Rifle May-June 2025

Due to huge demand for lever action rifles and carbines, Smith & Wesson (S&W) has introduced a modern version designed for hunters and shooters, and is also intended to serve for home or property protection. The Model 1854 was initially offered in 44 Magnum when it was unveiled in early 2024. However, it is now offered in 45 Colt, available (at the time of this writing) in brushed stainless steel with a black synthetic stock or stainless with black coating and walnut stock, which is the version chosen for this column. ...Read More >

Barely hanging on by its fingernails at the edge of American history is a snippet remembered perhaps only by cartridge collectors and inquisitors of cartridge development. While every shooter knows the 5.56x45 NATO (the 223 Remington in uniform) is the smallest caliber widely adopted for general issue among the world’s militaries, few know the U.S. Army considered the 22 caliber - and a 20 caliber, as well – as far back as 1895, when it ordered Frankford Arsenal to make up a batch of experimental cartridges. ...Read More >

The name Greener has been associated with gun making since the 1830s when William Greener began making muzzleloading percussion sporting arms. Greener was very inventive and deeply interested in anything that used gunpowder. He was soon making a percussion harpoon gun that became the standard of whalers worldwide. ...Read More >

Karl Steiner founded Steiner-Optik in 1947, producing the Steinette camera. By 1955, Steiner had shifted its focus to binoculars, winning German military contracts first with the 8x 30mm FERO-D12 – the first nitrogen-purged binoculars – and then Bundeswehr Fernglas between 1966 and 1972. The U.S. Army ordered 72,000 M22 7x 50mm binoculars in 1989. Steiner was also the first to incorporate bearing compasses and laser protection filters into binoculars. ...Read More >

Every so often, Providence affords me the opportunity, by way of a genuine news hook, to write about one of my favorite comic topics: Canada’s latest gun control effort. ...Read More >

When it comes to pistol caliber carbines, my mind wants to think of Winchester 73s or Marlin 1894s. Short, light and quick-handling little carbines chambered in cartridges such as 357 Magnum 38 Special or 45 Colt, a personal favorite of mine. However, these days when you hear pistol caliber carbine (PCC), for the most part, folks are referring to modern pattern rifles chambered in calibers such as 9mm Luger, 40 S&W and 10mm Auto. When it comes to these chamberings there is no doubt that 9mm Luger is the most popular of all. ...Read More >

Every so often, someone will ask me to name the finest rifle I own. I’ve asked it myself, of others, and usually, a lot of hemming and hawing ensues. It’s like being asked to choose your favorite child. ...Read More >

Bringing up the subject of bolt action rifles with “control round feeding” versus “push feed” is always a good way to start a lively discussion among rifleman and hunters. Personal experience includes detailed study of various designs, repairing and gunsmithing, and using both types in adverse conditions and in high volume shooting. I have watched many of these guns - both domestic and foreign - being manufactured. My opinions are based on experience and are not biased toward one or the other. There are pros and cons to each. Right or wrong, I’m going to stick my neck out with a candid discussion. My only regret is that I wish I had more space for greater discussion of details. Let’s begin with a brief history of both action types, the focus will be primarily on popular rifles that have been, or are readily available, in the United States. ...Read More >

Parts one and two of this series on suppressors covered a great deal of information so I will conclude with how to avoid interior bullet strikes, thread maintenance, cartridge restrictions and a few other things that come to mind. ...Read More >

It wasn’t long ago (Rifle No. 330, September, 2023) that I had the opportunity to review Benelli’s black synthetic-stocked Lupo in 6mm Creedmoor. At the time it had been on the market a few years. This was the Italian gunmaker’s first bolt-action hunting rifle, a firearm displaying the style Benelli has become known for through its world-renowned semiautomatic shotguns. It should come as no surprise that the company would expand on the Lupo lineup, as it has been well received in the firearms community. The Lupo can be had with black and camouflage synthetic stocks, as well as in fine walnut. ...Read More >

I was out working putting a fence around my property in the middle of June when my phone started to ring. I was listening to the Big Game Podcast about hunting elephants in Africa, I looked at the caller ID – it was Derrick with Horizon Firearms. So, I answered the phone and asked him what was up. He asked me if I was interested in going to South Africa on a six-day hunting trip with him and Hornady to test out the Hornady 80-grain ELD-X in 22 Creedmoor and the 22 ARC (Advanced Rifle Cartridge) in the Horizon Firearms Venatic Wombat Action on African game. The answer was, of course, “Heck yeah!” Going on a Safari had been a dream of mine for as long as I could remember. I asked, “When are we going?” Derrick said the end of August, which gave me just under 90 days to update my passport and complete all the paperwork. ...Read More >