CLASSIC .270 WINCHESTER

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No. 155

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6 Tribute in Gold Spotting Scope - Dave Scovill

12 Singleshots Rimfires -AI Miller

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8 Learning to Look Optics - Wayne van Zwoll

10 DearEditor

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I SUPPORT

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A Bit of Spring Airgun Hiqtory Air Rifles -Jess Galan

Practical Shooting Guide to Black Powder Sage advice for frontloaders. - Sam Fadala

The Mann-Niedner Base Band Bullet Revoluntionary twist in bullet design. - Michael Petrov

The Classic .270 Winchester On the eve of it's 70th anniversary. - Wayne van Zwoll

New 14O-Grain Loads for the .270 WCF A middleweight for big game. - David Webb

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Cover . . The Savage stainless steel Model 1 16FSAK .300 Winchester Magnum is outfitted with a 4x Simmons scope, syn- thetic stock and 22-inch fluted barrel with an on-off muzzle brake. The David Miller Co. .300 Weatherby Magnum Model 70 HMarksman'f features a 26-inch fluted bar- rel, laminated stock, Leupold Vari-X 111 6.5-2Ox scope in a custom Miller scope mount. Background photo by Gary Krame Inset photos by Gerald Hudson.

Brockman's Custom Gunsmithing Custom Corner - Stan Tnoniec

Supreme Model 1886 Winchester Favorite Rifles - Ken Waters A Sheep Rifles Accuracy and depend- ability off the shelf. - Ron Spomer

RimThicknessvs. A RimfireAccuracy 1

A new gadget for rimfi riflemen. - Ken Waters

The Art of Stoning 1 Shaving gunmetal. - Ron Swartley

I Product Tests

What's New in the Marketplace Inside Product News - John Kronfeld

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Retrograde Man Tales from French Creek - G. Sitton

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September-October 1994

f sales figures mean anything, the I faster a .22 can shoot and’the more rounds its magazine can hold, the more popular it is with American hunters. Just why that’s so is kind of puzzling, considering the animals hunted, the ranges involved and types of shots nor- mally offered. Most targets are rela- tively small; more are taken under 50 yards than over; and the majority are standing or sitting rather than moving.

Admittedly, when a cottontail dashes hellbent for the nearest cover, a repeat- ing rifle makes it possible to correct an improper lead or make up for poor range estimation and put a quick sec- ond or third shot where it counts. At least, that’s so theoretically. From my own experience, and from what I have observed in the field, follow-up shots, especially those rapped out in short order, seldom put meat in the pot. My second .22 sporter taught me that many decades ago.

My first was a Model 67 Winchester, a single-shot bolt action with a 27-inch barrel and open sights. If the first shot missed, the bolt had to be opened (ejecting the spent hull), a new car- tridge pushed into the chamber manu- ally, the bolt closed again - and then the striker knob had to be pulled back to cock the action.

Slow that action mi@t have been, but memory says the rifle was deadly accu- rate. Of course, boyhood memories tend to mellow with time, but I remem- ber quite clearly that whenever some serious shooting was in the offing;-my buddies preferred to borrow my rifle instead of depending on their own.

That old Winchester also taught me that if I took a few extra seconds align- ing sights and target, there usually wasn’t any need for a second shot.

Despite my success with the Win- chester, I became convinced that a repeater would increase my tally of water rats (a favorite target in those days) dramatically. Eventually, the Model 67 was swapped for a tube-fed autoloader. The brand escapes me at the moment, but my disappointment with its performance has never been forgotten. I seldom hit a rat with that rifle - nor much of anything else, as a matter of fact.

In retrospect, it’s easy to see that the

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fault was mine, not the rifle’s. Instead of drawing a careful bead, I just pointed and pulled until the magazine was empty or the target out of sight. In time it dawned on my adolescent brain that machine-gunning a dozen slugs in the general vicinity of a dodging rat rarely put one down for the count. Besides, the Great Depression was in full swing and ammunition was too hard to come by to waste.

So the autoloader was turned in for a Stevens bolt action repeater. After the rifle and I became acquainted, my rat taUy began picking up, but it’s doubtful if I made any more hits with the Stevens than I had with the Winchester single shot.

Back in the 1930s, most kids began their shooting careers with single-shot .22s. In all probability, my desire for a repeater was as much a rite of passage as anything else. Like graduating from knickers to long pants, toting a repeat- ing .22 was visible proof of maturity.

For several years after World War 11, the factories continued producing sin- gle shots, both starter and full-sized models. Outfits like Sears and Mont- gomery Ward always stocked them. A s the years rolled by, they gradually dis- appeared from dealer racks. Today, Marlin offers a youth model called the “Little Buckaroo” and Thompson/ Center chambers their Contender car- bine in .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum. That’s it. Neither Remington, Ruger nor Winchester bother to list any in their catalogs. A few imported one-bangers appear in the Gun Digest every year, but few ever show up locally or in the field. Americans, it seems, have no par- ticular use for single-shot .22s.

Why? When you come right down to it, a good single shot would certainly satisfy the needs of at least 90 percent of our rimfiie hunters.

For years, back in New Mexico, I car- ried a prewar, German single-shot .22 built on an Aydt action, a falling block. It tipped the scales around 8 pounds, 8 ounces, had a 28-inch barrel and a tang sight. Although it was meant to be a target arm and was somewhat heavy, it was dependable and above all, vy accurate.

That rifle let me make one of thc

luckiest and most spectacular shots I ever made with a .22.

Late one golden September after- noon, my hunting partner Jack spotted a lone grouse perched high in a lofty ponderosa a good 80 yards off. It was my turn to shoot so I held for his head, figuring the bullet would drop just enough to smack him right in the boiler room. I forgot I was shooting uphill, which flattened the trajectory. When the rifle barked, the bird dropped like a stone. The tiny slug had cahght him right between the eyes. I heard Jack gasp in awe as we examined the dead bird. Although I did my best to explain what happened, he’d have none of it. To this day, he’s convinced I’m the greatest .22 game shot he’s ever heard of.

Due to its heft, the Aydt was slow to shoulder when a jack rabbit or some other fast-stepping critter hove into view. Trying to lead a fleeing animal wasn’t easy, either, and for the same reason. Nonetheless, my score on mov- ing game probably was no worse with that long-barreled falling block than it has been with any other .22. Truth to tell, I’m seldom much of a threat to running game, no matter how I’m armed.

Last year, I spent quite a bit of time afield toting a borrowed Thompson/ Center carbine match-chambered for the .22 Long Rifle that was equipped with a 4% scope. It was MOA-capable with several different brands of sport- ing ammunition, and when fed a diet of CCI’s Small Game Bullets, proved deadly on jack rabbits as far out as 100 yards. Flat-sided and weighing around 6 pounds, 8 ounces, the carbine was a delight to carry and fast-handling to boot. Even so, most of the few shots fired at running jacks were misses; misses that were usually the result of a faulty lead. Would my bag have improved had I been packing a differ- ent type of rifle, say, a self-loader? Maybe - but I doubt it. It would have been possible to get off a number of fast follow-up shots with an auto- loader, but that wouldn’t have im- proved my judgment, just the chances that one of those tiny slugs might col- lide with a bunny if he zigged instead of zagged.

A decent running game shot will do

Rifle 155

just as well with a single shot as he can with a repeater, and in the long run, will waste fewer shots. A single shot is a sporting arm in the fullest sense of the word. It places a premium on marksmanship and encourages hunters not to rush their shots but to make each shot count. As thousands of enthusiastic muzzleloading fans will testify, a single shot makes small game hunting more challenging and more satisfying than ever.

Be that as it may, it is evident the major arms manufacturers don’t believe there is much of a market for single-shot .22s any more. They may be right. Still, I recall the shaking heads when Bill Ruger started producing sin- gle action .357 and .44 magnum single- action Blackhawks and the dire predictions made when his No. 1 was introduced..

Then too, there’s a gunsmith up in Canton, Pennsylvania, by the name of Korzinek who has kept the wolf from his door for years converting No. 1s to .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum. Appar- ently, there are more than just a hand-

ful of rimfire aficionados around who are willing to pay extra for an accurate single shot. Whether there are enough to make it profitable for one of the large firms to produce some at compet- itive prices is another question and one I can’t answer.

Still, as ThompsodCenter has demon- strated, you don’t have to start from scratch. They simply added a couple of rimfire chamberings to their already- popular Contender Carbine. Ruger could do the same with their No. 1. So could Winchester-Browning with the Model 1885. Tacking an adult-sized stock and a slightly longer barrel on their Little Buckaroo would put Marlii in competition. Only Remington would have tu go to some expense to convert some of their 541s or 581s.

In the long run, it might be more prof- itable for them to bring out a slightly modernized version of the old firm’s Number 4 rolling block carbine in a rimfiie chambering. Lost-wax castings and computer-controlled machinery should be able to produce such a sim- ple action reasonably. Signor Uberti

has been selling a fair number of Ital- ian-made replica rolling blocks in that caliber and others for years now. If an import sells, there’s no reason why one made by the original firm wouldn’t, especially if it performed well.

Chances of anything like that happen- ing are pretty slim though. Most corpo- rations are reluctant to go adventuring in unknown waters these days. Unless their marketing gurus can prove, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a new product will mean substantial and immediate profits, the average CEO would rather concentrate his staffs’ efforts on reducing operating costs or developing new markets for existing products. It makes the balance sheet look a lot better at the annual stock- holders’ meeting.

Perhaps that’s the best way to go. Maybe their gut feelings are on the right track perhaps Americans are too repeater-oriented to consider anything as old-fashioned as a single-shot .22. It would be nice if we had the choice though. I

P INTO THE WOODS, YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU PACKED THIS LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT RIFLE, THE REMINGTON~ MODEL SEEN’S OVERALL WEIGHT [6 1/4 LBS.] AND LENGTH (37”) MAKE IT EASIER TO TACKLE

AND PERFORMANCE YOU’D EXPECT FROM A MSCENDENT OF OUR LEGENDARY MODEL 700; TOUGH TERRAIN. YET POUND FOR POUND, THIS ALL-WEATHER CARBINE DELIVERS THE ACCURACY

ALL OF WHICH SHOULD TAKE SOME WEIGHT OFF YOUR SHOULMRS. I T ’ S W H A T Y

to cover. The new expanded data section has all the newest calibers, the newest powders and the most up-to-date jacketed bullets. Over 10,000 loads include Lyman's most recent cast bullet selections. Catalog # 578.17 . Softbound ..................................................................................................... $23.00

SCOUTING ON TWO CONTINENTS by FIederiCk Russell Burnbarn Covers Burnham's lifetime exploits in the Wild West and in Africa and is considered by many to be one of the greatest adventure stories of all time. Catalog # 579.5 . Hardbound ...................................................................................................... $35.00

RELOADER'S GUIDE by R.A. Seindler Contains the latest technical data, expanded loading tables, tips on solving handloading problems, bullet casting and cartridge case conversions. Catalog # 578.99 . Softbound ........................................ $11.95

THE BOOK OF THE TWENTY-TWO by Sam Fadala The "All-American Caliber" from B.B. caps up to the powerful ,226 Barnes. It's about ammunition history, plinking, target shooting and the quest for the one-hole group. The .22 handgun or rifle and a box of ammunition with an hour to shoot is therapy for many busy shooters. Sam Fadala has created a practical book for reference along with silk threads of nostalgia for those who remember their first .22. Catalog # 578.95 . Softbound ..................................................................................................... $16.95

GUNSMITHING AT HOME by John E. Traisfer 'How-to' information on power tools and tools to get started on stocking, stock checkering and finishing, spring making, plating, basic gunsmithing of handguns, rifles and shotguns. Catalog # 578.96 . Soft bound ..................................................................................................... $14.95

IN AFRICAN GAME TRACKS by Frank L. Puxley Puxley began his hunting career shortly after the turn of the century, so he knew and read the books authored by hunters such as Newmann, Sutherland and Kirby. He hunted until he wrote his book in 1929, so he was a contemporary of Bell, Lyell and Stigand. Catalog # 551.30 ........................................................ $65.00

THE COLORADO GAMEFINDER'S BIG GAME SCOUTING REPORT Colorado's premier guide, detailing over 500 trophy hot spots on Colorado public land, is a lifetime achievement. The authors, Guy Collier and Spencer Kluesner, give exact directions to trophy hot spots, instructions on howto hunt the areaand top0 maps along with custom scouting information. In-state and out- of-state hunters will find this reference the finest available. Catalog # 578 . Softbound ................. $29.95

SHOTGUNNING - The A r t and The Science by Bob 8IiSfer Anyone who has ever shot and missed with a shotgun -or who hits his target but not with the consistency he desires - will profi from reading this book. In this authoritative yet fast-paced book, Brister examines virtually every shooting problem a shotgunner is likely to face. Using photographs taken lierally over the gun barrel, this book forms averitable encyclopedia of shotgunning for the modern reader and outdoorsman. Catalog # 588.20 . Hardbound .................................................................................................... $18.95

CHARLIE DYE - One Helluva Western Painter by Paul Weaver In the words of renowned author and western historian Dr. Harold McCracken, "Charlie Dye was a cowboy at heart and a dedicated artist in the field he knew and loved the best." Over the years, Dye's work graced the covers of almost every leading periodical of the day-Argosy, Outdoor Me, The Saturday Evening Post and many others. This book features more than 50 full-color reproductions with lively narrative highlighting his life and works. Contributions by fellow artists Joe Beeler, Johnny Hampton, Bill Bender, Jim Boren and Jim Reynolds, as well as noted western personalities such as Ginger Renner and Dean Krakel, add authenticity and insight into this fine western artist. Catalog # 588.5 . Hardbound ........................ $47.50

ORDNANCE WENT U P FRONT by Roy F. Dunlap When he enlisted in the US. Army early in 1942, Roy Dunlap already was a skilled rifleshot and an experienced gunsmith, to boot. Consequently he headed for the Ordnance Department -and made it. In this book Dunlap gives his readers an accurate and vivid picture of an ordnance man sewing in the field, at times working directly back of the firing lines. Detailed descriptions of scores of American and foreign makes of rifles, revolvers, pistols and machine guns and witty, candid sidelights of the mishaps of a GI small arms ordnance worker are cleverly mingled. Catalog # 578.63 . Hardbound ......................................... 535.00

THE RUSTLERS OF WEST FORK by Louis L'Amour This crackling, classic frontier novel is as authentically detailed as it is action-packed and features one of the most fondly remembered fictional cowboys, Hopalong Cassidy. L'Amour delivers a triumphant, satisfying story - and adds luster to the legend of the man called Hopalong Cassidy. Catalog # 588.17 . Hardbound .................................................................................................... 518.00

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SMl"€I & WESSON HAND GUNS by Roy McHenry 8 Walter Roper Part of the World Great Gun Book collection bound In leather. Thls book Is the bible on the subject for arms produced up to 1945. Catalog # 571.7 . Hardbound ..................................................................... $32.00

HUNTING TROPHY WHITETAILS by David Morris If you've ever dreamed of shooting a trophy whitetail, this book is for you. Chock-full of photos, maps, practical Information and entertaining anecdotes, this book compiles the most comprehensive data on hunting trophy bucks. Catalog # 578.30 . Hardbound ................................................................... $29.95

PRACTICAL GUNSMITHLNG by Ed Mafunas Here's an authoritative guide to malntalnlng, repairing and improving flreanns. Thls book shows how to do dozens of jobs easily handled by an amateur while identifying those best left to a pro. Catalog # 588.15 . Hardbound .................................................................................................... $31.95

WINE SEASONING & WILD GAME by Don Zotz This entertaining little book with longheld secrets will turn your hunting experience into a culinary delight. Catalog # 578.14 -Softbound .......................................................................................... $12.95

FIREARMS RECORD BOOK Created by a shooter for shooters, no better record book exists. It is a complete ring binder with dividers for listings, contacts, records, photos, etc. Catalog # 578.34 . Hardbound ....................... $24.95

COMPLETE BOOK OF OUTDOOR COOKERY Recipes and tips that will guarantee to make all wild game taste great. Catalog X 588.6 . Hardbqund ...................................................................................................... $26.95

GAME IN THE DESERT REVISITED by Jack OConnor A classic reprint of OConnor's flrst hunting book Hunting in the Southwest pius two new sections and illustrations. A must read for all hunting and O'Connor fans. Catalog # 588.9 . Hardbound ........... $22.95 THE OLD MAN by Gary Cook Stories that paint a realistic picture of life's priorities through the eyes of a man who adores the land and its wildlife. Catalog # 578.1 1 . Hardbound .................................................................................... $28.00

THE STORY OF POPE'S BARRELS by Ray Sm&h Mr. Pope's flnest work was with muuleloading, lead bullet, soft steel, low velocity single-shot rifles. Thls book captures his story and landmarks him as one of the greats of firearms development. A classic book of gun making history. In the words of H.M. Pope, "I do nothing but the best of work and am no slouch of a workman if I do say so myself.' Catalog #568.1 - Hardbound .................................................... $39.00

ADVANCED REBARRELING OF THE SPORTING RIFLE by Wi/h Fowler Jr. The manual of the superior and faster method of fitting barrels and chamber work on sporting rifles. Written for professional, student or amateur gunsmiths with a working kgowledge of firearms and machine work. Catalog # 578.49 . Hardbound .................................................................................................... $32.50

3-D ARCHERY ILLUSTRATED by Roger Combs- Catalog X541.1 ............................ $16.95

A FIELD GUIDE TO EMERGENCY FIRST AID FOR HUNTING, WORKING & OUTDOOR DOGS by Randy Acket, D.V.M.

If you love your sporting dog -you need this bwk. Catalog X 588.41 . Hardbound ..................... Sl5.W

A BREED APART A Tribute to the Hunting Dogs that Own Our Souls Great hunting dog stories. Gathered here are some of today's finest writers. Hunting dogs - the good, the bad, and the outrageous- are the bond that ties together the souls ofwingshooters everywhere. A Breed Apart covers the full spectrum of dogs - tom hard-running pointers on southern quail plantations to shorthairs on the great midwestern grasslands to Labs in the northern marshes. Each chapter gives new insight into the singular relationship between the hunter and his dog. Some stories will touch you deeply, others will make you laugh. Catalog # 588.42 - Hardbound .......................................................... $39.50

DEER DIARY A handsome, gold-embossed heirloom style log book designed in the tradition of great books. A book that will feature your memories in class. Catalog X 578.10 . Hardbound .............................................. $29.95

FINDING THE EXTRA TARGET by Coach J.R. Linn & SA. Blumenthal This is the ultimate training guide for all the clay target sports. Tested and proven concepts plus the best- kept secrets of gun handling, mental conditioning, gunfit, stance, practice techniques and much more. Catalog # 578.13 . Softbound ...................................................................................................... $14.95

HISTORICAL ARMSMAKING TECHNOLOGY A five-volume set covering a variety of the handwork and artifice of early gunmaking and gdn stocking. A how-to look into history complete with methods, techniques, tools and formulas. Catalog If 578.33 - Softbound ...................................................................................................... $sO.OO

September-October 1994 47

LEAVE ME M Y SPIRIT: An American's Story of 14 Years in Castro's Prisons by Lawrence IC Lunt Photos of Dick Cheney, Claiborne Pell, Malcolm Wallop and Alan Simpson. The story of an American's experiences with ranching, the CIA and prison in Cuba. 'It is a precious story of spiritual survival and it will captivate anyone.'- New York Times Book Review. Catalog #578.40 - Hardbound ..................... $19.95

THE WHITE TRIBE by Robin Moore (best selling author of The Green Berets and The French Connection) Thecontroversial story of racial politics, deviant missionaries. the CIA and UN, terrorist leaders and enormous atrocities inflicted on black and white settlers of Rhodesia in the 1970s. I... a fast-moving story of guerilla warfare, deceit and the betrayal of the Rhodesian government by its supposed friends. The parallels to South Africa today are frightening. Recommended.'- Library Journal. Catalog #578.41 . Hardbound ..... $24.95

A KIND OF REDEMPTION by Stephen Hafhaway In these 11 sharply realized stories, Hathaway skillfully weaves a tapestry that has the Vietnam conflict at its left fringe, and postwar trauma at the other. Hathaway writes with unflinching honesty and clarity. Collectively, these stories represent a metaphorical tour of duty that readers will not soon forget. This is a powerful book, one that will hold the reader spellbound from the first page to the last."- James Lee Burke, author of Black Cherry Blues and A Morning for Flamingos. Catalog #578.42 . Hardbound ............ $17.95

ThestoryofaclanofCrow lndiansand their livesinMontanain thelate 1800s.' ... filledwithlightandlaughter

Cheyenne and The Medicine Horn. Catalog 11578.43 . Hardbound ................................................ $19.95

PEOPLE OF THE WHISTLING WATERS by Mardi Oakley Medawar

and tragedy. In giving us this unique insight into the Crow, Mardi has given us a strong glimpse of this nation, our American history and a lasting portrait of the human race itself.'- Jory Sherman, author of Song ofthe

BLUE SKY, NIGH" THUNDER: THE UTES OF COLORADO by Jess McCreede This book is the story of one of the most tragic events in the history of the American West. In 1879, Indian Agent Nathan Meeker was killed by White River Utes and his family kidnapped. Jess McCreede pulls no punches.Withmeticulousdocumentation, hetellsthetaleasitwas. callingaspadeaspade.Thereaderfeels empathynotonlyforthe Utes, but for thecivilians, thegovernment employees, thekmy, and the black buffalo soldiers.'-Don Coldsmith, author of Thunderstick and Walks in the Sun. Catalog #578.44 - Hardcover ...................................................................................................... $19.95

LOST DUTCHMAN MINE DISCOVERIES: AND A HISTORY OF ARIZONA MINING by Jay Fraser Book Pieced together from hundreds of years of legends and Ariiona history, this fascinating story brings new understanding to the mining efforts of the Spaniards, Jesuits, Mexicans and early Americans in their quest for precious metals - and for survival. 'Fraser's book is 120 pages of delightfully concise history and theory: a couple of hours of reading that gives the reader a pinpoint location of the mine. -John Landford, Tempe Dairy News Tribune. Catalog #578.45 . Softbound .............................................................. $9.95 Vldeo Cassette: One hour program shot on location. Catalog #578.46 ......................................... $19.95

VIRGIL EARP -WESTERN PEACE OFFICER by Don Chapuf AlthoughVirgil wasclearlythe most significant historical figureamong the famous Earp brothers, never before has his biography been researched, written and published. This is a rich and readable tale of Earp's 25-year law enforcement career in the complex history of the West. Catalog # 578.48 . Hardbound ..................................................................................................... $24.50

THE EARP PAPERS - IN A BROTHER'S IMAGE by Don Chaput This book delivers for the first time, a group biography of the most famous western clan. The exhaustive research assembles every legttlmate source of information to reveal the truth behind the Earp legacy as the most colorful family In the West. Catalog # 578.47 . Hardbound ................................................... $24.50

RUGER SINGLE ACTIONS THE SECOND DECADE by John Dougan Natlonally acknowledged as the most authoritative reference work on this generation of Ruger revolvers. Catalog # 578.50 . Hardbound ..................................................................................................... $29.95

THE BLACK POWDER NOTEBOOK by Sam Fadala For anyone interested in shooting muuleloaders, this book will help improve scores and obtain accuracy and reliability. No long-winded dissertations. it cuts to the meat of the subject. Black-powder shooting is a paradox - basic and simple yet requiring much more understanding in its operation than modern arms. The most important aspect is that black-powder shooting is a rich hands-on approach to shooting - slow-paced, enjoyable, one shot at a time with a load made on the spot. Catalog # 561.6 . Hardbound ....................................................................................................... $22.50

AWESOME ANTLERS OF NORTH AMERICA by Odie Sudbeck Awesome Antlefs of North America has mostly photos, 500 of them in both color and black-and-white: 300 whaetails, 100 mule deer, 100 other amazing and unusual photos, such as the 1,000 point buck, world's weirdest antlers, antlered does and cactus bucks to name a few. Also included is a map of the locations of world class trophies, charts of hot spots and everything you wanted to know about antlers and every conceivable record such as widest, heaviest, oldest, biggest sheds, spikes, velvet, etc. Catalog # 578.12 . Har$bound ..................................................................................................... $35.00

WOLVES CALENDAR 1995 Catalog # 552.1 ................................................................. $9.95

Rifle 155

THE AFRICAN ADVFNTURER8 by Peter Hathaway Gptick Jf yw are a capstick fan, you'll relish this book. Once again he delivers We king of chilling dories that Hemmingway only heard secondhand...with a flair and slyk that Papa himelf would admire.' The author's pimgent w i l d his- gained fromyean in the bush briwto life four tum-of-the century adventurers and the savage frontiers they braved. Thii book is an unfwgetteble return to the

BEARSINTHEIRWORLDbyEmk,BeucK RaKmnsd Mi miter-photographer awm aH North American bears, including grizzlies, brown, blacks and polars. Highquailly prlntino enhancmthe impact ofthe over 150 magnificent cdor photos.

~CANINDIANARCHERYbyReg~6olsdygLaubin The bow and m w e m In uaefromthe Far North tothe Up of South Amerlcowhenthe first Europeans Mhred h the Westem Hembphere. knerjcan Indian Adwyis a w y readable personalized account of one man's amble thmgh Indian archay, past and present Hunting pradice, material cullwe, mythology, social customsand games swounding bow and a m use e# come into thebook.

SANDSOFSILENCEbyfeterHethewayCapstidr lnthisfirst-person adventure, capstidc spins riveting tales from his travelsand reports on the Bushmen's culture,theirpoliticelpersecrlbnandthestoneAgeliifeofAfrica'soriginalhunter.gatherers. Inaddiinthe ~e#plainstheecoromic~ofthesportsmen'spresenceendhowethicalhuntingisatodforgeme

THE aoOb SAMARITAN STRIKES AGATN by PapMcMenUs The legendary McMmvdee it vigorom, providino laughter in the most unlikely places. kresistible. One

REALPONIESDON'"000INKbyfeiMcMenup

a hilarkus saving ofvintage McManua For dpjtyourselfers, Pat's tip unravel the mysteries of premked cement, which comes in the fdlowinO quantities and condin: 'too much, too Me, too soon, too late, too dry,toowet-theon)ynis~iYs~tooheavy.'Wecouldgoon,krtweprwnlsedwewould notrevealthewhembo&ofgamewsrdenSneedorwhatreaUyhappenedonthatsearchand.uh-regcue mispkn.CatabgYi588.16-Hardbolrnd. ..................................................................................... 96.95

THE LASTIVORY HUNTER-The Saga OiWally Johnson b y f e t e r H ~ w 8 y ~ Achance meeting around a safai campfire on the banks ofthe Mupamadazi River lead to this grand tale of African adventure by Peter CapsW, the foremost hunting author of our time. Wally Johnson spent half a centuryin Mozambique hunting white gold- ivary. Most men died at this hazardous trade. He'sthe last

FIREMUW ASSEMBLY/DI&WSEMBLY PART 2 Wow do I take it -This puesuOn is one ofthose most frequently asked. Now there isa bmk to help. An hpoltant addition to this book is a comprehensive Index and cross-reference, linking all of the revolvers cmmd here to gunsof s i m l l a r o r ~ panem. When these are induded in the count, the instructions in thiseditbn can be used& thetakedown and reassem#yd 180 revolvers.

JIM C0RBE"S INDIA by J h corbelt

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ofhi~funniest~ofstre(chingthetruth.Catalog1588.10 -Hardbound ......................... $17.95

FW several hundred thousad hingt~fans of of America'sfavorite humorists - indm of - here's

one able tote# his story. CWcg W 588.13 - Hardbound ............................................................. $18.95

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Jim Codma's stories of tiger hunting are among the classics of adventure. His career as a hunter of man-

these expeditions and his dally life in notthem Indiaofthose yearswere bestsellem. Here is aselection of

Jim corbetlto anew audiem. as wen as phre renewed deasure tohis fans.

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SAFARk A CHRONICLE OF ADVENTURE by Berlle Bull Bertle BuU's SaWA ChronldedAdvenbweisthe first h isby ofthe great African safaris. It is the stoly of

Tran~withhisdouble-heledritleandox-wagond~figthe hunter's0ardenofFd.n tntb last of the great professimal hunters as they struggle today to ceny on their tradition , in the swamps of Tanzania and the high forests of EthiOpi

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examinestheathksofhuntingandtheapparentdilemma ofthehunter~atinnists.Againstabackgmdof tribal, odonii and wildlie h i , it documents develop men& in weapansandtrensport, in gamecontrol and consenration,anctit~stheattractionttmthasnevec 4 changed, the magical hdom, beauty and excitement of

150 years ofthe ultimate adventure, from the first saw in 1836, as ComwaUit Harris walked across the

the African bUh. C m 668.18 - Hardbound .. $40.00

"HE BEST OF JACK O'CONNOR byJsdto%amar Beyond this hard-drivlng, unsentimental lidion l i i the real meat of thii book, the action-packed thrilling stories of the chase, From aram hunt in the high country to leopard andlion kills in Africa, the reader is bome akmg on a current of adventure by the master of them all.

September-October 1994

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7 49

Ron Sporner am tempted to say rifles have gone the route of fast food I hamburgers, but that’s only partly true.

.n the old days buying a special rifle for a specific purpose, like hunting sheep, was like eating at a fine restaurant. You studied the options on the menu, placed your order and waited. And waited. And dreamed and anticipated and waited while the chef created his masterpiece. It took time and more than a little money, but you got what you wanted.

Today buying that same sheep rifle can be more like step- ping up to the counter, plunking down your change and hav- ing it your way within minutes. The glaring difference is that 0 1994 John Ford ohoto

tar aualitv, but

Rifle 155

naught. Accuracy and first criterion, which

immediately raises questions s. Rifle accuracy has long been tied to mass. The heavier the barrel, stock and action, the more accurately it performed. All hunting-weight barrels are, by necessity, a compromise. The question has always been how far to carry that compromise.

The answer is pretty dam far based on the groups today's wispy barrels print. Working with an Ultra Light Arms Model 20 (4 pounds, 12 ounces) in 284 Winchester with the lightest, trimmest, 22-inch Douglas Premium grade barrel (Contour #I weighing about 2 pounds, 4 ounces), I was able to quickly develop handloads that would group three Nosler Partitions or Barnes X-Bullets under .75 inch at 100 yards. That's outstanding accuracy in any hunting rifle, let alone one weighing 5 pounds, 12 ounces loaded and with scope and sling.

A Model 70 Featherweight .30-06 in my employ thinnest barrel of any factory rifle I have ever ow shoots as well as any .30-N I have ever worked wit full-size scope, swivels and sling, the apparatus weighs pounds, 12 ounces, yet it will throw a number of bullets from 125 to 180 grains inside an inch at 100 yards (three shots). Several loads print at .75 inch. F'riends rep0 results with a variety of lightweight rifles from B

out "too light to hold steady," but to date haven't suffered the phenomenon, not even with that Ultra Light at less 6 pounds. I w iven hance, but to P nf

ghtest rifles being ma

I can think of two reasons why I shoot that rifle so well. One, it is shghuy muzzle heavy, stabilizes it out front. It tends to hang on the target remarkably well. Two, became the gun doesn't wear me out, 1 usuay strong and steady

ar

when the time comes to use it, even if I've just hiked 9 miles of Dall sheep

In big winds, which aren't uncommon in sheep country, a

better than a lightweight, but Iet's be practical. The stability between and &pound rifles Can,t be too signifi-

Ruger.

The simple fact is today's factory-produced rifles, thanks to superior steels, quality construction, solid bedding and

as long as you don't overheat them with too many consecu- tive shots. In hunting situations, that rarely happens and

tight tolerances, generally shoot with thin barrels heavy rifle of, say, 20 porn& or so certainly would stabilize

A decent sheep rifle, then, by -t. 1 suspect the surface area of the shooter has more to do with wind buffeting than his rifle weight. Besides, the Ought to s o u p three shots inside One inch at loo

sensible sheep hunter gets as much of himself and his rifle snuggled up against Mother Earth as possible during the shot. There is almost always plenty of time and open terrain for this. Go prone, hug a rock, lay a pack under the rifle and

yards. Better than t,hat is icing - worth having but not essen- tial.

As long as that accuracy benchmark is met, weight reduc- tion programs are wide open. I have heard the arguments

September-October 1994 39

the resdlt is stability regardless the mass of the gun.

Thus, I declare my second arbitrary criterion for a sheep rifle: total weight of less than 8 pounds. Actually, I would prefer 6 pounds, but that would knock nearly all low-priced, mass-pro- duced rifles out of the game, and most of us are looking for a suitable (not ideal, but eminently suitable) sheep rifle on our gun dealer’s shelf.

Beyond accuracy and minimum weight, a sheep rifle ought to have the speed to zip across a wide basin or canyon and deliver a killing blow. North American sheep weigh between 200 and 300 pounds on the hoof and are no more tenacious thm the aver- age mature whitetail. The quintessen- tial sheep cartridge, thanks in no Srnau part to the O’Connor fellow mentioned above, has become the .270 Winches- ter with the 1302grain bullet. That makes the .25-06, .280 Remington, .284 Winchester and .30-06 equally suitable with bullets from 120 to 150 grains. I’d rank the 7mm-08 and .308 Winchester near the bottom of the choice list. The 7mm and .300 Magnums are not exces sive but are heavier. I would reserve them for some of the big Asian sheep.

Now that we know what we’re look- ing for - one MOA accuracy, total weight under 8 pounds and .30.06-class chambering, we can go shopping.

As already mentioned, Winchester’s Featherweight fits the bill, even though it is listed in the 1994 catalog at 7 to 7 pounds, 4 ounces, about .5 pound more than my 1986 model. According to Rebecca Costello of USRAC, the catalog numbers were raised to more accurately reflect possible upper weights of any production run. In my experience, most rifle catalogs rather optimistically underestimate average rifle weights. Shoppers might want to weigh individual guns, which easily vary as much as .5 pound. Push feed Model 70s will be slightly lighter than the controlled round actions, and larger calibers, because more metal is cut from inside the barrel, will weigh less- than small calibers. While not as pretty as the Featherweight, Winches- ter’s Lightweight Model 70 is about .25 pound lighter, and that’s a significant weight savings when you’re expecting to pack it straight up 5,000 feet.

If you like the weather resistance of stainless steel and composite stocks, not superfluous qualities during 10 days of wilderness hunting, consider the Model 70 Stainless Synthetic. The catalog rates it 7 pounds, 4 ounces in .270 Winchester and .30-06, but that

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r ‘ r

lefi, Browning‘s A-Bolt Medallion is nicely balanced and easy to carry. The BOSS can be fine-tuned to shoot most factory loads and handloads within one minute of angle. Above, the rifle is most likely not the only piece of gear you will be carrying on the hunt, and it helps if you can keep weight to a minimum.

includes a 24-inch barrel, 2 inches more than the Featherweight’s. You will have to shop carefully for a scope and mounts to come in under 8 pounds, and the ensemble will probably go slightly over that mark but the attrac- tion of weather-resistant materials and increased velocity from the longer bar- rel may make it worth the carry.

While synthetic stocks do offer shot- to-shot consistency in weather ex- tremes, you can get the same per- formance from a well-sealed, walnut stock with free-floated barrel. The real advantage of synthetic stocks on sheep rifles is weight savings, but this re- quires a special, hollow or fom-filled stock, usually Kevlar, and these aren’t offered on standard factory-production guns. You can, however, get them on special order from the Remington Cus- tom Shop, and that makes Remington a fine place to shop fora sheep rifle.

Remington’s production Model 700 wood stock Mountain Rifle is a good

sheep hunting tool at an advertised average weight of 6 pounds, 12 ounces in standard actions. The 22-inch barrel, the longest offered in this rifle, is ade- quate for .30-06-class cartridges and pretty much industry standard these days. Float the barrel, tune the trigger and you should have yourself a superb sheep rifle for around $500 retail.

If you want to spend a bit more, upwards of $1,000, you can get the Custom KS Mountah Rifle with black matte metal or uncolored stainless steel in a Kevlar stock, which Reming- ton touts as being stronger and lighter than wood. It probably is, but this Cus- tom Shop offering is listed at 6 pounds, 6 ounces in standard calibers, which makes me suspicious. That’s only 6 ounces lighter than the walnut Moun- tain Rifle. Six ounces is nothing to sneeze at, but I’d have thought the weight savings would have been greater, especially since the Kevlar ver- sion also has a blind magazine, which

Rifle 155

September-October 1994

should save even more weight. What’s at work here, I‘m guessing, is an under- estimation of the average weight of the wood stocked gun which might weigh closer to 7 pounds than 6 pounds, 12 ounces.

A happy surprise from Remington is the new Model Seven SS, a stainless steel, synthetic-stocked version of the Model Seven carbine with an important difference - the barrel has been extended from 18.5 inches to a full 20 inches. This is still 2 inches short, in my estimation, to take full advantage of the powder capacity of a .30-06-class case, but long enough for the short- action 7mm-08 and .308 Winchester offered in this gun. This rifle weighs 6 pounds, 4 ounces and lists for under $600.

Like Winchester, Browning has no truly fly-weight rifles except the down- sized Micro Medallion A-Bolt I1 at a mere 6 pounds, 1 ounce. If you can put up with a slightly shorter stock (length of pull 13x6 inches rather than the stan- dard 13% inches), a 20-inch barrel and slimmed stock that reduces magazine capacity to three rounds, the Micro- Medallion could be your sheep rifle. For someone like me with average frame but small hands, the slim Micro- Medallion fits beautifully, feels respon- sive and light. Best of all, this little rifle is chambered for the .284 Winchester, a short-action cartridge the ballistic equal of the .280 Remington. Unfortu- nately, it can’t reach its full potential in that 20-inch barrel. Compromises, com- promises.

Browning’s Stainless Stalker with graphite-fiberglass stock and 22-inch barrel weighs 6 pounds, 11 ounces. So do the walnut Medallion and Hunter versions of the A-Bolt 11. You can get them with the BOSS, but you will lose about 2 inches of barrel in the exchange.

Ruger’s basic Model 77 Mark I1 rifle pushes the scales to about 7 pounds with 22-inch barrel and walnut stock. It will just pass the grade. The real Ruger sheep rifle is the Ultra Light at approxi- mately 6 pounds in short actions. Bar- rels are only 20 inches long, just enough to make the .257 Roberts and .308 Winchester perform to par but, in my estimation, too short for the .270 Winchester and .30-06 offerings. Sug- gested retail is under $600.

New for 1994 from Savage is a long line of synthetic stocked Model 116 rifles with 22-inch barfels advertised as weighing about 6 pounds, 8 ounces in standard actions. I weighed a Model 116FSAK, which has a fluted stainless

barrel and adjustable muzzle brake, and 7 pounds, 2 ounces appeared on the digital scale, reaffirming my belief that factory average weight figures must be taken with a few grains of salt.

Nevertheless, the new Savages are worth investigating. They have all the hottest features - stainless steel, plas- tic stocks, muzzle brakes, fluting. If they shoot as good as they look, they represent a good buy at list prices from around $500 to $650.

Now, I would like to take a look at semicustom rifles because, even though prices lodge firmly in the $1,500 to $2,500 district, these rifles are read- ily available and ideal for sheep coun- try. The Ultra Light Arms Model 20 mentioned above is a perfect example. At 4 pounds, 12 ounces bare, you prob- ably can’t find a lighter rifle, yet it has a 22-inch tube. The standard action ver- sion, Model 24, is just 5 pounds, 4 ounces and uses the same 22-inch bar- rel. Customers can specify a number of options such as right or left hand, stainless or blued barrel, length of pull, color, etc.

Brown Precision Inc. builds its High Country Rifle on the Remington Model 700 barreled action, getting the weight down as low as 5 pounds with Kevlar or graphite stocks. Customers specify length of pull, metal, finish, color, etc.

Remington Model 700 actions, McMil- lan barrels and a unique fiberglass stock design are put together by Harri- son Gunworks Inc. of American Fork, Utah, to make sheep rifles from 5 pounds, 8 ounces to 5 pounds, 12 ounces. Customers have a long list of options in designing their rifles, includ- ing muzzle brakes, 3-position safety, electroless nickel finish and more.

A very similar rifle is offered by Rifles Inc. of Cedar City, Utah. Weighing just 4 pounds, 12 ounces, it can be ordered in stainless or chrome moly blued steel in nearly any caliber. Kevladgraphite stocks are designed to reduce recoil.

Several other small shops and gun makers around the country are build- ing similar rifles, all of which gives today’s sheep hunter more options than ever. It is indeed possible to sim- ply buy an adequate, fairly lightweight sheep rifle right off the shelf, one that will weigh less and probably shoot just as accurately as Jack O’Connor’s ever did and for considerably less money.

Alternatively, one can spend more and get a semicustom rifle that meets his wildest dreams. The options are intoxicating.

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