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Why Cerakote Your Gun and Should You Do It?

If you have looked up information about guns and their durability, then you might have heard of a product called cerakote.

It is a coating that goes on the gun to help protect the metal and moving parts. On top of this it also comes in a variety of colors, so you can have a more custom feel for your firearm that gives it a look that is personal to you. Read on to learn more in-depth information on what Cerakote is and its benefits.

Cerakote Pistol. source: killercoating

What is Cerakote?

For many years their was only a few ways to protect your gun from the elements. Guns have always been made of metal and some times the steel was blued. This was a heating process to help protect it from pitting and corrosion. Since guns are used outside a lot, they are easily exposed to the weather. Things such as water could easily cause the metal to rust which could lead to the gun not functioning correctly.

On older guns parts of them, such as the handle or butt, were also made of wood. Wood also would break down over time and wear. As time when on people started using pearl grips and things to help protect the parts of the gun that were exposed to wear and the weather more often. Today there is a new product that can protect your gun.

This new product to help your gun last as long as possible is Cerakote. It is a ceramic type material with a polymer mixed into it to help it attach to all kinds of material. Now that guns have a lot more moving parts, it is even more important to keep your gun protected from the elements.

How is Cerakote Applied?

Cerakote is applied in a very skilled way because a small amount of thickness change in a gun can cause it to not function right. The first thing is the gun is completely disassembled, not just field-stripped. It is then degreased and blasted with garnet sand to remove any oils. After the coating is put on in a smooth and even way using an HVLP spray gun. Lastly the metal parts are cured at 250 degrees and the plastic and polymer parts are cured at 150-180 degrees.

Benefits of Cerakote?

So now that you know what Cerakote is and how it is applied, what are the benefits to it? Well like has been mentioned guns have a lot of moving parts now a days, and any wear on these parts can cause the gun to stop functioning correctly. A lot of things can cause wear to a gun from normal use to mishandling.

Normal wear occurs because you have oils on your hands that can eat into the metal parts over time. Also, the slide part of the gun is moving back and forth which causes friction. If your gun does not have a slide but is instead a hammer, the hammer hitting still causes wear. The bullet also coming out of the chamber causes wear over time to the inside of the barrel. Also, the small explosion on the inside each time to propel the bullet out causes wear.

Some of these wear causing things can be slowed down with proper care. If you clean your gun and oil it regularly, then it reduces the effects of the friction. Also, some of the smaller parts can be replaced easily and this will help your gun last longer, but some mishandling things or accidents can't be prevented or protected against in other ways.

Carrying the gun can lead to it getting scratches and things just from it bumping into things. These cosmetic issues don't really affect the function, but if you are spending a lot on a gun you probably want it to stay looking good for as long as possible as well. Also, a drop could cause cosmetic damage and functioning damage, but if you have a coating on the gun these damages can be reduced.

Cerakote puts a layer on the outside of the gun that is hard and protective. The ceramic in the Cerakote keeps the gun from getting scratched if it bumps into different things or gets dropped. The thin layer also protects the moving parts from wear. This keeps the gun in the proper specifications for longer so you don't have to replace parts and it keeps functioning correctly. Lastly it protects the gun from the elements, such as water, so the metal does not rust or pit.

The other benefits are that Cerakota comes in over a hundred colors. This means you can get your gun to look however you want. You can even have different parts of the gun be different colors, so the possibilities are endless. Some might think that customizing the color is just for aesthetics, but doesn't add any real benefits. While this is mostly true, it isn't completely true. If you are wanting to hide your gun, then you can get it in a color that is more easily concealed. That is one reason why getting a custom color can add more benefits than just making you happy.

Should you get Cerakote?

So you still may be wondering should you do it to your firearm.

My answer would be yes.

It is an added cost, but it will keep your gun functioning correctly for a lot longer. The added protection for your gun and then the fact you can make your gun your own, out weights any cost. The technique used now makes it so getting Cerakote on your gun will not do any harm to it.

You should have the best handgun safe to protect your Cerakote pistol.

Conclusion

Cerakote adds a lot of benefits to your gun at no risk besides the cost of having it down. While there are a few other options on the market, Cerakote is the tested method that a lot of people love. If you are looking for a way to protect your firearm, or to make the gun your own, then Cerakote is a great option for you.

Carbine vs Mid Length Gas System: Which One You Should Choose

If you are building an AR-15 or changing out some parts on one you already have, I’m sure you’ve run into this dilemma before. Is a carbine or mid length gas system better for my AR?

In this article, we will go over some of the key facts of the gas system, and make some very simple recommendations about which gas system is better for you.

Carbine or Mid Length Gas System

Gas System Basics

The gas system of an AR-15 is what allows the weapon to cycle. Once you fire the weapon, gas is generated by the chemical reactions of the propellant of the cartridge. This gas pushes the projectile forward, but also work to cycle the bolt.

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It is actually pretty simple how this is accomplished. The gas system has a small hole to vent gasses that is near the front sight post of the weapon. The vent hole is connected to a gas tube, that goes back into the receiver.

Once the bullet passes the vent hole, the gas will enter this hole and flow through the gas tube until the bullet exits the barrel. Once the gas moves back into the receiver, it provides the power for the bolt carrier group to chamber the next round.

However, after the bullet exits the barrel, the gas won’t all vent through the small vent hole anymore. Most of it will vent through the end of the barrel.

As you can imagine, this all happens pretty fast.

What's the different between Carbine vs Mid Length Gas System

Carbine length gas systems are shorter than mid length gas systems. What this means is that the vent hole is closer to the receiver on a carbine length gas system. In turn, that means that the vent hole is further from the end of the barrel.

So…. What Does That Mean?

The length of the gas system affects the cycling of the weapon. If the bullet is past the vent hole but in the barrel for a longer amount of time, more gas will enter the vent hole. So, if the vent hole is closer to the barrel, less gas will enter the gas tube.

In a carbine length gas system, there is a greater distance between the end of the barrel and the vent hole. This means that more gas will enter the gas tube when compared to a mid length gas system.

Recommendations

On a standard 16 inch or an 18 inch barrel, we recommend a mid length gas system.

The reason for this is that a carbine length gas system will allow more gas to enter the tube, which will increase recoil, and will cause additional wear on the internals of your weapon.

On a 14.5 inch or shorter barrel, we recommend a carbine length gas system. With this shorter barrel, there is less space between the vent hole and the end of the barrel, so the correct amount of gas will enter the gas tube.

If you are using a 20 inch barrel, a rifle length gas system should be used.

What Calibers Can You Build an AR-15?

The AR-15 is an extremely popular weapon, for a variety of reasons. Due to the number of internal parts and external accessories available, it is a very common weapon for people to build.

Many people like to build their own AR-15s because it allows them to fine-tune exactly what the weapon can do for them. It also gives you a better appreciate for the weapon as a whole, while allowing you to customize nearly every aspect of it.

No matter what the part is, there’s bound to be hundreds of different manufacturers making one. With this wide assortment for each individual part, it’s easy to see how customizable the AR-15 platform can be.

But, before looking into building your own AR-15, one very important decision must be made. What caliber do you want the weapon to shoot?

Now, this is a simple question with a plethora of answers. For brevity’s sake, I will keep this list to some of the most common builds. I will also focus on calibers that can be built on the traditional AR-15 lower.

Background Info

The biggest limiting factor in the caliber is the size of the magazines and magazine well. As you will see, there are some extremely large caliber bullets that have been fit into short casings. These rounds were designed specifically for AR-15s.

However, some of the classic larger caliber cartridges, such as .308 Winchester and .338 Lapua, are longer cartridges that won’t fit into the magazine well of a standard AR-15 lower.

Common Calibers

If you do a little research, there are a few common calibers that you can build an AR-15 in. Some of these are: .223/5.56x45mm, .300 Blackout, 6.5 Grendel, .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf, 6.8 Remington, and .22LR. While there are countless more options, these are just some of the most common. We will briefly go over each one, and make a few recommendations.

.223/5.56x45mm NATO

2235.56x45mm NATO

This is the classic. A “normal” AR-15 fires .223. It is a fun to shoot round that is easy to find. There are many different ammunition options available to you.

We recommend this caliber for general shooting, varmint hunting, and potentially competitive shooting. With the proper gun, this could be decent at longer ranges.

Due to the cheap prices available, it is also a good round for plinking.

.300 Blackout

This is one of the most popular options out there. It is a .308 bullet in a necked down case. As you can imagine, this provides excellent terminal performance, but will die off at distances greater than 300 yards.

We recommend this one for home defense and medium game hunting. This would definitely be suitable for deer hunting.

6.5 Grendel

6.5 Grendel is somewhat of a jack of all trades. It was designed to be an improvement over the traditional 5.56x45mm cartridge, in terms of ballistics and effective range.

The bullets are larger and heavier than 5.56x45mm NATO, but they are fired slightly slower. Due to the added size and weight, these rounds will perform better in a target. 6.5 Grendel also offers a greater effective range than 5.56x45mm NATO, and can be shot out to around 1000 yards.

We recommend this caliber for long range shooting, competition shooting, and potentially some hunting. While there are better options for deer hunting, this caliber would be acceptable in the eyes of most.

.458 SOCOM/.50 Beowulf

These two calibers are lumped together because they are so similar. They are both extremely large bullets that are in a specialized cartridge that will fit a standard AR-15 lower.

The .458 SOCOM came first, after demands from the special ops community for a round that had more stopping power than the traditional 5.56x45mm. The projectiles of both of these cartridges are absolutely massive.

For home defense, these rounds can’t be beat. However, keep in mind that the range of these calibers is severely limited due to the weight of the bullets. Similarly, they are popular rounds for big game hunting at close range. Simply put, whatever you hit with one of these rounds will go down.

6.8 Remington

6.8 Remington is similar to 6.5 Grendel in that it was designed to be an improvement over 5.56x45mm NATO. The projectiles are larger, but are fired slightly slower than the 6.5 Grendel projectiles.

The projectile is actually from a .270 Winchester cartridge. Most hunters know that this round is extremely popular in the deer hunting community. For this reason, this round is another option for deer hunting. We prefer .300 Blackout, but 6.8 Remington will also work. The range of this round is slightly greater than that of .300 Blackout.

7.62x39mm

As backwards as it seems, you can build an AR-15 in an AK-47 caliber. However, there are a few reasons that we recommend not doing this.

First, 7.62x39mm is generally considered inaccurate. Part of this comes with being shot from an AK-47, but it also comes from the round being less accurate than some of its competition.

Second, due to low gas pressure, a traditional AR-15 may have trouble chambering a 7.62x39mm round repeatedly. We would avoid that.

The size of the bullet is great for terminal performance, but it is also very similar to .300 Blackout. While 7.62x39mm is a viable option, .300 Blackout can outperform it in almost every aspect.

The one plus side that 7.62x39mm does have is that the ammunition is cheap.

.22LR

Many people know that .223, or the classic AR-15, is actually very similar in size to a .22LR projectile. There are plenty of conversion kits out there that will allow you to shoot .22LR from an otherwise stock AR-15.

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Pistol Cartridges

Similarly, there are conversion kits out there to allow your AR-15 to shoot pistol cartridges. These are nifty, but in our opinion, they lack much of a purpose. For general rifle shooting, there are far better options out there.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are quite a few options out there. Keep in mind that this is just the beginning, and there are even more calibers available to you!

While it can seem like a difficult decision to make, keeping in mind what the weapon is for will help to make the decision.

How to Determine a Shotgun Effective Range

Finding out your shotgun effective range can be important for a variety of reasons. No matter if the shotgun is being used for hunting or defense, it helps to know how far you can be from the target to have the result of putting the target down.

This is especially important when it comes to protection but you don't want that deer walking away either.

Their are a few factors that go into a shotguns effective range, and if you continue reading, you will find out what those are so you can figure out the effective range for your gun.

Things that Effect Range

Their are three main things that effect the effective range of your shotgun.

The first is the gun itself and the ammunition used
the second is the mental state of the target
And the third is your skill with the gun

Two of the three can be changed by you, so you can increase your effective range if needed, or create a set up that has a farther effective range. The mental state of the target can not be changed by you however.

You may be wondering how the mental state of the target effects the effectiveness.

You were probably thinking only the gun and ammo mattered, but that isn't the case.

If the target is angry or has an adrenaline high, then you will have to do more damage to it to bring it down.

This means having more of your ammo hit it. The situation is even worse if it is a home invader who may be on drugs.

Enviroment is one of factor impact weapon range

What affects how much ammo hits the target though?

Well, that is where the type of shotgun and ammo comes into effect.

Bird shoot for example shoots out a lot of small pellets and because they are small means they spread more.

Buck shoot on the other hand doesn't spread as much and has larger rounds so you need fewer to hit the target.

Lastly a slug spreads even less, but because of this you need better aim to hit the right spot.

Having a chock on your shotgun can effect the spread though, and that is why it is not just the ammo that effects the effective range of a shotgun. A chock forces the load into a smaller compact area before leaving the gun. This means that the ammo doesn't have room to spread as far.

The last factor is your skill.

If you are a better aim or have a good sight, then you might be able to squeeze in a few more feet for your effective range.

Practicing with your gun and knowing how it handles is a good way to increase your skill.

A good rule of thumb though is most shots spread about one inch per foot back, so if you need a grouping that is thirty inches to hit the vital area of a person, then you should be at most thirty feet back.

This is just a basic rule though, and practicing with your gun can help you figure out how much spread your grouping has.

Best Set Up For Your Shotgun

Finding the best set up to increase range is hard.

Skill is a big part of it and practicing is the only way to importer that. Some other things you can do though is choose an ammo that doesn't spread as much.

Most peoples go to is 00 Buck Shot. This has a good spread pattern and has large enough rounds to do lethal damage. Their are some advantages to bird shoot though for home defense.

At close range it has enough little pellets to do a lot of damage. However, these little pallets have a hard time making it through doors and walls, so others will not get hurt.

The next thing is pick a shotgun that fits you.

You need to consider the compactness of it and also consider the type of chock it has.

If you are going to be hunting birds, then you want spread, but for larger things you might want the barrel to be reduced by a chock.

The best thing is to consider the primary purpose of the shotgun when you go to buy it. For home defense you will want a different gun than for bird hunting.

Their are a lot of reliable options on the market, and you can find one that meets your needs and gives you satisfactory results at the range you want.

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Conclusion

Now you know that there are a few factors that goes into a shotguns range and they don't just start and end with the gun and ammo.

While the ammunition of choice and the chock and sights of the gun play an effect. The mental state of the target and your skill are also factors.

Effective range of a shotgun can vary from person to person and target to target. The key thing is that you have enough ammo hitting the target at vital points.

The spread of the ammo combined with your distance determines this and with practice you can learn the effective range of your shotgun.

Can I Buy Ammo Online and Where to Buy It?

In the modern age, almost all shopping is done online. Even grocery shopping can be done completely online now. So, with these technological innovations and changes, how does the firearms community change with it?

Wondering if you are able to buy ammunition online? Let’s take a look at some of the laws to keep in mind.

Short Answer

The short answer is yes, you can buy ammunition online. However, as with almost anything in the firearms industry, there are some stipulations.

It Depends on Your State Laws

In some areas, ammunition can’t be shipped in. A few examples are New York City and Washington D.C.

In other areas, you can’t get it shipped to your house. Similar to purchasing a firearm, ammunition can only be shipped to a federal firearms license holder in these areas. Some of these are Massachusetts, New York, Chicago, and most of California.

Lastly, in Illinois and Connecticut, you have to have paperwork on file in order to be eligible to buy ammunition online. Some of this paperwork could be permits or IDs.

The biggest takeaway is to make sure you know the laws in your area. Generally speaking, you can find them with a quick Internet search. However, there are also some websites that have compiled multiple states’ laws into one location. One example is this page on Able’s Shooting.

However, keep in mind that laws can change. Always double check your own state laws before relying solely on that website or others like it.

Other Restrictions

There are a few other considerations that apply when buying ammunition online. For example, most websites have to charge extra for shipping due to the fact that they are shipping a hazardous material. Federal hazard classification is required, so it costs more money.

It is also common that weapons and ammunition must be purchased separately online.

Many different websites will not ship to Alaska and Hawaii, so be sure to keep that in mind if you are in those areas.

Should I Buy Ammo Online or In Person?

There are a couple differences between buying ammo online and buying it at the store. The primary ones will be the price and the fact that you can’t actually see the ammunition

While it is not set in stone, there is a good chance you can get a better price online. However, keep in mind that you will have to pay for shipping. Also, some stores will do price matching, so you may be able to get the price in the store down.

For some people, not being able to physically see the ammunition may be a little difficult. Especially if you are newer to firearms, physically seeing the ammunition may make you a little more comfortable that you are getting exactly what you need.

When buying online, there won’t be a store representative there to answer your questions. However, many websites will have frequently asked question pages or online representatives to assist you.

When you buy ammo online, you will not be able to return it. Similarly, nearly every store will not accept returns on ammunition for safety reasons, so there’s not much difference there.

Where Can I Buy Ammunition Online?

There are hundreds of different places online that you can buy ammunition. Brownells, Lucky Gunner, and Cheaper Than Dirt are always popular options, but there are more than a few.

Brownells has the largest supply of many different types of weapons and ammunition, but they can sometimes be beat in price by Cheaper Than Dirt. With these two websites, you really can’t go wrong.

For reloading, I have found that Brownells has a wider variety of products. MidwayUSA also has a great selection of reloading supplies.

Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops also sell ammunition, but they usually sell at the exact same price as in the store, so there wouldn’t be much incentive to buying online, unless you live in an area where you can’t easily get to an outdoors store.

How to Choose the First Rifle for Beginner (For Your Purpose)

Just getting into weapons? Looking for your first rifle? Trust us, we understand the feeling! Everyone has to start somewhere.

This guide will provide a few key factors to keep in mind, which will hopefully help in your decision making.

Let’s get started!

The Basics of Choosing a Rifle for Beginner Shooting

Before getting into anything, we are going to assume that you have a general understanding of firearms safety, and are familiar with the process of purchasing a firearm.

There are a few basic terminologies to understand before getting any further.

Action. Action refers to the way in which the rifle ejects the empty shell after firing, chambers the next round, and fires that next round. A few examples are: semiautomatic, fully automatic, bolt action, lever action, and pump action.

Semiautomatic weapons use gas blowback. In a semiautomatic weapon, each trigger pull fires one round
Fully automatic weapons won’t be covered much. They require even further background checks and paperwork
Bolt action rifles require the user to manually move the bolt back to eject the shell and chamber the next round. Generally speaking, they have some type of handle that the user grabs onto to move the bolt back and then ride it forward. When you think of a sniper in the movies, those are probably bolt action
Lever action rifles are an older technology. They are used commonly for hunting, as they offer the ability to fire a larger projectile out of a smaller framed weapon. It is similar to a bolt action rifle, but instead of a handle on the bolt, it is a lever underneath the trigger guard
Pump action rifles are extremely uncommon. Rather than a lever, they use a pump, similar to a shotgun

Magazine. The magazine is a device that holds ammo. It is usually spring loaded to assist in feeding the next round into the chamber. The magazine capacity is how many rounds the magazine can hold.

Caliber. Caliber refers to the size of the bullet that the weapon fires.

What Are You Going to Use the Rifle For?

This has to be the first question that crosses your mind when you start shopping for a rifle. What are you going to use it for?

Generally speaking, a hunting rifle is going to be much different than a plinking rifle. Identifying your use for the rifle will help to pick which factors are important to you.

Hunting

Hunting rifles need to be durable, reliable, and reasonably accurate.

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Durability and reliability are extremely important. As you are hunting, there is a chance it will be exposed to the elements.

Identifying what you are going to be hunting for will help to pick the caliber. Do your research, there is plenty of information out there on the best caliber for different animals.

When looking for ammunition, there is a plethora of hunting-specific ammunition. There are some great options, and you really can’t go wrong with Federal Power-Shok, Remington Core-Lokt, or Winchester Deer Season, although these are just a few recommendations.

Generally speaking, jacketed hollow point ammunition will expand on impact and cause a lot of damage, which helps to bring down the target. However, when using a larger bullet, such as .308, this becomes less important.

As far as action is concerned, hunting rifles are commonly bolt action and lever action, as they are more reliable. However, semiautomatic rifles are becoming more and more popular.

For some types of hunting, such as hog and coyote hunting, semiautomatic may even be preferred. Pick the best AR-15 scope for deer hunting will be good for you.

Precision/Accuracy Shooting

Precision rifles need to be extremely accurate, obviously.

These competition grade weapons are usually pretty expensive, and are commonly bolt action as well, as they are slightly more accurate than their counterparts. However, more and more precision rifles are semiautomatic.

As far as caliber is concerned, it really depends on your range.

If you are planning to do some accuracy shooting at longer distances, 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag, and .338 Lapua are all excellent choices. For closer ranges (think 400 yards and closer), 5.56x45mm NATO (used in AR-15s) is popular because of the number of aftermarket parts and accessories available.

When it comes to ammunition choices, there are plenty of options available specifically for accurate shooting. Lapua ammunition is notoriously accurate, as are Hornady Superformance and Federal MatchKing.

Defense

Home defense rifles need to be reliable.

When you pull that trigger, you need to be sure that you are going to be firing at the threat, whatever that may be.

What Is The Correct Way To Shoulder A Shotgun

Semiautomatic is generally preferential, as you would be able to shoot faster at a potential threat.

As far as calibers are concerned, 5.56x45mm NATO is a popular choice (AR-15), but some prefer larger calibers, such as .308 Winchester.

The caliber is slightly less important than the ammunition chosen. High quality defense ammo, such as jacketed hollow point ammunition, is very important, as it will do the most damage on impact.

As wrong as it sounds, if the ammunition is good for bringing down large game, it will also be good for bringing down a potential intruder. You should keep rifle in best gun safe for the money to make it work stability.

Plinking

Plinking rifles generally just need to be inexpensive and reliable.

They don’t need to be too fancy or durable, as it is a just for fun gun. While not always true, the caliber is usually not that big of a deal for a rifle that is only for fun.

However, some people very strongly about having fancy, semiautomatic, large caliber weapons for plinking. My personal view is that I just need something basic, as I’m only practicing my skills for when I bring out my “real” guns – my competition shooting weapons and hunting rifles.

I practice with a bolt action .22LR that cost less than $300.

Recommendations

If you are looking for a home defense weapon, I really don’t think you can go wrong with an AR-15 or AR-10. With the number of aftermarket parts and accessories, you will be able to accomplish almost any type of shooting with this weapon.

For plinking, I recommend something simple, like I mentioned before. However, if you are just getting into weapons, I would recommend an AR-15. This is an easy recommendation to make, due to how ridiculously popular the weapon has become. They perform well and will let you meet many needs.

For precision shooting, I would look into anything made by Weatherby, Tikka precision rifles, and Howa precision rifles.

For hunting, it really just depends. However, the Ruger American is a basic bolt action weapon that is durable, reliable, inexpensive, and is available in just about every caliber imaginable. There are better options, but for the price, this is a great weapon.

There are hundreds of different factors to consider when buying your first rifle. This guide has hopefully given you a general concept of what to consider.

Making Sense of Rifle Scope Reticles Types: Which is Right for You?

To the beginner, rifle reticles can be a bit overwhelming. wondering how to make sense of rifle scope reticles? In this article, we will go over some of the basics to give you an understanding about scopes in general.

There is a lot of terminology used that can be quite confusing, and the different types of reticles and scopes can be confusing as well.

Basic reticle scope

Wondering how to make sense of rifle scope reticles? In this article, we will go over some of the basics to give you an understanding about scopes in general.

The Basic Types of Reticles

For starters, a reticle is the aiming point of a scope. In simpler terms, it’s the “crosshairs” if you will. It is the internal part of the scope that you use to aim where you want to shoot.

The crosshair reticle is exactly what it sounds like. It has thin lines that meet in the center. That center is what you use as your aiming point.

However, there are crosshair style reticles that have thicker lines. Some of these are called duplex reticles and German numbered reticles.

Scope Reticles Type

1. What is a BDC Reticle?

A BDC reticle is generally a modified crosshair or duplex style reticle. BDC stands for bullet drop compensating.

Basically, it is a reticle that has some type of markings below the center of the crosshairs that you can use to anticipate bullet drop over an extended range.

A BDC reticle is generally a crosshair or duplex style reticle that has some dots or markings below the center.

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2. The Mildot Reticle

Another modified crosshair or duplex style reticle is the mildot reticle.

A mildot reticle is a reticle that uses tiny milradian dots on both axes of the crosshairs as a measurement.

A mildot reticle allows you to find the approximate distance your target is at. The math behind it can be pretty confusing, but that’s what it boils down to.

3. A Dot Reticle

A dot reticle is something you might find in a tactical style “red dot sight.” It uses one dot in the scope as the aiming point.

Generally speaking, they are illuminated.

4. The Illuminated Reticle

Illuminated reticle refers to a reticle that has some type of light.

Whether it’s a battery-operated dot or a fiber optic scope, it is some type of illumination that will allow you to see better at night.

However, certain colors also help to see during the day.

Keep in mind that many of these reticles can overlap one another. For example, there could be an illuminated duplex BDC reticle, which would combine a few of these basic categories.

When Should I Use Each Type of Reticle?

That may have been a lot to take in. I’m sure you’re wondering in which shooting situations each reticle type would be best.

For any kind of precision shooting, you really want a thin crosshair style reticle.

The thin crosshair is paramount because the smaller the reticle is, the less amount of target surface area that is covered by the reticle.

When you are attempting any type of shooting that requires extreme accuracy, you want to be able to see as much of the target as possible.

What type of Reticle For hunting:

Duplex style reticles are very popular.

The reason behind this is that the wider legs of the crosshair allow the hunter to easily acquire a target and get his reticle centered on target faster.

For Long Range Hunting

BDC reticles are popular for long range hunting. However, dependent on the type of hunting, a thin crosshair may also be good for long range hunting. For any type of long range shooting, BDC reticles are a decent option.

For Snipner Shooting or Tatical Use

For any kind of sniper shooting or tactical use, mildot reticles are popular. However, for the common person, the math and adjustments that go into a mildot reticle can be a little confusing, and are probably a little overkill.

Obviously any kind of shooting or hunting at night would make an illuminated reticle very important. However, it is worth mentioning that a low quality illuminated reticle will be way too bright, making it difficult to acquire your target.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are quite a few different kinds of reticles, each of which comes with their own pros and cons.

There are quite a few factors to consider, but hopefully this basic overview has cleared up some of the confusion with the different types of reticles.

Essentially, when you need extremely accurate shots, a thin crosshair is in your best interest.

For hunting, a wider duplex reticle will make it easier and faster to acquire your targets.

At long distances, a BDC or mildot reticle can help to adjust your shots.

When shooting at night, an illuminated reticle would be extremely helpful.

Other than that, there are many different combinations of reticles available, so you should be able to fill more than one need with a single scope. Dot sights are becoming more and more popular, for all different kinds of shooting.

Keeping these basics in mind will help to clear up some of the confusion.

Should I Go Deer Hunting With an AR-15?

The AR-15 is the rifle of the modern day. It is an extremely popular sporting rifle for quite a few reasons. But you may be wondering, "Should I go deer hunting with an AR-15?"

For starters, it is easy to operate and maintain. They are relatively inexpensive, and there are literally thousands of aftermarket parts available.

Due to all this popularity, it is becoming more and more popular as a hunting weapon.

Many people are using AR-15s for coyote hunting, hog hunting, and other varmint hunting. More and more people are starting to use AR-15s for deer hunting.

Are you wondering whether or not you should deer hunt with an AR-15? Let’s take a look at some of the facts.

Caliber of AR-15

Assuming we are talking about a true AR-15, they shoot 5.56 or .223.

However, AR-frame weapons are available in many calibers, both larger and smaller.

For deer hunting, 5.56 is a little on the small side.

So obviously, a larger caliber AR-frame weapon would be a slightly better choice for deer hunting.

ARs are available in 6.5 Creedmoor, .50 Beowulf, .458 SOCOM, and .300 Blackout, to name a few. These larger calibers would generally be better than 5.56 for deer hunting.

Given how easy it is to customize an AR-15, it would be pretty easy to buy a new upper in a different caliber, and slap it on any AR-15 lower receiver.

However, the point of this article was about using a true AR-15 for deer hunting, so we will focus on 5.56.

Ammunition

Using modern ammunition, 5.56/.223 can be a viable hunting cartridge. Most old-timers will be really reluctant to say that. Based on ammunition of old, most people wouldn’t go smaller than .243, which was still considered small.

However, with modern bonded ammo, available in both 5.56 and .223, these rounds are deadly enough for smaller deer.

A few examples are Federal Fusion in .223, Winchester Power Max in .223, Reaper ammo in 5.56, and Nosler Defense ammo in .223.

All of these are heavier, bonded bullets. For those that are unfamiliar, bonded bullets work by keeping the bullet together. Bonding the projectile together prevents it from separating. As a result, the bullet gets deeper penetration, which translates into damaging more tissue.

Weapon

If you are deer hunting with an AR-15, there are a few key aftermarket parts you should have.

If you are building an AR, or have multiple uppers for your weapon, a longer barrel would be preferential for hunting. The longer barrel can help to increase range and accuracy.

A quality scope is extremely important, as with most types of hunting. You are going to want a durable scope that is preferably waterproof and shockproof, to withstand the damage that can come along with hunting. Best ar15 scope for deer hunting is great way to know which is the best

Sightmark Ultra Shot Reflex Sight-2

Other than that, the standard AR-15 parts will suffice. The standard trigger, collapsible stock, and handguards will likely serve you fine. However, you may wish to change things over time.

Other Considerations

Some states have magazine capacity limitations for hunting rifles. Make sure to look up your local state laws before using a standard 30-round AR-15 magazine.

Additionally, some states have a minimum caliber for game hunting. If your state has this, hunting with an AR-15 may be out of the question, due to the caliber.

Make sure you know your local laws before going hunting!

As I mentioned before, .223/5.56 is an acceptable cartridge for smaller deer. If you live in an area with large deer, such as Wisconsin, Iowa, or Nebraska, you really need a larger caliber weapon. In the more southern states, .223 will work just fine.

Conclusion

So, long story short, yes. You should go deer hunting with your AR-15, as long as it is legal where you live, you are using the correct ammunition, and you aren’t hunting large deer.

As a weapon system, the AR-15 performs extremely well. Due to its customizability, ease of use, and popularity, it is an awesome choice for deer hunting, as long as the correct criteria are met.

Can I Carry A Gun In My Car? The Laws You Need To Know!

Wondering whether or not you are able to carry a gun in your car? Be sure to read below for any important information.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one singular answer for this question. In the United States, gun laws more or less vary from state to state. Similarly, laws involving carrying a weapon in your car also vary between states.

It is extremely important to remind you to check the laws for your state.

Between the time this article was written and the time that you read it, it is entirely possible that the laws have changed.

Be sure to keep up on your state’s gun laws before inadvertently breaking the law!

So how do you check your state's law? Check this link: Gun Laws By State

Four Key Factors To Care

Generally speaking, there are four key factors that go into most states’ laws regarding guns in vehicles: concealed vs open and loaded vs unloaded.

The primary reason for this is that there is a huge difference between carrying a gun in your vehicle for hunting and carrying one for self defense.

Another reason to check your state’s specific laws is that each state defines concealed differently. In some states, anything within arm’s reach is considered concealed. Other states may define concealed differently.

Additionally, some states require that the gun be broken down or stored in its own compartment. In some states, this compartment must be locked, while in others, it doesn’t have to be.

Some States Don’t Require a Concealed Carry License

In some states, you don’t need a concealed carry permit to carry a weapon in your car, whether it is concealed or open, loaded or unloaded.

While this is not an all inclusive list, some of these states are: Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Kansas, and Texas.

Some States Do Require a Concealed Carry License… And More

Many states allow for legal concealed carrying of a weapon in a vehicle as long as you have a concealed carry permit. However, some states require even further permitting in order to legally carry your gun in your car.

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Conclusion

Unfortunately, there isn’t one simple answer to this question. As is often the case with gun laws, they are extremely different from state to state. This makes it hard to provide one answer.

Your best bet is going to be checking your state’s laws. At the end of the day, each state defines concealed slightly differently, especially when it comes to inside a vehicle. States may also have different requirements for storage, or may define loaded differently.

In state allow you carry a gun, you should have best gun safe for the money to make sure it will be keep safe.

Checking your specific state’s laws will give you a clear understanding of what you can and cannot do. Besides, no matter what you read on the internet, you are the one that is ultimately responsible for making sure you are operating within your state’s legal bounds.

How To Choose The Right Shotgun For You – Shotgun Buying Guide

With the number of shotguns available, it can be difficult to choose the right shotgun for you.

In this article, we will go over the key factors to keep in mind when choosing a shotgun, and we will make some recommendations for which shotguns will meet which needs best.

What Gauge you should choose for your shotgun

When someone talks about the gauge of a shotgun, they are talking about the diameter of the barrel. In turn, this also means that they are talking about the size of the shell that the shotgun can shoot. 12 gauge and 20 gauge are the most popular, but there are actually quite a few different gauges available.

Here’s a list of the most common shotgun gauges, from smallest to largest:

410 bore – one of the smallest shotgun shells ever made. It is often used for small game and defense purposes. There are revolvers available that are able to shoot this shotgun shell, and they are popular for defense purposes
28 gauge – this is a small shotgun shell. The weapons are lightweight, and are commonly used for pheasant hunting or any other type of upland bird hunting
20 gauge – second most common in the United States. It is popular for hunting and target shooting alike due to its light weight and the fact that it has less recoil than 12 gauge. As far as hunting purposes, 20 gauge can be used for most bird hunting
16 gauge – not all that common. It is somewhat of a jack of all trades, but there are not many 16 gauge shotguns around anymore
12 gauge – by far the most common. They are on the heavy side, but recent technology has improved this. 12 gauge is excellent for waterfowl, turkey, and any other number of animals. It is also popular for home defense
10 gauge – another shell you don’t see much. It used to be very popular for waterfowl, but it is very heavy, and recent improvements to 12 gauge weapons have decreased the popularity

There are other shotgun shells that exist, but are extremely uncommon. Often, these shotguns will require custom ammunition.

Action

When it comes to shotgun actions, it essentially boils down to pump action, semiautomatic, and double-barreled shotguns.

Pum action shotgun: Pump action shotguns are the most common. They are inexpensive, reliable, and easy to use. A pump shotgun will excel in almost any use.

Semiautomatic shotgun: It don’t have a pump. They function using gas blowback, meaning that all you have to do is pull the trigger. They allow for much faster shooting, but are more expensive, and their reliability is questionable.

Double-barreled shotgun: whether over under or side by side, are breech loaded weapons. They are extremely reliable, but can also get expensive. Due to the fact that you only get two shots, these are popular weapons for shooting skeet.

Other Factors when buying a Shotgun

Barrel length.

Longer barrels will be better for shooting skeet, while shorter barrels are very popular for home defense and tactical applications.

Generally speaking, hunting shotguns have a barrel in the neighborhood of 26 to 28 inches long.

Rifled barrel.

Some folks will buy a shotgun for deer hunting, as they are unable to shoot rifles in their area.

If you’re buying a shotgun with the sole purpose of shooting slugs, it would be in your best interest to buy a shotgun with a rifled barrel.

Fit with you

Due to the size, weight, and recoil of a shotgun, it becomes very important to have a shotgun that fits you well.

Make sure that the stock is comfortable, and you are able to easily sweep the barrel.

Which Shotgun Is Right For you

For home defense, we recommend a pump action 12 gauge with a shorter barrel.

For waterfowl hunting, a 12 gauge is an excellent option. Both pump action and semiautomatic will perform well, but semiautomatic will allow for faster shots, which may be helpful.

For upland bird hunting, we recommend a 28 gauge. It is extremely lightweight and fast to shoot. However, many other gauges will work well for this use. 20 gauge is another great choice. As far as action, any will work.

For deer hunting, we recommend a pump action 20 gauge or 12 gauge with a rifled barrel will perform well. This is good shotgun for deer hunting, you should choose the best shotgun scope to have best target.

For skeet and trap shooting, 12 gauge is extremely popular. A 12 gauge double-barreled shotgun with a longer barrel will perform exceptionally well.

For general shooting, a pump action 20 gauge is a great choice. It is lighter and kicks less than 12 gauge, making it more enjoyable to shoot.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has taken some of the guesswork out of buying a shotgun for you.

There are a few factors to consider, but having this knowledge and comparing it to your desired use will make it easy to select a shotgun.