Author: Braxton Taylor

The wildly ambitious Golden Dome missile-defense vision is turning up the heat on a long-running fight between the Pentagon and the telecommunications industry for control of certain radio frequencies.“That area of the spectrum is golden, and we need to protect it to maintain national security. And I use the word golden specifically, because the only way we can achieve Golden Dome” is by using frequencies around 3 gigahertz, Katie Arrington, who is performing the duties of the Pentagon chief information officer, told lawmakers Thursday at a hearing of the House Armed Services’ panel on cyber, information technologies, and innovation. “It…

India and Pakistan have seen the scenario play out before: a terror attack in which Indians are killed leads to a succession of escalatory tit-fot-tat measures that put South Asia on the brink of all-out war. And then there is a de-escalation.The broad contours of that pattern have played out in the most recent crisis, with the latest step being the announcement of a ceasefire on May 10, 2025.But in another important way, the flare-up – which began on April 22 with a deadly attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed – represents significant departures from the past. It…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that aims to create a center for homeless veterans in Los Angeles and to improve medical care across the Department of Veterans Affairs.The order calls for constructing a National Center for Warrior Independence on the campus of the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center that would provide housing and services to 3,000 homeless veterans currently in Los Angeles, with a goal to eventually home 6,000 veterans.The West Los Angeles campus includes a 388-acre tract that was donated in 1888 to house disabled veterans. Its future was embroiled in ongoing litigation between advocates…

So you’ve got some range time under your belt, you’re decent with a gun, and now you’re itching to get off the bench and start competing. Awesome. But what do you actually need to get started, besides ammunition of course? The good news? You don’t have to break the bank or fill a truck bed with gear to jump in. Different formats ask for different stuff, and some are way easier to start than others. Let’s run through the basics, from the low-key options to the gear-heavy beasts, and wrap up with a little wisdom on how to approach it…

More bore is definitely not more boring. The continuing interest in precision rifle means more interest in rifles that can shoot out to 1000 yards and beyond, and have the energy to do real damage at those kinds of distances. Here’s what’s new in large-caliber rifles for 2025. Auto-Ordnance | Thompson TAO50 A patent-pending roller-bearing bolt and muzzle brake smooth the action and tame the recoil of the mighty .50 BMG chambering in this semi-automatic platform. ▶Magpul MOE+ grip▶Magpul PRS Gen3 stock▶Timney AR-style  trigger▶Accu-Tac bipod SpecificationsCaliber: .50 BMGMagazine Capacity: 10 roundsBarrel Length: 29 inchesOverall Length: 61 inchesWeight: 25 pounds, 8…

Russia barrages Ukraine as West turns up pressure for talks. AP: “Russia launched more than 100 Shahed and decoy drones at Ukraine in nighttime attacks, the Ukrainian air force said Monday, after the Kremlin effectively rejected an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in the more than three-year war, but reiterated that it would take part in possible peace talks later this week without preconditions.”A “flurry of diplomatic developments” over the weekend saw Russia reject a ceasefire proposal pushed by the U.S. and European leaders but did apparently agree to negotiations in Istanbul on Thursday. A challenge: On Monday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy challenged Russian…

1. Designed to meet your large-scale firearm-cleaning needs, the Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner Hot Tub features a generous 25.5x7x4-inch tank that is large enough to accommodate a 16-inch-barreled AR upper and has an impressive 9-liter capacity. When combined with the company’s One Shot Sonic Clean Solution, its microjet action removes carbon residue and other debris from hard-to-clean areas, yet it’s gentle enough for use with polymer components. A basket, parts bin and suspension cords accommodate a variety of part sizes, while a 5- to 30-minute timer and wide-ranging thermostat offer welcome automation for your cleaning needs. MSRP: $1,046.13; hornady.com 2.…

Magpul Industries has been shaking things up with the Daka Grid-based gun-case organization system. Now Magpul has announced its most case-compatible grid model to date with the new Daka Universal Grid Organizer. The new Daka Universal Grid is a highly customizable version of the original Magpul Daka Grid system which allows the end user to configure their gear inside a case using blocks, panels and other accessories. Daka Grid parts are manufactured from a sturdy lightweight material that doesn’t trap moisture, dirt or harsh chemicals that can damage firearms, gear and optics. Unlike the original series of Magpul Daka Grid…

Modular Driven Technologies (MDT Tac) just showcased the latest iteration of its MDT LSS Gen 3 precision rifle chassis. The MDT LSS Gen rifle chassis is built around a level of modularity that the end-user can configure to suit their needs for a tactical, competition or lightweight backcountry-hunting bolt-action rifle. The idea behind the new MDT LSS Gen 3 chassis is that it allows the end user to easily configure the barreled action to their needs without having to remove the action or receiver from the core part of the chassis. While this is an overly simple explanation, you can…

Topics discussed: How to communicate in tricky hunting and fishing scenarios; Jefferson’s book, “The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More”; sharing the same literary agency; “How to Argue Like A Lawyer”; chainsaw accidents and backing in so you can get out quickly later; “I’m always around but now always there”; courtroom tactics and how you don’t want teachers on the jury; Cal’s bench warrant for arrest; tons of advice on how to navigate tricky hunting and fishing situations well; “but” deletes everything after it and leading with “no”; and more. Read the full article here