Rifle July-August 2026

Garnering double duty from a rifle safely firing a dissimilar cartridge, one for which the rifle is not originally intended, is typically accomplished via the use of a chamber adapter. The adapter is also known as an auxiliary chamber, supplemental chamber, auxiliary cartridge and caliber conversion sleeve. These devices are basically the same outside dimension as the cartridge intended for the firearm while accepting a different cartridge of identical or close-enough bullet diameter, adapting the cartridge to the firearm. ...Read More >

When learning that Rifle Sporting Firearms Journal would change its name to Rifle & Handgun Magazine, I let out a rebel yell that disturbed the cat’s afternoon nap and scattered the chickens in the front yard. The magazine could now cover virtually anything with a rifled barrel. There are many fascinating mechanisms that are ignored today simply because they are not black and hold at least thirteen rounds of 9mm. ...Read More >

The more versatile something is, the more value it holds. Versatility is the ability to handle a variety of tasks in a stellar fashion. This makes sense, as there’s nothing like one-stop shopping to meet all your needs. When this versatility is a cheaper option, costing mostly your time, what more could you ask for? ...Read More >

Veteran-owned Riton Optics has become synonymous with great quality and solid value sold at working-man prices. They also include an unconditional lifetime warranty requiring no proof of purchase or registration. ...Read More >

This custom Savage Model 99 was taken in by Dave VanBoxtaele of Precision Rifle Checkering, It wasn’t much to look at with a broken stock and being a little more than just rough around the edges. However, the bore was good and the buttplate was in good shape. It made a perfect candidate for restoration and over the next 2 years a complete transformation would take place. ...Read More >

To say international opinion on the use of suppressors is mixed is putting it lightly. It would be more accurate to call it contradictory and baffling. The word “logic” is rarely applied. ...Read More >

The Smith & Wesson N-frame Models 25 and 625 (stainless) chambered in 45 Colt are highly useful and versatile big bore sixguns that are held in high regard. However, the Model 25 in particular had a rocky road that temporarily tarnished its reputation for accuracy. Today, we will shed a little light on guns, accuracy both bad and good, suitable handloads and the general performance of the 45 Colt. ...Read More >

Without words, the Walker Colt tells a man what it is made for. In hand, it is barrel-heavy. The hammer easily cocks with the tthe supporting hand. ...Read More >

What if we could take the “bull” out of “bull barrel”? Is it possible to obtain from a slim, lightweight barrel the bull barrel’s resistance to “walking” shots upon heating? Weight reduction can be accomplished somewhat by cutting flutes or grooves in the outer bull barrel surface, which reduces the barrel’s weight while maintaining adequate stiffness to resist movement as the barrel heats up. But these are by no means slim, lightweight barrels. ...Read More >

The 150-year-old Italian firearms firm of Franchi USA (owned by the even older Benelli USA Corp.) made its reputation with reliable inertia-driven, auto-loading and elegant over-under shotguns. ...Read More >

It’s highly doubtful that acquiring the newest 32 H&R Magnum revolver was ever at the top of anyone’s wish list. At best, it would be like the old Kimber Model 82 in 22 Long Rifle, made to top-quality standards and priced accordingly. We all said we wanted one, but none of us, it seemed, or not enough of us, were willing to fork out the necessary thousand bucks back in the 1980s, when a G-note meant something. ...Read More >

The 35 Whelen dates back to 1922 and is based on the 30-06 Springfield case necked to accept .358-inch bullets, with the most popular versions usually weighing 200 to 250 grains; however, it was originally designed for 250- to 300-grain bullets. It is a medium-bore cartridge for hunting heavy, thin-skinned game, including the great bears of the north, moose, and African plains game; applications that it has served admirably in the past century. ...Read More >

I have a problem. I suffer from FOMO. For those unfamiliar with modern acronyms, FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” While my Winchester Model 70 has filled the freezer again and again, the introduction of the Winchester 6.8 Western cartridge triggered a surge of anxiety. Was my faithful Winchester 270 obsolete? Would pronghorn and mule deer laugh off the smack of my handloads? It took months of rationalizing, but I finally came to terms with the idea that, while some modern cartridges outperform it, the Winchester 270 is still capable of delivering magnum-like performance. FOMO crisis averted! ...Read More >