Cartridge selection is critical when deciding on a new rifle. For example, should you select the flashy new 6.5 Creedmoor or venerable .308? The answer depends of factors such as whether you will be hunting, if you plan on shooting 500 or 1,000 yards, recoil tolerance, availability, and several other factors tackled by the author in this head-to-head review.
The trend in handguns has been toward increased capacity. Many revolvers have even gained a cartridge or two in modern designs. However, high capacity doesn’t always mean greater efficiency. Here are nine top performers
While modern self-loading handguns are as reliable as a machine can be, the revolver is more likely to fire after long-term storage while loaded. You may leave the revolver at home, ready, and it will come up shooting. The revolver may also be placed against an adversary’s body and fired. EIther way, many feel comforted by an extra round or two at the ready.
If you have ever used the 6.5x55mm Swede, you know it is a game killer—out of proportion to its size. The 6.5 Creedmoor is even better in the modern rifles it is chambered in. As a varmint caliber, the 6.5 Creedmoor offers excellent utility. It offers longer range than the .223s and greater bullet mass. With Hornady TAP loads, it is also a fine tactical load, splitting the difference between the .223 and .308.
Let’s look at reality. When you purchase an expensive hunting handgun or a target pistol you expect to be able to convince the pistol to hit where it is aimed. The point of impact and point of aim will be in perfect sync. If you purchase a fixed sight handgun for personal defense then you find it is zeroed for one load or the other but it will not be easily done.
The Kel-Tec Sub 2000 dispenses with all of the problems of the semi-automatic SMG, and it is a neat trick compared to the best of the competing 9mm carbines. The SUB 2000 isn’t heavy, it has a usable trigger, and it is a feathery-light firearm that handles quickly. While all that is good and well, read the full story to learn why the author recommends it for home defense.
As far as handling and ergonomics, the AR-15 and AR-10 are brilliantly designed and function the same. Some new shooters may not realize that the AR-10 7.62x51mm rifle actually came first. In fact the AR-10 .308 rifle competed with the FN FAL and M14. In the end, the rifle was downsized into the .223 caliber AR-15, which was a response to the AK-47, but that is history and we are dealing with differences in application today.
When I was challenged to come up with the best, concealed carry handguns of the past 20 years, I set…Read More >
The .41 Magnum is a useful, powerful, accurate, and well-balanced cartridge. Perhaps, it is one of the best revolver cartridges ever designed. Yet, it seems to be almost on its last leg, and far down the list in popularity compared to the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum. This is understandable in some ways, but the cartridge is just too good to die.
Purchasing an AR-15 rifle was far simpler when the only choice was Colt. Later, we had Armalite and a few others. Today, I cannot count the makers. Some are genuine manufacturers and others are small operators putting together rifles from outsourced parts. As long as the parts are high quality, that is fine. There is a lot of talent in the business. Diamondback’s DB15 exemplifies such talent.