Obsessions of a Rifle Loony

John Barsness has written for every major hunting magazine published in North America, and some not so major. More importantly he’s known among a few of his close friends as the Bull Goose Rifle Loony. He wears the title proudly.

Here is a collection on John’s musings about hunting, guns, bullets, and such, some new and some published in places you may not have a subscription to. (Have you had trouble keeping up with his travels the last two years? Well, here’s your chance to catch up!)

Soft Cover, 328 pages: $23.50

Selecting and Ordering A Custom Hunting Rifle

 One of the projects John and I worked on last winter was Selecting and Ordering A Custom Hunting Rifle. Texas gunmaker, Charlie Sisk, is the brains behind the book, and asked all his favorite gun writer friends to contribute their thoughts.  And while buying a custom rifle seems extravagant in these hard economic times, you have to ask yourself: wouldn't it be more economical to have one rifle that fits you perfectly, that you can use forever, than to buy and sell, and buy and sell.  (Industry people call it 'churning' and it's 99.9% of their profits, so you know the only one losing money is the guy trying to sell a rifle quickly so he can buy the next great hope.)
John wrote several chapters and shorts, including ones on controlled-round feed vs. push-feed, reality vs. expectations when buying a custom rifle, wildcat cartridges, walnut stocks, and scopes for custom rifles.  He also takes on the big question: Should you  buy custom?  And I wrote the chapter on fit, good fit, for both men and women. 

 Sisk says, "It may look like any idiot could do what I do, but it takes years of study and watching people mount and use guns to know what to look for and turn around and fix it right." 

I've listened to Charlie's philosophy of fit for years, and shot his guns.  Might be this book should have been called Zen and the Art of Rifle Guns. 

Available: November 1st 2009.  Pre Orders available.
Price: $24.95 (Includes media rate shipping in the U.S.)

Rifle Bullets for the Hunter
A Definitive Study

The different types and styles of bullets available to the rifle hunter are staggering.  Through their world -wide hunting experiences and exposures to a  myriad of bullet testing investigarions, the authors have broken down terminal bullet performance to the nuts and bolts.  You will find a detailed analysis of rifle bullets used for varmints, deer, big game, muzzleloaders and dangerous game--as well as information on cast bullets.   Combined with comprehensive instructions on testing rifle bullets and how to interpret the results, this book is the most complete study of rifle bullets for the hunter ever published.

Are you a fan of Richard Mann?  He's the one who thought up this book in the first place.  Get his autograph by buying the Bullet Book at ramworks.net.

Chapters by John Barsness, Craig Boddington, John Haviland, Ron Spomer, 
Richard Mann, and Bryce Towsley  --  Edited by Dave Campbell
$34.95 (Includes media rate shipping in the U.S.)

Nosler Reloading Guide Number 6 

Why are we selling the new Nosler Reloading Guide?

John wrote the introduction and two of the caliber writeups.  It's the biggest and best Nosler reloading manual yet, crammed with information on new cartridges and powders. Many shooters also think it’s the most readable reloading manual as well, with short articles by dozens of well-known gun writers and industry figures, including Craig Boddington, Chub Eastman, Melvin Forbes, John Haviland, Ian McMurchy, Bob and John Nosler, Ron Spomer and Steve Timm.

2007, hardcover, 848 pages
$25.00 (Includes media rate shipping in the U.S.)

As the original Rifle Loony, John's excited about Nosler's introduction of the .280 Ackley Improved as a factory cartridge as well. Get yours now!

Barnes Reloading Manual
Number 4

Unleaded----Unfailing----Unbeatable

This is the biggest and best Barnes reloading manual yet, with lots of new data on the popular Barnes Triple-Shock™ bullet.  There’s also data on their non-toxic varmint Grenade bullet.  Also included, are articles by noted gun writers including: Craig Boddington, Brian Pearce and Ron Spomer.  And of course, John and Eileen each write a cartridge  introduction.  Both of us have used the Triple-Shock™ on all sized of game—from coyotes on up—with predictable, good results.

Price: $28.50 (Includes media rate shipping in the U.S.)

Advanced Handloading:
Beyond the Basics -- a CD

One inch groups not good enough?   Frustrated by flyers?  Tried every component combination--bullets, powder, and primer--to make your groups tighter and nothing works?   What you really need is John's new video, Advanced Handloading: Beyond the Basics.  It's almost like being in John's own reloading room.

John covers all the possibilities: from concentricity, to checking cases, neck sizing, case trimming, headspace, powder selection to name a few.  If it affects performance, John covers it.

Buy now for $22 (Includes media rate shipping in the U.S.)