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Best Warzone Sniper Rifle class loadouts: Attachments, Setup, Perks

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There are so many choices when it comes to Sniper Rifles in the original Warzone, but some are simply better than others. We came up with a list of the best meta sniper rifle loadouts in Warzone Caldera.

Warzone still remains one of the greatest battle royales when it comes to weapon diversity, each weapon has its own character. Sadly, the nerfs in Season 3 made it so only a handful of the battle royale’s sniper rifles can still one-shot opponents.

To help you find the best sniper in Warzone, we’ve covered all the top-tier loadouts and attachments that maximize their efficiency. Whether you’re looking to increase your lethality or just wish to claim more long-range kills, then you can’t go wrong with these picks.

Remember, if you’re ready to dive into Warzone 2 and want to know which top-tier weapons to use, be sure to check out our list of the best Sniper Rifles to use in Warzone 2.

Contents

  • What is the best sniper in Warzone?
  • Best snipers in Warzone
  • Best Warzone sniper support weapons

What is the best sniper in Warzone?

operator using zrg 20mm sniper rifle in cod warzone

The best Sniper Rifle in Warzone is the Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle. Currently, this sniper has the highest KD ratio and win rate out of all the rifles in the game and it’s easy to see why.

The Gorenko offers unmatched damage at long-range and while the 3 Line Rifle is a close contender, the Gorenko comes out on top thanks to its raw firepower.

12. Best Type 99 loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
  • Barrel: Shiraishi 712mm Sniper
  • Optic: 1913 Variable 4-8x
  • Stock: Sakura CVR Custom
  • Underbarrel: M1930 Strife Angled
  • Magazine: 5.6mm 8 Round Mags
  • Ammunition: FMJ Rounds
  • Rear Grip: Leather Grip
  • Perk 1: Discard
  • Perk 2: Deep Breath

While the Type 99 may not be the most popular Sniper Rifle in Warzone, it’s still a pretty fun gun to use. Closer to the Kar98 and Swiss than some of the other options, the Type 99 is a relatively versatile sniper with good range and speed.

If you’re bored of the better options, check this Type 99 class out. But, if you find it underwhelming (which you probably will), then swap to something deadlier — like the other snipers on this list.

11. Best M82 loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Infantry Stabilizer
  • Barrel: 22.6″ Combat Recon
  • Stock: Tactical Stock
  • Magazine: STANAG 9 Rnd
  • Rear Grip: Airborne Elastic Wrap

The M82 is a perfectly viable option in Warzone and we believe its power is nothing to scoff at. It may lack mobility compared to the higher-ranked Sniper Rifles on this list, but that isn’t to say the M82 isn’t worth taking out onto the battlefield.

Give it a go, and make sure to consult our detailed setup for the M82.

10. Best AX-50 loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
  • Barrel: 32.0″ Factory Barrel
  • Laser: Tac Laser
  • Stock: Singuard Arms Assassin
  • Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape

A tried and tested fan-favorite over the years, the AX-50 is a solid choice but falls short compared to the other meta options in Season 5 Reloaded. While it can’t down people across the map quite as easily as the HDR and Gorenko, it’s a much more versatile option given its mobility, aim-down-sight (ADS), and firing rate advantages.

This AX-50 class maintains enough bullet velocity and accuracy to prove lethal from range, while still enjoying some mobility. You can be fairly comfortable pulling it out for a quick down during a gunfight before pushing with an AR or SMG.

Making this gun even more mobile to use is the Tac Laser, Singuard Arms Assassin Stock, and Stippled Grip Tape. The gun is quite versatile as Swagg was even able to turn it into the Intervention from Modern Warfare 2.

Make sure to check out our full breakdown of the best AX-50 loadout in Warzone right here.

9. Best Tundra loadout

Attachments

  • Barrel: 29.1″ Combat Recon
  • Laser: Ember Sighting Point
  • Optic: Ultrazoom Custom
  • Underbarrel: Patrol Grip
  • Magazine: Vandal Speed Loader

Despite receiving a set of hefty buffs back in the Season 5 patch, the LW3 Tundra is still sitting outside of the meta top 5. However, it’s still a powerful choice in the right players’ hands, and with the increase in damage range, it’s in a better state than ever before.

Our Tundra loadout above has great kill potential and even though it isn’t the most popular Sniper Rifle currently in Warzone, it definitely packs a punch.

8. Best Swiss K31 loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: GRU Suppressor
  • Barrel: 24.9” Combat Recon
  • Laser: SWAT 5mw Laser Sight
  • Underbarrel: Bruiser Grip
  • Rear Grip: Serpent Grip

A victim of Raven’s Season 3 nerfs, the Swiss is no longer a guaranteed one-shot down to the head anymore, stunting some of its use.

Although no longer dominant as it once was, the Swiss is still fast, has a clean default scope and reticle, and it downs enemies quite efficiently. Like the Kar98k, the Swiss is all about fast ADS, quick shots, and precision.

For a full, detailed breakdown of the best Swiss K31 loadout in Warzone, check out our dedicated class guide.

7. Best Pelington 703 loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Stabilizer .308
  • Barrel: 25″ Extended
  • Stock: Duster Stock
  • Magazine: Vandal Speed Loader
  • Rear Grip: Field Tape

The Pelington 703 is a good Sniper Rifle for aggressive Warzone players who prefer to take quick shots. While the weapon definitely won’t do as much damage as the Gorenko or 3-Line Rifle, it does provide you with more mobility and a reduced ADS speed.

Also, with Raven buffing the Pellington’s damage in Season 5 Reloaded, it’s brilliant when paired up with a meta SMG or AR.

It’s worth noting that to knock an opponent with the Pelington, you’ll need to land headshots. So, if you’ve got a sharp aim and prefer a less stationary playstyle, consider picking up the Pelington and trying this loadout.

6. Best HDR loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
  • Barrel: 26.9” HDR Pro
  • Laser: Tac Laser
  • Optic: Variable Zoom Scope
  • Stock: FTAC Champion

Following on from the Warzone Sniper weapon nerfs in Season 3, the HDR once again became a viable option thanks to its overwhelming firepower.

If you’ve ever been downed from hundreds of yards away out of nowhere, then it was probably the HDR. While this gun is heavy and slow-moving, both are entirely negligible, especially given its incredible kill potential.

This is the best HDR loadout for those who want to claim a bounty of long-range kills. It’s not about moving around, downing an enemy, and rushing in with a numbers advantage. It’s about sitting back, taking out enemies from afar, and trying to claim cross-map headshots.

Make sure to check out our full breakdown of the best HDR loadout in Warzone right here.

5. Best Kar98k loadout (Modern Warfare)

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
  • Barrel: Singuard Custom 27.6″
  • Optic: Sniper Scope
  • Laser: Tac Laser
  • Perk: FTAC Sport Comb

For what seemed like an eternity, this gun was deemed to be the best sniper in Warzone by many pros and content creators alike. It took a long, long time, but the Kar98k is no longer the king of Warzone.

The fastest ADS and mobility of the gun means it’s still a great gun to use, although its one-shot ability has been greatly tamed.

The only question mark about this Kar98 loadout is the Sleight of Hand usage, which is great for reload speed and gun swapping but can be sacrificed if you’re struggling to hit shots. If that’s the case, you can consider the Precision or the FTAC Sport Comb instead.

Make sure to check out our full breakdown of the best Kar98k loadout in Warzone right here.

4. Best Kar98k loadout (Vanguard)

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Scout Silencer
  • Barrel: VDD RE02K
  • Stock: Short Stock
  • Underbarrel: SMLE Pistol Grip
  • Magazine: 8MM Klauser 5 Round Fast Mag
  • Ammunition: FMJ Rounds
  • Rear Grip: Leather Grip
  • Perk: Fleet
  • Perk 2: Fully Loaded

With absolutely insane ADS speeds and a one-shot kill of up to 100 meters, the Vanguard Kar98k is ideal for aggressive Warzone players.

While you will need to be a sharpshooter with a solid aim to make this gun shine, it’s deadly in the hands of players who can quick scope their opponents from a distance.

Although the gun won’t be eliminating enemies in a single shot from massively long distances, it makes up for this shortcoming with its absurd ADS speeds and mobility.

3. Best ZRG 20mm loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Wrapped Suppressor
  • Barrel: 43.9″ Combat Recon
  • Laser: SWAT 5mw Laser Sight
  • Stock: 5 Rnd
  • Rear Grip: Serpent Grip

Taking the third spot is none other than the ZRG 20mm Sniper Rifle from Black Ops Cold War.

Again, significant shifts in the game’s meta have allowed some underrated guns to flourish. None more so than the ZRG 20mm, which did enjoy some success when it first came out, but it has quickly become a fan favorite.

While it can’t quite contend with the 3-Line Rifle and Gorenko, its fantastic speed and great bullet velocity do make it much easier to use. Even Call of Duty streamer IceManIsaac has singled out one of the best Warzone sniper loadouts to try for the unstoppable ZRG 20mm Sniper Rifle.

Check out our own top ZRG 20mm loadout too.

2. Best 3-Line Rifle loadout

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
  • Barrel: Kovalevskaya 820mm R1MN
  • Optic: 1913 Variable 4-8x
  • Stock: ZAC Custom MZ
  • Underbarrel: Mark VI Skeletal
  • Magazine: .30-06 20 Round Mags
  • Ammunition: Lengthened
  • Rear Grip: Leather Grip
  • Perk 1: Silent Focus
  • Perk 2: On-Hand

The 3 Line-Rifle was ignored for a long time by a lot of Warzone players but a hefty set of buffs in Season 5 finally brought the gun into the fold.

Since then the rifle has been a dominant pick on Caldera that deals lethal amounts of damage. Which is why this is one of the best Warzone sniper loadouts out there.

Not only that, it’s currently the most popular rifle in the game and players are seeing a lot of success with the weapon, so don’t hesitate to make the most of this powerful sniper.

To make sure it’s the best it can be, we have a complete guide to the best 3-Line Rifle loadout here.

1. Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle

Attachments

  • Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
  • Barrel: 420mm Empress
  • Optic: 1913 Variable 4-8x
  • Stock: Reinforced Stock
  • Underbarrel: GF-59 Flashlight
  • Magazine: 13mm AM 10 Round Mags
  • Ammunition: FMJ Rounds
  • Rear Grip: Leather Grip
  • Perk: Focus
  • Perk 2: On-Hand

The Gorenko burst into the meta in Season 5, establishing itself as one of the best Warzone sniper rifle and loadout after the one-shot nerfs to the Kar98k and Swiss. Now, the gun reigns as the top sniper in Warzone thanks to its lethality at long-range which makes it perfect for picking off opponents.

While it did get hit with a bullet velocity nerf in Season 5 Reloaded, this wasn’t enough to knock it off the top spot. It remains a devastating sniper option in the right players’ hands and offers a huge amount of damage at long range.

Best Warzone sniper support weapons

Once you’ve decided on the best Warzone sniper loadout for your individual playstyle, it’s then important you pick a solid secondary or support weapon.

Seeing as Sniper Rifles are ideal at long range, your best bet will be to find a weapon that is good at close and medium-range engagements, leaning toward whichever suits you best. We’ve listed three separate weapon loadouts that are perfect when paired with any of the sniper loadouts above.

1. Best Armguerra Warzone loadout

  • Muzzle: Recoil Booster
  • Barrel: Botti 315mm CII
  • Optic: Slate Reflector
  • Stock: Imerito SA Folding
  • Underbarrel: Mark VI Skeletal
  • Magazine: 9mm 60 Round Mags
  • Ammo Type: Lengthened
  • Rear Grip: Polymer Grip
  • Perk: Hardscope
  • Perk2: On-Hand

2. Best XM4 loadout

  • Muzzle: Agency Suppressor
  • Barrel: 13.5″ Task Force
  • Optic: Axial Arms 3x
  • Ammunition: STANAG 60 Round
  • Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip

3. Best MP40 loadout

  • Muzzle: Recoil Booster
  • Barrel: Krausnick 317mm 04B
  • Optic: Slate Reflector
  • Stock: Krausnick 33M Folding
  • Underbarrel: m1941 Hand Stop
  • Magazine: 7.62 Gorenko 45 Round Mags
  • Ammo Type: Hollow Point
  • Rear Grip: Polymer Grip
  • Proficiency: Steady
  • Kit: Quick

While many support weapons complement a sniper loadout in Warzone, if you’re struggling to find that perfect fit, these three should prove to be successful in the BR.

Looking for more of the best Warzone loadouts and tips? Check out our list of guides below:

Best Warzone settings to increase FPS on PC | Most popular Warzone weapons | Best Warzone loadouts | Call of Duty Warzone Mobile: Everything we know | What is Sabotage Contract in Warzone? | How to level up Vanguard weapons fast for Warzone

If you click on a product link on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.

Can you shoot air rifles in city limits?

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“Urban Air Rifle Shooting: Navigating City Limits for Safe and Legal Recreation. Explore the rules and regulations surrounding air rifle usage within city boundaries, ensuring a responsible and enjoyable shooting experience in urban areas.”

can you shoot air rifles in city limits

Garden Target Shooting With Mat Manning

Shooting air rifles within city limits is a topic that often raises questions and concerns. The regulations regarding shooting air rifles in urban areas can vary depending on the specific city and local ordinances. In some cities, it may be prohibited to discharge any type of firearm, including air rifles, within city limits. This is primarily due to safety concerns and the potential for noise disturbances to residents.

However, there are also cities that allow shooting air rifles within certain limitations and under specific circumstances. These restrictions may include requirements such as using a designated shooting range or having a certain amount of acreage for shooting on private property. It is important to thoroughly research and understand the local laws and regulations before engaging in any shooting activities with an air rifle within city limits.

In conclusion, shooting air rifles within city limits is generally not allowed due to safety concerns and local laws. It is important to check with local authorities and adhere to regulations in order to ensure the safety of oneself and others.

What Are Some Great Cast Nets? Here Are The 5 Best Rated Cast Nets

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If you are heading to the lake for a long day of fishing or even a multi-day trip. You are going to need a lot of bait. Bait can get expensive if you are buying it all the time. It’s much more cost effective to catch your own. Let’s figure out what a great cast net is for you.

What better way to do this than getting a great cast net. However, finding the right cast net can be overwhelming. There are so many to choose from. What’s the right size for me? What size netting do I need; for the fish I’m trying to catch?

We’re here to help you out with that. We scoured the web and found all the good, the bad, and the ugly of cast nets. We tried out a few. Picking only the top 5 that we liked and hope that you will too.

What Makes a Good Cast Net?

I’m going to try and make this as easy as possible with tables instead of 1000’s of words. Keep this one short and to the point.

Want to skip to the Top Picks Click Here

When looking for a cast net you want the material to be made of soft, hand-tied mesh netting. The hand line should be a braided polypropylene rope. All the weights should all be securely attached. The brail lines should run from the handline to the weights and be a quality heavy-duty monofilament. In other words, this thing should be as tough as it can possibly be.

You would ideally want something that is not going to mark up the boat deck. So a coating over any metal areas, the horn. A heavy duty swivel at the neck, and aerodynamic so it flies through the air and you get that beautiful perfect circle.

Diagram of a Cast Net

Cast nets do come in various sizes, styles, and shapes, making them ideal for all types of bait fishing scenarios. I highly recommend checking with state and local Department of Natural Resources about rules and regulations before just throwing a line out.

Here is a link for ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) fishing regulations.

If you want to learn more about cast nets see my previous post

Cast Nets: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming an Expert at Fishing with a Net

How to Find the Right Size Cast Net

two size fishing nets up close

Net Size & Mesh Size

Measurements are approximate

Weight

Weight (lbs/ft)Descend RateWater Depth*Bait Type
* recommended water depth

Material

I know I said I was going to just have tables, but this one needs some more explination.

Monofilament

As the name implies, the monofilament is made up of a single thread. Typically made with nylon. This is a more transparent netting, making it harder for the fish to spot as it sinks into the water. However, it is not as strong as the rest of the materials, making it susceptible to tearing and stretching. The material is not as easy on your hand when emptying your catch.

Multifilament

The Multifilament netting or nylon multifilament is made up of several stands of monofilament. It is either twisted or braided together. Making it stronger than monofilament. This material is still very light and flexible. It has a higher visability in clear water, but can be dyed any color. The mateiral typically does not float, making it more prone to picking up debris (grass, sticks, leaves).

Polyethylene

Polyethylene is a super soft plastic material. It is more flexible than most nettings, holds up in cold weather, and more resistant to cracking than other netting materials. This material is one of the most widely used plastics on the planet (2024). It floats and is very resistant to UV-rays.

Braided Dyneema

This is considered to be one of the strongest materials in the world today (2024). Manufactured exclusively at a Netherlands based company. On a molecular level it is stronger than steel. It’s a super light, an ultra strong fiber, that can also float on water. Making ideal for a heavy duty fishing net in deep water, for hauling in large species.

Types

TypeUsesBait

Disclaimer: These are affiliate links. Meaning I get a kickback if you click the link and purchase the item. This does not add any additional cost to you. This is a service that we provide, with researching and trying out different types of cast nets.

Okay… now that is out of the way.

5 Best Rated Cast Nets

Our Picks for Best Cast Nets and Why

Best Overall Cast Net: Bait Buster Professional Grade Cast Net

Bait Buster Pro Grade Cast Net

Features:

  • Patented Dragon Head swivel makes it easy to replace brail lines
  • Weight: 1.5 pounds per foot
  • Dimensions: 3/8 inch mesh – available in 5ft, 6ft, 7ft, 8ft, 9ft, 10ft, 12ft
  • Material: 0.28mm 100 pound test green monofilament
  • Comes with it’s own bucket for easy storage

Pros:

  • Great for cast in shallow water
  • Durable for monofilament
  • Easy hand line retrieval
  • Good for beginners and pro’s
  • Sinks fast
  • Green color doesn’t spook fish
  • Comes with a bucket
  • Weights are crimped in the line to prevent sliding
  • Dragon Head swivel

Cons:

  • Doesn’t always open fully
  • More expensive than other alternatives
  • Weights are barrel shaped, not round as advertised

Best Small Bait Cast Net: Betts Old Salt Premium Cast Net

Features:

  • Weight: 1 pound per foot
  • Dimensions: 3/8 inch mesh, comes in 3.5 foot to 10 foot
  • Material: Monofilament

Pros

  • Great for begginers
  • Has the ideal 1 pound per foot weight ratio
  • Weights are crimped into the line
  • Oval weights
  • Ideal for shallow water
  • Long retrieval line
  • Comes with a utility box

Cons

  • No hand loop
  • Retrieval line is slippery
  • Not ideal for deep water
  • Catches debris
  • Rip and pull easily

Best Variety Cast Net: Goture American Cast Net

Goture American Cast Net

Features

  • Weight: 3/4lb per foot
  • Dimensions: 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch mesh, available in 4ft, 8ft, 10ft, or 12ft
  • Material: Copolymer monofilament
  • 30ft braided hand line
  • Handle and wrist loop for retrieval

Pros

  • Lots of variety in mesh size and net size
  • Good for beginners and pros
  • Long durable hand line
  • Easy to grip handle
  • Environmentally friendly sinkers
  • Durable monofilament
  • Good for any size bait

Cons

  • No brail lines
  • Easily tangles
  • Loose perimeter lines
  • Horn can easily come apart
  • Bucket not included

Best Beginner Cast Net: Ahi USA 50 Monofilament Cast Net

Ahi USA 50 Monofilament Cast Net

Features

  • Weight: 3/4 pounds per foot
  • Dimensions: 3/8 inch mesh, available in sizes from 3 feet to 0 feet
  • Material: UBE monofilament, 80 pound test brail lines
  • 24 foot handline
  • Handline swivel

Pros

  • Good for shallow to medium water (3-6 feet)
  • Works for beginners and experienced throwers
  • High size variety
  • Chip resistant weights
  • Strong brail lines
  • Comes with a bucket
  • Hard for fish to see

Cons

  • Slow sinking
  • Hand line gets slippery
  • Catches debris easily
  • No ideal for deep water

Best Budget Cast Net: FiTech Super Spreader Cast Net

Cast nets sink faster prevents bait escape. High count heavy duty 80 lb test braille lines. Strong secure closure on cast net retrieval. High floating 20 ft. long polyethylene net throwline.

Features

  • Weight: 3/4lb per foot
  • Dimension: 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch mesh, comes in a variety of sizes 3ft to 12ft
  • Material: 80lb test brail lines, clear monofilament
  • Komfort Kuff

Pros

  • Great for any level caster
  • Size variety
  • 20ft braided poly hand line
  • Triple-tied lead line
  • Velcro Komfort Kuff wrist strap
  • Ideal for shallow water
  • Comes with a utility box

Cons

  • Slow sinking
  • Hand line gets slippery
  • Easily tangles
  • Picks up a lot of debris

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is there are a ton of cast nets on the market. While all of these nets, if used properly, will catch fish. There are significant difference in every net on the market today. You do need to pay attention to the size of the net, the size of the mesh, the weight per foot, and how deep are you trying to catch bait fish in. Choose a design that meets your needs and your budget.

Happy Fishing

17 Biggest Fish Ever Caught: Meet the Giants!

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Reading Time: 6 minutes

Did you ever wonder what the biggest fish ever caught looked like? With all due respect to your imagination, we wouldn’t blame you for underestimating how impressive these beasts really were. Today, we’re looking at the 17 biggest fish ever caught.

For this list, we’ve only included fish that were officially approved as IGFA All-Tackle World Records. Over the years, there have been cases of people catching even bigger fish. These, however, were either caught by more than one person, or failed to meet other IGFA World Record requirements.

As you’d expect, most of these giants are from the Billfish and Shark families, but there are a few surprise entries, too.

You’ll notice that a lot of these records date back at least a few decades. Back in the day, catch and release was a rare sight, and fishing regulations weren’t nearly as strict. Still, each of the catches you’re about to see required incredible amounts of skill and dedication to pull off. They officially are the biggest fishing feats in history.

Without further ado, the 17 biggest fish ever caught are:

17. Goliath Grouper – 680 lb

Location: Fernandina Beach, FL

Date: May 20, 1961

Back in the day, Fernandina Beach was famous for its Goliath Grouper fishery. Up until 1990, anglers could harvest these critters, but with their population dwindling, regulators decided to ban their harvest. All in all, this record isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Angler Lynn Joyner caught this 680 lb Goliath using a Spanish Mackerel.

16. Bull Shark – 697 lb 12 oz

Location: Malindi, Kenya

Date: March 24, 2001

Angler Ronald de Jager successfully caught this record-breaking Bull Shark by trolling a live Yellowfin Tuna. The catch broke the previous 1994 record by 12 ounces.

15. Dusky Shark – 764 lb

Location: Longboat Key, FL

Date: May 28, 1982

In 1982, Warren Girle pulled in this world record on a Bonito off Longboat Key, Florida.

14. Thresher Shark – 767 lb

Location: Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Date: February 26, 1983

David Hannah caught this Thresher using Kahawai Salmon. Catching a Thresher of any size requires a great deal of skill, because these monsters are known for bashing the hook and bait with their tail before moving in for the kill. This is why Hannah’s record is even more impressive.

13. Bigeye Thresher Shark – 802 lb

Location: Tutukaka, New Zealand

Date: February 8, 1981

A couple of years before David Hannah, Dianne North reeled in an even bigger Thresher. She trolled a Kahawai to hook the fish and then fought the beast for three hours and 45 minutes. What’s interesting is that the two catches occurred just over 30 miles away from each other.

12. Pacific Bluefin Tuna – 907 lb 6 oz

Location: Three Kings Islands, New Zealand

Date: February 19, 2014

Angler Donna Pascoe battled this Bluefin for over four hours, and in some very tough weather conditions. For her impressive catch, Ms. Pascoe received the IGFA Best World Record award for 2014.

11. Swordfish – 1,182 lb

Location: Iquique, Chile

Date: May 7, 1953

a 1182 IGFA World Record Swordfish

After more than 60 years, Lou Marron’s historic record still stands. It’s a testament to how people once used nothing but angling to catch the ocean’s most fearsome creatures. Lou caught the 14′ Swordfish by trolling a live Bonito.

10. Shortfin Mako Shark – 1,221 lb

Location: Chatham, Massachusetts

Date: July 21, 2001

Luke Sweeney caught this fearsome Mako during the Oak Bluffs Monster Shark Tournament in 2001. Luke was actually aboard the smallest boat in the tournament, a 24′ World Cat, when he broke the record. The fight lasted three hours, but ultimately, the Mako made it to the scales for weigh-ins.

9. Great Hammerhead Shark – 1,280 lb

Location: Boca Grande

Date: May 23, 2006

Charter captain Bucky Dennis usually fishes for Snook and Tarpon. However, according to him, when Tarpon come to Boca Grande, so do the Hammerheads. Bucky caught this 14.5′ Shark using a stingray for bait. The Hammerhead hauled his 23′ boat almost 12 miles out into the Gulf.

8. Sixgill Shark – 1,298 lb

Location: Ascension Island, British Overseas Territories

Date: November 21, 2002

Although you can find them worldwide, Sixgilled Sharks just aren’t fish you see everyday. Angler Clemens Rump caught this shark off the remote Ascension Island, in the middle of the Atlantic.

7. Pacific Blue Marlin – 1,376 lb

Location: Kaaiwi Point, Kona, Hawaii

Date: May 31, 1982

Trolling a kita lute, angler Jay de Beaubien managed to catch this Pacific Blue Marlin in under an hour! Jay’s record nearly fell in 2015, when an angler caught a 1,376 lb Blue Marlin off the very same Hawaiian coast.

6. Atlantic Blue Marlin – 1,402 lb 2 oz

Location: Vitoria, Brazil

Date: February 29, 1992

Fishing off Vitoria, Brazil angler Paulo Amorim caught this grander trolling a Molecraft lure.

5. Atlantic Bluefin Tuna – 1,496 lb

Location: Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada

Date: October 26, 1979

Nova Scotia is famous for its Bluefin Tuna fishery. Bluefins are much more strictly regulated these days, but regardless, Ken Fraser’s 1979 record still seems almost unbeatable.

4. Black Marlin – 1,560 lb

Location: Cabo Blanco, Peru

Date: August 4, 1953

Angling legend Alfred C. Glassell Jr. caught this enormous Black Marlin way back in 1953, making it one of the longest-standing IGFA World Records to date. This Marlin, along with a number of other fish Glassell caught, comprise a permanent exhibit in the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

3. Greenland Shark – 1,708 lb 9 oz

Location: Trondheimsfjord, Norway.

Date: October 17, 1987

Using a herring as bait, Norwegian angler Terje Nordvedt caught one of the biggest Sharks ever. This was one of the rare times people could see the longest living vertebrae on dry land. These sharks often live longer than 400 years!

2. Tiger Shark -1,785 lb 11 oz

Location: Ulladulla, Australia

Date: March 28, 2004

This record is a little controversial. When Kevin J. Clapson weighed his enormous Tiger shark in 2004, he thought he broke a 40-year-old record. However, since his catch was only 11 ounces heavier than Walter Maxwell’s catch from 1964, the ruling was that the record was tied.

1. White Shark – 2,664 lb

Location: Ceduna, Australia

Date: April 21, 1959

Alfred Dean’s 1959 record is by far the biggest fish ever caught and approved by the IGFA. Great White Sharks are a protected species almost everywhere these days, so it seems that Dean’s record is here to stay.

All of the catches on this list represent incredible feats by some of the best anglers on earth. With today’s conservation-oriented regulations, most of these won’t be broken any time soon. But that’s a not a bad thing – we’ll have more of these incredible creatures roaming the oceans for years to come. Besides, we’ll always have lists like this one to remind us of how impressive these beasts really are.

Your turn. Which of the catches on our list is the most impressive in your mind? Which of these records do you think anglers will break first? Let us know in the comments below.

What Kind Of Accessories Are Actually Useful On Firearms?

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Firearms are essential pieces of equipment in most American households. Unfortunately, crime rates are through the roof and people have never been more concerned for their safety. By virtue of reading this post then it’s highly likely you yourself are a gun owner.

Unfortunately, a lot of people have no idea what to do with their guns (or how to improve them and make them more efficient) beyond storing them in cases and using them in emergencies. In this post, you will learn about the kind of accessories you should fit to your firearms to make them better.

Laser Sight

Laser sights aren’t exactly common accessories, but they are highly useful. If you are the owner of a rifle like the AR-15 then a red dot sight could come in very handy. If you do plan on investing in such an accessory, you need to make sure that you read an AR15 red dot sight guide so that you can use yours more effectively. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they can just fit laser sights, and they do not need to perform research and learn how to use them. Not using one’s laser sight correctly could lead to a reduction in their performance and when it comes to actually using one’s gun, failure. Try to find the most affordable but likewise, quality laser sight that you can for your weapon as your gun’s accessories need to be the best of the best.

Flashlights

Typically, flashlights are only fitted to the weapons of military personnel and the police. However, there is nothing stopping you from fitting one onto your weapon. That being said as flashlights can be heavy and can obstruct movement, you should only fit one to your gun if it is really necessary for you to do so. If it is not necessary then you should not waste your time. Find the brightest flashlight that you can, so you can make the most out of it. The brighter a flashlight is, the more useful it is going to be.

Holster

Holsters are great accessories if your firearm of choice is a pistol or handgun. Having a holster means that you will be able to carry your weapon around with you. Before investing in a holster and then using it to carry your gun, make sure it is legal in your state for you to do so. In some states, people can openly carry their guns and in others, they can carry them concealed, in a holster. In some, however, gun owners can do neither. Being caught with a weapon in a public place, licensed or not, is a criminal offense in some places.

Sling

A sling is essentially just a holster for larger guns, like rifles. If you do own an AR-15 as mentioned earlier then it’s a good idea to invest in a sling. Having a sling means that you will be able to carry your weapon around with you. Again you do need to find out what your state’s specific rules are relative to the carrying of weapons in public. If you are not allowed to carry any guns in public then carrying an AR-15 is bound to get you into a lot of trouble since many states are calling specifically for that gun’s banning.

Silencer

A silencer isn’t an accessory you really need, but it can be one that is fun to own. A lot of people have this idea in their heads about silencers that they completely silence shots, but this is not true. They just muffle them. Silencers are extremely loud when they are used which means that they are not ideal for concealing the sound of gunshots completely. Even so, a lot of people use them when they are hunting and if you are a hunter, a silencer is one of the best weapons that you can invest in.

Headphones

Finally, make sure that you have headphones if you are going hunting or plan on attending a shooting range. Do not make the mistake of using your firearm without them. For ears unfamiliar with the sound of gunshots, headphones can save them from bursting. If you have not been in close proximity to gunfire before and use a weapon, the chances are your eardrums will burst, which can be excruciatingly painful. Headphones are not that expensive and make for a great investment for all firearms owners, casual or professional.

If you plan on buying a gun then be sure to invest in at least some of the accessories that have been listed here in this post. They will prove to be very handy and will help you to use your weapon more effectively. Most of these accessories are widely available and very affordable.

Wayback Lowcountry: Hunting for arrowheads

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You can find Native American artifacts here if you know where to go and what to look for.

Story + Artwork by Michele Roldán-Shaw

It took me a few years to find my prize spearpoint. I’d put in the time ambling along dirt roads — especially after a rain — and combing freshly ploughed fields, as my old-timer informants advised. They made it seem like finding artifacts around here was easy, and certainly the points and potsherds strewn around their homes bore this out. Yet somehow for all my wanderings I never managed to find more than a few broken flint chips.

Until my 24th birthday. I was on a little solo expedition near the Donnelly Wildlife Management Area, hiking deep in the heart of extensive dirt tracks that crisscross woods and wetlands. The road looked like it had turned to a mud bog in summer rains, then gotten baked dry by a merciless sun until it split into a network of cracks — prime hunting ground for arrowheads. They get unearthed this way and sometimes conveniently display themselves on little raised pedestals after all the mud has washed off around them. Yet I wasn’t actively looking that day, just walking and talking on my cell phone, when suddenly I happened to glance down and there was a beautiful 3-inch-long spearhead! It had a light buff color with blushes of rich ochre and was museum quality with only the tiniest chip missing from the point. I couldn’t believe it. A short distance away I found a nice white arrowhead and another slate gray point with the butt end broken off. I’ve never found another arrowhead since.

America has been home to human beings for millennia. But exactly how many? It was long thought that the first people arrived 13,000 years ago, yet in recent years that date has been pushed further and further back. South Carolina made a memorable contribution to the debate when archeologists at the Topper Site, an ancient chert quarry on the banks of the Savannah River in Allendale County, announced compelling evidence of human activity dating back 50,000 years. As with any sensational new finding in the scientific community, it caused international controversy and is still disputed today.

Here in the Lowcountry Native inhabitants were laid back seafood eaters, as their old middens of oyster, mussel and clam shells attest. But they also enjoyed an abundance of wild game: deer, rabbit, coon, squirrel, quail, wild turkey, waterfowl, even bear and bison that once roamed this far east. The land we now stand on has been littered with projectile points. Big spearheads are impressive, but I find the tiny “bird points” most fascinating because of their minute size and the skill it must have taken to manufacture them. I always thought that bird point referred to the intended prey; after all, birds are small, so the arrowhead should be too, right? But in fact these beautiful little killers were meant to take down big game (or human enemies!) as their small size made them deadlier by increasing the speed of the projectile.

An arrowhead found locally might be more than 10,000 years old, which is exciting to ponder. A less happy thought is what happened to the descendants of those people: genocide, displacement, decimation by disease, attempted erasure from the collective culture. We can’t change the past — but we can honor those whose mere continued presence bears testament to the strength of their people. According to a 2016 study, 13,000 Native Americans live in South Carolina. Of the 29 tribes thought to have been living here at the time of European contact, just 10 are currently recognized by the state government, and only one has federal recognition. But indigenous people are still here. They are not merely an ancient history of arrowheads, potsherds and middens. They are the original Americans, and they deserve the dignity of acknowledgment.

Sharp points

The best places to look: dirt roads, plowed fields, eroding banks

If you find one: visit projectilepoints.net to identify the type

Worth a trip: the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., which has a gorgeous collection of hundreds of arrow and spearpoints arrayed in an artful swirl

Contemporary tribes in South Carolina: Pee Dee, Waccamaw, Catawba, Cherokee, Edisto, Santee, Sumter, Natchez, Yamasee, Chicora

Can a 22 air rifle kill a deer?

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“Debate over whether a 22 air rifle can effectively take down a deer has sparked curiosity among hunting enthusiasts. With its lower muzzle velocity compared to traditional firearms, we delve into the possibilities and limitations of this controversial topic to shed light on whether this lightweight weapon can indeed be lethal enough for deer hunting.”

can a 22 air rifle kill a deer

When it comes to hunting deer, using a.22 air rifle may not be the most effective or ethical choice. While it is possible for a.22 air rifle to kill a deer, it is generally not recommended due to its limited power and range. The.22 caliber is more commonly used for smaller game such as rabbits or squirrels, where accuracy and precision are more important than sheer stopping power. Deer are much larger animals and require a larger caliber rifle to ensure a humane and quick kill.

In many states, using a.22 air rifle for deer hunting is illegal due to the lack of sufficient power. Most hunting regulations require hunters to use firearms with enough energy and velocity to quickly and effectively kill the animal without causing unnecessary suffering. A.22 air rifle simply does not meet these requirements. It is important to prioritize the welfare of the animal being hunted and choose an appropriate firearm that can deliver enough force to ensure a clean kill.

Ultimately, while it may be technically possible for a skilled shooter with exceptional accuracy to kill a deer with a.22 air rifle, it is not advisable or ethical. It is always best to use firearms specifically designed for big game hunting that provide adequate power and range. This ensures that your hunting experience is safe, humane, and within legal regulations.

In conclusion, while a 22 air rifle may technically be capable of killing a deer, it is not recommended or ethical to use such a weapon for hunting large game. The limited power and potential for inhumane kills make it unsuitable for deer hunting. It is crucial to prioritize the use of appropriate firearms and techniques to ensure a quick and humane kill while respecting wildlife conservation laws.


 

Crosman 2100 Classic Review

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Seldom in our lives, can we find a product that’s worth twice as much as what we pay for it.

And when we do find it, we bring it everywhere, brag about its awesomeness, and double the real price in your story to show off.

The product is truly fantastic, everyone absolutely believes in your story.

Sounds nice? Sounds good?

What would you think if I told you that today you’re gonna find such a bargain?

Don’t believe me?

Take a look at the Crosman 2100 Classic in this comprehensive review to see if I’m telling the truth.

Crosman 2100 Classic – Guntype

To start off, this is a multi-pump pneumatic air rifle.

Variable pump guns have a piston and a cylinder in the chamber.

The air in the cylinder is already pressurized and you apply more pressure to it when you cock the gun.

When you shoot, the pellet is propelled downrange inside the barrel by the driving force of compressed air.

The multi-pump rifle is generally lightweight, compact, and recoilless.

Moreover, it allows you to have control over the power of the gun:

Pump it 3 times if you are shooting indoors or in your garage and have no need for high power

Pump it 10 times in case you need power and want to work out a little bit.

For more on the 5 types of air rifles you need to know before buying, see this post.

The caliber of this gun is .177” (4.5 millimeters) which is the most common caliber for target shooting and plinking.

For more on how to choose the right air gun caliber for your game, see this post.

This Crosman 2100 is a BB repeater .

With a BB repeater gun, you don’t have to open up and reload or cock every time you want to shoot a BB.

Each time you shoot, a new BB is reloaded automatically.

This air rifle is not only a BB gun but also a single-shot pellet gun. Single-shot rifles tend to be cheap and simple to use.

And you can teach a newbie shooter how to handle a single-shot gun in only a few hours.

Having the ability to shoot both BB and pellet, this Crosman 2100 gives you an awesome option to switch from BB to pellet in case you get bored with shooting BB.

Besides, you can teach your kids how to operate a BB gun and a pellet gun at the same time without having to buy 2 types of guns separately.

The barrel is rifled steel with helical grooves inside.

(For more on things you should know about air rifle barrels before buying, see this post) .

The receiver is made of metal, too.

That’s an outstanding feature because BB guns normally don’t have metal receivers.

Therefore, you can shoot this gun for years without having to buy a new gun.

Stock

The stock is made of synthetic material with a metal receiver.

Unlike Woodstock which is heavy and easily affected by moisture and temperature, the synthetic stock is light and functions perfectly under any kind of weather

So it’s a great choice for people who live in a humid place and for shooters who don’t want to bother with stock preservation.

For more on the in-depth comparison between synthetic and wood stock, see this post.

This gun has a textured grip and forearm to add friction to your hand when shooting, prevent slippage from shooter sweat, and add stability when aiming.

Besides, it has a rubber buttpad to absorb recoil so you can enjoy long hours of shooting without getting a painful shoulder from the gun’s kickback.

Ammo

Crosman 2100 uses .177 pellets and .177 BBs as its main source of ammo.

BB is damn cheap: you can buy a thousand rounds of BB for just a few bucks.

And .177 is one of the cheapest pellets you can find on the market.

(For more on the differences between .177 & .22 and which jobs they do best, see this post.)

Sight

The open sight is fiber optic, hence you will align the sight faster and more accurately, even in the low-light condition like dusk.

Furthermore, the rear sight has windage adjustment (allows you to adjust the sight left and right) and elevation adjustment (allow you to adjust the sight up and down).

For more on how many types of air gun sights are out there and which one is suitable for you, see this post.

Cocking and loading

Pumping the gun: First put the gun “ON SAFE”, and open the forearm all the way until it reaches the limit.

Then return the foregrip to its original closed position and you just finish one pump.

Repeat the process to add more pumps to the gun (the minimum is 3, and the maximum is 10).

Loading the BBs: Slide the grip cap toward the rear of the airgun.

Pour no more than 200 BBs into the reservoir hole.

Close the grip cap.

Pull the BB follower stem back and latch in the notch.

Then point the barrel straight down.

With a hand-twisting motion, shake and twist the air gun to fill the visual magazine.

Take the stem out of the notch and release it to hold BBs in the visual magazine.

Cock the bolt by pulling it all the way back.

The magnetic bolt will automatically pick up a BB.

Push the bolt all the way forward slowly (you can see the BB move through the port) and you are done.

Loading the pellet: Pull the bolt all the way back, and place one pellet (nose first) in the loading port. 

After that push the bolt all the way forward and you are ready to shoot

You can see how easy to operate this gun by watching the video below:

Velocity, accuracy and power

Crosman 2100 has a velocity of up to 755 FPS with steel BB and 725 FPS with lead pellet.

This is medium velocity compared to other pellet guns and high velocity compared to other BB guns

So it ensures that you have more than enough velocity for a pop-up tin can or blow-up water balloons.

Chrony tests have given us the following results:

For 10 pumps

PelletFPSFPE
Crosman 5.5 grain BB559 5.2 
Crosman 7.9 grain Hollowpoint Premiere pellet625 6.9 
Crosman 8.0 gr Copper head pointed pellet617 6.8 
Diabolo Basic 7.0 gr537 4.48 
JSB Exact Monster Diabolo 13.4 gr475 6.72 
Super H Point pellet 6.9 gr647 6.42 
RWS Super Mag 9.3 gr557 6.41 
RWS Super point extra 8.2 gr603 6.62 
RWS Super dome 8.3 gr590 6.42 
Crosman Premier 7.9 gr655 7.53 
JSB Exact 8.4 gr dome608 6.9 
JSB exact RS 7.33 gr646 6.79 

From the figures above, we can see that this Crosman 2100 generates the highest velocities with :

  • Crosman Copperhead BB,
  • Crosman Premier pellet
  • And Super H Point pellet.

Furthermore, the average FPE is 6-7 FPE.

Thus, if you want to deal with squirrels or chipmunks with this gun, you need to be at close range and hit it with the perfect shot placement.

And if you want to take care of birds, this gun has more than enough power to drop doves, crows, and pigeons.

For this multi-pump gun, various shooting tests have been conducted by different shooters with positive results.

The common shooting groups are:

  • 3/4″ at 25 yards,
  • 1/4″ at 30 yards,
  • 1/4″ at 25 yards,
  • nickel size at 25 feet,
  • 1” at 25 meters,
  • 3/4″ at 30 yards,
  • 3/4″ at 50 feet,
  • 3/4″ at 25 yards,
  • 0.539” with Crosman Premiere lites at 10 meters,
  • 1.05” with JSB Exact RS at 10 meters,
  • 0.809” at 25 yards with Crosman Premiere lites,
  • 0.809” at 25 yards with RWS Superdome,
  • 0.48” with H&N Baracuda green at 25 yards.

(For more on everything you need to know about air rifle accuracy, see this post)

For plinking, many shooters can:

  • Shoot soda cans at 35 yards,
  • knockdown an old HDD at 40 feet,
  • hit a balloon at 10 yards,
  • hit a cola cap at 18 yards,
  • hit water bottles at 70 meters,
  • hit an ice cube at 40 yards.

Some can even manage to hit an old car rotor at 80 yards and a water bottle at 100 meters.

As you can see, this rifle is extremely accurate for target shooting on a firing range up to 30 yards and can take down common plinking objects with a shooting range up to 100 meters.

Airgun Evolution used the Crosman 2100 Classic for some much-needed indoor pigeon pest control here:

Loudness

This gun is very quiet. It has hundreds of customer reviews without a single complaint about noise so you can take comfort knowing that your plinking day doesn’t bother your neighbor’s afternoon.

Shooting Ability

The effective shooting range of this gun is 30 yards. You can use this gun for target shooting, plinking, and dropping birds.

Specifications

  • Caliber: 0.177”
  • Velocity: 755 FPS
  • Loudness: 3- Medium
  • Barrel Length: 20.84”
  • Overall Length: 39.75”
  • Shot Capacity: 17
  • Cocking Effort: 3-10 pumps
  • Barrel: rifled
  • Front Sight: Fiber Optic
  • Rear Sight: Adjustable for windage and elevation
  • Scopeable: 11mm dovetail
  • Trigger: Two-stage non-adjustable
  • Buttplate: Plastic
  • Suggested for: Plinking/Target shooting
  • Trigger Pull: 4.75 lbs
  • Action: Bolt-action
  • Safety: Manual
  • Powerplant: Multi-pump pneumatic
  • Function: repeater
  • Body Type: Rifle
  • Weight: 4.81 lbs
ProsCons
  • Awesome double function rifle
  • Great metal receiver
  • Beautiful stock with useful texturing grip
  • Breath-taking fiber optic sight
  • Decent velocity
  • Extremely accurate
  • Quiet
  • Easy to use
  • Made in the USA
  • Pumping action takes some time to learn
  • Pumping the gun can be tedious at some points.

Price

The price for Crosman is only $60.

Considering this is a double-function rifle with a metal receiver, high velocity, and remarkable accuracy, this is the best bang for the buck.

And remember that when you buy from PyramydAir you save $10 more than when buying from Crosman.

There are a couple of different listings online with different prices but the listing I found with the lowest price is the cheapest price among online e-commercial sites like Amazon, PyramydAir, Walmart, etc.

Conclusion

The Crosman 2100 is often considered an underpriced gun.

I would not be surprised if an air rifle at this high-quality level sells at 100 dollars or more but it is just 60 dollars for the whole package.

If you want a fun BB/pellet combo gun that lasts for years, this is a gun to go for.

What is Nymphing? An Introduction to the World of Subsurface Fly Fishing

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Nymphing: The act of fishing with artificial flies that imitate aquatic insects in their juvenile, larval state or other sub-aquatic lifeforms including worms and crustaceans that trout find irresistible. In other words, a fly fishing technique to catch lots and lots of fish in practically any body of water, any month of the year, and any time of day whether there?s a hatch happening or not.

Before mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies become creatures of the air, they spend their humble juvenile lives underwater as nymphs. Some cling to rocks in cocoon-like husks and some crawl around or scoot through the water, inevitably getting washed downstream by the river’s current.

Regardless of the specific species and how they look and behave, at some point, all nymphs “hatch,” leaving behind their sub-surface dwellings to become winged adults. They shed their nymphal exoskeletons, rise through the water column, emerge through the surface film, dry their wings, then head skyward to mate, lay their eggs, and die.

Why should you care about these strange aquatic insects and their anti-climactic life cycle?

Because nymphs are trout food.

And if you want to catch trout consistently ? both in size and numbers ? knowing how to fish flies that imitate nymphs is absolutely essential.

To get started, let’s dive into why you should be fishing in the first place.

A couple years ago I wrote a mini book, that I gave away at the classes I taught. Get a FREE Download eBook called – Expert Nymphing Secrets

Why Nymphing is More Effective than Any Other Style of Fly Fishing

Although dry flies get most of the attention and praise among fly anglers, the truth is that trout spend the vast majority of their time feeding underwater ? not on the surface.

And what are they eating down there?

You guessed it ? lots and lots of nymphs.

No matter the time of year or hour of the day, nymphs are present in rivers and lakes. And most of the time, trout are snacking away.

That’s why fishing nymphs is so effective ? since trout are always eating nymphs, you don’t have to time it right or wait for a hatch to catch fish. Simply tie on one or more nymph flies in approximately the size and color that matches the natural insects in the water and get to fishing.

When and Where to Fish Nymphs

The beautiful thing is that just about every type of water ? be it a fast-flowing freestone, a glassy spring creek, or even a stillwater lake or pond ? likely hold resident populations of aquatic insects. And like we mentioned, the nymphs are underwater all day long, regardless of whether a hatch is happening or not.

So no matter what stream or lake you’re on and when you’re fishing, you can use nymph flies to catch fish. The first key to success, then, is to know what kind of natural nymphs the trout are eating so you can match your artificial to the real thing. The second key is to know how to read the water in order to deliver your offering to the right spot with the proper presentation to entice a trout to bite.

We’ll get into the specifics of how to do all this later on, but the point is, if you know there are trout in a stream or lake, you can use nymphs to catch them.

What are my Favorite Nymph Flies

I’ve got a dozen articles on nymph flies. The best way to fill your fly box is to get a great foundation of flies. Pheasant Tails Hare’s Ears, Caddis, Midge….here are some pictures and sizes, plus a FREE download with my list.

Guide Tip: I probably shouldn’t be giving this away, but in the class I teach I have a download to help folks get a great selection of flies. Get the DOWNLOAD HERE

What Gear do You Need to Start Nymph Fishing?

Many times in fly fishing, going after a new species or learning a new style of casting requires an expensive trip to the fly shop to buy all new specialized gear. Luckily, this isn’t the case with nymph fishing.

Nymph fishing rods can get a little technical. If you really want to get into this kind of fishing, (it really catches lots of fish) you should think about getting the TFO Drift Fly Rod. It’s a 3 wt 9 foot fly rod in it’s basic form.

The ground breaking feature of this rod is that you can add length without un-stringing your fly line. The rod sections extend the rod from 9 foot up to over 12 feet. Read about the rod in this article – The Best Nymph Fishing Fly Rod or in my recommended gear section – HERE.

If you want to check the prices and reviews on the TFO Drift here’s a link to AMAZON – TFO Drift Fly Rod – Definitive Nymph Fly Rod.

Most of the nymphing techniques we’ll cover involve short casts, so a high-performance rod isn’t necessary. Unless you hook into a true giant, your fly reel won’t see much action when nymphing other than conveniently storing line ? most fish can be landed by stripping line by hand.

To give you an idea of the basic fly fishing outfit required for nymph fishing, here’s a quick gear list:

  • Rod: 9-foot 4,5, or 6-weight, medium to fast action
  • Reel: Standard single action fly reel matched to rod
  • Line: Weight-forward floating line
  • Leader: 9-foot nylon tapered leader
  • Tippet: Spools of 3X, 4X, 5X, and 6X

Pretty simple, right? Of course, you’ll still need some flies and several other nymphing-specific pieces of tackle, but as long as you have that basic rod and reel setup, you’re ready to start putting the nymphing techniques we’ll cover to the test!

I’ve got an article called Nymph Fishing Putting it All Together (Link to article). It summarizes many of the articles on this website.

308 vs 5.56 / 223: Ballistics, Ammo, & More

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History: M4 vs M14s

The most significant performance difference between 5.56 NATO and .308 Win.—or its 7.62 NATO twin—was on full display during ground operations in the global war on terrorism. M4s chambered in 5.56 NATO performed admirably during the close quarters combat common in Iraq, but effectiveness diminished when Afghanistan’s mountains extended engagement distance.

The M4’s shorter barrel is nimble in buildings, but it’s not designed for long-range precision. It also compromises the projectile’s initial velocity, because not all powder may burn completely before it leaves the gun. That can result in increased drop during travel and additional time for wind to push it off course. Bullets delivered from those house-clearing carbines also don’t carry a lot of energy after lengthy travel.

Insurgents, on the other hand, were behind heavier calibers, many of them capable of slicing through breezes and carrying authoritative punch upon arrival. The U.S. military’s Semi-Automatic Sniper System, basically a fully outfitted AR-10 chambered in 7.62 NATO, proved an effective response, but they were not available in sufficient numbers.

The solution had been collecting dust in armories since the Vietnam War. It was a stockpile of M14s whose short stint as the official service rifle ended in 1964 when it was (ironically) replaced by M16. That 7.62 NATO chambering called it back to duty, and M14s retrofitted with optics, rails and bipods in the hands of our troops responded to terrorist attacks at distances far beyond the effective range of M4s.

The 7.62 NATO (twin of the .308 Win.) is the clear winner of the two in the distance race. The 5.56 NATO, however, leads the way in those shorter sprints to the finish line.

7.62x51 NATO vs 308 Winchester side by side bullet comparison

7.62×51 NATO vs .308 (Are they the Same?)

Visually these cartridges are identical twins—assuming they’re dressed with the same bullet—but like any siblings, there are subtle differences. The .308 Win. can handle chamber pressure up to 62,000 psi, while 7.62 NATO (or 7.62×51 mm) ammo comes in at 50,000 psi. That means an AR-10 chambered for .308 Win. eagerly and safely digests 7.62 NATO. The reverse, however, is not true. The scarcity of catastrophic failures caused by the improper combination is a clear indication of the uncompromising focus on safety firearm and ammo companies maintain.

Precisely how we arrived at two different names is a story that begins in 1952, when Winchester Ammunition introduced the .308 Win. cartridge. The U.S. military, in the meantime had been experimenting with a replacement for the .30-06 Sprg. cartridge that got us through World War II and Korea. In 1954 the U.S. Army rolled out a 7.62×51 mm cartridge, the identical twin. Some claim Winchester worked with the government on the design but launched early under the company name for marketing reasons. Others, of a more conspiratorial nature, claim someone in the company gained access to the military’s specifications.

Either way, another name was about to enter the picture. The communist menace was growing at the time, and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were eager to standardize ammunition between allied nations to alleviate logistics problems. In 1957, a version of the 7.62×51 mm with pressure reduced to reliably run military machineguns and semi-automatics, was accepted and standardized under the label 7.62 NATO.

While AR-10s in .308 Win. can run 7.62 NATO, it’s dangerous for .223 Rem.-chambered AR-15s to run 5.56 NATO cartridges. They are visually similar, but the military version generates higher pressure. An AR-15 chambered for the NATO cartridge, however, can safely run .223 Rem., although some loss in accuracy is possible. [See our article about AR10 Calibers for more information on other calibers for AR10 uppers and AR-10 rifles.]

Bullet Slow Motion

Ballistics at Distance

Stopping Power

The amount of energy .308 Win. delivers downrange is staggering compared to that of the 5.56 NATO. It’s a huge concern for anyone who hunts big game, and illustrates one of the reasons the U.S. military pulled M14s out of mothballs.

Federal’s American Eagle line—staying with a single manufacturer to avoid the varying barrel lengths different brands sometimes use in testing—demonstrates the difference. Its 55-grain 5.56 NATO load generates 1,223 ft.-lbs. of energy at the muzzle, but the figure drops to a paltry 277 at 500 yards. Conversely, the company’s .308 Win. load with 150-grain bullet launches with 2,648 ft.-lbs. and at 500 yards still delivers 1,089 on target. That’s almost four times the stopping power at five football field lengths.

Wind Drift

Federal’s testing also demonstrates the difference in cartridges when it comes to wind drift. The results are reported for a 10-mph breeze, at full value—perpendicular to the bullet’s direction of flight—and again give the nod to .308 Win. The 5.56 NATO cartridge is off target by 38.1 inches at 500 yards. The .308 Win., however, moves 23.3. That’s more than a foot.

Bullet Drop

The 5.56 NATO load wins when it comes to drop,offering a flatter trajectory than it’s big brother 308 Winchester.With a 200-yard zero, it drops 38.1 inches at 500 yards. The .308 Win. figure is 47.2, or 9.1 inches lower.

Bullet drop, however, is relatively predictable, thanks to the fact that acceleration due to gravity remains 32 feet per second/per second, whether in gale-force winds or 10 mph breezes. Bullet drop compensating reticles harness that fact by providing the correct holdover for that rifle and cartridge at a known distance. You can also dial a rifle’s turret the correct number of clicks to adjust, which is the preferred military solution after lots of practice and copious note taking. For that reason, most precision marksmanship courses recommend, often, “dial for elevation, hold for wind.”

Of course, doping the wind at both the shooting position and target, while gauging crosswinds across 500 yards, is an art that takes years of practice. Reducing potential error by a foot is a huge advantage for .308 Win., along with the added energy delivered on target.

The numbers might make an AR-10 chambered in .308 Win. seem like the clear choice, but there are reasons many enthusiasts find the 5.56 NATO a better one.

Recoil

Recoil is likely the most over-discussed firearm subject that exists. Calculating the precise amount generated when a cartridge is touched off is easy, but how much of it reaches the shooter and is felt—perceived recoil—defies a simple equation.

Bear in mind, both cartridges are tame on the shoulder. The muzzle energy generated by the .308 Win. cartridge above, however, is nearly double that of the 5.56 NATO, resulting in a significant increase in raw recoil. That translates to increased muzzle rise with each shot, lengthening the time it takes to get back on target if a follow-up shot is required.

That fact gives an AR-15 chambered in 5.56 NATO a big advantage if it’s serving as a home-defense gun or pursues speedy predators. That’s one of the reasons the U.S. military has stuck with a cartridge that’s performed so well in Iraq’s urban engagements.

The cycling of a semi-automatic firearm drains some of that recoil compared to a bolt gun, however, long before it ever reaches the shooter. So does every ounce of the gun’s weight, along with accessories and scope. Add a recoil pad and perhaps even a muzzle brake and that .308 Win. recoil is almost as pleasant to shoot at a 5.56 NATO, but it won’t be nearly as nimble in that configuration. [See our complete comparison of AR10 vs AR15 rifles.]

Hunting & Bullet Choices

In many areas of the country pursuit of big game is not legal with a 5.56 NATO-chambered rifle. It is, however, allowed nearly everywhere with a .308 Win.

The smaller cartridge just doesn’t retain the kind of energy downrange for most hunters to deliver ethical one-shot stops. Even in practiced hands, the selection of bullets available today is limited, and most often available in match, full metal jacket or predator-hunting designs. There are some controlled expansion bullets available, but .308 Win. gets the nod here, thanks to an inventory of projectile choices that overwhelms those available for 5.56.

5.56 vs 308 side by side bullet comparison

Ammo

Bargain-basement prices for 5.56 NATO and .223 Rem. may not have survived the pandemic’s ammunition shortage, but they’re still inexpensive compared to other centerfire rifle cartridges. It’s hard to find a sporting goods store or FFL that doesn’t have a few boxes on the shelf, cases in back or pallet staged by the cash register. If high-volume practices are on the schedule, it’s the best choice.

That’s not the case with .308 Win. or 7.62 NATO. These cartridges are more expensive, although it’s hard to beat the performance downrange, along with the its long history of winning matches and bagging big game.

[308 ammunition can often be up to twice as expensive as 5.56 or 223 ammo, but offers a huge variety of grain weights for hunting and long range shooting. See our infographic comparing 2022 ammo prices by caliber.]

Which is Better?

[As Eric Shattuck said in his article about AR-10s vs AR-15s, “Ultimately, the choice between an AR-10 (.308) and an AR-15 (5.56/223) comes down to what you need out of your rifle.” We couldn’t agree more! If you’re looking for a rifle to do competitive target shooting, long range shooting, or medium to large game hunting, then 308Winchester is the way to go. However, if you simply want a low cost, versatile self-defense or plinking gun, 5.56 NATO/223 Remington will be the better option.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Guy Saji for his work on this article comparing 308 Winchester and 5.56 NATO/223 Remington. Leave a comment below about your favorite AR-platform caliber and read about 6.5 Creedmoor vs 308 next!]

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