Understanding the Foundation: The Scope and Its Inner Workings The Basics of a Rifle Scope Have you ever pulled the trigger, felt the recoil, and then squinted, wondering where your shot landed? Perhaps it was a clean miss, a frustrating grouping just off-center, or a shot that felt like it should have been perfect. In … Read more
Methods for Finding Muzzle Velocity Using a Chronograph One of the most direct and accessible ways to measure muzzle velocity involves the use of a chronograph. This invaluable piece of equipment provides immediate, real-world data about the speed of your projectiles. Let’s examine this method in detail. A chronograph, at its core, is a sophisticated … Read more
Introduction The crisp metallic click as the bolt slams home, the subtle scent of gunpowder, and the focused concentration as you bring the rifle to your shoulder—these are elements that define the experience of shooting. For centuries, riflemen have relied on simple yet effective sights to achieve precision, and among these, peep sights, also known … Read more
A Tale of Two Cartridges In the world of precision shooting, where accuracy is king and every millimeter counts, choosing the right cartridge can be a game-changer. The decision often hinges on factors like ballistics, recoil, barrel life, and intended application. Two cartridges that have gained significant traction in recent years are the 6mm GT … Read more
Roots and the Path Forward .243 Winchester Origins Understanding the origins and motivations behind a cartridge’s creation provides crucial context for its performance. The .243 Winchester is a classic, born from the legendary .308 Winchester cartridge. This adaptation, introduced in the 1950s, quickly became a favorite for hunting small to medium-sized game. The .243 Winchester … Read more
Understanding the Dynamics of Twist Rate and Bullet Flight The heart of any accurate rifle lies in its barrel, and one of the most critical characteristics of that barrel is its twist rate. But what exactly does a twist rate represent? It describes the rate at which the rifling within the barrel causes a bullet … Read more
The Sneaky Culprit: What is Parallax? The Visual Effect Imagine holding a pencil at arm’s length and closing one eye. Now, align the pencil with a distant object in the background, like a tree. Keeping the pencil still, close the eye and open the other. Notice how the pencil seems to have shifted its position … Read more
Understanding the Bead Sight: The Basics What a bead sight is At the end of your shotgun’s barrel, you’ll find it: a small, typically round, dot, often metallic or sometimes fiber optic. This is the bead sight, the primary aiming device on most shotguns. Unlike the more intricate sights found on rifles, which offer precise … Read more
Understanding the Downward Journey: What is Bullet Drop? The booming crack of a .45-70, a sound that echoes through the annals of American history and continues to resonate with shooters of all backgrounds. From its origins as a workhorse of the frontier to its continued popularity among hunters and target enthusiasts, the .45-70 cartridge stands … Read more
Introduction The pursuit of accuracy in shooting, whether for hunting, sport, or tactical purposes, has always been a demanding endeavor. Factors like distance, wind, temperature, and even the bullet’s ballistic coefficient all play critical roles in determining where a projectile will ultimately land. For years, shooters relied on complex charts, manual calculations, and educated guesses. … Read more
