A Data-Driven Approach To Precision Rifles, Optics & Gear
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Tag Archives: Thunder Beast

Everything a PRS Champ Carries at a Rifle Match – Austin Buschman Shooter Spotlight Part 2

Everything a PRS Champ Carries at a Rifle Match

Reigning PRS Champ Austin Buschman shows us everything he carries in his backpack at a pro-level rifle match. While we often see what rifle and gear someone uses, it’s rare to have a pro shooter empty their pack and tell us about everything they carry. In this article, Austin does just that! He also shares how he trues his ballistics and shares a ton of practical tips! This article gives a ton of new info and insight that I haven’t ever seen published anywhere else. I bet you guys find it as interesting as I did!

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Austin Buschman – What The Pros Use: Top Shooter Spotlight

Austin Buschman Precision Rifle Shooter Spotlight

This article takes a deep dive with the reigning Precision Rifle Series (PRS) Season Champion and World Champion Austin Buschman. Austin shares every single detail about the competition rifle that he used to win both of those titles. Learn which stock, barrel, scope, action, bipod, trigger, and everything else he used to get into the winner’s circle. The article also provides insight into why Austin chose the gear he did and why he feels it gives him the best shot at winning. There are several shooting/strategy tips shared, which makes this article a must-read!

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Best Muzzle Brakes & Suppressors – What The Pros Use

Best Suppressor

This article covers the muzzle brakes and suppressors the top 170+ precision rifle shooters in the country are running. It’s based on a recent survey I conducted of the top 125 shooters in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and top 50 shooters in the National Rifle League (NRL), which are points-race leagues based on the biggest long-range, field-based rifle matches across the country. This data is very unique, because it is a wide sample of the most elite marksmen and experts in the field. (View other “What The Pros Use” articles) Muzzle Brake or Suppressor? Every precision rifleman faces the ...

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Rifle Suppressor & Muzzle Brake – What The Pros Use

Rifle Suppressor

Trying to pick between a rifle suppressor and muzzle brake? Or are you trying to research good options for a brake or suppressor? See what suppressors and muzzle brakes the top 100 precision rifle shooters in the country are running on their rifles. I recently surveyed the top 100 shooters in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS), and this post reviews the rifle suppressors and muzzle brakes those elite shooters were using in 2015. The PRS tracks how top competitors place in major rifle matches across the country. These are the major leagues of sniper-style competitions, with targets typically from 300 ...

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Muzzle Brakes: Recoil Results for 308 & 300 Magnum

308 Muzzle Brake & 300 Mag Muzzle Brake

This post summarizes the results for the recoil tests ran on 20+ muzzle brakes using two 30 caliber test rifles: the 308 Win and the monster 300 Norma Magnum. The recoil data was collected using high-speed, high-resolution force sensors. For more info on the test equipment and how the data was gathered, please see the recoil post. Here is the full line-up of muzzle brakes, and you can read more about each in this post. How to Read the Results As we discussed in the recoil post, when someone claims a product “reduces recoil by 50%” … it usually isn’t ...

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Muzzle Brakes: Recoil Results for 6mm & 6.5mm

6mm 6.5mm Muzzle Brake Rifle Recoil Results

This post summarizes the results for the recoil tests ran on 20+ muzzle brakes using 6mm and 6.5mm test rifles. To see the full line-up of muzzle brakes tested, check out this post. The recoil data was collected using high-speed, high-resolution force sensors. For more info on the test equipment and how the data was gathered, please see the previous post. How to Read the Results As we discussed in the last post, when someone claims a product “reduces recoil by 50%” … it usually isn’t clear what they’re talking about. Unfortunately, there is no industry standard for measuring recoil, ...

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Muzzle Brakes: Recoil Primer, Test Equipment & Rifles

Rifle Recoil Test Setup

This post provides a primer on recoil, and then explains how I measured recoil, including the approach and specific equipment used. It also reviews the rifles and cartridges tested. What do we mean by recoil? I’ve read a thick stack of articles and white papers on this subject, and suffice to say we can get pretty deep in the weeds if we weren’t careful. But, I’m going to try to keep it simple and on point. For our purpose, recoil is the rearward kick we feel when we fire a rifle. I’m less interested in the esoteric mathematics-based models (although ...

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Muzzle Brakes: Field Test Overview & Line-Up

Muzzle Brakes

This is the first post in a series that will cover the results from an epic muzzle brake field test. This represents an unprecedented, data-driven approach to evaluating the best precision rifle muzzle brakes on the market. Hundreds of hours have gone into this research, and the tests I conducted are built on advice and feedback from some of the most respected experts in the industry. This included leading manufacturers, top shooters, gunsmiths, mechanical engineers, university faculty, and defense contractors who have done similar work for the military. Thanks to all the guys that helped me with this! I tested ...

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Best Suppressors & Muzzle Brakes – What The Pros Use

Alright, let’s get back to the PRS data. This post reviews the rifles suppressors and muzzle brakes the best precision rifle shooters were using in 2014. The data is based on a survey of the top 50 shooters in the Precision Rifle Series (PRS). The PRS tracks how top competitors place in major rifle matches across the country. These are the major leagues of sniper-style competitions, with targets typically in the 300-1000 yard range. This is the 3rd year we’ve collected this data. For more info on the Precision Rifle Series and who these guys are scroll to the bottom ...

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Custom 6XC Precision Rifle Build

I recently had custom precision rifle built by Surgeon Rifles to use for tactical/practical rifle competitions. Those competitions typically include shots from 300 to 1,000 yards. As I walked through SHOT Show this year, I was on a hunt to find the best components for each part in a quest for the ultimate precision rifle build (or at least try out the latest and greatest to see how it stacked up to the hype). I’ve already put 600+ rounds through it, and ran it in 2 competitions. One of those was the 2014 Steel Safari, which is a grueling 3 ...

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