Cam-Over on a Reloading Press
Like many things in reloading, Cam-Over is a misunderstood and often misused term. What exactly is 'Camming Over' a press? Do they all do it? Do I need to?
How important is SD in ammunition?
Short version - it's not really going to matter to 800 meters or so. However, those folks going for the fabled 1k, 1-mile targets... very much so.
Reloading, Handloading, what’s the difference?
While the terms Reloading and Hand Loading are often interchanged, they really is a difference in the two. It's the sort of thing that only matters to those it matters two, and then, those people are likely to be hand loading.
Evaluating your reloads – OCW Load Testing
People reload their own cartridges for a variety of reasons. For some it is financial, some it is because you can't source the ammunition any other way and for some because they want to maximise the performance of their firearm.
Shooting Units: The Grain
A grain, as a unit of measurement is equal to 64.79891 milligrams, or 0.06479891 grams. 16 grains is just under 1 gram. The unit originally comes the Bronze Age - where a grain of wheat or barley was considered a legal definition of mass.
Shooting Units: Understanding caliber
I was talking to someone on the weekend regarding sizing and different calibers. Trying to explain caliber sizing to someone who knows little about firearms can be a bit of a challenge - mainly because it really isn't a standard convention anymore. I thought I would put together a short article on how, why and the differences in naming calibers.
Annealing Made Perfect
The Annealing Made Perfect machine is a new(ish) New Zealand made unit that bridges the gap between home annealing and factory/lab systems.
The Misleading Case of Expander Balls and Neck Concentricity
Are you potentially chasing your own tail when it comes to neck concentricity?
Lab Radar, OBT Testing and a sunburn!
I am always keen to develop and test new methods of load development. Anything I can do to speed up the process of finding optimal loads - it means less component use and more time to practise my shooting and confirm ballistics and less testing loads.
Optimising your VLD Bullet accuracy – seating depth
The new generation of VLD (very low drag) projectiles have brought with them more accuracy, and more requirements to optimise. It won't be new to shooters that bullets have a sweet spot when it comes to seating depth. For a long time F-Class and BR shooters have been 'jamming the lands' - setting seating depth out long enough where the bearing surface is actually touching (or even slightly pushed into) the throat of the rifling. Minimising jump eeks out the final bit of performance.
Matching twist rate and bullet weight in rifles.
The are many benefits to understanding and matching the twist rate of your barrel with the projectile weight you are using. Primarily, accuracy.
Comparing load testing methods.
Cause, you know, might as well find more excuses to shoot!
Brass Preparation for Long Range Target Shooting.
My 700 build is slowly coming along. The Optics for it will turn up shortly, so I figured it was time to start getting some rounds ready to shoot through it.
What is a Gun Chronograph?
In a nutshell, a chronograph lets you measure the speed that the bullet leaves the barrel. This information, in conjunction with data about the bullet you are firing and the environment you are shooting in, lets you start mapping out the expected flight path of the projectile.
Magnetospeed V3 vs Sportster
What are the differences between the V3 and the cheaper Sporter version, which one should I get? Here there are: Magnetospeed V3 vs Sportster
MagnetoSpeed Picatinny Rail Adaptor
This isn't a MagnetoSpeed Chronograph Review
That will come later. Right now though, this is a quick overview of the additional Picatinny rail you can...
Brass Annealing Methods
In our previous article, we discussed why we would want to anneal our brass necks. This article, we will cover a couple of methods of 'how'.
Understanding Brass Annealing
In the first part of a series on annealing - we will cover off exactly what annealing is and what it does, in the second, we will cover off a couple of specific methods to anneal and finally, my current methodology.
Latest Articles
moreA trip to the top of the Coromandel
To me, the true Coromandel is only reached once you have passed through, well, Coromandel - actually - even higher - with Colville (northernmost town of any note on the peninsula) representing a homecoming of sorts.
The Tikka Strata in 300WSM – one gun to rule them all?
The Tikka T3X Superlite is a familiar firearm to many New Zealand Hunters. Take the 'standard' T3X, flute the barrel and you have the Superlite. I recently had a Strada to set up for a client and took the opportunity (with the client's permission of course) to have a bit of a play.
PracMed Stop The Bleed Course
Hopefully, by now, I have gotten across the importance of first aid training to all of you. This is not just for shooters or hunters, or parents (I had to hook some food out of my 4 years olds choaking face last night) - but everyone - knowing what to do is 'basic dude stuff' as Patrick McNamara would say.
Backcountry Hut Etiquette for Hunters and Trampers
While the ultimate, of course, is having a remote bivy (small hut) to just yourself and your mates, for some of the more accessible and bigger huts, there is a very good chance you are going to be sharing a hut with other trampers and hunters. As ambassadors for tramping, hunting, and just being nice human beings, there are some basic principles we should all be applying
A lot of this comes down to one simple principle - consideration for others. Consideration for others is the simplest and best guide for co-inhabiting a hut. It is not a bad starting point for humanity either. This article puts forward some simple considerations and pointers for the next time you find yourself in a shared hut.
5.11 AMP pack
You may have already seen my review/talk about the Molle Belt Rig I have switched over too. I mentioned the idea of...
Rolife Ferris Wheel – a DIY Music Box
One thing about the lockdown with kids - you get to play with toys more!
With two little ones in the house, we have been looking for options to keep them engaged and busy. When my partner turned up with a couple of these I was intrigued.
A chat with Caylen Wojcik
Caylen Wojcik is a face that some of you will already know quite well.
I first came across him...
The Svord Santoku
The Santoku style knife has become rather popular in the last few years - it's almost safe to say it is the hipster hunter knife of choice. 😉
So, what is the Santoku knife, what benefit (if any) does it provide, and why should you consider picking up one of the phenomenal Svord made ones?
Lockdown project for kids: Crush cans with a bowl of water!
Being at home with the kids for the last couple of weeks has, to be fair, been a little bit of a...
