The Gun Counter at Saunders

The Gun Counter at Saunders Serving our community with a carefully selected lineup of firearms, ammunition, safes, and accessories.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter, competitive shooter, or first-time buyer, our team is here to answer questions and help you make informed decisions.

🎯 Thinking about a heavier bullet for hunting season? Check your rifle’s twist rate first.That familiar hunting rifle mi...
09/03/2026

🎯 Thinking about a heavier bullet for hunting season? Check your rifle’s twist rate first.

That familiar hunting rifle might shoot your usual load beautifully, then scatter a different load across the target. One possible reason is whether the barrel’s twist rate suits the new bullet.

Twist rate describes how quickly the rifling spins the bullet. A 1:8 twist makes one complete turn in eight inches, so it’s faster than a 1:10.

Here’s the detail that matters: longer bullets generally need a faster twist within the same caliber. Heavier bullets are often longer, but the grain weight on the box doesn’t tell the whole story. Bullet design matters, too.

Before switching, check your rifle’s specifications and the bullet manufacturer’s twist recommendation. Then spend some time on paper to confirm how that particular load shoots and where it hits before taking it hunting.

You can find a large selection of ammo in stock at Saunders Ace Hardware. Visit us in store, and we can help find what you need.

Stay safe. Stay prepared.

The Gun Counter Research Division has identified a correlation between “I keep my carry setup simple” and a coffee order...
09/02/2026

The Gun Counter Research Division has identified a correlation between “I keep my carry setup simple” and a coffee order requiring clarification.

Your rifle is sighted in. But is it sighted in for the ammunition you’ll actually hunt with?Different loads can strike i...
08/27/2026

Your rifle is sighted in. But is it sighted in for the ammunition you’ll actually hunt with?
Different loads can strike in different places, even when they’re the same caliber. Changes in bullet weight, velocity, and construction can shift your point of impact enough to matter in the field.
Range ammunition is useful for practice, but your final sight-in should always be done with the exact hunting load you plan to carry.
Before opening day:
• Confirm your zero with your hunting ammunition
• Shoot from the distance you expect to hunt
• Check where the first shot from a cold barrel lands
• Don’t assume a new box or different load will shoot the same
Practice with what’s affordable. Confirm with what you’ll hunt with.
Get ready before opening day.

Ballistic Tip vs. Soft Point for DeerBoth will kill deer effectively. But they don't necessarily behave the same way whe...
08/25/2026

Ballistic Tip vs. Soft Point for Deer
Both will kill deer effectively. But they don't necessarily behave the same way when they hit.

A soft-point bullet has exposed lead at the nose that begins to deform on impact. For deer hunters, that generally means reliable expansion with good pe*******on. It's a proven, traditional choice, especially when you want the bullet to hold together and continue driving through the animal.

A ballistic-tip bullet uses a polymer tip that helps initiate expansion. Many hunting designs expand more rapidly, creating significant tissue damage and transferring energy quickly. The streamlined shape can also give it an advantage at longer distances.

So what does that mean in the woods?
Soft point: A solid all-around choice for whitetails, particularly at typical woods distances and when pe*******on is a priority.
Ballistic tip: Often a good choice when you want rapid expansion or you're hunting where longer shots are possible.

One important catch: "ballistic tip" doesn't automatically mean the same terminal performance. Some tipped bullets are designed for rapid expansion, while others are built to retain weight and pe*****te deeply. Always check what that particular load was designed to do.
For most whitetail hunters, either can work very well with good shot placement.

The name says it all.The GForce Arms Jawbone is a seriously different take on the 9mm pistol platform, with a 33+1 capac...
08/21/2026

The name says it all.
The GForce Arms Jawbone is a seriously different take on the 9mm pistol platform, with a 33+1 capacity, 5" threaded barrel, Glock-compatible magazines, ambidextrous controls, full-length Picatinny rail, and Ace of Brace paddle pistol brace.
Finished in Flat Dark Earth and built to stand out from the usual lineup.
GForce Arms Jawbone | 9mm | 33+1
Available now at the gun counter at Saunders Ace Hardware.

08/20/2026

This weekend marks the first expanded deer hunting opportunity within the CWD Management Areas, and our officers have been receiving a number of questions from hunters preparing for the season.

Here are answers to the most common questions:

▪️Cumberland, Forsyth, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin are the only counties included in the CWD Management Area.
▪️Only antlered deer may be harvested, and no additional tags are issued.
▪️Any legal method of take is authorized - bow, muzzleloader, or firearm.
▪️ Blaze orange is required for all hunters.
▪️ Only portions of game lands located within these seven counties are open.
▪️Taking deer ran by dogs is permitted only on Saturday, August 22 in Sampson and Cumberland counties.

For the complete list of regulations and additional information, be sure to review our regulations digest. https://bit.ly/4gGUsbb

Stay safe, stay aware, and stay hydrated if you plan to hunt this weekend. Our officers will be in the field and available should you need assistance or have questions.

WHY BOLT LUG ENGAGEMENT MATTERS AT LONG RANGEWhen you close the bolt on a bolt-action rifle, the locking lugs rotate int...
08/18/2026

WHY BOLT LUG ENGAGEMENT MATTERS AT LONG RANGE
When you close the bolt on a bolt-action rifle, the locking lugs rotate into place and bear against matching surfaces inside the action. Ideally, those lugs share the load consistently.

Why does that matter? Every time the rifle fires, chamber pressure pushes the bolt rearward. If the locking lugs don't bear evenly, the action can flex or settle slightly differently from shot to shot. At ordinary hunting distances, you may never notice. When you're trying to shoot very small groups at several hundred yards, tiny inconsistencies start to matter. That's why precision rifle builders pay attention to lug contact when they're trying to squeeze maximum consistency out of an action.

But here's the part that sometimes gets lost online: Uneven lug engagement does not automatically mean you have an inaccurate rifle. A factory rifle can shoot extremely well without the kind of lug contact a custom rifle builder might chase. Barrel quality, ammunition consistency, bedding, the shooter, and a number of other factors can have a much bigger effect on what you actually see on the target.
Think of lug engagement as one piece of the precision puzzle, not a magic accuracy switch.

The farther you shoot, the more the little things have a chance to show up.

Some arguments are won with facts. Others are won by bringing up the shoe closet. We said what we said, Susan. 😂
08/17/2026

Some arguments are won with facts. Others are won by bringing up the shoe closet. We said what we said, Susan. 😂

A recoil pad doesn’t actually make the recoil energy disappear (after all, energy can be neither created nor destroyed)....
08/13/2026

A recoil pad doesn’t actually make the recoil energy disappear (after all, energy can be neither created nor destroyed). What it can do is change how that recoil feels when it reaches your shoulder. To that end, the material matters.
- Hard rubber
Common on older rifles and shotguns. It provides a little cushioning, but its biggest advantage is durability. Because it doesn’t compress much, recoil tends to feel sharper and more immediate.
- Soft rubber / elastomer
More flexible and compressible. The pad deforms under recoil, spreading the force over a slightly longer period of time and usually making the hit feel less abrupt.
- Gel-style pads
Designed to deform even more and distribute pressure across the shoulder. They can be especially noticeable on guns with heavier recoil or during long shooting sessions.
- Foam
Often very comfortable initially, but the type and density matter. Too soft and it can bottom out under recoil. Too firm and you lose much of the cushioning you wanted in the first place.

There’s another factor that matters just as much: surface area. A wider pad spreads the force over more of your shoulder. That’s one reason a well-designed recoil pad can make a rifle or shotgun feel considerably more comfortable even though the gun is producing essentially the same recoil energy. So when someone says, “This gun kicks harder,” he may actually be feeling a shorter, sharper recoil impulse concentrated over a smaller area.
Same physics at the gun.
Very different experience at the shoulder.

We have guns with all types of recoil pad materials at the gun counter. Stop by and see us to find your fit.

Stay safe. Stay prepared.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY EMISSARY 9MMWhere Custom Meets CarryThe Emissary blends premium 1911 features with everyday defensive...
08/12/2026

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY EMISSARY 9MM
Where Custom Meets Carry
The Emissary blends premium 1911 features with everyday defensive practicality. Its forged frame, match-grade bull barrel, flat-face trigger, tritium front sight, and accessory rail deliver the feel of a custom pistol in a duty-ready package.
Perfect for:
- Everyday carry
- Home defense
- Range training
- Shooters who want a premium 1911 without going full custom
Available at Saunders Ace Hardware, 202 Piedmont St., Reidsville
Stay safe. Stay prepared.

Address

202 Piedmont Street
Reidsville, NC
27320

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 6pm
Thursday 7:30am - 6pm
Friday 7:30am - 6pm
Saturday 7:30am - 4pm

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