George Norton — Breaking the Rifle Athlete Mold
“Jokes and smallbore—that’s what I do!” says George Norton proudly during one of the Olympic Team Trials matches. And he’s really not that far off. You can easily spot the tall, lanky, Army Marksmanship Unit rifle shooter at any match. He’s the one pumping his fist in the air with the wide, agape smile after a win, laughing with his teammates off the range or creating memes for his Facebook page.
Read MoreThe Browning Buckmark Rimfire Pistol
While my passion today lies with centerfire rifles, there are few activities that are as genuinely fun as time spent plinking with a .22 pistol. They are economical to shoot, offer virtually no recoil and will hone your skills in a hurry. There are many makes and models available to today’s shooters, but few will rival the Browning Buckmark pistol.
Read MoreWhy You Should Consider Getting Laser Sights
Over the last two decades, laser sighting systems have become more common. Currently, there are a number of companies that offer a wide variety of laser sights to fit almost any defensive firearm, especially handguns, and these optics are more than just a gimmick.
Read MoreGetting Started with Trap Shooting
During the 18th century, European hunters began releasing live pigeons from “traps,” which usually consisted of a hat placed over the bird prior to its release. That’s how the sport got its name, but today live pigeons have been replaced by clay discs (which are often referred to as “clay pigeons” in reference to the early use of live birds). Trap ranges are found throughout the country, and it’s a safe bet that there’s a range not far from you.
Read MoreMaster Craft: Morgan Craft—Muncy Valley, Pennsylvania
Confidence breeds success, and there’s no greater example of that than the rise of skeet shooter Morgan Craft in 2015. In a discipline full of stars, including five-time Olympic medalist Kim Rhode, it was Craft who shined the brightest in 2015.
Read MoreTrue Stories of the Wild West
There’s something about the movies of the Old West. Cowboys riding horses and shooting six-shot revolvers that never seemed to run out of ammunition. Traveling for days on horseback and never needing a change of clothes. The best part was always that they seemed to know where they were going, without a map, compass or Siri.
Read MoreThe Truth Behind Twist Rates
The creation of “rifling” is one of the most significant advances in firearms history. Cut down the length of the interior of the barrel surface in a curving or spiral manner, rifling is comprised of “lands” (the portion of the rifling with the smallest diameter) and “grooves” (the portion of the rifling with the widest diameter).
Read MoreThe Ruger No. 1 Single-Shot Rifle
While repeating actions still sit firmly planted at the top of the heap when it comes to rifle popularity, the Ruger No. 1 has a huge following. There is a certain nostalgic appeal to having a rifle that possesses just one shot. It speaks to the marksman who wishes to hone his or her skills so that precision in shot placement takes precedence over firepower.
Read MoreShooter Profile—USA Shooting’s Paralympic Rifle Competitor John Joss
“I am a pretty happy-go-lucky guy, but there’s nothing on earth that has frustrated me more or made me happier than this sport. It demands all of your attention. You can’t blame it on anyone else—it’s an individual sport.”
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