Richard Mann, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Shell Game

1 week ago | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

Shell Shock Technologies claims numerous advantages of its steel-cased ammo, but the most apparent advantage is how much less it weighs. In the March 2018 edition of this column, I wrote about NovX ammunition. I mention this because NovX loads its ammunition in steel NAS3 cases. These cases are much lighter than brass, and according to the manufacturer, they’re twice as strong. It’s a unique two-piece case design that is magnetic, allowing you to easily pick them up with a magnet.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Meet at 21 Sharp

1 month ago | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

Since the 21 Sharp does not use a heeled bullet, you can expect better precision from lead-free 21 Sharp ammo than you’ll usually see with lead-free .22 LR loads. Recently, we have seen a move from both the legislative and consumer front to move away from lead bullets. This is driven by the toxicity of lead and how it can impact the environment and human health. As a result, in some locations lead bullets are illegal, and in others, some shooters prefer not to use them.
Wilson Combat's Division 77: Project One

1 month ago | recoilweb.com | Richard Mann

In 1977, a competitive handgun shooter from Berryville, Arkansas — who just happened to be a watchmaker by trade — started building custom 1911 handguns. Bill Wilson was a good jeweler and a good shooter, and he became one of the most recognized and best modifiers of the 1911 platform.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | How To Get The Most From Your Self-Defense Pistol

2 months ago | americas1stfreedom.org | Richard Mann

If you’re a brave patriot who has decided to take responsibility for your own safety, you’ve likely added a pistol to your self-defense toolbox. That can be a wise choice, but it is only the beginning. Now you need to make sure you can get the most from it. This involves the consideration of aftermarket sights and accessories, practical training and practice and routine maintenance. We’ll get to those things shortly, but one of the most-important choices you’ll make concerns ammunition.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Ammo: Making a Federal Case

2 months ago | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

Federal’s new 7 mm Backcountry rifle cartridge is a fantastic option for hunters, but more importantly, the case technology it employs has the potential to change the game for all shooters. Ammunition designers have been on a quest for more velocity since the dawn of the self-contained cartridge. The brass-cartridge case has limited this quest because of the amount of pressure it can contain.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | RCBS Reborn

Oct 27, 2024 | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

Now under new management, RCBS hopes to expand the availability of its excellent reloading products and recommit to the innovation of new tools. In May, 2024, Hodgdon Powder acquired RCBS. It seems like a perfect fit. After all, if you load your own ammunition, you need gunpowder (Hodgdon) and reloading tools (RCBS). Hodgdon has been in the gunpowder business since 1952, and RCBS has been making tools for handloaders since 1943.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | What Does A Suppressor Suppress?

Oct 14, 2024 | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

Suppressors are currently the hottest-selling centerfire- and rimfire-firearm accessory. The reason is obvious—quieter gunfire. But, how much quieter is the report, and are velocity, accuracy or precision negatively impacted? The plan is to conduct a series of tests with a variety of firearm systems to get a glimpse of the audible and ballistic effects of suppressors, and I figured a suppressed .22 LR pistol was as good a place as any to start these experiments.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Testing 22 ARC

Sep 17, 2024 | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

The true appeal of the 22 ARC is in its long-range application, especially out of an AR-15. It will push a bullet to 1,000 yards faster than any other AR-15 cartridge. And, at that distance, the bullet will drop about 7 percent less than its closest competitor, which is the 6 mm ARC cartridge. The 22 ARC also has an advantage when it comes to wind drift. In a 10 mph, 90-degree crosswind, the 22 ARC will drift about 6 percent less than the 6 mm ARC.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | "Big Green" Grows Back

Aug 26, 2024 | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

Remington’s ammunition plant in Lonoke, AR, continues to produce top-quality rimfire, centerfire and shotgun ammo. There was a time between 2018 and late 2022 when the future of Remington ammunition was questionable. At least for now, it looks like the manufacturer has been saved, and the company is forging forward.
An Official Journal Of The NRA | Ammo: Federal Hydra-Shok

Aug 15, 2024 | shootingillustrated.com | Richard Mann

After 35 years, Federal still offers a Hydra-Shok load in its line for law enforcement (as well as an entire array marketed to armed citizens). It remains a top choice for defensive purposes. In my column in the March issue of Shooting Illustrated, I wrote about the Nosler Partition because it’s arguably the first and best premium rifle bullet ever engineered. This month I want to introduce you to another projectile. This one is almost as legendary, but it was created for defensive handguns.