There are so many places around the web that you can visit to become more informed about your chosen shooting sport or firearm. However, some resources stand head-and-shoulders above the rest. Here’s a quick break-down of great places to to do a bit of digging.
Cartridge research and long-range accuracy
Terminal Ballistics is not only the home of Matchgrade Bedding Compound, but is also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to… well… terminal ballistics. The study of terminal ballistics is the study of what a bullet does once it impacts the target.
Nathan Foster does a lot of wound research and load development to help shooters figure out which cartridges will suit their desired application. If you’re thinking of trying out a new calibre, this is a great place to start.
Terminal Ballistics also provides long-range shooting advice, both on the web, and in books and other media. If you’re interested in hunting or target-shooting at extended ranges, make sure to give these a go.
Community opinion
Sometimes what you really want to know, is what other users think of a product. Sites like The Gun Rack provide product reviews and other useful information, but if you’d like to get a variety of opinions or start a poll on a certain subject, a forum may be the best place to do that.
In New Zealand we have nzrimfire.com, fishnhunt.co.nz, nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz and many, many more. Often you’ll find that forum members are across multiple sites, and you’ll soon figure out who really knows their stuff.
Technical reviews
While I try and provide thorough reviews from a user’s point of view, sometimes what you want is a very technical investigation into a certain issue.
A website you can’t look past is precisionrifleblog.com. Full of comprehensive tests and healthily objective comparisons, this is a site that I could get lost on for hours (and sometimes have).
Services
Some of the services that rifle shooters need are just not advertised in the way makeup or used cars are. To find out where to get your stock repaired or get a barrel threaded, you probably shouldn’t rely on Google.
Theirs no better resource for this than your fellow shooters. Aside from checking out forums, or the other resources listed above, joining a hunting or shooting club is an invaluable way to make contacts in the community/industry, and find out where your local gunsmith or hunting spots might be hidden.
