Rifle September/October 2018

Pressure is defined as the unit of force applied perpendicular to the surface of an area of an object per unit of area. In a rifle, pressure is measured on the surface area of a transducer (psi), copper pellet (CUP) or in shotguns, lead pellet (LUP), which are mounted over (in) the chamber wall. More recently some ballistics labs use a strain gauge that is epoxied to the barrel over the chamber (kpsi). The basic difference among the measurement techniques is that CUP and LUP measure and record maximum pressure only, while the transducer and strain gauge measure pressure over time, from ignition until bullet exit. In any case, SAAMI test loads are provided to standardize test equipment. ...Read More >

As a boy, there were more shotguns than rifles in our house, and even those 20 and 12 gauges were neglected until late summer. Over time a self-loading Ruger 10/22 .22 Long Rifle was added, along with used Remington .222 and Ruger M77 .243 bolt rifles, though nothing of larger caliber. It is therefore difficult to pinpoint just when an interest in the .280 Remington came about, but it was probably due to something written in a firearms periodical; the cartridge sparked an interest some time prior to having ever shot one. ...Read More >

Barrel bedding is an often hotly debated subject, with strong opinions for the virtues of free floating and equally good cases made for partial and full-length bedding. Based on the ongoing controversy, it is with certain reservations that I share a few thoughts and experiences. I am not prejudiced toward any one method, as I use different approaches depending on application and stock material. While there are autoloading, single-shot and even lever-action rifles that feature (or can be customized with) free-floating and full-length bedded barrels, my comments here are directed primarily at bolt-action sporting rifles. During the early days of sporting bolt rifles with “standard” weight barrels, practically all were full-length bedded with the barrel touching the stock wood. During this era, it would have been considered poor workmanship if the wood-to-metal fit was not respectably tight. Many of these vintage rifles actually shot very well. However, some small rifle producers, custom gunsmiths and target shooters began to recognize the virtues of free-floating barrels. ...Read More >

When first considering takedown rifles, my thought was, Why? To me, the concept just seemed a way to introduce a possible lack of precision into a rifle. As is usually the case, when something is viewed without experience, initial attitudes are wrong. My first two experiences with take-downs proved that. ...Read More >

Few shooters today seem concerned with the smooth operation of their bolt-action rifles – until one day a chance to fire a U.S. M1892 Krag or pre-World War II Winchester M70 comes along. The concept of a smoothly operating bolt gun is then made wonderfully clear! ...Read More >

Most rifle shooters fire a few shots at a target before hunting season opens, and a few more during deer season. During the remainder of the year, the rifles sit in the back corner of a closet. Formal and casual long-range target shooting, though, provide the opportunity to shoot all year in different conditions to increase skill, learn about ballistics and the mysteries of bullets in flight. ...Read More >

When I heard H-S Precision was making a special rifle dedicated to a friend, the late Tom Houghton, I immediately got in touch with his son Tim to get more details on this custom rifle. When the rifle arrived I was impressed. ...Read More >

The year 1751 was a long time ago; two hundred and sixty-seven years, as this is written – longer than the U.S. has been in existence. In 1751, Frederick the Great ruled Prussia and Voltaire was the cutting voice of European society. ...Read More >

Today it seems everyone is in love with pinpoint accuracy – especially rifles that are accurate out to 500, 1,000 and even 2,000 yards. Riflemakers large and small are turning out shooting machines that are extraordinarily accurate, placing their bullets in tight clusters at distances measured in furlongs. ...Read More >

A Wolfe Publishing Company re-print of a Winchester catalog from 1899 shows saddle ring carbines (SRCs) priced lower than any of the company’s other standard model leverguns. Model 1873 prices were $17.50 compared to $18 for a round-barreled rifle, or $19.50 for one with an octagonal barrel. These days, on the collectors’ market standard SRCs bring substantially higher prices than standard rifles with either type of barrel, when in comparable condition. Some say the price difference results from fewer carbines having been made. One-third of the nearly 750,000 Model 1873s were SRCs. Others think it was a century of movie usage. That’s not a strong point. Older westerns often featured Model 1892 SRCs in a timeframe when Model 1873s were proper. My take is the fact that, on the whole, SRCs of all models saw much harsher treatment than rifles. This factor seems to be especially prominent with ’73 SRCs. ...Read More >

The Browning Lever Rifle (BLR) series has been in production for almost 50 years during which the rifles have evolved with a number of changes and improvements. Additionally, they have been offered in variations that include limited editions, Takedown, Tactical and Lightweight versions. Both short and long actions are available, and the BLR has been chambered in a large number of popular cartridges that range from the .222 Remington to .450 Marlin. Popular modern magnums such as the .300 WSM and .300 Winchester Magnum have also been available. According to company representatives, the BLR series is currently enjoying a surge in sales, which is understandable as it is reliable, handsome and accurate. ...Read More >

While the term “nontoxic” sounds somewhat weird when applied to hunting bullets, some people believe eating game killed with lead-core bullets can be harmful to their health. However, a large-scale study in Germany and Switzerland found hunters had about the same lead levels in their blood as nonhunters. ...Read More >

E.R. Shaw has been making rifle barrels for a century. Over the years the company expanded into supplying barrels for many firearm manufacturing companies, and in recent years, building bolt-action and autoloading rifles. The company recently shortened its name to Shaw to consolidate its Shaw Barrels, Shaw Rifles and Shaw O. E. M. under one name. Shaw started manufacturing its AR-type ERS-15 rifles about two years ago. The rifle was well received by shooters, which encouraged Shaw in the last year to start making its ERS-10 rifle to handle the larger 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester cartridges. ...Read More >