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Rifles

Review: Ruger American .450 Bushmaster — The Deer Slayer’s Rifle

Many of us can trace back at least one of our first shooting experiences to a Ruger firearm. Typically, it’s a Ruger 10/22 (.22 Long Rifle). This was the case for me back in the 1980s. I’ve always respected Ruger as a quality/affordable manufacturer. However, I really hadn’t shot anything new from Ruger until two years ago when I bought my wife a Ruger LCP (.380) as her CCW gun. This all began when I was introduced to the marketing team at Ruger. I was particularly interested in its Ruger American .450 Bushmaster. Not only is this caliber gaining popularity in Michigan and Ohio for deer hunters, but it’s quickly becoming popular with guides and hunters across the U.S. [Read more…] about Review: Ruger American .450 Bushmaster — The Deer Slayer’s Rifle

.300 Savage Cartridge and Savage 99 Rifle — The Forgotten .30

Among my favorite cartridges is a hard hitting, accurate, and soft-kicking number known as the .300 Savage. The .300 Savage has been chambered in the Savage 99 lever action rifle most famously, but also a number of bolt action rifles. Among these is an early Savage rifle that is the model for the modern Kimber bolt action. [Read more…] about .300 Savage Cartridge and Savage 99 Rifle — The Forgotten .30

Review: Windham Weaponry SRC-308

I was excited to test the new Windham Weaponry WW-308 (MSRP $1,708, but K-Var’s price is under $1,250). I have shot 223/5.56 AR-15s ever since I was 13 years old, but had never really had a chance to try out the AR-15s big brother (often referred to as the AR-10). The real treat was trying this rifle platform out with Windham Weaponry, a company rich in AR-15 history. [Read more…] about Review: Windham Weaponry SRC-308

The Skill of Rifle Marksmanship

The primary goal of marksmanship is being able to hit what we are aiming at. Your purpose may be simple target shooting, hunting, or personal defense. Whatever the goal, a great deal of practice is needed. For most of American history, rifle marksmanship has been an essential skill, and it remains so today. [Read more…] about The Skill of Rifle Marksmanship

Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

A good quality, .22 caliber bolt-action rifle, such as the Zastava MP22, is among the best firearms available for all shooters and those who love the outdoors. It is suitable for training, recreational shooting, small game hunting, and general outdoors duty. The .22 caliber rifle is easy to use well, and practice is cheap. There is no harsh recoil to intimidate young shooters. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Zastava .22 Rifle

CZ 455 Varmint and Trainer .22 LR Rifles

I fired my first .22 caliber rifle at perhaps 10 years old. I have been through many rifles always upgrading the .22. The .22 offers excellent economy and is the place where we should all start. The .22 is also the place we should go when we are having marksmanship issues. Today, one of my favorite .22 LR offerings is the CZ 455 series. [Read more…] about CZ 455 Varmint and Trainer .22 LR Rifles

Take Your Vepr AK Hunting!

American and Western soldiers have been facing the wrong end of a Kalashnikov rifle for better than half-a-century. The AK-47 is effective as a battle rifle, just as the Remington 700, Winchester Model 70, and Modern Sporting Rifle are. So, if you would take the last three hunting, why not the AK? And, if the Molot Vepr catches on, the North American cervid population may reap a similar whirlwind soldiers have, as the new AK chambers multiple calibers suitable for all big-game in the lower 48. [Read more…] about Take Your Vepr AK Hunting!

Review: IWI Tavor X95 — Bullpup Bliss

I know there are numerous reviews and videos regarding the IWI Tavor X95 (a favorite of mine comes from Tim at Military Arms Channel). So, this review is in no way seeking to replace any of those reviews. However, as an “average joe” shooter I want to tell you that this thing is fun, and accurate, to shoot. [Read more…] about Review: IWI Tavor X95 — Bullpup Bliss

Four Guns You Should Own

When I first started buying guns, I looked to fill categories. I needed a handgun, hunting rifle, and a shotgun. Next, I looked for a military rifle, something that was historic and battle proven. Next, I broke the handgun category to a revolver and a semi-automatic. The hunting rifle quickly expanded to rimfire, big game and varmint rifles. However you decide to select your next gun, here are four guns every shooting enthusiast should own. [Read more…] about Four Guns You Should Own

CMP: M1 Garand Release — Update

Last week, K-Var’s The Armory ran an article regarding the U.S. Army’s release of 100,000 M1 Garand rifles to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). Several of you expressed great interest in owning one of these fine shooting pieces of history and requested that more details be forwarded along as soon as they became available. Here is the full story straight from the CMP. [Read more…] about CMP: M1 Garand Release — Update

Fire Control for AK Rifles and Shotguns

Do you have an AK rifle or shotgun that you absolutely love, but a trigger that you hate? That has been the dilemma far too many AK owners have faced for years, but it does not have to be. The engineering minds at the FIME Group have been working to create high quality fire control parts that will not only have the potential to up your shooting experience—nothing beats a smooth trigger—but also improve your AK’s accuracy. [Read more…] about Fire Control for AK Rifles and Shotguns

Ride the Federal 224 Valkyrie!

The Federal 224 Valkyrie! Traditionalists will howl: “Another unnecessary creation! It doesn’t do anything a half-dozen rifle cartridges don’t already do.” They are wrong! What the Valkyrie does is keep a .224 bullet stabilized and supersonic to 1,000 yards or slightly beyond. If I’m not mistaken, no other commercially loaded .224 centerfire currently does that. This makes the 224 Valkyrie a potential, long-range, Precision Rifle Series round that promises better than average barrel life and virtually no recoil compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor. Handload it and the small powder capacity of the Valkyrie case (roughly 24 grains of powder) combined with smaller bullets should keep costs down, too. [Read more…] about Ride the Federal 224 Valkyrie!

A Closer Look At The Molot Sanctions

While walking around SHOT Show this year, I couldn’t help but see the ads running for the Last of Molot and directing me to Booth 11217. With the prospect of the promise of free patch and a chance to check out the last of the VEPR’s, I couldn’t resist. As many of you know, this year the federal government put the final nail in the coffin for anyone wanted access to quality Russian firearms. The question is, “Why and how did we get here?” [Read more…] about A Closer Look At The Molot Sanctions

New Rifles for 2018

January 23, 2018, signaled the beginning of the largest gun show in the world—the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show. Unfortunately, admission requires a Federal Firearms License (FFL), media, manufacturer status or something similar, so it is not open to the general public. Fortunately, we have a front row ticket to deliver the hottest new rifles for 2018! [Read more…] about New Rifles for 2018

The SAM7SFK SBR — European Quality for the American Market

Arsenal Inc. is proud to add a new configuration to its successful line of Bulgarian-made SAM7SF Rifles, the SAM7SFK 7.62×39 caliber SBR. The SAM7SFK-72 7.62x39mm caliber SBR combines authentic, high-quality features rarely seen in the American market. Every component is engineered to provide decades of dependable service. The SAM7SFK-72 SBR is ideal for sport shooting, self-defense, and home defense. [Read more…] about The SAM7SFK SBR — European Quality for the American Market

Sneak Peek: New Firearms for 2018

The past two years have have yielded little in the way of innovation. Of course there were exceptions that caught shooters’ eyes and found a well deserved spot as home defenders or the top shelf of the safe. The Arex Rex Zero One and Walther Creed immediately come to mind. However, that is the past and we are concerned with 2018, so here are a few models worthy of a closer look. [Read more…] about Sneak Peek: New Firearms for 2018

Springfield M1A Loaded Now in 6.5 Creedmoor

Springfield Armory’s M1A Series is more than simply an iconic gun, it is the gun of champions.  The M1A has earned a reputation for superb reliability and performance in handling any mission, any condition, any foe, at any range—and for taking home trophies from monster bucks to National Match crowns. Highly precise .308 WIN-chambered M1A models are found in the hands of elite tactical teams, snipers, backcountry hunters and competitive marksmen. Now, skilled shooters can get unmatched Springfield M1A performance in 6.5 Creedmoor caliber. [Read more…] about Springfield M1A Loaded Now in 6.5 Creedmoor

Ruger Precision Rifle RPR .308, .243, 6.5 Creedmoor Review

When the initial reviews of the Ruger Precision Rifle came out, I was skeptical about the gloriously rosey review noting groundbreaking features… it just screamed to me that someone was all too happy to whip out knee pads and a bib to be one of the first to review Ruger’s latest, so I waited a until now for my full review. Initially, my eyes rolled hard with the thought that Ruger has just dropped its standard, Mauser-influenced action into a billet chassis, and that did not sound particularly groundbreaking—I was of course wrong completely on that point. [Read more…] about Ruger Precision Rifle RPR .308, .243, 6.5 Creedmoor Review