For many years, I have been a huge fan of big-bore sixguns, in particular the 45 Colt; like many, this passion has led to progression. This led me straight to the 454 Casull, a cartridge that, in my mind, is one of the more practical big-bore magnum performance cartridges. This is largely thanks to the excellent and relatively compact guns that Freedom Arms makes chambered in the cartridge. When hunting, shooting, or carrying a handgun, I prefer mine to be in a holster and not a sling. This is where the Freedom Arms Model 83 chambered in 454 Casull truly shines. ...Read More >

The group had looked promis- ing through my Bushmaster Varminter’s SIG Sauer optic. The fifth shot changed that picture, opening the group to something past a minute of angle. The shot had seemed clean, and the wind was behaving itself, which is not often the case on our public range. I had just blown the shot; there was nothing else to blame. It certainly was not the propellant’s fault. Shooters World’s The Creed had outperformed my expectations dramatically against physical limitations I did not believe it could overcome. Low charge weights, weirdly inconsistent grain geometry, and temperature testing had not phased the powder. ...Read More >

Q: I recently tried one of your recommended 45-70 Government handloads for modern Marlin Model 1895 rifles but am having problems with it working in my Browning Model 1886 rifle. I am using the 400-grain Speer Jacketed FNSP bullet with 50.0 grains of Accurate A-2015 powder in Starline cases. I am full-length sizing cases; then after priming, charging with powder, and seating bullets, the roll-crimp is applied as a separate step per your suggestion. I am using RCBS dies. The overall cartridge length is 2.540 inches as outlined in the Speer Reloading Manual #14 for this bullet. ...Read More >

Once upon a time, at a shooting range not so very far away, a young fellow walked up to my bench during a break in the shooting. After looking at the half dozen World War I-era Smith & Wessons lying there, he asked, “Why are so many old guns still in existence?” Before I could answer, he said something I was totally unprepared for. In short, he didn’t understand why, with modern guns being stronger and more accurate, we didn’t melt down all the old stuff and buy new guns! Then he added that the salesman who sold him his new concealed carry gun had said a 9mm Luger served 98 percent of all handgun needs. ...Read More >