To anyone with a passing interest in Scout rifles, Richard Mann needs little introduction. Born and raised in the West Virginia Hills, Richard has worked in military, law enforcement and firearms instructing, as well as having a competitive background. Somehow, between writing articles for numerous magazines, he’s managed to write several books, write a fascinating blog and hunt the world over. Luckily, having a range at home in West Virginia allows him enough time to indulge in his passion for ballistics, Scout rifles and of course spend plenty of time with his family.
How old where you when you first started shooting?
I was just four years old. My dad, mom and grandfather not only introduced me, but taught me too.
What was your first gun, and do you still have it and use it?
My first gun was a 22 rifle — I do still have it, but I don’t use it any more.
What’s the best drill for becoming a good shot?
I find the best drills are trigger manipulation and sight alignment drills. Essentially dry practice, and lots of it.
What’s the most valuable lesson (with regards to guns/shooting) you ever learned?
Safety first. It’s all fun and games until someone gets a hole in them.
What piece of advice regarding shooting/guns would you pass on to your children?
Always work to protect your Second Amendment rights. It is what separates citizens from subjects.
If you could only have one gun (of each sort — shotgun, handgun, rifle) what would it be, and why?
For my rifle I’d have the New Ultra Light Arms Model 20 in 308 Winchester. No question this is the best sporting/general purpose rifle ever made. I own five of them.
In the handgun category I’d probably go for a Browning Hi Power 9mm. It has high capacity, is really reliable and great for personal protection.
I guess in shotguns, I’d opt for a Mossberg 500 Flex 12 gauge for its versatility. Actually, I don’t like shotguns, so I’d beg to trade it for a good 22 magnum rifle like a Ruger 77/22 or my Ruger American Rimfire Scout Rifle!
You do a lot of your own loading for ammunition — what would be your top tip for someone loading at home?
Follow the load data; don’t get creative. A few fps is not worth the potential risk.
Typically I load for specific hunts and to test new components for articles. Most recently I’ve been loading the new 257 caliber Hornady ELD-X bullet for the 25 caliber wildcat cartridge I created called the 2Fity-Hillbilly.
What has been your favorite hunting trip?
African safaris with my wife and son. Africa offers so much opportunity for the money and the diversity of animals and terrain is unmatched anywhere in the world. I typically hunt with my good fried Geoffrey Wayland of Fort Richmond Safaris near Kimberley, South Africa. Ammunition that I use varies but last year during the Scout Rifle safari I organized with Fort Richmond Safaris, nine hunters took 60 head of game with Hornady’s Precision Hunter ammunition.
What would be your dream hunting trip?
I’d head straight back to Africa for a 30 day, old time, tent, every-animal, safari with my wife and kids.
You write prolifically, for a whole stable of magazines as well as your own books, you teach and you find time to test guns, ammunition as well as hunt. Do you ever sleep?
I guess from the outside it looks like all I do is work. The truth is I just live my life and write about it. I’m not a guy that has a job dealing with guns and hunting. Guns and hunting are part of my life and part of my family’s life. So what seems like work to others is just another day for me!
Richard Mann’s well-received books are worth a read, and include: Under Orion — Hunting Stories; Handgun Training for Personal Protection; The Gun Shooter’s Guide to the AR15; The Scout Rifle, it’s History and Place in the 21st Century.