Friday, June 26, 2026  |  Oregon's Outdoor Journal
Category

Shooting

33 articles

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
Hunting Rifle Cleaning and Maintenance: A Season-Ready Bore-to-Stock Guide

Hunting Rifle Cleaning and Maintenance: A Season-Ready Bore-to-Stock Guide

A dirty or neglected rifle will fail you at the worst possible moment. Here's how to properly clean, inspect, and maintain your hunting rifle from bore to stock — before the season starts and after the last shot.

By HFR Staff  · May 31, 2026
Dry Fire Training at Home: Building Trigger Control and Marksmanship Without Burning Ammo

Dry Fire Training at Home: Building Trigger Control and Marksmanship Without Burning Ammo

Dry fire is the single highest-ROI practice tool available to any shooter. Here's how to build a structured at-home dry fire program that will sharpen your marksmanship before the next hunt or match.

By HFR Staff  · May 29, 2026
Thermal and Night Vision Optics for Oregon Predator Hunters: A Practical Buyer's Guide

Thermal and Night Vision Optics for Oregon Predator Hunters: A Practical Buyer's Guide

Thermal and digital night vision have transformed predator hunting. Here's what Oregon hunters need to know about legality, technology, and choosing the right setup without wasting money.

By HFR Staff  · May 26, 2026
Field Shooting Positions Every Western Hunter Needs to Master

Field Shooting Positions Every Western Hunter Needs to Master

The bench rest doesn't follow you into the field. Mastering prone, sitting, kneeling, and supported positions before the season opens could be the difference between a clean kill and a miss when the moment counts.

By HFR Staff  · May 25, 2026
First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane Scopes: What Western Hunters Actually Need to Know

First Focal Plane vs. Second Focal Plane Scopes: What Western Hunters Actually Need to Know

The FFP vs. SFP debate has taken over the rifle scope market. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of which reticle plane actually matters for hunting in Oregon and the West — and when it doesn't.

By HFR Staff  · May 20, 2026
Running a Suppressor: What Oregon Hunters Need to Know About Cans in the Field

Running a Suppressor: What Oregon Hunters Need to Know About Cans in the Field

Suppressors are legal for hunting in Oregon and increasingly common in the field. Here's a practical breakdown of NFA paperwork, real-world sound reduction, host rifle selection, and why a can might be the best upgrade you make this season.

By HFR Staff  · May 19, 2026
Hunting Rifle Trigger Upgrades: Pull Weight, Creep, and the Best Aftermarket Options

Hunting Rifle Trigger Upgrades: Pull Weight, Creep, and the Best Aftermarket Options

A great trigger is the most underrated accuracy upgrade on any hunting rifle. Here's what pull weight and creep actually mean, what factory triggers are worth keeping, and which aftermarket units are worth your money.

By HFR Staff  · May 18, 2026
MOA vs. MRAD: Understanding Your Scope's Adjustment System for Long-Range Hunting Success

MOA vs. MRAD: Understanding Your Scope's Adjustment System for Long-Range Hunting Success

MOA or MRAD — every long-range hunter faces this choice when buying a scope. This practical guide breaks down both systems, explains the math in plain terms, and helps you pick the one that fits how you actually hunt.

By HFR Staff  · May 17, 2026
Reading Wind for Long-Range Hunting: Field Techniques That Close the Gap Between Miss and Meat

Reading Wind for Long-Range Hunting: Field Techniques That Close the Gap Between Miss and Meat

Wind is the great equalizer at long range — it doesn't care about your ballistic app or your expensive rifle. This guide breaks down practical wind-reading techniques that hunters can apply in the field, from mirage reading to vegetation cues.

By HFR Staff  · May 15, 2026