Barrett Firearms announces Justin Wolf and spotter James Archer’s 2nd place finish at the global 2023 King of 2 Miles competition, held at the NRA Whittington Center on September 22-24, 2023. What makes this result even more impressive is that Wolf was 1 of only 3 competitors who successfully engaged all 7 targets, the farthest being 3526 yards in the finals with a new Barrett rifle chambered in .416 Barrett using 500 grain Cutting Edge Lazer Bullets.

The three-day event attracts the world’s best marksmen and is regarded as the ultimate proving ground for long-range shooting, pushing the boundaries of precision and equipment performance. Of 69 competitors, Barrett represented 11% of rifles competing in the extreme long range event yet reflected 21% of the global Top 14 finalists. Barrett’s competing rifle system was the only factory configured product represented in this year’s competition that typically showcases custom-built rifles.

Wolf said the results were a testament to the new Barrett rifle’s exceptional precision and the promise it holds for the future of long-range shooting. “It’s always amazing to shoot big ELR events like this. The feeling of accomplishment of making the finals and having this success with the new Barrett equipment is second to none.”

Bryan James, President of Barrett Firearms, said: “Justin’s performance with our rifle at the King of 2 Miles competition is a source of immense pride for Barrett. It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in long-range shooting. We look forward to officially unveiling this innovation to the world at the 2024 SHOT Show and bringing the same capability to the hands of marksmen who demand nothing but the best.”

Barrett Firearms invites media, industry professionals, and shooting enthusiasts to visit their booth #10344 or Industry Day at the Range during the 2024 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from January 23–26, 2024, where they can experience the new product firsthand and learn more about this revolutionary rifle’s specifications and capabilities. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

As the firearms deer opener approaches, many hunting hopefuls will be sighting in their favorite firearms, before cold weather complicates matters.  Accordingly, below are some techniques to help minimize the potential for avoidable mishaps.

*  It is best to start with a clean gun with no oil or grease in the barrel. Visually inspect the barrel for obstructions before beginning, too.  Tighten all screws in the stock and include scope bases and rings in the process.  If you have handloaded ammunition, make sure to test-cycle the ammo you intend to take hunting through the firearm while you are at the range.

*  If you use factory ammunition, try sampling different varieties, as your wallet allows.  Once you are satisfied with the results, make sure all ammo has the same lot number.  The numbers are stamped on each box of ammo – usually under the flap – but, make sure it matches for consistency.  If it’s different than what you tested, verify results again.

*  Wear good hearing protection and protective glasses. To reduce felt recoil, a folded towel under the shirt helps to minimize the jarring effects of hard-recoiling guns.

*  The idea when sighting in is to minimize human error.  Make sure the firearm is firmly rested on the forearm – never the barrel – with the buttstock held firmly to the shoulder.  Although holding a heavy-recoiling firearm tight to the shoulder may sound counter intuitive to beginners, doing so is imperative to avoid sore shoulders, or worse yet, “scope eye”, when the scope slams into one’s eye socket!

*  Determine your maximum point blank range (PBR).  The concept is to sight in so that the bullet remains within an acceptable margin along the entire flight path to the longest possible range.  In the case of hunting whitetails with a conservative kill zone of 6 inches, the bullet must never be higher than 3 inches, and should not drop more than 3 inches on the far end.  When set up correctly, a hunter needs only to aim at the center of the target, assuming the chosen animal is within one’s prescribed point blank range.

If your shooting range doesn’t permit shooting at long range, there are several options to calculate PBR.  One is to refer to the manufacturer’s ballistic tables for the ammunition being used.  Typically, the information can be located on the ammunition box, or the company’s website.  Such data is often unreliable, because specifications from manufacturers are based on data produced with their test barrels and typically will not be the same with one’s firearm.

*  A better option is to determine the velocity of one’s ammo with a chronograph, as it is being shot from your firearm.  Then, with a given ballistic coefficient (BC – found at the manufacturer’s website) of the particular bullet being used, these aerodynamics coupled with the actual velocity will produce an exacting flight path.  Then, it’s a simple matter to adjust the height of impact at the distance being shot and trusting the math.

*  The ultimate alternative is to shoot at various ranges, if you have a safe shooting environment and backstop; computers and math are not required.

*  Once sighted in, shoot from various positions you may use in the field, such as offhand or kneeling.  As long as you can keep 9 out of 10 in a conservative six-inch circle, you are within range to make a humane kill.  If you are not that good, don’t kid yourself.  Get closer or learn to be disciplined enough to pass on unethical shots with bad odds.

*  When finished, do not clean the barrel unless, of course, you are using a muzzleloader with Pyrodex or blackpowder.  Just unload the gun, wipe off the exterior, and put it away safely with the confidence of an ethical hunter who has properly prepared.

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is pleased to announce that its First Shots® program has posted new online resources for ranges and customers, including new promotional videos and Spanish-language instructional materials.

NSSF’s First Shots is an introductory and refresher program made available through host target-shooting ranges across the country. By providing educational experiences that are safe, fun and memorable, host ranges are having great success in attracting first-timers, further engaging new gun owners and in reactivating lapsed participants. Read more