The other day, I was leaning back in my chair, hands clasped behind my head, running through a quick mental inventory of things I know, and areas of knowledge I may still need to explore. I instantly recalled that Slap Maxwell had a girlfriend named Judy, yet I completely drew […]
Feature Articles
+P Loads for the .45 ACP
Not for the faint hearted. Those were my thoughts one hundred rounds into the evaluation. I flexed my fingers and began another firing string. It would not be fair to any involved to develop a flinch or milk the trigger at this point. I knew I was firing powerful, highly […]
Ruger's No. 1 Tropical 450/400 3" NE Part II
OK, Joe, so why not show the entire rifle since it is such a nice example of a Ruger No.1 Tropical? I believe most people who have handloaded and shot… peppy cartridges such as the 450/400 3″ Nitro Express, that are intended for big and dangerous game, can understand how […]
Winchester's Model 70 Safari Express - 416 Rem Mag Part 2
Yes, I am neglecting a number of other projects so I can play with… I mean work with, the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express rifle and the 416 Remington Mag cartridge combination. There are bullets to fly, recoil to absorb and paper targets to stop in mid charge. It has […]
Future wildcats, real and imagined - The 6mm and .257 WSM
I had a great time putting together the .358-378 RG this past year, and it of course was gratifying to have the cartridge perform to expectations. The project was accomplished with a relatively inexpensive rifle, the Ruger No.1, and because there was no bolt face to machine or mag well […]
Cheap Knives and Other Benefits of Fishing
I am what in the world of sport fishing is known as a master vertical caster. It took me years to perfect the technique, however, I was eventually able to drop a lure, or live bait of any type, reliably within a 6″ circle. The technique is not without its […]
The Marlin 1895G - reducing felt recoil
This is a picture of a brick, not a great picture but, none the less, a picture. Someone might suggest this looks a lot like a Marlin 1895G factory recoil pad, but it can’t be, because it doesn’t flex, twist, compress, or even bounce very high when tossed to the […]
When Things Go Right...
Quite some time ago, I wrote a derogatory article about a local indoor range, The National Shooting Club. It was undoubtedly the most mismanaged operation I have ever encountered in decades as a firearm enthusiast; theft of customer’s property, unsafe operation and nasty people – not exactly a great contribution […]
Living in a parallel universe
I’ve been blowing the cobwebs off of my firearms’ related material in preparation of resuming work on Real Guns, but it’s been tough going. The general absence of mental acuity, combined with a diminished span of attention, cause my thoughts to wander between wondering when the NY Giants will aspire […]
The M1917 Enfield Project
I’m no gunsmith by any stretch of the imagination. I have a few hand tools and a simple Lee reloading press. Do-it-yourself articles always interest me. However, such articles often turn out to be either, “do-it-yourself – if you happen to own a machine shop,” or, “act as a general […]