Special Purpose

Gun Testsmagazine compared two 17 HMR bolt-action rifles by Browning and Ruger in the September 2013 issue. The specific guns were the Browning T-Bolt Target/Varmint No. 025176270 17 HMR and the Ruger 77/17 Rotary Magazine Rifle K77/17VMBBZ No. 7027 17 HMR. The magazine's shooters liked the Browning T-Bolt Target a lot, giving it an A- grade. Following are excerpts from that test, used with permission.

THINKING IT WOULD BE fun to get involved in Cowboy Action Shooting, and maybe do a little hunting with lever guns, I started on a quest for the appropriate hardware. For me, the commonly available calibers were too boring.

Here are new videos added to GunReports.com the week of December 26: World Champion Jerry Miculek speed-shoots the 500 Magnum, the JM Mossberg 930 12 gauge, and a Smith & Wesson M&P-15.

Diamondback Firearms’ new AR-style DB15 Pistols are based off Diamondback’s A3 Flattop forged-7075-T6-aluminum upper and lower receiver. The DB15 Pistol is available with a 7.5- or a 10.5-inch 4140 chrome-moly melonite-coated barrel with a 1:9 rate of twist.

Weatherby adds “Range Certified” accuracy assurance to its Mark V rifle line with the new Ultra Lightweight RC, which comes with a sub-MOA guarantee as well as a factory-shot target signed by company President Ed Weatherby.

Turkish airgun manufacturer Hatsan has entered the U.S. market as HatsanUSA Inc., and to mark its debut, the company is offering the AT44-10TACT, a tactical-style air rifle that is able to shoot high-density lead pellets with a muzzle velocity of up to 1070 fps.

Gun Tests magazine compared two high-end shotguns from Browning in the April 2012 issue to see which model offered the most bang for the buck. This Bargain Hunter test pitted a used Browning Citori Model XS Sporting Over/Under 12 Gauge, $2120; and a Browning Citori Model 725, $3140, on the competition shooting range. Here's an excerpt of that test, used with permission:

Gun Tests magazine tested two rifles in a May 2013 showdown of lever actions. They were the Mossberg Model 464 XMB Lever Action No. 41026 30-30 Win., $535; and the Winchester Model 1895 Lever Action Carbine 30-40 Krag, $1000-$1500.

Gun Tests magazine tested three 357 Mag lever-action rifles in the October 2012 issue. Here's an excerpt of that report, used with permission:

Working with small arms is a core Soldier task, common to all branches and military occupational specialties. FM 7-0, Training The Force, admonishes unit leaders to train fundamentals first to establish a foundation. By learning basic skills to high proficiency, such as marksmanship, units can more easily integrate and master the more complex collective tasks. The problem is defining “proficient.” What judges a high, or sufficient, level of skill? Whom shall we have judge?

There will come a time, sooner or later, when you are faced with having to decide whether you want to work on an old gun that you may never have heard of before. It is up to you to decide if it's worth the trouble but if you do, follow the rules I've learned over the years.

If you've been hearing mumblings about changes to the NRA National Smallbore Rifle Championships, both Position and Prone, look no further. NRA says the championships are being moved from Camp Perry, Ohio to Bristol, Indiana for 2014 and 2015.