rifle Archives - Talking Guns

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By Mike Millsap

Ammunition is a crucial component in firearms, and its casing plays a significant role in
determining the overall accuracy, reliability, and longevity of the firearm. When it comes to
centerfire ammunition, two of the most common materials for casings are brass and steel.
While steel-cased ammunition has become a popular, lower-cost option, brass-cased
ammunition continues to dominate the market, especially among enthusiasts, military
personnel, and law enforcement agencies. This article explores the reasons why brass-
cased ammunition is considered superior to steel-cased ammunition in most
circumstances.

Introduction: A Brief Overview of Steel vs. Brass-Cased Ammunition
Ammunition cases, or shell casings, are an essential part of any centerfire cartridge. These
casings house the primer, powder, and projectile, and play a critical role in the firing
process. Historically, brass has been the material of choice for cartridge casings, but in
recent years, manufacturers have begun to use steel as a cost-saving alternative.
Steel-cased ammunition is often favored by budget-conscious shooters due to its lower cost
compared to brass. This is particularly evident in calibers like 9mm, .223 Remington,
7.63×39, and .308 Winchester, where steel-cased ammo is widely available. However, brass
casings have maintained their popularity for several key reasons, including better
performance, durability, and compatibility with a wider variety of firearms.

This article will examine the various factors that contribute to the superiority of brass over
steel, including reliability, performance, ease of reloading, and the overall impact on
firearm longevity.

Material Properties: Comparing Brass and Steel
To understand why brass is generally considered superior to steel for ammunition cases, it
is important to look at the fundamental properties of both materials.

Brass: Composition and Characteristics
Brass is an alloy composed primarily of copper and zinc. It is widely used in ammunition
casings because it possesses a combination of desirable mechanical properties:
• Ductility: Brass is highly ductile, meaning it can be easily shaped without breaking.
This makes it ideal for manufacturing smooth and reliable casings.
• Corrosion Resistance: Brass resists corrosion better than steel, making it more
durable in different environmental conditions.

• Strength and Elasticity: Brass is strong enough to withstand the pressure
generated during firing, but it is also elastic, which means it can expand and contract
without cracking or warping.
• Workability: Brass is relatively easy to machine and form into complex shapes,
making it ideal for mass production of ammunition.

Steel: Composition and Characteristics
Steel, on the other hand, is an alloy made primarily of iron and carbon, with additional
elements such as chromium and manganese. Steel offers several advantages in terms of
strength and hardness but also has some inherent limitations when compared to brass:
• Hardness: Steel is harder than brass, which makes it more resistant to wear.
However, this can be a double-edged sword when used in ammunition cases.
• Brittleness: Steel tends to be more brittle than brass. While it can be very strong, it
is more likely to fracture or crack under extreme pressure or stress.
• Corrosion: Steel is more prone to rusting than brass, especially if it is not properly
coated with a protective layer such as lacquer or polymer.
• Less Ductility: Steel is less ductile than brass, meaning it is harder to shape and
form into the precise specifications required for ammunition cases.
Reliability: How Steel and Brass Perform in Firearms
One of the most important considerations when comparing steel-cased and brass-cased
ammunition is their reliability in firearms. Reliability refers to how well the ammunition
functions during shooting and how often it causes malfunctions, such as jams, misfeeds, or
failures to eject.

Feeding and Ejection
Brass casings are more reliable in feeding and ejecting from firearms due to their ductility
and elasticity. Brass expands when fired, creating a tight seal with the chamber and
preventing gases from leaking around the casing. This results in consistent pressure and a
smoother firing cycle. After firing, brass contracts, allowing it to easily be ejected from the
chamber without binding.

Steel-cased ammunition, however, does not expand and contract in the same way as brass.
Steel is less elastic, so it may not form as tight a seal in the chamber. This can lead to the
“sticking” of the casing inside the chamber, especially in firearms that are not well-
maintained or have tight tolerances. In addition, steel casings are often coated with a
lacquer or polymer finish to prevent rust, which can create additional friction and make
feeding and ejection less smooth.

As a result, steel-cased ammunition is more likely to experience feeding issues and failures
to eject. These malfunctions can be frustrating for shooters, especially in high-stress
situations where reliability is paramount.

Firing Consistency

The consistency of firing is critical for accuracy and performance. Brass casings tend to be
more consistent in terms of dimensions and pressure tolerance. This consistency
contributes to reliable ignition and uniform firing behavior, which is essential for
maintaining accuracy and reducing the likelihood of jams or misfires.

Steel-cased ammunition, while generally reliable, may suffer from less consistency due to
the variations in steel alloy composition, the coating used, and the manufacturing process.
As a result, shooters may experience more variation in the performance of steel-cased
ammo, especially in long-range shooting or high-volume shooting environments.

Impact on Firearm Longevity
The longevity of a firearm is another critical consideration when choosing between steel
and brass-cased ammunition. Over time, repeated use of certain types of ammunition can
affect the wear and tear on a firearm, particularly the chamber and extractor.

Wear and Tear on the Chamber
Brass is more gentle on a firearm’s chamber because it expands and contracts smoothly
during the firing process. The elasticity of brass allows it to create a tight seal in the
chamber without causing excessive friction. This minimizes the wear on the chamber walls
and reduces the risk of excessive buildup of carbon or other residues.
Steel, due to its hardness and brittleness, can cause more wear on the chamber over time.
As steel expands less than brass, it may not form as tight a seal, which can lead to the
buildup of carbon and other debris in the chamber. In addition, steel casings are more
likely to leave behind small fragments of material during the extraction process, leading to
more frequent chamber cleaning and maintenance.

Extractor and Ejector Damage
Steel-cased ammunition can also cause more wear and tear on a firearm’s extractor and
ejector mechanisms. Because steel is harder than brass, it can create more friction during
the extraction process. This additional friction can increase the likelihood of extractor
damage or failure, especially in semi-automatic firearms that require frequent extraction
cycles. Over time, this can lead to malfunctions and more expensive repairs.

In contrast, brass is less abrasive and less likely to cause damage to the extractor or ejector.
As a result, firearms that primarily use brass-cased ammunition generally experience fewer
maintenance issues in these areas.

Reloadability: The Cost Advantage of Brass
One of the key advantages of brass-cased ammunition is its reloadability. Reloading
involves cleaning and reusing spent brass cases to create new rounds. This is an
economical option for serious shooters who go through large quantities of ammunition.
The reloading process also allows for greater customization of ammunition, including
changes in bullet weight, powder charge, and primer type, which can improve performance
and accuracy.

Steel-cased ammunition, on the other hand, is typically not reloadable. This is due to the
hardness of steel and the coatings often applied to the casings. The steel is more difficult to
resize and reform after firing, and reloading it can be more time-consuming and costly.
Additionally, the coatings used on steel casings can make it difficult to clean the cases
effectively, further reducing their viability for reloading.

For shooters who prioritize cost savings and are willing to put in the effort to reload, brass
is the clear choice. While steel-cased ammo is initially cheaper, it offers little long-term
value for reloading purposes.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Another important consideration is the environmental impact of brass vs. steel
ammunition. Brass is a recyclable material, which means that spent brass casings can be
collected and reused in the production of new casings. This makes brass a more sustainable
choice in the long term, especially for shooters who recycle their spent casings.
Steel is also recyclable, but it is less commonly recycled for ammunition production due to
the added complexity of removing coatings and other contaminants. Additionally, the
mining and processing of steel have a higher environmental footprint compared to copper
and zinc, which are used in brass. Therefore, while both materials have some
environmental impact, brass is generally considered to be a more eco-friendly option.

Conclusion: Why Brass-Cased Ammunition Is the Superior Choice
While steel-cased ammunition offers a more affordable initial cost, brass-cased
ammunition is the superior choice in terms of reliability, performance, firearm longevity,
and reloadability. The ductility, corrosion resistance, and consistency of brass make it ideal
for ammunition casings, while steel’s hardness and brittleness introduce several
challenges, including increased wear on the firearm, feeding and ejection issues, and
limited reloading potential.

For shooters who prioritize long-term value, reduced maintenance, and the ability to
reload their ammunition, brass remains the gold standard. While steel-cased ammunition
may serve as a budget-friendly option for casual shooters or those looking to shoot high
volumes of ammunition, it falls short when compared to the overall benefits of brass.

References:
• McPherson, G. (2008). Fundamentals of Firearm Ballistics. Paladin Press.
• Hatcher, J.S. (1935). Hatcher’s Notebook: A Manual of Firearms Knowledge. Stackpole
Books.
• Brownells. (2021). The Basics of Reloading Ammunition. Brownells Guides.
• Tann, S. (2014). The Science of Ammunition: Case Materials and Ballistics. Springer.

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By Mike Millsap

The effects of wind on a bullet’s trajectory are crucial for accurate shooting, whether in
military, law enforcement, or competitive shooting contexts. A bullet, once fired, travels
through the air, and various environmental factors—chief among them wind—can
significantly alter its path. Understanding how wind influences a bullet’s trajectory and
how shooters can mitigate its effects is essential for precision shooting.
Introduction

The study of ballistics, particularly external ballistics, involves understanding how a
projectile behaves once it leaves the firearm and travels through the air. A range of factors
affects the flight of a bullet, including gravity, air resistance, and atmospheric conditions
like wind. While gravity is the most significant factor causing a bullet’s downward drop
over long distances, wind plays a substantial role in deflecting the bullet horizontally. Even
minor wind shifts can lead to significant changes in the bullet’s point of impact.
In this article, we will explore how wind affects the trajectory of a bullet, with a focus on
the physics behind the bullet’s flight, the various wind conditions that influence its path,
and strategies that shooters use to mitigate these effects.
Bullet Trajectory and External Factors

A bullet’s trajectory is the curved path it follows as it travels through the air. The shape of
this path is influenced by several forces, including gravity, air resistance, and
environmental conditions such as wind.

Gravity and Air Resistance
Gravity is the force that pulls a bullet downward as it travels through the air. Without the
influence of gravity, the bullet would follow a straight line. However, the Earth’s
gravitational pull causes the bullet to drop as it moves forward. The faster a bullet travels,
the flatter the trajectory, but the effect of gravity is always present.
Air resistance, or drag, opposes the bullet’s motion, slowing it down and affecting its
trajectory. As the bullet moves through the air, it compresses air in front of it, creating a
shockwave. This results in a loss of kinetic energy and causes the bullet to gradually
decelerate, particularly as it travels over long distances.

The Role of Wind
Wind is another important factor that influences a bullet’s trajectory. Wind can exert a
force on the bullet, causing it to drift from its original path. This effect is most pronounced
when shooting at longer distances, where the wind has more time and opportunity to
influence the bullet’s flight.

Wind can be categorized based on its direction relative to the shooter and the bullet’s
trajectory:

• Headwind: A wind blowing directly opposite to the bullet’s direction of travel. It
reduces the bullet’s velocity, causing it to drop more quickly. The effect is akin to
increasing air resistance, making the bullet slower and resulting in more drop.

• Tailwind: A wind blowing in the same direction as the bullet. This will increase the
bullet’s velocity, causing it to travel further before gravity causes significant drop.
However, the effect on drop is less pronounced compared to a headwind.

• Crosswind: A wind that blows perpendicular to the bullet’s direction of travel. This
type of wind can deflect the bullet sideways, causing it to miss the intended target
laterally. Crosswinds are often the most challenging to account for, especially when
shooting at long distances.

• Variable Wind: Wind that changes speed and direction during the bullet’s flight.
This is particularly difficult to predict and account for, as a changing wind can cause
unpredictable shifts in the bullet’s path.

Each of these wind conditions can affect the bullet in different ways, and understanding
these influences is crucial for accurate shooting.

The Physics of Wind on Bullet Trajectory
To understand the effects of wind on a bullet’s flight, we need to delve into the basic
physics that govern projectile motion. When a bullet is fired, it is subject to several forces
that alter its path.

Wind as a Lateral Force
Wind acts as a lateral force on a bullet. For simplicity, let’s consider a crosswind that blows
at a constant speed perpendicular to the direction of the bullet. The bullet experiences a
force that pushes it sideways, deflecting it from its intended path. The magnitude of this
deflection depends on several factors:

• Bullet Speed: Faster bullets are less affected by wind because they spend less time
in the air, reducing the opportunity for the wind to act on them. Conversely, slower
bullets are more susceptible to wind drift.

• Wind Speed: The stronger the wind, the greater the lateral force it exerts on the
bullet. Even moderate wind speeds can have a significant effect on the bullet’s
trajectory over long distances.

• Distance: The longer the bullet travels, the greater the time it is exposed to the
wind. Therefore, wind has a more substantial effect at longer ranges.

Wind and Bullet Drop

While wind primarily causes lateral drift, it can also impact the bullet’s vertical trajectory
in certain conditions. For example, a strong headwind can increase the bullet’s time in the
air, leading to more pronounced vertical drop due to gravity. A tailwind, on the other hand,
may reduce the bullet’s drop because it increases the bullet’s forward velocity.

Mitigation Techniques for Wind Drift
Given the significant impact wind can have on a bullet’s trajectory, shooters employ various
strategies to mitigate wind drift and improve accuracy. These strategies range from
understanding wind patterns to adjusting the rifle’s sights or even the shooter’s position.

Wind Reading
One of the most important skills for a shooter is the ability to read the wind. Successful
shooters can analyze the wind’s speed, direction, and consistency to predict how it will
affect their shots. There are several methods for reading the wind:

• Observing Wind Indicators: Shooters can use flags, trees, grass, or even dust to
gauge wind speed and direction. By paying attention to how these indicators move,
shooters can get a sense of the wind’s behavior at different distances.

• Mirage: Mirage is the shimmering effect caused by heated air near the ground, often
seen in hot environments. The movement of the mirage can indicate the direction
and strength of the wind. While it’s not as accurate as other methods, mirage can
provide valuable insight into the wind’s behavior at long distances.

• Wind Flags: Many shooting ranges provide wind flags, which are placed at various
points along the shooting line to help shooters gauge wind speed and direction.

Adjusting the Sights
One way to account for wind is to adjust the rifle’s sights. Most modern sniper rifles and
long-range rifles feature windage adjustments on the scope, allowing the shooter to
compensate for wind drift. By making fine adjustments to the scope’s windage dial, the
shooter can shift the point of impact laterally, compensating for the lateral drift caused by
crosswinds.

Holdover and Holdoff
In addition to adjusting the sights, shooters can also use the technique of holdover or
holdoff. Holdover refers to aiming slightly above the target to account for the bullet’s drop
due to gravity, while holdoff involves aiming to the left or right of the target to compensate
for wind drift. This is often used when the shooter does not have time to adjust the sights
or when the wind is unpredictable.

Wind Gauge and Technology
Modern technology has provided shooters with advanced tools to measure wind speed and
direction more accurately. Wind gauges and anemometers are widely used by both military
snipers and competitive shooters to assess the wind’s behavior in real-time. Additionally,
advanced ballistic calculators and apps can help shooters predict the effects of wind on the
bullet’s trajectory, taking into account environmental factors like temperature, humidity,
and altitude.

Practical Considerations in Different Environments

Wind conditions can vary dramatically depending on the environment. Shooters must
adapt their techniques to the specific conditions they encounter.

Open Terrain
In open terrain, wind can be relatively constant, with few obstructions to disrupt its flow.
Shooters in these environments rely heavily on wind flags and other indicators to gauge the
wind’s behavior. However, wind patterns can shift suddenly, so experienced shooters
constantly monitor the wind and adjust their shooting accordingly.

Urban and Forested Environments
In urban or forested environments, wind conditions can be more unpredictable due to
obstacles like buildings, trees, and hills. These structures can cause turbulence and cause
the wind to shift direction rapidly. Shooters in these environments need to be especially
attuned to local wind patterns and adjust their shots accordingly.

Long-Range Precision Shooting
In long-range precision shooting, the effects of wind are often most noticeable. At distances
of 500 meters or more, wind drift can cause significant lateral displacement, making it
difficult to hit small targets. Shooters may need to adjust their sights multiple times during
a single shot, as wind conditions can change rapidly at these distances.

Conclusion
Wind is one of the most significant environmental factors affecting a bullet’s trajectory, and
its influence increases with distance. Understanding how wind interacts with a bullet’s
flight path is crucial for shooters, as even small wind changes can result in significant shifts
in the point of impact. While compensating for wind can be challenging, shooters have
developed a variety of techniques and tools to mitigate its effects, including wind reading,
sight adjustments, and technological aids. By mastering these methods, shooters can
increase their accuracy and precision, even in the most challenging wind conditions.

References
• Hatcher, J. S. (1935). Hatcher’s Notebook: A Manual of Firearms Knowledge. Stackpole
Books.
• McCoy, R. A. (2002). Modern Exterior Ballistics: The Launching of the Bullet. A. S.
Barnes.
• Sigler, R. L., & Giesen, D. S. (2012). Wind Effects on Ballistic Trajectories. National
Defense Industrial Association.
• Frank, G. (2017). Ballistic Trajectory Prediction for Long-Range Shooting. Journal of
Military Ballistics, 19(2), 223-231.

The Radian Weapons Model 1 – Perfection?

While we are living in uncertain times in terms of gun laws, we are also living in an amazing time to be a firearms consumer. The market is flooded with AR-15s in every price range you can imagine, some with features that were unheard of during the Clinton Era ban. Want a milspec rifle? I can name you ten companies that could fill the role and be exceptionally reliable. Want something better than milspec? There are manufacturers out there right now selling rifles that would make the 18 year old version of me living during the federal assault weapons ban weep tears of joy. But which one? What do I want in a rifle that with a price tag often doubling milspec offerings? I want perfection or as close to it as I can get.

On to the topic at hand, The Radian Weapons Model 1. At a glance at the website you’ll notice two things. Firstly you’ll notice the price tag, $2,555.00 and your eyes might burst out of your head. But stay with me, after the sticker shock you’ll take a glance at the rifle and say to yourself “Wow.. With that rifle in my safe I’d be upper class within the hour”. The billet lower will catch your eye, you’ll wonder why your lower doesn’t look like that. Why does it look like the rifle is made of one solid piece of aluminum? You know it doesn’t matter what your rifle looks like, you tell yourself this over and over, but it catches your eye the same way a Lamborghini in a showroom does. That’s what first attracts you to the rifle, it’s the first thing you see, before any features. If grading solely based on aesthetics, The Radian just changed the bell curve. The rifle is cerakoted as one piece so there is no shade mismatch between the upper and lower receiver and speaking to the manufacturer, they will not sell one that does not meet this standard. The lines on the rifle flow beautifully, are you looking at a work or art or a machine that would fit inside a collectors safe just as easily as it could a weapons locker in the military? Can you have form and function as opposed to one over the other? Keep reading.

When I decided on which Radian I wanted there were multiple options. What color? What caliber? Did I want a .300 blackout pistol or SBR? A 5.56 16 inch? 14.5? What color? In the end I decided on the 14.5 inch carbine in .223 Wylde/5.56 in Radian brown with a pinned and welded Silencerco ASR flash hider. For me 14.5 is the sweet spot in terms of carbine length and I’m not one to frequently switch muzzle devices so being pinned is a non issue.

When I first mated the upper and lower together the first thing I noticed was the mated receivers had zero play. The rifle felt like one solid piece. One of my biggest pet peeves in rifles is slop between the receivers. While not directly impacting the function of the rifle, it’s 2019 and there is no excuse for excessive receiver slop. While the upper and lower are fit snuggly there is no issue pushing the take down pins with zero tools and little effort. So how does the rifle come from the factory? Let’s take a look.

Starting from the rear, Radians ship with a Magpul CTR stock and Magpul pistol grip. While there is nothing wrong with the CTR, I favor the B5 systems sopmod stock on my rifles. I switched mine out with the B5 and this is the only change I’ve made from the Radians factory parts. The castle nut is staked well and secure, attaching the fluted receiver extension tube to the reciever.

To me what stands out the most about the Model 1 is the ADAC (Ambidextrous Dual Action Catch) lower receiver. The controls on it do not feel like an after thought like some rifles advertised as being ambi. This was designed to be a true ambi rifle. The safety selector is Radians own Talon system ambi safety, featuring a user adjustable 45/90 degree throw. While I was skeptical at first regarding the 45 degree selector, I’ve grown to love them. The throw of the 45 degree safety is faster and natural. If you’re more of a purist the Talon can be configured into a traditional orientation. The bolt release is of course also ambidextrous and actuating it from either side is natural. All Radian rifles ship with the ATC gold trigger with black bow. This is a match grade trigger that makes shooting fast a breaze and shooting accurately just as easy. Certainly a very smooth trigger with a short reset, comparable with Geissele offerings I own. If I had any complaints about the trigger is I would prefer the reset be a little more tactile, but I’d be splitting hairs at this point. The flared magwell makes reloading fast and simple, even under night vision. If you’ve ever tried to reload a rifle under nods you’ll understand what I’m saying. One of the most stand out features of the ADAC lower is the option to lock the bolt open by pressing and holding the mag release while pulling the charging handle back. It’s engineering like this that truly takes rifles beyond milspec. It’s hard to appreciate it without trying it first hand, but it is one of those features where I never thought I’d care about it until using it.

Moving onto the upper, it’s 7075-T6 machined billet with a proprietary Mlok full length rail. Sitting inside is a Match Grade 416R Stainless Steel Barrel with polished crown and feed ramps. While there is a sub moa guarantee from Radian using Black Hills match ammo, I rarely shoot 5.56 guns for accuracy and admittedly I’m not a consistent sub moa shooter. While I’ve achieved sub moa results with the Radian, it’s not something I’ve spent much time on. The BCG is black nitride coated with a properly staked gas key which for some reason some manufacturers find difficult. The charging handle is the Radian Raptor which the company is most known for I’ve been running them in my rifles for years, starting when the company was called AXTS. They feature oversized latches easy to use with gloves while providing clearance for optics/mounts, ambidextrous actuation and oversized sturdy pins. The M-Lok rail is sturdy and runs nearly the length of the barrel while providing multiple options for mounting accessories.

But. . How does it shoot? Is it reliable?

In the time I’ve owned the rifle I’ve fired roughly 3500 rounds Out of those 3500 rounds I experienced one single malfunction, a light primer strike using brass cased Wolf Gold. I’ve yet to repeat the malfunction. During the test phase I shot every ammo I could, ranging from steel cased wolf to M855a1 and all cycled fine. The rifle was never cleaned during the 3500 rounds and only oiled with CLP around the 1k mark because I don’t like shooting dry when I don’t need to. While accuracy was tested on the rifle, the majority of my shooting is within 100 yards, rarely prone and rarely stationary. While I’m certainly far from a tier one operator, target transition is fast and follow up shots are extremely quick. Why are the follow up shots quick? This is the softest shooting 5.56 rifle I’ve ever owned. The gun is extremely flat shooting.

When I first decided to actually review this rifle I was worried people would perceive this as a fluff piece like found in print gun rags through the years, I wanted to find something I could hate on this rifle, something to make it seem more credible. There’s nothing I hate about it, I looked up and down and there’s maybe a couple things I’d like to see them work on.

What would I change?

I’d like to see a reduction in weight. At 6.9 lbs the rifle isn’t what I would call extremely heavy, but after adding an optic, a light, an IR laser and illuminator and a hand stop it starts to pack on the pounds.
It’d be nice to have QD sockets built into the rail. I know it’s a minor complaint and people run their slings in different positions, it’s just something I like seeing when purchasing a rifle.
Include back up iron sights. People have different sight preferences, but my ideal rifle comes ready to fire out if the box. Would it add to the cost? Yes, but it’s nice to have something ready to go upon purchase.

Final thoughts.

The Radian offers a superior set of features over milspec offerings. I’d trust my life on it without question That said, is it the perfect rifle? Well I’ll leave you with some wisdom from a manager at work regarding performance reviews. “I’ve yet to see anyone walk on water, until I do there is always something to be improved on” Does the Model 1 walk on water? Not quite, but it’s as close to it as I’ve seen. Is it for you? That depends, there are many great milspec offerings out there that will serve you well. Do you want to go beyond that? Then this very well could be for you, I know it is for me.

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By One Shot D and Erik Wenzel

I’m going to start off by saying that without a doubt, I am an AR15 guy. I am a firm believer that Eugene Stoner must have been touched by a beam of light through a thunderstorm, sent by none other than whatever deity in the sky, and blessed him with the design for the AR platform. The ergonomics can be changed indefinitely, the caliber can be infinitely changed, and best of all they can be assembled with basic tools and items owned by any self respecting person with nothing more than a little practice and a working YouTube account. However, there is a time in every rifle lovers life where an AR15 becomes just another AR15. The love is there, but the mind starts to wander to life outside the safe, what strange and foreign alternatives may be available. For me the fascination turned to, “What can I find that nobody else has? What have I never seen at the range?” After scouring the inter-webs and lurking my favorite haunts also known as the gun shop, I was finally intrigued in…..Bullpups.

If I still have you here by this point in the article, I am going to assume that you are past the phase of laughing so hard you spilled your bourbon, and on to being just a bit interested in why my curiosity strayed the way it did. Long story short it boiled down to a few reasons for me. The first and most prominent one is the dilemma of overall length to projectile velocity. In most cases, when the barrel length decreases, so does the velocity. This effectively neuters the effectiveness of most rifle calibers, and it is extremely noticeable in the 556 loading. Bullpups solve this problem in its entirety. As the action is in the rear of the rifle, it lends itself to maintain a full length barrel, thus retaining all of that precious velocity while attaining overall lengths usually reserved only for SBR or pistol alternatives. This was extremely appealing to me.

Off to the races I went, and my newfound infatuation became a full on affair. For me there were two rifles that captured my attention. The venerable Tavor, and the Kel-tec RDB. While both are bullpups, they are both very different in operation, features, and also in the determining factor of price. While the Tavor was definitely the more proven of the two rifles, the RDB was straight unobtanium, and I liked the ability to have a more versatile adjustable gas system. I also liked the fact that by all accounts, the RDB has a better trigger from the manufacturer, and the idea of spending $1600 on a Tavor and then being forced to spend $250 on a Geiselle trigger was rough on the palate. By this point I can assume that you know which way I went. After making countless offers on gun broker, I was to be the proud owner of a shiny new RDB.

Upon retrieval of my new rifle, there were several things that I noticed right off the bat. Firstly this thing was light. I mean really light. It’s not that the rifle itself was amazingly light when put on the scale, but it was more about the feel of the rifle when it was shouldered. All of the weight was to the rear, that’s where the action, bolt, steel safety plate, and the majority of the barrel reside. This also happens to be where the rifle contacts the shoulder, leaving a polymer hand guard, and half the barrel and piston system out front. This makes the rifle feel much lighter in the hand, and it is very quick to stop when transitioning the rifle from target to target.

The second thing that I noticed quickly was the versatility of the adjustable gas piston system. Being honest, tuning the system was a little bit of a pain. Do yourself a huge favor and read the manual. When completed successfully, I was very pleased. The recoil is very mild, and the recoil impulse is different in a very good way. Its almost a two stage affair, and after a brief transition from the AR15 it is very pleasant and easy to manage recoil. The addition of a SilencerCo muzzle brake makes recoil virtually non existent. This set up when tuned properly is very smooth shooting, with extremely low recoil, and very easy to shoot very quickly. I was able to deposit large quantities of brass in neat piles due to the downward ejecting pattern of the rifle, and I found myself ringing steel with near reckless abandon.

I have been nothing short of extremely satisfied with my venture into the bullpup world. I have heard the occasional disparaging comment in regards to Kel-tec as a company or their customer service, but I have not found this to be the case in my sample size of one RDB. What I have found is a very sweet shooting rifle that draws both attention, and complements when I take it to the range. It may not be a Steyr Aug, nor is it an IWI Tavor, but it is in my opinion and experience competitive in every way to either. Also of note is that it is half or better the price of both, and for approximately $700 it should at the very least be given a shot at impressing you the way that it has impressed me.

rifle Archives - Talking Guns

Why Steel-Cased Ammo Falls Short

The Answer, My Friend, is Blowin’ in the Wind

The Radian Weapons Model 1 – Perfection?

Do You Even RDB Bro?