Field Guide

By Dan Smith | Sightmark Pro Staff To start out, this wasn’t my first rodeo at the Sellmark Ranch. I’ve been on the Sightmark Pro Staff team for six years... Read more...

Equipping a Ribbed Shotgun with a Reflex Sight

With turkey season fast approaching, I find myself pondering which firearm I want to carry this year. Like many hunters and gun enthusiasts, I have several options but find myself... Read more...

Round the Clock: Wraith 4K Digital Night Vision Review & Features

The Wraith 4K 4-32x40 brings your daylight or dark world to life with a sight picture that feels familiar to those accustomed to traditional reticles in daylight conditions, ensuring maximum... Read more...

Historical Hunting Rifles: A Guide to America’s Most Iconic Hunting Firearms

Throughout American history, hunting rifles have been indispensable tools for survival, recreation, and tradition. From the days of frontier expansion to modern hunting, each era brought forth a firearm that... Read more...

The 20 Longest Recorded Sniper Shots of All Time

On the battlefield, every warrior has his role. The infantry might be the tip of the spear, thrusting forward to claim ground, and the artillery the hammer, smashing defenses into... Read more...

Best Thermal Riflescope for Beginners: My Experience with the Wraith Mini

I’ll never forget my first walk to the deer blind. It was pitch black, and all I could hear was the harsh cadence of my own breathing and the deafening... Read more...

Michigan’s Senate Bill 1134: Why the Push to Ban Guns by Color is a Threat to Your Rights

Michigan lawmakers have really outdone themselves this time. Senate Bill 1134, introduced during a lame-duck session by Senator Dayna Polehanki (D), is the latest attack on the Second Amendment and... Read more...

The Most Common Calibers in the US: Top 5 Cartridges Every Shooter Should Know

When it comes to firearms, the cartridge you choose says a lot about how and why you shoot. From self-defense to hunting to weekend plinking, every caliber has its purpose—and... Read more...

First Time Gun Owner Guide: Best Attachments and Upgrades for Beginners

So, you’ve finally bit the metaphorical bullet and you’ve decided to buy your first firearm. Congrats! Whether you’re planning to get a shiny new AR-15 or a reliable handgun, you’re... Read more...

Different Types of Night Vision: Thermal, Analog, and Digital Compared

There are different types of night vision technology for hunting, scouting, or tactical operations, each with their own unique traits. The different types—thermal imaging, generational night vision, and digital night... Read more...

Gun Rights Thanksgiving: Why the Second Amendment Still Matters

As the leaves change color and we begin to feel a welcome chill in the air, many find themselves preparing for the Autumn season. With that comes Thanksgiving and a... Read more...

How to Field Dress Your Deer

So, you’ve bagged a deer—congratulations! But bringing the deer down was just half the job, and now you’ll have to get your hands dirty field dressing your kill. Now, you... Read more...

Choosing the Right Rifle Scope: A Hands-On Look at the Sightmark Presidio 3-18x50 FFP

Choosing the right rifle scope can greatly impact your shooting experience, whether you’re an avid hunter, competitive shooter, or tactical user. With so many options on the market, selecting a rifle... Read more...

Essential Gear for Late Season Deer Hunting

To put it bluntly, being cold sucks. If you are not properly prepared, you are left in your tree stand shivering, losing fine motor skills by the minute because you... Read more...

Introducing Youth to Hunting and the Outdoors

Hunting is more than just a tradition passed down through generations—it's a way to connect with nature, understand wildlife management, and bond with family and friends. When we introduce young people to the outdoors and hunting, we're not just teaching them how to harvest game; we're instilling in them a respect for the environment, an understanding of safety, and a strong ethical foundation. Start with Education and Safety Before setting foot in the field, it’s essential for young hunters to receive the proper education. Most states require a hunter's education... Read more...

Bear Hunting Gear Guide: Everything You Need for a Successful Hunt

Embarking on a pack-in, pack-out DIY bear hunt is an adventure that demands physical stamina, mental fortitude, and a deep understanding of wilderness survival. Whether you are pursuing bears, elks,... Read more...

Better Blackout Hand Loads: Tips for Hand Loading .300 AAC BLK

In terms of popularity, the .300 AAC Blackout has had quite a rollercoaster ride. When it first hit the scene in 2009, I thought that we revolutionized the AR-15 platform... Read more...

Two hunters, a man and woman, in a snowy landscape, preparing for a hunt.

Purpose-Driven Optics for Deer Hunting

When it comes to deer hunting, the right optic can make all the difference between a successful hunt and a day of frustration. Sightmark, a trusted name in the optics... Read more...

a competitive shooter actively firing a firearm during a shooting event.

Room Clearing Tactics for Civilians: Essential Skills for Home Defense

IPSC champion Marius Kazanskis trains with his pistol caliber carbine and Sightmark optics. Why Most Gun Owners Need Room Clearing Training Most people who buy guns in the United States... Read more...

a shooter aiming a Ruger PCC firearm that resembles a Soviet PPSh-41 in a competitive shooting or tactical training scenario.

Your First Shooting Competition: What to Expect

“I guess all the little pops and bangs of the firing range just got boring after awhile,” that line from a Fallout New Vegas NPC named Pete stuck to me... Read more...

Essential Deer Hunting Tips: How to Read the Land, Signs, and Weather

Whether you’re hunting whitetail, mule, or axis, tracking a deer of any kind is a long but rewarding process. A hunter will need more than just marksmanship skills to spot... Read more...

Competitive shooter Chris Spence engaged in a shooting drill on a range.

USPSA Frequently Asked Questions – Part 2: Training, Reloads, and Mental Game

In this second part of USPSA shooter Chris Spence's interview, we discuss the human factor involved in practical shooting. Even if you have the best gear money can get, the... Read more...

USPSA Frequently Asked Questions – Part 1: Gear, Guns, and Getting Started

For those of you who’ve ever wondered about participating in the fast-paced and exciting world of the United States Practical Shooting Association, you've come to the right place. Sightmark sat down with experienced USPSA shooter Chris Spence to answer common questions asked by beginners and those new to the sport. A few years ago, Chris realized that he was his own first line of defense, and that whatever protection the law promised, no matter the response time, would not be as fast as his own finger on the trigger. Since... Read more...

Precision Optics for Varmint Control

They’re cute, they’re cuddly, they carry bubonic plague. Although adorable, prairie dogs are outrageously destructive and cause injury or even death to the cattle that also occupy the land. The... Read more...

Tracking Black Bear in Oklahoma

Deep in the beautiful mountains of Oklahoma, I find my second home. I feel like I imagine our ancestors must have felt—at peace and one with nature. Cooking over a... Read more...

Close-up of the upper receiver of a side-charging AR-10 rifle

Direct Impingement vs. Gas Piston: Understanding How They Impact Recoil

Understanding how a rifle cycles and manages recoil can significantly influence your shooting experience by allowing you to choose which of the two most popular operating systems is best for... Read more...

The image shows a close-up of a tactical rifle equipped with multiple optics, including a red dot sight and a magnifier.

A New Shooter’s Guide to Red Dots

With terms like "red dot," "reflex sight," and "infinite eye relief" being tossed around, it's easy to get lost in the jargon of shooting, especially for a new shooter. To... Read more...

Glenn Guess in camouflage clothing, poses on top of a wild boar he has hunted.

Hog Calling: The Wild Origins and Breakthroughs of a Forgotten Hunting Art

For centuries, humankind’s innate cunning has allowed us to reign supreme as the planet's apex predators. Through ingenuity, deception, and an incredible capacity for mimicry, we have evolved into perfected... Read more...

a painting of a Civil War Union soldier perched in a tree, aiming a rifle with a long scope.

From Telescopic Beginnings to Digital Precision: The Evolution of Riflescopes

Riflescopes have a fascinating history that parallels the evolution of firearms themselves. It all began centuries ago, in the 17th century, when rifling—a method of cutting spiral grooves inside the... Read more...

A hunter dressed in camouflage gear sits on the ground, leaning against a stack of large, cut logs. He is holding a rifle equipped with a suppressor, scope, and other tactical accessories.

Coyote Hunting Tips: Gear, Tactics, and Why It Matters

With Turkey Season just around the corner, you're likely patterning your shotgun, checking out new camo, and polishing your decoys. However, if you truly want to increase your odds of... Read more...

A close-up image shows the lower receiver of an Armalite AR-10 rifle, chambered in 7.62mm.

The AR10: the Great Compromiser

The AR10 is a rifle that's often overshadowed by its younger sibling, the AR15, even though the celebrated three-oh-hate packs a punch like a sledgehammer while the AR10 maintains the... Read more...

A tactical rifle equipped with a thermal scope is mounted on a tripod backlit by a campfire.

Own The Night with the Wraith Mini Thermal

I live in Texas and just bought 40 acres of prime wilderness in Oklahoma. It's a beautiful piece of land in the middle of nowhere, so the only sounds you... Read more...

A wild hog lies on the ground, illuminated by a spotlight at night, with a modern sporting rifle resting on top of it.

Wild Pork: A Love Affair

“Now, when y’all look through them thermal scopes, y’all should see that hothands glowin’ up thurr on tha’ targit” Brad drawled. This was the first experience my friends and I... Read more...

A close-up image of a camouflaged shotgun resting on a tree stump in a woodland setting.

Turkey Hunting with the M3 Solar Red Dot

As you read this, you’re likely either preparing for the next turkey season or licking your wounds from missing the big one this past go-around. If it’s the latter, don’t... Read more...

A tactical simulation scene shows a person holding a rifle while taking cover behind a wall.

How to Prepare for an Active Shooter Event

In today's world, it's an unfortunate reality that active shooter events have become more frequent. While the likelihood of being involved in such an event remains statistically low, it’s essential... Read more...

A hunter wearing an orange safety vest and cap smiles proudly while kneeling beside a harvested buck with impressive antlers.

An Oklahoma Deer Hunt

It was a cold November morning with a gentle fog over the fields of Central Oklahoma. Sunlight filtered through the stark branches of Blackjack trees in the thicket behind me.... Read more...

A man is using a spotting scope at a shooting range while wearing ear protection and sunglasses.

A Return to Essence: Rediscovering a Passion for Hunting and Shooting (part 2)

Long-Range Shooting, a discipline that challenges the limits of a rifleman’s precision and skill, has captivated me in a unique way. In those moments of absolute concentration, when the wind... Read more...

Two men on horseback are pictured in a mountainous, rugged landscape. They are dressed for outdoor exploration or hunting, with gear packed on their horses.

A Return to Essence: Childhood Memories on the Family Estate (part 1)

In the vast Pampas, where the horizon seems to stretch to the ends of the earth, stands a family estate that had borne witness to countless generations. Founded by my... Read more...

A close-up image of a hunter holding a bolt-action rifle with a wooden stock and a large Sightmark Presidio riflescope attached.

In Focus: Stretching Out with the Presidio 3-18x50 LR2

In the realm of gun writing, few experiences are as gratifying as tinkering with shiny new products and the good experiences that accompany them. One experience that comes to mind... Read more...

Chris Spence, a competitive shooter examines a paper target with multiple bullet holes during a shooting match.

Shooting Sports with Chris Spence

If you’re anything like me, you’ve owned firearms for quite some time and enjoyed the casual visits to the shooting range a few times a year. After an hour of... Read more...

A shooter wearing ear protection and sunglasses is aiming an AR-style rifle equipped with a Sightmark Presidio scope.

Sightmark Presidio 1-6x24 CR1 Review

Nothing gets you off the range quicker than milky glass that leaves you with a headache, certainly not an issue for the Presidio 1-6x24 CR1. Sightmark’s tactical Low-Powered Variable Optic stands... Read more...

A hunter dressed in camouflage proudly displays a large turkey, showcasing the bird's impressive fan of tail feathers.

Turkey Hunting with Red Dots

My dad always said that once he’d hear the spring frogs croaking, he knew it was time to hunt turkeys. As a young child, I was able to tag along... Read more...

A person wearing a black beanie and dark clothing is aiming a long-range rifle with a suppressor and a large scope while sitting in a grassy field.

Texas Summer Night

It was a typical Texas summer day, 105° F with a light but hot wind blowing and no clouds in the sky. Weather like that had not yet been able... Read more...

A man wearing glasses and a baseball cap is holding a handgun equipped with a red dot sight.

Red Dot Systems: What Are They, and What's the Hype?

The fundamentals of marksmanship have several pillars: grip, stance, sight alignment and picture, breath control, hold and trigger control, and follow-through. While all of these are crucial for developing the... Read more...

view through the reticle of a rifle scope, aimed at a grassy area with trees in the background.

How to Tell the Difference Between First and Second Focal Plane Reticles

Riflescopes are an essential part of any sharp shooter's gear. When it comes to selecting a riflescope, there's a lot to think about, like magnification and reticle type. First focal... Read more...

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