By Glen Wunderlich

Modern technology is such that it has never been easier to introduce youngsters to the shooting sports with the world’s most popular caliber:  the .22 rimfire.  Firearms are now offered with adjustable synthetic stocks, so that smaller-framed youths can enjoy the sport without having to cut down wooden stocks, as was done commonly in the past; this fact allows youngsters to be able to grow with the firearm.  In addition, inexpensive telescopic sights can upgrade more difficult-to-learn iron sights, thus expediting the learning curve.  Plus, with the vast array of affordable and plentiful ammo, one doesn’t have to break the bank to get started.

I prefer to start a beginner with anything but a semi-auto rifle for a number of reasons.  While it may make for exciting movies, shooting fast is counter-productive to learning the basics of marksmanship.  In addition, semi-autos need to be kept clean to function properly or jamming actions stop the activity.  Beside, a single shot, or bolt action, or lever action is inherently safer, because the action must be manually cycled to fire again. 

Young Landon sizing up a shot with a Henry lever action .22 rimfire topped with a Bushnell rimfire scope

And, the final reason for avoiding auto loaders is that they need to be fed relatively high energy ammo to cycle the action – not typically conducive to accuracy.

Youngsters (and, adults for that matter) will find that better triggers mean better accuracy.  Several relatively inexpensive models have incorporated adjustable triggers that fit the bill.  Savage produces its Mark II rimfire rifle with its innovative AccuTrigger and Ruger’s counterpart incorporates its Marksman adjustable trigger with 2.25 to 5 pound pull weight.  The beauty of these adjustable triggers is that they offer user-adjustable triggers, so there’s no need for gunsmithing.

When it comes to scopes there are some to avoid.  The typical scopes designed for centerfire rifles are not a good choice, because their fixed internal parallax is set for 100 yards or more – not the range commonly employed with a beginner’s rimfire.  Parallax is the difference in apparent direction of an object, as seen from two different points. 

If you want to see if parallax is present, do this:  Set any scoped firearm onto a solid rest and focus the crosshairs onto a target – especially one from 30 to 40 yards for the purpose of this experiment.  Without moving the firearm, move your head a bit as you look through the scope.  If the crosshairs seem to move, you have parallax!  A rimfire-specific scope minimizes this distortion or eliminates it altogether at the shorter range used with rimfires.

The final piece of the puzzle for the beginner is the ammunition.  Most any supersonic ammo will not be as accurate as standard velocity, or sub-sonic ammo, which is one in the same.  Noise-sensitive youngsters will take to the quieter ammo better and it also has the added advantage of being more accurate – a fact that any seasoned target shooter understands.  No matter what ammo is chosen, make sure to have on hand good hearing protection that will fit a young shooter.

As the adult, it’s good policy to sight in the firearm at a given range from a solid sandbag rest – say 25 yards, before handing it off.  Once dialed in, the challenge is to shoot small groups in the center of the target.  After that, reactive targets such as cans or plastic water bottles filled with water can make for an enjoyable session of learning.  And, don’t be surprised if those young eyes show you up!

Gainesville, GA- Bullet drop. It keeps long-range shooters awake at night, and has long-range hunters glued to their Ballistic app when they are afield.

How much drop? At what distance? If you go from Load A to Load B, each with a different muzzle velocity, what’s the drop now?

The information you input to your Ballistic app will calculate the drop of your bullet and various distances. Yet, some shooters don’t quite understand that the smallest changes in the shooting environment can greatly influence just how much a bullet may or may not drop, especially as shooting distances lengthen.

Gravity, of course, is a constant factor in bullet drop, and Ballistic automatically calculates for this very important factor.

However, many other factors are at work, too. For example, air resistance progressively slows a bullet, but, what determines the air resistance in any particular shooting scenario, primarily air temperature.

According to Curt Vaughn, Head of Product for Ballistic, and a long-range shooting competitor, temperature differences don’t impact the actual path of the bullet. Yet, the air temperature very much influences how fast gunpowder burns and therefore how much pressure your round develops. Higher air temps equal higher velocities, all other factors being equal.

For example, when a .243 Ackley Improved handload of Vaughn’s is fired at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it has a muzzle velocity of 3,175 fps, staying super-sonic out to 1,350 yards. But when it’s 80 degrees? Now, the muzzle velocity is 3,286 fps, and the bullet remains super-sonic out to 1,450 yards.

Likewise, Vaughn adds, barometric pressure, “is immensely important in making long-range shots, and needs to be factored into your calculations.”

In general, the higher the barometric pressure, the more drag the air applies to the bullet. For example, with a temperature at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.00 inches, at Sea Level, bullets from Vaughn’s .243 AI handloads travel approximately 1,400 yards at super-sonic speed before they drop to sub-sonic. However, the same load, same rifle and location, but with the barometer reading 27.00 inches?  Now those rounds have a maximum super-sonic range of 1,550 yards.

To accurately calculate your bullet drop, make sure you input these and other environmental factors into your Ballistic calculations. Ballistic features a one-touch atmospheric correction tab to more detailed inputs, as well as numerous other factors, to put you on target fast and with great precision. Read more

EAST ALTON, Ill. June 25, 2018 – Winchester Ammunition announces the launch of the new Winchester.com, its most dynamic digital platform in the brand’s history. The new website is fully loaded with enhanced technologies and functionality and also features an enhanced ballistics calculator and redesignedgear store.

“We have made it a major priority to be a leader in the digital space, which is a major investment worth making,” said Matt Campbell, vice president of sales and marketing. “One of our core values at Winchester is a belief that success comes from continuous improvement and innovation.  Whether it’s finding creative new ways to serve our customers, designing cutting-edge new ammunition products or in this case, providing the very best digital resources possible; innovation is a driving force behind all we do.”

The new website will feature an enhanced Ballistics Calculator and Pattern Board™ app, as well as volumes of rich content that is second to none in providing customers with the very best experience when learning about the Winchester brand and products. Read more