San Antonio, Texas – J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Germany’s oldest manufacturer of hunting firearms, is pleased to introduce the new line of SL5 Waterfowl shotguns. Available in three models – Fred Bear Old School Camo, Fred Bear Old School Camo stock and forearm with brown Cerakote barrel and action, and Black Synthetic – these 12-gauge, semi-auto shotguns are rugged, reliable, and accurate in the most extreme hunting conditions. All are available in 3.5” models, which can accommodate 2 ¾”, 3” or 3.5” shotshells. Capacity is 3+1. The Black Synthetic model is also available in a 3” chambering.

Inertia-driven like the SL5 Turkey gun, the smooth-cycling SL5 Waterfowl shotgun requires fewer parts than a gas-driven gun and minimal cleaning – ideal traits for a duck and goose gun that is exposed to the elements. All SL5 3.5” models have an oversized extended bolt handle and release button making it easy to work with gloves on in frigid temperatures and are available in three barrel lengths – 26-inch, 28-inch, or 30-inch. The barrels are chrome lined with a stepped rib for precise alignment. The receiver is made with a steel upper for strength and durability, and the lower is aluminum for improved balance and reduced weight. Read more

EAST ALTON, IL — Shoot United announces the launch of its new handgun training and educational video series, geared toward the millions of new and prospective firearm owners throughout the United States. The “Take Your Shot” videos are hosted by Barret Kendrick and Jessica Hook, both experts in providing professional and reliable information in firearm safety and usage.

“People of all experience levels will find value in the handgun training video series,” said Jason Gilbertson, director of marketing for Shoot United. “Professional educators in firearms training like Barret and Jess provide tremendous value in explaining important topics in the shooting sports and firearms ownership. This is another video series that adds value to the Shoot United platform.”

The videos can be accessed on ShootUnited.com as well as on the Shoot United YouTube channel. Read more

Rogers, AR (October 18, 2022) – HatsanUSA has brought a new highly-customizable competition PCP air rifle to the US market – the Factor RC. Available in .177, .22, and .25 calibers, it can be fine-tuned and tailored to various competitions and shooting styles. Among its many features is the ability to accept commercially available pistol grips and buttstocks made for modern sporting rifles and has a reversible cocking lever for ambidextrous operation.

You’ll find that the ergonomic pistol grip is covered in soft, durable rubber and is textured to provide maximum grip and control. The 5-position telescoping buttstock also features an elevation adjustable cheek rest that can be moved in 5mm increments up to 40mm tall or removed for low-profile optics. Hatsan’s famous fully adjustable Quattro Trigger includes a trigger pad that can be moved vertically and rotated left or right for maximum precision and comfort. Read more

Fairfax, Va. – The National Rifle Association of America is proud to announce that over one million dollars has been distributed through the NRA and NRA Foundation to fund range development and improvement projects in 2022. Projects receiving grants run the spectrum of vital needs for public and private shooting ranges; including, construction of berms, range covers, and pavilions to the purchase of trap machines and lighting systems.

“To ensure a robust future for recreational target shooting and the shooting sports, gun owners need a place to learn, train, and compete,” said Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr., executive director of NRA General Operations. “Thanks to the generosity of NRA members, NRA Foundation donors, and those who attend local Friends of NRA events, NRA is able to provide the resources sought after by clubs and public agencies to build, expand, and improve ranges in their communities.” Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

At long last my newly suppressed Ruger American rifle in .450 Bushmaster had shown good promise in the initial testing for accuracy.  The chosen ammunition had produced a more-than-respectable test group with the new muffler, but it still needed to be sighted in at 100 yards.  Since this same ammo had been tested for integrity and accuracy in seasons past, all that was remaining was to adjust the zero.  That was a week ago, but things are different now.

I’ve been meaning to separate the barreled-action from the cheap factory, synthetic stock.  Although it was not technically “broken” there was no better time to fix rather sharp edges paralleling the barrel the entire length of the forearm.  With the stock in a suitable vise it was shaved and sanded.  Ah, that’s better.

However utilitarian, though, that stock was still plain ugly and thoughts turned to a cosmetic upgrade.  With some hydrodipping on the menu, I returned from the local Cheap Mart with four cans of quality Rust-Oleum 2X spray:  green, brown, copper metallic and clear.  The simple process involved filling a plastic-sheet-lined wheelbarrow with water then spraying the surface in educated randomness and dipping the boring stock through the controlled concoction.

However, when I hung it to dry, bubbles formed in my Picasso and the paint had runs – possibly from too much paint in the mix.  With nothing to lose, I impatiently began sanding, as soon as it was dry enough.  After finishing with ooo steel wool, it was saved and will only need clear coats to become a one-off original.

The Ruger American Dressed Up

Never settling for “good enough”, I began sniffing around the ammo department of www.MidwayUSA.com and couldn’t believe Barnes legendary copper Triple Shock X (TSX) ammunition was available for $40 per box.  I gobbled up a couple.

My go-to ammo – Federal Fusion 260-grain ammo – is some tough stuff and beat everything offered by Hornady in my head-to-head testing for integrity.  However, it did lose some weight.

Barnes, on the other hand, is even tougher.  It is designed for rapid expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration.  When they say “high weight retention”, how about 100 percent?  In fact, only once over many seasons, did I recover a Barnes X bullet that was not 100-percent intact – and, that was because one petal of the mushroom head had broken off.  In the vast majority of cases, however, these bullets plow through, and subsequently, are not recoverable.  I have used Barnes copper bullets for deer in several calibers and the results are always the same; their advertising and photos are genuine.

As for the common Hornady Black or Custom factory ammunition, it is as accurate as anything out there.  In fact, I’ve taken a number of whitetails with the Hornady Flex Tip ammo and all fell with single shots.  However, the more explosive nature of the bullet’s construction causes the jacket to separate from the core of the bullet at moderate to close range.

This can never happen with the Barnes X bullets, because there is no jacket; they represent the epitome of controlled expansion and penetration.

If all goes according to plan at the range, Barnes Vor-TX will get the nod for the first time this season in the big bore.  Otherwise, plan B with the Federal Fusion load is not bad at all.