“accurate rifles”

“Only accurate rifles are interesting.” So goes the quote from Col. Townsend Whelen, and he was right.

E.R. Shaw is a company in Pennsylvania that makes a huge number of rifle barrels in just about every configuration imaginable, including a lot of barrels for OEM use by some big-name gun makers. Odds are if you have a few rifles, you have one of Shaw’s barrels. What a lot of hunters don’t know is the company also builds rifles based on its Mark VII action to customers’ specifications.

While there are many cartridges that can handle medium-sized game, the .243 Winchester sits at the top of the heap for good reasons: it’s accurate, easy on the shoulder and delivers enough energy for the task at hand.

A quick review of 2017 reveals that it was the again the year of the AR-15. But, looks can be deceiving. Here are nine new ARs that fire something other than 5.56 NATO.

The .35 Whelen and the 9.3x62mm Mauser have cases within a millimeter in length and a bullet diameter just a few thousandths apart, so which cartridge would a hunter choose?

Just what goes into building the ultimate Western big-game rig? Here are a few components to consider.

Bergara continues to build impressively accurate rifles with smart features, and the new Ridgeback is a prime example. Though it was designed primarily for Precision Rifle Series match shooters, the Ridgeback easily doubles as a hunting rifle when shots are long.

Lightweight and incredibly accurate, the Traverse is every bit the backcountry or mountain hunting rifle it’s billed to be. Featuring aerospace-grade construction, great balance and a stellar trigger, it truly delivers.

If you want something a bit unique with a definite cool factor, give the .280 Ackley Improved a long look.