Few rifle rounds have cracked the 4,000-fps barrier. But the quest for ultra-velocity has produced some real screamers
Author: David E. Petzal
David E. Petzal
David E. Petzal began at Field & Stream in 1972 as managing editor. In the ensuing years, he has held half a dozen different titles with the brand, and since 2006 has been strictly a writer, covering all manner of outdoor-related subjects, but specializing in guns and hunting. Highlights Education Petzal graduated from Colgate University in 1963, with a major in English. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army NCO Academy at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, June 1968. Experience Aside from six years in the Army Reserve, during which he was a drill sergeant, Petzal has always worked in the magazine industry. He began at a small magazine called Guns and Hunting, went to Sports Afield in 1970, and to Field & Stream in 1972. He was executive editor at Field & Stream for 16 years, and then switched to write full time. Petzal has spoken at writers’ seminars sponsored by Reader’s Digest, hunting seminars sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the New York Chapter of Safari Club of America, the Camp Fire Club of America, and done numerous radio and television interviews, most dealing with firearms legislation. He has received awards for excellence in writing presented by Leupold/Stevens, Zeiss, Bushnell, and CBS Magazines. F&S Lightning Round Favorite Place to Fish: Troublesome Creek, Colorado Favorite Critter to Hunt: Cape buffalo Bucket List Adventure: One last safari, just to see Africa again Most Prized Piece of Gear: A Kenny Jarrett .416 that have faced death (and dishonor) with on more than one occasion All-Time Favorite F&S Story: The late Bill Tarrant’s first piece on dogs, “And I Don Not Walk Alone” Notable Work
The 7mm Mag, the 9mm, the .22 Mag, and seven more rounds that fall short of their billing
The 6.5 Creedmoor and the 308 Winchester are two of the very best big-game cartridges, and both are more than capable at long range. But only one can win this showdown
If you don’t de-foul your gun, sooner or later it will fail you. Here’s how to do the job right
Our firearms experts pick the greatest and most innovative rifles, shotguns, and handguns of all time
Both the .270 and 7mm mag. are great cartridges, but which one is better?
You’d better shoot straight when hunting these big-game animals. Or you will regret it
From the .577 Tyrannosaur to the .700 Holland & Holland, these rounds demand respect
It’s Creed versus Swede. One is a modern marvel and the other has been around forever
Unreliable, poorly designed, and downright dangerous, these are some of the worst guns to ever hit the woods
