Field and Stream - Guns RSS

Why Shorter Rifle Barrels May Be Better

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:27:18 -0500

by David E. Petzal

A couple of generations ago, before there was a chronograph lurking under every loading bench, gun makers used barrels of sensible lengths. If you got a .30/06 or a .270, most likely you got a 22-inch barrel. If you bought a magnum, it was probably 24 inches. Over the years, however, barrels have been getting longer, possibly because manufacturers are afraid their guns/ammo won’t deliver advertised velocities.

I’ve never feared shorter barrels. They are handier to use, weigh less, and often are more accurate than the longer ones. And as a rule, you lose very little velocity when you lop off some steel.

As proof of this, ace Texas rifle maker Charley Sisk recently published an experiment where he barreled six rifles with 27-inch tubes and chronographed them, cutting each one back an inch at a time. Space doesn’t allow me to list all the figures, but I can give you the totals.

Eddie Bauer Releases New Line of Hunting, Shooting Apparel

Online Editors — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:05:41 -0500

by Phil Bourjaily

When I was a kid growing up in the frigid upper Midwest, the arrival of a box from Eddie Bauer containing a new down jacket was a big event. It meant you were going to stay warm that winter. Back then, Eddie Bauer gear was the real thing, worn by cold weather hunters and serious mountaineers. Eddie Bauer himself took out a patent on a quilted down jacket in 1940.

We had Bauer down everything: jackets, snow bibs, slippers, even gloves. Unfortunately in the 70s and 80s, new owners General Mills and Speigel took the brand away from its outdoor roots and into the malls, making “Eddie Bauer” synonymous with boring casual clothes and Ford Expedition interiors for soccer moms.

A pleasant surprise at SHOT Show was the news that Eddie Bauer is back. After introducing a line of technical mountain climbing clothes a couple of years ago and outfitting an expedition to Everest, Bauer returns to the hunting and shooting market this year with a full line of clothing. Some of the pieces are pleasingly retro, others are highly technical. All of them have been designed by people who actually hunt and shoot.

The 180-Class Pending B&C World Record 8-Point Buck!

Dave_Maccar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:46:12 -0500

This 8-point buck is a shoe-in for the B&C world record.

Jack O'Connor's Legendary No.2 Rifle

Online Editors — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:08:59 -0500

by David E. Petzal

In 1959, Jack O’Connor bought a Winchester Model 70 .270 Featherweight in a hardware store in Lewiston, Idaho. He had bought his first Winchester .270, a Model 54, in 1925, and in the ensuing years had made the cartridge synonymous with his name. He already had several .270s, but as we all understand, one or two of anything is never enough.

The new gun—O’Connor called this the No. 2 rifle--turned out to be very accurate (MOA or just under, which in 1959 was sensational), and so O’Connor took it to his favorite custom gunsmith, Al Biesen, of Spokane, to give it a level of elegance befitting its performance. Biesen completed the work in 1960. Biesen was not only a first-rate craftsman, but had a very good feel for ergonomics. All his stocks had a very slim pistol grip that belled toward the bottom, and they have a very distinctive feel. You can mount a Biesen rifle blindfolded and pick it out of a bunch of rifles.

Virginia May Lift Its One-Handgun-Per-Month Restriction

Online Editors — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:15:46 -0500

--Chad Love

The state of Virginia may lift its long-standing ban on purchasing more than one handgun per month.

From this story in The Washington Post:

Virginia is poised to lift a 19-year-old limit on handgun purchases, with the Republican-controlled state Senate expected to do away with the one-gun-per-month cap in a final vote Friday. With the purchase limit likely headed for extinction, Richmond appears to have grown friendlier to gun rights since Republicans took control of the evenly divided Senate last month, pro-gun and gun-control activists agree. This week, the Senate passed a bill prohibiting localities from requiring that people seeking concealed handgun permits submit fingerprints as part of their applications. The House passed a bill allowing government employees to store guns and ammunition in personal cars parked in workplace lots, including those at child-care centers and parks.

The Best Field & Stream Reader Photos From January 2012

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:06:52 -0500

The 50 Best Field & Stream Reader Photos of January.

The .50 Cal AR-15 Muzzleloader From CMMG

Dave_Maccar — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:02:44 -0500

by Phil Bourjaily

The AR 15 continues to prove its versatility in all kinds of ways – even ways that leave you scratching your head and asking “why?” For instance, I heard about the AR 15 muzzleloader upper at SHOT and looked in vain for it, finally concluding that it was a Mythical Creature and not a real AR accessory. Since then, I have found these two videos that prove its existence.

And, to give the people at CMMG Inc. credit, the .50 upper is cleverly designed. As you see in the video, the magazine holds extra pellets and bullets for handy reloading, and the gun will handle a three-pellet (150 gr.) load of pyrodex.

The Best New Knives of 2012

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:04:49 -0500

These are the best new knives for outdoorsmen available in 2012.

Korean War M1 Rifles Might be Sold as Souvenirs

Online Editors — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:41 -0500

by Phil Bourjaily

According to this story, a large number of Korean War surplus M1s may be on their way to the U.S. to be sold to Korean War veterans and their families as souvenirs this summer -- in time for the 62nd anniversary of the Korean War.

This immediately reminded me of my late father-in-law who fought in Korea. He spent eight years in the Marine Corps and to hear him tell it, he spent most of his hours in those eight years cleaning his rifle. He used to say that when he was in the Marines, he dreamed of the day he got out so he could buy an M1, leave it in the backyard, pee on it every day and watch it rust. I don’t think he was serious. He was very fond of the M1 (the M14, not so much) and proud of Marine Corps marksmanship in general.

At any rate, if this deal goes through, the rifles will be for sale this summer.

Deer Rifle Vs. TV: What Show Would You Shoot?

Sarah Smith — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:25:01 -0500

by Dave Hurteau

Last week the Muskegon Chronicle added to the anecdotal evidence that the venerable .30-30 Winchester--despite it’s long track record--is in fact a little underpowered for use on modern television sets.

According to the article, a 66-year-old man from Oceana County allegedly fired a .30-30 deer rifle at his television Monday night. The television, however, was still functioning when police arrived. It's unknown what show the man was watching. And, you’ll be shocked to learn, he was intoxicated. Now, I know that none of you would ever get drunk and shoot your television set with a deer rifle, but if you did…

Randolph Engineering: How to Choose the Right Tint for Shooting Glasses

Online Editors — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:47:59 -0500

Randolph Engineering has a variety of tints for its shooting glasses. Learn how to choose the right lenses for your next hunt or shooting competition and check out the company's new HD lenses.

Trijicon TARS: A Powerful Scope for Long-Range Shooters

Online Editors — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:07:31 -0500

Trijicon's Tactical Advanced RifleScope is a power optic that can be used for a variety of applications, especially big game hunting and long-range target shooting.

The Best Shotguns of 2012

Dave_Maccar — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:56:43 -0500

These are the best new shotguns of 2012.

Dimensions by Jeromy Holmes: One of a Kind Rifle Paint Jobs

Online Editors — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:45:04 -0500

So you have your rifle. There are many like it but this is your own. Now add a paint job by artist Jeromy Holmes and you can ensure no rifle will ever look the same as yours. And his work is not just for looks, it's functional beauty.

Olympic Medalist Kim Rhode on Prep for London Games

Online Editors — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:40:43 -0500

Kim Rhode will be competing in the Olympic Skeet event in 2012, where she hopes to break an Olympic record by winning five medals in five different Olympic Games. She talks with Phil Bourjaily about her practice routine and prep work leading up to the London games.

Do-All Outdoors: Have Fun Shooting These Targets

Online Editors — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:30:35 -0500

Bored shooting the same targets over and over? Try blasting an orange prairie dog or any of these reusable targets from Do-All Outdoors.

Connecticut Shotgun: Quality Firearms Made in the U.S.

Online Editors — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:22:54 -0500

Here are three of Connecticut Shotgun's latest models, including a sporting clays model, packed with custom features. Act fast because they're offering special introductory rates for certain shotguns.

The Best New Rifles of 2012

Dave_Maccar — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:41:18 -0500

The Best New Rifles of 2012.

Accuracy International AX: A Major Upgrade for Your Remington 700

Online Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:09:01 -0500

The Accuracy International AX offers Remington 700 owners a stability boost with this chassis. There is nothing flimsy about the AX, and it has a lot of room for you to add on your favorite gear.

First Look: US Palm Takedown AK47

Online Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:40:05 -0500

Here's a first look at a prototype of US Palm's Takedown AK47, a compact rifle that snaps together with a twist. AK fans, look for it to hit the market later this year.

Stag Arms 3G AR Rifle: Built for 3-Gun Competitions

Online Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:24:46 -0500

The Stag Arms 3G was designed with 3-Gun competitors in mind. Stag Arms offers both right and left handed versions so everyone can join in this growing sport.

Troy Industries T22: An AR-Style Chassis For Your Ruger 10/22

Online Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:07:24 -0500

Looking for a quick upgrade for your Ruger 10/22 that will add versatility and accessory options? This simple, railed, snap-on chassis set comes in two models.

Polymer Casings: The Future of Ammo?

Online Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:52:23 -0500

These rounds might mark the end of the metal casing. The polymer casing significantly reduces ammunition weight while retaining its accuracy--meaning you can carry more ammo during your next hunt.

Forbes Model 24B: An Excellent Rifle That Doesn't Break the Bank

Online Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:36:35 -0500

Looking for a great rifle that won't leave your wallet empty? Then consider this light, accurate rifle that was built to last. And with such an attractive price tag, you can splurge and get two.

Montana Rifle Company's New Dangerous Game Rifle

Online Editors — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:03:15 -0500

This rifle looks plain, is built to last, and hits hard. How hard? Well, it's chambered for the horrifying 505 Gibbs, the appalling .406 Weatherby and the serious 416 Rigby. What more could you ask for from a dangerous game rifle? Get all the details here.