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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

There is a lot to be said for simple machines that accomplish an objective, including those machines used for: hunting, informal target shooting and consumption of handloads. I get a kick out of hunting articles that run through the process of – “I glassed the slopes with my binoculars and […]