Categories
All About Guns

A well written review of the Ruger 77 in 357 Magnum

Image result for Ruger 77 Rifle in .357 Magnum

Ruger 77 Rifle in .357 Magnum : Gun Review

Ammoland Inc. Posted on  by 
By Bob Shell
Bob Shell test and reviews the Ruger 77 Rifle, a Bolt Action rifle in .357 Magnum.

Bob Shell fires the Ruger 77 Bolt Action Rifle in .357 Magnum
Bob Shell fires the Ruger 77 Bolt Action Rifle in .357 Magnum
Bob Shell
Bob Shell

USA –-(Ammoland.com)- The .357 round has been around for many years with good reason. Besides handguns a number of rifles are made for it.
Most are lever actions, but Ruger has taken a different route and produced a bolt action rifle. The Ruger 77 Rifle.
The one obvious advantage of the bolt system is you can safely get the most out of this round. For info on the Ruger rifles you can go to http://www.ruger.com/index.html
The Ruger 77 Rifle sample I received is stainless with a composite stock. My personal preference would be a dull blue barrel which would be less likely to spook a deer. Deer, especially a large one, may see a glint off of a stainless barrel and that will spook him.
They don’t get large by being stupid or ignoring a danger sign. I do prefer the composite stock for hunting. Barrel is 18.5” long, which is plenty to get the maximum performance. For the most part, it is a typical Ruger 77 action, which includes scope rings.
For years, Ruger has used that system and I think it is one of the very best systems for scope mounting. It eliminates the base and the system of the rings going into the action is very sturdy.
It also has a basic set of open sights, which are adjustable though most shooters will probably scope it.
The Ruger 77 Rifle’s bolt is a little unique as it has an extension because of the short cartridge length.
The model 77 is primarily a gun chambered for rifle rounds including full length so this extension is a clever way to make it work with short rounds.

Bolt for Ruger Model 77/357
Bolt for Ruger Model 77/357

The trigger from the factory has some travel and the pull is decent. It is good enough for the intended purpose.
It has a rotary type of magazine with a five round capacity. There is a large button at the rear that releases the magazine and is easy to use.
The safety is a three position type that locks the bolt in the rear position.
That is handy when going through thick brush to prevent a branch from opening the bolt. If you release the safety in the normal manner, it does make a clicking noise. That will alert an animal to your presence so I would like to see it made more silent.
An animal such as a deer or pig has better hearing then we do and they can hear the safety being released at a distance especially if there is no breeze.
If you slowly release the safety, most of the noise will go away. It might be a good idea if you practiced that maneuver a few times.

It is a light and handy rifle to carry, and with a Ruger Blackhawk in the same chambering you would have a nice combination.

For testing, I put a Hawke 2 X 7 Scope in order to get the best accuracy possible. I have used Hawke scopes on a number of rifles and found them to be top performers for info you can go to http://www.hawkeoptics.com/ That particular scope fits well on this rifle, with the right amount of magnification without over doing it.

Ruger 77 Rifle with Hawke 2 X 7 scope.
Ruger 77 Rifle with Hawke 2 X 7 scope.

The Ruger Model 77/357 offers some versatility because of its ability to handle shorter rounds. Of course, it will shoot .38 specials  although they may not always feed. If you don’t mind shooting single shot then you can use .38 short and long Colt rounds as well. With cast bullets in .38 special cases, it can be shot all day and not break the bank. It would be perfect to teach a youngster marksmanship. An interesting thought would be chambering it for a .357 maxi. The gun would be strong enough, although it would be a single shot as they are too long for the magazine. In the .357 maxi chambering ballistics would be close to the .351, which would definitely qualify for some big game with the right bullet. It is a fascinating concept.

For us handloaders, there is a really large variety of bullets and powder that are suitable for the .357 round. I am focusing on hunting loads, as this would be the intent of the Ruger 77 Rifle.

The 357 rifle is very flexible.
The 357 rifle is very flexible.

These listed loads should cover everything that a .357 would be suitable for from varmints to deer size game. With the extra velocity obtainable in a rifle, the 180 and 200-grain bullets should perform well in hogs and black bear. The same loads in a revolver give an average of 400 FPS less according to a lot of testing I have done with them. I used new Starline Brass in this test because it is a top quality product with reasonable prices. You can go to www.starlinebrass.com for info on their brass. If you have a .357 or other round to load for I would recommend going to Brownells as they have a good supply of reloading tools and supplies. For parts and other shooting related goodies you can go to www.brownells.com
The .357 magnum rifle has been around for a long time and it is a good idea. Both Winchester and Marlin make lever actions as well as the Uberti model 66 clone.
They are suitable and with a handgun can make for a nice combo. You do give up 300 to 400 FPS when using a handgun especially with heavy loads. I have tested a lot of loads in short and long guns and they all lose a lot of velocity from a handgun to a rifle. Even a 30-30 shows a large difference between a revolver and rifle.

There are many combo-calibers that can be used in a rifle and handgun with the same round. As a rule, they are a good idea because of the flexibility.
If you take a .454 Casull you would have something that could take almost anything in North America, using the proper bullets. At present I have a Taurus lever action .454 rifle and Freedom Arms handgun. If ever I had the opportunity to hunt large bear, or some other large and dangerous game, I would take that over the .357.

As with the .357 there are a lot of ammo options, especially if you roll your own. There are some .41, .44’s and various .45 calibers that are very useful in a number of circumstances. Of course there are a number of .357 combination guns available.

Ruger 77 Rifle
Ruger 77 Rifle

The Ruger 77 Rifle is unique because it is a bolt action as opposed to a lever action, which may give it a little extra strength in case real hot loads are used frequently. Personally, I would carry it with a Blackhawk or another good revolver in the same caliber. A handgun with a 4 to 6” barrel would be the best depending on what would be easier to carry.

As a rule, a longer barrel will give you a little more velocity if that is important.

With good loads, it will handle a lot of hunting especially in the rifle. A good 180 or 200-grain bullet will give you some good penetration on large game. I would recommend this rifle for someone who wants a heavy duty .357 rifle. Hornady and LBT make 200-grain bullets. The Hornady is .358 so it may have to be swaged down to .357 which is very easy.
The 180-grain Sierra or Hornady would also make good candidates for hunting bullets. I am focusing on some heavy bullets, as they would be more suitable for hunting. Since most .357 bullets are made for handguns, they may come apart with the extra velocity afforded by the rifle. I took a Hornady 200 grain RN and swaged to .357. In order to feed they have to be seated past the cannelure, but there is a lot of bullet in the case so they are tight enough to prevent moving.

As a note, I use the same 200 grain Hornady swaged down to .352 in the .351 WSL. It makes a nice bullet in the old model 07.

For small game, I would use a cast semi wad cutter as it would make a good game getter and not destroy a lot of meat. They can be loaded down and still be fine. A 200-grain slug launched at 1400 will produce nearly 900 FT. LBS. of energy at the muzzle and at 100 yards will produce somewhere in excess of 600 FT. LBS. While not earth shattering, they will bring down a deer size animal given a good hit. You should get good penetration on such an animal, which is one factor in successfully harvesting a deer. Giving the lightweight of the rifle and the accuracy, I would definitely use it for close range deer hunting. The 180 grain launched at 1650 will produce 1088 FT. LBS. of muzzle energy. The 158 grain at 1800 FPS will produce 1136 FT. LBS. at the muzzle. That is nothing to sneeze at. Just for comparison a 55-grain .224 bullet launched at 2900 will produce 1027 FT. LBS. of energy at the muzzle. With the 16” barrels used by most folks that is about all you can expect. Since the .223 is the most popular deer round in use, I thought it would be interesting to compare them.

Anyone who makes handgun bullets does so in the .357 caliber. There is virtually any style or reasonable weight available.
Anyone who makes handgun bullets does so in the .357 caliber. There is virtually any style or reasonable weight available.

Anyone who makes handgun bullets does so in the .357 caliber. There is virtually any style or reasonable weight available. There are more cast bullets then can be listed and the copper plated slugs. You can mold your own bullets and keep the cost down to next to nothing. Years ago, I use to go to the local outdoor range before sunrise and dig the lead out of the dirt bank. It was a lot of work digging them up, then cleaning them before molding but the ammo cost next to nothing. For those who like to experiment you can buy the equipment and make your own-jacketed bullets. I do it for experimental purposes and you would have to decide if you wanted to sink the considerable amount of cash required to buy the equipment. For various reasons it isn’t for everyone. I did try one load using Remington 7 & ½ small rifle primers and the same using WW small pistol primers.

LOAD ———- BULLET ———- VELOCITY ———- COMMENT

5 grains 231 —– 125 gr SWC 38 case —– 1305.1 —– nice load
HPR 125 —- gr HP —– 1644 —– mild
16 grains 2400 —–140 gr Hornady FTX —–1859 —– deer
Double Tap —–158 gr HP —–1926 —– consistent
Aguila —–158 gr FP —–1708 —– decent load
18 grains Lil’Gun —– 158 gr Sierra FP —– 1819 —– consistent
18 grains Lil’Gun —– 158 gr FMJ —– 1761 —– ok
3.8 grains Bullseye —– 158 gr cast SWC 38 case —– 1016.60 —– consistent
13.7 grains Blackhorn 209 —–160 gr Sierra small rifle primer pistol —– 610.25
13.7 grains Blackhorn 209 —–160 gr Sierra small rifle primer rifle —– 869.7
13 grains IMR 4227 —– 180 gr Sierra —– 1229 —– slow
15 grains IMR 4227 —–180 gr Sierra —– 1435.27 —– consistent
13 grains IMR 4227 —–180 gr LBT —– 1340 —– also slow
15 grains IMR 4227 —– 180 gr LBT —– 1665.98 —– nice
15 grains IMR 4227 —– 180 gr Sierra (pistol) —– 1090.8 —– good load
15 grains IMR 4227 —– 180 gr LBT (rifle primer) —– 1615.3 —– very consistent
11 grains IMR 4227 —– 200 gr LBT —– 1153 —– mild
13 grains IMR 4227 —– 200 gr LBT —–1408.08 —– nice
13 grains IMR 4227 —– 200 gr Hornady RN —– 1366.4 —– consistent

Ruger 77 Rifle

If you want a useful utility rifle the Ruger 77 Rifle may be just the ticket. It is short, light and handy. There are a multitude of bullets and loads that can be used. For a rifle to be carried on a four-wheeler or pickup this would be one of my top picks. Besides being light and handy, it possesses enough power for deer size game at moderate ranges. It would work ok for hogs and black bear, though shot placement would be important. Remington makes a 130 gr FMJ – FP which would do well in some circumstances. The 140-grain FTX would extend the range a little due to the point and high velocity. You have some lead free choices as well as Barnes makes them.
As with guns that I do T & E work on other shooters always get an opportunity to try them out and it was the Ruger 77 Rifle’s turn.
I have several female shooters that I trust to get feedback from, on the products I test. All of the feedback on the Ruger 77 Rifle has been positive as the female shooters like the lightweight good trigger and lack of heavy recoil.

All of the feedback on the Ruger 77 Rifle has been positive as the female shooters like the lightweight good trigger and lack of heavy recoil.
All of the feedback on the Ruger 77 Rifle has been positive as the female shooters like the lightweight good trigger and lack of heavy recoil.

I give the Ruger 77 Rifle a thumbs up, as it will serve well as a nice carbine for woods hunting.

 
About Bob Shell:
A Custom Reloader of Obsolete and Antique Ammo, Bob Shell, writes about the subject of Guns, Ammo, Shooting and Related Subjects. For more information, visit:www.bobshellsblog.blogspot.com.

 

 
 

Categories
Uncategorized

Colt Grizzly (I wish I had held on to my mine but somebody offered me an obscene amount of money for it!)

Image result for COLT GRIZZLY
 
COLT - GRIZZLY 99.9 % as NEW in box and case - Picture 6
COLT - GRIZZLY 99.9 % as NEW in box and case - Picture 5
COLT - GRIZZLY 99.9 % as NEW in box and case - Picture 2
COLT - GRIZZLY 99.9 % as NEW in box and case - Picture 4
COLT - GRIZZLY 99.9 % as NEW in box and case - Picture 7
COLT - GRIZZLY 99.9 % as NEW in box and case - Picture 8
COLT - GRIZZLY 99.9 % as NEW in box and case - Picture 9

The stainless steel Colt Grizzly of 1994, another limited production .357 Magnum revolver. It used a Python barrel mated to a Colt King Cobra frame.
500 of these revolvers were manufactured, with 6-inch Magna-Ported barrels and smooth, unfluted cylinders. The ported barrel includes a bear footprint.
Similar to the Grizzly was the Colt Kodiak, which was a Colt Anaconda with a Magna-Ported Barrel and an unfluted cylinder. Approximately 2000 Kodiaks were manufactured.[8
 
 

Categories
Uncategorized

Top 5 WWII Rifles

Attachments area
Categories
Uncategorized

The Chassepot Needle Rifle

Categories
All About Guns

Colt 1991 A1 9mm caliber pistol

Categories
Hard Nosed Folks Both Good & Bad

The Battle of Belleau Wood

Image result
U.S. Marines in action at the Battle Belleau Wood in June 1918. - painting by Tom Lovell. [[MORE]] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belleau_Wood

U.S. Marines in action at the Battle Belleau Wood in June 1918. – painting by Tom Lovell.Image result for americans in belleau wood
Image result for americans in belleau wood
Related image
This goes to show on how savage the fighting was.
Image result for americans in belleau wood
German machine gunners in full flight from American troops in Belleau Wood.Related image
 
Categories
Uncategorized

5 Things You Don't Know About: Sniper Rifles or maybe you do!

Attachments area
Preview YouTube video 5 Things You Don’t Know About: Sniper Rifles

Categories
Dear Grumpy Advice on Teaching in Today's Classroom

Some stuff for the Teachers Morale out there!

  Inline image 2
Inline image 3
Inline image 4
Inline image 5
Inline image 6
Inline image 7
Inline image 8
Inline image 9
Inline image 1
Categories
Gear & Stuff Gun Info for Rookies

Tripods – Take Your Rifle Shooting To Another Level by IAN KENNEY

Selecting a tripod for precision rifle shooting

Military and Law Enforcement snipers have relied on tripods for years to provide support in positions other than the prone to make critical shots. The techniques born from those early tripod setups have evolved into the purpose-built products that we have today.

Years ago, I was at a sniper sustainment course and the topic of tripods for the rifles came up during one of the classes.  At that time there weren’t a lot of good options for tripods or rests so most of us did what good soldiers do and worked with what we had.   For military and law enforcement the tripod is an essential piece of kit for situations where the shooter has to be up off the ground to gain a vantage point and yet still be stable enough to make an accurate shot.  For precision rifle competition there exists a similar need for a good, sturdy tripod but selecting the right tripod and attachment system can be overwhelming with so many options on the market now.

Not all shots can be taken from the prone position, in situations where the rifle has to be up off the ground yet be stable enough to take a shot a sturdy tripod is the only solution.

What Don’t You Want?

Back in the day most of the tripods you saw used for shooting supports were the cheap ones from the local big box store getting pressed into service.  There are a number reasons why these tripods are not sufficient for hard use such as their limited adjustment range and extensive use of plastic parts.  If you’re searching for a tripod that will be used to support a rifle you’re probably going to have to start looking at professional-grade photography tripods.  These tripods can start to get expensive but you should look at them as investments, just like a scope or rifle, that will provide years of use without fail rather than a disposable item.

When selecting a tripod that will be used to support the weight of a rifle avoid any that have tripod heads made mostly of plastic. The plastic knobs and latches are notorious for breaking at the wrong moment from hard use and the recoil from heavy precision rifles.

A quality, professional-grade photography tripod that can support the weight of a precision rifle is going to be made mostly from aluminum or carbon fiber.   This is where you have to make a budget decision though because while carbon fiber tripods are great for weight savings and strength, they start at about $300 for a good one.  The aluminum tripods tend to be cheaper, usually running about half the cost of a carbon fiber tripod but they’re also about twice as heavy.

A suitable tripod for precision rifle use will be made from strong materials like aluminum or carbon fiber with independently adjustable legs. This allows the tripod to get stable and level, even if it was on a hillside.

Each tripod leg needs to be independently adjustable so that it can be set up to accommodate the shooter’s needs and terrain.  Cheaper camera tripods have nowhere near the amount of adjustability since their tripod legs can only swing out so far and are limited to a certain sized footprint.    The method used to adjust the length of the legs isn’t a huge deal so I will just say that you’re typically going to see either latches or twist locks.   Twist locks are a fast way to adjust the length of the tripod leg however as far as overall durability goes lever locks will probably win out.  Keep in mind that not all lever locks are the same.  The less expensive lever locks will usually have a rubber pad that engages the leg at a single point and in some situations, say under the weight of a precision rifle, the leg will slip. Quality lever locks, like the ones on my Manfrotto, actually grip the tripod leg around most of its circumference and can be adjusted for more tension if necessary using a socket.

Lever locks like the ones on this Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod are common with many tripods. These offer a very strong, secure lock on the tripod leg that can support a lot of weight.

For some shooters, the tripod center column is best cut down to prevent it getting in the way but I personally like to leave mine untouched.  It’s nice to be able to extend the height of the tripod up some more if I need to after I’ve run the legs all the way out.  The best center columns on a tripod are simple with no frills or hand cranks just a center tube held in place by a thumb screw.

Some tripods have optional spikes either built into the rubber pads or that you install later after you remove the rubber feet. Spikes such as these can help dig in the surface for some added stability.

Tripod Heads

The tripod head is a very important component because it’s the link from the tripod to the rifle that allows for fine-tuned adjustments and locks the rifle into position.   Generally, you’re probably going to find three different types of tripod heads amongst the more experienced shooters: Grip Action, Ball Action, and Leveling Bases.  You might see the occasional pan-tilt head but those are few and far between amongst serious users.  My first piece of advice when looking for a tripod head is to avoid any that use plastic extensively at contact points and joints such as locking latches and plates since these will most likely fail under hard use.
Leveling bases are probably going to be almost unheard of except to those that are also really into photography but they are becoming a popular option with some precision rifle shooters.  In photography, these bases are used to level the camera, pan around in a fluid motion, and also lock the camera firmly in place for panoramic shots.   These types of bases can also support a lot of weight without slipping so it’s no surprise that they are getting used more and more to support rifles that weight upwards of 17 lbs.   A disadvantage to leveling bases is that even though they can spin 360° their maximum tilt angle is only about ±15°, so they’re probably not the best option for mountainous or urban terrain.

This Sunwayfoto leveling base can support a lot of weight, easily carrying my heavy 6.5 Creedmoor precision rifle yet still glide smoothly to get in position. The only downside is that leveling bases don’t have much tilt so in very mountainous terrain where you may have to take 30 degree shots this may not be the best option.

Grip action heads like the Manfrotto 322RC2 and 3265 are pretty commonplace with many setups because they’re built to last a lifetime and have been used for years by professional rifleman.  They have a large range of motion, more than enough for steep angles, and they can support a healthy amount of weight without any issues.  Their only downside is that they are pretty heavy so if you are an-ounces-equals-pounds kind of person you may want to look at this next option.  Ball action heads have been around for a long, long time and are probably the most popular type of tripod head on the market and rightly so.  Ball action heads are versatile, lightweight, strong, and easy to manipulate with one hand.

The Manfrotto grip action heads were very popular for a number of years and are still in use by a lot of precision rifle shooters. The Manfrotto 322RC2 may be more popular but the 3265 is still going strong. Easily supporting heavy precision rifles, both grip action heads offer a wide range of motion for even the steepest shots.

There are a lot of different kinds of ball action heads so it’s important to select one that can fully support the weight of a precision rifle so be sure to check the specs and avoid the cheaper, light duty ones.   Sirui’s GX and KX series as well as the Benro IN2 heads offer good performance for an economical price but if you want to go all in check out the heads from Really Right Stuff.
It doesn’t really matter what type of tripod head you get,  just make sure that it meets your needs and more importantly that it can support the weight of the rifle.

Quick Release Plates

Quick release plates are an integral part of any good tripod head and my advice here is to find a tripod head that is either RC-2 or Arca Swiss compatible.   Skip the heads that use some kind of proprietary plate because chances are it’s going to be hard to find extras and no one around is going to have a similar one.  The 200PL plates from Manfrotto have been around forever and at one time seemed like the only option for a robust all-metal quick release plate that was strong enough to take the weight and recoil of a rifle.  The Manfrotto plates are common enough that some companies make tripod adapters compatible with the RC-2 system that bolts directly to a rifle so they can be attached to the tripod head.  RC-2-style plates are still used a good bit however the Arca Swiss system has become the go-to attachment method for many precision rifle shooters.

Arca Swiss-style plates are becoming immensely popular and I dare say a de facto standard amongst some precision rifle competitors. The dual dovetails lock tightly into the clamping base and optional safety screws on the bottom can prevent the plate from sliding out if the knob loosens up.

 
Again, unless you’re also really into photography you may not have heard of this system before but it’s actually an elegant and strong setup.   The mounting plate has two parallel dovetails that are engaged by a clamp section that’s tightened by a latch or thumb knob.   Although it’s a seemingly simple connection it’s also very strong and resistant to slippage but with a half turn of the knob the plate slides out easily.  Unlike the RC-2 plates, the Arca-style plates also come in various lengths that can be attached to a rifle so that it can be slid along the clamp to position it perfectly for balance.   As the Arca-style plates become more popular for precision rifle shooters more companies are also making compatible accessories.   Currently, there are commercial options to attach Arca-style plates to rails that are Keymod, MLOK, and Picatinny rail compatible.

The Manfrotto 200PL quick release plate was all most precision rifle shooters used for a long time to quickly switch out spotting scopes or shooting saddles. These all metal plates are still used by a number of shooters and there are compatible accessories that will drop right down into the RC-2 clamp.

Tripod Accessories

There are a ton of accessories that you can get for a tripod, from Kestrel holders to purpose made slings to carry them but chief among them I think should be a shooting saddle.   Back in the day tripod saddles were handmade from materials bought at the local hardware store but commercial options have now superseded that for the most part.  The HOG Saddle and PIG Saddle are extremely popular options that are adjustable to fit a wide range of guns and are threaded so that they can be attached directly to a tripod center column or the tripod head.

Some way to support the rifle is essential when using a tripod. A direct mount like my homemade unit that attaches to any Picatinny rail or a more universal shooting saddle is common on many firing lines.

 
For the more budget-conscious, Precision Rifle Solutions has a line of shooting saddles that are very well made but don’t cost a bundle.   I’ve actually been using a PRS tripod saddle for years and have found it to be a fantastic option across multiple types of rifles.   If you are starting out in precision rifle competition and getting your tripod set up I recommend starting out with a shooting saddle since they are versatile and time proven.  

My homemade tripod mount using a Desmond Arca-compatible plate screwed to the bottom of an inexpensive quick-release tripod adapter. The screws are loctited and torqued down to 30 in/lbs so there is little chance that it will come loose anytime soon.

Another type of accessory that is gaining momentum are specialized mounts that allow the rifle to attach directly to the tripod head without the need for a shooting saddle.  This has a number of advantages in that the mount can be kept on the rifle and dropped into the tripod quickly for ultra-stable, accurate shots.  There are commercial options available but I opted to make my own tripod direct mount that would be Arca-compatible.  Mine cost about $15 to make using a quick release bipod mount and an Arca-compatible quick release plate from Amazon.com.  I removed the bipod stud, drilled and tapped two ¼-20 holes on either side of the existing hole, and attached the Arca plate with two mounting screws.  It’s nice to be able to take my rifles and attach them right to the tripod and not worry about it tipping over or sliding out from the saddle.

Directly connecting the rifle to the tripod is incredibly stable for long range shots and I think my new go to method for tripod shooting. Just recently I used this exact set up at a match to shoot two 10″ plates from the sitting position at 430 yards, alternating shots between plates.

Tripod Accessory Matrix

Tripod Options
Tripod Package Tripods Heads QR Plates Accessories
PRS Tripod w/ SSP (Entry Level)
ShadowTech Tripod Kits(Intermediate Level)
Really Right Stuff Tripod Kit (Tier 1)
HOG Saddle Field Tripod Sirui KX Ball Head Arca Swiss-type 
 		 PIG SaddleRRS SOAR Plates
Manfrotto Tripods 322RC2  200PL Plate LaRue Tripod MountVortex Tripod Mount
Desmond Tripods Desmond DB-44 Arca Swiss-type ADM Tripod Mount
Benro Tripod Benro IN2 Arca Swiss-type SOAR Chassis MountHOG Saddle

 

Fundamental Tripod Use

When you have your set up finalized and start using the tripod for precision rifle applications there are some fundamental things that you want to do to help make sure you’re taking the most accurate shot possible.  First, when you are setting the tripod up point one of the legs towards the target since this is going to help with stability under recoil.  Extend and spread the legs as far out as possible to create a wide footprint while still keeping the rifle at a good height for a stable firing position.  If the rifle is attached directly to the tripod, under recoil the tripod should essentially go straight up and come back down to the same spot if you got it set correctly.  It will also help to set up the controls for the tripod and head so that you can make adjustments with your free hand without having to break position.  If you lock your support arm out against one of the tripod legs when you are in position and ready to fire this can help gain some stability also.   It was using these guidelines at a recent match that helped me hit 10″ plates at 430 yards using the tripod as my only means of support.

When setting up the tripod you want to make sure the legs are spread out enough to provide a good footprint yet still give you sufficient height for the chosen position. Also, notice that I have the front leg pointed towards the target so that if the tripod does move under recoil it’s just going to go straight up and back down again.

In Conclusion

A good tripod, like a good scope, is a worthy investment for a long-range shooter. Tripods are useful whether you plan to start shooting competitions or just shoot long range in general.  I’ve had a few outings almost ruined due to waist high grass that prevented me from getting a prone position, but thanks to the tripod, I was able to salvage the day and get some shooting in.  As it goes with scopes, if you spend wisely you can easily have a set up that will go the long haul while also not costing you an arm and a leg.   However, if you wish to go under the knife to get the very best, then have at it, that is your prerogative, but keep in mind that simply having the best doesn’t make you the best.   Shooting well off of a tripod takes practice so when you have your setup worked out train with it often, and explore different ways to utilize it other than just spreading the legs and setting a gun on top.

When setting up the tripod it’s always beneficial to set up the controls so that if you’re a right handed shooter you can make adjustments or release the rifle from the tripod with your support hand. Vice versa if you’re a southpaw.

A good tripod for precision rifle shooting should have enough adjustment in the legs to allow the rifle to be shot from a standing position with fully raising the center column.

 

Pro Tip: When shooting off of a less than stable barricade or obstacle, you can use one of the legs of the tripod to help support the butt of the rifle and gain stability. To do this deploy the tripod to the correct height and bring it in close to the body. When you’re in position, pinch the buttstock between your thumb and one of the tripod legs.

 

Some Arca Swiss-style clamping bases are also compatible with the Manfrotto 200PL QR plates. This could be beneficial for those that have a stash of Manfrotto plates but would also like to reap the benefits of the Arca Swiss-style system.

The Precision Rifle Solutions Large QD Tripod with SSP sniper saddle is an excellent entry-level choice for those that want to get a tripod for precision rifle shooting but are also on a budget. This tripod can go from prone to standing height easily and support heavy rifles like this custom Remington 700.

Categories
All About Guns

The King Cobra or it is one very hard to find Revolver

Image result for Colt King Cobra
Image result for Colt King Cobra
Image result for Colt King Cobra
Image result for Colt King Cobra
Image result for Colt King Cobra
Image result for Colt King Cobra
Colt King Cobra Guns > Pistols > Colt Double Action Revolvers- Modern

Colt King Cobra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Colt King Cobra. For other Colt Double Action firearms, see Colt Double Action.
Colt King Cobra
Type Revolver
Place of origin United States
Production history
Manufacturer Colt’s Manufacturing Co.
Produced 1986-1992, 1994-1998
Specifications
Barrel length 2in (50.8 mm), 2.5 in (63.5 mm),
4 in (102 mm), 6 in (153 mm),
8 in (203 mm)
Cartridge
  • .38 Special
  • .357 Magnum
Action Double-action
Feed system Six round cylinder
Sights Iron, adjustable rear

First introduced in 1986, the Colt King Cobra is a medium framedouble-action revolver featuring a six round cylinder which was designed and produced by the Colt’s Manufacturing Company and marketed to law enforcement agencies and civilian firearms enthusiasts.
Available in blued and stainless steel finishes in a variety of barrel lengths and chambered for centerfire .357 Magnumammunition.[1]

Development and history[edit]

Despite the presence of a ventilated rib atop the barrel and its outward similarity to the Colt Python/[] The King Cobra design is based upon that of an earlier Colt model.
The venerable Trooper MK V, improved with the addition of a heavier-duty barrel, full barrel length cylinder ejection rod protection shroud, and the aforementioned thicker solid rib on top of the barrel.
The King Cobra was introduced in 1986, discontinued in 1992, and returned to Colt’s product line in 1994. Dropped a second time in 1998, it has not been produced since.[3]

Features

Built on Colt’s medium-size ‘V’ frame from 1986-1992, the King Cobra was offered in very hi-grade carbon steel with Colt’s signature bright and highly-polished deep royal blued finish. From 1987-1992 and 1994-1998 matte stainless steel was offered, and from 1988-1992 the option of polished stainless steel became available as well.
King Cobras are equipped with either oversized Walnut target-style or hard rubber black finger-grooved combat-style grips, and an enlarged targethammer.
The Cobra’s sighting system consists of a fixed iron red insert front sight and a fully adjustable iron white outline rear.[1] Various barrel lengths were offered over time according to the finish option chosen.[1]
In blued steel models, 4 and 6 inch barrels were available from 1986 until the blued guns were dropped from production in 1992, also a 2.5 inch length was offered with the blued finish from 1990-1992.
In matte stainless, a 2.5 inch length was cataloged from 1987-1992, 2 inch barrels were offered from 1988 until King Cobra production ceased in 1992 and then again from 1994-1998.
Barrel lengths of 4, 6, and 8 inches also were available on models with the matte stainless finish from 1990 to 1992; they returned to the product lineup from 1994-1998.
In the mirror bright stainless finish, 4 and 6 inch lengths were offered from 1988-1992, a 2.5 inch was available from 1990-1992, and the 8 inch length was offered from 1989-1992.
The King Cobra is chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, but like all .357 revolvers will also fire .38 Special ammunition.[1]
In its final year of production (1998) the top strap was drilled and tapped for the mounting of scope rings.[3]
Colt also produced a total of six King Cobra’s with three-inch barrels and fixed sights. These were made for the Montreal Police Department, which had expressed an interest in such a model for plain-clothes officers.
The revolver was never adopted and the six samples were returned to the distributor. One surfaced in North Carolina in 2006, was lettered by Colt Archives, listed on Gunbroker, and is now in the hands of a private collector. The fate of the other five is unknown.
Like all .357 Magnum revolvers, the Colt King Cobra could chamber and fire the shorter but otherwise dimensionally similar .38 Special cartridge.

References

  1. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e “Colt King Cobra”, Kitsune Reference Web site. Accessed November 18, 2008.
  2. Jump up^ Fjestad, S.P. (August 18, 2015). “Colt’s Snake Guns”. American Rifleman.
  3. ^ Jump up to:a b c Tarr, James (18 November 2013). Standard Catalog of Colt Firearms. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-1-4402-3747-8.