DESIGN - N.L.Heineke, Inc. sporting rifles are designed in the context of a three hundred yard shot at game. Most hunting opportunities occur well within this range, and most of us have no business shooting beyond it in the field. This is due to the hunters’ responsibility to the quarry: a clean shot. Establishing this limit has many advantages, however, in that by ignoring the possibilities beyond three hundred yards, we become better prepared and more capable of taking advantage of opportunities within that range.

Beyond three hundred yards there are simply too many variables to ensure responsible shot placement. The trajectory of every cartridge begins to look pretty bad, with wind and movement magnifying any error. The high-intensity cartridges required for long-distance shooting carry a heavy price in both cost and recoil, making the practice necessary for good marksmanship expensive and unpleasant.

Within three hundred yards it is a different story. Out to this range most popular cartridges have similar trajectories. The performance gap between the high-intensity magnums and the moderate, classic cartridges is narrowed to the point where the advantage clearly shifts to the latter choice. Within this range the increase in velocity adds little to terminal performance, while a moderate cartridge has ample power, sufficient trajectory and a pleasant disposition that encourages practice shooting. These factors point towards increased success in the field, where shot placement- not power- is the key determinate. With the goal being good hunting there is no need to show off. Practice to improve your skills slowly, and shoot within your limits.

• Ergonomics - Ergonomics differs from shootability because it addresses how a rifle...
• Aesthetics - Aesthetics are important. This is perhaps the tertiary reason...
• Balance - A best-quality firearm is a gesture of balance...
• Shootability - Shootability is the gun trades term for user friendly.
• Historical Reference - In the not-so-distant past of our country, the firearm...
• Longevity - Museums around world hold testaments to the longevity of steel and walnut.
• Repairability - Anything, including people and animals, needs to be repairable to be long-lived.
• Cartridge Selection - Cartridge selection is a choice beset by personal preferences...
• Scope Selection - While it is true you cannot hit what you cannot see...
• Stock Design - Good stock design is essential to shootability. A stock must be tailored...
• Ordering and Pricing - N.L. Heineke, Inc. produces only one grade of rifle - the best we know how to build.