In the first article discussing the mechanisms by which a firearm locks its breech, we mentioned briefly two quantities that are important for small arms design: Pressure, and bolt thrust. The latter we’ll discuss in a later installment, but today we’ll [Read More…]
Previously in our introductory series on ballistics, we’ve discussed the concept of caliber, as well as ballistic coefficient and its close relative form factor. Today, we’re going to look at the concept of rifling, and how it relates to bullet stability. [Read More…]
In the second installment of Ballistics 101, we took a look at the concept of a “ballistic coefficient”, or a drag model based on an empirically tested projectile, against which other projectiles can be measured and compared. Mentioned in that post – [Read More…]
When a bullet flies through the air, forces called “drag” are exerted upon it. These forces slow down the bullet as it flies, but they don’t act the same way on every bullet. While the subject of aerodynamics is extremely complex, one way to account [Read More…]
“Caliber”. It can mean a lot of different things, but when we use it, what does it really mean, and what’s its significance? Title image: From left to right are the 7.65 Parabellum, 7.63 Mauser, .300 Blackout, 7.62×45 Czech, .30 Remington, 7.62 [Read More…]
There are a lot of new, first-time gun owners out there, and I thought I’d take a moment to make ballistics visualized to help new gun owners with explaining how ballistics work with an easy-to-see and do object lesson. This article isn’t exactly meant for our [Read More…]
Subsonic ammunition is a world unto its own when it comes to the firearms, loading techniques, and materials used in their design and manufacturing. Handloaders will know the hell that it is to get a loading right and it’s places like Discreet Ballistics and [Read More…]
A little over a year ago, we wrote about the Discreet Ballistics PopStop which is a barrel mounted valve and a CO2 cartridge system designed to inject a non-flammable gas into the suppressor replacing the oxygen inside the can thus eliminating the phenomenon of the [Read More…]
Welcome fellow NFA junkies, thank you for joining us for episode #40 of TFB’s Silencer Saturday, where we do our best to show you why all barrels deserve quality cans. Last week we talked about the next installment [upcoming] in the Build Your Own Silencer Series. To [Read More…]
Bushnell, an industry leader in high-performance sport optics, announces the release of a new Bushnell Ballistics Calculator App powered by the proven and powerful Applied Ballistics Ultralite Engine. The new Bushnell Ballistics App is a companion app to use with [Read More…]
The first entry in our coverage of automatic weapon operating mechanisms will be the humble straight blowback method. Conceptually simple, it is one of the most common systems, being applied almost universally to .22 caliber rimfire autoloaders the world over, as well [Read More…]
Several months ago, Tom R and I were approached by Clark Armory to conduct ballistic tests of several popular self-defense rounds. For testing, we were provided two of Clear Ballistics, 10% Ballistic Gelatin F.B.I Blocks. Key features of the 10% Ballistic Gelatin FBI [Read More…]
I love it when someone can take the time to break something down Barney-style. Stepping up to the plate to help confused shooters out is Guns and Ammo magazine which has published “Common Ballistic Terms You Should Know” complete with handy graphics (for the [Read More…]
Last year we blogged about Deborah Bay’s beautiful plexi-glass bullet impact photos and Sabine Pearlman’s bisected bullet photos. These two artists’ ammunition photos are being exhibited at the wall space gallery in Santa Barbara. Exhibition [Read More…]
At this point we’ve looked at the data for seven intermediate calibers currently on the market, each of which is – one way or another – influencing the discussion around the question of what next generation military rifle caliber will be. Those rounds [Read More…]
On my recent article “Ballistics 101: What Is Ballistic Coefficient?”, commenter Anthony asked for clarification on some points: Thanks for the info, but I don’t feel I know what ballistic coefficient is after reading the article. You state, “A [Read More…]
In a recent post, I discussed four ballistics myths that I’ve heard over the years, and why they are just that – myths. One of these was the myth that the momentum of a projectile is equivalent or otherwise indicative of the stopping power of that [Read More…]
This is a review of the Pulsar Merger LRF XL50 High Definition Thermal Binoculars. High definition thermals for commercial use started appearing last year, and in 2024 we will see more and more of them. This review is TFB’s second on the subject of HD thermals, [Read More…]
Welcome back to Wheelgun Wednesday, our weekly article series where we cover everything related to revolvers. Today’s topic is the technical challenge of effective sound suppression of revolvers. While we all know that the cylinder gap prevents proper [Read More…]
This is a review of the Pulsar Thermion DUO DXP50 Multispectral Scope, which is one of the coolest riflescopes I have ever used. You could probably buy the DUO, and never ever have to own anything else. The 4K CMOS day camera replaces your ordinary optical sight and [Read More…]
Thanks for joining us on TFB’s Wheelgun Wednesday, where we explore all things relating to revolvers. This week, we’re moving forward on our Revolver Cartridge Spotlight series with .22 Caliber Revolvers. We’ll take a look at the seven .22 caliber cartridges, [Read More…]
The 350 Legend since its introduction a few years ago has been popular amongst hunters for its mild push of a recoil, effectiveness on game, and more open acceptance in “restrictive states” being it is a straight-wall cartridge. Well, “bigger is [Read More…]
Hello and welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals 57! Ammunition is probably the single biggest and most ever-present cost you have in your life as a firearms owner. While it can be relatively inexpensive to shoot something like 22LR (about a dime per shot), 9mm (a quarter) and [Read More…]
Welcome to TFB Podcast Roundup 91! It’s refreshing to see the online gun community getting back to actual discussions on niche firearm topics rather than constantly worrying about the latest drama taking place within the firearms industry. I know a couple of [Read More…]
Welcome to our yearly round-up of 2023 Father’s Day Deals! Father’s Day is a singularly special day not just here in the United States, but across the globe with most nations taking a single day to honor fathers and venerate the responsibility, and position [Read More…]
Brownells introduced their Match Precision Optics (MPO) line of scopes a few years ago, and that line has grown to include a few low-power variable optics (LPVO). They announced a new 1-6×24 model at SHOT 2022. It recently became available for purchase and is the [Read More…]
A BRD Gun Works LLC upper in 450 Bushmaster was sent to me for review. My best friend urged (hounded) me to make it happen. It, finally, did actually happen and I want to tell you upfront this is one of the best products I have received for review in my four and a half [Read More…]
Do we show too few shotguns in our Photo Of The Days? Well, here’s one in the hands of Private First Class Ariana Rittenhouse, a combat engineer with the United States Marine Corps using an M1014 shotgun to breach a fabricated door on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, [Read More…]
If you’re a gunsmith, armorer, historian, designer, or just a regular gun nerd that likes hi-res firearms photos, blueprints and schematics then you’ll be interested to hear that the digital version of the Firearms Guide 13th Edition is now available. [Read More…]
Welcome to TFB Weekly Web Deals 8. Skeet Shooting, 5 Stand, Trap Shooting, Sporting Clays, and more! Ever since the introduction of clay pigeons to replace real pigeons back in the late 19th century, shotgun sports involving the shooting of moving targets have grown [Read More…]
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