Only accurate rifles are interesting
Townsend Whelen
The primary emphasis of The Everyday Marksman is on your personal skill and capabilities, but I’m not blind to the importance of good and reliable equipment for your success. The articles here cover selecting, configuring, and using your gear.
You can’t escape the work, though.
The thing I want to you remember is that your equipment only has to be good enough to be reliable. After that, it’s all about what you are capable of achieving with it. Don’t fall into the trap, as I did, of looking for mechanical solutions to software problems.
/// Equipment Archive
Meopta Optika6 5-30×56: Raw Truth Review
February 25, 2020 5 Comments
I recently got the chance to handle the Meopta Optika6 5-30x56 MRAD FFP. This optic has many features desirable to precision rifle shooting and competition. In this review, I cover the main bits you should know as well as my recommendation.
CZ P07 Review: The DA/SA Glock Replacement?
February 18, 2020 43 Comments
After a year of use, including range time and carry, I thought it's time to review my almost daily companion, the CZ P07 pistol. If you're in the market for a DA/SA polymer 9mm, then it's definitely worth considering. But know what you're getting yourself into first. Let's talk.
Real-World Review: Esstac KYWI Pouch & Shooter’s Belt
February 11, 2020 9 Comments
Way back in 2011, I found myself interested in action pistol events like USPSA. I jumped in with both feet shooting matches at my local club in New Jersey where I was as a green a competitive shooter as you could find. That led me down a long journey and several belt configurations. Let's talk about what's been working for me lately.
Rifle Weight vs Balance: Why it Matters
January 21, 2020 17 Comments
Rifle weight is one of those things that always seems to be shifting, and that has a huge effect on balance. A lot of people put too much emphasis on the former, but forget the latter.
How to Measure Precision: Or, Why Three-Shot Groups are Terrible
January 14, 2020 2 Comments
One of my current goals is getting more involved in precision shooting and competition. It shouldn’t be a surprise that precision has been on my mind a lot lately. As I’ve been doing more and more reading and research, I’ve come across a few interesting ways of thinking about things that I want to share with you.
The Truth About AR-15 Marketing
January 9, 2020 6 Comments
Today’s episode is about the tactics of AR-15 marketing in particular, but what I’m saying applies just as much to all firearms and tactical marketing in general. The simple truth, albeit a harsh one, is that you are best served by ignoring the ads and influencers out there.
Savotta Jääkäri S – The Raw Truth Review
January 7, 2020 6 Comments
I've been using a Savotta Jaakari S daypack as my go-to for shooting, outdoors, photography, and other tasks since the end of 2018. It's time I laid out my thoughts on this Finnish backpack and why I chose it.
Project Gungnir: My First Precision Bolt Gun
November 19, 2019 12 Comments
I've written a lot about the AR-15 platform and its uses, but there's a lot more than that to shooting. Allow me to introduce you to my precision rifle project, which I plan to use for long-range training and competition.
The Tactical Chest Rig: What You Need, and What You Don’t
November 12, 2019 46 Comments
Today we're talking about the chest rig. Whether it's standalone or a plate carrier, putting stuff on your torso has become the de-facto "cool guy" way to do things. So what do you need to know about doing it?
Tarred Bank Line: the Cordage You’re Not Using, But Probably Should
November 5, 2019 8 Comments
Let’s step away from firearms for a minute and talk about cordage. Just about everyone in the shooting world knows of, and probably uses, 550 paracord. In fact, we love to “paracord all the things” with bracelets, rifle slings, and more. The stuff is useful for a lot of reasons, and we’ll get to it. But bank line is another alternative that you really should try out.
The Tactical Belt: Minimalist Duty Loadout for Everyday People
October 22, 2019 21 Comments
Today we continue our discussion of load carriage options by talking about the tactical belt. You might also know it as a duty belt, and it's a great method for carrying gear when you do it right.
Choosing the Best Concealed Carry Belt for You
October 8, 2019 10 Comments
Today we’re continuing our discussion on load carriage. But now we’re moving towards the discreet end of the spectrum. I didn’t think all that much about my belt when I first received my CCW permit. It was all about the pistol and associated holster. But the truth is that a good concealed carry belt is part of a system that includes the pistol, holster, belt, and you.
How To Find the Ideal Twist Rate for Your Rifle
August 15, 2019 51 Comments
Let's talk about twist rates. Specifically, I want to dig into the purpose of rifling and how to determine the right twist rate for your rifle and cartridge.
Barrel Length, Trajectory, and Learning Your Zero
August 13, 2019 37 Comments
There's a lot of engineering voodoo that goes into making a rifle work well and fire accurately. The length of a rifle's barrel and how it affects the velocity of the bullet is one of those major factors.
The Complete Guide to Your Iron Sight Zero
August 6, 2019 29 Comments
Most articles walk you through the basic steps of getting your iron sights zeroed, but they lack an explanation of why you're doing the steps you're doing. Let's change that.
Go Shoot the Gun: A Defense of the Mighty .308
July 23, 2019 12 Comments
This post is a little more off-the-cuff than my usual, but it's something that's been weighing on my mind lately. Producing the new podcast is quite the learning experience. I don't say that just about the technical audio stuff, either, but the wisdom of the folks I'm talking to. To date, I've talked to four very experienced shooters across the tactical and competition realms. I've asked all of them about the caliber wars, and where things like .224 Valkyrie or 6.5 Creedmoor fit in. Though I keep waiting for the answer to change, it doesn't: shoot the .308.