Do you have a firearms instructor in your life? Are you looking for that perfect gift for him or her? Or are you a firearms instructor looking for that gift for yourself that is not only entertaining, but can also help your business? How about a gift that can improve your mindset as well as improve your company? How about a book or two?
Some may think that books are out of style. This is because we all carry a mini-computer in our hands. In other words, we have all the information ever imagined at our fingertips. The problem with this is that you should not believe everything you read on the internet. Anyone can go online and post “fake news” whenever they like with no oversight.
In today’s world, anyone can post information on any subject. These posts are rarely vetted or go through peer review ensuring that the information being put forth is accurate. False or bad information is worse than no information at all. In fact, regarding firearms and ammunition, bad information can be dangerous. Books, on the other hand, especially those written by experts in their field, tend to contain reliable, vetted information.
I am a firm believer that every firearms instructor, especially certified NRA Certified Firearms Instructors, have a duty to be “knowledgeable shooters.” The best way to become a knowledgeable shooter is to do your research and read different authors on the firearm discipline you engage in and teach. I was told a long time ago that the only way to become smart and increase your intelligence is by reading. The only way to become an expert in your field of expertise is to read everything you can in your chosen topic. It is that simple.
There are some great reads available to shooters and instructors. Not only do you have writers from past generations, but there are also contemporary authors who put out some excellent works. Vintage books written by authors and firearms experts such as Elmer Keith and Jack O’Connor are as relevant today as the year they were written.
There are three books that would make great gifts for the firearms instructor in your life. Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter, Dangerous Game Rifles, and Safari Rifles.
Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter — Richard Mann
Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter (copyright 2025), written by Richard Mann, is one of those books that every NRA Certified Rifle Instructor should have on hand when teaching. This book is unlike any book that I have read on firearms and ammunition—and I have read a lot! This book will definitely become one of the training aids that I have on hand whenever I am conducting any NRA firearms training course, not just the rifle course.
Richard Mann did what many authors fail to do, which is create a comprehensive book detailing not just the common cartridges of today, but also referencing rare ammunition that has origins in hunting. In Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter, Mann goes into detail explaining 50 different rifle cartridges. The cartridges covered in this book include all the common ammunition like .243 Win, .30-06 Sprg, .308 Win and .375 H&H.
What makes this book unique is that it also covers rare and uncommon cartridges used in hunting. The first cartridge that is covered in this book is the .14-221 Walker, a small center-fire cartridge that was developed from the parent cartridge, .221 Rem Fireball. Richard Mann continues covering different calibers up to the massive, wildcat cartridge: the .500 Cyrus!
Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter does a great job of discussing different cartridges that are easy to understand and entertaining to both the avid hunter and shooter to the novice and first-time gun owner. Mann adds just enough ballistic information, including bullet weights, velocities and range information, to satisfy the biggest gun geek. This technical information is balanced with his personal hunting stories and accounts from other hunters who used that specific cartridge to keep a brand-new hunter’s interest.
Rifle Cartridges for the Hunter is a “must-have” for firearms instructors who are often asked about different calibers. This book makes the perfect addition to any collection!
Dangerous Game Rifles (Second Edition) — Terry Wieland
Dangerous Game Rifles, Second Edition (copyright 2009) by Terry Wieland, is a great read for any firearms historian or those who are interested in the evolution of hunting rifles. Wieland is a true expert when it comes to the history of firearms. The information in this book is extremely valuable to NRA Certified Rifle Instructors or anyone else, such as Hunter Education Instructors, who teach the safe and proper use of long arms.
By understanding how firearms evolved, you will gain a better understanding of the rifles we have today. Wieland has a unique way of presenting the history and evolution of firearms in a very entertaining way. His writing style appeals to hunting and gun enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels.
Dangerous Game Rifles starts with the history of the common black powder hunting rifles of the late 1800s through present day firearms. Wieland focuses on the large bore rifles used to take the biggest and most dangerous game animals around the globe. He also goes through historic periods that caused the major changes in firearms and the development of different cartridges.
This book gives the firearms instructors the information needed to answer many questions his or her students ask. It is important to remember that individuals hunt a variety of game animals all over the world. As an instructor you need to be a source of information for all gun enthusiasts. Some hunters will never hunt anything larger than a white-tailed deer, while others choose to hunt the largest and most dangerous game animals he or she can find.
Dangerous Game Rifles (Second Edition) by Terry Wieland is a serious book for serious NRA Rifle Instructors who pride themselves on being knowledgeable and a reliable source of information.
Safari Rifles — Craig Boddington
Safari Rifles (copyright 1990) by Craig Boddington is an excellent book that combines information on different calibers, rifles and techniques to get the most out of them. Boddington is not just a historian with book knowledge; he has actual experience and first-hand accounts of the use of the calibers and rifles he writes about.
Even though Boddington’s book is titled Safari Rifles, many of the rifles and calibers he talks about are common to the average hunters across North America. He starts out in the first chapter writing about light cartridges ranging from .22 LR through .270 Win. Boddington continues through the medium calibers through the 30-calibers.
Throughout Safari Rifles he stresses the importance of matching the right firearm to the game animal that you are pursuing. This is the type of information that any NRA Certified Rifle Instructor should know to meet the needs of his or her students. Many times, a student is not only seeking out a firearms instructor to help improve their shooting abilities, but they are also looking for information about the game animals they are going after.
Safari Rifles by Craig Boddington gives the firearms instructor the knowledge he or she needs to ensure their students are ready for their hunt.
This Christmas, give the shooters in your life the gift of knowledge. Who knows, you may actually be giving them two gifts in one. The first gift is the information that can improve their business or shooting skills while making them a “knowledgeable shooter.” The second is that you may introduce the instructor in your life or a shooter to a new passion that they did not know they had. That would be the best gift of all—the gift of reading!
