I became a fan of the Steyr SSG rifle almost 40 years ago when I got my SSG 69 rifle. At the time, it was generally rated the best sniping rifle in the world, though soon Accuracy International would challenge Steyr for that honor. U.S. Remington and Winchester sniping rifles tuned by military armorers were
To provide a reliable source of military ammunition for the Finnish Army, the Valtion Patruunatehdas (VPT) ammunition factory in Lapua, Finland was opened in 1923. VPT ammunition soon earned a reputation for excellent reliability and accuracy, especially with its match ammunition. By the start of the Winter War against the Soviet Union in 1939, VPT
A few months ago, I was at the range testing a couple guns for articles and shooting a couple more to stay current with them. During the process, I needed various tools to adjust a scope, mount and re-zero the dial, change the elevation on an AK front sight, and tighten some screws. I also
I’ve been a fan of the Trijicon ACOG since I first tried one many years ago. I’m especially fond of the TA31RCO used by the USMC, to the extent that one is on the M4 I use most often. I have also used .308 ACOGs but have not had as much experience with them as
Awhile back, I began working on a mental problem, as shooters are wont to do. What might be the perfect “truck gun”? What options exist for takedown long guns and how practical are they? As I did research, I rarely found hard numbers to associate with the “putting it back together and shooting it” part
My title for this column is purposely somewhat ambiguous. Countersniper Versus Sniper could be interpreted as sniper battling sniper, but it could also be interpreted as countersniper as differentiated from sniper. I will discuss the concept in both ways. Due to recent events, I have read quite a bit about how to counter snipers. Many
One of my favorite drills to start a training session is a prone, slow-fire, five- to ten-round group on an NRA B-8 bullseye at 100 yards. First, it checks or confirms that a rifle is still zeroed, as zeroes can drift over time due to a variety of factors including weather changes and impacts to the weapon or sights.
It’s one thing to hit a single, easily detected, close-range target in daylight with a single, moderately accurate shot, from a stable firing position, when not in a hurry. But change those conditions, presenting challenges common in defensive situations, and it’s a different proposition altogether.
Silencer: A device designed to muffle the report of a firearm. Suppressors, or silencers, also colloquially known as cans, have been around since the late 1800s. The first patented one came from Maxim in 1909. At the same time, Maxim also developed the muffler for gasoline engines—they share the same principles. The hot gas leaving
I bought my first U.S. military shotgun more than 40 years ago. An M97 Trench Gun, it was the most iconic of the U.S. fighting shotguns—and still is, for that matter. Ever since then, I have retained my interest in GI shotguns and their accouterments.
