Kurt Martonik

Nov 14, 2023 | freerangeamerican.us | Todd Bumgardner |Joe Genzel |Kurt Martonik

Americans have loved .30 caliber rifle cartridges since the 1890s when Winchester released the .30-30 Win. And when Americans love a thing, they’re driven to improve it. That’s the story of Roy Weatherby and the 300 Weatherby Magnum. While the Brits invented the magnum rifle cartridge, Weatherby strove to perfect it in .30 caliber form. Building on their work, he infused it with the American spirit to create a high-velocity rifle cartridge decades ahead of its time.

Nov 9, 2023 | freerangeamerican.us | Joe Genzel |Kurt Martonik |Jace Bauserman

The Marlin Dark Series has finally been reintroduced to the gun world under Ruger’s banner for the first time in three years. The rifle line was the first lever gun from a major manufacturer to include modern features from the factory, like a unique polymer stock and — as the name suggests — a blacked-out look, whereas most lever guns at the time were blued or Parkerized with walnut furniture — or something even more old school.

Oct 26, 2023 | freerangeamerican.us | Joe Genzel |Kurt Martonik |Jace Bauserman |Phil Bourjaily

My first exposure to the Remington 870 was not at a shooting range or in the woods pursuing wild game. It came when I  was 10 years old, sitting on the couch at a buddy’s house watching an R-rated movie I shouldn’t have been. Point Break (1991) starred Keanu Reeves as “Johnny Utah,” an ex-college quarterback turned FBI special agent, and his partner “Angelo Pappas,” (Gary Busey) a surly, disliked, out-of-shape veteran agent.

Oct 24, 2023 | freerangeamerican.us | Kurt Martonik |Jace Bauserman |Phil Bourjaily

The 7mm Remington Magnum has cemented itself as one of history’s most popular hunting cartridges. It walks amongst giants. Capable of taking all game animals in the lower 48 and doing it well, the 7 mm’s versatility shines when looking on the shelves at the seemingly endless factory loadings available. It can do just about anything it is asked to and feels right at home, shooting across a canyon at mule deer and elk. It’s fast, flat, and downright accurate.

Oct 19, 2023 | freerangeamerican.us | Jace Bauserman |Phil Bourjaily |Kurt Martonik |Alice Jones Webb

I admit I got annoyed with the 6mm Creedmoor. Why? The same reason I got annoyed with the 6.5 Creedmoor when it came out. For a while, the relatively new caliber was everywhere. If I read an article in a magazine, it was about how the 6.5 Creedmoor was a ballistic win. Outdoor television programs raved about it, and I couldn’t open YouTube without being inundated with the latest and greatest wildcat cartridge gone mainstream.