Guns - A Golden Handbook

Illustrations by G. DON RAY

PHOTO CREDITS: Bill Browning, Montana Chamber of Commerce: pages 45 (lower right), 46, 49 (top right), 57 (bottom), 112 (top), 113, 117, 121 (top), 160. Leonard Lee Rue Ill: pages 33 (left center, upper left), 37 (top), 49 (right center), 52·53, 81 (top), 84 (top left and right, right center, bottom), 88 (bottom), 96 (bottom). Fred Space: pages 45 (lower left), 56 (bottom). West Point Museum: pages 6, 7. Graham Wilson: pages 45 (center), 57 (top right). The editors wish especially to thank the following manufacturers for their help in the preparation of this book: Colt's Patent Fire· arms, Remington Arms Company, Smith & Wesson, Winchester Repeating Arms Company.

© Copyright 1961 by Golden Press, Inc. All rights reserved, in· eluding the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Designed and produced by The Ridge Press, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. by Western Printing and

Lithographing Company. Pub·

lished by Golden Press, Inc., Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Published simultaneously in Canada by The Musson Book Company, Ltd., Toronto.

79

BARRELS AND RIBS

CONTENTS

UPLAND GUNS

80

WILDFOWL GUNS

PART 1

90

FIBERGLASS BARRELS

HISTORY OF AMERICAN GUNS

98

4

PART 4 PART 2 THE RIFLE

THE HANDGUN 100 REVOLVER AND AUTOMATIC

16

WHAT MAKES A RIFLE

18

HOW RIFLE ACTIONS WORK CALIBERS

CALIBERS AND AMMUNITION

20

SMALL-BORE FIELD GUNS

24

AMMUNITION

BIG-BORE FIELD GUNS

25

SMALL-BORE RIFLES THE FIRST GUN

104

106

107

112

POLICE AND DEFENSE GUNS

28

118

36

WOODS RIFLES FOR DEER LONG-RANGE SHOOTING BIG GAME IN TIMBER SIGHTING THE RIFLE BALLISTICS CHART

40

PART 5

44

54

THE TARGET GUN

128

SMALL-BORE RIFLES

60

BIG-BORE RIFLES

67

130

135

FREE RIFLES AND PISTOLS SKEET SHOOTING

PART 3 THE SHOTGUN

102

DOUBLE AND SINGLE ACTIONS

TRAPSHOOTING

142

HAND-TRAP AND UTILITY GUNS

68

WHAT MAKES A SHOTGUN

144

148

72 GUN CARE AND MAINTENANCE 154

74

CHOKES AND PATTERNS

TARGET HANDGUNS

70

ACTIONS AND HOW THEY WORK GAUGES AND SHELLS

136

139

76

INDEX

158

HISTORY OF AMERICAN •

The power of a gun to deliver a lethal blow accurately

and at long range has fascinated men for nearly 700 years. The invention of gunpowder in 13th-century Europe made the gun possible-and inevitable. And once it had appeared, gunsmiths and armorers inevi­ tably applied skill and ingenuity to refining it and in­ creasing the efficiency with which it performed its task. Today the explosive force of gunpowder has been effectively channeled and the gun is an instrument of great precision. It is a far cry from its crude, eccentric ancestors, and yet it is recognizably their true descend­ ant. Any man who raises a gun to his shoulder, sights down the barrel, and squeezes the trigger inherits-and perpetuates-something from the vivid past. More than that, he contributes something of himself to the magic of the gun. For it is only his agent. It will respond swiftly and ably only to the extent that it is handled with resolution and respect. For good or ill, it

GUNS

PART,

voices and executes the intentions of the gunner. Daniel Boone, John Wilkes Booth, Billy the Kid, and Sergeant York-all were men with guns in their hands. Much of the gun's history is American. Guns have figured prominently in many of the nation's early days. They were present in the earliest seacoast set­ tlements, helped secure the independence of a new nation, opened the West, and sang of triumph and trag­ edy in wars at home and abroad. Today, as the result of a constitutionally guaranteed freedom to keep and bear arms, guns are the companions of more than 15 million hunters, sportsmen, marksmen, and collectors. The first truly American gun was the Kentucky rifle. Long, slim, and as accurate as it was beautiful, it ap­ peared in the 1720's, developed slowly for half a cen­ tury, and achieved perfection of form and function in time to help win the American Revolution. The guns that preceded it were European imports. Explorers of the late 1500's and early 1600's came ashore with matchlock muskets, unwieldy, uncertain, and unlovely weapons that smoked and roared impres­ sively, but were useless if the slow-burning twist of hemp-the match-that ignited the powder charge was ever extinguished. In time, other locks-firing mecha­ nisms-journeyed to the New World, chief among them the flintlock, for more than 100 years the world's prin­ cipal firearm. Generally, it fired a single, large-caliber ball that was loaded at the muzzle and tamped into

5

North & Cheney fl intlock

HISTORY OF A M E RICAN GUNS

place-"seated"-with a ramrod. Flint struck steel­ hammer against "frizzen"-with a pull of the trigger and the resulting sparks ignited the charge in a prim­ ing pan. The flame spurted through a "touch hole" drilled in the side of the barrel and exploded the main charge. Smoothbore, .78-caliber flintlock muskets, such as the British Redcoat's "Brown Bess" or the American revolutionary's French Charleville, could be loaded and fired four times a minute by an expert and were accurate up to 100 yards. This was sufficient range for fusillades against massed infantry, which were a stand­ a rd military tactic of the time. The .45-caliber Kentucky was a sharpshooter's weap­ on, better adapted than the musket to the requirements of the frontiersman whose targets-animal or human­ lurked in a wooded wilderness. It was the design on which future models would be built. Its action was simi­ lar to the musket's, except that the spiral grooves cut in the barrel-rifling-imparted spin to the ball, thus giving it greater speed and accuracy. A good rifleman

6

could drop a deer at 100 yards, a redskin at 200. (The

brisk trade with the Indians-guns for furs and alle­ giance-never involved the t reasured Kentucky, how­ ever. Trade guns were smoothbore flintlocks, usually short-barreled carbines whose stocks were brightly decorated with brass studs, but whose quality was less than the best.) The vital importance of the gun on the advancing frontier of the new nation was reflected in the per­ sistent efforts to improve its rate of fire, reliability of discharge, striking power, and range. Loading at the breech to eliminate the labor of muzzle-loading was a first step. Major Patrick Ferguson, a capable British officer, developed an ingenious b reechloader during the Revolution, but it did not find favor with the mili­ tary and the idea died with him at the Battle of King's Mountain in 1780. In 1811, an American inventor, Cap­ tain John Hall, designed a partially successful breech­ loading flintlock, but flame invariably spurted from the loose joints of the chamber. Halls we re used in the Mexican War and a few even in the Civil War, but were too hazardous ever to be popular.

7

Ha l l breech loader

A n early p l a i n s r i fle

Indi a n trade gun

HISTORY OF A M E RICAN G U N S

Techniques and machinery were needed t o produce precision parts with closer tolerances. Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, was among the first to develop interchangeable (although substantially hand­ made) parts and assembly line production. Hall him­ self was a resourceful inventor and Eliphalet Reming­ ton, who started the first full-scale gun factory in 1816, installed Hall's precision equipment when he expanded his business in 1828. But it was not until 1848 that Christian Sharps, who had worked at the Harpers Ferry arsenal under Captain Hall, finally developed a satis­ factory breechloader. The Sharps also used a one-piece cartridge which helped greatly to overcome the powder flare that plagued the Hall. Self-contained cartridges had be-

9

HISTORY OF AM ERICAN GUNS

come feasible in the 1820's with the introduction of percussion ignition. A metal cap filled with an explo­ sive chemical compound was seated on the tip of a hollow tube-the cone, or nipple-that led to the main powder charge. The percussion of hammer on cap sent a j et of flame through the cone to ignite the powder. Once and for all, this eliminated the disconcerting mis­ fires caused by faulty ignition. The first important gun adapted for percussion igni­ tion was the Hawken brothers' "plains rifle." This was a Kentucky type with a shorter ba rrel and bigger bore. It could take a fearsome load and was used by moun­ tain men and t rappers against grizzlies, buffalo, and other heavy game encountered west of the Mississippi. Maximum

firepower,

however,

awaited

repeating

weapons. Sam Colt's revolving rifles and pistols ap-

10

peared first, i n the famous Paterson models o f 1836.

------------- --=--I

•

-

-

""�·

�

-

.44-c a l i ber Henry

Then Sharps produced his breechloader.

It was

a

single-shot weapon, but its self-contained cartridge was the essential element that would make true re­ peaters possible. The big Sharps survived through the 1800's. Han­ dling big-bore metallic cartridges that could kill at a quarter-mile range, it was the prime single-shot arm of the buffalo hunter and Indian sniper through the rugged period of hide-hunting and the Plains Wars. Its place in history is firm with the rifleman who respects great power and deadly accuracy at long range. The Army, lagging somewhat behind firearms devel­ opments

elsewhere, used a .54-caliber, single-shot

rifled musket as its principal Civil War weapon. Two fine repeaters were available, but saw only limited service: the seven-shot, .52-caliber Spencer and the 16-shot, .44-caliber Henry. Both used the efficient new

11

A distingui shed group of W i nchester l ever-action r i fles. From top to bottom: Mode l s 1 866, 1 873, 1 886, and 1 894. T�e last, designed by John Browning, i s sti l l a popular deer rifle. H I ST O RY O F A M ER I CA N G U NS

12

ri m-fire meta l l i c cartri d g e i ntroduced by H o race S m ith and Dan i e l Wesson i n 1 858. The S p e n c e r, a l t h o u g h k n o w n to t h e Co nfed e rates as "that d a m n e d Yankee rifle that can be l oaded o n S u nd ay and fired all week, " was n e v e r a s u c cess afte r t h e war. T h e l e s s e r - k n ow n H e n ry, h owever, b e c a m e the m ost pop u l a r repeate r i n the a r s e n a l of t h e western ran g e r i d e r, I n d ian f i g h t e r, and scout. In a few years, it g rew i nto t h e W i n c h ester M o d e l 1 866, w h i c h r e m a i n e d the m aj o r arm o f h u nters, sco uts, and catt l e m e n fo r a l m o st twenty years. T h e M o d e l 1 873, c h a m b e red fo r a .44-40 b u l l et, was rej ected by the m i l itary for w h o m it was d e s i g n e d , but 720,6 1 0 of these fam o u s g u n s w e re sold before i t was d i sc o n ­ t i n u e d i n 1 924. T h e W i n c h este rs, t og et h e r w i t h t h e d i st i n g u i s h e d s e r i e s of Colt han d g u n s t h at began in 1 836

•

and c u l m i n ated i n the Peacemaker, were u n s u rpassed in p o p u l arity. When in 1 878 the Peac e m a k e r was c h a m ­ be red for t h e s a m e .44-40 cartri d g e u s e d i n t h e W i n ­ c h este r '73, t h e y p rovided t h e p l ai n s m an w i t h two weap o n s for o n e l oad and became, i n d e e d , " t h e g u n s t h at w o n t h e West. " T h e h an d g u n , t h e s i d earm of t h e m i l itary a n d per­ s o n a l c o m b at weapon of the fronti e rs m a n , g rad u a l l y i n co r p o rated t h e advances m a d e i n l o n g a r m s . From t h e i r fi rst appearance, t h e Colt revo lvers l e d t h e fi e l d . T h e q u a l ity and vo l u m e o f h i s output e a r n e d S a m C o l t an h o n o re d p o s i t i o n i n t h e h i story of firearm s . H i s output ran g e d f r o m t h e .44 Wal ke r Co lt, w h i c h w e i g h e d o v e r fo u r p o u n d s , t h r o u g h t h e D ragoon s e r i e s , to a .31 cal i b e r p o c ket p i sto l , i ntrod u c ed i n 1 849, w h i c h was one of h i s m ost p o p u l a r and l o n g - l asti n g m o d e l s . H i s

13

HISTORY OF AMERICAN GUNS

14

m aj o r rivals were R e m i n gto n ' s big .36 and .44 c a l i b e rs, which h a d a s o l i d frame b r i d g i n g t h e cyl i n d e r that fo r a w h i l e made t h e m stro n g e r than t h e Co lts a n d also provided a sighting g roove. Smith a n d Wess o n , who become partn ers in 1856, made the t ran s i t i o n from p e r c u s s i o n caps to metal l i c cartri d g e s i n h a n d g u ns, a s t h ey h a d with l o n g arms. A year l at e r, they acq u i red a R o l l i n White p ate nt for bor­ i n g cyl i n d e rs c l ean t h r o u g h , t h u s p e r m i tt i n g t h e swift i n s e rt i o n of cartridges from t h e rear of t h e cyl i n d e r. I nc i d en ta l l y , Wh ite o r i g i n a l l y offe red t h e p ate nt to C o l t. N ot t h i n k i n g in terms of m eta l l i c c a rtri d g e s , Sam made t h e m i stake of t u r n i n g it down. Smith a n d Wes­ s o n t h e reby obtai n e d a v i rtu al m o n o p o l y o n c a rt r i d g e revo l v e rs . J u s t a s t h e i r b i g .44-cal i b e r N u m b e r 3, o r A m e r i c a n , w a s beg i n n i n g to h i t t h e m arket i n 1869, however, t h e White p atent ex pi red and c o m petitors c o u l d move i nto t h e fi e l d . T h e m i l itary, w h i c h had offe red c o n s i d e ra b l e resi st­ a n c e to advan c e m e nts in rifles, p roved m u c h m o r e receptive to handg u n i m provements. T h e fi rst off i c i a l p isto l - a c o p y of t h e F r e n c h m o d e l of 1 777-was m a d e by N o rth & C h e n e y i n 1 799. After that t h e d e s i g n s were all A m e r i c a n. A l t h o u g h it t h o ro u g h ly tested all makes of revo l v e rs, t h e Army, l i ke t h e c i v i l i an fro n t i e r s m e n , p referred t h e Co lts. M i l itary p u rchases of t h e Wal k e r Co lt, t h e D rag o o n s e r i e s , t h e A rmy M o d e l 1 860, and t h e Peacemaker contri buted to t h e s u p p o rt of s i de­ arm d e ve l opm ent. Perhaps t h e most i nf l u e n t i a l gun d e s i g n e r this c o u n ­ t ry has p r o d u c e d w a s Jo h n M oses B rown i n g wh o, from t h e issue of his fi rst patent in 1 879, d e s i g n e d a cascade of g u n s for W i n c h ester, Re m i n gton, and Colt. H e a n d

Dragoon Colt pistol

Frontier Colt

h i s brot h e r l at e r formed t h e i r own arms c o m pany. B rown i n g 's ac h i ev e m e nts in the auto l o a d i n g fi e l d are u n paral l e l ed a n d i n c l ud e t h e fam o u s Gove r n m e n t Mod e l 1 9 1 1 C o l t auto m at i c p i st o l -sti l l t h e offi c i a l U . S. Ar my s i d ea r m . U n d e r t h e s p u r of n ecess ity, A m e r i c a n i n g e n u ity has c re ated a g re at array of fi rearms i n every e ra of its h i story. The c u rrent h i g h p o i nts of g u n evo l ut i o n are described a n d p i ctu red o n t h e pages t h at fo l l ow. T h e fas c i n at i o n fo r strai g h t s h ooti n g sti l l e x i sts.

15

THE RIFLE PART

\�R

SAFETY

STOCK HEEL

COMB

BUTT PLATE

./

SLING SWIVEL

TOE

T h e d i sti n g u i s h i n g c h aracte ristic of t h e rifle i s t h e s e r i e s of s h a l l ow, s p i ra l g rooves cut i nto t h e i n n e r s u r­ face of its barre l . These c h an n e l s-rifl i n g - i m part s p i n t o t h e b u l l et a s it i s forced t h ro u g h t h e barre l by t h e e x p l o s i o n of t h e powd e r charge, t h u s ass u r i n g a stead ­ i e r, m o re accu rate b u l l et fl i g h t ove r a g re at e r range than would be poss i b l e if t h e b o re were s m ooth. R i fl i n g was known as early as t h e 1 6th centu ry in Ger­ m any, but was fi rst ap p l ied s u ccessfu l ly i n t h e K en ­ t u c ky rifle and did not reac h peak effi c i e n cy u nti l t h e deve l o p m e n t of m etal l i c a m m u n it i o n . F o r w h i l e t h e Kentu c ky w a s m o re accu rate than t h e s m ooth bore m u s kets of its t i m e , it fired a r o u n d bal l whose p o o r b a l l i st i c q u a l ities s h o rtened i t s r a n g e . T h e stream l i n e d c o n i c a l b u l let u s e d today i s f a r bette r a b l e to b u c k w i n d a n d mai ntai n i ts v e l o c i ty o v e r l o n g ranges. To p e rform p ro p e r l y a rifle m u st be l o aded with a b u l l et s l i g htly larger i n d i amete r than t h e u n cut s u rfaces of the bore. T h i s d i s c repancy p e r m its the rifl i n g •

18

Preceding pages: Weatherby M ark V

REAR SIGHT

I

BARREL BAND

FRONT SIGHT AND RAMP

�

FOREARM - SLING

WHAT MAKES A RIFLE to g r i p t h e bu l l et fi r m l y and a p p l y t h e twi st t h at w i l l stab i l i z e i t i n f l i g ht. T h e u s u a l rifle h a s e i g h t g rooves, but t h e re may be as few as two o r as many as 1 6. G e n e ra l ly, t h e m o re g rooves t h e g reat e r t h e stab i l ity of t h e b u l l et. G rooves also are cut at vary i n g " rates of p i t c h " wh i c h g o v e rn t h e speed of a b u l l et's rotat i o n . Low­ v e l o c ity rifles, for i n stan c e , h ave a " s l ow" p i t c h , p e r­ haps o n e c o m p l ete t u rn i n 26 i n c hes, w h e reas a h i g h ­ v e l o c ity rifle, s u c h a s a M od e l 7 0 W i n c h ester o r a .257 Weat h e rby M ag n u m , w i l l h ave one t u r n every 1 0 i n c h es. D i fferent rates of p it c h req u i re d i fferent types of b u l l ets. Lead or l ead-al l oy b u l l ets are g o o d o n l y i n l ow-ve l ocity rifles. H i g h -speed rifl i n g wo u l d strip s h re d s of m etal from t h e soft l ead, t h e reby d i stort i n g t h e b u l l et's bal l i st i c q u a l ities, as we l l as fou l i n g t h e g rooves. H i g h-ve l o c i ty b u l l ets a r e jacketed w i t h c o p ­ p er alloy w h i c h i s h ard e n o u g h to withstand stri p p i n g a n d to p rotect t h e l ead c o re f r o m m e l t i n g .

19

SEAR SPRING AND PLUNGER

BO LT: W i nchester Model 52 shown in c losed and loc ked position with Long Rifle cartridge i n chamber, firing pin at fu l l cock. Rifle i s ready for firing. Cutaway shows adjustable trigger-pu l l

HOW RIFLE ACTIONS WORK T h e r e are four p r i n c i p a l rifle act i o n s. C h o o s i n g am o n g t h e m i s most often based o n t h e s h o o t i n g c o n ­ d it i o n s t h e h u nter w i l l e n c o u nter and t h e k i n d of game h e i s h u nt i n g . Frequently, h owever, t h e s h ooter's p e r­ s o n a l ity can be a factor and s h o u l d be taken i nto cons i d e rati o n . BOLT ACTION: T h i s i s the stro ng est, h e av i est type, and i s best fo r l o n g - ra n g e accu racy a n d p r e c i s e s h oot­ i n g without excepti o n a l l y fast repeat-fi re. I t is the o n l y act i o n stro n g e n o u g h to take s u c h powerf u l cartri dges •

20

AUTOMAT I C: Winchester Model 1 00 showing bullet as it passes bore port,. releasing gas i nto operating cyli nder. Pressure forces p iston to close, cutting off proper amount of gas to work action

as the W i n c h este r .458 for use agai n st d a n g e r o u s g a m e . U s u a l l y stocked t o g i v e t h e e as i e st, m ost c o m ­ forta b l e s h ooti n g w i t h a t e l e s c o p i c s i g ht, it h o l d s fo u r t o five s h ots i n large cal i b e rs, s i x t o e i g ht i n s m a l l e r o n e s . T h i s i s a g o o d acti o n fo r t h e n e rv o u s h u nter. T h e m a n u a l activity req u i red t o ready it fo r e a c h s h ot t e n d s to steady t h e s h oote r a n d p revents h i m fro m f i r i n g too rap i d ly. LEVER ACTION: Origin a l ly, this rifle was we l l suited fo r carry i n g o n h o rseback because of its flat, c o m pact

21

RIFLE A CTIO N S A N D HOW THEY WORK

shape. The o l d e r d e s i g n s p roved too l i g h t l y c o n ­ stru cted for h eavy l oads, but today's l eve r-act i o n s are b u i lt fo r such h i g h - p ress u re cart r i d g e s as W i n c h este r's .243, .308, and .358. Smal l-cal i be rs , l i ke the .22, c a n h o l d u p t o 15 s h ots, o r m o re. PUMP (OR SLIDE) ACTION: Pu m p s are g e n e ra l l y l i g htwe i g ht, easy to h a n d l e , and q u i c k to g et o n target, but they are u s u a l l y l o n g e r barre l e d and l ess m a n e u ­ ve rab l e i n b r u s h c o u ntry t h a n l eve r-act i o n s . A n excep­ tion i s the n ew R e m i ngton Mod e l 760 C, with its barrel LEVER: M a r l i n Model 336 with t h e action f u l l y opened. Empty cartridge has just been ejected and bolt i s now started forward, forc ing loaded cartridge into chamber

l ength of 18'12 inc h e s. An excepti onal s h ooter can o p e r­ ate a p u m p as fast as a s e m i -auto m ati c rifle. AUTOLOADER: This fi res faster t h an any oth e r acti on and is p referred by s o m e h u nters in rap id-fire s h o oting for such game as w h iteta i l de e r. Autos are h e av i e r t h an p u m p s o r l evers, and because of th e i r m o re c o m p l ex p a rts are l i a b l e to m e c h anical d i ffi c u lties-fo u l ing, j a m m ing, etc. Because of the i r rap id-fi ring ab i l ity, they s h o u ld be used by calm, d i s c i p l ined h unte rs who are not incl ined to s p ray t h e l andscape with b u l l ets. P U M P: Pu l l i ng b a c k on t h e s l ide handle of a p u m p a c t i o n causes the used cartridge to be ejected through the port. Forward movement chambers the fresh cartridge and locks the breech block

CALIBERS

Cal i b e r i s the d i am eter of a rifle bo re d e s i gnated in t h o u sandths of an inch. I t i s g eneral l y m e as u re d be­ tween o p p o s ite g rooves, but in s om e cases, from l and to l and (th e bore s u rface rem aining after the g rooves have been c ut) . B u l let d i am eters, as they re l ate to a rifl e's cal i b e r, are g roove-to-groove m e a s u r e m ents . Rifles and the cartridges that fit th em m u st b e of t h e s a m e cal i b e r. T h e re i s s o m e c onf u s i on in d e s i gnat i ons because m anufactu re rs t ry to g ive th e i r c a rt r i d g e s an i dentity that w i l l a lways be assoc i ated w i th the c o m ­ pany. T h i s resu lts in s u c h vari o u s nam e s as t h e .30-30 Winchester, .30 R e m i n gton, .300 S avag e , and 300 Weathe rby M agnu m . A l l of these rifles s h o ot the same d i am ete r of b u l l et. The variation is s i m p l y in b u l l et w e i g h t and shape. The .308 Wincheste r, measu red from g roove to g roove, and the old .30 Winchester, w h i c h used t h e l and d i am eter, s h o ot a b u l l et of exactly t h e same d i a m eter. T h e . 008 i s t h e d iffe rence b etween the m e as u re m ents from l and to land, and from one . 004inch g ro ove to its oppos ite. In the .25 s e r i e s of c a rt­ r i d g es, the .25-35 and .250 Savage use the l and -to- l and d e s i gnati on, wh i l e the m o re m o d e rn .257 R o b e rts and .257 Weat h e rby M a g n u m e m p loy the g roove method. M ost rifles m ay be c h a m b e re d fo r d i ffe rent cal i b e rs of cart r i d g e , b u t they w i l l then fire only that cart r i d g e . •

.

24

.

AMMUNITION

A c a rt r i d g e i s a c o m pact u n it, o r l oad, c o m p o s e d of p r i m e r, powd e r c h arge, a n d b u l l et. T h e b u l l et i s t h e p rojecti l e a n d i s p rope l l ed b y t h e i nte racti n g f o r c e s o f p r i m e r a n d powd e r. As n o r i f l e s u its a l l s i t u ati o n s a n d n o cart r i d g e f i t s every rifl e , n o b u l l et i s s u itab l e fo r al l s h o ot i n g . Shape a n d c o n struct i o n d i ctate usage. F o r exam p l e , h e avy, c o m p act b u l l ets, capa b l e of ac h i e v i n g h i g h v e l o c it i e s and p e n etrat i n g to u g h h i d es, are n ee d e d fo r big game, but wi l l d ri l l t h r o u g h s m a l l e r a n i m a l s . If s m a l l e d i b l e g a m e i s t h e q u a r ry, l ow-ve l o c ­ i t y l oads are best; t h e trem e n d o u s expan s i o n o f h i g h ­ v e l o c ity b u l l ets destroys meat. M o re potent l oads­ b l u nt-nosed a n d meta l -j ac keted types-are saved for d a n g e ro u s g a m e . These are s p o rti n g b u l l ets, so-ca l l ed because t h e y k i l l q u i c k l y by expan d i n g l arg e r than t h e i r o r i g i n a l cal i ­ b e r as they e nt e r t h e target, t h e reby p rovi d i n g g re at e r s h o c k i n g p ower. T h i s p e r m its a we l l - p l a c e d s h ot to d ro p the animal rath e r than let it escape, w o u n d e d , to die l ater in agony. M i l i ta ry b u l l ets, i n o rd e r to comply with t h e rul e s of i nt e r n at i o n a l warfare, are e q u i p p e d with a fu l l - m etal p atc h ( n o l ead t i p exposed) , so t h at n o expan s i o n occurs a n d an u n necessari l y pai nfu l wou n d i s l e s s l i kel y to b e i nfl i cted. •

25

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B U LLETS

26

Spo rt i n g b u l l ets h ave a core of l ead or l ead a l l oy ove r w h i c h a jacket of cop p e r- z i n c a l l oy m ay or may not be p l aced , acc o rd i n g to the d e m a n d s of game and rifle. By vary i n g t h e th ickness and d e s i g n of t h i s jacket metal, am m u n i t i o n manufactu rers can c o n t r o l t h e de­ g re e of b u l let expan s i o n . Th ree d e g rees e x i st in s p o rt­ i n g l o ad s : soft p o i nt, h o l l o w p o i nt, and expand i n g . T h e effectiveness o f a b u l l et i s m e a s u r e d b y its stri k i n g force, w h ich i s d e p e n d e n t o n a c o m b i n at i o n of variab l e s : expan s i o n , w e i g h t and shape, a n d the v e l oc­ i ty m a i ntai n e d over a req u i red d i stan ce. I d e a l ly, b u l l ets wo u l d p e rform best if t h ey w e re a l l of m o d e rate w e i g h t and e q u i p ped with sharply p o i nted t i p s , s i n c e t h e y wo u l d m e et l ess a i r res i stan c e . H owever, b u l l et con format i o n s as to we i g ht and s h ape are l i m ited by t h e

-

c o n struct i o n of each rifle and t h e typ e of act i o n asso­ c i ated with g i ven c a l i b e rs . No m atte r h o w c o n structed, two forces-g ravity and a i r-i m p e d e t h e b u l l et's p ro g ­ r e s s a n d affect its traj ectory. T h i s s i m u ltan e o u s resi st­ a n c e c a u s e s the b u l l et to lose m o m e n t u m i m m e d i at e l y as it i s ej e cted from t h e rifle m u z z l e , a n d to l o s e speed g rad u a l l y over t h e fl i g h t pat h . As t h e b u l l et s l ows, g ravity i s a b l e to exert g re ate r control ove r it, p ro­ d u c i n g a g e n t l y s l o p i n g downward c u rve. Var i at i o n s i n w e i g ht, s h ap e , and v e l o c i ty can i n c rease o r d e ­ c rease t h e l ength of t h i s c u rve, and t h e s h ooter, if h e i s to b e a c c u rate, m u st be a b l e to cal c u l ate f o r t h e c u rve w h e n a i m i n g . A study o f l oads a n d o f b u l l et ve­ l oc i t i e s at vari o u s ran g e s i s n e cessary. Man ufactu rers' tab l e s p ro v i d e m u c h of this i nfo rmati on.

27

SMALL- BORE RIFLES No oth e r c l ass of fi rearm i s made in s u c h a vari ety of act i o n s and d e s i g n s as the .22 r i m -fi re rifle. M ost m o d e l s fire all th ree s i z e s of .22-cal i b e r r i m -fire car­ t r i d g e s- S h o rt, Lo n g , and Long R i fl e . The Lo n g R i f l e- i n stan d a rd o r h i g h-speed load i n g - i s t h e fav o rite car­ t r i d g e of the target rifleman. T h e h i g h - s p e e d , h o l l owp o i nt, Long R ifle cart r i d g e i s perfect for s q u i rre l , rabbit, or oth e r s m a l l pests. In a d d i t i o n to the w i d e ran g e of s h ooti n g e x p e r i e n c e s poss i b l e w i t h . 2 2 rifles a n d .22rifle l oad s, they are re l ative l y i n expe n s i ve to s h oot, p ro d u c e l itt l e re p o rt o r re c o i l , and are a c c u rate e n o u g h to p e r m i t s h o oters to d e v e l o p a h i g h d e g ree of s k i l l . W h i l e t h e .22 d o e s n 't pack the p u n c h o f l a r g e r c a l i b e rs , i t i s a b as i c tool f o r every rifl e m a n . F o r t h e p l i n k e r of t i n cans, i t p e p p e rs t h e target a n d offe rs a g reat a m o u nt of s h o ot i n g at low cost. For seri o u s target a n d s m a l l -g a m e rifl e m e n , s h o oti n g i n c o n f i n e d q u arters, t h e d i s i nteg rat i n g b u l let l oad of the . 2 2 p ro v i d e s m ax i m u m p rotect i o n from r i c o c h et a n d l ead s p atte r. AUTOLOADERS are with o ut q u est i o n the m o st p o p u l a r repeat i n g m o d e l s i n the . 22 fam i ly. T h e y a r e p a rt i c u l a r favorites a m o n g p l i n kers, s i n c e t h e y fu n ct i o n with a l l th ree cart r i d g e s i zes. I n fact, these m o d e l s , as we l l a s p u m p - acti o n m o d e l s , are g e n e r a l l y r e g a r d e d as t h e real "fun g u n s " w h i c h n o rmal l y are n o t s e l ected for ser i o u s target o r small-game s h oot i n g . T h e b as i c ob•

29

SMALL-BORE RIFLES

30

ject i o n to the auto l o ade r made by m ost s k i l l e d rifle­ m e n i s t h at trigger- p u l l tends to be ro u g h and does not permit c l ean l et- off, that is, a sm ooth, even m ovement without "p l ay" o r "creep." S i nce trigger contro l i s n ot q u ite p o s itive, the s h oote r's c h a n ces fo r accu racy are d i rectly affecte d . Th i s does n ot mean that accu racy is i m po ss i b l e with the auto l oad e r; s o m e of these m o d ­ e l s can b e remarkably s h a r p . O n e M a rlin 9 8 , fitted with c h e e k - p i e c e stoc k and 20X scope (wh i c h m a g n ifies the targ et 20 ti m es) , g ave 1 '/a - i n ch g ro u p s at 1 00 yard s . Most autol oad e rs h ave large- capac ity t u b u l a r m aga­ z i n e s (some hold as many as 30 S h o rt c a rtridges), but t h i s i s n o t always true. O ri g i n a l l y , cartri dge s w e re fed i nto the c h a m b e r h o r i zo n ta l l y from a tube in the b utt, a method sti l l used in the W i n c h este r M o d e l 63, M a r l i n M o d e l s 9 8 a n d 99, R e m i ngton M od e l 6 6 with a n y l o n sto c k , a n d M ossberg M o d e l 1 5 1 . Alth o u g h re l i ab l e, t h i s m e t h o d of f e e d l i m its the magaz i n e capac i ty t o 1 5, o r as few as 1 0 L o n g R ifle cartri dges. T h e u n d e r-barrel tubul a r ma gaz i n e , feed i n g up i nto t h e c h a m b e r on an

Basic equi pment for riflemen, the .22-c a l i ber rifle is made in the widest range of actions and designs. Shown here, Mossberg Mode l 346-K with 4X scope s i ght (top) and S avage Model 5 De Luxe. Both feature Monte Carlo stocks, have tubu lar magazines

a n g l e , w i l l carry from 1 5 to 1 8. Rem i n gton M o d e l s 550 and 552, Steve n s M o d e l 87, S avag e M o d e l 6, M a r l i n M o d e l 99, a n d W i n c h este r 7 7 T u b u l a r feed i n t h i s m a n ­ n e r. ( T h e W i n c h ester 7 7 i s a l s o avai l ab l e i n c l i p l oad.) BOLT-ACTION MODELS: In s ma l l - g a m e and s e r i o u s target s h o ot i n g , bo lt-act i o n m o d e l s a r e p refe rred. T h e y p e r m i t s mooth t r i g g e r- p u l l and c o m e e q u i pped w i t h sto c k s d e s i g n ed fo r s c o p e s h ooti n g . I n add i t i o n , t h e bo lt-act i o n c l o s u re g i ves better b r e e c h l o c k - u p to r i m ­ f i r e cartrid g e s . All of t h e s e factors ass u re the s h oote r of g reate r accu racy. A l m ost any m o d e l w i l l p r o d u c e two- i n c h g ro u p s a t 1 00 y a r d s . M o d e l s are m a n ufactu red in 20- o d d d e s i g n s and a wide c h o i c e of w e i g hts ran g ­ i n g f r o m f i v e to e i g ht p o u n d s . A s e r i o u s s h o oter u s u a l l y s e l ects a h e av i e r m o d e l because of i t s better h o l d i n g ( o r g r i p p i n g ) q u alities, alth o u g h t h e fact t h at t h e s h ooter c a n g r i p h i s rifle m o re firm l y d o e s n o t n e c e s ­ sari l y i n s u re g reate r a c c u racy. The W i n c h e· s te r 69, R e m i n gton 5 1 1 A, M a r l i n 80, S avage 5 , a l l c l i p - l oaded (with .22 Lo n g Rifle o n l y) are t h e p refe rred rifles in t h i s

31

SMA L L-BOR E R IFLES

c l ass. The c l i p, o r box, magaz i n e offe rs h u nters i n t h e field t h e c o nven i e n c e of convert i n g f r o m reg u l ar t o h o l l ow- p o i nt o r oth e r l oads by s i m p l y i n se rt i n g t h e p r o p e r m ag az i n e . I n t u b u l a r magaz i n e m o d e l s (the M ar l i n M o d e l 81 -DL and Savag e 5 are g o o d o n es), the tube m u st be c l eared before t h e des i red c a rtri d g e s can be i n s e rted ( o n e by o n e ) . SLIDE AND LEVER ACTIONS: B o t h of these p e rform e q u a l l y we l l a n d make good a l l -aro u n d c h o i ces for p l i nkers a n d s m a l l -g a m e h u nters. Slide, o r p u m p , acti o n s have t u b u l a r magaz i n es, capab l e of u s i n g al l t h ree .22 l oads. Th ey're dependab l e w h e n t h e act i o n i s c l ean, b u t l a c k t h e acc u racy of bo lt-act i o n m o d e l s b e c a u s e they d o not l o c k u p as t i g ht l y as t h e b o l ts. Once h i g h l y p o p u l ar, they are n o w l o s i n g t h e i r p ro m i P l i n k i ng-firing a t tin cans, clay birds, and other breakable objects-i s fine practice shooting for hunters. From random ranges and the offhand (standi ng) position, i t helps bui l d t h e co-ord ination and accuracy that ar e essenti a l whe n t h e shooter advances to m o r e powerful ar m s and l ive, movi n g targets

Porcupi ne: l itera l l y "spi ny-pig"

S nowshoe rabbit, or varying hare

Remington Model 572A

M a r l i n 39-A Presentation Model (above) , Winchester Model 61 (below)

SMALL-BORE RIFLES

34

n e n c e to l owe r-priced acti o n s . Sti l l f i n e m o d e l s in t h i s c l ass are : Rem i ngton 572 (reg u l a r and l i g ht w e i g hts) , S avage 29, W i n c h e ste r 61 ham m e r less ( i nternal h a m ­ m e r) and 62 ( w i t h external h a m m e r) . A renewed i nter­ est i n Western A m e r i c a n a has e n c o u raged t h e revival of several old l ever-act i o n d e s i g n s , as we l l . Old favo r­ ite M a r l i n M o d e l 39, l o n g the o n l y m o d e l i n t h i s f i e l d , i s n o w r i v a l e d by Mar l i n 56 and M o s s b e rg Pal o m i n o , b o t h h a m m e r l e s s d e s i g n s. O n l y t h e M arl i n uses a c l i p typ e magaz i n e.

M a r l i n Model 56-Levermatic (top) is hammerless, has a c l i p magazine. Remi ngton Model 5 1 0 A Targetmaster c a n be used for sma l l game, i s best a s a young shooter's target rifle

Winchester Model 77 (above), s hown here with c l i p magazine also comes i n tubu l a r feed. Rem ington Model 66 i s fed through a tube in its nylon stock, holds 15 Long Rifle cartridges

No m atter what act i o n the s h oote r s e l ects, the add i ­ t i o n o f s l i n g swive l s t o s u p p o rt a s l i n g c a n p rove i nv a l u ­ a b l e assets. These f i t a l l m o d e l s eq u a l l y w e l l , m a k e carry i n g afi e l d eas i e r, and can be used advantag e o u s l y by t h e s h oote r to steady h i s h o l d w h e n f i ri n g . I t i s a l s o i m p o rtant to re m e m b e r always to fi re agai n st a s o l i d backg ro u n d . T h i s makes sense n o t o n l y because i t i s eas i e r to d i s c e r n t h e targ et, b u t because t h e warn i n g o n t h e c a rt r i d g e boxes reads, "Dan g e ro u s with i n a m i l e . " I t m ea n s exactl y w h at it says.

35

With h i s W i nchester 37 mounted, boy waits for instructor to throw bird

THE FI RST GUN Early t rai n i n g i n sh ooti n g p ro d u c e s a s k i l l ed h u nter in m atu rity. Young reflexes are fast and t h e youthfu l stu dent has an op e n - m i nded app roac h to h i g h - g rade sh ooti n g tech n i q ues. I f properly i n str u cted , h e wi l l not acq u i re bad habits h e m u st l ater u n l ea r n . Trai n i n g may beg i n w h e n ever t h e c h i l d ' s c o - o r d i nat i o n i s u p to it, always p rovided that ad e q u ate safety c o n d i t i o n s exist and t h e i n structor i s q u a l ified. Twe lve years i s a g ood average age at wh i c h to start. I n a n y case, be­ c o m i n g a g ood s h ooter i s a m atte r of exp e r i e n c e a n d p ract i c e , wh eth e r with l i ve am m u n it i o n o n t h e target ran g e or d ry s h o oti n g in a base m e n t o r e m pty ro o m . The fi rst a r m s h o u l d be a . 2 2 rifle. T h e s i m p l e r i t i s , the bette r. T h e bo lt-act i o n , s i n g l e -s h ot rifle i s best. I t •

36

Raccoon looks curiously over shou l der. Below, Stevens Model 94Y

p ro v i d e s t h e n ew rifleman with t h e safest f i rearm h e c a n own. P u m p -act i o n s a r e a l s o g o o d f o r t h e n e w s h oote r. I f kept c l ean, they a r e m ost d e p e n d a b l e . T h e . 2 2 h a s t h e ad d i t i o n a l advantag e o f l ow r e p o rt a n d re­ coiL T h e re i s n o d a n g e r that the yo u n g s h ooter w i l l deve l o p a fl i n c h , th row i n g h i s sh ots w i d e each t i m e h e fires. Lat e r h e c a n b u i l d u p t o m o re potent arms, g rad u ­ a l l y i n u ri n g h i m s e l f t o the i r stro n g k i c ks . S o m e m a n u ­ factu rers m a k e a s p e c i a l s h o rt-stocked . 2 2 s i n g l e- s h o t rifle to e n c o u rage m arksm ans h i p a t an early age. T h i s i s a v a s t i m p rove m e n t over the t i m e w h e n s t o c k s h a d to be alte red to ac c o m m o date y o u n g s h o oters. A l l o f these new m o d e l s are l ow i n p r i c e (m ost of t h e m u n d e r $35) a n d stro n g a n d accu rate e n o u g h t o p e r m i t t h e

37

THE F I RST G U N

38

l e a rn e r to d eve l o p his marks m a n s h i p to a c o m petent d e g re e . Some fine beg i n n e r' s rifles in s i n g l e - s h ot b o l t­ act i o n are : W i n c h este r M o d e l 67 with a sta n d a rd barre l l e n gth of 27 i n c h e s o r the s p e c i a l Boy's R i fl e at 20 i n c h e s ; M a r l i n M o d e l 1 01 ; R e m i n g ton M o d e l 51 0A ; M a r l i n M odei1 5- Y ; W i n c hester M o d e l 69 Ju n i o r Target S h ooter's S p e c i a l . These wei g h about 51h p o u n d s o r u n d e r. B eg i n n e r's m o d e l s i n s i n g l e - s h ot, s m a l l - g a u g e s h otg u n s i n c l u d e t h e W i n c h este r M o d e l 37 i n 20 g a u g e . T h i s i s an exc e l l e n t a l l -aro u n d s m a l l -g a m e g u n . Oth e r fi n e m o d e l s a r e the Stevens 94Y i n 2 0 o r .41 0 g a u g e a n d t h e Marl i n - G l e n f i e l d M od e l 60-G in .41 0.

Marl in Model 101

Stevens Model 1 5Y

Winchester Model 69

Winchester Model 37 shotgun

M a r l i n - G l enfi e l d Model 60-G shotgun

39

WOODS RIFLES FOR DEER F e w t h i n g s p rove m o re useful t o t h e h u nt e r t h a n a k n o w l e d g e of how to bag wh iteta i l d e e r-by far t h e most n u m e ro u s and w i d e ly d i stri buted b i g g a m e in A m e r i c a today. The e l u s ive target it p rese nts makes it c h o i c e for s p o rt. The wh iteta i l i s s e l d o m l i ke l y to ex­ pose h i mself i n open areas to permit a clean s h ot, even at long ran g e . M ovi n g along runways, o r feed i n g , h e is c o nstantly u n d e r cover. T h e fi rst rifle to snag t h e wary b u c k s u c c essfu l l y and c o n s i stently was t h e o l d Kentu c ky. L i g ht repeaters, such as t h e W i n c h este r Model 1 873, c h a m b e re d for t h e .44-40 cartri dge, soon fo l l owed, b u t these h ave l o n g b e e n o b s o l ete. About fifty years a g o , early m o d e l s •

40

Marl i n Model 336-C (top) and Wi nchester Model 1 00

were s u p p l anted by the W i n c h este r .30-30, w h i c h is sti l l effective fo r d e e r h u n t i n g , if b u l l ets are we l l p l ac e d and t h e t a r g e t i s n o m o re than 100 y a r d s away. T h i s m o d e l i s s o m etimes good fo r beg i n n e rs s i n c e it has a l i g ht rec o i l and a l l ows h im to sh oot accu rate ly w i t h o u t deve l o p i n g a "fl i n c h . " M o d e rn rifl es rec o i l s h a r p l y a n d it t a k e s t i m e for t h e new s h oote r to adj ust h i m s e l f to t h e j o lt, so t h at h e does not sh oot wide of his m a r k each t i m e he fires. H owever, as t h e m o d e r n rifle i s m o re l i ke l y to p rov i d e a q u i c k, h u m a n e k i l l i n g p u n c h , it is p refe rred to t h e o l d .30-30. As soon as poss i b l e , a s h oot­ e r should s p e n d several h o u rs on a p ractice ran g e , u n t il h e b e c o m e s reas onably efficient with t h e h e avie r a r m .

41

W O O D S RIFLES FOR D E E R

TARGET: W h i teta i l . TERRAIN: S e c o n d - g rowth t i m b e r, heavy b r u s h . SHOOTING PROBLEMS: H u nter m u st t a k e l e g a l b u c k -alth o u g h d o e s m ay a l s o be s h ot, d e p e n d i n g o n l o c a l c o n d i t i o n s . As target wi l l be movi n g , h e m u st g et off a q u i c k , we l l - a i m ed fi rst shot; he m ay not be per m itted anoth e r c h ance. I d eal ly, the b u l l et s h o u l d be p l aced with i n an e i ght- i n c h c i rc l e, d i rectly b e h i n d t h e s h o u l­ d e r, we l l down i nto t h e c h est, but several spots can be j u st as lethal. Deer app roac h i n g head - o n s h o u l d b e hit at the n e c k-s h o u l d e r j u nctu re o r in m i d - n e c k, j u st b e l ow t h e c h i n . When d e e r sh ows a s i d e v i ew, t h e h u nter m u st a i m j u st above t h e c e n t e r of t h e n e c k , o r j u st be h i n d t h e e l bow- p o i nt o f t h e fore l e g . A 100-g rai n b u l l et s u its these p u rposes. Even w h e n fai r ly well p l ac e d , t h e fi rst h i t often w i l l not ki l l t h e a n i m a l , but m e rely fe l l o r stun h i m , so a w e l l - a i m e d fo l l ow- u p s h ot i s n o less i m p o rtant and m u st be carried o u t q u i c k l y be­ fore t h e a n i m a l ove rco m es the s h o c k of the fi rst blow a n d escapes.

SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: S u p e r accu racy a n d g reat power are not req u i red s i n c e 90 p e r cent of d e e r a re shot a t l ess t h a n 1 00 yards, but a s u b stanti a l l y h e avy l oad w i t h g o o d b r u s h - b u c k i n g p o w e r i s n eeded fo r t h e t h i c keted terra i n . A l i g htwe i g ht (not ov er 7'12 p o u nds) , s h o rt-barre l e d ( n o l on g e r t h an 22 i n c h es) rifle, eq u i p p e d with a good s i g h t t h at p i c ks up in p o o r l i g ht, wi l l p e rm it t h e h u n t e r to a i m q u i c k ly and d e l i v e r a p owe rfu l , acc u rate blow. Y e t it a l l ows h i m to b e ready for t h e fo l l ow - u p if t h e fi rst s h ot fai l s to down his d e e r. S everal m o d e l s fi l l the b i l l . R e c o m m e n d e d are t w o n e w o n e s : R e m i ngton 760C carb i n e , with 1 8i n c h barre l , and W i n c hester 1 00 auto l oader, with five­ shot capacity (one s h ot to each s q u eeze of the t r i g ­ g e r) . A l s o good are : W i n c h ester 8 8 , S avage 9 9 , and M a r l i n 336 ( l ever- m o d e l s) and t h e R e m i n gton 742 auto­ l o a d e r. The best l oads to c o n s i d e r fo r w h i teta i l are : .308 W i n c h e ster, .358 Wi n c h ester, .270 W i n c h ester, .35 R e m i ngto n , .280 R e m i ngton, .300 S avage, a l l m o d e r n center-fi re cal i be rs.

Rem ington Model 760C Carbine- l i ght, short barre led, high powered

43

LONG- RANGE SHOOTI NG L o n g - ra n g e s h ooti n g e n c o m p asses everyth i n g o n o p e n ran g e f r o m tram p i n g after s m a l l g a m e i n farm· lands to h u nt i n g big trop h i e s in m o u ntai n areas. I t i n ­ c l u d e s three categories o f sh ooti n g : b i g g a m e , m ed i u m g a m e , a n d varm i nts, i n te rrai n s where they c a n n o t b e stal ke d c l o s e l y , where, i n s o m e cases, a n a p p roac h m ay take s everal days. R a n g e s run from 200 yards up. A s h ooter who i s on h i s m ettle and we l l armed m ay even take a trophy at 1 ,000 yards. Stra i n is o n both rifle and sh oote r to p ro­ v i d e fi n e p l ac e m ent. W h e re prize t ro p h i e s are i nvolved, a g u i d e i s needed for adv i c e and h o rses fo r pac k i n g t h e k i l l bac k to c a m p . S u ccess-and e n j oy m e n t- l a r g e l y d e p e n d o n e q u i p m e n t : the proper a r m , am m u n i t i o n t h at p e rfo rms we l l a t h i g h ve l o c i t i e s a n d ov er l o n g ran g es, a n d powe rfu l s i g hts (at l e ast a 4-powe r scope i s n e e d e d , alth o u g h t h e 6-powe r i s a favo rite among this c l ass of h u nter) . •

BIG GAME

44

The q u est for p rize trop h i e s i s a s p e c i alty of t h e ad­ vanced s h o oter. C o n d i t i o n s can be h azard o u s ; a k n ow l ­ e d g e of t h e g a m e i s essent i a l . The q u arry i s s e l e cted by its trophy value, alth o u g h t h e m e at from m o u ntai n s h e e p , moose, e l k , c a r i b o u can be a savory by- p ro d uct of t h e h u nt. O n c e a p rize i s s i g hted, t h e h u nter m u st b e a b l e to cal c u l ate t h e t i m e for stal k i n g , d i s patc h i n g , re­ tri evi n g , and d ress i n g k i l l . A fe l l ed a n i m a l s h o u l d not be l eft exposed overn i g ht and retri evi n g m ay req u i re scal i n g 1 ,000 yards of c l iff.

.300 Weatherby Magnum De Luxe

Mounta i n goat i s sure-footed but not espec i a l l y swift. E l k (below, l eft) a r e fast movers. Ri ght, Author K o l l e r with prize ram taken i n Canadian Rockies

A potential prize trophy, b u l l e l k roams through Montana timber LONG-RANGE SHOOTING

46

TARGET: R o c ky M o u ntai n g o at, m o u ntai n s h e e p , m oose, e l k, c a r i b o u . TERRAIN: C r a g g y c l iffs, m o u ntains, and o p e n p l ains. SHOOTING PROBLEMS: To u g h h i d es, h e avy l ayers of fat, t h i c k p e lts c o m p l i c ate ad m i n i ste r i n g a fatal b l ow. Stal k i n g may i nvolve scal i n g a n d c o n c eal i n g o n es e l f i n d a n g e ro u s ro c ky areas. S h e e p h ave v i s i o n s h a rp e n o u g h to d i sc e r n o bj e cts a t o n e- h a l f m i l e . M oose rely o n heari n g and s c e n t f o r safety, to a l esse r extent on s i g ht. E l k and cari b o u depe n d on k e e n s e n s e of s m e l l . A l l can m o v e rap i d l y . G oats a r e a n exception; they are not so wary, c o n c e n t rate o n t h e i r i m m e d i ate

Colt Coltsman Super De Luxe Custom

s u r ro u n d i n g s , and never run fast, even w h e n es c ap i n g h u nter's f i r e . U s u a l ly, a h u nter h as a m p l e t i m e to j u d g e ran g e a n d w i n d d r i ft and s e t h i m s e l f fo r a t l e ast o n e shot with h o l d steady. SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: A rifle t h at takes a h i g h -v e l o c ity cart r i d g e and p rov i d e s c l ean t r i g g e r- p u l l , a sto c k s u ited t o s h o o t i n g i n p r o n e o r s i tt i n g p o s i t i o n s , and fu l l power a t maxi m u m ran g e . S c o p e s a i d i n p i n­ p o i nt p l ac e m ent. Fi rst c h o i c e of rifle-a n d cart r i d g e ­ i s t h e .300 Weat h e rby M ag n u m ; seco n d i s t h e W i n­ c h este r M od e l 70 A l askan in .338 cal i b er . The .300 H o l l a n d & H o l l a n d M ag n u m cart r i d g e offered in W i n­ c h este r 70, R e m i ngton 721 , C o l t c u stom and De Luxe rifles, and several M a u s e r types, i s a l s o fine. Win­ c h este r's new .264 Ma gn u m cart r i d g e i n Model 70 can be u s e d , b u t its 1 40-grain b u l let l a c k s t h e p u n c h n e e d e d a n d p ro v i d e d b y t h e .30-cal i b e r c a rt r i d g e .

MEDIUM GAME Ante l o p e a n d m u l e - d e e r h u nt i n g i s l i m ited to t h e Far West-exte n s i v e , open c o u ntry wh ere d i stances c ov­ ered in trac k i n g are g reat. Many chase t h e h e rd s by Je e p , but a true s p o rtsman l eaves tran s p o rtat i o n nearby to sta l k h i s p rey o n foot. TARGET: A n t e l o p e , m u l e d e e r. TERRAIN: U s u a l l y o p e n p l a i n s , t h o u g h m u l e d e e r is at h o m e i n s parse l y t i m bered footh i l l s , m o u ntai n s . SHOOTING PROBLEMS: B oth a n i m a l s are a l e rt. A n ­ te l op e c a n m o v e a t 6 0 m i l e s p e r h o u r w h e n p ressed.

47

Customized Weatherby Magnum with scope, i n l a i d stock

LON G-RA N G E S H O OT I N G

48

H u nter m u st app roach p rey caut i o u s ly, h u g g i n g g ro u n d , tak i n g advantag e o f a n y cover. H e w i l l p rob­ ably b e prone o r sitt i n g wh en h e s i g hts and s h o ots. H i s fi rst s h ot m u st b e accu rate. H e s e l d o m g ets a s e c o n d , and h e m u st ca l c u l ate for a l o n g - ra n g e s h ot and p rob­ abl y for a movi n g targ et. SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: With no fo l i ag e i nter­ fe r e n c e , s m a l l c a l i bers with l i g htwe i g h t b u l l ets b u c k w i n d a n d h o l d ki l l i n g p u n c h ove r l o n g ran g e s . Th e i r h i g h m uzzle v e l o c ity provides a n a l m o st flat traj ectory, m i n i m i z i n g e rrors in range j u d g m e nt. Best are : .257, 7- m m , .270 Weath e rby M a g n u m s . A l s o effective are : .280 R e m i n gton ; .300 H o l land & H o l l an d ; .270, .243, .308 W i n c h este r ; .264 W i n c h este r M ag n u m , a n d t h e .30-06 with 150-g ra i n b u l l et. Speed is u n i m p o rtant, s o bo lt-ac­ tions with added wei g ht of fu l l stocks and long barre l s a i d s h o oti n g . C h o o s e Weat h e rby rifles, t h e C o l t Co ltsm a n , W i n c h este r 70, R e m i ngton 721, or Maus e r types.

Pronghorn antelope (also below, l eft)

S m a l l herd of e l k

Rem i n gton Model 721 A

L O N G-RA N G E SHOOTING

VARMINTS

50

Varm i n t h u nt i n g keeps eye and refl exes i n t r i m and provides year-aro u n d p ract i c e i n l o n g - ra n g e s h o o t i n g with a l i g ht g u n and fitted scope. S e l d o m rest ri cted b y g a m e l aws, it red u c es t h e p e s t po p u l at i o n of a n i m a l s a n d b i rd s t h at h ave l itt l e o r n o value as f o o d o r fu r, b u t prey u p o n a n i m a l s and c rops that do. TARGET: G o p h er, p rai r i e dog, chuck, coyote, b o bcat, m o u nt a i n l i o n , c row, hawk, g reat h o r n e d owl. ( P re d atory b i rd s m ay be p rotected ; c h e c k local g a m e l aws.) TERRAIN: Open farm c o u ntry o r prai ries. SHOOTING PROBLEMS: Target i s small, wary, and c l ever with acute heari n g and exce l l ent v i s i o n . H u nter s h o u l d approach carefu l ly, u s i n g any avai l ab l e cover. B i rd s m u st be bag g ed when perched . Once in fl i g ht, they are a l m ost i m poss i b l e to h it with a rifle.

Wi nchester Model 70 Varm i n t R i fle

Remington Model 722

Proud youngster d i s p l ays chuck bagged with W i n c hester 67

Woodchuck: menace to agriculture

Mo ssberg 640-K M a g n u m

SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: P re c i s i o n of b i g - g a m e r i f l e w i t h o u t i t s potency a n d a b u l l et t h at c a n s u sta i n k i l l i n g p owe r a n d expand rap i d ly o n i m p act. Top load i s reg u l ar .222 R e m i ngto n , fi r i n g a 50- g ra i n b u l l et. T h e .21 9 Zi p p e r i n M a r l i n M o d e l 336 ( l ev e r act i o n o n ly) i s g o o d , b u t n ot so accu rate. F o r targets with i n 1 00 yards, t h e .22 W i n c h ester M ag n u m r i m -fire, f i r i n g 40- g ra i n , h o l l ow- p o i n t l oad i s f i n e . Rifles : M os s b e rg M o d e l 640- K, b o l t acti o n ; M a rl i n M o d e l 57- M , l ev e r act i o n ; W i n c h este r M o d e l 61 , s l i d e acti o n ; s i n g l e -s h ot Co lteer -al l c h a m b e red for .22 WM R-and R e m i n g t o n M od e l 722, S avag e 340, Sako, BSA-bolt act i o n s c h a m bered for .222 R e m i ngton. F o r u n u s u a l l y long ran g e s u s e : .243 Wi n c h ester Varm i nt o r reg u l a r M o d e l 70, S avage Model 1 1 0, o r one of t h e M auser b o l t act i o n s .

53

BIG GAME I N TI MBE R M any o f t h e same a n i m a l s p u rsued b y t h e l o n g - ra n g e s h o ot e r m a y a l s o be fo u n d in t i m b e r c o u n t ry, b u t t h e s h o oting req u i rements and e q u i p m e n t m u st b e s u it­ ab l e to t h e d i fferent c o n d it i o n s. R a n g e s are vari a b l e , but g e n e ra l l y s h o rt e r than those e n c o u nte red in o p e n c o u ntry. T h e y g o u p to 300 yards, but a m o v i n g an i m a l m ay h ave to be t a k e n a t u n d e r 5 0 , so s u p e r-accu racy is n ot s o i m p o rtant as speed. A t r i p to the R o c k i e s o r t h e Far N o rth w h e re s u c h g a m e may b e fo u n d d e m a n d s m u c h p re- p l an n i n g , e q u ipp i n g p r o p e r l y for t h e h u nt, and reserv i n g camp a n d h o rses in advan ce. TARGET: M o ose, e i k, cari b o u , b i so n (buffa l o ) , b l ac k a n d g rizzly bear, A l askan b rown bear a n d g i an t moose. TERRAIN: R e m ote areas of West, N o rthwest ; h i g h m o u nta i n c o u n t ry ; h eavy, w i l d b r u s h a n d t i m b e r; A l askan coastal reg ions fo r bear. •

54

-

Wi nchester Model 88

SHOOTING PROBLEMS: Wary a n i m a l s with k e e n s e n s e of s m e l l , g o o d h e a r i n g and v i s i o n . T h ey m u st b e sta l k e d s k i l lf u l ly, i d e a l l y u p w i n d . S o m e k n o w l e d g e of t h e target's h ab i ts i s essential. Bear are scarce, u s u a l l y t ravel a l o n e , and m ove swiftly (so m et i m e s 2 0 m i l e s p e r d ay). They s h o u l d b e h u nted i n fal l n ear feed i n g areas o r i n s p r i n g a s h i b e rn at i o n e n d s. Aroused bear, e s p e c i a l l y g ri zzly, i s dangerous and swift. T h e fi rst shot s h o u l d b e s u re, stri k i n g b ra i n , s m as h i n g s p i n e , o r s m as h i n g s h o u l d e r a n d stri k i n g h eart. A m i ss c a n b e fatal ; t h e w i s e h u nt e r h as t h e n ext c a rt r i d g e i n t h e c h a m b e r. E l k, c a r i b o u , a n d m o o s e are m o re d i ffi c u l t to spot in t i m b e r reg i o n s than i n o p e n c o u ntry. Th e i r brow n i s h - g rey p e lts h i d e t h e m i n s h a d ows o f tree trun ks, l eaf p atte rns, and autu m n g rasses. They move s o u n d l es s l y a n d are h i g h l y sensitive to i nt r u d e rs.

55

Savage 1 1 0-MC (above) and Savage 99 De Luxe

.308-c a l i ber cartridge i s good load for grizzly bear

Coloring protects e l k (be low) . Moose r e l i e s on ears, nose

B I G G A M E IN T I M B E R

58

A m e r i c a n bison are p rotected by game l aws in most areas except M o ntana, Wyomin g , a n d A l b e rta. Texas perm its s h ooti n g ma l es over 10 years and stee rs. Ari­ zona h o l d s an annual hunt open to 50 s p o rts m e n . SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: T h e h u nter s h o u l d u s e t h e m ost powerfu l a r m he can h an d l e q u i c k ly a n d sh oot accu rat e l y u n d e r stress o f a c h arge. A powe rfu l rifle, d e l i ve r i n g a h e avy, contro l l ed - expan s i o n b u l l et, i s n e c e ssary to cut to u g h hide, p e lt, and bone. Top­ ping t h e l i st of fast-fi r i n g , q u i c k - h and l i n g t i m b e r rifles i s R e m i n gton M od e l 760 s l i d e-act i o n i n .30-06 S p r i n g ­ fi e l d , .280 R e m i ngton, .270 W i n c h este r. I n t h e same c a l i b e rs , R e m i n g t o n ' s 742 auto l oad e r (sl i g htly h eavie r . than t h e 760) is a fi n e arm. B oth are avai l a b l e in .308 cartri d g e which i s one of the best c u rrent t i m b e r l o ads. A l s o g o o d are t h ree lever acti o n s : T h e M a rl i n 336- S D , Savage M o d e l 99- E G , and Win c h este r M o d e l 8 8 , w h i c h i s avai l a b l e both i n .308 a n d t h e h e avy .358 c a l i b e rs . M any b o l t actions t a k e the n e cessary big - g a m e l o ad s : W i n c h ester M o d e l 7 0 Feathe rweig h t ; R e m i n gton 721 , 722 ; Savage 1 1 0 ( r i g ht- and l eft- h a n d v e rs i o n s ) , B i r­ min g h a m S m a l l Arms S p o rter, a n d several M au s e rs. Fastest of all is the n ew W i n c h ester Model 1 00 autol o ad e r, f i ring .308 ca rtridges.

Wi nchester Model 70 Westerner

Al askan brown bear eating salmon at creek edge

•

•

•

•

SIGHTING TH E RIFLE I t i s an ax i o m a m o n g rifl e m e n that "no rifle i s bette r than its s i g hts," but s i g hts are h e l pf u l o n ly if p r o p e r l y a l i g n e d . S e l d o m do es a rifle c o m e from the facto ry o r s h o p s i g hte d - i n a n d ready fo r u s e , and t o o few s h o ote rs are a b l e to rec o g n i z e or c o r rect the d efect. The p r i n c i p l e s of s i g ht i n g are s i m p l e : the l i n e of s i g h t m u st be para l l e l to the l i n e of bo re, and s i g h t e l evat i o n s h o u l d take b u l l et traj ectory i nto accou nt. The fi rst adj ustment i s for wi ndag e . T h e s i g ht i s m oved to right o r l eft in the d i rect i o n the b u l l et m u st g o to e l i m i n ate any d i sc repancy betwee n t h e actu a l st r i k i n g p o i nt a n d t h e des i red stri k i n g p o i nt. F o r exam p l e , if a g ro u p of five s h ots, fired from a rifle stead i e d i n p o s i ­ t i o n and a i m ed a t target c e n t e r , h i ts s i x i n c h e s l eft of center, the rear s i g ht m u st be m oved to the r i g h t to •

60

A properly s i ghted rifle takes advantage of natural trajectory

c o rrect t h e e rror. On m i c rometer, or scope, s i g hts, t h i s i s d o n e i n g rad u ated 'h - m i n ute (someti m e s '/• - m i n ute , som eti m e s m i n ute) c l i c ks, each c l i c k prod u c i n g a '/• ­ i n c h movement at 50 yards, 'h - i n c h m ov e m e n t at 1 00 yards, o n e - i n c h movement at 200 yards. (A '/• - m i n ute c l i c k p r o d u c e s a '/• - i n ch movement at 1 00 yard s ; a o n e ­ m i n ute c l i c k a o n e - i n c h m o v e m e n t a t 1 00 yards.) Adj u st i n g o p e n i ro n s i g hts i n d oveta i l barrel s l ots ( u s u a l l y p ro v i d e d by the man ufact u r e r) is m o re d i ffi ­ c u l t a n d n e cessari ly a matte r of t r i a l a n d e r ror. Before m a k i n g any adj ustment, i t i s wi se to d raw a l i n e of refere n c e from the front edge of the s i g h t base to t h e r i f l e barre l . A flat b rass p u n c h and h a m m e r m ay be used to tap the s i g h t i n the correct i n g d i recti o n . To c h e c k the adj u sted a l i g n m e nt, a s e c o n d g ro u p m u st

61

Mykrom S cope Mount

W i l l iams m atted front-ramp sight cuts g l are SIGHTING THE RIFLE

62

be fired. I f t h e a m o u n t of movement h as n ot been suf­ fici ent, the refe rence l i n e s h o u l d again be c o n s u lted a n d t h e sight tapped u n t i l the d i ffe re n c e i s e l i m i n ated. E rrors i n e l evat i o n are c o r rected in a s i m i l a r man­ n e r. In a rifle t h at s h oots l ow, t h e rear s i g ht m u st be rai sed ; if it s h oots high, t h e rear s i g ht m u st be lowered. In m i c ro m et e r and scope s i g hts, t h e re i s a second d i a l by w h i c h adj ustments c a n be m a d e i n '/• - m i n ute, 'h ­ m i n ute, or m i n ute c l i c ks on t h e same bas i s as c o r rec­ tions are m a d e fo r w i n dage. O p e n i ro n s i g hts are adj usted by tapp i n g . There i s one except i o n to t h i s relatively s i m p l e patte r n . Occas i o n a l l y a r i f l e w i l l s h oot h i g h when the rear s i g h t i s set as low as i t wi l l g o and can not be l owered. I n s u c h cases, a h i g h e r front s i g ht m u st be i n sta l l e d w h i c h , i n effect, l owers t h e m u zzle. T h e m ost d i ffi c u l t p r o b l e m a s h ooter e n c o u nters in s i g h t i n g a rifle i s d i s cove r i n g its p o i nt- b l a n k ran g e .

Unusual for shotguns is W i l l iams ramp sight (above, l eft) which raises eye leve l , i mproves accuracy. Scale on W i l l iams 5 0 receiver, or peep, s i ght (ri ght) s i m p l i fies adjustments for wind, elevation

That is, the ran g e at which no c al c u l at i o n fo r traj ectory i s n ecessary w h e n tak i n g aim : a b u l let d i rected at tar­ g et center, h its target c e n t e r. Point- b l a n k ran g e d i ffers with cartrid g e s and with variations in b u l let w e i g hts and shapes in the same cartrid g e . To d ete r m i n e it p roperly, e x p e r i m e ntation o n t h e target ran g e and a study of b a l l i st i c charts i s n e c essary. K n ow l e d g e of a rifl e ' s p o int- b l a n k ran g e is i m p o rtant for it rel ieves t h e s h o oter of c o m p l ex cal c u l at i o n s . A b u l l et as i t i s d i s­ c h arged rises s l ig htly, t h e n fo l l ows a g e n t l y s l o p i n g tra­ j ectory. I f a h ig h -v e l o c ity l o n g - range rifl e , s u c h as t h e W i n c h este r Weste rner, is s i g h t e d in at 1 00 yards, t h e b u l l et p ath s h ows an exag g e rated d ro p at l o n g e r ran g e s (eight i n c h e s b e l ow a i m a t 250 yards) . Y e t t h e s a m e rifl e s ig hted - i n a t 250 yards s h ows o n l y a s l ig h t rise in b u l l e t f l i g h t betwe e n 50 and 2 5 0 y a r d s , s h ooting about 2.5 i n c h es above po int of a i m at 1 00 yards, two

63

K-3 Weaver scope on Savage Model 99 S I G HT I N G T H E R I FLE

i n c h es at 200 yards, and h i tti n g o n target at 250 yards. T h r e e types of s i g hts are avai l a b l e . T h e s h ooter's c h o i c e depends o n p r i c e , · w h at fee l s c o mfortab l e to h i m , and the type of shooti n g h e expects to d o . SCOPE: B y f a r the best s i g h t i n g d e v i c e avai l a b l e , a l t h o u g h it i s fai rly expensive, a d d s b u l k and wei g ht t o t h e r i f l e , and i s a l m ost u s e l ess i n rai n , fog, o r s n ow. At d u s k , d awn, o r o n hazy d ays, when it wou l d be d i ffi ­ c u lt t o fix i ro n s i g hts o n target, t h e scope's l i g ht-gath e r i n g q u a l ities p e r m i t g reate r accu racy. I t s a i m i n g •

64

K-1 Weaver scope on Remi ngton Model 1 1 -48 shotgun

J -25 Weaver scope o n Remington Model 572

d e v i c es-dot, c ross h a i r, p o st-and m a g n ificat i o n s i m ­ p l ify t h e s h o oter's p r o b l e m s a n d p resent a c l ear i m age. Dec i d i n g how much power to use i s oft e n a p r o b l e m w h e n c h o o s i n g a s c o p e , b u t u s u a l l y th i s i s determ i n ed by g a m e a n d te rrai n . In timber reg i o n s , w h e re g a m e is moving a n d at m o d e rate ran ges, low-power s c o p e s ( 3 X o r less) w h i c h p rovi d e w i d e r f i e l d s of v i s i o n are best. In o p e n c o u ntry, w h e re g a m e g e n e ra l l y i s n ot m o vi n g a n d ran g e s are l o n g , h i g h - p owe r scopes (6X or 8X} with g reat e r m a g n i fi c at i o n are m o r e s u itab l e .

65

Weaver scope, Echo mount, a l most h i de a l ternate receiver s i ght S I G H T I N G THE R I FLE

66

PEEP SIGHT: Less expens ive than scopes and far m o re d u ra b l e , the peep rates s e c o n d a m o n g s i g hts. T h e p ro x i m ity of eye to s i g ht perm its an u n u s u a l l y w i d e f i e l d of v i s i o n , and the eye's i n st i n ctive ab i l ity t o p e e r t h r o u g h t h e s m a l l apert u re, auto m at i c a l l y ce nter­ i n g t h e front s i g ht, i n c reases the c h a n c e s of accu racy. S i n c e the h u nt e r needs o n l y to a l i g n the front s i g h t w i t h t h e g a m e , the p e e p is f a r faste r to u s e t h a n o p e n ­ r e a r s i g hts wh i c h h ave three p o i nts of refe re n c e : r e a r s i g ht, front s i g ht, and game. OPEN REAR SIGHT: Ran k i n g t h i rd i n p e rf o r m a n c e , but by far the l e ast e x p e n s i v e , are o p e n i ro n s i g hts. They are r u g g e d , easy trave l e rs, and o n b r i g h t days g i ve an u n o bstructed v i ew of the target, p e r m itt i n g t h e h u nt e r to s h oot t i g ht (to k e e p h i s s h ot - g r o u p s with i n a s m a l l c i rc u l a r area) . With n o l i g ht-gath e r i n g p r o p e r­ ties, they are a l m ost u s e l ess when l i g ht is bad, a n d fo c u s i n g with t h e m i s extre m e l y s l ow. T h e s h o oter's eye m u st c e n t e r t h e front sight i n t h e rear s i g ht, then a l i g n t h e front s i g ht with the game. The d i ff i c u lty of t h e process i s often i n c reased b e c a u s e l i g h t st r i k i n g t h e f r o n t s i g h t tends t o prod uce a h a l o o n o n e o r t h e oth e r s i d e o f it. As t h e eye attem pts to center t h e s i g ht, it i s l i ke l y to m i sj u d g e what is actual a n d w h at i s i l l u s o ry. T h i s can s o m e t i m e s be e l i m i n ated by p l a c i n g a h o o d over t h e front s i g ht to stan dardize t h e l i g ht.

BALLISTICS CHART F O R P R I N C I PAL CENTER- F I R E CARTR I D G ES MUZZLE VELOCITY is a m e a s u re in feet p e r s e c o n d of t h e t i m e req u i re d f o r a b u l l e t t o t rave l f r o m m u z z l e t o a p o i nt 7 5 f e e t away .

MUZZLE E N E R G Y is a c a l c u l at i o n in foot p o u n d s of t h e f o r c e e x e r t e d by a b u l l e t as i t l ea v e s t h e m u z z l e . I t i s a r o u g h m e a s u re m e n t o f t h e c o m p a r at i v e k i l l i n g p o w e r of c a r t r i d g e s .

M I D- RA N G E TRAJ ECTORY i s t h e n u m b e r o f i n c h e s a b u l l e t r i s e s a b o v e t h e l i n e of b o r e , at t h e r a n g e s p e c i fi e d .

CARTR I D G E

B U LLET VELOCITY M uzzl e Wt. Grs.

219 Z I PP E R 2 2 H O R N ET

M I D- RA N G E E N ERGY TRAJ E CTORY Muzzle 1 00 yds. 200 yds.

56

3110

1 200

0.6

2.9

45

2690

720

0.8

4.3 2.5

222 R E M I N GT O N

50

3200

1 1 40

0.5

220 S W I FT

48

41 1 0

1 800

0.3

1 .4

243 W I N C H E S T E R

1 00

3070

2090

0.5

2.2 2.9

2 5 0 SAVAG E

1 00

2820

1 760

0.6

2 5 7 R O B E RT S

1 00

2900

1 870

0.6

2.7

2 5 7 R O B E RT S

117

2650

1 820

0.7

3.4

270 W I N C H E S T E R

1 00

3580

2840

0.4

1 .7

270 W I N C H E S T E R

1 30

3 1 40

2840

0.5

2.1

280 R E M I N G T O N

1 50

28 1 0

2630

0.6

2.6

30-30 W I N C H E S T E R

1 50

24 1 0

1 930

0.9

4.2

30-30 W I N C H E S T E R

1 70

2220

1 860

1 .2

4.6

1 70

2220

1 860

1 .2

4.6

110

3420

2850

0.4

2.1

30 R E M I N G T O N 30-06 S P R I N G F I E L D 30-06 S P R I N G F I E L D

1 80

2700

29 1 0

0.7

2.9

30-06 S P R I N G F I E L D

220

241 0

2830

0.8

3.9 .

300 SAVA G E

1 50

2670

2370

0.7

3.2

3 0 0 S A VA G E

1 80

2370

2240

0.9

3.7

300 H . & H . M AG N U M

1 80

2920

3400

0.6

2.4

3 0 0 H . & H . M AG N U M

220

2620

3350

0.7

3.1

SPECIAL

1 70

2280

1 960

1 .0

4.8

32 REM I NGTON

1 70

2220

1 860

1 .0

4.9

3 2 W I N C H ESTER

348 W I N C H E S T E R

200

2530

2840

0.8

3.8

348 W I N C H E S T E R

250

2350

3060

0.9

4.4

358 W I N C H ESTER

200

2530

2840

0.8

3.6

358 W I N C H ESTER

250

2250

281 0

1 .0

4.4

35 REM I NGTON

5.2

200

221 0

2 1 70

1.1

375 H . & H . M A G N U M

270

2740

4500

0.7

2.9

375 H . & H . MAGNUM

300

2550

4330

0.7

3.3

THE SHOTGUN PART3

RECEIVER

B R EECH BLOCK

TOE

WHAT MAKES A SHOTG U N T h e v e rsat i l ity of t h e s h otg u n makes i t t h e most w i d e ­ ly u s e d h u nter's arm i n A m e ri ca. L o a d e d with t h e f i n est size of s h ot, it ki l l s q u ai l , woodcock, d oves, and s n i pe. I n c rease t h e shot s i z e and it i s ready f o r d u c k , g ro u s e , p h e asant, a n d rab b i t. W i t h t h e heavi est bi rdshot, it takes g e e s e , foxes, t u rkeys, b o bcats, and oth e r l a rge var m i nts. Loaded wi th a rifled s l u g , it takes deer al­ m ost as we l l as the rifle. I ts m aj o r l i m itat i o n i s a re l a­ t i v e l y s h o rt maxi m u m effective ran g e of about 75 yards. The d e s i g n of the shotg u n i s s i m p l e . T h e barre l is m a d e o f soft ste e l , thin wal l e d a n d s m ooth b o re d . A n e n l a r g e m e n t a t t h e b ree c h e n d of t h e b o re-t h e c h a m ­ ber-co ntai n s t h e s h e l l . W h e n t h e t r i g g e r i s p u l l e d , i t rel eases t h e f i r i n g p i n w h i c h m oves s h a r p l y forward and stri kes t h e rear end of the sh e l l , deto n at i n g the p r i m e r a n d thus f i ri n g the charge. The b reak-open s i n g l e- s h ot i s t h e s i m p l est model. The b r e e c h i s h i n g e d •

70

Preced i n g pages: W i nchester Model 5 9

BARREL

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FRONT SIGHT

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G AZ I N E

FORE EN D

to p e r m i t e ffi c i e nt l o ad i n g and extract i o n of t h e s h e l l . A s h otg u n m u st th row a l oad o f s h o t i n an eve n l y sp read p atte rn a t fa i rly s h o rt ran g e . I t i s p o i nted, not aimed, and speed and easy h an d l i n g are esse n t i a l . T h i s g u n has n o r e a r s i g ht, so the e y e of t h e s h o ote r m u st take its p l ace. T h e sto c k is d e s i g n e d to g i ve fu l l s u p ­ p o rt to t h e c h e e k , putt i n g t h e shooter's e y e i n t h e same r e l at i o n s h i p to t h e b reech f r o m s h ot to s h ot. T h e k i l l i n g ran g e of the s h otg u n i s l i m i ted to t h e d i stance a t w h i c h t h e target c a n n ot escape t h r o u g h t h e pattern witho ut s u stai n i n g h its from e n o u g h p e l l ets to k i l l q u i c k l y. The d i ffe rence in t h i s " k i l l i n g p atte r n " sp read i s ro u g h l y f i v e yards betwe e n g a u g e s w h e n t h e y a r e f i r i n g l o ads of c o m parab l e val ue. W h at t h e 1 2 d o e s a t 6 0 y a r d s , t h e 1 6 does at 5 5 , t h e 2 0 a t 5 0 . T h e s m a l l e r 28 and . 4 1 0 g a u g e s fal l b e l o w t h i s ave rag e. T h e i r m axi m u m effective ran g e i s 3 5 yards.

71

Pump action, showi n g the pump (lower ri ght) p u l led back. The carrier is picking u p she l l from the magazine

ACTIONS AND H OW THEY WO RK S h ot g u n s a r e made i n five acti on typ es : s i n g l e s h ot, d o u b l e barre l , p u m p , auto loader, and bolt acti o n . They were once made i n lever act i o n , but these h ave been d i sconti n u e d . The s i n g l e-shot, s i n g l e - b a r re l e d s h ot­ g u n i s t h e s i m p l e st and l e ast expensive type. DOUBLES: T h e fi rst m u lt i p l e-s h ot g u n was a twi n ­ t u b e d m o d e l capab l e o f firi n g two s h ots. T h e m o d e r n d o u b l e g u n has been refi n e d and i m p roved, b u t the c l assi c design re m a i n s . I t i s rea l l y two guns, side by side, with o n e sto ck. In ad d i t i o n to dual barre l s , it has twi n lock syste ms (acti ons) and usually two t r i g g e rs. OVER/UNDER DOUBLES: This i s a m o re modern ver­ s i o n of t h e si de-by-s i d e d o u b l e barre l . I t has the added advantage of a s i n g l e s i g h t i n g - p l a n e . M any s h o oters fi n d it d i ffi c u l t to s i g ht ove r t h e twi n barre l s . of a reg u l a r d o u b l e g u n . T h e y ten d to " c ross-fi re" ove r the barre l s rath e r than s i g h t p roperly down t h e c e nter r i b . With an over/u n d e r, t h e g u n n e r s i g hts along the top barre l . S o m e sh ooters feel the v e rt i c a l arrange· •

72

m e n t of t h e barre l s p revents t i p p i n g o r canti n g to o n e s i d e w h i c h f re q u ently causes a m i ss. PUMP OR SLIDE-ACTION GUNS: T h e p u m p was the fi rst repeat i n g s h otg u n developed i n this c o u ntry t h at i s sti l l p r o d u c e d today. T h e s h e l l s-a m ax i m u m of s i x­ are c onta i n e d i n a t u b u l a r magaz i n e b e l ow t h e s i n g l e barre l . Aft e r f i r i n g , t h e s l i d e hand l e i s j e rked backward to ej ect the e m pty s h e l l case and rec o c k the h a m m e r. As t h e s l i d e h an d l e i s p u s h e d fo rward a fresh s h e l l i s l ifted fr o m t h e ma gaz i n e a n d c arried i nto t h e c h a m b e r. T h e f i n a l fo rward movement of t h e s l i d e h a n d l e l oc k s t h e b re e c h b l o c k and t h e g u n i s ready to fi re ag a i n . AUTO- O R SELF-LOADERS: As t h e t e r m i m p l i es , t h e s e l f - l o a d e r l oads itse l f after each shot a n d t h e s h o o t e r has o n l y to p u l l t h e tri g g e r to fi re t h e g u n eac h t i m e . T h e m a g az i n e i s t u b u l ar, as i n t h e s l i d e - acti o n g u n . Two auto l oa der· syste m s are c u rrently u s e d : t h e reco i l syste m , w h i c h uti l i zes t h e e n e rgy i m parted b y t h e back­ ward pressure of t h e fi red s h e l l , and t h e g as syste m , w h i c h takes a part o f t h e expan d i n g powd e r gases t h r o u g h a s m a l l vent i n t h e bore. T h e g as o p e rates a p i ston w h i c h , i n t u r n , o p e n s t h e b reec h , t h u s ej ecti n g t h e e m pty case, recoc k i n g the h a m m e r, a n d feed i n g a fresh l o ad i nto t h e c h a m b e r. BOLT ACTIONS: S i m p l e and i n ex p e n s i v e , t h e b o l t act i o n i s a l s o t h e s l owest repeati n g s h otg u n to o p e rate. S h e l l s are carried either in a t u b u l a r m a g az i n e or i n a box m a g az i n e , u s u a l l y d etac h a b l e , d i rect l y f o rward of t h e t r i g g e r g u ard . To ej ect a fi red case o r p repare t h e gun f o r l o ad i n g , t h e b o l t h a n d l e i s l ifted a n d p u l l e d b a c k to t h e r e a r of t h e receiver. P u s h i n g t h e h a n d l e fo rward p i c ks u p a fresh s h e l l . T u rn i n g t h e b o l t i nto t h e l o c ked p o s i t i o n c o c k s t h e act i o n a n d c l oses it.

73

Cutaway of buckshot load

o OOO .410 bore­

28 gauge­ . 550"

.410"

20 gauge­ . 6 1 5"

16 gauge-.670"

1 2 gauge-. 730"

SHOTG U N GAUGES AN D SHELLS A s h otg u n ' s g a u g e- l i ke a rifle's c a l i b e r- i s a m eas u re of its b o re d i ameter. T h e stan d ard of m e as u r e m e nt, however, i s an odd one. It is t h e n u m b e r of b a l l s , each fitt i n g the b o re exact ly, that can be p r o d u c e d from o n e p o u n d of l e a d . The n u m be r o f bal l s we i g h i n g o n e p o u n d t h at f i t the b o re o f a 1 2- g a u g e g u n w i l l , t h e n , total twe lve. The o n l y excepti o n to t h i s i s t h e l itt l e . 4 1 0, w h i c h i s measu red i n thousandths of an i n c h . S h ot­ s h e l l s are m ad e u p of powd e r, sh ot, and p r i m e r. W h e n the g u n i s fi red, the p r i m e r i g n ites, f i r i n g the powd e r, wh i c h p r o p e l s t h e s h ot. The case is u s u a l l y m a d e of paper with a b rass h ead . R e m i ngton, however, h as re­ cently p ro d u ced a new case made of p o lyethy l e n e p l astic, w i t h a ste e l h e ad c oated w i t h c o p p e r a n d b rass. T h i s S P P re m i e r G rad e s h e l l (1 2 g a u g e o n ly) s e e m s the m ost d u ra b l e , waterp roof s h e l l yet made. •

74

Cutaway of rifled- s l u g she l l

1 0 gauge-. 775"

Cutaway of standard load

The l o n g e r the s h e l l , the m o re s h ot pe l l ets it can contai n ; t h e h i g he r t h e s h ot-size n u m b e r , t h e s m a l l e r t h e p e l l ets. A rifled - s l u g s h e l l wo u l d c o m p are i n s i z e t o a .70-cal i b e r b u l l et a n d i s used o n l y f o r b i g g a m e . R a n g e a n d t h e s i z e of t h e target are t h e factors t h at fix t h e s h ot l oad u s e d . F o r s m a l l g a m e b i rd s , s u c h as q u a i l o r woodcock, at fai rly s h o rt ran g e , the 1 2- g a u g e g u n can b e effect i v e l y l oad ed with a s h e l l carry i n g t h re e d ra m s of powd e r (eq u i va l e nt) [ s h e l l m an ufac­ tu rers d o n ot reveal t h e actual measure they use] and 1 '/a o u n c e s of #9 s h ot. For l a r g e r b i rd s , the 1 2' s l oad can b e i n c reased to 33/• d rams ( e q u i v a l e nt) of powd e r a n d 1 1/• o u n ces o f # 6 s h ot. T h e 1 2 g a u g e wi l l also take M ag n u m s h e l l s fo r d u c ks at long ran g e , a n d b u c ks h ot o r a o n e - o u n c e rifl e d s l u g for b i g game. S m a l l e r g a u g e s carry p r o p o rt i o n ately s m a l l e r l o a d s .

75

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I mproved cyl i nder choke

Mod ified choke

CHOKES AN D PAfiERNS T h e c h o k e o f a s h otg u n barrel works i n m u c h t h e s a m e way as t h e nozzle o f a h o s e . W h e n t h e n o z z l e is t i g htened , a fine stream of water is p roj e cted far o ut. As the n o z z l e is o p e n e d , the sp ray patt e rn b e c o m e s w i d e r a n d t rave ls a s h o rter d i stance. T h e a m o u n t of wat e r c o m i n g t h r o u g h the hose does not c h an g e ; o n l y t h e w i d t h of the o p e n i n g it g o es t h ro u g h . I n t h e same way, a s h ot pattern i s changed by n a rrow i n g t h e s i z e o f t h e b o re n e a r t h e m u zzle. All s h otg u n s are made with o n e choke boring o r anot h e r. T h e s e ran g e f r o m the sta n d ard th ree-fu l l , m o d ified, a n d i m p roved cyl i n d e r-to t h e adj u stab l e c h o ke w h i c h can be attac h e d to t h e b a r r e l and p e r m its the s h o oter to c h a n g e c h o k e in the fi e l d . The effective sh ooti n g ran g e in a c h o ke bori n g i s dete r m i n e d by the d i stan c e at w h i c h at l e ast 60 per c e nt of the s h ot •

76

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CHOKES A N D PATTERNS

78

p e l l ets wi l l fal l with i n a 30- i n c h c i rc l e . T h i s is about 25 yards for i m p roved cyl i n d e r, 35 yards fo r m o d i f i e d , and 40 y a r d s for fu l l c h oke. F o r n o r m a l l y p r e d i ctab l e ran g e s t h e fo l l ow i n g c h o kes are reco m m en d e d : IMPROVED CYLINDER: Rabbit, q u ai l , woodcock, g ro u s e , s keet s h o oti n g . MODIFIED: Ruffed g rouse, p h e asant, d o v e s , d u c k s ove r d ecoys. FULL CHOKE: Waterfowl pass s h o ot i n g , tu rkey, geese, foxes, trap s h o ot i n g . D o u b l e g u n s offe r t h e advantag e of t w o c h o kes, o n e f o r t h e fi rst s h ot a t c l o s e ran g e , t h e s e c o n d ready fo r a fo l l ow- u p if t h e fi rst i s m i ssed. T h e u s u a l c o m b i na­ tions are : right barre l m odified, l eft barre l fu l l ; o r r i g ht barrel i m p roved cyl i nd e r, l eft mod ified. S keet g u ns are also m ad e with less c h oke in t h e r i g h t barre l . Trap g u n s a n d d o u b l e s used fo r l o n g e r ranges h ave both barre l s bored full c h oke. I t i s n ot n e c essary to have a m u ltitu de of guns to h u n t d i fferent k i n d s of game. The s h o ote r c a n d e c i d e what c h o k e h e wi l l n e e d most and g et a g u n t h at can b e fitted with i nterchangeab l e barre l s . Many m a n u ­ fact u r e rs p rovide t h e s e a t fai rl y low c o s t . T h e d i sad­ vantag e h e re is t h at c h an g i n g over from one set of c h o ke d barrels to a n ot h e r can n ot be d o n e o n the s p u r of t h e m o m e nt. A m o re conve n i ent a n s w e r i s an ad­ j u stab l e c h oke o n a s i n g l e-barreled g u n . With t h i s d e v i c e t h e s h o oter c a n obta i n any d e g ree of c h o ke. Because of its raised su rface, s o m e s h o oters also u s e t h e adj ustab l e c h o k e as a f r o n t s i g h t i n g a i d . Reco i l ­ red u c e rs are i n co rp o rated i n c e rtai n m o d e l s ; oth e rs , l i ke t h e C utts Compen sato r, are bas i c a l l y reco i l - red u c e rs c o m b i n e d with i nterc h a n g e a b l e choke tubes.

S o l i d m atted rib

Vent i l ated matted rib

M atted r i b on double gun

BARRELS AN D R I BS T h e stan d a rd barrel l e n gths are 26, 28, 30, a n d 32 i n c h es . G e n e ral l y speak i n g , the l o n g e r b a rre l s are used in w i l dfowl s h o ot i n g . S h o rter barre l s u s u a l l y are used in h e avy brush c o u ntry f o r conven i e n c e in hand l i n g . A r i b i s freq u e n t l y attached t o t h e barrel o f a s h ot­ g u n . These are e i t h e r s o l i d o r venti l ated, with a m atted s u rface fo r easy s i g h t i n g . M att i n g p reve nts refl ection and g l are, and t h e raised s u rface of t h e r i b acts as a bette r s i g h t i n g p l a n e than t h e barre l itse lf. T h e venti­ l ated r i b i s part i c u l a r l y useful fo r rep eated firing over an exte n d e d p e r i od, as in trapsh ooti n g . H eat waves r i s i n g from the barrel wi l l cause a m i rage l e ad i n g to i n ­ accu rate s h ooti n g . T h e venti lated r i b p e r m its s o m e of t h i s h e at to c o m e out of s l ots in the s u rfac e of t h e barre l , a n d c h an n e l s it out to t h e s i d e s . •

79

U PLAN D GUNS U p land g a m e b i rd s c a n r i s e f r o m d e n s e c o v e r at speeds of 30 to 50 m i l e s p e r h o u r, s o a s h otg u n t h at h a n d l e s q u i c k l y and eas i ly i s t h e fi rst req u i re m ent fo r u p l an d h u n t i n g . T h e s h ot m u st be m a d e d u r i n g t h e b r i ef, flas h i n g g l ances t h e h u nt e r g ets of h i s q u arry before it soars o r r u n s out of s i g ht and ran g e . S eve ral facto rs d eterm i n e t h e c h o i c e of g a u g e used : s i z e a n d speed of target, t h e te rrai n , and w h et h e r o r n o t t h e s h o oter works with a d o g . M ost u p l an d g a m e can b e t a k e n w i t h a 20- o r a 1 6- g a u g e shotg u n ; a 1 2 g a u g e m ay b l ow a s m a l l b i rd to bits. T h e 1 2- g a u g e p roves m o s t val u a b l e when h u nt i n g l a r g e r b i rds, s u c h a s t h e w i l d t u rkey. F o r g ro u s e and woodcock i n d e n s e l y t h i cketed N ew E n g l an d , t h e o p e n - c h oked 2 0 g a u g e i s deadly, wh i l e i n t h e m o re o p e n c o u n try o f t h e S o uth and West, t h e h u nt e r c h ooses a 16 or 12 g a u g e for l o n g e r s h ots at q u a i l , partri d g e , and p h easant. If the h u nte r uses a dog, t h e ran g e can b e fai rly ac c u rat ely d ete r m i n e d i n advan ce, depe n d i n g o n t h e b reed and ab i l ity of t h e d o g . A g ood b i rd d o g u s u a l ly h o l d s the •

W i nchester M o d e l 21 custom (and expensive) doub l e gun

Ruffed grouse

UPLAND G U N S

b i rd at point at a k n ow n , reaso n a b l y c l ose d i stan c e each t i m e . T h u s , t h e h u nter h as o n l y to add th i s fai rly c o n stant facto r to his own d i stan c e from t h e d o g to get a good esti m ate of the s h o oti n g ran g e . I f t h e s h ooter i s worki n g a l o n e , t h e b i rd m ay fl u s h u n d e rfoot, o r r u n 3 0 o r 4 0 yards before tak i n g fl i g ht. In t h i s case, the l o n g ran ge of a 12 gauge makes it t h e p referred g u n . I t also offers a bette r o p p o rt u n ity to make a c l ean k i l l , t h u s l esse n i n g the c h a n c e of c ri p ­ p l i n g b i rds and l os i n g th em i n t h e u n d e rb r u s h , w h e re they are d i ff i c u l t to recove r without a d o g . U p l a n d g u n s we i g h f r o m 53/4 to 71/l p o u n d s and a p o u n d o n e way o r t h e oth e r may mean an i m po rtant loss or g a i n of t i m e for the h u nter to get on target. TARGET: G rouse, p h e asant, part r i d g e , woodcock, q u a i l , wild t u rkey. TERRAIN: G ro u s e : ro l l i n g t i m be r l a n d a n d l o w val l ey cover. P h easan t : farm l a n d for feed, l o w g rowth o r swam p l and f o r cover. Partri d g e : stu b b l e fi e l d s , o p e n p rai r i e , occas i o n a l l y desert. Wood c o c k : l ow, m o ist g ro u n d , h eavy cover. Quai l : d ry g ro u n d veg etati o n , u s u ­ a l l y l ow. Wi l d tu rkey : deep woods, m o rasses, swamp­ l a n d , and th i c keted m o u ntai n c o u ntry. SHOOTING PROBLEMS: Fast- m ovi n g , ext re m e l y wary q u a r ry i n c l ose cover, with ranges of 20 to 50 yards. Fast act i o n i s needed to hit target before it d i sappears . ·

82

Poss i b l e m uti lat i o n of g a m e from a too-h eavy l oad m u st be avo i d e d . (Wi l d tu rkey is the excepti o n ; b e i n g l a r g e and h eavy, it req u i re s a heav i e r c h a r g e of powder and s h ot.) M ax i m u m pat i e n c e and e n d u ran ce i s ex­ acted from t h e h u nter. SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: L i g htest, s h o rtest g u n that carries a s u itab l e shot load. Fast act i o n i s a m u st. The c h o i c e of p u m p o r auto l oad e r in a repeat e r is i n ­ d i v i d u a l , b u t d o u b l e g u n s , a l t h o u g h l i m ited to two s h ots w i thout r e l o ad i n g , are s l i g htly fast e r and bette r balanced. Th e i r two- c h o k e opti on a l s o p e r m its a fo l ­ l ow- u p s h ot a t l o n g e r ran g e and t h e i r s h o rter ove r-al l l e n gth i s an asset. I n repeate rs, the ad d i t i o n a l l e ngth of the rec e i v e r t h at h o u se s t h e fi r i n g m e c h a n i s m m u st be i n c l u d e d i n ove r- a l l m easu rements, m a k i n g a re­ peater several i n c h e s l o n g e r than a d o u b l e of t h e s a m e b a r r e l l e n g t h . Twenty-s i x i n ches i s the s u g g ested m ax­ i m u m barrel l e n gth for u p l a n d g u n n i n g . RECOMMENDED GUNS: A l i g h t 20-gauge s h otg u n i s reco m m e n d e d a s t h e c l osest t o i d eal u p l an d b i rd g u n , b u t it req u i res a h i g h deg ree o f speed from t h e h u nter. The 20 and 16 gauges c h a m b e red fo r Exp ress a n d M ag n u m loads h ave c h a l l en g e d t h e fi rst- p l ac e p o s i ­ t i o n h e l d by heav i e r gauges. A 20 k i l l s n eatl y u p to 50 yards without m uti l at i n g t h e game, h a n d l e s e as i l y and q u i c k l y i n c l ose cover. C h o i c e u p l an d g u n s i n -

Browning Superposed Grade V

Fox Model B-ST

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Wi nchester Model 42 De Luxe UPLAND GUNS

e l u d e : Doubles-W i n c h este r M o d e l 21 , c u sto m - m a d e o n ly, p r i ced from $1 ,000 u p . Fox M o d e l B , somewhat on t h e h e avy s i d e , but m od estly p r i c e d a n d re l i a b l e . B rown i n g S u p e rposed over/u n d e r i s a top-g rad e B e l g i an g u n asse m b l ed h e re. D a k i n over/u n d e r 20- g a u g e M o d e l 1 47 M ag n u m can d ro p b i rd s a t 50 yards. Pump Guns-Wi n c h ester M o d e l 1 2, with opti o n a l l i g htwe i g ht d e s i g n we i g h i n g o n e p o u n d less than sta n d a rd g a u g e s i n t h e re g u l a r M o d e l 1 2 (1 2-gauge M o d e l 1 2 w e i g h s 7'12 p o u n d s ) . Feathe rwe i g ht Ithaca M o d e l 3 7 i s 53/4 p o u n d s i n 20 g a u g e . Savage M o d e l 30 we i g h s s i x p o u n d s i n 2 0 g a u g e , seven i n 1 2 g a u g e . Steve n s M o d e l 7 7 i s v i rtu a l l y t h e s a m e as t h e M o d e l 3 0 . R e m i n gton Model 870 we i g h s about 6112 pounds i n 20 gauge. Autoloaders-W i n c h este r Model 59 has W i n - Lite fi b e rg l ass barre l , c o m e s i n 1 2 gauge o n ly, w e i g h s 6 112 p o u n d s . R e m i n gton M o d e l 878 i n 1 2 g a u g e w e i g h s seve n p o u n d s . Reg u l a r Rem i n gton M o d e l 1 1 -48 we i g h s 6112 p o u n d s in 20 g a u g e . M ost s h otg u n s c o m e i n t h re e o r fo u r gauges , many are c h a m b e red fo r Express and M ag n u m l o ads. Extras-A matted r i b h e l ps e l i m i n ate g l are a n d g ives f l at- p l a n e s i g h t i n g . H owever, it adds a q u a rt e r of a p o u n d to t h e average p u m p a n d auto-

87

Ithaca 37R De Luxe repeater

Wild turkey i n protective foliage

Stevens Model 3 1 1

UPLAND GUNS

l o a d e r. A n adj u stab l e c h o ke enables t h e g u n n e r to change t h e s h ot patte rn, yet adds n o extra w e i g ht, as a sect i o n of the barrel is removed to al low fo r t h e c h o k e attac h m e nt. Re l at i v e l y few s h otg u n n ers today are o n e - g u n h u nt­ e rs. Many h ave a b i rd gun and a d u c k g u n , wh i c h m o st often m e a n s a 20 gauge and a 1 2 g a u g e . Act u a l l y , t h e 2 0 g a u g e c o m e s c l oser, i n the M ag n u m c h a m b e r i n g s , to f i l l i n g t h e n e e d s of t h e u p l a n d g u n n e r than t h e ave rag e 1 2 g a u g e . A l i g ht 2 0 m a k e s an i deal u p l an d b i rd g u n f o r h u n t i n g i n c l ose cover. T h e l i g htest g u n t h at h o l d s t h e n ecessary s h ot load i s always t h e p referab l e c h o i c e .

89

WILDFOWL GUNS W i l d d u c ks a n d geese, w i t h th e i r h e avy feat h e r c ov­ e r i n g , are t o u g h b i rd s to k i l l . A w i l dfowl g u n n e r m u st sh oot a t i g h t pattern and p l a c e a m i n i m u m of five o r six shot i nto t h e b i rd to k i l l it i n t h e ai r. I n d e c oy sh ooti n g , w h e re t h e b i rd f l i e s i n over t h e d e coys n e a r the s h o oter's b l i n d , ran g e s are l i ke l y to b e 40 yards o r l ess. T h e m o re d i ff i c u lt pass shooti n g , att e m pted as the target f l i e s h i g h overhead, offers the l o n g e st­ ran g e s h ooti n g of any s h otg u n s p o rt. W i l dfowl g u n n i ng dem an d s m o r e prec i s i o n in p o i nt­ ing than u p l a n d s h o oti n g . The l o n g e r ran g e makes t h e t a r g e t seem s m a l ler. S k i l l i s needed to determ i n e t h e proper l ead-t h e d i stance the g u n n e r m u st p o i nt a h e ad of t h e target to a l l ow fo r t h e b i rd ' s move m e n t a n d t h e speed of t h e shot. Because of the heavy s h ot req u i re­ m e nts, any g u n l i g ht e r than a 12 g a u g e i s a h a n d i cap to the g u n n e r a n d freq u e n t l y results in c r i p p l ed b i rds. S i n c e easy h a n d l i n g and t h e n ecessary power can be bu i lt i nto p u m ps and auto l o ad e rs, these h ave b e e n the fi rst c h o i c e of w i l dfow l e rs fo r over fifty years. Ve ry few d o u b l e s are p r o d u c e d i n t h i s cou ntry. Th e re are, •

90

Savage M odel 775

WI LDFOWL G U N S

92

h owever, many fine i m p o rted d o u b l es avai l a b l e . TARGET: Wi l d d u c ks, g eese. TERRAIN: M a rs h l a n d . SHOOTING PROBLEMS: Pass shooting- N o s h otg u n i s t o o b i g f o r pass s h o ot i n g . T h e target i s movi n g at h i g h speed-60 or 70 m i l es p e r h o u r- a n d can c o m e from any d i rect i o n . The shotg u n n e r m u st k n o w t h e c o r rect l ead f o r every ran ge u p to the l i m i t of h i s g u n ' s reac h . H e m u st be a b l e to j u d g e t h e a n g l e and speed of t h e target and al l ow for any vari ati o n s t h at wind m i g ht cause. Decoy s hooting- C orrect typ e , n u m be r, and p l ac e m e n t of decoys fo r t h e vari o u s spec i e s of d u c ks, a n d how to u s e a d u c k c a l l effecti v e l y are i m p o rtant tec h n i q ues t o be learned. P ro p e r c o n c e a l m e nt

Remi ngton Model 1 1 -48 A

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Browning Double Automatic Standard

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Decoy shooting from natural b l i nd

WI LDFOWL G U N S

94

i n a b l i n d , t h e maneuverab i l ity of t h e g u n , a n d t h e s i ze of t h e c h a r g e are the oth e r m aj o r c o n s i d e rat i o n s . B l i n ds m ay be made i n m a n y ways and of many d i f­ ferent types of m at e r i a l . The n at u ral o n e s , made of g rasses and reeds fo u n d on the spot, are best, but d i ffi c u lt to asse m b l e p e r m an e ntly. N o m att e r what t h e b l i n d , the m ost i m p o rtant th i n g for the h u nter to r e ­ m e m b e r i s to keep h i s head d own and re m a i n abso­ l ut e l y moti o n l ess. SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS : A fai r l y h e avy-about 7'12 p o u n ds-si n g l e -tube repeat i n g g u n with a m i n i m u m barrel l e n gth o f 2 8 i n ches is appro p r i ate. Both o f these facto rs a i d accu racy i n swi n g i n g and p o i n t i n g . Also h e l pfu l i s a m atted r i b . The e l evated, n o n - g l a r i n g flat

Savage Model 30-AC L l eft-hand pump

s u rface g i ves bette r control in s i g ht i n g . The adj u stab l e c h o ke-opt i o n a l o n many c u rrent p u m p a n d autoload­ ing g u n s - i s u sefu l . T h i s sets the bore fo r c l o s e - r a n g e s h ots ( u p to 40 y a r d s ) w h e n b i rd s c h arge i n a t d e c oys, o r f o r fu l l c h o ke to g i ve t i g hter patte rns n e c essary for pass s h o ot i n g . RECOMMENDED GUNS: Pass shooting-A 1 2- g a u g e M ag n u m , f i r i n g a l o ad of 1 7/a o u n ces, w i l l g i ve d e ­ pendab l e k i l l s o n d u cks a t 7 0 yards, g e e s e a t 6 0 yard s . T h e s e are h e avy g u ns-we l l o v e r e i g ht p o u n d s-made i n t h e fo l l owi n g m o d e l s : R e m i ngton 870 M a g n u m , W i n c h este r 1 2- g a u g e M ag n u m D u c k G u n , Steve n s 77- M , S avag e M od e l 775, and B rown i n g S u p e rposed M ag n u m o v e r/u n d e r. All s h o u l d be p u rc h ased with fu l l -

95

WILDFOWL G U N S

c h o ke barre l s . Decoy shooting-W i n c hester M o d e l 1 2 p u m p , W i n c hester M o d e l 50 auto l oader, R e m i n gton 1 1 -48 auto, Rem i n gton 870 pump, M a r l i n P re m i e r p u m p , Savage M o d e l 3 0 p u m p ( a l s o m a d e i n l eft- h a n d e d ac­ t i o n ) , Stev ens M o d e l 77, B rown i n g Auto m at i c 5, and B rown i n g D o u b l e Automat i c (two-sh ot) are a l l g o o d c h o i c e s i n 1 2 g a u g e . Loaded with the 23/• - i n c h M ag n u m sh e l l , t h e y a r e fast e n o u g h to h a n d l e we l l ove r decoy­ ing d u c ks a n d h ave e n o u g h ran g e fo r some c o n s e rva­ tive pass s h ooti n g - u p to 60 yards.

Hutchins' goose breeds i n Arctic, m i grates through M idwest

Marl i n Premier Mark I

Fiberglass being processed at W i nchester

Five hundred m i les of g l a s s filament are used i n the W i n-Lite barrel

FIBERGLASS BARRELS I n c reas i n g the strength of the s h otg u n b a r r e l without ad d i n g to t h e w e i g ht has always p l ag u e d t h e gun d e ­ s i g n e r. W i n c h ester's M o d e l 59 auto l o ad e r has been m ad e w i th a revo l ut i o n a ry new barre l c a l l e d t h e "Win­ Lite," w h i c h i s m ade of f i b e rg l ass. Several l ayers of f i b e rg l ass c l oth are wrapped over a very t h i n -wal l ed ste e l t u b e t h at has been p re-wo u n d with m i l e s of fi b e r­ g l ass fi l a m e nts. I t is t h e n h eat c u re d , g ro u nd to s i z e , a n d fi n i s h e d . T h e res u l t i s a b a r r e l twi c e as stro n g as a c o m parab l e o n e i n stee l , yet o n l y h a l f as h e avy. I t w o n 't h e at u p a n d is n ot affected by e x p o s u r e to weat h e r . A n d if, u n d e r ext rao rd i n ary c o n d i t i o n s , t h e b a r r e l s h o u l d b l o w u p , t h e re i s n o frag m e ntat i o n as oc c as i o n ­ a l l y h a p p e n s w i t h stee l . •

99

THE HANDGUN PART4

BARREL

EJECTOR ROD ASSEMBLY

EJ ECTOR S P R I N G

THE REVOLVER M ost fam i l i a r and u s u a l l y t h e p referred s i d e a r m , t h e revo lver p r o v i d e s re l i ab l e o p e rati o n a n d a stro n g e r c o n stru cti o n capab l e o f han d l i n g m o re potent l oads than t h e auto m atic. In ad diti o n , it may be carried l oad­ ed without d a n g e r of a c c i d e ntal d i scharge. T h e revo lver offe rs a choice of two act i o n s : d o u b l e and s i n g l e . I n the d o u b l e-act i o n , e a c h t r i g g e r- s q u eeze c o c k s t h e h a m m e r, revo lves a n d positions t h e cyl i n d e r, a n d fires t h e g u n . I n s i n g le-act i o n s , t h e h a m m e r m u st be cocked m a n u a l l y to p o s i t i o n t h e c y l i n d e r. T h e t r i g ­ g e r i s t h e n s q u eezed wh en the s h o ote r i s ready t o f i r e . I n a l l m o d e l s , cartridges m u st be l oaded m a n u a l ly, o n e by o n e . A cyl i n d e r usually holds s i x ro u n d s . To l oad t h e d o u b l e-act i o n , the shooter s i m p l y touches t h e s i d e l atc h , expos i n g the cyl i n d e r chamber by swi n g ­ i n g it o u t , away f r o m t h e frame. T h e cy l i n d e r of t h e s i n g l e-act i o n do es not swi n g o p e n . •

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Preceding pages: Ruger S i n g l e-Six

TAKEDCWN LATCH

BARREL BUSHING

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RECOIL S P RING HOUSING

S L I D E LOCK NOTCH

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MAGAZI N E

G R I P PA N El SCRE W

The h a r d - h i tt i n g auto m at i c is a flat, c o m pact arm , e asy to ca rry and c o n c e a l , and capab l e of p rovi d i n g o n e m aj o r advantag e : rap i d ity o f fire. I t has, h owever, several d rawbac ks. T h e c o m p l exity of its d e s i g n tends to p r o d u c e u n c e rtain o p e rat i o n . I m p ro p e r l o ad i n g or a fau lty m a g azi n e can cause j a m m i n g , a n d if t h e g u n m i sfires, i t i s a two - h a n d e d operat i o n t o y a n k t h e s l i d e back t o c l ea r t h e c h a m b e r. These p i st o l s s h o u l d a l ­ ways be c a r r i e d with t h e c h am b e r e m pty to i n s u re c o m ­ p l ete safety. A l l auto m at i c s a r e c l i p - l oa d e d . T h e g u n 's c h a m b e r i s part of its barrel. F o r i n i t i a l f i r i n g i n s i n g l e ­ act i o n m o d e l s w i t h an external h a m m e r, t h e s l i d e m u st be p u l l e d b a c k to c o c k t h e g u n . T h i s i s u n n ecessary i n d o u b l e-act i o n a n d h a m m e r l ess m o d e l s i n w h i c h t h e i n i t i a l tri g g e r- p u l l cocks t h e h a m m e r a n d fi res t h e g u n . Part o f t h e reco i l e n e rgy m oves t h e parts, ej ecti n g t h e e m pty s h e l l a n d p o s i ti o n i n g a n e w cart r i d g e . •

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CUTAWAY VI EW OF TH E D O U BLE-ACTIO N S & W .38 M I LITARY AN D P O LI C E REVO LVER Each trigger-pu l l cocks t h e hammer, positions t h e cartridge, a n d fires the gun i n double actions. The hammer i s raised a s sear and hand coupl e ; their release al lows the hammer nose t o fa l l , stri king the firing p i n

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B O LT

SEAR SPRING HAMMER STUD --------� BOLT PLUNGER

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CYLI N DER STOP PLU N G ER HAN D SPRING

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CYLI NDER STOP TRIGGER STUD

CUTAWAY VI EW O F A S I N GLE-ACTI ON R U G E R BEARCAT REVOLVER The hammer of s i n g l e-action model s i s cocked manual ly­ simultaneously joining sear and hand and a l i gning a cartridge. To fire, the shooter squeezes the trigger to release the hammer

RECO I L PLATE CROSS P I N F I R I NG PIN REBOU N D SPR I NG

CA RTR I DGE CHAM B E R

HAM M E R P I VOT

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HAM M E R S P R I N G SEAT

CALIBERS AND AMMUNITION T h ere i s v e ry l itt l e diffe rence betwee n p i stol cal i be r a n d rifle c a l i b e r (see page 24) . Pistol barre l s are rifled and act upon the b u l let i n the same m an n e r. Like t h e rifle, the p i stol fires either ri m -fi re or center­ fire cartridges. I n .22 ca li ber, either the ham m e r o r t h e firi n g p i n , d e p e n d i n g o n t h e specific m o d e l , stri k e s the h ead of t h e cartri dge. A l l o t h e r cal i be rs a r e c e n t e r­ fire. The firi n g p i n stri kes t h e p r i m e r i n the m i d d l e of the cartridge base. There i s a d e g ree of i nte rchange­ a b i l ity i n revo lver cartri dge s n ot fo u n d i n rifles. T h e .357 M a g n u m can also f i r e the . 3 8 S p e c i a l , the . 4 4 M ag ­ n u m al so uses t h e .44 Special, and the . 2 2 M ag n u m , t h e . 2 2 S p e c i a l . H owever, the reverse i s not t h e case. T h e reg u l ar . 2 2 r i m -fi re cannot h a n d l e t h e M ag n u m s. Center-fire cartridges fo r automat i c s are r i m l ess. T h i s i s to permit them to feed eas i l y fro m t h e c l i p magaz i n es. I n order t o make extract i o n from t h e cy l i n ­ d e r p o s s i b l e , cartridges d e s i g n e d f o r revo lvers are e q u i p p e d with rimmed heads. •

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SMALL- BORE FIELD GUNS N o oth e r fi rearm c aptu res t h e s h o oter's i m a g i n at i o n as read i ly as t h e h a nd g u n . I t i s d i ffi c u lt to s h oot a c ­ c u rate ly, of l i m ited use i n h u nt i n g , a n d not easy t o o w n because of restri ctive l e g i s l at i o n , b u t i t i s sti l l t h e fi rearm t h at m ost p e o p l e t h i n k of as " g u n " and t h e o n e eve ry s h ooter h o p e s to possess. I n r u g g e d c o u n ­ t ry w h e r e t h e h u nter m u st c ross roc ky, o r w i l d , terrai n and m u st u s e both h a n d s to do it, and i n areas w h e r e cover i s g o o d a n d h e can g et with i n 50 y a r d s of h i s p rey, t h e h a n d g u n i s a p racti cal h u nti n g a r m a n d a n exciti n g o n e to u s e . H a n d g u n s are avai l a b l e i n w h at s e e m e n d l ess d e s i g n s a n d s i z e s a n d i n a w i d e ran g e o f cal i b e rs, from .22 S h o rt t o t h e .45 C o lt. B y f a r t h e m ost p o p u l ar, a n d t h e most s u itab l e fo r s m a l l g a m e , i s t h e .22- c a l i b e r r i m -fire. SITUATION: G e n e ra l ly t h e h u nter h a p p e n s u p o n s m a l l g a m e - ra b b i t, c h u c k, p o r c u p i ne-cro u c h i n g i n tal l g rass, n i b b l i n g vegetat i o n , o r i n t h e case o f s q u i rre l , p o i s e d o n a l ow tree l i m b . O n c e h e h as d i sc overed h i s target, t h e s h ooter m ust b e q u i c k and q u i et i n ready i n g h i s arm f o r t h e k i l l . A l l of t h e s e a n i m a l s a r e extre m e ly wary a n d swift i n fl i g ht, a n d t h e i r m i nute forms p e r m i t t h e m to h i d e e as i ly. I f t h e h u nter m i sj u d g e s h i s fi rst s h ot, he p r o b a b l y w i l l not g et a s e c o n d , or the s e c o n d w i l l b e a t an e l u s i ve a n d rap i d ly m ov i n g target. F o r t h i s t y p e of g a m e , t h e ran g e i s s h o rt, t h e fi e l d s are o p e n , and t h e target i s big enough to hit w i t h o u t too much d iffi c u lty w h e n i t is stat i o n ary, s o h ai r- s p l itti n g acc u racy i s n ot n e c essary. O n ly a fai rly steady h a n d i s d e m an d e d . F o r tec h n i q u e ' s sake, t h e s h o oter s h o u l d k e e p a u n iform g r i p a n d d eve l o p a s m ooth, steady •

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t r i g g e r- s q u eeze o r h e m ay m i s d i rect t h e b u l l et each t i m e h e fires. By p l ac i n g h i s free h a n d o n t h e gun b utt, the h u nt e r p rovides j u st e n o u g h s u p p o rt to i m prove his h o l d . I f he wishes to steady t h e g u n f u rt h e r, h e can either assu m e a s i tti n g posit i o n , s u p p o rti n g his e l bows with h i s k n e es, or he can l i e flat o n h i s back, rest i n g h i s a r m s o n h i s c h est a n d s u p p o rt i n g h i s h e a d w i t h a sto n e o r l o g . SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: T h e re i s n o advantage in h e avy g u n s fo r this type of sh ooti n g . The .22-cal i b e r ri m-fire, i n e it h e r s i n g le -s hot, rev o l ve r, o r automat i c , i s rec o m m e n d e d . P r o b a b l y t h e safest fo r t h e average s h o oter are the s i n g l e - s hot p i st o l a n d the revo l v e r, alth o u g h they h a n d i cap fi r i n g speed s l i g htly. B oth c a n be c a r r i e d fu l ly loaded without f e a r of ac c i d e ntal d i s ­ c h a rg e ; e a c h req u i res a d e l i b e rate c o c k i n g act i o n t o p repare t h e g u n fo r firi n g . Even t h e d o u b l e-act i o n re­ v o l v e r, w h i c h can be c o c ked and fired s i m p l y by p u l l ­ i n g t h e t r i g g e r, i s u s u a l l y cocked m a n u a l l y f o r m o r e accu rate s h ooti n g . Automat i c p i st o l s i n .22 cal i be r

Above, l eft, big- and smal l -bore field guns (top to bottom ) : C o l t . 2 2 Buntline Scout, Ruger Super B l ackhawk .44 Magnum, Sm ith & Wesson .44 Magnum, Ruger .22 Bearcat

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h av e i nternal h a m m e rs and can be fi red acc i d e ntal ly. They s h o u l d b e ca rried with the c h a m b e r e m pty. The gun m ay b e read i e d fo r act i o n s i m p l y by p u l l i n g t h e s l i d e b a c k a n d a l l o w i n g i t to s n ap s h ut. A n o t h e r d raw­ back of t h e automat i c is its i n a b i l ity to f ire any s i ze .22 c a rt r i d g e oth e r than the L on g Rifle ( u n l es s e s p e c i a l l y c h a m b e re d f o r t h e S h o rt) . Revo lvers t a k e a l l t h ree c a rt r i d g e s i zes-S h o rt, L o n g , a n d Long R i f l e . T h e .22c a l i b e r h an d g u n is u s u a l l y p o p u l a r with p l i n ke r s s i n c e i t i s i n ex p e n s ive to f i r e a n d lacks t h e h e avy rec o i l o f bigger handguns. I n a l l c a s e s , w h e n s m a l l g a m e i s t h e p rey, t h e g u n s h o u l d b e c o m pact e n o u g h to carry e as i l y a n d s h o u l d b e e q u i p p e d w i t h a m e d i u m - l ength barrel f o r ease i n rapi d hand l i n g .

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BIG - BORE FIELD GUNS M od e r n deve l op m e nts i n cartri d g e s h a v e m ad e i t poss i b l e to c o n s i d e r the han d g u n a s a b i g - g a m e a r m . I n it i a l advances toward t h i s e n d w e r e m a d e m o re t h a n a d ecade ago when M aj o r D o u g l as Wess o n , w i t h t h e a i d of weste rn b i g - ga me g u i d e E l m e r K e i t h , p r o d u c e d the .357 M ag n u m cartri d g e and tested i t i n a revo l v.e r d e s i g n e d espec i a l l y f o r t h e l oad. T h e g u n was e q u i pp e d with an 83/• - i n c h barrel and w e i g h e d 47 o u n ces, the h eavi est revo lver s i n c e t h e C o l t D ragoon cap-an d - b a l l models bu i lt during t h e C iv i l War p e r i o d . W i t h h i s new h a n d g u n and cartri d g e , Wesson w a s a b l e to k i l l b u l l e l k, d e e r, and m o o s e , and aft e r s u c h u n u s u a l s u c c e s s wasted n o t i m e i n p l ac i n g b o t h cartri d g e a n d g u n o n the m arket, u n d e r t h e S m ith & Wesso n l a b e l . N ew b i g - bo r e d e s i g n s n ot o n l y acc o m m o d ate these h e avy l oads, but i n t h e hands of s k i l l f u l s h o oters p e rform a l m ost as effe cti vely as a rifle. •

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SITUATION: H a n d g u n s i n th i s c l ass are h e avy a n d n ot easy to carry w h e n on foot, yet they are l i g ht e r a n d less c u m bersome than a r i f l e . I n western areas w h e re g a m e i s large and the h u nter does most of h i s spott i n g from the sad d l e, t h e b i g - b ore h an d g u n i s a c o n v e n i e nt sport i n g arm. It i s a l s o handy i n e m e rg e n cy s i t u ati o n s w h e n a g u n m u st be bro u gh t q u i c k l y i nto acti o n . M any guides carry b i g - bore s i d earms for s u c h m o m ents, o r to fi n i s h a c r i p p l e d a n i m a l , o r even to c o l l ect " e at i n ' m e at" f o r c a m p . These g u n s a r e n o t a s l i m i ted i n ran g e a s m i g ht be exp ected , but a t l o n g ran g e s p re c i s i o n i s d i ffi c u lt. Yet t h e y p ro d u c e e n o u g h powe r a n d o p e rate accu rately e n o u g h to k i l l a d e e r or a b l a c k b e a r at 1 00 yard s, o r m o r e , if t h e b u l l et st rikes the a n i m a l d i rectly i n t h e c h est cavity. At s h o rt ran g e s they c a n d o j u s ­ tice t o j u st a b o u t any hoofed g a m e i n t h e Weste rn H e m i sp h e re. F o r best p e rformance, a f irm g r i p i s es­ sential a n d deve l o p i n g o n e req u i res much p ract i c e . The g u n s h o u l d be h e l d so t h at t h e bac kstrap l i e s i n the c e n t e r of t h e pa l m of the sh ooti n g h a n d a n d t h e h a n d i s w e l l u p o n t h e g u n g ri p . T h e p o s i t i o n s h o u l d be b o t h firm and comfortable, and i t m u st b e o n e w h i c h a l l ows t h e g u n n e r to squ eeze the t ri g g e r i n a l i n e w i t h barre l , w r i st, and forearm, so t h at t h e g u n reco i l s stra i g h t back. T h e t h u m b s h o u l d n e v e r e x e rt p ressure, and t h e grip m u st be u n i form o r s h ots wi l l be th rown to one s i d e or the other, depen d i n g u p o n w h e r e t h e excess p ressure exi sts. The s h ooter m ay u s e h i s free h a n d to steady both gun and a i m .

Colt S i n g l e A c t i o n Army

Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Model 29, w i th 6'1> - i nch barrel

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SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: In the b i g - b o re g u n cate g o ry, t h e revo lver stands a l o n e . N o auto m at i c p i stol i s r u g g e d e n o u g h to acc o m m o d ate t h e s e h e avy l oads. A s h ooter need o n l y c h oose betwe e n s i n g l e act i o n a n d d o u b l e acti o n . A o n e - p i e c e , deep-fo rged frame makes the s i n g l e-act i o n a s l i g ht l y s u p e r i o r arm. I t i s stro n g e r and far less p ro n e to damage. All b i g ­ b o r e m o d e l s a r e fitted w i t h h a n d -fi l l i n g g ri p s so that the s h o oter can mai ntai n a firm g rasp o n h i s a r m . S o m e a r e e v e n e q u i p p ed w i t h adj usta b l e s i g ht s ; i n s i n g l e acti o n , the R u g e r B l ac k h awk and C o l t Front i e r ; i n d o u b l e act i o n , both Col t a n d S m ith & Wesson m o d e l s. A l l th ree-Co lt, R u g e r, S m ith & Wesso n - p e r m i t c l ea n , l i g ht t r i g g e r- p u l l , i n s u r i n g g reat e r accu racy a t l o n g ran g e s . S u i tab l e cal i bers i n c l u d e the m o d ern .357 and .44 M a g n u m made by R u g e r, .45 Colt, and .44 S m ith & Wesson S p e c i a l . Any o n e of these is powerfu l e n o u g h t o fe l l a d e e r o r s i m i l a r g a m e a t m o d e rate ran g e . T h e .357 M a g n u m a n d the .44 Mag n u m h ave an ad d e d fea­ tu re in th e i r ab i l ity to fi re a l ow-powered c a rt r i d g e accu rate l y and effe ctively. T h e .357 fi res a l l . 3 8 S p e c i a l l oads-fro m wadc utters (a b u l let with a sharp-edged s h o u l d e r t h at c uts a pape r target c l ea n l y , l i ke a cond u ctor's p u n c h) to 200- g ra i n p o l i c e cartri d g e s . The .44

Shooter reacts to jarring recoi l of .44 Magnum

M ag n u m s h oots both .44 S p e c i a l and .44 R u s s i a n . A m o n g b i g - b o re field l o ads, t h e .357 M a g n u m h as b e e n t h e m ost popu lar cartr i d g e fo r ove r a decade, b u t i t i s s l owly losing its p r o m i n e n c e to the newer, m o r e powerfu l .44 M ag n u m , which s h oots a 240- g ra i n b u l l et a t 1 560 f p s m u z z l e v e l o c i ty. B o t h a r e effec­ tive fo r b i g - g a m e s h ooti n g . A h an d l oad e r c a n i m p rove a n y o f t h e s e cart r i d g e s by c o m p o s i n g m o re powe rfu l l oads fo r h i s p e r s o n a l use . Facto ry l o ad s i n these cal i be rs are d e l i b e rate l y " l oad ed-down" for safety p u rposes.

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POLICE AND DEFENSE GUNS The l aw offi c e r has m o re at stake than any oth e r s h o oter when choos i n g a su itab l e h a n d g u n . F o r h i m , the g u n i s a defens ive arm a n d m u st be capab l e of d o i n g t h e j o b u nfai l i n g ly. The c h o i ces avai l a b l e to h i m are w i d e , ran g i n g from l i tt l e " h i deout" g u n s u s ed by p l a i n c l othes men to powerf u l M ag n u m s u s ed b y h i g hway patro l m e n . SITUATION: A l most every p h a s e of p o l i c e w o r k p l aces a d i fferent d e m a n d o n the d e s i g n of t h e h a n d ­ g u n . A l l m u st be d u ra b l e to withstand ro u g h and ex­ cessive han d l i n g . Some m u st be powerfu l e n o u g h to p e n et rate the ste e l of flee i n g autos. Detectives a n d F B I age nts n e e d a g u n t h a t i s eas i ly c o n c e a l e d i n s h o u l d e r o r belt h o l sters, a g u n t h at w i l l not catc h o n c l oth i n g when s n a p p e d swift l y i nto u s e. A patro l m an wal k i n g the beat i s n ot so l i m ited, but h i s s i dearm s h o u l d be neither too h e avy n o r too b u l ky to be carr i e d comfortab l y in a b e l t h o l ster for seve ral h o u rs a •

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day. S i n c e h e i s p ri m a r i l y c o n c e rned with o btai n i n g powe r a n d a c c u racy f o r l o n g - ran ge s h o ot i n g , a l o n g ­ barre l e d g u n i s g e n e ra l l y p refe rab l e . T h e s a m e arm wo u l d n ot b e s u ita b l e for offi cers ass i g n e d to patrol cars. A l th o u g h these m e n a l s o need an arm t h at s u p ­ p l i es suffi c i e nt p o w e r to h a l t an escap i n g c u l p ri t at l o n g ran ge, t h e l o n g barre l is too l i ke l y to catc h on car seats and i n h i b i t an offi cer's rap i d m ov e m e n t i n and o u t of ve h i c l es. SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS: In s p ite of t h e auto­ matic p i sto l ' s c o m pact q u a l ities and fac i l ity of conc e a l m e nt, t h e m o re c e rt ain operat i o n of t h e revolver

Two hands, ava i l a b l e rest, aid accuracy

is p referred in p o l i c e work. When ti m e is s h o rt, t h e possi b i l i ty of g u n -jam because of i m p rop e r l o ad i n g o r a fau lty m agazi n e o r cart r i d g e i s too g reat. The offi­ cial-and m ost p o p u l a r- revo lver among l aw m e n i n m etro p o l itan areas i s c h a m b e re d for t h e .38 S p e c i a l cartri d g e , a powerfu l , accu rate l oad. A p atro l m an o n foot u s u a l l y carries a . 3 8 revo lve r e q u i p p ed w i t h a five- o r s i x - i n c h barre l . At l o n g ran g e s , t h e larg e r s i g hti n g rad i u s t h e l o n g barrel p rovides i n c reases h i s chances fo r a c c u racy. T h e same a r m with a fo u r- i n c h barrel i s u s e d by m o b i l e u n its. T h e s h o rt e r barrel fits s n u g l y i nto a belt h o l ste r, i s comforta b l e to wear w h i l e

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POLICE A N D DEFENSE GUNS

Three-Fifty-Seven Colt, i n .357 Magnum and .38 Special

Smith & Wesson Combat Model 1 9 i n . 3 5 7 Magnum

122

Colt .38 Police Positive Spec ial, avai lable with four- or five-inch barrel

Smith & Wesson .38/44 H eavy Duty Model 20, fires six shots, has fixed sights

Smith & Wesson 1 950 Army Model 22 i n .45 cal i ber

Smith & Wesson .38 M i l itary and Police Model 1 0 , with square butt, short action

P O L I C E A N D DEFENSE G U N S

124

d r i v i n g , and a l l ows l awmen to move in and out of autos freely. Detectives p refe r a s n u b-nosed m o d e l with two­ i n c h barrel because it i s eas i l y concealed. I t i m poses a h a n d i cap in ru n n i n g gun fig hts w h e re ran ges exceed 2 5 yards, but i n tight spots, wh e re act i o n m ust b e q u i c k, i t pe rfo r m s p e rfectly. H i g hway p atro l m e n , state troopers, s h e ri ffs i n ru ral areas-those who may be i n volved in taki n g a c ri m i n al at long rang e o r i n h i g h -

Fac i n g page, Colt Official Police (top) and Colt Cobra. Below, H i -Standard Snub Barrel Sentinel

way c h ases req u i re m o re power than the .38 p rov i d es. F o r years, the Colt .45 was th e i r stan dard a r m , but t h e . 3 5 7 M ag n u m i s g rad u a l l y re p l ac i n g it. D e s i g n e d w ith a 3 1h - i n c h barrel-about as s h o rt a barrel as is p racti ­ c a l f o r a g u n of t h i s power a n d s i ze-t h e .357 M ag n u m i s a l s o c a r r i e d b y F B I agents. I t provi d e s power, yet is n e i t h e r too large n o r too b u l ky to be n eatly c o n c e a l e d i n a belt h o l ster.

125

Browning .380 C a l i ber Standard Automatic

Sm ith & Wesson .38 Centennial Model 40

126

S m i th & Wesson .38 C h i efs Spec i a l M o d e l 36

C o l t ' s Detective Special i n .38 S p e c i a l

Colt Government Model . 45 c a l i ber automatic

127

Preced ing pages : Colt Officers Model Match revo lver and W i nchester Model 70 Target Rifle

SMALL- BORE RIFLES F o r t h e past 1 50 years o r s o , A m e r i cans h ave b e e n kn ow n for th e i r s k i l l with a rifle, and target s h ooti n g in i ts many forms h as been an extre m e l y popu l ar s p o rt. S k i l l ed rifl e m e n ran ked in status and pop u l arity with today's h o m e - r u n h i tte rs. Although these p i o n e e r shooters ac h i eved remarkab l e s cores w i t h the i r early arms, today's demand fo r even g reater ac c u racy has i n c reased t h e need for h i g h l y s p e c i a l ized rifles and the c o m p etence of conte m p o rary rifl e m e n . Yo u n g ste rs are now e n c o u raged t h r o u g h t h e i r s c h o o l s and o rgan i ­ zat i o n s s u c h a s t h e N ati o n a l R ifle Assoc i at i o n and t h e B o y S c o uts to b e c o m e fam i l i a r with fi rearms and d e ­ ve l o p accu racy i n s h o ot i n g . T h e re a re fo u r c e rtified p o s i t i o n s for target s h o ot­ i n g : p r o n e (fo r beg i n n e rs ; a l s o t h e eas i e st and h i g h ­ est scori n g ) , s i tt i n g , kn e e l i n g , a n d stand i n g (th e m o st d i ffi c u lt) . T h e s h oote r g e n e r a l l y fires at a stan d a rd targ et from p rescribed d i stan ces. T h i s is an i ntensely com petitive s p o rt a m o n g y o u n g sters and ad u l t rifle•

130

W i nchester Model 52 Target Rifle with receiver s i ghts

m e n a l i ke t h ro u g h out t h e cou ntry. Target arms d i ffer apprec i a b l y from s p o rti n g arms i n t h at h an d l i n g ease, we i g ht, and s i z e are n ot o f p r i m e i m p o rtan c e . P i n po i n t accu racy i s t h e g oal a n d t h e rifle that ac h i eves it i s t h e r i f l e to use, even t h o u g h it m ay be h eavy a n d c l u msy by the h u nter's stan dards. With few except i o n s , t h e .22 i s t h e sta n d a rd target rifle. Loaded with .22- c a l i b e r m atc h a m m u n i t i o n , t h i s a r m w i l l g i ve m i n ute-of-an g l e accu racy u p to 1 00 yard s . (" M i n ute- of-an g l e " i s c a l c u l ated a t o n e i n c h f o r a ran g e of 1 00 yards. T h u s , the .22 ri m -fire w i l l , i d e a l ly, p u t all of its b u l l ets i nto a 1 - i n c h area at 1 00 yards, som eth i n g d iffi c u lt to ac h i eve with h i g h - powered h u nt­ i n g rifles.) The report with t h i s cal i b e r i s l ow and t h e reco i l a l m ost n o n - e x i stent. As speed of fi re i s not an i m p o rtant c o n s i d e raton i n s m a l l - bore target s h ooti n g , t h e r u g g e d b u t s l ow b o lt­ act i o n d o m i n ates t h e c h o i c e of target arms. S o m e sh oote rs p refe r to l oad each cart r i d g e s i n g l y to avo i d

131

SMALL-BORE R I FLES

132

the r i s k of d a m ag i n g the b u l let w h e n it i s fed th rou g h t h e m agazi n e . RECOMMENDED GUNS: T o p s a m o n g m atch rifles a r e the s i n g l e - s h ot b o lt-action R e m i ngton M o d e l 4 0 X a n d t h e W i n c hester M od e l 5 2 , w h i c h c o m e s with a s i n g l e s h ot adapte r. Oth e r rifles, m o re m o d estly priced than

Remi ngton Model 521 T bolt actJon

Wi nchester Model 52 without si ghts

Rem i n gton Model 513T Matchmaster

.t hese exce l'l e n t m o d e l s , are t h e M os s b e rg 1 44LS, a n d l i g hte r-we i g ht R e m i ngton M o d e l 5 1 3T and W i n c h ester M od e l 52 w i t h stan d a rd -we i g h t barre l . W h e n fitted with apertu re (peep) s i g hts, t h ey p e rfo rm v e ry we l l in ·al l b ut t h e h i g h est m at c h c o m p etiti on and wi l l h e l p t h e b eg i n n e r t o d e v e l o p c o n s i d e ra b l e s k i l l o n t h e ran g e .

133

S M A L L - B O R E R I FLES

These rifles are e q u i p ped with d e l i cate t r i g g e r- p u l l adj ustme nts t o ass u re t h e finest l et- off poss i b l e , and every effo rt i s made to bring out a l l of t h e accu racy i n h e rent in the .22 Long R ifle cart r i d g e . H owever, a se­ r i o u s target s h oote r who is satisfied with noth i n g l ess than m ax i m u m scori n g , c o m m o n l y cal l e d "poss i b l e s, " m u st h ave t h e best rifle avai l a b l e . Th i s m e a n s t h e top­ g rade W i n c h este r o r R e m i ngton. These rifles w i l l g i ve fine p e rfo rmances in both p r o n e and f o u r - p o s i t i o n m atch s h oot i n g . H owever, most s e r i o u s rifl e m e n u s u a l ­ ly alter t h e s t o c k t o make it c o n f o r m to t h e i r own i n d i ­ v i d u a l sty l e o f s h ooti n g .

Mossberg Model 1 44LS (lop) , and Mossberg Model 3468. Youths (below) practice on range

134

Remington Model 725 ADL (top), and Winchester Model 70, both b i g-bore target rifles

BIG- BORE RI FLES Except fo r the m i l itary- m atch c o m p etito rs, few target sh ooters h ave t h e o p p o rtun ity to c o m p ete in l o n g ­ ran g e center-fi re m atches-wh i c h m e a n s s h o o t i n g a cente r-fi re rifle at ran ges up to and i n c l u d i n g 1 ,000 yards. T h i s is an expensive s p o rt for the c i v i l i a n be­ cause of h i g h am m u n it i o n costs, and because t h e c l u b ran g e s offe r i n g t h i s type of sh ooti n g a r e l i m ited. RECOMMEN DED GUNS: Man y cente r-fi re c o m p et i ­ t o r s u s e t h e N at i o n a l M atch S p r i n gf i e l d r i f l e , w h i c h can be obta i n e d t h ro u g h the D i recto r of C i v i l i an M arksman­ ship, a n d t h e N RA at 1 600 R h o d e I s l an d Ave n u e , N .W . , Wash i n g t o n , D.C. A m o n g p r i vate g u n m ak e rs, Wi n c h es­ t e r i s t h e o n l y one offe r i n g top-g rade target arms for this kind of s h ooti n g . Fi rst c h o i c e i s the M o d e l 70 B u l l G u n i n .300 H o l l a n d & H o l l an d M a g n u m cal i b e r. A l s o g o o d i s t h e M o d e l 7 0 Target R i f l e i n .30-06 c a l i b e r. •

135

Remington I nternational Match

FREE RI FLES AND PISTOLS The most exact i n g fo rm of rifle s h o ot i n g i s th e free rifle m atc h . The shooter m u st fire over a 300- m eter (327-yard) ran g e from p ro n e , k n ee l i n g , and offhand (stan d i n g ) p o s i t i o n s at a target whose 1 0- r i n g (th e b u l l ' s- eye) h a s a d i am eter o f l e s s t h an fo u r i n c hes. Only i ro n s i g hts may be used. U nt i l recently, n o free rifles were m a n u factu red J n t h i s c o u ntry and A m e r i c a n s we re forced to use fore i g n m akes fo r t h i s d i ffi c u l t c o m ­ petit i o n . H owever, sparked by t h e 1 960 O l y m p i c s , both W i n c h ester and R e m i ngton h ave developed s p e c i a l ­ ized .30-ca l i be r cente r-fi re f r e e rifles. F o r c o m petiti o n in the i nternati o n a l free p i st o l m atch - s l o w f i re (10 s h ots i n 10 m i n utes) from 50 m eters at a target with a two - i n c h 1 0- ri n g - H i g h Standard pro­ d u c e s a s p e c i al s i n g l e- s h ot model with e l ectri c t r i g g e r contro l , t h e fi rst p i st o l of th i s type m a d e i n A m t:. r i c a. •

136

High Standard ' s e l ectric match p i stol

Winchester's free rifle. Spotting scope shows location of h i t

Wi nchester Model 50 Featherweight

Winchester Model 42 Skeet

SKEET SHOOTI NG S keet received i t s n a m e i n a co ntest h e l d i n 1 925. The word is S c an d i n av i a n and-ap p r o p r i at e l y- m e a n s " s h oot. " S keet i s a fast, s h o rt-range g a m e with a m ov­ i n g c l ay target, and i s d e s i g n ed to s i m u l ate s m a l l u p ­ l a n d - g a m e h u n t i n g . T h e fi e l d i s l a i d o u t i n an a r c , with seven s h ooti n g stat i o n s at e q u a l d i stances along its p e r i m et e r a n d two traps, o n e at each e n d of t h e arc. An e i g hth stat i o n l i es at m i d p o i n t o n a l i n e b etwee n t h e traps. B i rd s a r e t h rown i n two fl i g ht paths t h at c ross five yards i n front of Stat i o n 8. S h ooti n g f r o m e a c h stat i o n , t h e g u n n e r gets m a n y a n g l e s , both i n c o m i n g a n d outg o i n g , i n c l u d i n g d o u b l e s . T h e s h ooter m ay h ave his gun at t h e ready, b u t i s n ot forewa r n e d of t h e d i rect i o n of h i s shot. T h e target i s b rok en a t an ave rag e of 22 yards. T h e m ost effective skeet guns are t h e s h o rt-barre l e d , o p e n - b o red g u n s s i m i l a r to t h o s e u s ed i n u p l an d h u nt­ i n g . Any g a u g e i s p e r m itted , but t h e 1 2, with its power­ ful l oad, i s sti l l the m o st advantag e o u s . In o rd e r to m a i nta i n c o m p etitive e q u a l ity, s h o oters u s i n g the s m a l l g a u g e s-20 to .41 0-com pete among t h e m s e lves. •

139

l nstructpr studies perfprmance pf novice skeet shooter

Rem ington Model 1 1 -48 SA

Remi ngton Model 58 SX Sportsman

141

TRAPSHOOTI NG Trap i s t h e l o n g - range, c l ay-target g a m e t h at ap­ pro x i m ates s h o oti n g at wate rfowl and l a rge u p l an d g a m e . T h e t rap i s t h rown from a s i n g l e trap h o u s e l o c ated i n f r o n t of t h e sh ooti n g posts. I n s i n g l e s s h o ot­ i n g , the target is th rown at varied a n g l e s of w h i c h t h e s h ooter i s not forewarned. I n d o u b l es, t h e f l i g h t paths are fixed. In both cases the b i rds a lways m ove away from t h e s h oote r. The s h ooter stan d s at a m i n i m u m of 16 yard s b e h i n d the t rap house and the targets fly from 48 to 52 yards. T h e target i s t h e same c l ay b i rd used i n skeet s h ooti n g , but, u n l i k e skeet, t h e g u n n e r i s p e r­ m itted to take a i m - u s u a l l y over t h e trap h o u s e-before c al l i n g for his b i rd . H i ts o c c u r at about 35 yards. T h e trap g u n i s b u i lt esp e c i a l l y fo r this s p o rt and is s e l d o m used for anyth i n g e l se. A 1 2- g a u g e g u n with a m i n i m u m barrel l e n gth of 30 i n c h e s i s the best c h o i ce. •

142

Browning Superposed 12 gauge

Remi ngton Model 870 TX

Winchester Model 50 Trap Gun

W i nchester Model 1 2 Trap Gun

Clay bird in hand trap is released when swung

HAN D -TRAP AND UTILITY G U NS H an d -t rap p i n g i s an u n c o m p l i cated s p o rt t h at re­ q u i res o n l y e n o u g h space, a t rap and s o m e o n e to op­ e rate it, and a g u n . The hand trap i s a s m a l l l i g htwe i g ht ( u s u a l l y u n d e r a p o u nd) d e v i c e with a s p r i n g m e c ha­ n i s m . I t h o l d s the c l ay b i rd and rel eases it w h e n swung m a n u a l l y. H an d -trap p i n g can g o fu rt h e r than skeet i n exp l o i t i n g every pos s i b l e an g l e o f fire fo r f i e l d s h o ot­ i n g p ract i c e . T h e re is n o fixed ran ge, but a m i n i m u m of 300 yards i n front of t h e s h oote r is n e c essary as a safety p recaut i o n . H an d -trap p i n g can be p ract i c ed w i t h any k i n d of •

144

Ha nd-trapping is an eye-sharpener for fie l d gunners

M a r l i n Model 55, 1 2 gauge, adjustable choke

s h otg u n -th e l ow-priced s i n g l e s h ots and b o l t act i o n s kn own a s uti l ity g u n s , as we l l as g u n s d e s i g n e d for spe­ c i f i c h u n t i n g o r target work. As i n skeet s h ooti n g , the b i g g e r t h e g u n 's gauge, t h e c l e a n e r t h e b reak. B u t b e ­ cause of its l i g ht we i g ht and low rec o i l , t h e l i tt l e .41 0 i s a favo rite. T h e s h o ote r m u st be r i g ht o n target, h ow­ ever, to c o m p e n sate for the s m a l l s h ot p atte rn. A g o o d .41 0 i n t h e uti l ity c l ass i s t h e S avage over/u n d e r r i f l e a n d s h otg u n m a d e with .41 0 g a u g e c o m b i n ed with .22 or .22 M ag n u m . Also fi n e , e c o n o m i c a l arms fo r g e n e ra l shotg u n n i n g are b o l t-act i o n repeat e rs.

145

H AN D -TRAP A N D UTI LITY G U N S

146

Stevens Model 58 AC with adjustable choke

Savage Model 24 over/under rifle-shotgun

Stevens Model 59 bolt-action .410 gauge

W i nchester Model 37 S i n g l e Shot

Remington Model 1 1 -48 R i fled-S l u g Special

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TARGET HANDGUNS

Colt Woodsman Match Target .22

Target- p i st o l s h o ot i n g is an extre m e l y exact i n g s p o rt i n w h i c h the s h o oter's form and acti o n s m u st be sta n d ­ ard i ze d a s m u c h as possi b l e . H e m u st sh oot t h e same way each time. The only way to m aste r this i s t h r o u g h p ract i c e and by u s i n g t h e m o s t accu rate p i sto l obta i n ­ a b l e . T h e p o i n t of a i m , s i g h t p i ct u re , and g ri p m u st b e c o n stant. G ri p i s m ost i m p o rtant i n b i g - b o re events because of t h e reco i l of the b i g - c a l i b e r p i sto l s . T h e re i s a t e n d e n c y for the g u n to sh ift i n t h e h a n d aft e r each sh ot. T h i s c h a n g es t h e s i g ht p i ct u re and makes it i m ­ poss i b l e to mai ntain m ax i m u m accu racy. The n o v i c e fre q u ently m u st fight against u n even t r i g g e r- p u l l . I n ­ stead o f s i m p l y p u l l i n g back o n t h e t r i g g e r, h e p u l l s back and t o t h e rig ht. Both fi r m n ess o f g ri p a n d an even p u l l are t h i n g s that can only be ac h i eved th ro u g h c o n s c i e nt i o u s , u n re m itt i n g p ract i c e . •

148

Ruger M a r k I .22- c a l iber automatic

Smith & Wesson K-38 Model 1 4

TA RGET H A N D G U N S

150

The refi n e m e nts that contri b ute to accu racy in a tar­ g et h a n d g u n i n c l u d e suffi c i e n t we i g ht fo r steady h o l d ­ i n g i n stiff b reezes, a c l ean, l i g ht t r i g g e r-p u l l , n o n - s l i p tri g g e r, a m p l e barre l l e n gth f o r a l o n g s i g ht rad i us, s i g hts t h at adj ust wit h ease and accu racy, and a com­ forta b l e , h a n d -fi l l i n g g ri p . All target handguns fu lfi l l these req u i reme nts, but t o vary i n g d e g rees. In s m a l l - b o r e (.22 r i m -fi re) target sh ooti n g , the auto­ m at i c p i st o l i s the p o p u l a r favo rite, part i c u l arly i n t i m e d-fire a n d rap id -fi re m atches. Ti m ed fire i s 2 0 sec­ onds fo r five s h ots ; rap i d fi re, 10 seconds for five. T h e s e l f- l o ad i n g , se lf-coc k i n g feat u res of t h i s act i o n e n -

Colt Python .357 Magnum

5 & W .22 Automatic Pistol Model 41

151

National M atch

H i -Standard Supermatic Tournament

TA RGET H A N D G U N S

152

able t h e s h o oter to c o n c e ntrate o n t h e target. Even i n s l ow-fire c o m petiti o n , t h e s m a l l - b o re auto m at i c i s i n ­ h e rently m o re accu rate than t h e revo l v e r. I n most b i g - b o re m atc hes, the reverse i s t ru e and the revo l v e r i s esse n t i a l . I t i s d i ffi c u l t to deve l o p a f i n e t r i g g e r- p u l l i n an automat i c because of t h e n at u re o f the act i o n . V i rtu a l l y t h e o n l y q u a l i fy i n g c e nte r-fi re auto­ l o ad e r in a stan d a rd arm i s t h e C ol t .45 N at i o n a l M atc h . H owever, experts h ave converted t h e C o l t G ove r n m e n t M o d e l . 4 5 to h a n d l e the . 3 8 S p e c i a l cart r i d g e a n d , i n t h e p r o c e s s , h ave made t h e enti re act i o n m o re ac c u -

H i -Standard Supermatic Trophy Presentation Model .22 automatic

rate. T h i s is effe ctive, but ex pen s iv e, as i t d e m a n d s t h e f i n est g u n s m it h i n g . H i g h - g rade revo lvers i n t h e C o l t a n d S m ith & Wes­ son l i n es p e rform with amaz i n g accu racy a n d fac i l ity i n t h e h a n d s o f a s k i l l e d target shooter. H owever, they are som ewhat s l ower than autos in t h e fast-firi n g m atc h e s . T h e . 3 8 S p e c i a l a n d t h e .44 S p e c i a l a r e the p referred cal i bers i n revo lvers, both of which can be fi red in the big .357 a n d .44 M a g n u m s . W h i l e M ag n u m cart r i d g e s a r e n o t u s e d f o r target s h oot i n g , t h e s e b i g - c a l i b e r r e v o l v e rs m a k e fi n e , stead y- h o l d i n g target g u n s .

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G U N CARE AN D MAI NTENANCE

Fine steel woo l , fo l l owed b y c l eaning patch, removes leading

Good g u n care these days means l itt l e m o re than p rotect i n g t h e exte rnal m etal su rface from rust. Actu­ a l ly, a rifle fi red with m o d e rn am m u n it i o n i s better l eft u n c l eaned if it is n ot g o i n g to be i d l e too l o n g u n d e r h u m i d c o n d i t i o n s . T h e t h i n f i l m of powd e r a n d t h e powd e r res i d u e left after fi r i n g a r e u s u a l l y g o o d p ro­ tect i o n agai n st rust. EQUIPMENT: Too l s fo r gun care are s i m p l e : 3/0 steel wo o l fo r rust remova l ; c l ean i n g patc h e s a n d a stiff, j o i nted c l ea n i n g rod with a swivel t i p for each b o re •

154

To guard agai nst moisture, use paste wax, then polish it off

s i z e or g a u g e ; s o l v e n t (Wi n c h este r S o lvent, H o p p e ' s # 9 , o r aceto n e) ; a s i l i c o n e- i m p re g n ated c l oth ( o r o i l a n d a w i p i n g rag) ; a t u b e o f g u n g rease, a n d a c a n o f p aste wax m e et t h e needs o f g e n e ra l m a i n t e n a n c e . SHOTGUNS: T h e t h i n - wa l l e d barrel of a s h otg u n i s espec i a l ly s u scepti b l e t o d e nts. I f d e nts o c c u r, d o n 't att e m pt to sh oot t h e m out. Take the g u n to a g u n s m i t h w h o has t h e p ro p e r expand i n g " d e n t - r a i s e r " for repai r. If the m uz z l e end of a rifle or s h otg u n has b e e n j a m m e d i nto s n ow, c l ay, o r m u d , c h e c k afte r u n l o ad i n g f o r o b -

155

G U N CARE A N D M A I NTENANCE

156

structi o n s and rem ove them with a pocketknife or a sti c k . D o n 't try to sh oot s u c h a p l u g o u t of t h e barre l . After about a h u n d red s h e l l s h ave b e e n fi re d , new shotg u n s often show streaks of l ead i n t h e bo re-j u st i n front of t h e c h a m b e r o r near the m u z z l e . T h i s i n d i ­ cates s o m e ro u g h ness i n t h e bore, b u t that w i l l s m o oth o u t with c o n t i n u ed sh ooti n g . R e m ove t h e streaks by wrapp i n g a wad of the f i n e ste e l wool aro u n d the c l e an­ ing patch o n the s h otg u n rod and s c ru b b i n g out the bore t h o ro u g h ly. HANDGUNS: The c ha m b e rs and barrel of a h a n d g u n can be c l eaned eas i l y w i t h a b r i s t l e b r u s h soaked with powder s o l vent. W i p e the b o re with d ry patc h e s and oil i t l i g ht l y i f i t i s to be i n active f o r a t i m e . G o over t h e outs i d e parts with the s i l i co n e c l ot h , o r a p p l y l i ght o i l . U s e heavi e r g u n g rease in ve ry h u m i d a reas. RIFLES: To c l ean the b o re, run a patch wet with s o l ­ v e n t t h r o u g h i t . F o l l ow w i t h a d ry patc h . Exam i n e t h e b o re fo r l u m ps-rust, m etal o r l e a d fou l i n g . I f t h e y ap­ pear, wrap ste e l wool aro u n d a patc h and p o l i s h t h e m out. I f t h e rifle i s to be u s e d again s o o n , o i l t h e b o re l i g h tly. Coat it with g u n g rease if it i s to be stored for a long p e r i o d . S e lf- l oad i n g . 2 2 r i m -fi re r i f l e s and auto m at i c p i sto l s req u i re extra breec h care because of powder res i d u e . Swab t h e b reech with powd e r so lvent. I f m u c h g rease i s present, use a l c o h o l o r carbon tetrac h l o r i d e . O i l s h o u l d not be sq u i rted a t ran d o m i n to t h e act i o n of any g u n . I t t e n d s to p i c k u p ad d i t i o n a l abrasive d u st and can cause p r o b l e m s . If the g u n i s to be u s ed at te m p e ratu res n ear zero, fl u s h it c l ean with carbon tetrac h l o r i d e o r gas o l i n e , a l l ow i t to d ry, t h e n l u b ri cate with powd e red g raph ite.

Basic equipment for gun care i n c l udes: Gun o i l , powder solvent, and patches (in box, ri ght) ; joi nted a l um i num c l ea n i n g r o d ; jet-spray r u s t preventative; s i l i cone-impregnated c l oth

If a g u n m u st be exposed to wet weat h e r, go ove r it befo rehand with a paste wax, then p o l i s h it off. S h o u l d t h e g u n g et soaked, e i t h e r by h e avy rai n o r i m m e r­ s i o n , t i e it, m u z z l e down, to the back of a c h a i r a n d p l ac e it n e a r a w a r m rad i ator o r open oven to d ry. P o l i s h i t with a d ry c l ot h , t h e n wipe with t h e s i l i c o n e c l oth o r o i l y rag .

157

I N DEX Of GUNS

N u m b e rs in bold face refer to i l l u s trat i o n s .

RIFLES, CARBINES, MUSKETS Birmingham Sma l l Arms Sporter, 53, 55, 58 Brown Bess, 6 , 7 Colt Co lteer, 53 C o l ts m a n , 47, 48 c u s to m , 47 D e L u x e , 47 Pate r s o n m o d e l s o f 1 836, 1 0

Ferguson breech l oader, 7, 7 F l i ntlock, 5 French Charlev i l le, 6 H a l l breech l oader, 7 , 9, 9 H awken p l a i n s rifle, 1 0 Henry repeater, 1 1 , 11, 12

I n d i a n trade gun, 8 Kentucky r i lle, 5, 6, 9 , 1 8, 40

Marlin M o d e l 1 5- Y , 3 8 M o d e l 39, 3 4 Model 39-A Presentat i o n , 3 3 M o d e l 56, 34 , 3 5 M o d e l 57- M , 5 3 M o d e l 80, 3 1 Model 81-DL, 32 Model 98, 30 Model 99, 30, 31 M o d e l 1 01 , 3 8 , 3 9 M o d e l 336 , 22, 43, 5 3 M o d e l 336- C , 4 1 M o d e l 336 - S D , 55, 5 8 M a u s e r , 4 7 , 48, 5 3 , 5 8

Mossberg M o d e l 1 44 LS, 1 33 , 134 M o d e l 1 5 1 , 30 M o d e l 346 - B , 1 34 M o d e l 346- K , 31 M o d e l 640- K , 53, 53 P a l o m i n o , 34

P l a i n s rifle, 9

Rem i n gton I nt e r n at i o n a l M atc h , 1 36 M o d e l 40X, 1 32 , 1 34 M o d e l 40X R a n g e m a s t e r , 1 33 M o d e l 66, 30, 35 M o d e l 5 1 0 A , 35, 38 M o d e l 5 1 1 A , 31 M o d e l 513T, 1 33 M o d e l 5 1 3T M at c h m as t e r , 1 33 M o d e l 521 T , 1 33 M o d e l 550, 3 1 M o d e l 5 5 2 , 31 M o d e l 572 , 3 4 , 65 M o d e l 572A , 33 Model 721 , 4 7 , 48, 58 M o d e l 721 A , 49 M o d e l 722 , 51 , 53 , 58 M o d e l 725 ADL, 1 35 M o d e l 742 , 43, 58 M o d e l 742 A D L , 49 M o d e l 760 , 58 M o d e l 760A , 49 M o d e l 760 C , 22, 43, 43

Sako, 53, 64 Savage M o d e l 5 , 31 , 31 , 32 Model Model Model Model Mode l Mode l Mode l Mode l

6 , 31 24 , 1 45 , 1 47 29, 34 99, 43, 56, 64 99- E G , 58 1 1 0 , 53, 58 1 1 0- M C , 56 340 , 53

Sharps breech loader, 9 , 10, 11, 1 1 Spencer repeater, 1 0 , 1 1 , 12

Springfie l d National Match, 1 35 Stevens M o d e l 1 5Y , 39 M o d e l 87, 31

Weatherby, 48 M a g n u m , 48 M a g n u m .257, 1 9 M a g n u m M o d e l .300, 45, 47

M ark V, 16-1 7 Wi nchester B o y ' s r i f l e , 38 f r e e r i f le , 1 37 M o d e l 52, 20, 1 32 , 1 33, 1 33 , 1 34 M o d e l 52 T a r g e t R i fl e , 131 M o d e l 6 1 , 33, 34, 5 3 M o d e l 6 2 , 34 M o d e l 63, 30 M o d e l 67, 3 8 , 51 M o d e l 69, 3 1 , 39 M o d e l 69 J u n i o r T a r g e t S h o o te r ' s S p e c i a l , 3 8 M o d e l 7 0 , 1 9 , 53, 1 35, 1 35 M o d e l 70 A l a s k a n , 47, 48, 59 M o d e l 70 F e a t h e r ­ w e i g h t , 58 M o d e l 70 Target R i fl e ,

1 28-1 29 M o d e l 70 Varm i n t , 51 , 53 M o d e l 70 Weste r n e r , 59, 63 M o d e l 77, 3 1 , 35 M o d e l 88, 43, 55, 58 M o d e l 1 00 , 21 , 41 , 43, 58 M o d e l 1 86 6 , 12, 1 2 M o d e l 1 873 , 1 2 , 1 2 , 1 3 , 40 , 4 1 M o d e l 1 88 6 , 1 2 M o d e l 1 894 , 1 2

SHOTG U N S Brow n i n g Automatic-5, 79, 96 D o u b l e A u t o m at i c , 9 3 , 9 6 S u pe r p o s e d , 8 7 S u pe rp o s e d 1 2 g a u g e , 1 43 S u p e r p o s e d 20 g a u g e , 1 41 S u pe r p o s e d G ra d e V, 83 S u pe r p o s e d M ag n u m , 95

Dakin Model 1 47 Magnum, 87 Fox M o d e l B, 87 M o d e l 8-ST, 83

Ithaca

3 7 R , 79, 89 M o d e l 37, F e a t h e rwe i g h t De L u x e , 87

Marl i n M o d e l 55, 1 45 P r e m i e r Mark I, 9 6 , 97

Marl i n-G lenfield Model 60-G, 38, 39 Rem i ngton M o d e l 1 1 -48, 65, 8 7 , 96 M o d e l 1 1 -48 R i fl e d - S l u g S p e c i a l , 1 47 M o d e l 1 1 -48 S ke e t , 85 M o d e l 1 1 -48 A, 93 M o d e l 1 1 -48 S A , 1 41 M o d e l 58 M ag n u m , 93 M o d e l 58-A D L S p o rts m a n , 85 M o d e l 58-SX S p o rts m a n , 1 41 M o d e l 870 , 8 7 , 96 M o d e l 870 M ag n u m , 95, 9 5 , 97 M o d e l 870 T X , 1 43 M o d e l 878, 87 M o d e l 878A , 87

Savage Model Model Model Model

24 , 1 45 , 1 47 30, 87, 96 30-A C L , 95 30 F e a t h e r-

w e i g h t , 141 M o d e l 775 , 91 , 95

Stevens Model Model Model Model Model Model

5 8 A C , 1 47 5 9 , 1 47 77, 87, 9 6 , 97 77- M , 9 5 94Y, 37, 38 3 1 1 , 7 9 , 89

M o d e l 50, 96

S u pe r m a t i c

M o d e l 50 F e a t h e r w e i g h t , 1 39 M o d e l 5 0 T r a p , 1 43 M o d e l 59, 68-69, 87, 99, 99

T o u r n a m e n t , 1 52 S u pe rm at i c T r o p h y P r e s e n · tat i o n M o d e l . 2 2 , 1 53

HAN DGUNS Brown ing . 380 Standard Automatic, 1 26 Colt .22 B u n t l i n e S c o u t , 1 08 .38 P o l i c e Pos i t i ve S pe c i a l , 1 22 .38 S p e c i a l , 122 . 4 5 c a l i be r , 1 07 , 1 1 6 , 1 25 T h r e e - F i ft y - S e ve n , 1 22 1 849 p i sto l , 13 A r m y M o d e l 1 860, 1 4 , 15 Cobra, 125 C o m m a n d e r M o d e l .45, 103 D e t e c t i v e S p e c i a l .38, 127 D ra g o o n s e r i e s , 1 3 , 1 4 , 15, 1 1 2 F r o n t i e r , 1 5 , 1 02 , 1 1 6 G o l d Cup N a t i o n a l M atc h , 1 52 G o v e rn m e n t M o d e l .45, 1 27, 1 52 G o v e r n m e n t M o d e l 1 9 1 1 , 15 H untsman, 110 N a t i o n a l M at c h . 4 5 , 1 52 Off i c e rs M o d e l M at c h ,

1 28-129

O ff i c i a l P o l i c e , 1 2 5 Pate r s o n m o d e l s o f 1 836, 1 0 P e ac e m a k e r , 1 3 , 14 P y t h o n . 357 M a g n u m , 151 S i n g l e Action Army, 1 1 5 Winchester T r o o p e r .38 S p e c i a l , 1 1 9 M o d e l 1 2 , 87, 96 M o d e l 1 2 D u c k G u n , 9 5 , 9 5 Wal k e r . 4 4 , 1 3 , 1 4 M o d e l 1 2 F i e l d Grade, 8 5 Woodsman Match · M o d e l 12 S k e e t , 1 4 1 T a r g e t . 22 , 1 48 M o d e l 1 2 T r a p , 1 43 French model of 1 777, 1 4 H i gh Standard, 1 36 M o d e l 2 1 , 80, 87 M o d e l 37, 36, 3 8 , 39, 1 47 Double-N ine, 1 1 1 M o d e l 42 De L u x e , 87 e l e c t r i c m atch p i sto l , 1 37 M o d e l 42 S ke e t , 1 39 S n u b B a r r e l S e n t i ne l , 1 2 5

N o rth & Cheney p i sto l , 6, 1 4 Remi ngton .36 c a l i be r , 1 4 .44 c a l i be r , 1 4

Ruger B e a r c a t , 1 05, 1 08 B l ac k h a w k , 1 1 6 B l a c k h a w k . 357 M ag n u m , 1 1 6 M a g n u m .44, 1 1 6 , 1 1 7 M a g n u m .357, 1 1 6 , 1 1 7 , 1 25 M a r k I . 2 2 , 1 48 S i n g l e - S i x , 1 00-1 0 1 ,

1 09, 1 1 0 S t a n d a r d A u t o m at i c , 1 1 0 S u p e r B l ac k h a w k , 1 08, 1 1 2

S m i th & Wesson 9 mm. Model 39, 119 . 2 2 A u t o m at i c P i sto l Model 41 , 151 .22 A u t o m a t i c P i st o l M o d e l 4 6 , 1 48 . 2 2!32 Kit G u n , 1 09 .38 c a l i be r , 1 04 .38/44 H e avy D u t y M o d e l 2 0 , 1 23 .38/44 O u t d o o r s m a n M o d e l 23, 1 1 5 .38 C e n te n n i a l M o d e l 4 0 , 1 26 .38 C h i efs S p e c i a l M o d e l 3 6 , 1 26 .38 M i l i t a ry & P o l i c e M o d e l 1 0 , 1 04 , 1 23 .44 M ag n u m , 1 08, 1 1 6 .44-c a l i b e r N u m b e r 3 , 1 4 .44 M a g n·u m M o d e l 29 , 1 1 5 1 95 0 A rm y M o d e l 22,

1 22 , 1 2 3 1 955 .45 T a r g e t , 1 52 American, 1 4 H i g hway Patro l m a n , 1 20 · K-38 M o d e l 1 4 , 1 50 p i sto l s , 1 1 2 , 1 1 6