Saturday, July 11, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Category

Shooting

42 articles

AR-10 Rifles for Western Big Game: Platform Selection, Calibers, and Field Upgrades That Work

AR-10 Rifles for Western Big Game: Platform Selection, Calibers, and Field Upgrades That Work

The AR-10 platform has earned a legitimate place in the western big game hunter's arsenal. Here's how to choose the right chambering, build weight, and upgrades to make it hunt as well as it shoots on the range.

By HFR Staff  · June 21, 2026
Shooting in Summer Heat: Managing Mirage, Barrel Temperature, and Load Consistency at the Range

Shooting in Summer Heat: Managing Mirage, Barrel Temperature, and Load Consistency at the Range

Summer range sessions expose problems you didn't know you had. Heat mirage bends your sight picture, hot barrels change your point of impact, and loads that grouped perfectly in February can open up by August. Here's how to work with the heat instead of against it.

By HFR Staff  · June 18, 2026
Oregon's Best Outdoor Shooting Ranges: Where Hunters and Competitors Practice Year-Round

Oregon's Best Outdoor Shooting Ranges: Where Hunters and Competitors Practice Year-Round

Good trigger time between hunting seasons requires good places to shoot. Here's a rundown of Oregon's top public and club outdoor ranges for long-range practice, competition prep, and offseason marksmanship.

By HFR Staff  · June 17, 2026
Choosing Your First Hunting Rifle for Oregon Big Game: Caliber, Action, and Platform Decisions That Matter

Choosing Your First Hunting Rifle for Oregon Big Game: Caliber, Action, and Platform Decisions That Matter

With hundreds of hunting rifles on the market, picking your first one for Oregon's varied terrain can be genuinely confusing. Here's a no-nonsense buyer's guide that cuts through the marketing and focuses on what actually matters in the field.

By HFR Staff  · June 16, 2026
Bipods and Shooting Rests for Western Hunters: Field-Proven Setups for Long Shots

Bipods and Shooting Rests for Western Hunters: Field-Proven Setups for Long Shots

A quality bipod or tripod rest turns marginal shots into makeable ones. This guide covers Harris vs. Atlas bipods, tripod shooting systems, rear bags, and how to choose the right setup for your hunting style and terrain.

By HFR Staff  · June 15, 2026
Rifle Stock Choice for Western Hunters: Chassis Systems vs. Traditional Bedded Stocks

Rifle Stock Choice for Western Hunters: Chassis Systems vs. Traditional Bedded Stocks

Should your hunting rifle wear an aluminum chassis or a traditional bedded stock? Both have real advantages in the field. Here is how to decide which makes sense for your hunting style and budget.

By HFR Staff  · June 13, 2026
Getting Into 3-Gun Competition: A Pacific Northwest Shooter's Starting Guide

Getting Into 3-Gun Competition: A Pacific Northwest Shooter's Starting Guide

3-gun competition combines rifle, pistol, and shotgun into some of the most dynamic shooting sport stages you'll ever run. Here's how Pacific Northwest shooters can get started without burning money on gear they don't need.

By HFR Staff  · June 12, 2026
Handgun Hunting in Oregon: Caliber Selection, Accuracy Fundamentals, and Taking Game with a Pistol

Handgun Hunting in Oregon: Caliber Selection, Accuracy Fundamentals, and Taking Game with a Pistol

Hunting with a handgun is one of the most demanding and rewarding pursuits in the field. Here's a practical guide to calibers, shooting technique, and Oregon opportunities for serious pistol hunters.

By HFR Staff  · June 9, 2026
Building a DOPE Chart for Long-Range Hunting: Field Data, Apps, and Confirmed Drops That Actually Count

Building a DOPE Chart for Long-Range Hunting: Field Data, Apps, and Confirmed Drops That Actually Count

A ballistic app is a starting point, not a solution. Building a verified DOPE chart at the range — confirmed at real distance with your actual rifle and load — is the only thing that lets you make ethical long shots on animals in the field.

By HFR Staff  · June 7, 2026
Home Defense Shotgun: Patterning, Load Selection, and Technique for the 12-Gauge Defender

Home Defense Shotgun: Patterning, Load Selection, and Technique for the 12-Gauge Defender

The 12-gauge shotgun remains one of America's top home defense tools. Here's how to pattern your gun, choose the right load, and build the manual of arms into reliable muscle memory.

By HFR Staff  · June 5, 2026
Red Dot Sights on Hunting Rifles: Zeroing, Mounting, and Why Short-Range Hunters Are Making the Switch

Red Dot Sights on Hunting Rifles: Zeroing, Mounting, and Why Short-Range Hunters Are Making the Switch

Rifle-mounted red dot sights are no longer just for tactical guns. Here's why more western hunters are ditching the traditional scope for close-range work — and how to set one up correctly.

By HFR Staff  · June 4, 2026
Zeroing Your Hunting Rifle for Western Big Game: MPBR, Field Zeros, and Shots That Count

Zeroing Your Hunting Rifle for Western Big Game: MPBR, Field Zeros, and Shots That Count

Stop defaulting to the 100-yard zero. Here is how to set a practical hunting zero for western terrain — plus what MPBR means and why it matters when a buck steps out at an unknown distance.

By HFR Staff  · June 1, 2026