coverage
Attorney fees
Investigators fees
Experts
Appeals and Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to $5,000 in red flag law defense
Up to 10 sessions (up to $1,500) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3,000 for crime scene clean-up home
Add Ons
Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220
Home Defense
$299 annual
Eligibility In-Home Coverage For You And Family
Legal Resources
Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
Up to $250,000 in bail coverage
Unlimited Attorney fees covered upfront
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
Up to $5,000 in red flag defense
Appeals and Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $4k) for a licensed counselor
Up to $3k for crime scene clean-up home
Add Ons
Spouse $100
$1 million bail coverage $50
$1 million dedicated civil liability $220
HR218
$399 annual
Eligibility Active, retired, and former law enforcement officers that meet the requirements for the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA)
Legal Resources
Coverage for Criminal, Civil and Administrative Actions
Access to our 24-hour emergency hotline
Critical Response Team on site
$1 Million bail coverage
Vetting of Attorneys by National Trial Counsel
Unlimited Attorney fees covered up front
Unlimited Investigators covered upfront
Unlimited Expert Witnesses covered upfront
All trial fees covered up front
Firearm Replacement during trial
Up to $5,000 red flag defense
Spouse and children under 18 covered in home only
Up to $250 a day work loss while in criminal or civil trial
Up to 10 sessions (up to $4k) for a licensed counselor
Pros Of all the options, Second Call Defense perhaps offers the widest spectrum of tiering. You can get into their entry-level plan for $9.95 a month or choose their “Cadillac” plan for $34.95 per month. The top-tier plan is fairly comprehensive, offering $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense attorney fees and $1,000,000 for civil. Furthermore, in the top-end plan, you’re eligible for up to $250,000 in civil damage protection. You also get to choose your attorney.
Cons The entry-level plan is pretty close to “better than nothing.” It only covers $10,000 of legal fees pertaining to a civil case against you and is very limited in its criminal defense – up to $100,000 toward your attorney fees, $2,000 for a retainer and $1,000 for bail bond. Is that worth $10 per month? You’ll have to decide that for yourself.
Basic
$9.95 monthly; $119 annual
Insurance Protection Criminal Defense Protection – Up to $100,000 Civil Defense Protection (accidental shooting) – Up to $10,000
Pros A bit overshadowed by some of the larger players, Firearms Legal Protection nonetheless offers impressive coverage. Again, a tiered program, FLP allows armed citizens to choose a plan that best fits their budget and needs. And as far as entry-level options go, they offer an impressive one: uncapped attorney fees for civil and criminal defense for $16.95 a month. As you go up the ladder, the more expensive plans offer some of the total coverage many look for, such as firearm loss protection, compensation while in court and the choice of your attorney. Also, an interesting and timely twist, all FLP plans cover against Extreme Risk Protection Order, or “Red Flag” laws, accusations.
Cons As far as entry-level concealed carry insurance is concerned, it’s only applicable to a self-defense event that happens in your state. You can get nationwide coverage, however, you’ll have to spend more. Also, it’s presently only available in 30 states, so Firearms Legal Protection is somewhat limited geographically.
Basic Individual
$16.95 monthly; $199 annual
Eligibility Coverage for one person in their home state.
Legal Resources
Uncapped attorney fees for defense for criminal and civil cases
24/7 emergency hotline
Extreme Risk Protection Order Coverage
Premium Individual
$27.95 monthly; $329 annual
Eligibility Multi-State Coverage
Legal Resources
Uncapped attorney fees for defense for criminal and civil cases
24/7 emergency hotline
Extreme Risk Protection Order Coverage
Bail bond protection up to $250,000
Expert witness/investigator fees
Lost wages reimbursement
Firearm confiscation payment
Incident scene clean-up fee
My FLP mobile app
Premium Family
$44.95 monthly; $539 annual
Eligibility Multi-state comprehensive coverage for member, spouse and minor children
Legal Resources
Uncapped attorney fees for defense for criminal and civil cases
Pros A new player to the game—as in just last year (2021)—Right to Bear has leaped into the CCW insurance game with booth feet. No surprise, the company is under JJE umbrella, the parent of Palmetto State Armory. Offering four levels of coverage, each multi-state (excluding New York, California and Washington), the company offers fairly comprehensive coverage with options for any budget and a fair selection of useful add-ons. Additionally, policy extras, such as psychological support, seem thoughtful.
Cons Close attention has to be paid to how each policy pays out, given there are per incident and aggregate total limits. Accidental Discharge coverage is an additional expense.
Bronze
$10.95 moth/$115 annually
Insurance Protection Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $50,000 $25,000 per incident/$50,000 aggregate total
Add-Ons
Spousal Coverage $48
Compensation in Court $35
Bail Bond Reimbursement $75
Accidental Discharge $75
Silver
$20.95 monthly/$235 annually
Insurance Protection Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $500,000 $250,000 per incident, $500,000 aggregate total
Add-Ons
Spousal Coverage $60
Compensation in Court $35
Bail Bond Reimbursement $75
Accidental Discharge $75
Gold
$33.95 monthly/ $385 annually
Insurance Protection Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $1,000,000 $500,000 per incident, $1,000,000 aggregate total
Add-Ons
Spousal Coverage $80
Compensation in Court $35
Bail Bond Reimbursement $75
Accidental Discharge $75
Platinum
$50.95 monthly/ $595 annually
Insurance Protection Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $2,000,000 $1,000,000 per incident, $2,000,000 aggregate total
Pros Offered by a subgroup of the Armmlife company, this option is officially called Lockton Affinity Outdoor’s Personal Firearm Liability Insurance, and this is a true individual coverage plan. This makes it different than the majority of the companies on this list that instead offer memberships that gives access to insurance policies or prepaid legal defense. Advertised as coverage for responsible, smart and legal gun owners, Lockton's different plans are easy to understand with four clear tiers offered depending on the coverage needed. Regardless of the plan chosen, they all will cover lawful personal defense instances, accidental discharges, hunting/shooting accidents and lost or stolen firearms.
Cons As a true individual insurance policy, nothing else is offered alongside the coverage. While many of the other options on this list include coverage as well as various hotlines and legal/training resources, all Lockton offers is insurance.
Plan Limits With Annual Pricing
$75 Annual: $250,000 Combined single limit/$50,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit
$125 Annual: $500,000 Combined single limit/$100,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit
$175 Annual: $1,000,000 Combined single limit/$150,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit
$265 Annual: $1,500,000 Combined single limit/$250,000 Defense reimbursement sublimit
Conclusion
That, essentially, is what each of these self-defense insurance plans offers: an advocate rather than just a public defender who might, or might not, have a full grasp of self-defense, much less any sympathy for an armed citizen. It might come as no shock at all to many people, but not all attorneys sympathize with gun owners who fire in self-defense.
People can take their chances with a public defender, or they can rely on the experts associated with these concealed carry insurance membership programs. Clearly, a lot of thought went into each of these efforts, and the ultimate beneficiary is the armed citizen.
A closer look at TiON and its new Dragoon .500 QD, a .50-caliber titanium suppressor that brings a lot to the table.
While all suppressors are fun, some are more fun than others. At CANCON Georgia 2023 it was easy to track down the excitement. Naturally, belt-fed machineguns garnered the longest lines, but something a little fatter and slower at TiON’s lane drew quite a crowd as well.
Understandable, given it was the public’s first chance to see the company’s new Dragoon .500 QD in action. For effect, it was mounted on a Big Horn Armory Model 89 lever-gun chambered for .500 S&W Magnum. That’s a big suppressor, a big rifle and a big bullet, and they made for one handsome package.
While suppressed lever-actions are popular in their own right, it was the performance of the Dragoon .500 QD that made for a winning combination. What makes this can so good? A lot of it just has to do with how TiON builds its suppressors.
The Dragoon .500 QD next to a .500 S&W Magnum round.
Titanium Or Bust
When TiON (then known as Freedom Armory Machine Works) was just starting to make suppressors 11 years ago, working with titanium was new for the team. While titanium offers many advantages over other common metals, especially when it comes to suppressors, the material presents distinct challenges.
Firstly, titanium is an expensive metal, it requires more expensive tools to work with and the material takes longer to machine, further adding to the cost. Despite the complexity, TiON believes the benefits titanium brings to a suppressor are well worth the effort. Over the past 11 years, the company has refined its processes and increased its knowledge base and skill set to the point that titanium is now TiON’s preferred material.
The metal has several inherent qualities that make it good for suppressors—for instance, excellent strength-to-weight ratio—but TiON clearly set out to take advantage of all of titanium’s unique attributes. That line of thinking is present at the beginning of each suppressor’s design process.
The Dragoon .500 QD, its baffle stack and some of TiON's titanium mounts.
Understanding the limitations of machining titanium, the company designs each can from the ground up for relative ease of manufacturing. This saves time, money and headaches when it comes time to start production. Another interesting quality titanium has compared to steel or aluminum is the ability to cut strong yet lightweight threads into the metal. TiON capitalizes on this fact by utilizing threaded components to assemble its cans rather than welding them. The company also machines its rifle suppressors from solid bars of titanium. According to TiON, by eschewing welding and starting with a monolithic piece of material, the company can give its suppressors some key advantages over traditionally manufactured ones.
This is because welding has the potential to move or otherwise distort a suppressor’s baffle stack during manufacturing. By using threading to assemble its cans instead that’s not an issue with TiON’s products. Further, machining the suppressor bodies from solid bar stock in one continuous operation ensures perfect alignment with the other components. Welds are also simply another potential failure point in any design, but that’s one less thing that TiON (or an end user) has to worry about. As a bonus, the threaded design also means that suppressors like the Dragoon .500 QD can be fully disassembled, cleaned and serviced using standard tools.
These benefits are enhanced by TiON’s baffle design and Quick Disconnect mounting system. Each baffle in the column is dovetailed into the next to ensure the stack is always properly aligned and oriented the same way, and the QD system likewise allows repeatable mounting of the suppressor.
A removed baffle stack from one of TiON's cans. Notice the small notch in each baffle that allows them to lock together.
What this all amounts to is TiON produces extremely consistent suppressors, and the company claims that its efforts result in repeatable shot groups, even between individual cans.
Scott Morris, president of TiON, said at CANCON, his company’s suppressors are extremely popular with competitive long-range shooters. After considering all they do to guarantee this level of consistency, it’s easy to see why.
TiON's president Scott Morris holding the Big Horn Armory Model 89 equipped with a Dragoon .500 QD.
The Dragoon .500 QD
With all that in mind, let’s get back to the company’s latest suppressor, the Dragoon .500 QD. I didn’t see a single CANCON attendee put rounds through it without walking away with a smile on their face, myself included.
Measuring in at 11.5 inches long and 1.75 inches in diameter, the first thing you’ll notice when you handle a Dragoon .500 is its weight. At about 21 ounces, it may weigh more than the average .30-caliber rifle can, but it also feels like it should weigh more than it does given it’s nearly double the length of one, as well.
When I first picked up the Big Horn Armory Model 89, it already had the Dragoon jutting nearly a foot out from its muzzle. However, the rifle turned out very well balanced, more so than appearances suggested. You’d expect that much mass to make the gun front-heavy, but it shouldered as if the suppressor wasn’t even there.
The next point of astonishment was the report. Out of the lever-gun’s 18-inch barrel, TiON clocked a 350-grain .500 S&W Magnum at 138dB at the left ear. Anything below 140dB is considered hearing-safe, and as someone who fired this setup without any ear pro in, I’d have to agree. It was extremely quiet for such a powerful round.
TiON says that they’re not aware of any .50-caliber suppressor (in the non-.50 BMG category) that provides better sound reduction. Given sound suppression is every can’s primary job, it’s a big win for the Dragoon .500 QD.
While this suppressor is obviously geared toward big-bore shooters, it’s also very versatile. It’s rated for everything from .22LR through .500 Auto Max and TiON offers several QD mounts, muzzle brakes and flash hiders with various thread pitches to facilitate mounting it on a variety of platforms.
The Dragoon .500 clearly isn’t the can for everybody, but it should have big-bore enthusiasts and some hunters very excited. For those who have no interest in .50-caliber stuff, the company also offers a wide selection of suppressors in more standard calibers. If you appreciate lightweight and extremely consistent cans, those are definitely worth checking out too.
Building a tack-driving 10/22 is easier than ever, especially with a little help from companies like Faxon Firearms.
In the era we currently live in, there are platforms that dominate, and one of the more interesting examples has occurred in the rimfire world, where one general family of products has become the flagship for the entire genre.
Ruger’s 10/22 is a worldwide classic and one of those ubiquitous firearms that almost everyone and their brother (and sister, dad, uncle, etc.) owns. Unlike literally hundreds of other rimfire rifle designs that have come and gone with each passing season, the 10/22 platform has hung on, in my opinion largely because of its extremely reliable magazines.
The design was not originally something that was “modular,” but in our day it has become the go-to platform for all things rimfire. You can build your own not-technically-a-Ruger “10/22” out of parts from many companies now; in a way, it has become to rimfire what the AR-15 did for centerfire.
But, before we get into the meat of what notable maker Faxon Firearms has done with it, we need to take a bit of a look at what got us to the place we are now at in rimfire modularity.
A Flexible Design
If you’ve read my words long enough on the pages of Gun Digest, you’ll know I like to keep things simple, and I don’t really go for the industry jargon unless I am made to, often begrudgingly. The thing with the 10/22 is that, while all these parts are compatible with one another, only Ruger guns can be called “10/22” in earnest.
Unlike the AR platform, where it’s all pretty much open source and you can call it what you like, that 10/22 designation belongs to Ruger. As a result, all other parts, while compatible, are “for 10/22,” “10/22 compatible” or otherwise designated. I do need to make note of that here because we are dealing with independent designs that are outside that Ruger copyright. What I am going to discuss here is what made the original Ruger 10/22 design suitable for becoming a platform—and not just the product of the company that originally made it.
The main basis for an expanded aftermarket, in any firearms category, is popularity: think AR, Remington 700, and every other design that lends a particular dimension in physical size to expanded options. The AR is obvious and needs little explanation. The Remington 700 “footprint” is a wide-reaching standard across the industry and the base standard for virtually all custom actions in terms of receiver length and shape, as well as screw spacing and magazine inlet.
Some platforms are designed literally as a launch point, such as the Sig P320 and P365. The company in this case wanted to foster an aftermarket and openly welcomed these independent innovators to the point of including their products on their website as custom options.
The Grey Birch Solutions chassis can accept a variety of AR-style grips, but not all “low back” options will work.
Modular By Default
The Ruger 10/22 was, as far as all research I’ve done on the topic, not intended to be a modular product. The ease of modularity comes from the construction of the gun, which is held together with just a few screws. The barrel isn’t even screwed into the receiver; instead, it’s held in with a V-block setup featuring two screws and a clamp that tensions to the barrel to the receiver. It takes all of a minute to install a barrel using this system.
The trigger assembly is a self-contained unit that includes the hammer, in a way similar to that of the M1 Garand or M14 rifles. The entire unit is held to the receiver by two pins. With the barrel and trigger group attached, the barreled action is simply lowered into the stock and secured by a single screw.
Some variants have a barrel band that encompasses the barrel and stock, though this is common to factory guns and is lacking from virtually all “custom” build options. A large reason here is that few aftermarket barrels follow the exact contour of Ruger factory barrels and, as a result, are incompatible.
The Grey Birch Solutions chassis is configurable when you order it. There are several variations to choose from.
The overall ease of changing parts on the factory 10/22 and its overwhelming popularity inevitably led to an aftermarket. This was initially slow and somewhat rigid as far as options. I remember when there were many types of cheap plastic kits you could use to “go tactical” with your 10/22, but there weren’t many options as far as actual new parts or triggers.
All that changed in the past decade, and there has been an explosion of high-end parts available for the platform, to the point where you can build a parts-compatible complete rifle or pistol without any OEM Ruger parts. The aftermarket for the 10/22 is massive now, and there are new options available nearly weekly as the current trends go.
Enter Faxon Firearms and their game-changing rimfire products.
Faxon Goes Rimfire
I’ll be up front about the fact that I’ve worked with Faxon Firearms on many of their AR parts for years. I have yet to find a bad one, to the point that I heartily recommend them at every chance I get. I put thousands of rounds through a single .224 Valkyrie Faxon barrel and featured it in many articles on these pages. It shot ½-MOA all day … in all bullet weights.
Likewise, my experience in .450 Bushmaster, 5.56 NATO, .308 Win. and .350 Legend were all incredible, not to mention that their parts, bolt carrier groups and handguards are all excellent. I hadn’t worked with their rimfire line until this article, and I’ll just spoil the end here by saying that these are some of the best barrels you can hope to find for your build. The rainbow heavy contour barrel featured on these pages is so accurate you’d think you were shooting a centerfire … at 400 yards.
Faxon got into rimfire because there was an obvious demand for it. Many AR builders find the classic semi-auto rimfire as an excellent build project situation for the kids or a long weekend in the workshop. I know that the build bug has a strong bite, and once you begin seeing your options, you really can’t stop at just ARs.
This Faxon Firearms 10/22 build is decked out with a Sig 3-15x FFP scope, a great option for mid- to long-range plinking.
Faxon began making rimfire barrels in 2020, and soon other parts followed. The barrels started as the tapered standard option, and they sold extremely well. The idea was to make it an accessible rimfire line, and the emphasis was on maximum accuracy with the greatest appeal to the average builder—not just the match-grade elite.
The barrels have a sporter chamber, so they can accept virtually any and all .22 LR ammo (there is more than one .22 LR chamber profile, think .223 Rem., 5.56, Wylde, etc.). Faxon wanted people to be able to run Eley Match and Remington Bucket o’ Bullets … creating a chamber for all occasions, from long range to plinking, without sacrificing precision.
Receivers started rolling out shortly after barrels, and they offer drop-in compatibility with triggers and barrels. Other receivers are currently in development. I reached out to the company for some “cool” colors, because I do love my bold builds. These aren’t tactical guns, won’t be used for any mall ninja events and are really what I like to see when I think of having fun at any range. That’s not to say that rimfire rifles can’t be lethal, but the world is a rough place and sometimes just having fun is enough.
Barrel Roll
Faxon currently offers 17 options in rimfire barrels. Sizes vary from pistol length to full size. Presently, the company plans to stick with .22 LR for the foreseeable future, though other calibers might come in the future. I’m interested to see what these might be, though I’m pretty sure there’s a limited selection available in that category—unless the company plans to release their own cartridge design.
This barrel came threaded for adding the muzzle device of your choice. Shooting this build suppressed is nothing but fun.
I went to two extremes in accomplishing the article builds: one a fast and light barrel in gold meant for speed, and the other a heavy, thick stationary build for precision at longer ranges. I paired the heavy barrel in the rainbow color to the blue receiver and built out a stellar rifle that has wowed me with its accuracy. The light contour gold barrel went to the red receiver. This was intentional, as I wanted to make it have all the matched fire-themed colors in red, gold, orange and black. It turned out nice.
The accuracy of Faxon barrels is hard to argue against. At 50 meters, both of these barrels shot to under an inch, with the lighter contour losing a bit of accuracy as it heated up. At 100 meters, the heavy contour barrel still printed an inch, which truly impressed me. I was achieving 2 MOA at 100 meters with the light barrel.
At 200 meters, the separation was obvious, with the heavy barrel producing centerfire accuracy of 2.5 inches using standard Remington Bucket o’ Bullets ammo. It held 2 MOA with Eley Match loads. I eventually took the heavy blue gun to 400 meters and could keep every shot on an IDPA silhouette at that range … if the wind cooperated.
Stock Options
When it comes to stocks and triggers, you’ll have to look to companies other than Faxon. My favorite trigger company for all things rimfire is Timney, and each of my feature rifles here is graced with one of their triggers. In fact, all of my rimfire rifles in my stable have Timney triggers. There are many, many variants you can pick from, and I color-matched my Timney models to the theme of each of my rifles.
These triggers are incredible and truly are the choice for your builds based on customization alone. You can get exactly the trigger you want without having to go through a custom shop, and the best part is that they drop in easily. There’s no additional effort other than inserting two pins.
Stocks are plentiful for this platform. I decided to use two different brands, KRG and Grey Birch Solutions, for these builds. KRG is a known player in the industry: I’ve worked with their incredible centerfire products for the better part of a decade and have never had a bad experience. I currently run their stocks on several builds and love them.
The KRG stock is affordable and can instantly add adjustability to your rifle.
The KRG stock is simple, affordable and offers a good degree of customization. I found out a little too late that they offered a red-colored stock I could’ve used, but the black with red accents was no consolation. What’s nice is that these stocks are compatible with many of KRG’s accessories, making for a truly competitive edge. You can add weights, extra rails, extend the length-of-pull and more—just as you can with a centerfire stock.
Grey Birch Solutions makes some absolutely top-notch stocks. Not only are they modular on their own, but they also offer the builder a match-grade solution to their rimfire problems. The stocks they make are constructed in much of the same manner as the best centerfire chassis currently available: solid metal with all the right features at a weight savings.
The Grey Birch Solutions chassis has a narrow profile when folded, making for a package that can easily slip into a backpack.
The forend I went with has an integral ARCA rail, making it instantly accessible to my Two Vets tripod. The stock itself is a folder, akin to the mechanism used in many other high-end modern rifles. It’s minimalist, solid and helps deliver maximum accuracy. Ergonomics are a bit skeletal, but this is by design; nobody wants to be carrying a 19-pound rimfire rifle, and weight adds up drastically when working in any medium associated with metal. It’s not like riding in a Cadillac for comfort, but rather a sport bike.
Your Game Is On
Using Faxon Firearms receivers, barrels and bolts, you can craft some truly excellent rimfire builds based on the Ruger 10/22. I find this is such a fun thing to do that I have several, and I plan to build several more. I enjoy that Faxon makes these parts so affordable and at the same time accurate—your accessibility to all things rimfire is maximized in match shooting, field use and recreation.
We’re at the cusp of an explosion in the rimfire market as the AR situation reaches peak saturation, the dollars and ideas simply must flow in a different direction lest we lose our way entirely. I think that the middle half of the ’20s will be a golden age for rimfire rifles, especially the Ruger 10/22 and its growing aftermarket offerings.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
GLOCK announced today that their founder, Gaston Glock, died Wednesday, December 27th 2023 at the age of 94.
GLOCK announced today that their founder, Gaston Glock, died Wednesday, December 27th 2023 at the age of 94.
Founded in 1963, GLOCK was revolutionary in the development of polymer firearms. The GLOCK has become synonymous with hard-use pistols for law enforcement, military, and civilians worldwide.
“With visionary foresight, Gaston Glock built his company and made it a world leader with the internationally valued GLOCK Perfection. Until the very end, he was responsible for the strategic direction of the GLOCK group of companies and its employees,” a statement from GLOCK said.
Glock “took foresight to ensure the continuation and stability of the company,” the company wrote. “Gaston Glock’s life’s work will continue in his spirit in the future.”
Gaston Glock was an entrepreneur and engineer of the highest caliber.
Mr. Glock is survived by three children and his wife, Kathrin Tschikof. He is also survived by his former wife, Helga Glock.
Taurus has just announced the TH10, a full-sized DA/SA handgun chambered for 10mm Auto.
Taurus has been hard at work this year releasing new handguns, including everything from optics-ready revolvers to the TH45 in .45 ACP. The latest release from the Brazilian company is also a DA/SA pistol in the TH line, but this time it’s called the TH10 and is chambered for 10mm Auto.
With a barrel length of 4.25 inches and a 15-round magazine capacity, the TH10 is a full-sized handgun. Featuring a stainless steel barrel, an alloy steel slide and a polymer frame, the whole package weighs 28.5 ounces unloaded. Both the front and rear sights are also drift adjustable, and the rear sight uses the industry-standard dovetail to allow for easy replacement.
Other notable features of the Taurus TH10 include its accessory rail, its inclusion of two magazines and its ambidextrous safety/decocker that can be used to carry the gun cocked-and-locked or with the hammer down. MSRP is $529.99.
If you modify your carry gun, will it work against you in court if you’re forced to use it defensively?
There may be a time where a prosecutor will try to make an issue out of the newfangled optical sight on a pistol someone used in self-defense. In fact, it’s likely already happened, and there’s a long history of attacking the gun in court, as opposed to the individual. The logic is that “if the gun is evil, the owner must be, too.”
I’ve been involved in the firearms training industry long enough to have seen progression, starting with officers putting custom grips on their Smith & Wesson Model 19 revolvers and then laser grips on those same revolvers, to using semi-auto pistols and night sights. The progression continued to adding laser grips to semi-auto pistols and, lately, adding red-dot sights.
But that’s not all of the modifications people do to their sidearms. Many people, unhappy with how hard the trigger pull is, take the pistol to the local gunsmith for a “trigger job.” Or, they do one themselves after reading a gunsmithing book or watching a YouTube video. In fact, I’ve personally done all of the above to different handguns I’ve used over the years.
Walking The Line
The question I often get from members of the Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network is this: Will doing one or more of these modifications work against me in court? And the answer I typically give is, “It depends.”
Was the modification a primary reason for the gun to malfunction (like in an accidental discharge because the trigger job was faulty)? Did that result in injury or death to someone? Are you being charged with a crime because of that injury or death? If so, then, yes, it’ll likely be used against you.
But what if the modification you made to your pistol was intended to simply make it shoot more accurately for you, such as night or laser sights in low light, or the aforementioned red-dot sight? Then, that’s probably not a big deal … unless the prosecutor wanted to portray you as a crazed killer who spent money to modify his pistol so it’d be a more proficient killing machine. That accusation can be easily defeated if your attorney understands the issues of modifying handguns and is ready to lead you through a rational argument for the jury.
So, what would that argument likely be?
For starters, a discussion of the training you received prior to the incident would take place, where you learned that you were responsible for all bullets that left the barrel of the gun. You’d also likely discuss your knowledge of armed citizen encounters, where innocent persons were struck by bullets that missed their intended targets. Thus, you’d be able to testify that you were very much aware that, in the event, you felt it necessary to use the firearm for its intended purpose (defense of self or others in the face of illegal use of deadly force against you or others) that you wanted to make sure all bullets you fired hit your intended target.
After the above testimony, you or your expert would discuss why the modifications you had done to your gun were meant to increase the likelihood that you wouldn’t miss. You’d discuss what a “manageable trigger” is and why you paid money out of your own pocket to make sure the trigger was satisfactory.
You or your expert would discuss the different modifications done, such as why a better set of grips would improve the manageability of the recoil and allow for indexing the sights on target easier. Also discussed would be why night sights would allow you to hit your intended target easier in darkness (and at the same time avoiding missing and hitting bystanders). The same argument would be said for laser-aiming devices and the popular red-dot sights.
When you or your expert’s testimony was made, you should’ve done a very good job explaining (and hopefully convincing the jury) that these modifications were the result of you going overboard to make sure you were a responsible gun owner. Hopefully, you’d never have to testify about this, and hopefully, your defense attorneys would understand that these issues may come up in court regarding your case and take steps to mitigate the issues before testimony.
For example, I worked as an expert on a case where the defendant used a 15-shot 9mm Glock 19 to defend himself and his family. During the trial, the prosecutor asked the defendant how many rounds the gun held (he knew the answer but wanted to get the information in front of the jury). During closing remarks, he made a big deal out of how the defendant used a high-capacity pistol during the shooting.
That case resulted in a hung jury. In the retrial, I once again worked for the defense. But now knowing what the prosecutor would likely try again, I had the defense attorney ask every police officer who testified what kind of gun they carried, and how many bullets it held? (They used Glock 17s, which took 17-round magazines.) By the time the defendant testified again, the prosecutor never asked the question.
Be Safe, Be Smart
Now, having said the above, some modifications might work against a defendant, like deactivated safeties or engraving cute sayings or Punisher skulls on the slide or frame of the gun. Avoid those at all costs. The bottom line is it’s perfectly justifiable to do some modifications to your carry pistol. The key is to know which ones and how to explain them if necessary.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2023 Buyer's Guide special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The author pits the Kimber Aegis Elite Ultra against the Springfield Armory Ronin to find the superior 3-inch 1911.
The 1911 pistol has been around for 112 years, and it seems like it becomes more popular all the time. Shooters cannot get enough of this ageless design, but the 1911—with its 5-inch barrel—is a big handgun that’s about 8.5 inches long and weighs almost 40 ounces.
If you like a 1911, there’s no denying the appeal of the more compact 3-inch versions for concealed carry, but I wanted to see just how well these modern, miniature 1911s would perform, and if they could be trusted. After all, a 6.75-inch pistol that only weighs about 26 ounces is a hell of a lot easier to carry than a full-size 1911.
I requested 3-inch barreled 1911s from Kimber and Springfield Armory so that I could test them for reliability and to get an idea of how much harder the lighter and more compact 1911s would be to shoot than a full-size 1911. That meant I also needed a full-size gun, so I also asked Springfield to send me a 5-inch 1911.
Kimber provided their Aegis Elite Ultra pistol with a 3-inch barrel, and Springfield Armory provided two of their Ronin pistols, one with a 3-inch barrel and one with a 5-inch barrel. All three were chambered for the 9mm Luger.
Fast Action Shooting
The first shooting test I conducted was a modified version of the famous El Prez Drill. For this drill, I placed three MGM full-size steel torso targets at 10 yards and spaced them about 15 feet apart. Starting with the pistol in a Galco Yaqui Slide holster, at the sound of the shot timer I drew and fired two shots at each target as fast as I could get hits. I ran this drill six times with each pistol to get an average time.
Admittedly, hitting a torso-sized target at 10 yards isn’t hard, but my focus here wasn’t on precision shooting, it was to see how hard these little guns were to control, how fast I could shoot them, and to see if they would run reliably. The drill would also highlight the difference between fast action shooting with a 3-inch, 25-ounce pistol, and one with a 5-inch barrel that weighed 39 ounces.
Between the two 3-inch pistols, I shot the best with the Kimber Aegis Ultra. My average time for six runs through the drill was 3.08 seconds. My average time with the 3-inch Springfield Armory Ronin was 3.21 seconds. Granted, the difference was small, but I think the thicker grips on the Kimber helped me hold onto the pistol a bit better and it’s why it performed 4 percent better. The average for all the runs with the two 3-inch guns was 3.14 seconds.
Both modern ultra-compact 1911s from Kimber and Springfield Armory performed flawlessly during testing.
After alternating these two pistols through the drill, I then fired the drill three times with the 5-inch Ronin for an average time of 2.83 seconds. Based on this test, when conducting multi-shot/multi-target drills at about 10 yards, the 3-inch 1911s were about 10 percent slower than a 5-inch 1911.
Precision Shooting
The second shooting test was a reduced version of what I call the Step Back Drill. In this drill, you fire two shots at an 8-inch target from 5, 10 and 15 yards, timing each two-shot string separately. After completing all six shots in the drill, you add up your times at each distance for a total. A good par time for all six shots is something less than 9 seconds.
I ran this drill six times with each of the three pistols to establish an average. My thinking was that this drill would show how good, or bad, a 3-inch 1911 might perform at various distances given the handicap of its shorter sight radius. The 8-inch target required more precise shot placement than the full-size torso targets.
Between the 3-inch guns, I shot minutely better on this drill with the Kimber Aegis Ultra, but only out to 10 yards. At 15 yards, I shot better with the Springfield Ronin. Both pistols had very similar sights, and both triggers broke right at 4 pounds.
Again, I think the difference at the closer distances was the thicker grip on the Kimber because I was running the gun faster. At 15 yards, I had to slow down a bit, and the thinner grip on the 3-inch Springfield wasn’t a handicap … but why it averaged better at 15 yards I have no idea. (This is, of course, one reason tests like this can be important; you can discover how you interact with different guns differently in different situations.) As expected, I shot a bit better with the 5-inch Ronin because of its longer sight radius and less recoil. On average, the 5-inch pistol was about 11 percent faster.
The Kimber and the Springfield 3-inch 1911s were essentially the same size, but the thicker G-10 grips on the Kimber made it a bit wider and it filled the hand better.
Advantages/Disadvantages
Clearly, the more compact and lighter 3-inch 1911s are easier to carry—and that’s important. The more comfortable a pistol is to carry, the more likely you are to have it with you when you need it. Arguably, that might very well offset any shooting advantage the 5-inch 1911 offers. The 3-inch Kimber only had a seven-round magazine, but the Springfield Ronin had a nine-round magazine, which was the same capacity as the 5-inch Springfield, and it was surprisingly extremely easy to load. The magazines for the Kimber and the Springfield 3-inch guns weren’t interchangeable.
Before I ran the drills for record, I fired 100 rounds of Federal’s 124-grain Tactical Hydra-Shok load through each of the three pistols, just so I was familiar with them. The good news is that I didn’t experience any reliability issues with either of the 3-inch guns, which is something they are commonly accused of having. I did have one stoppage, and ironically, it was with the 5-inch gun. At round 97, one cartridge failed to go fully into battery, and a slight tap on the back of the slide solved the problem.
Here you can see the size difference in a 3-inch and 5-inch 1911. What you cannot see is that the 5-inch gun weighs 50 percent more.
You can expect to shoot better with the full-size 1911, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. One thing I’ve heard over the years is that the shorter-barreled 1911s are quicker to get out of the holster. That makes sense, but getting a gun out of the holster a few milliseconds faster must also be measured with the speed at which you can get it on target. Considering all the drills at all distances, on average I was able to get a first hit from the holster with the 3-inch guns in 1.90 seconds. With the 5-inch 1911, I was able to secure a first-round hit from the holster in 1.71 seconds. Again, that’s about a 10 percent advantage for the larger 1911. The little guns might escape the holster faster, but the longer sight radius of the longer-barreled 1911 allows the sights to find the target sooner.
I think both the Kimber Aegis Elite Ultra and the Springfield Ronin are nice pistols, and they are a joy to carry. The Kimber costs a bit more, but I shot it a bit better and it’s probably the gun I would go with. You must decide if a 10 percent advantage in shootability is worth the added discomfort of carrying a pistol that’s 50 percent heavier and 25 percent larger.
The 3-inch Kimber costs a bit more than the 3-inch Springfield, but it has some features the Springfield does not, like the checkered front strap that some shooters really like.
And, at the risk of kicking a dead horse: I’ll say again that the ease of carry of these 3-inch 1911s might make all the difference in the end. Self-defense handguns are worthless when they’re left at home.
Though he didn’t sing a thing about guns, it appears that as Alan Jackson so eloquently put it, “It’s alright to be little bitty.”
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2023 Buyer's Guide special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
A discussion on the finer points of defensive handgun ammo and how to choose the right load for your needs.
If you carry a firearm on a daily basis, odds are good that you load and unload your weapon frequently and have already given serious thought to your choice of ammunition. Bullet weight, construction and conformation all play a role in terminal performance, and while very few will have an opportunity to test their ammunition in a controlled environment, there’s plenty of data available to help make a proper decision.
I’m an unabashed bullet hound. I love the old styles, from cast lead to the early jacketed bullets—all the way through the latest and greatest modern developments. And while there are myriad choices available to the handgunner, I have a few favorites that have checked all the boxes for me.
Bullets that’ll feed reliably in an autoloader, print consistent groups, hang together when needed and yet expand reliably to rapidly neutralize a threat, all in a wide variety of circumstances, have become revered by defensive handgunners. And, it’s what you should be looking for, too.
Let’s look at the various styles of bullets and ammunition that just might save your bacon one day, be it from a two- or four-legged threat.
Long Live Lead?
Despite my penchant for modern bullet designs, my father—dear Ol’ Grumpy Pants—is always quick to point out how many species were nearly pressed to extinction, and how many graves, both civilian and military, were dug as the result of lead projectiles.
Lead projectiles—where they’re still legal—make a sound and affordable choice, especially for the slower cartridges. Both the .38 Special and .45 ACP have had great success with traditional lead bullets, and there are many economical means to feed those styles of cartridges. From formed projectiles offered in bulk, to purchasing a bullet mold and casting your own projectiles, a lead bullet is as effective here in the 2020s as it was in the 1870s.
While lead projectiles will foul a pistol’s bore, there are coated choices, like the Federal Syntech or Solid Core, that’ll minimize that fouling, yet still offer the performance of a lead bullet. Softer lead projectiles (we’ll get to the hard stuff in a second or two) tend to expand rapidly, quickly transferring their energy. This can be a good thing, with the exception of the fact that the rapid expansion will compromise penetration. When I use lead projectiles, I like them to be heavy-for-caliber, such as a 158-grain lead bullet in the .38 Special or 230-grain slugs in the .45 ACP.
Federal’s Syntech is a coated lead bullet that gives the benefits of reducing lead fouling as well as lead vapors. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Add a bit of antimony to a lead bullet, or use good old linotype, and you’ve got a much tougher projectile, capable of truly impressive penetration, with much less fouling in the bore. For the speedier handgun cartridges, like the .44 Remington Magnum, modern .45 Colt loads and the .357 Remington Magnum, a “hard cast” bullet can give extremely impressive results.
In fact, when testing differing handgun projectiles through different construction materials representing interior and exterior walls, a 325-grain hard cast bullet from Choice Ammunition—designed for defense against bears—was virtually unstoppable. It’d make a serious defensive bullet, but with the caveat that over-penetration is a reality.
The Copper And Lead Marriage
It was in the 1880s that the copper jacket was first added to the lead bullet to help take advantage of the higher velocities achieved by the first iterations of smokeless powders. You see, lead projectiles can only be pushed so fast … and then the lead begins to smear within the bore. While this phenomenon is much more common with rifle cartridges, the handgun cartridges saw the addition of a copper jacket add to the structural integrity and improve the terminal performance.
Photo: Massaro Media Group.
A cup-and-core jacketed hollow-point is one of the most popular choices, as it’s a great blend of affordability and acceptable performance. Federal Premium’s Punch is a great modern example of this style of defensive handgun ammo, as is the Winchester Big Bore and the Hornady Custom line.
The latter uses the Hornady XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullet, with its skived jacket to initiate even expansion, and which wraps around the lip of the hollow-point to eliminate exposed lead. Federal’s Punch is similar in design to the XTP and makes a great choice for those on a budget, while the Big Bore line shows a considerable amount of lead at the nose to give a bit more expansion upon contact.
Hornady’s excellent XTP is a great example of a modern jacketed hollow-point. Photo credit: Hornady
And while a cup-and-core bullet still gets the job done, there are means of building a better mouse trap. Federal’s Hydra-Shok and HST are both jacketed hollow-points, but each with a unique twist that drastically enhances terminal performance. Long relied upon by law enforcement, both bullets have been subjected to rigorous testing according to FBI protocols and have come up aces. Shooting into bare ballistic gelatin, into gel through layers of common clothing, through drywall and into gel, and lastly through windshield glass—all of these will test the mettle of a handgun bullet.
The Hydra-Shok is the older of the two, being designed by Tom Burczynski and released in 1989, and uses a notched copper jacket in conjunction with a center post to deliver the goods in a wide variety of shooting situations. The need to have a hollow-point design, which would open reliably in any circumstance and not plug with material, was imperative in the post-1986 Miami shootout world, and the Hydra-Shok checked all the boxes. Expanding to twice caliber, with a retained weight approaching 100 percent, the Hydra-Shok remains a solid choice to this day to save your life. Despite the features of the Hydra-Shok, Burczynski revised the design to better penetrate various barriers, resulting in the Hydra-Shok Deep.
The legendary Federal Hydra-Shok makes the smaller handgun cartridges more effective, by offering deep penetration in a good number of situations.
Next came the Federal HST—again a Burczynski design—with a revised meplat in order to provide the most reliable feeding possible, with a hollow cavity designed for the best performance yet in the highly specified FBI protocols. The skived jacket was retained, though when you dig a Federal HST out of ballistic gelatin, it looks like a flower in full bloom, wrought of a nasty blend of razor-sharp metals. Weight retention is as high or higher than the Hydra-Shok, with deep penetration through all sorts of media. Based on all the defensive handgun bullets I’ve had the pleasure of testing, the Federal Premium HST is my favorite, and the bullet I carry on a daily basis.
Strengthening The Bond
Chemically bonding the jacket and core is a means of preventing premature bullet expansion, and in faster handgun cartridges it makes all sorts of sense. The higher impact velocities that can strain the softer lead bullets and the jacketed projectiles of lower sectional density won’t pose an issue to a bonded-core bullet. Examples of this design are the Swift A-Frame, Federal Fusion and the Speer Gold Dot, all of which are available in both component form as well as loaded ammunition.
The Swift A-Frame revolver bullets possess the same partitioned design as their larger siblings used in the centerfire rifles, with the front core chemically bonded to the thick jacket and have proven themselves against all sorts of dangerous game, from bears to bison and more. Speer’s Gold Dot is another of the top-tier projectiles favored by law enforcement, and with good reason: it has a reputation for impeccable feeding in the vast majority of handgun designs, and its recovered conformation resembles the HST’s metallic flower.
Speer’s GoldDot G2 is a tough, bonded core bullet, favored by law enforcement with good reason: It works every time.
Federal’s Fusion is—much like the rifle variant of this projectile—vastly overlooked. An excellent bonded-core bullet, the Fusion handgun bullets are tough, and if you want a readily available choice for handling hunting and defensive needs, well, you could make much worse decisions. With a skived jacket and shallow dish in the lead nose, the Fusion will perform well at shoe-string distances in a magnum cartridge … as well as at hunting distances where velocities might drop off.
Federal’s Fusion features a bonded core to keep things together during the bullet’s terminal phase. This makes a good choice for a handgun in bear country.
Where Lead Is Not Welcome
Moving to the lead-free copper alloy bullets, choices like the Barnes XPB, Lehigh Defense Xtreme Penetrator and Cutting Edge Bullets’ HG Raptor are all suitable choices for a defensive situation. The Barnes has a skived nose with a deep hollow-point. The Lehigh bullet has a nose profile that looks much like a Phillips-head screwdriver bit. The HG Raptor is designed to have the section of the nose along the hollow cavity break off into small blades after initial impact to cause considerable trauma, while the base penetrates deeply, maintaining caliber diameter.
A simple cast lead bullet will still get it done, especially in a low-recoiling .38 Special. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Like their rifle bullet counterparts, copper alloy bullets tend to run on the lighter side, as copper takes up more space for the same weight when compared to lead or lead-core bullets. But because the material is harder than lead, these bullets tend to hold together nicely. The exception to that rule is the Cutting Edge projectiles, which are purposely engineered to break apart, with the bullet’s base designed to remain intact.
Surprising Brass Considerations
While plain brass cases are affordable, available and reloadable, I prefer nickel-plated brass cases for my defensive handgun ammo, especially in an autoloader. My hands are rather acidic, and repeatedly handling brass-cased ammunition (as in an EDC situation) tarnishes them quickly, to the point where they get almost sticky to the touch—and I don’t like that all. It’s not as critical in a revolver, but in an autoloader, it can pose an issue. Nickel-plated cases can keep things much neater.
The author much prefers nickel-plate cases in his EDC ammo to keep things cleaner, as it won’t tarnish like brass cases. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Feed Me
No matter how great a bullet may be, if it doesn’t feed in your autoloader, it’s useless. There are few brands/configurations that’ll feed in every type of handgun, and I highly recommend investing the money in thoroughly testing a number of varying ammunition types in your chosen handgun. Standing with a handgun that hasn’t fed another round into the chamber can be a terrible feeling if the proverbial excrement has hit the oscillator. I’d much rather a traditional bullet that feeds reliably than the best premium design that sits cocked in the lips of a magazine or is wedged due to an improper feed ramp angle.
Extraction is another issue that can contribute to a malfunction. If the firearm is screaming to you that it just doesn’t like Brand X ammo, listen to it. Bottom line: It’s got to feed and extract, or it shouldn’t be relied upon for defensive situations.
The Hornady Critical Defense ammo line features the FTX bullet, with a polymer insert to prevent the hollow-point from clogging up.
Under Pressure
We Americans have an undeniable love of speed, and the modern efforts to bring an older cartridge to a different level of performance through the +P (read: higher pressure) designation. Some guns can handle the higher pressure levels. Others—especially the older ones—don’t fare so well.
For example, I got my hands on some +P ammo for my S&W Model 36 .38 Special, and while it might not have been the wisest choice in that gun, the absolute ear-shattering report from the snubnose was enough to have me set the ammo back on the shelf. That little gun is much better served (in my opinion) by standard-grade ammo. If you feel the additional velocity and energy values of the +P ammo engenders more confidence, so be it. Just make sure you can shoot it as well as the standard ammunition, in a real-world situation.
With excellent terminal capabilities, Federal’s HST bullet is loaded in nickel cases and is the author’s go-to ammo choice for everyday carry. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
In Conclusion
My late mother used to advise: “It’s all about balance.” While I didn’t understand the wisdom of that statement as a younger man, it rings in my ears more often as get on in years, and it surely applies to the handgun world. I want the best blend of terminal performance, reliable feeding and acceptable recoil/muzzle jump possible, so that if I have to use my handgun to save a life, there are no questions about the chosen ammunition.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2023 EDC special issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Silencer Central and Federal Ammunition have teamed up to release the BANISH Speed K, a compact and maneuverable 5.56 suppressor.
To address what the companies describe as “unmet needs of law enforcement agents,” Silencer Central and Federal Ammunition have come together to release the BANISH Speed K to both the professional and civilian markets. The new suppressor, rated for calibers .17 to 5.56, is advertised as being extremely compact yet capable of delivering impressive performance.
Firstly, the BANISH Speed K is only 4 inches long, 2 inches in diameter and weighs just 14.1 ounces. Combined, these attributes make for one very compact and maneuverable suppressor, a perfect match for a carbine intended to be used in tight spaces. Made of Inconel 718, the can also features Controlled Flow Technology to reduce backpressure, an efficient internal design that improves sound reduction and something that Silencer Central calls Duty Temperature Control technology to help keep the can’s internals cooler. Further, the BANISH Speed K’s straight-venting design allows for easy cleaning, helping to prolong the suppressor’s lifespan.
Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central, said this about the new suppressor:
With the release of the BANISH Speed K, we are excited to bring professional-grade suppressor technology to the civilian market … This collaboration with Federal Ammunition has allowed us to create a suppressor that exceeds expectations in terms of performance, durability, and ease of use.
Federal CEO and President Jason Vanderbrink said this:
Our goal at Federal is to continually improve the shooting experience … As an ammunition company driven by innovation, partnering with Silencer Central to engineer the BANISH Speed K continues our legacy of collaborating with industry partners to provide law enforcement and hunters and shooters the best products while on duty, at the bench, or in the field.
The BANISH Speed K is compatible with industry-standard hub mounting systems, but each suppressor will come with your choice of one of six popular thread pitches for direct mounting. It is available now and has an MSRP of $1,199.
A discussion on the pleasures and pitfalls of small-bore centerfire cartridges.
When a rifleman decides to make the move to a small-bore rifle—whether for hunting, target shooting or for defensive measures—their choice of cartridge usually ends being highly debated. I’ve seen guys who were friends for decades get extremely hot under the collar when arguing the .22-250 Remington versus the .220 Swift, to the point where I thought it might come to blows.
Bring up the .204 Ruger and you might find a shooter who feels that all other bore diameters are an absolute waste of time, and the shooting world was just waiting for a .20-caliber cartridge. And then there’s the huge crowd of folks who feel that small-bore cartridges begin and end with the 5.56mm/.223 Remington, and that’s that.
For the hunter/shooter looking for a small-bore cartridge to best fit his or her needs, there are some considerations to keep in mind with any of the small-bore choices, and the more you know, the easier the choice will be. Let’s look at some of the more common choices between .17 and .22 caliber, and what each has to offer.
The Teenagers
This .17 caliber is the smallest bore diameter of the commercially loaded cartridges and offers some serious heat. This bore diameter can be traced back to the Flobert rifles—using no powder, only a primer as propellant—and was championed by P.O. Ackley. Remington was the first to legitimize the 0.172-inch-caliber cartridges, with the 1971 release of the .17 Remington.
Based on a slightly modified .223 Remington case, the .17 Remington will propel 20- and 25-grain bullets to a muzzle velocity of 4,250 fps and 4,040 fps, respectively. This velocity level will test the mettle of any bullet, let alone frangible varmint bullets of 20 to 25 grains, and the .17 Remington can be nearly explosive upon impact. The hydraulic shock generated will certainly create “red mist” when used on woodchucks and prairie dogs, and if placed correctly, it will hold even the bigger Eastern coyotes.
The .17 Remington can be hell on barrels, especially if you overheat them, and fouling can be a real issue if you don’t stay on top of it. Accuracy will degrade, and cleaning any of the .17 bores can be a challenge, as it requires a cleaning rod of special diameter, as well as tiny little patches.
Remington also had the distinction of producing the second commercial .17-caliber cartridge, when interest in the .17 Mach IV wildcat warranted the development of the .17 Remington Fireball in 2007. Necking down the .221 Fireball resulted in a cartridge that offers a muzzle velocity rather close to the .17 Remington—driving a 20-grain bullet to just over 4,000 fps and a 25-grain bullet at more than 3,700 fps—in a smaller case. I find the .17 Remington Fireball to be a bit more barrel friendly than the larger .17 Remington, but despite a bit of fanfare upon release, factory ammunition is becoming increasing rare … if you can find it at all.
Remington’s .17 Fireball is nothing more and nothing less than the .221 Fireball necked down to hold 0.172-inch-diameter bullets … and it will certainly ruin a varmint’s day.
The youngest of the bunch—Hornady’s .17 Hornet—is based on a P.O. Ackley wildcat, which necked down the highly popular .22 Hornet to hold .172-caliber bullets. While the Ackley variant used a 30-degree shoulder to help increase case capacity, the Hornady version uses a 25-degree shoulder, albeit with less body taper.
Despite the rimmed case, the .17 Hornet feeds well in bolt-action rifles, including the Ruger rotary magazine. With a 20-grain bullet leaving the muzzle at 3,650 fps, the .17 Hornet is the best balanced of the .17-caliber cartridges. Despite the fact that it gives up 600 fps to the .17 Remington, the lack of ear-splitting report, while still delivering a respectable trajectory, makes a huge difference.
Looking at downrange trajectory, you’ll see an arc very similar to that of the .30-06 Springfield. That 20-grain V-Max—when zeroed at 200 yards—will strike 6½ inches low at 300 yards and 20½ inches low at 400 yards, though the wind deflection of the diminutive cartridge is twice that of the ought-six. But once you become accustomed to the .17 Hornet in the wind, you’ve got a rather potent little package. A 20-grain bullet will work on bigger coyotes up close, but outside of 150 yards or so it might struggle to hold them. Nonetheless, I like having a .17 Hornet in my lineup.
The .22 Hornet is a classic, but the author finds the .17 Hornet to be a better and more useful cartridge. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Anyone For A 20?
In 2004, Hornady worked with Ruger to create what would become the second-fastest small-bore: the .204 Ruger. Based on the .222 Remington Magnum and using a bullet of nominal diameter, the factory loads would use a 32-grain bullet to break the 4,200-fps barrier. A 30-degree shoulder handles the headspacing duty.
Although the 32-grain bullet generates some impressive velocity figures, there are bullets available weighing up to 55 grains, including Hornady’s 40-grain V-Max at 3,900 fps, making a good load for longer range hunting and shooting. The heavier bullet weights require a 1:10 twist rate for proper stabilization, rather than the standard 1:12 supplied in most factory barrels. I like the .204 Ruger as a happy medium between the .17s, which use considerably lighter bullets, and the .22-caliber centerfires, which have the bullet weight but can sometimes be too much of a good thing when it comes to small-bores.
The .204 Ruger is a collaborative effort between Ruger and Hornady, and makes a great cartridge for small game and target shooting alike. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Hornady is a prime source of ammunition, but there have been factory loads from Federal, Winchester, Remington, Nosler, Sierra and more. Many of the loads seem to be produced as seasonal runs. There are plenty of good component projectiles out there, and the .204 Ruger isn’t a particularly finicky cartridge to load for. If you enjoy cartridges a bit out of the norm, the .204 Ruger is a neat choice, which will be effective in the field or at the target range.
Catch 22
When I think of centerfire small-bore cartridges, my mind goes immediately to .22 caliber; perhaps it’s because that was as small as things went when I was a young. From the classic .22 Hornet of the 1930s, to the undeniable popularity of the .223 and Triple Deuce, and the faster .22-250 Remington and .220 Swift, it seemed that these cartridges were resigned to killing woodchucks and foxes. There were, however, some adventurous deer hunters who would employ a .222 Remington or .22-250 Remington to fill the freezer, with mixed results.
There are plenty to choose from, with some fading into obscurity and some older ones still hanging on. Yes, I think the .219 Zipper, .224 Weatherby, .225 Winchester and .22 Savage HiPower are cool, but they aren’t popular at all any longer. So, I’ll compare and contrast the more popular—and attainable—.22-caliber centerfires.
The .22 Hornet has its roots back in the late 19th century, but the cartridge we all know and love came onto the scene in 1930, having been molded by the likes of Grosvenor Wotkyns and Townsend Whelen at the Springfield Armory, bearing a serious resemblance to the blackpowder .22 WCF. Though it’s rimmed, the Hornet has been adapted to a wide number of rifle actions, from bolt-action to falling-block single-shots, to double rifles and drillings. With a slight shoulder measuring just over 5½ degrees, the Hornet feeds nicely from a box magazine and will push a 45-grain bullet to nearly 2,700 fps.
While this might not be setting any velocity records, it’s good enough for varmints and furbearing predators up to and including coyotes. It has very little recoil, and the report won’t flatten eardrums. Ammunition is still available from a number of manufacturers—though it seems to be produced in limited runs—and offers projectiles weighing between 30 and 46 grains. If you want a low-recoiling choice for taking varmints and furbearers inside of 200 to 250 yards, the .22 Hornet surely deserves consideration.
Housed in a light rifle, the .22 Hornet can be a wonderful training tool for a youngster, yet it will handle bobcats, foxes and coyotes at “woods” ranges. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
The .222 Remington was a gamechanger when it burst onto the scene in 1950 in the Remington Model 722 bolt rifle. Developed by Mike Walker, the Triple Deuce was the first commercially loaded rimless .22-caliber centerfire cartridge, and it smashed all sorts of accuracy records. Compared to the larger, speedier cases, it has very tolerable recoil, and a 50-grain bullet traveling at right around 3,200 to 3,350 fps doesn’t exactly disappoint at moderate ranges. The 23-degree shoulder handles the headspacing duties, and the neck measures 0.313 inch, giving plenty of neck tension.
The .222 Remington had its heyday here in the United States, but it long ago lost the popularity contest to the .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington. However, it remains popular in those European countries where military ammunition is prohibited for hunting. Inside of 400 yards, hits were rather consistent, but past that distance it became increasingly difficult, especially in comparison to the .223 Remington. But for the eastern woodchuck hunter who wants a target cartridge for shorter ranges, the Triple Deuce might be a great solution. Should you find a rifle so chambered, don’t count it out.
The Standard
There really isn’t too much I can add to the .223 Remington that hasn’t been said a million times, but it does possess some qualities that set it apart from other .22-caliber cartridges. It’s slightly longer than the .222 Remington, with the same 23-degree shoulder and 0.378-inch case diameter, yet has a shorter neck. This yields a greater case capacity and a correlatively faster velocity.
The .223 Remington has the advantage of being highly popular and has been loaded with a wide array of projectiles. These 62-grain Federal Fusion bonded core bullets will handle deer-sized game, if properly placed. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
And, to change the game even further, many modern rifles chambered in .223 Remington offer a tight twist rate—sometimes as tight as 1:7—which allows the use of heavy-for-caliber bullets that best retain energy and resist wind deflection. A 77-grain bullet at 2,700 fps will perform much better at longer ranges than any lighter bullet when the targets are out past 500 or 600 yards, and the winds begin to wreak havoc with your bullet. If you want a flexible package, which is affordable to shoot, with a multitude of ammunition choices, look no further than the .223 Remington; it can be handloaded easily, it’s easy on the shoulder, and though it may lack the sparkle of newer cartridges, it just plain works.
The Newbies
The .22 Nosler reared its head in early 2017, and was designed to mate up perfectly with the AR platform, giving superior ballistics to the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO, and approaching those of the .22-250 Remington. With a 1:8 twist rate, the .22 Nosler offers heavier bullets in the loaded ammunition, including 70-, 85- and 90-grain choices. It has a rebated rim and a 30-degree shoulder for headspacing, but it makes the most sense in an AR rifle.
The .22 Nosler has a tight twist rate, and a rebated rim for use in a AR-15 platform. It can use the heavy-for-caliber 0.224-inch-caliber bullets.
The main issue with the cartridge is that Nosler is the only source of ammunition, and the cartridge seems to be fading fast. Nonetheless, the formula makes sense and if speed is your thing, the .22 Nosler has no flies on it.
Federal’s .224 Valkyrie is a long-range cartridge, for sure, with a twist rate of 1:7 to handle the heaviest .22-caliber bullets. Based on the 6.8 SPC, the .224 Valkyrie was released at 2018’s SHOT Show. The rimless case uses a 30-degree shoulder like the .22 Nosler but is more adaptable to a bolt-action rifle. Factory ammunition will offer bullet weights between 60 and 90 grains and is available not only from Federal, but from Hornady and Sierra, in both hunting and match-grade target loads.
Federal’s .224 Valkyrie is equally at home in an autoloader as it is in a bolt gun, and as it can handle the heaviest bullet in .22-caliber, it’s well suited for deer, antelope and similar game species. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
It’s probably the best choice for those who want a .22-caliber centerfire that can readily handle deer and similar-sized game, as well as the varmints and furbearers, yet readily handle a 1,000-yard target range. Of the new releases, I like the .224 Valkyrie a whole lot.
The Speedster
Remington’s .22-250 spent more than a quarter-century as a wildcat cartridge, being nothing more and nothing less than the .250-3000 Savage necked down to hold .224-diameter bullets. One of the most popular variants was developed by Grosvenor Wotkyns, J.E. Gebby and J.B. Smith, rivaling the .220 Swift’s velocity levels. Ironically, the .22-250 was one of the only cartridges to have a commercial rifle chambered for it before any commercial ammunition was available. Browning made a rifle chambered in 1963, while the Remington ammunition wouldn’t be offered until 1965. Our own John T. Amber commented on the situation in the 1964 Gun Digest Annual, reporting, “As far as I know, this is the first time a first-line arms-maker has offered a rifle chambered for a cartridge that it—or some other production ammunition maker—cannot supply.”
The .22-250 Remington—being a necked down .250 Savage—was a wildcat for many years before Remington legitimized it. It remains one of the author’s favorite small-bore cartridges. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
The .22-250 is still a highly popular cartridge among the small-bore crowd, as it offers impressive velocities and can deliver hair-splitting accuracy. But, the cartridge has both pleasures and pitfalls: The case capacity is almost wasted because the twist rate prevents bullets heavier than 55 grains, or maybe 60 grains if the conformation is correct. A 55-grain slug can be driven to 3,800 fps, and while that’s impressive, I contemplate re-barreling my rifle from the standard 1:12 twist down to a 1:8 or 1:7 twist to accommodate the 85- and 90-grain bullets, which would take full advantage of the case capacity.
Factory loads are available from nearly any company that loads ammunition, and the handloaders have long embraced the case. In fact, Hodgdon’s H380 spherical powder is named for the 38.0-grain load of surplus military powder that Bruce Hodgdon used under a 55-grain bullet in the (then wildcat) .22-250 case.
With a 0.473-inch rim, and a neck measuring 0.248-inch long, the case has all sorts of capacity, but unlike the modern cartridges, is handicapped by the twist rate common to yesteryear. Or is it?
If you want your small-bore rifle to simply handle the smaller species and some target duties at moderate ranges, the .22-250 Remington has no drawbacks whatsoever. But if you want to stretch the capabilities, extending the .22-250 into the regions of a deer rifle, the standard design with the slower twist rate will not stabilize the heavier projectiles, and even the .223 Remington can be a better choice.
The Swift
The .220 Swift has been a topic of debate since its release in 1935. Again, Grosvenor Wotkyns had a hand in the development (seeing a trend here?) of the world’s fastest cartridge, and in the midst of the Great Depression it broke all sorts of barriers. It’s fast—well over 4,000 fps—and that came at a price, namely eroded throats and worn barrels.
Wanna turn a woodchuck inside out? The .220 Swift is a perfect candidate, as it has the case capacity to generate serious velocities. Photo: Massaro Media Group.
Much like the .22-250 Remington, using the .220 Swift in a high-volume shooting situation isn’t the best for the throat or rifling, as things heat up pretty quickly. And again, like the .22-250, the majority of rifles chambered for the .220 Swift use a barrel with a relatively slow twist rate—either 1:14 or sometimes 1:12. This twist rate was common for .22-caliber barrels of the era and will preclude the use of bullets much heavier than 55 grains, as they won’t be properly stabilized, and you’ll see those nasty keyhole marks on your targets.
And The Winner Is?
So, which cartridge do you choose?
Like so many things in life, the answer is highly subjective and truly depends on your hunting/target needs. If you’re looking at things from a purely practical viewpoint, the .223 Remington offers the greatest amount of flexibility and literal bang for the buck. It’ll check all the boxes and do so affordably.
But practicality isn’t always applicable, and some folks enjoy shooting a cartridge that’s either a nostalgic classic—in the case of the .22-250 Remington or .220 Swift—or one of the technological wonders designed to be cutting edge, like the .224 Valkyrie or the .204 Ruger.
I’ve settled on two: the .17 Hornet and the .22-250 Remington. The former chose me, after spending a week killing prairie dogs with a plethora of different cartridges, and the latter I chose as a much younger man, who believed he needed the velocity. I’ve had many opportunities to revise both choices—yet I have not—as I know both the rifles and cartridges very well, and they cover all the bases I need a small-bore cartridge to cover.
Be honest with yourself regarding hunting distances and game pursued, or if you’re looking for a target cartridge, assess your goals and needs and pick a cartridge that’s both available and accessible. You’ll probably make a friend for life.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
If you’re tired of dinging up your handguns while messing with their sights, it’s time to take a look at the XS Sight Pusher.
Previously, referring to someone as a “pusher” meant they weren’t to be trusted. That’s not the case with XS Sights. Today, it’s used to adjust your sights, and the Inline Sight Pusher kit for Glock is a simple and straightforward tool.
Normally, sight pushers are designed to work with, well … everything, making them complex. I mean, when you actually have to read the instructions, perhaps it’s too much of a good thing. The XS Sight Pusher, however, is simple and straightforward (or sideways, if you get what I mean).
There’s an adjustment bolt, a sliding brass pusher and an included nylon wedge. Wedge? Yep. You slide the wedge along the angled base of the pusher to adjust the position of the slide and produce a non-slip surface that won’t mar your slide.
Then, you crank the bolt to push the sight. XS Sights also made the brass pushing part with a marked scale, so you can see how much you’ve moved the sight and get a better estimate of how much is “enough.” The best part of all this is that it’s compact and lightweight enough that you can put it in your range bag and take it with you.
Shoot and adjust until your Glock is on-center. If you’re doing the adjustments at home, then the XS Sight Pusher, with its scale on the brass plate and index marks on the pusher body, will tell you when you have your sight centered.
The XS Sight Pusher with the brass pusher retracted and the wedge in place, ready to receive a Glock slide.
Now, even a Glock-specific tool has to have some complication. In this case, it’s one provided by Glock themselves. If you’re working on a Glock 42, the .380 micro-Glock, you’ll have to read the G42-specific step to make sure you do it correctly. Oh, and for those who are online mavens, use the QR code etched on the side of the pusher to download and read the instructions, should you need them at the range. (Brave new world indeed.)
It should go without saying that any and all Glock-clone slides will work just as well in the XS Sight pusher. The kit is the pusher, wedge, Allen key to turn the adjustment bolt, steel Glock front sight tool (so if you’re installing a complete new set of sights, you can do the front one as well), oil and thread-locking goo.
This is the sort of thing that we gunsmiths back in the dark ages wished for or made ourselves to avoid marring sights with aluminum, brass or steel drift punches. No more hammering rods to move sights and no more brass marks or dinged sights. The DIY Series runs $150, which if you own a couple of Glocks is not a big deal. If you only own one Glock, it might seem like a bit, but wait until someone at the gun club has a sight-in issue and you have the tool to solve their problem right there in your range bag.
Being the hero of the day makes the cost go down easier, and getting your own Glock on-center is a whole lot easier.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2024 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Right-sized in price and profile, the Rossi R95 Trapper is ready for hard duty in the field.
Likely, you’d have to return to the days when muscle cars were the epitome of cool to find a time when lever-action rifles garnered as much attention as they do today. Is it necessity, nostalgia or some other unseen force driving the resurgence? Honestly, it doesn’t matter.
What does is the renaissance of this style of long gun has resulted in the expansion and evolution of perhaps one of the handiest—not to mention enjoyable—rifles. This even goes for the more budget-friendly end of the market of these generally spendy guns. Case in point, the Rossi R95.
Released just in time for deer season late this summer, the Brazilian-made gun does the impossible for rifle-caliber lever guns—gives a sub-$1,000 option to the masses. A relief to many, given the somewhat archaic technology generally sends spasms into the most tender region of man’s lower extremities—his wallet.
Even more heartening, with an MSRP of $950, the rifle punches well above its price tag especially where it counts—downrange performance. At least, this was my experience with the R95 16.5-inch barreled Trapper model in a few trips to the range to put it through its paces.
R95 Familiar Origins
You’ll be forgiven if the R95 inspires a bout of deja vu. There’s plenty familiar with the 5+1 capacity .30-30 WCF if you even have a passing knowledge of Rossi or Marlin for that matter. For all intents and purposes, the new rifle is a revamped Rio Grande, which was a clone of the timeless Marlin 336. However, Rossi didn’t simply slap a new model name on its old clone and call it a day. Overall, the R95 is much more streamlined than the company’s previous attempt at a 336 and includes a few notable—and desirable—tweaks.
The R95 isn't Rossi's first foray into 336 clones… there is the Rio Gande. But for the most part, the new lever-gun surpasses its forerunner in all facets.
To the former point, and thankfully, Rossi utilizes a much better grade of wood in the R95—walnut—as compared to birch on the old rendition. Furthermore, the company textures the fore and grip to theoretically provide a better purchase on the gun, whereas the Rio Grande’s lumber was smooth as a newborn’s bottom. I intentionally throw in the word theoretically because I’m not completely sold on how the stock is textured. Pebbled, the pattern is very comfortable off the bench and in controlled environments but isn’t quite as aggressive as I’d want in a field gun. Especially anything likely to encounter inclement weather.
Nicely, Rossi has nixed the barrel bands on the R95. Some purest might grit their teeth at this move and I get the sentiment—it’s a clone, so why not stick with the pattern the gun is based on? Except, this move goes a long way in improving the overall aesthetics of the rifle, cleaning up its lines and giving the gun its own legs to stand on. Undoubtedly a small change, but one that caught my eye right out of the box and kept it fixed the entire time I tested it.
The plunger style passive safety, akin to what you'll find in many striker-fired pistols.
Intriguing as those changes are, the real meat of the R95 redesign—one might even venture to say upgrades—happen under the hood. In the bolt to be exact. The R95 uses a single-piece firing pin and a firing-pin block—similar to many striker-fired pistols—as its passive safety. Not that there were many complaints with the 336’s tilting-rear two-piece firing pin, but in theory, the Rossi system should offer a much more robust striking system.
Furthermore, the R95 boasts an AR-15 style extractor, compared to the stamped steel style of the Marlin. Both are equally stout ways to go about pulling brass, but I’d argue the Rossi system will win favor come disassembly. The stamped-steel extractor was never fun to pry off a bolt.
Other Notables
Adding better out-of-the-box effectiveness, Rossi opted for an elevation-adjustable buckhorn rear sight and driftable front sight on the new rifle. The inclusion of classic lever-action style sights should prove popular, given it improves the utility of the rifle offering both close- and mid-range aiming solutions. However, I would have appreciated factory-included indexing under the notch to better use the buckhorns. But at the price of the gun, it’s not a deal breaker.
Though, Rossi might have known what it was doing with more mid-tier sights. Given the R95 is a side ejector, it plays nice with optics, and like the gun it’s based off it will likely end up with an LPVO or 3×9 on its top side. Anticipating this, Rossi has drilled and tapped the receiver for the addition of your preferred optic.
Buckhorn sites are a nice touch to the R95, allowing fast acquisiton up close. But the rifle is drilled and tapped to accept a scope.
A few other of the R95 Trapper’s notables include a rich, black oxide finish that sets off the dark bands in the walnut. The large loop looks right in place on the Trapper model and is proportioned modestly enough to get the rifle running. The spring tension on the loading gate is perfect, allowing for fast topping off of the gun’s tubular magazine. And the trigger, well… aside from the blade being made from stamped steel, it tripped at a very consistent 3 pounds. Also, Rossi didn’t skimp with the recoil pad, which proved more than ample and very comfortable.
At The Range With The R95
As things go, I walked away fairly impressed with the R95 Trapper’s performance. Running 200 rounds through the Trapper—140-grain Hornady LeverEvolution and 150-grain Federal Power-Shok—on two range trips, the carbine proved accurate and extremely reliable.
I didn’t opt to mount an optic on the gun, wanting to give the buckhorn sights a run, given I feel there is a substantial segment of this market who will opt to stick with the factory sights. At 100 yards, shooting off a bench and sandbags, the notch proved plenty accurate as did the rifle, printing right around 1 MOA. The gun seemed to prefer Hornady, with the groups showing more consistency with LeverEvolution in the chamber.
As evident on the bolt, the rifle has an extractor very similar to an AR-15.
Switching to the buckhorns at 50 yards, the rifle was equally as intuitive and on target. Obviously, this method wasn’t as dead-nuts as using the notch and I used it from several shooting positions—offhand, kneeling, braced against a post. That's OK—the system isn’t meant to produce cloverleaves. Instead, buckhorns facilitate fast target acquisition and transition and allow the shooter to let the reigns out on the gun.
I did and it responded. The action is as fast as your lever hand can make it and it runs smooth—butter-smooth, an attribute that makes it intuitive to keep the rifle on target for follow-up shots. This short configuration has the makings to conquer hog hunters’ hearts.
As I said earlier, it’d be nice to have an indexing mark on the buckhorn—this addition would greatly improve response time. But it’s still passible as is and shouldn’t dissuade anyone from the rifle. As for reliability, I didn’t encounter a single hang-up in my time with the gun, something I’ve read was an issue on some Rio Bravos. Incidentally, the R95 spit brass like no tomorrow and at an angle that spent cases should never end up molesting an optic.
Dressing It Up
A final note about the R95—though it wasn’t part of the test—there is ample opportunity to play dress up with the gun. Midwest Industries, Marlin Point Precision and several other accessory companies have furniture that can give the gun a much more tactical bent. Generally speaking, going this route is much less expensive than buying a geeked-out tactical lever-action off the rack. Not to mention, you can tailor it exactly to your wants and needs. So, if you can’t live without an apocalypse-ready lever-action rifle, the R95 is only a few upgrades away.
Parting Shot
While the R95 might not be anything new for Rossi, the gun steps the company’s game up in the class of rifles. Perhaps not as nostalgic as a Winchester lever-gun clone, the Brazilian 336 mimic is entirely more practical for a modern shooter. At the very least, you needn’t wrestle with a bizarre scope mount to add an optic.
Nice wood and a well-formed large loop, the R95 cuts the right profile.
Rossi not only offers the Trapper model, but also a 20-inch barreled rifle—which might just be the ticket for folks who encounter a bit longer shot in their hunting season. But I can’t help being enamored with the Trapper. For me, it has all the features to make it a superb little brush gun, whether you’re still hunting deer in dark timber or hogs along the back forty’s thickets. It’s right-sized in every way for these duties, especially price.
A complete guide to finding the best rimfire riflescope for your needs.
The biggest hurdle for new shooters interested in precision rimfire always seems to involve optics. There are turrets, and parallax, and complicated reticles and debates over minutes-of-angle (MOA) versus milliradians (MILs). Coming from a hunting background or another discipline like silhouette where you held the crosshairs on the target, a more complicated aiming system can feel overwhelming.
It does not help that “rimfire” plus “scope” just meant crappy for the longest time. The glass was inferior. The adjustments were spotty. Drop one or get it wet, and the scope was toast. Here’s the thing: You don’t need a “rimfire” scope for a “rimfire” rifle. Whether you need an optic for competition or hunting, most quality centerfire scopes will do the job, yet some are better suited for small-bore work than others.
Shooters define riflescopes by tube diameter. One inch is the classic and most common diameter and is still great for small-game rigs. 30mm is the new standard for tactical and match shooting. 34mm is the super-sized big brother and best-suited for extreme long-range work. There are now even 36mm beasts like the Zero Compromise optics and 40mm digital range-finding scopes like the Swarovski dS Gen II. The fatter the scope, the more room for elevation adjustment, thus the more you can spin that turret for a dead-on hold way downrange.
Consider this example. The 30mm Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24×50 FFP—a popular base-class NRL22 optic—has 19 MRAD or MILs max elevation adjustment. That means if you zero the scope at the bottommost point, you can compensate for 19 MILs of bullet drop. With match-speed .22 LR and the scope zeroed at 50 yards, that’s enough reach to connect to about 350 yards. The Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25×56 FFP with a 34mm tube brings 31 MILs of max elevation adjustment. That equates roughly to 470 yards of possibility. Keep in mind, this is theoretical as it’s difficult to zero scopes at their lowest elevation setting, and the equation changes with tapered rails and scope rings, as we’ll soon see. This example demonstrates the leap in max range one gets with a 34mm tube over 30mm. Compared to a classic 1-inch scope, the difference is planetary.
MOA Vs. MILs
You make riflescope elevation and windage adjustments in MOA or MILs. To make things confusing, MILs are often also abbreviated as MRAD. They are the same thing for practical purposes. MOA and MILs or MRAD are angular measurements over a given distance rather than a linear distance. With a linear measurement, an inch is an inch. With angular, the value changes based on distance. I visualize this like a laser beam shooting directly from my barrel’s bore through targets from 100 to 1,000 yards. If I change the degree of that beam to mark a spot 1 foot over the target at 100 yards, it’ll put the beam dozens of feet over the target at 1,000 yards. MOA and MILs are units that measure how much I’m moving that laser beam at the rifle to determine where it will hit at various targets downrange.
Are MILs or MOA turrets and reticles right for you? Use what you already know, but if you’re starting new, the author recommends MILs.
One MOA equals 1.047 inches at 100 yards and 10.47 inches at 1,000 yards—not 1 inch and 10 inches, as many wrongly believe. (This difference of 0.047 inch matters at distance, especially with rimfire where the elevation drops quickly.) One MIL equals 3.6 inches at 100 yards, which equates to 36 inches or 1 yard at 1,000 yards. Scope adjustments in MOA are usually 1/4 MOA per “click.” MILs are often .1 or .2 MILs per click or less. Some wrongly conclude that MOA has more subtle adjustment than MILs, but it’s a toss-up. A typical one-click adjustment in MOA is 0.25 inch at 100 yards, whereas MILs can go as low as 0.18 inch at 100.
You can convert an MOA value to MILs by dividing it by 3.43, a MIL to MOA by multiplying it by 3.43.
So, which is better?
Neither system is inherently better or worse. A shooter with experience who understands one approach over the other should stick with what they know. But new shooters, or shooters who want to dive down the long-range rabbit hole, should lean toward MILs. MILs are the standard measure for the U.S. Military and are used worldwide, unlike MOA that’s only used in a handful of civilian markets—and is rapidly going out of style. Reasons for that are multiple, but at its root, if you learn both systems, you’ll see that computing MILs quickly in your head is generally faster than MOA. MILs “click,” at least for me, in a way that MOA struggles, mainly because in MIL calculations, it’s possible a lot of times to move the decimal place.
To learn the precision shooting language of MILs, I strongly recommend Ryan Cleckner’s Long Range Shooting Handbook: The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Precision Rifle Shooting.
MILs is the language of most precision shooters. You’re more likely to talk shop and get help in MILs at a match than MOA. Also, when using ballistics programs to solve long-range shooting problems, MOA can create issues. Some optics manufacturers have incorrectly set MOA on their scopes for 1 inch at 100 yards instead of 1.047 inches. If your ballistics program is calculating based on 1 MOA equaling 1.047 inches, but your optic is adjusting 1 MOA equals 1 inch, you could miss the target.
Tricked out and ready to party. A precision rifle on the line at an NRL22X match in January 2020. Photo credit: Conx Media
That’s especially true in long-distance rimfire shooting, where you need to make significant scope adjustments at not-so-big distances. A 0.047-inch error can compound very quickly in .22 LR. It’s also a challenge to figure out if an MOA riflescope uses 1.047- or 1-inch adjustments. Nikon always used 1.047 for MOA, but Vortex uses 1 inch. If you go MOA over MILs in precision optics, you may have to call customer service to get the numbers straight. If, as I did, you shoot both Nikon and Vortex MOA optics, you need to make sure you change the MOA value in your ballistics program to get accurate results for each rifle system.
MILs, being universal, avoid all this rigmarole.
With scope size determined and the MOA versus MILs argument decided, there are five factors to consider when settling on a precision rimfire riflescope: parallax, focal plane, reticle design, turrets and magnification power. Let’s look at them:
Adjustable Parallax
If you’ve ever seen the reticle (crosshairs) of your scope float or come in and out of focus while on target, you’ve probably noticed the phenomenon of parallax. The reticle and the target are no longer on the same focal plane within the scope’s main tube. The difference between focal planes becomes exaggerated at extremely close and far target distances—decreasing accuracy and obscuring the reticle. Some scopes allow you to manually adjust for this and bring everything into focus at specified target distances, while others have fixed parallax at a specific range.
Most centerfire scopes with fixed parallax are factory-focused, around 150 to 175 yards—too far for typical rimfire applications. Manufacturers set fixed parallax rimfire riflescopes at 50 or 60 yards, which can work fine for small game hunting but make 20- or 25-yard shots—standard in many small-bore sports—a blurry mess. For any precision small-bore match scope and most hunting scenarios, I recommend an adjustable parallax down to at least 25 yards.
Most tactical-inspired and long-range centerfire scopes have a side knob for parallax adjustment, sometimes called “side focus.” Bench shooting target scopes often have the parallax control built into the objective bell, called “Adjustable Objective” or AO. Side controls are easier to run when jumping between near and far targets within the same shot string in a match. AO controls work fine when you have plenty of time. For match shooting, I highly recommend adjustable parallax via a side focus knob.
Focal Plane
There are two locations within the tube where makers install the reticle. If the reticle goes in toward the objective lens (the front of the tube), that’s called first focal plane (FFP). If it goes in near the ocular lens or the back of the tube, that’s called second focal plane (SFP). When dialing up the magnification on a FFP scope, the reticle will grow larger. In SFP scopes, the reticle will appear the same size no matter the magnification. There are pros and cons to each.
The Athlon Argos BTR is a first focal plane (FFP) optic.
Many long-range shooters and hunters have migrated to FFP scopes because reticle holdover values don’t change with the scope power. In other words, if every hash mark along the vertical stadia (the main crosshair line) represents 1 MOA at the lowest power, they still equal 1 MOA at the highest magnification. The second hash under the central crosshair equals 1 MOA drop at 4x power and 16x power. FFP scopes are a significant advantage in some precision matches where single-stage targets may be from 20 to 100 yards or beyond, and the shooter must change scope magnification and holdover within the shot string.
An FFP optic’s drawback is that the reticle can be small and hard to see at the power range’s low end. In my NRL22 matches, many older shooters struggle to see the FFP reticles when turned down to 4x and 6x or even 8x. FFP systems are not for older eyes. Hard-to-see reticles also don’t work well while hunting, where you might have to tease out a squirrel head in a tangle of branches and leaves. Fat, clear, stadia work much better.
A Maven MOA reticle in an FFP scope, as seen at 2.5x and 15x. Note the size difference.
Second focal plane scopes work well in these situations, and old or bad eyes can usually find the mark quickly. The classic duplex reticle draws the eye to the center and makes for high-speed target acquisition. SFP scopes also tend to be less expensive than FFPs, but the former can cause trouble when you use the reticles for drop compensation.
Several years ago, I was on a pronghorn hunt in Wyoming. I had a .25-06 with me and tagged out on the first morning. A friend had long wanted a .25-06, and as we talked about it, I suggested he borrow my rifle to get his goat. Taped to the stock’s side was the bullet drop for that SFP reticle when at the full 16x power. My friend came back after that first day discouraged. He had missed a shot at 400 yards—sailing the bullet over the old buck’s back. The animal was grazing broadside. He had a steady rest and decades of Western hunting experience that made this shot—he thought—a layup. He had used my DOPE chart on the side of the stock, and when he shot, the scope was at 14x. At that magnification power, my chart was worthless. That’s a rare situation, but it goes to show how “off” a reticle can be within an SFP scope if you don’t pay careful attention to magnification. In the more likely event of moving fast through a competition stage, running different targets at different scope powers could be a real liability.
Reticle Design
In the last few years, no part of the riflescope has been designed and redesigned more than the reticle or aiming point. For hunting with laser-flat .17 caliber, it’s hard to beat a simple duplex crosshair. Developed in the 1960s by Leupold, the duplex uses four heavy crosshair lines that taper down to fine lines where they meet in the center. This design makes placing the crosshairs on a target fast, and it always provides a clean sight picture.
A classic duplex reticle.
When shooting slow rimfire loads like .22 LR, bullet drop is more of an issue. For hunting work, .22 LR Ballistic Drop Compensating (BDC) reticles, like those in the now-discontinued Nikon Prostaff Rimfire series, can work very well. Tract Optics and Hawke Optics have picked up the slack, producing dedicated rimfire BDC scopes that are not junk like many “rimfire” scopes. BDC optics have reticles with hash marks tuned to either standard-velocity .22 LR, high-velocity .22 LR, or .17 HMR, indicating where the bullet will impact at longer ranges. It takes some trial and error to figure exactly where the hash marks and downrange impacts line up, but once you figure it out, it’s a fast and elegant solution for a hunting or plinking rifle.
A clean duplex-style reticle with MOA hash marks.
Competition reticles can quickly become complicated. Rather than hash marks indicating likely holdovers by caliber, each line may represent a certain number of MOA or MILs. The sub-tensions or white space between the hashes all have a set value, too. The finer these marks are, the more precise the measurement, theoretically. But too many marks can quickly clutter the sight picture, particularly for a shooter who has spent their life using a duplex. That is especially the case with FFP scopes on low magnification, where a complicated reticle can look like smudged ink. But, when lying prone 100 yards or more from your target with match .22 LR ammo that drops like a brick, all those hash marks become very handy.
The tech specs on a Nightforce Tremor3 reticle.
Different optics companies run various reticles, but there are a few standards. The Horus H59 started a revolution of “Christmas tree-style” reticles and quickly became the standard for many elite marksmen. Below the centerline is a grid laid out in 0.2-MIL increments that make for exact drop calculations and fast follow-up shots. It’s clear to see where the first shot landed, then hold that spot in the reticle for the second shot. At first blush, a system like the H59 and the many similar reticles it spawned can look like a complex geometry problem but spend some time with them on the range, and it comes together quickly. Like understanding MILs, these reticles make good sense with a little time spent behind the trigger.
Turrets
For the most part, there are two kinds of turrets available on riflescopes. You can get either exposed turrets, which allow for manual adjustments in the field, or capped turrets usually adjusted once when zeroing a rifle, then left alone. Most precision shooters use adjustable turrets, which allow you to dial-in precision shots for a given range.
For a .22 LR with a 50-yard zero, the crosshair center is still an accurate hold from 20 to 60 yards or more, depending on ammo velocity. Push out beyond 60 or 70 yards, and the shooter has a decision to make: Use the hash marks on the reticle to hold over the target, or spin up the turret and hold the center. In a PRS-style rimfire match, if the stage involves shooting a close target, at say 30 yards, then jumping to a 100-yard plate, most shooters use the reticle. If target distances are fixed at 65 yards or more, dialing the turrets is a more elegant solution. However, for extended-distance rimfire shooting, like the developing sport of Extreme Long Range rimfire—or when clipping varmints across the plains—adjustable turrets are necessary.
The stock turrets on the Maven scope.
I’m partial to turrets that lock. To spin them, you pull up on the turret, which lets it click free. Push the turret down, and it won’t move on you. Many less expensive tactical scopes don’t have locking turrets, which strikes me as a risk while afield.
When you’re in the woods chasing squirrels or rabbits, all turrets tend to just get in the way. Most of the shots taken at small game are inside 60 yards, anyway. I’ve played with optics with complicated reticles and turrets on hunting rifles and have migrated away from them. Duplex reticles and capped adjustments work for me in the hunting woods, complicated reticles and big locking turrets for competition rigs.
Magnification Power
Magnification is useful, and it’s the first thing many people consider when buying optics, but it’s probably the least important feature when hunting or competing in a rimfire match. Sure, when shooting from a rock-solid rest at a tiny target 1,000 yards away, 35x magnification is handy, but in most cases, that’s not the situation.
A Maven FFP at 5x and 30x.
Match shooting like in NRL or PRS is often done from compromised and unsteady shooting positions at reasonable-for-caliber distances. The targets are rarely less than 1 MOA in size. Significant magnification can amplify wobbles and shakes and hurt the shot from unsteady rests. Unless you’re going long on a varmint or ground squirrel hunt, magnification is even less critical when hunting small game. It’s hard to beat 3-9x or 4-16x for a hunting setup. One of the killing-est bushy tail hunters I know spent most of his career behind a fixed 4x scope. Many run larger scopes with power ranges from 4x to 5x on the low end to 25x or 35x on the high end for match shooting. But all those shooters will tell you most of the time they live in the middle band of that power range. A superior-quality scope with less power than you think you need is often a better call than a lower-quality scope with a massive high-end zoom.
A know-your-limits rack at 50 yards as seen through a Nightforce. Photo: Greg Hamilton.
Recommended Rimfire Riflescopes
What is the best optic for your rifle? That’s a hard question to answer and highly dependent on your end-use. As mentioned, I prefer MILs over MOA. I like 1-inch optics without turrets for hunting rimfires because they’re lighter and look better on a sporter rifle. For varmint hunting and traditional 100-yard NRL22 competition, I lean toward 30mm optics with locking turrets for the added adjustment and security in rough and tumble stages. For ELR, I like 34mm. Considering these features, I then look at the price. As a general rule, I want the MSRP of the riflescope to match or exceed the MSRP of the rifle. In many shooting situations, especially NRL22, the optic is more important than the gun. Repeat: The optic is more important than the gun. That’s because even low-end factory rifles have enough raw accuracy to be competitive at NRL22—or snipe a squirrel at 100 yards—but you cannot say the same about low-end optics.
Dialing elevation with turrets is easy and more accurate for most shooters than using a reticle. Photo credit: Mike Semanoff
Some optic manufacturers are ahead of others when it comes to precision. Look at the gear survey from the 2020 NRL22 National Match, and you’ll get an idea of who is leading the charge. Of the 68 shooters surveyed, 30 chose Vortex, 11 Athlon and 9 ran Nightforce. If you consider high-end optics (read: expensive), you could add Kahles, US Optics, Zero Compromise, and Trijicon, to that Nightforce in a “money is no object” class of the best riflescopes.
What follows is a roundup of some of the better general interest match and hunting optics, whatever the budget. I’ve personally shot all these on rimfire rifles and will vouch for them. Optics makers introduce new scopes every year that push the performance level, so this list is by no means exclusive. There are some great scopes not included here. A savvy buyer looking for a competition optic will track what the pros are using in their shooting discipline of choice, such as through the posted National Rifle League gear surveys. You can also follow the very excellent Precision Rifle Blog or track the various benchrest or other shooting organizations in which they compete—most publish extensive winning gear lists.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
