Gauging Success - Minimum Headspace and Maximum COL
So a chamber reamer, a cartridge case, a sizing die and a barrel walk into a bar….. I know, you’ve probably heard this one before, but I thought I might tell it again for the folks who haven’t. If you’d like to optimize your handloads for your specific rifle, and […] [Read More]
Real Guns Email
If you haven’t noticed yet, a new rev of Spam Hippo has been installed on the Real Guns email servers. If you’ve registered to access closed portions of Real Guns, you received a Real Guns domain email account, including Spam Hippo protection against spam and viruses. The email service may be […] [Read More]
Goodwill Can Be So Hard To Find
I know we live in Maine because we now own a Chevy truck. Nothing fancy, no leather bucket seats or 20″ low profile tires on trick rims, just a Silverado 4×4 work truck with a larger engine, 4.10 locking rear and vinyl mat instead of carpets so we can just […] [Read More]
Hyper .45 ACP Loads and the .45 Thuper Revisited Part II
An update and interim article – I wanted to select bullets that would function properly in feed and ejection cycles and expand properly at elevated velocity. A week into the process I realized I had no way to make that determination prior to completing the project, so I did what […] [Read More]
The Last Shadow - America's Legacy
This morning my wife and I headed to the range. I needed to fire form some 17-357 RGI brass for a new die set I am having made, everything I had on hand had been loaded or at least had already been sized and wouldn’t reflect true chamber dimensions. I […] [Read More]
Hyper .45 ACP Loads and the .45 Thuper Revisited Part I
I like writing about higher than SAAMI pressure cartridge loads. The response always begins with knee jerk reactions, then immediately deteriorates into an emotional issue, rife with illogical arguments and lots of insults cast from afar. I don’t know why. It’s sort of like when people are ordinarily great drivers, […] [Read More]
The ProVision Borescope Bore inspection for under $175
One of the most critical aspects of a firearm, in terms of accuracy and consistent shot placement, is the condition of the gun’s bore. Unfortunately, the high price of a borescope capable of proper inspection has kept this tool out of reach for most of us. I believe Chicago Miniature […] [Read More]
The Ultimate Woods Rifle - Part II
The 30-30 Winchester ( .30-30 WCF, 30 Winchester and 7.62x51Rmm) has been around since 1895. How many exciting discoveries can be made through aggressive handloading? In terms of velocity, probably none. 150 grain bullets will max at about 2,350 fps, 170 grain loads perhaps 150 fps less. Even light 100 […] [Read More]
300 Ruger Compact Magnum
Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity, pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may […] [Read More]
The Ultimate Woods Rifle - Part III
Whew! These articles don’t come without some serious sacrifice. A few hundred rounds of ammo through the new Winchester and I was left almost totally disabled. I’ve had M1 thumb, I’ve never had Model 94 thumb…until now. The only reason I’m mentioning the injury here is because my wife said […] [Read More]