At Shooting Foundation, we’re all about helping beginner and intermediate shooters find the best shooting accessories.
Our testing process is hands-on, honest, and built to give you clear, reliable recommendations.
Our Testing Philosophy
We don’t just read product specs like other sites; we take gear out to indoor and outdoor ranges, hunting trips, and competitions to see how it performs.
Our team of NRA-certified instructors, military veterans, competitive shooters, and range instructors spends hours evaluating each product in real scenarios.
We focus on safety, performance, and value, ensuring our picks work for everyone from first-timers to seasoned shooters.
We’re transparent too: while we may earn a small commission from affiliate links (at no extra cost to you), our reviews are never influenced by partnerships.
How We Evaluate
We break down each accessory with clear, descriptive evaluations, focusing on what matters most: Comfort/Fit, Performance, Durability, and Value.
We share pros, cons, and practical insights, always tying it back to beginner needs or the next step up for intermediates. We also sort gear into budget-friendly starters, bang-for-the-buck mid-tier options, and premium upgrades.
Here’s how we approach each category:
Comfort/Fit
Comfort is everything for a great range day or hunt. We test gear over long sessions to ensure it feels good and doesn’t distract you from shooting. For beginners, we check how easy it is to adjust or wear. For upgrades, we look at ergonomics that improve your experience.
- What we test: Natural feel for most shooters, compatibility with other gear (like ear pro with rifles or gloves with touchscreens), and no irritation after hours of use.
- Real-world scenarios: Wearing ear protection during all-day competitions or gloves for handling firearms in cold, wet hunts.Example: Our ear pro tests involve doubling up plugs and muffs at indoor ranges, ensuring they’re simple for new shooters and comfy for long sessions.
Performance
We evaluate how well gear does its job, from noise reduction to grip to timing accuracy. Beginners need simple, safe functionality; intermediates benefit from advanced features that build skills.
- What we test: Core performance in real conditions, like clear sound through electronic muffs or precise split times in shot timers, without being overly complex.
- Real-world scenarios: Running competition drills like El Presidente, hunting in varied weather, or practicing reloads at outdoor ranges.Example: We tested shot timers by measuring splits through ear pro in fast-paced drills, praising models that are intuitive for beginners and feature-packed for upgrades.
Durability
Shooting gear needs to handle tough conditions. We test for wear over weeks in rugged environments, ensuring starters are forgiving and upgrades withstand heavy use.
- What we test: Resistance to sweat, dust, impacts, and weather, so gear stays reliable.
- Real-world scenarios: Exposing gloves to sweaty range days or dusty hunts, or dropping shot timers during outdoor drills.Example: Our shooting gloves endured range sessions and physical challenges, with budget picks holding up for beginners and premium ones shining for intense training.
Value
We balance performance and price, recommending budget gear we’d trust for friends, mid-tier options with great value, and high-end upgrades worth the splurge.
- What we test: Whether the gear’s quality justifies its cost, focusing on long-term reliability and beginner or intermediate needs.
- Real-world scenarios: Comparing similar products across budgets in the same scenarios, like ear pro for indoor ranges or timers for competition prep.Example: Our ear pro guide highlights budget foam plugs for safe starts, mid-range electronic muffs for value, and premium models as upgrades for frequent hunters.