I want to start a new thread on gun writers because the Handgun Cartridge in a Carbine mentioned gun writers and that is getting off-topic. I once thought of doing that. Looking into becoming a gun writer was enlightening. There are factors that are not discussed in polite conversation. Several people had suggested that I become a gun writer when I lived in Illinois.
Attending a match near Peoria, where Shooting Times magazine was published, I happened to catch some of their staff at the range. Talking to them between relays, I showed them an article where the writer had named every piece of equipment that he used by brand and model. One guy said that you got stuff very cheaply that way.
I then asked about how one could write for them. It is basically a closed society where you must first join this writers group and then submit articles. The problem is the editors will edit any less than positive statements to avoid irritating advertisers. After that conversation between relays at the State Match, I decided it was a game.
I've never read these magazines after that. Especially when one writer stated a Savage Model 12 Varminter in .22-.250 shot to the right in a ten-shot group. they were spread over four inches with each shot advancing on the horizontal. Because each shot was within a half-inch of the previous shot, this writer opined the rifle was capable of half-inch accuracy. I had just had a Savage Striker that did the same thing reworked for Long Range Handgun and the gunsmith cut .015 off the reciever to true it. The left side was forward and as the gun warmed after each shot, the barrel shifted right. Obviously, the milling cut for the receiver front was off and Quality Control did not catch it.
Gun writers, I question the term. When Elmer Keith and Jack O'Connor passed, there was no reason to ever believe any gun writer again. Both of them railed against their editors changing their articles.
Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest