Ballistic August - September 2023 (Precision)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. These words barrage my brain when I think about all the options available to the precision rifle shooter. I remember when product options were few, if not scarce. But, it was easier to narrow down what you might build and what you might outfit that build with from an accessories standpoint. Mass quantity, factory-built rifles capable of rather consistent sub-MOA precision didn’t exist either, so building was your only option. Times have certainly changed and it can be extremely difficult to wade through the murky waters of precision shooting products. Fear not, we are here to help. This year we’ve included several new rifle reviews with some of the newest and hottest options, including Aero Precision’s new Solus,…

AG COMPOSITES ADJUSTABLE HUNTER AG Composites was founded in 2014 by two veteran brothers. They are siblings, not just brothers in arms—one a Marine and the other an Army ranger. Their first stock was made in 2013, and they thought it was “cool.” Now they employ some 75 people. AG Composites stocks feature several materials combined as a foundation. The shell is carbon-fiber weave and the fill, used in the inlet area and middle, is carbon fiber and other proprietary materials. This combination makes for an incredibly solid stock. AG Composite stocks deliver a great tactiletile feel and function in various weather conditionsions and environments. They are lightweight and rugged as well. If you opt for the AG Adjustable Hunter, you get a stock with the added benefit of comb…

I remember when Porsche started making SUVs. Being a car enthusiast and a fan of automotive editorial, I read the car rags frequently with admiration for the banter between the different contributors. But on this particular topic, I distinctly remember the comments from readers. They were much like those of gun enthusiasts when company X would release a product that left some wondering “Why?” Instead of taking a deep breath and realizing that every product that company designed and manufactured couldn’t be specifically for them, they’d lash out on the forum or social media page of choice. “How dare they?” some would say. “No one asked for this,” others would reply. Regarding the Porsche, a person said, “They should stick to sports cars, they can’t make an SUV.” With the…

782 CUSTOM GUNWORKS Established in 2016, 782 Gunworks hit the scene with the idea that custom services were sorely deficient in the Northeast, particularly in New York. Today, co-owners Bill Marr and Bill Ventura operate this illustrious gunsmithing shop situated in Bohemia, New York, which is only a stone’s throw away from where I grew up. Both proprietors come from a Marine Corps background, which helps to shine some light on the “782” moniker. Those who have been issued field gear might recognize that number from the top of the form. However, the guns that come out of this place are anything but “government issue.” As you would expect, accurizing rifles sits at the forefront of 782’s operations. These services include truing actions and bedding stocks, as well as more…

Weatherby is a staple in the hunting rifle community and is typically associated with a hunter of discerning tastes, you might say. Most are big calibers with bullets traveling at obscene velocities and, in the end, delivering a punch that few can rival. In fact, two years ago, Ballistic was given a tour of the new Weatherby home in Sheridan, Wyoming. There, they allowed us a behind-the-scenes look at what they do and introduced us to their 6.5/300-chambered Mark V 2.0. It’s a lightweight, long-action, magnum-calibered sledgehammer that made shooting to 1,000 yards a literal piece of cake. Weatherby also offered rifles in short-action chamberings that we’re familiar with, but the action was their proprietary six- or nine-lug version that is necessary for the monster cartridges, but not so much…

Whether you like to hear it or not, bolt-action rifles have nearly gone the way of the AR-15. Just about any firearm enthusiast that can follow good instructions (or watch a YouTube video), acquire the appropriate components and spend a little time at a workbench or heck even a kitchen table, can piece one together. Now that we have actions and barrels that are machined to consistent tolerances, you almost don’t need a gunsmith. I don’t mean any of this in a disparaging way. This DIY approach has fueled the growth of many component markets, one specifically being the rifle chassis. There was a time when your options were two or three solid ones. Now…well I don’t know how many there are. Being a man of many rifles, I’ve noticed…