U|xaHBEIGy01752nzWv!:,
Come visit us at Shot Show Booth #418
The Xtreme Defender is based on the popular Xtreme Penetrator product line. The XD ammunition has an optimized nose flute, total weight, and velocity to achieve a penetration depth up to 18 inches* with a permanent wound cavity (PWC) that is just simply enormous; no other expanding hollowpoint comes close to achieving anywhere near this diameter and volume. Not only is the PWC over 100% larger than any other expanding bullet, expansion is achieved despite being shot through barriers. The solid copper body ensures that wallboard, sheet metal, and automotive glass will have no effect on the PWC.
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*Falling within FBI guidelines This round offers: A permanent Wound Cavity (PWC) that is 2 times greater than any expanding bullet reduced recoil. CNC machined from solid copper to overcome barriers to penetration Radial flutes that force the hydraulic energy inward to build pressure Minimal surface area to increase the force at the point of contact and sharp cutting edges that defeat barriers.
Call us: (618) 965-2109 www.underwoodammo.com
9
A MERIC A N
SHOOTING JOURNAL
Handcrafted, rugged and built to last
Volume 9 // Issue 4 // January 2020 PUBLISHER James R. Baker
High ground clearance Wood burning stove provides comfort in the cold Customizable
GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak
Go farther , Stay longer
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andy Walgamott
Camp, hunt and fish with greater success!!
OFFICE MANAGER / COPY EDITOR Katie Aumann LEAD CONTRIBUTOR Frank Jardim CONTRIBUTORS Jim Dickson, Scott Haugen, Phil Massaro, Mike Nesbitt SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins MADE IN AMERICA
Western Range Camps, LLC
1145 S Blackhawk Blvd • Mt. Pleasant, UT
435-462-5300
wrcamp.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Jim Klark, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Celina Martin, Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper DESIGNER INTERN Jacob Culver PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker WEBMASTER / INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@americanshootingjournal.com
Pistol Bullets and Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.
ZER 10
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
P.O. Box 1188 Cullman, AL 35056 Tel: 256-739-1606 Fax: 256-739-4683 Toll Free: 800-545-9376 www.zerobullets.com
Website: AmericanShootingJournal.com Facebook: Facebook.com/AmericanShootingJournal Twitter: @AmShootingJourn
MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S. Ste. 190 • Tukwila, WA 98168 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com
CONTENTS
VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4
FEATURES
ROAD HUNTER:
FENCE-LINE PREDATORS
There’s an old saying that good fences make for good neighbors. It can also be said that these border lines make for good hunting because bobcats, coyotes and other toothsome critters are drawn to the prey-rich microhabitats that old barbed wire or wood fences create. Scott Haugen shares lessons from decades of prowling them for predators.
45
57
NEGATING NUTRIA Destroyer of habitat and a rapid breeder, nutria are a menace to coastal and inland wetlands and are also spreading across the country. If you care about fish and wildlife habitat, helping control these South American rodents of unusual size – and appetite – just might be for you. Jim Dickson has a primer.
99
BULLET BULLETIN: THE BALLISTIC TIP REVOLUTION These days tipped bullets are nearly as ubiquitous as whitetails in some parts of the country, but it wasn’t always that way until John Nosler came along. Phil Massaro takes a look at Nosler’s company’s “game changer” ammunition line and what’s grown out of the Ballistic Tip.
117 BLACK POWDER: THE FLINTLOCK BUFFALO HUNT It’s hard to get more traditional than taking a pair of Hawken .54s out on a bison hunt, and that’s just the adventure that Mike Nesbitt and a buddy went on in central Oregon in hopes of bagging some tasty meat for black powder rendezvous sessions. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2020 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.
12
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
CALIFORNIA OPEN ZONE DEER TAG AT AUCTION Ma r c h 7 , 2020
California’s Open Zone Deer Tag is the premier auction item at
the 2020 Safari Club International Greater Bay Area Fundraiser. The Open Zone tag allows you to hunt the zone and method of hunting you like during the authorized season dates and meeting any special conditions of the tag for that hunt. You can finally hunt that special X-zone! You do not need to be a California resident to purchase this tag. All tag and license fees are included in the high bid price. Proceeds from your bid will be used for conservation by California Department of Fish and Game and SCI Chapter local activities.
GREATER BAY AREA FUNDRAISER
REGISTER TO ATTEND PHONE BIDDERS WELCOME! GBAFUNDRAISER.ORG 6 5 0 -6 2 7 -7 6 0 1 p h / fa x
S CI San Francisco B a y A rea C h ap t er an d Go ld en Ga t e Ch a pter are C ali forn ia - b a s e d n o n p ro f it o rg a n iz a t io n s.
CONTENTS
27
SHOT SHOW 2020 PREVIEW 31 Rifles 35 Shotguns 37 Handguns 65 Optics 69 Knives 71 Industry 75 Adventure 81 Gear for Guns 111 Ammunition 115 Reloading 125 Gear
DEPARTMENTS 21 25
16
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
Competition Calendar Gun Show Calendar
PRIMER
COMPETITION C A L E N D A R
January 4
January 18
January 4
January 25
January 18
January 26
January 3-5
January 17-19
January 11-12
FEBRuary 13
January 4-5
January 25-26
January 11-12
FEBruary 1-2
January 5
January 25-26
January 17-19
January 29
January 10-12
January 18-19
ACC Annual Classifier Match Atlanta, Ind.
idpa.com
Oregon TCDPL IDPA Match Sherwood, Ore. 2020 South Mountain Showdown Phoenix, Ariz. Shoot GTR Swamp Challenge 2020 Gainesville, Fla.
uspsa.org
BUL Open Match Okeechobee, Fla.
Homestead Glock Challenge IV Homestead, Fla. gssfonline.com
East Ascension GSSF Challenge IV Gonzales, La.
2020 Battle for the Buckle II Corona, Calif. cmsaevents.com
Grand Canyon State Championship Queen Creek, Ariz.
Central Florida Junior Olympic Rifle Qualifier – Air Rifle Bartow, Fla.
January 12 usashooting.org
MSUSSC Air Rifle Match Lansing, Mich.
January 17-19
2020 Camp Perry Open Port Clinton, Ohio
Arctic Blast 2020 Hunlock Creek, Pa. IDPA Austin Rifle Club Manor, Texas IDPA Cedar Ridge San Antonio, Texas 2020 Florida State Championship Frostproof, Fla. Florida Open Frostproof, Fla.
Smokin’ Glock Southwest Regional III Littlefield, Ariz. Volusia County GSSF Match III New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
Winter Heat Round Up Lumberton, N.C. CMSA FWSSR Shoot Out Fort Worth, Texas
Colorado State JO PTO/PPP Tournament Colorado Springs, Colo.
January 24-26
Maple Leaf Trap Championships Redlands, Calif.
January 31-February 2
Golden Bear Trap Championships Redlands, Calif.
americanshootingjournal.com 21
PRS RESOURCE GUIDE Bolt Gun Series January 18, 2020
Retro TPRC
Peoria, Arizona
February 8
Best in Texas (AG Qualifier)
Navasota, Texas
February 22
Frontline Fury
Warrenton, North Carolina
March 6
Clay’s Cartridge Company Classic
Leedey, Oklahoma
March 13
Accuracy International Long Range Classic
Baker, Florida
March 21
The South Wind Shootout
Tipton, Kansas
March 21
California Sharpshooter Showdown
Bakersfield, California
March 28
W.A.R. Rifles Shootout (AG Qualifier)
Gerrardstown, West Virginia
For more information visit www.precisionrifleseries.com
PARTS, ACCESSORIES & GEAR
See us on page 22
See us on page 23
americanshootingjournal.com 23
THE REAL TEXAS
GUN SHOW GUNS | AMMO | KNIVES | BUY | SELL | TRADE | LOOK
GONZALES, ORANGE, HARKER HEIGHTS, BELTON, BRENHAM, TAYLOR, PORT ARTHUR! We limit the non gun/knife related items to 5% of total table. We may not be the largest gun show but we try to be the BEST! CHECK OUT OUR WESITE FOR DATES AND LOCATIONS
Aubrey Sanders Jr. -Promoter
www.TheRealTexasGunShow.com
P.O. Box 300545 Arlington,Tx 76007 (713)724-8881
24
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
PRIMER
GUNSHOW C A L E N D A R
January 4-5
Concord, N.C.
Cabarrus Arena & Events Center
January 4-5
Sharonville, Ohio
Sharonville Convention Center
January 18-19
Columbus, Ohio
Ohio Expo Center
January 18-19
Harrisonburg, Va.
Rockingham County Fairgrounds
January 25-26
Dayton, Ohio
Montgomery County Event Center
January 25-26
Salem, Va.
Salem Civic Center
January 4-5
Tucson, Ariz.
Pima County Fairgrounds
January 4-5
San Bernardino, Calif.
National Orange Show Grounds
January 11-12
Mesa, Ariz.
Centennial Hall
January 18-19
Phoenix, Ariz.
Arizona State Fairgrounds
January 18-19
Costa Mesa, Calif.
OC Fair and Event Center
January 4-5
Miami, Fla.
The Fair Expo Center
January 11-12
Orlando, Fla.
Central Florida Fairgrounds
January 18-19
Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Charles F. Dodge City Center
January 25-26
Palmetto, Fla.
Bradenton Area Convention Center
January 3-5
St. Louis, Mo.
Orlando Gardens
January 4-5
Shelbyville, Ky.
Shelby County Fairgrounds
January 18-19
Topeka, Kan.
Stormont Vail Events Center
January 18-19
Marietta, Ga.
Jim Miller Park
January 25-26
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Mid-TN Expo Center
January 25-26
Tulsa, Okla.
Expo Square – Central Park Hall
Real Texas Gun Shows
January 11-12
Port Arthur, Texas
Robert A. Bowers Civic Center
Tanner Gun Shows
January 25-26
Denver, Colo.
Denver Mart
Wes Knodel Gun Shows
January 4-5
Spokane, Wash.
Spokane County Fair and Expo Center
January 4-5
Portland, Ore.
Portland Expo Center
January 11-12
Centralia, Wash.
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
C&E Gun Shows
Crossroads Of The West Gun Shows
Florida Gun Shows
R&K Gun Shows
To have your event highlighted here, send an email to kaumann@media-inc.com.
americanshootingjournal.com 25
42ND Annual
SHOT Show
With more than 100 new companies, the SHOT Show NEXT Pavilion is an excellent opportunity to discover new equipment and innovative solutions. (NSSF)
new guns, gear & More
E
ach winter, the National Shooting Sports Foundation hosts the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade, or SHOT, Show, which annually brings together manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and press for a four-day exhibition extravaganza. In what seems to have become an annual occurrence, the 2017 show broke previous attendance records, and this year’s show, scheduled from January 21-24, is anticipated to as well. An estimated 65,000 enthusiasts will converge on the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas to see and sample the latest and greatest from the world’s top manufacturers. The show began in 1978. As you may know, before that time, shooting and hunting equipment was categorized alongside tennis rackets and surfboards at sporting goods shows, and industry executives felt the need to have a showcase of their own. There were less than 100 exhibitors at the first iteration of SHOT. Today, there are more than 1,600 booths, making it one of North America’s largest trade shows. The SHOT Show is not open to the general public, but more than 2,500 members of the mainstream media and outdoor press from around the world attend and report on their behalf. This includes writers and editors from the American Shooting Journal.
Businesses can establish new partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers during the SHOT Show Supplier Showcase scheduled for Jan. 20-21. (NSSF)
In recent years, invited attendees have taken part in a special Industry Day at the Range; this year’s takes place Monday, January 20, the day before the show opens. The day will be split into two sessions. The first, or morning session, will be open to up to 1,000 media, and the second, or afternoon segment, is open to invited buyers, dealers, distributors and retailers. Attendees at the morning session are welcome to remain throughout the day. For more information, see shotshow.org. americanshootingjournal.com 27
28
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
Rifles CZ-USA www.cz-usa.com CZ-USA has debuted its very first chassis rifle, the CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis chambered in .22 LR. Ready for competition right out of the box, the CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis is built on an aluminum chassis and weighs in at 7 pounds. The rifle is available in two different barrel lengths, with a 16.5-inch and a 24-inch version. The adjustable Luth-AR stock can be configured to fit nearly any shooter, comfortably. Likewise, the trigger is adjustable for weight, creep and overtravel, so it can quickly and easily be fine-tuned for each shooter. Competition, hunting, practice, and just fun shooting: the CZ 457 Varmint Precision Chassis covers all these bases and more, in a modern-looking package that shooters can afford! See us at booth #11221
HI-POINT FIREARMS www.hi-pointfirearms.com Hi-Point Firearms has announced two new winter camo patterns: Kryptek Yeti and Mothwing Winter Mimicry. These frosty patterns are only available for the 10mm and .45 ACP carbines (model 1095TS and 4595TS). The .45 carbine has an MSRP of $415, and the 10mm carbine has an MSRP of $449. Both firearms have a barrel length of 17.5 inches, a weight of 7 pounds, and an overall length of 32 inches. The magazine capacity for the .45 ACP is nine rounds and the magazine capacity for the 10mm is 10 rounds. See us at booth #11349
PIERCE ENGINEERING www.pierceengineeringltd.com Looking for the paramount in lightweight shooting? The Pierce Titanium Action will get the job done. Utilizing high-strength 6AL4V Grade 5 titanium with a full DLC coating, this offers an unparalleled combination of low weight, high hardness and a low friction coefficient, giving you, the shooter, the ultimate edge of repeatability and accuracy. Titanium Action weights start around 20 ounces and can be as light as 15 ounces in Pierce’s featherweight option. Also new for 2020 are the 10X and 20X ELR actions, capable of handling Lapua-, Cheytac- and BMG-sized bolt faces. Contact Pierce Engineering about a full custom rifle build, from a championship-winning F-Class rifle to long-range ultralight hunting rifles, “some as low as 5 pounds overall weight.” americanshootingjournal.com 31
Custom Guns
“Perfect Packin’ Pistol” When it comes to full custom guns, the name to remember is GARY REEDER CUSTOM GUNS. We have been building full custom guns since 1978. Building full custom 1911s, single shot barrels for the Encore and Contender, large caliber rifles for Africa and full custom revolvers like the Perfect Packin’ Pistol shown. We build custom guns to your specs, on your gun and on ours. For more info check our web site at www.reedercustomguns. com or give me a call at 928-527-4100.
/
PISTOL &Gallery RIFLE CDNN Sports SIG Sauer P320 .40 S&W Full-size certified preowned Includes one-year factory warranty, two 14-round magazines, night sights, paddle holster and Barrel Badger Bore Cleaner. $349.99
CDNNSports.com
Gary Reeder Custom Guns In the business of building full custom guns for 40 years, Gary Reeder does large-caliber rifles, full custom 1911s and Browning high powers and has almost 40 series of full custom revolvers like the El Diablo 2 (shown). For a gun built to your specs, check out their website or give them a call.
ReederCustomGuns.com
CDNN Sports - Ruger 10/22 .22 LR Target Caliber: .22 LR Barrel: 20-inch stainless bull Overall length: 38.5 inches Weight: 7.5 pounds Magazine capacity: 10 rounds Stock: Wood laminate MSRP: $629 CDNN Price: $369.99
CDNNSports.com
Best Of The West - Mountain Scout Package Calibers: 6.5 PRC (as shown), 6.5x284, 7mm Rem. Mag. Barrel: Carbon fiber, 20 (as shown) or 22 inches Overall length: 41.5 (as shown) or 43.5 inches Weight: 7 (as shown) to 7.7 pounds for steel action (weights with optic) Magazine capacity: 3 to 4, depending on configuration (4 for rifle as shown) Stock: BOTW carbon fiber Mountain Hunter stock MSRP: $8,800; includes a Huskemaw 4-16x42 Blue Diamond Scope and Atlas Bipod
LongRangeStore.com
SHOTGUNS EAA MC312 Sport
EAA MC312 Gobbler
Dickinson Arms Greenwing
DICKINSON ARMS www.dickinsonarms.com Dickinson Arms will be highlighting the new Greenwing 12-gauge Over & Under in its lineup, a shotgun that’s setting a new standard for performance, price and value. This beautiful shotgun – which will carry a retail price of only $700 – offers features like a Turkish walnut stock and foregrip with 22-lines-per-inch checkering, choice of satin slver or blued receiver with full coverage scroll engraving, automatic ejectors, five included choke tubes, and more. The Greenwing is offered in 26-, 28- and 30-inch barrel lengths to accommodate different shooting needs. Subgauges are coming in the future. See us at booth # 15834
EAA CORP. www.eaacorp.com EAA’s MC312 uses an inertia action, creating a reliable and simple semiauto shotgun. Thanks to the simplicity of the inertia-driven action, the MC312 is very easy to disassemble and clean, and it is very dependable. For sights, the MC312 uses a serrated, ventilated rib with a red fiber-optic pipe. Capable of chambering 2 3/4-inch, 3-inch and 3 1/2-inch shells, the MC312 comes with a set of five choke tubes and wrench. The MC312 passed EAA’s 10,000-round torture test before coming to the USA. Look for the EAA MC312 for under $399 at your local gun shop. See us at booth # 12271
americanshootingjournal.com 35
HANDGUNS AMERICAN DERRINGER www.amderringer.com The legendary Simmerling by American Derringer is, without question, one of the smallest .45 ACPs ever made. This incredible vest pocket pistol carries a fiveshot capacity, with the first round chambered and ready for on-the-spot use as it would in a revolver or traditional .45 Auto. Weighing in at a svelte 24 ounces, the LM4 measures just 5.2 by 3.7 inches, with an easy-to-conceal thickness of only 1 inch. Made by hand one unit at a time, the LM4 will be produced only in limited quantities. Order one today before they up and disappear!
OCTOBER COUNTRY
GARY REEDER CUSTOM GUNS www.reedercustomguns.com Gary Reeder Custom Guns is proud to announce the continuance of one of their most popular full custom guns, the Trail Gun. This beauty is built on the customer’s base gun, a Ruger single action. At Gary Reeder Custom Guns, they build it in the caliber, the barrel length, the grips, the sights and the finish of your choosing. And they can engrave your name or initials on it at no extra charge. The gun is full custom and guaranteed to be super smooth and accurate. Call (928) 527-4100 for more info.
www.octobercountry.com
RTD ARMS
October Country bought Doc. James Davis’s collection of black powder revolvers from Claremore, Oklahoma. All revolvers are unfired and most come with the original box. Dr. Davis had an extensive collection of reproduction revolvers (Pietta, Uberti, A. Sam Marco, Witloe etc.). Visit the above website to see this collection. Many of the revolvers come with accessory kits and display cases. A lot of the revolvers have low serial numbers, consecutive matching serial numbers and some are one-of-a-kindrare collectibles. October Country is one of the leading manufacturers of muzzleloading suppliers in the United States. They have a little something for everyone at discount prices.
Built tough and as dependable as their rifles, the ARP Series of AR pistols from RTD Arms is now available in 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP, 5.56, and .300 Blackout. Several different configurations of the now-popular ARP Series are offered, including those featuring the Thorsten cheek weld, Maxim SB Brace, and the SB3 Brace. Also available are Keymod and M-Lok options, as well as a nonreciprocating side-charging upper receiver.
www.rtdarms.com
americanshootingjournal.com 37
Hand Built For Hardcore Use (559) 478-5475 www.taprackholsters.com
Tap Rack Holsters is a leading provider of premium American-made gun holsters and knife sheaths. Our products are the result of 40 plus years of combined experience in the military and law enforcement field using American made materials. Every Tap Rack holster and sheath is handcrafted using extreme care, precision and built to last because we’re dedicated to providing premium quality products our customers can rely on.
a PREMIUM QUALITY a FULLY FUNCTIONAL a LIFETIME WARRANTY a CUSTOM BUILDS a BUILT FOR EXTREME USE a MADE IN AMERICA a BUILT WITH AMERICAN MATERIALS AND PARTS a MADE BY AMERICANS AND VETERANS
CONCEALED CARRY
GALLERY BULLARD LEATHER
Introducing the Defender Holster made specially for revolvers. This new design fully covers all barrel lengths and features up to six bullet loops in your choice of caliber, a sweat shield and open muzzle. Made to be worn in the 2 o’clock to 3 o’clock position with a 10-degree forward cant for easy holstering. MSRP: $110.
www.bullardleather.com
EZR SPORT
EZR Sport’s grips and gauntlets are perfect for your concealed carry needs. The gauntlets protect skin and fabrics from abrasive stock grips while providing superior comfort and control.
www.ezrsport.com
TRIPLE K MFG. CO.
The #671 Crossdraw Concealed Carry Holster is for gun owners who prefer a dedicated crossdraw-style carry. Open top allows for easy draw and a leather stiffener assures easy reholstering. Adjustable tension screw ensures proper gun retention. Made in USA by Triple K Mfg. Available in tan color for a variety of revolvers and semiautomatic pistols. MSRP: $53.
CLIPDRAW
Everyday carry made simple. Comfortable and discreet concealed carry without a holster. Americanmade and fits for all handguns.
www.clipdraw.com
www.triplek.com
americanshootingjournal.com 39
STICKY HOLSTERS
Belly Band and Guard Her Belt, a modular band that secures a Sticky Holster and handgun around the hips/torso or thigh with the Guard Her Belt. Both bands have two small accessory pouches for a spare magazine or knife, and the Belly Band has two large accessory pouches for a phone, wallet or other items.
www.stickyholsters.com
KIRKPATRICK LEATHER
The K-400 Detective Carry holster is a favorite among plainclothes police. Its open-muzzle design reduces the size of the holster and allows the wearer to carry pistols of different barrel lengths. The shoulder straps are thin enough for concealing with light cover, yet very durable. The wide design of the harness distributes the weight of the firearm, reducing fatigue during extended use. Other features include molded sight rail; soft, durable leather straps; double stitching at stress points; gun-specific hand molding; and thumb break design. MSRP: $140. www.kirkpatrickleather.com
TAP RACK HOLSTERS
Tap Rack Holsters IWB offers function and form with safety and comfort as two principles in their line of handmade holsters. They mold to your specifications for a correct fit. No buckets here. Holsters feature adjustable retention, a 550 corded loop for securing to a belt or belt loop, semiclosed bottom that can be left open for threaded barrels on request, different body shield heights in low, medium and high upon request, and nonbinding smooth edges with no sharp points in their designs for comfort. Different colors and patterns available upon request.
www.taprackholsters.com
TELOR TACTICAL
The Comfort-Air Ankle Holster is the most comfortable and secure ankle holster on the market. This holster features medical-grade mesh material to allow airflow and reduce heat retention. Behind your handgun is a large section of Slip-Not material to reduce movement while walking or running. Fits compact or subcompact guns, with right- and left-hand-draw models available. Law enforcement option includes thumb break strap for extra security. MSRP: $48.99 to $59.99.
www.telortactical.com
ROAD HUNTER
OLD FENCES MAKE FOR GOOD HUNTING Predators like bobcats and coyotes are drawn to the prey-rich microhabitats that fence lines create. STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN
W
ith the start of a new year comes opportunity for growth, and if you’re a big game or upland bird hunter, it might be time to take up predator hunting. Some of the best predator hunting months are upon us, and hitting the road in search of coyotes, bobcats, foxes and more can pay off in more ways than one. Being a consistently successful hunter involves knowing the animals we’re pursuing, their breeding seasons, what they prefer to eat and when they’re most active. But being successful also involves sound woodsmanship. Walking into the woods with a firearm or bow for predators or big game doesn’t translate into meat on the table or fur on the rack. Some hunters have an innate sense about their surroundings and can quickly pick up on the things that help them kill more game. Others, not so much. That’s when time, experience, success and failure all come into play to help them gain a more thorough understanding of how to be a better hunter.
The late Russ Mathews, a hunting buddy of author Scott Haugen, with a bobcat taken along an old fence line in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Fence lines are great places to focus predator hunting efforts. americanshootingjournal.com 45
ROAD HUNTER
After passing through an open gate connecting two fence lines, this coyote is on a direct path to some timber. Fence lines offer easy, quick travel routes for predators.
HERE ARE SOME proven tips revolving around fence lines to help you think about habitat, food sources and travel routes when it comes to predator hunting this winter. The West abounds with fence line habitats, as do many parts of North America. Fence lines are a unique habitat continually undergoing change. In this case, change is usually good. Typically, the older fencerows become, the more of a predator hotbed they evolve into. Take the classic farm fence, for example, be it barbed or woven wire. Such fences keep livestock contained within certain areas. The older a fence line grows, the more the microenvironment associated with it changes. Depending on the level of human activity around the fence, be it burning, herbicide use, planting or digging, the progression of the habitat 46
American Shooting Journal //January 2020
associated with that fence can be dramatically impacted. One of my favorite fence lines for bobcats and coyotes has been in existence for more than 60 years. A little more than a decade ago, it was a sheep pasture. The woolly critters kept the grass eaten tight to the fence. The farmer also sprayed it to keep the briars down. When the sheep were pulled from the meadow, it turned into a hay field, which means the spraying stopped, along with the munching. Now the long grass growing next to the fence is thick, and the briars are high enough to engulf a house. Today it teems with predator activity. Mind you, the habitat is not yet thick enough for predators to take up residence there, but they do visit it on a regular basis in search of food. I’ve taken coyote, fox, bobcat
and raccoon from it, and have seen two cougars working it over in recent years. IN A PRIMARY fence habitat, all of the elements are in place that a predator needs to survive: water, food, protective cover and a place to den. Some of these tangled messes can be incredibly thick, and the thicker the better for predators looking to establish a home. An old habitat allows forage to grow, food that attracts insects, songbirds, upland birds, rodents, squirrels, rabbits and more. As the food chain grows, predators enter the picture and become linked to the area. Some fence lines grow so thick, however, it’s tough setting up directly on them to call. This is where a ground blind or treestand comes in handy. If a hillside is nearby, the hunter can often
ROAD HUNTER
If you want to learn about the predators in your hunting area, get out immediately following a fresh snow. Tracks reveal a great deal about animals, especially coyotes, bobcats and other wild hunters.
set up on the elevated vantage point, with a remote call placed below, and be in a good position to observe all that’s going on. If targeting a thick stretch of fence line featuring broken or open habitat leading up to it, hunters can often position themselves tight to the fence, on the thin fringe, and begin calling. In this situation, the target area is the periphery of the brushy zone. Such an area can house predators, or can serve as a strong draw to them 48
American Shooting Journal //January 2020
as they emerge from daytime hideouts amid dense creeks, river bottoms, even adjacent timbered hillsides. Setting up tight to such a semibrushy location can be very effective. YOUNGER FENCE LINES are a bit different when compared to ones encapsulated in brush. Young fence lines don’t offer thick enough habitats to entice predators to take up residence, but they do offer forms of food that draw them back on a regular basis. These
fairly open habitat zones are where long-distance shooting skills can be put to the test, for concealment is a valid concern for the hunter, especially in flat terrain. Again, ground blinds can be effective here, especially one that’s low profile. If timber borders the area, treestands may be the best option. Situate a remote calling system at the base of the fence, operate it from the distant treestand or ground blind, and the worry of getting too close to the target area is alleviated. In addition to offering small food sources that attract predators, young fence lines can be used as primary and secondary travel routes. Primary travel routes are those that predators travel along intentionally, on a regular basis, and are most easily identified by distinct trails paralleling the fence line. Predators choose to routinely travel along these routes due to consistently available food sources, and because of the cover offered. It doesn’t take much cover to hide a moving predator, and often a foot of tall grass, even wooden fence posts, will set their minds at ease. If there’s a lack of large food in the region, predators may be content patrolling such fence lines for rodents, birds and other bite-sized prey for extended periods. Predators also travel along these fences because they offer just enough cover to safely reach major hunting grounds situated elsewhere. In other words, fence lines are ideal travel corridors for predators. Fence lines that serve as travel routes are most easily identified by their lack of cover. Here, predators are using the fence for nothing more than a direct line of travel that happens to link one key habitat to another. Such fence lines have no vegetation growing along them, thus attract little if any food. And often they have been picked of rocks, raked flat or sometimes sprayed to keep noxious weeds down, and this flat ground makes it easy for predators to travel along them. THE MORE ATTENTION hunters pay to fence lines, the clearer the value of microhabitats become. By taking the
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ROAD HUNTER time to study the habitat and learn how it’s being utilized by predators, the greater the likelihood a person has of increasing hunting opportunities. To learn what kinds of predators are utilizing fence lines, head out following a rain- or snowstorm and study the tracks. If you can’t do that, hang as many trail cameras as you can. Trail cameras are your eyes in the woods when you’re not there, and monitor animal movement 24 hours a day. One of my favorite times to hunt fence lines that transition into thick
creek bottoms amidst farmland is immediately following a heavy rainfall, when creeks flood over their banks. Under such wet conditions, rodents are forced to higher ground, and where rodents congregate, predators won’t be far. I recently worked one such flooded area, expecting to find a coyote along the edge of the hardwood forest above the creek. Instead, I found a lone dog mousing his way along an overgrown fence situated on higher ground. After failing to connect on the songdog, I
examined the area he worked. What I discovered was a labyrinth of deep, miniature trails, obvious sign that meadow voles had been forced to higher ground by the nearby flooding creek. Fresh snowfall provides another prime time to closely evaluate fence lines. Not only can you find what food sources are living in the area that may attract predators, but what travel routes the predators themselves are using. At this point, take time to study the area and figure out why animals are traveling those pathways.
DS4KMAX TRAIL CAMERA For the past 18 years, I’ve made my living in the outdoors, and depended on the best gear I could get my hands on. When it comes to trail cameras, the best I’ve used is Stealth Cam’s DS4K series. The standard DS4K was the best I’d ever seen, then they recently followed it up with the new DS4KMAX, and that took things to yet another level. Whether you’re looking to capture 50
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
predators, big game or birds, the new MAX is the ticket. I’ve used it in a range of conditions throughout the West, from intensely hot summers to belowfreezing winter temperatures, and amid Alaska’s rainforest and incessant snows; the quality of video and pictures this camera continues to get, along with the long life of operation off 12 AA batteries, simply amazes me.
I almost always set my trail cams on video mode, as they reveal so much of what’s happening in the wild. Not only have I learned a great deal from the high-quality video footage captured on my MAXs, but the sounds they’ve gotten have allowed me to capitalize on seasonal animal behavior. If I had just one trail camera to get, it would be Stealth Cam’s DS4KMAX, period.
ROAD HUNTER Other factors that influence fence line usage include human activity, like hunting for upland birds or deer, which tends to force those species into the confines of thick fencerows in search of refuge. At the same time, as various upland bird species gather in their larger winter flocks or migrate to lower elevation habitats, which often include fence rows, this can draw predators in on a seasonal basis. If predators aren’t there year-round, it’s likely due to the fact that little food exists. Find food and you’ll find predators. This winter, hit the road and get after predators. Chances are there could be some fantastic hunting opportunities right at your fingertips, but you won’t know unless you try. Editor’s note: To order signed copies of Scott Haugen’s best-selling books, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
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Author Scott Haugen with a coyote that was called in to an old fence line overgrown with briars. Such habitats are ideal for a variety of predators to thrive in.
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BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Destroyer of habitat and a rapid breeder, nutria are a menace to coastal and inland wetlands and are also spreading across the country. (ROGER CLAY, ALABAMA WILDLIFE & FRESHWATER FISHERIES DIVISION)
NEGATING NUTRIA
If you care about fish and wildlife habitat, helping control these South American rodents of unusual size – and appetite – just might be for you.
N
utria are an invasive species first brought into this country by fur farmers. Being burrowing animals, some soon escaped and quickly spread, causing great destruction of habitat. The nutria is like a sheep. It eats everything in its area before moving on, leaving a barren plot of land behind it, and it eats a lot – 25 percent of its body weight a day. But unlike a sheep, it eats the roots as well, so recovery of that ground is difficult.
STORY BY JIM DICKSON
Nutria prefer marshland and eat aquatic plants and their roots, resulting in open water that quickly erodes if there is a current, and if there is a hurricane you now have a new bay of the ocean. This is critical not only to people on the land, but also to commercial and recreational fishermen because the marshes are the nurseries of all the fish. It is a relatively safe place for the young of many species to grow up away from the big hungry fish that would otherwise eat a
much larger proportion of them. Further inland, habitat destruction by nutria imperils many native species, including some already on the endangered species list. Their feeding and burrowing destroys riverbanks, causing massive erosion, and can also devastate an irrigation system, leading to crop loss. The state of Louisiana essentially loses 100 square yards of land per hour to nutria, according to a 2017 NOLA .com article. The problem is so bad that americanshootingjournal.com 57
in 2006 Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee sent in his SWAT sharpshooters. THE INCREDIBLY RAPID speed of reproduction that nutria possess exacerbates the problem. They have two or three litters a year, with each litter having five to seven in it. These pups mature quickly and strike out on their own in just a month or two to start new families. A single pair can turn into thousands in just a few years’ time. Normal lifespan is about three years but they can live as long as eight to 10 years. In summertime, nutria often live above ground in dense vegetation, retreating to their burrows for the rest of the year. These burrows may be as
A U.S. Geological Services map shows concentrations of nutria, a South American rodent first imported in the late 1880s for their furs. (USGS) With their 3-inch-long incisors and insatiable appetites, nutria wreak havoc on important wetlands, browsing plants down to and including the roots, making it difficult to recover affected areas. (USDA WILDLIFE SERVICES)
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short as 4 to 6 feet or as long as 150 feet with several tunnels and entrances at various levels. These tunnels have compartments that vary from 1-foot ledges to 3-foot chambers above the water level that commonly contain nests of plant matter. They are also known to build platforms in shallow water to rest on, and even floating rafts of vegetation. They can often be found on these, as well as stumps and logs, soaking up the sun during the day. They will dive for the water upon detecting your presence, so be ready to shoot fast as you come upon them. The normal range of one nutria is about 32 acres and they normally travel within a 600-foot circle each day. Eyesight is relatively poor and they primarily depend on hearing and scent to detect danger. Alligators and eagles eat a lot of them and mink will quickly kill the smaller ones, despite the young nutria being bigger than the mink. If the game and fish departments of the various nutria-infested states would buy mink from fur farms and stock them where nutria are a problem, it would go a long way toward solving this issue. Also you don’t have to worry about the mink eating your pets and small children the way people worry about alligators and eagles chowing down on them. People often confuse the nutria
with the smaller, more cold-tolerant muskrat. The muskrat has a tail that is flat on the sides to aid it in swimming, while the nutria has a round tail. The nutria also has a white patch at its muzzle and huge orange incisors 2 to 3 inches long. An adult nutria weighs from 15 to 22 pounds and its overall length can reach 43 inches, of which 17 to 25 inches is body and 10 to 18 inches is tail. In the 1990s, the price of nutria pelts dropped from $5 to $1 and that effectively killed commercial trapping. If the public would demand nutria fur in coat linings and other uses, it would also go a long way to eliminating the problem. Once trapping became profitable again, the trappers would put a big dent in the nutria population. As it is, the state of
Louisiana has had to offer a $5 bounty for each nutria tail brought in by those licensed to hunt and trap them. A dog food company has been utilizing the meat for their product, but it is far too good to waste there. Nutria meat is very tasty, just as beaver and muskrat is. It is very lean, protein-rich, and low in fat and cholesterol. Famous New Orleans chefs have used it for many gourmet dishes and the meat needs more popularizing to deal with this wildly reproducing animal. WHILE NUTRIA CAN be sniped at long range under favorable circumstances, the normal method of hunting them involves going after them. This means you usually have a moving target, as the minute a nutria knows you are there, it is going to take
off like a scared rabbit. A 12-gauge shotgun with large shot is the surest weapon here for quick, humane kills. A .22 LR is especially inhumane on these relatively big, fastmoving animals, where precise shot placement is extremely difficult for most hunters. Even a hit to the vitals is not quick enough with the little .22 LR to prevent unnecessary suffering. Killing a nutria with multiple painful stings from a .22 is a flagrant violation of the traditional European hunting ethic of respect for your quarry. You owe it to your prey to use a caliber that you can easily make a clean kill with. I prefer the .30-caliber M1 carbine. It gets the job done quickly and humanely with one shot to the vitals and without ruining a lot of meat like a .223 from an AR-15 will on these
If nutria fur was more valuable today, more folks might be out trying to control their numbers either through trapping or hunting. As it stands, federal agencies like USDA Wildlife Services are making efforts to halt the spread of the nonnative varmints, including in California’s Central Valley, where this worker seeks them out. (USDA WILDLIFE SERVICES)
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There is another reason to choose the M1 carbine over a .22 LR. The carbine is big enough to handle anything you may run into in the marsh, bayou or swamp that takes a dislike to you. The .22 is not. Pistols are a natural choice for the instinct shooter gunning for nutria. Either a M1911A1, a .45 Colt SAA, or a Luger will allow you to successfully bag your nutria.
animals. The carbine is light and fasthandling, lending itself perfectly to instinct shooting, which is the fastest and most accurate way to hit. Being a semiauto with a big magazine and no felt recoil, it enables you to take out multiple nutria at one time when they are diving for the water as fast as they can. I could not ask for a better rifle for nutria hunting. Mine is a World War II veteran, but if you can’t find a surplus one anymore, look no further than MKS Supply (mkssupply.com). They sell the Inland M1 carbine, which is made to the last Mil-Specs on this weapon. One thing to remember about the M1 carbine and any other gun that must be cleaned from the muzzle instead of the breech end. The cleaning rod will eventually damage the rifling at the crown and degrade accuracy. Some of the Army Ordnance depots made their own brass cleaning rod guides for them, but today you can get one from J Dewey Rods (deweyrods.com) for any bore size needed.
SINCE YOU ARE dealing with aquatic mammals, a retriever will be a welcome addition. Also a smaller dog like a terrier or a full-size dachshund (not a miniature) can go after them in their holes. For those who like to hunt behind dogs, this is a great game. Remember, not every hole will be occupied. Your dog knows. A big dip net can be held at the mouth of the tunnel, allowing room at the sides for the dog to get out. This prevents the nutria from charging past you to submerge underwater for up to five minutes as it swims away from you.
Believe me, one can get gone real good in five minutes. Once it is in the net, it can be dispatched via club to the head. It is important to make a clean kill when you shoot for the dog’s sake as well. Trying to retrieve a wounded nutria with a set of 3-inch incisors is a good way to run up a big vet bill. Compared to the vet bill, the difference in price between a .30 carbine round and a .22 LR round is inconsequential. Do not take your dogs in an alligator-infested area, as gators think dogs are a tasty treat. They can catch a dog on land, and one in the water is the same as a sitting duck to a gator. Since nutria prefer freshwater marshes but are also found in saltwater marshes, you will need a boat or waders to go after them. In warm climes you can also just dispense with the waders and get wet. Nutria hunting provides fast shooting and good eating, while protecting our valuable wetlands and indigenous wildlife. It is both good fun and important work.
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ADVENTURE HUNTS (425) 246-2970 adventurehunts@yahoo.com www.adventurehunts.com
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OPTICS HUSKEMAW LONG RANGE OPTICS www.huskemaw.com The new 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter from Huskemaw is based on the tried and true 5-20x50 Blue Diamond platform but with some great new advancements: • Extended tube body length from 30mm to 34mm. This increases the vertical adjustment from 20 MOA/revolution to 30 MOA/revolution. The 34mm tube also increases light transmission by 50 percent; • A lighted reticle has been added, allowing for increased visibility of the reticle on target in low light situations; • Internal level for ensuring no cant without breaking eye/shooting position; • Customized Dual Interlocking Turret as a standard feature; • And an upgrade to F2 Schott glass for a brighter image and improved color separation. See us at booth #1725
ATHLON OPTICS www.athlonoptics.com A favorite among budget long-range shooters and NRL22 competitors alike, the Argos BTR GEN2 series of riflescopes picks up a few upgrades for 2020. The addition of a True Precision Zero Stop provides a simple-to-set hard stop on “zero” every time. A robust turret system gives sharp, tactile and loud clicks when making adjustments. A sleek magnification ring helps with bolt throw clearance, allowing the shooter to mount the scope lower to the barrel. Advanced fully multicoated lenses deliver clear images even in lowlight conditions. Backed by a lifetime warranty, the Argos BTR GEN2 is ready for a hard hunt or a rough day at the range. See us at booth #1414
GPO USA www.gpo-usa.com Rangefinding binoculars are the future. GPO’s newest introduction of the RangeGuide 10×50 combines spectacular optical quality and modern electronic rangefinding technology in a single ultracompact 10×50. The 50mm objective lenses coupled with the GPObright high-transmission lens coatings make this product exceptionally bright in low light, while the magnesium body and armor coatings make it tough enough to use in any outdoor environment. Displayed on an OLED internal screen, it offers 3,000-yard ranging capabilities, angle compensation, lightning-fast scan mode, temperature readings, and many other features. If you need to see your game, and know the distance in all hunting environments, the GPO RangeGuide 10×50 is your winning ticket. See us at booth #3461
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OPTICS LUCID OPTICS www.lucidoptics.com New for 2020 is the M7 Micro Red Dot from Lucid Optics. The M7 offers a crystal-clear, easy-to-use sighting solution for the AR and AK platforms. It provides a lightweight, tough and handsome addition to any rifle. The M7 has the new and highly effective M5 reticle, which allows a proven 25 percent faster target acquisition over a standard dot. In true Lucid Optics fashion, the M7 is overbuilt, waterproof and ready for action. The optic has 11 brightness settings to provide clarity in most any operational setting and it’s backed by the Lucid Optics lifetime warranty, making this optic nearly worry-free. See us at booth #8008
SKINNER SIGHTS www.skinnersights.com The Skinner Optics Model SKO-1624 is now available from Skinner Sights. The scope alone has an MSRP of $299 and a sale price of $249. Scope with medium height QD rings and 7-inch low-profile Marlin 1895/336 or Henry H009/H010/ H024 mount: $249; Scope with medium height QD rings and Henry Long Ranger 7-inch scope mount: $275; Scope with rings (low, medium, high): $249. These rings are good quality, solid steel, quick release, Picatinny/Weaver system, but are fairly heavy and not “beautiful.” Skinner recommends Leupold and Warne QR rings if a bit “classier” setup is desired. For the Skinner Express Scope Mount with Integral Peep, they recommend Talley medium-height rings.
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KNIVES ONTARIO KNIFE COMPANY www.ontarioknife.com Old Hickory Outdoor presents a brandnew design with the Fish & Small Game Knife. Modeled after the classic Kephart-style knife, this design is reliable and widely trusted by outdoorsmen all over the world. Easily takes on tasks ranging from bushcraft to hunting and it is paired with a durable leather sheath. The Fish & Small Game Knife makes a great companion with materials that you already know and trust. See us at booth #20305
WOODMAN’S PAL www.woodmanspal.com The Woodman’s Pal 2.0 is a land management and brush-clearing machete, axe, and multiuse tool. It is a premium quality product that can truly be a family heirloom, as it is built to last a lifetime. Proudly made in America, the history of the blade dates back to 1941 with a longstanding U.S. military use. Stop by to learn more about the lightweight, compact, comfortable and superbly balanced Woodman’s Pal at SHOT Show. See us at booth #2964
EXQUISITEKNIVES.COM www.exquisiteknives.com Exquisiteknives.com has been buying and selling high-end custom knives for over 30 years. Dave Ellis, proprietor, is a retired American Bladesmith Society mastersmith, as well as one of the world’s foremost custom knife collectors. Dave’s love of anything edged has led him to his latest creation, exquisiteknives.com, showcasing some of the hardest to find, most collectible custom knives available. Shown above is one from one of the top folder makers, Ron Lake, with engraving by the world’s best, Fracassi of Italy. While currently not on the website, it is just an example of the many hundreds of custom knives that Exquisite has in its collection. Now you can own the best of the best. Inquire at the above website for more.
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Industry DALLAS SAFARI CLUB www.biggame.org Since 1982, Dallas Safari Club has been committed to conservation, education and advocacy. Their members include over 6,000 dedicated men and women who support their mission through volunteerism and financial contributions. DSC is an international organization with a worldwide reach. A member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2015, DSC is a mission-focused conservation organization funded by hunters. Funds raised at their annual convention become grants that provide resources for needed projects from Alaska to Zimbabwe. The 2020 DSC Convention & Sporting Expo, The Greatest Hunters’ Convention on the Planet, will take place January 9-12 at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. The 2021 dates will be January 7-10.
JOSEPH CHIARELLO & CO., INC. www.guninsurance.com
SCOTT AUBIN: THE INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER YOU NEED www.scottaubin.com For decades, Scott Aubin suffered from PTSD from childhood trauma and his time in the military, which caused him to attempt suicide. But after recognizing and overcoming his PTSD, Aubin decided he wanted to help others who might have gone through traumas of their own. He has since become an exceptional, personal, emotional speaker who has the tremendous ability to reach many different types of individuals. Aubin specializes in suicide prevention presentations and convincing people to speak out when they need help. He speaks to veterans, first responders and law enforcement, as well as high school and college students. Says Aubin, “It’s a story of the prevailing human spirit, and I hope it will help others speak out. Because needing help is not a weakness, it makes you human. Everybody has a story.” For more information, contact scottanddash@ gmail.com and visit the above website. See us at booth #3457
Joseph Chiarello & Co., Inc. is a family-owned and -operated business founded in 1934 that has specialized in insuring the firearms industry since 1979. Throughout those years many competitors have come and gone. For over 40 years, Joseph Chiarello & Co. has stood by the firearms industry. The insurance coverage they provide is an important tool for managing one’s exposure to risk. They strive to provide the best products and services available to their clients, at reasonable prices. Their primary focus is on commercial general liability and property coverages. This program is underwritten by the Granite State Insurance Company. Policies are written on admitted paper in all 50 states. See us at booth #2628
THE REAL TEXAS GUN SHOW www.therealtexasgunshow.com The Real Texas Gun Show is a family-friendly environment, where patrons are encouraged to bring in firearms to upgrade, buy or sell. It is one of the longest-running gun shows in Texas. At The Real Texas Gun Show, they don’t allow any vendor to sell fraudulent products to their patrons, and they have removed those who have attempted to do so. They provide a good, safe, clean, family environment, and the best private and FFL firearms dealers from the state of Texas. They strive to be the best at every show they promote, and they limit nongun and nonknife products to 5 percent of total tables per show. Check out the above website for the full 2020 schedule. americanshootingjournal.com 71
industry GUNSTUFF TV www.gunstuff.tv GunStuff TV brings you documentaries covering Run N Gun events around the country, factory tours, and interviews with leading shooting sports professionals. Watch GunStuff on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Roku, and the Right Now TV network. GunStuff also sells over 50,000 guns and accessories from all the top manufacturers. Check out their website and add GunStuff to your TV lineup.
THE SPOKANE SPICE COMPANY
OUTDOORS FOR OUR HEROES
www.spokanespice.com
www.outdoorsforourheroes.org
Michlitch Company has worked locally and regionally with the meat industry since the 1940s. The company has grown beyond the grocery market to include the home and small meat shop. Their goal is to help in the processing and preserving of wild game and farm-raised meat and produce. If you have harvested meat for the freezer or for dinner, check them out online. Don’t waste the game you worked hard to bag or the livestock you raised or bought. For your barbecue, grilling and sausage seasoning desires, try Michlitch’s custom blends!
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Outdoors For Our Heroes mission is to help service-disabled veterans build hope, confidence and family strength through quality outdoor adventures. They will provide full financial support, logistics, accommodations, guiding and support resources to achieve the greatest experience for our serviceconnected disabled men and women. This is Outdoors For Our Heroes’ humble way of saying thanks to our service-disabled heroes for their selfless dedication, sacrifices and honor so we may all live in a free America.
Visit us at SHOT Show Booth # 3457
The Inspirational Speaker You Need
Twenty-one year Air Force Veteran Scott W.F. Aubin has seen things that most of us never will. His story is compelling, his spirit unconquerable. PTSD made life impossible, he has prevailed. Now a suicide prevention speaker nationwide, he serves our country by sharing his story, traveling with his Service Dog, Dash. He tried to take his life; those who know him are grateful that it was Knot Today. ‘…so wonderful and has a fantastic speech, you must hear him!’ --Angela Shelton, Film Director, Author ‘It was incredible how he is so real and able to tell his story…what an amazing person…’ ‘ Powerful. Inspiring...An amazing message...riveting, compelling, informative’ --New York State Children’s Alliance “Scott, it was an incredible presentation and brought the group to a more poignant and deeper level.” --Program Director, HomewardBoundAdirondack.org In order to reach even more of our Heroes & Guardians, Scott is acquiring 501c3 status. His organization, also called ‘Knot Today,’ was created to Reach, Support & Transport Veterans & Responders to approved Programs that assist in Suicide Prevention. A majority of his proceeds will go to ServiceDogProject.org For more information & availability, please email him directly.
ScottandDash@gmail.com www.ScottAubin.com
Adventure ADVENTURE HUNTS www.adventurehunts.com Known worldwide for their unique hunting adventures and unrivaled hospitality, Adventure Hunts specializes in offering trophy hunting packages to hunters of all experience levels. From the first-time visitor to Africa to the avid collector, Adventure Hunts has something for everyone. Looking for big Cape buffalo, leopard or any of the Big Five species? If so, Adventure Hunts has your permits and your ticket to a once-in-a-lifetime outdoor experience. Hunts are available in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Benin, Tanzania and other destinations around the globe. Book now for your next adventure!
RAAHAUGE’S HUNTING CLUB www.lincraahauges.com Now in its 17th year of providing excellent hunting and shooting opportunities for outdoors enthusiasts from coast to coast, Raahauge’s Hunting Club is a full-service, family-owned and -operated day-hunt club headquartered in southern California. This incredible facility features a formal 17-station sporting clays course, along with excellent ringneck pheasant and chukar hunting on over 2,400 acres of beautifully maintained, all-natural upland habitat. Bird hunting is available for day-hunters, bird card holders, and large groups, making Raahauge’s the perfect choice for that outdoor corporate retreat. Open daily, and open to the public.
BATTLEFIELD VEGAS www.battlefieldvegas.com From weaponry used in the trenches during World War I to the most modern firearms employed during current operations in the Middle East, the folks at Battlefield Vegas have it all. And then some! Have you ever dreamed of firing a German MG42? Too mundane? How about a Browning M2 “Ma Deuce” .50 caliber? Or maybe your tastes run more toward crushing a car – with a fully operational M1A1 Abrams tank? If you can think it and it involves firearms, Battlefield Vegas has the hardware necessary to make all your gunfire dreams come true. Stop by today. Your trigger finger will thank you!
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ADVENTURE WESTERN RANGE CAMPS www.wrcamps.com Western Range Camps specializes in the manufacturing of a custom range camp. This is not your typical RV. They build a product that is handcrafted and built to last. With high ground clearance, a wood-burning stove, heavy-duty construction and great insulation, you can go further and stay out longer and do it in comfort. Check out their website and give them a call to get started customizing a camp to meet your individual needs. Let the folks at Western Range Camps help you “Get out there and enjoy!”
AMERICAN TRACK TRUCK www.americantracktruck.com For the past 10 years, American Track Truck has provided their Dominator Track Systems for ½-ton vehicles all around the planet. Now, ATT is excited to introduce their Dominator XL HD Track System. Designed specifically for ¾- and 1-ton vehicles, the Dominator XL HD has been real-world tested for more than five years, with extraordinary results. The clean, simple design of the XL HD ensures weight reduction, fuel efficiency and low operational costs. Bolt-on installation is key; no modifications to the vehicle are necessary. The XL HD comes fully assembled.
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Gear for guns MANNERS COMPOSITE STOCKS www.mannersstocks.com Since its inception in 2001, Manners Composite Stocks has become a leader in the industry, and earned itself the reputation as the top-of-the-line manufacturer of super-strong, stiff, lightweight stocks for all types of competition and field rifles. How good are their stocks? Currently, the Manners Composite Shooting Team holds almost all of the 1,000-yard .50 BMG shooting records, a status based not only on the abilities of the team as a unit, but testimony to the excellence poured into each and every Manners-stocked rifle. Get tight. Get steady. Get some Manners. See us at booth #20005
STOCKY’S STOCKS
BOYDS HARDWOOD GUNSTOCKS
www.stockysstocks.com
www.boydsgunstocks.com
Stocky’s Stocks, America’s gunstock specialist, has announced the completion of their new carbon fiber gunstock manufacturing/distribution facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Meticulous hand lay-up stocks with 100-percent carbon fiber cloth, they are precisely CNC machined to transform the special bedding composites utilized into their super-accurate Accublock “V” bedding configuration. They come in a variety of popular action inlet/barrel taper configurations, including Remington, Defiance, Big Horn, Weatherby, Ruger American and Howa footprints. See us at booth #10774
New from Boyds Hardwood Gunstocks is the Spike Camp Thumbhole stock, which sports high-end features at a no-frills price of around $100. Here’s what you get: Short Monte Carlo comb to allow for a proper cheek weld; free-floated barrel, for improved accuracy; super-comfortable ergonomic thumbhole that puts your wrist and hand in a comfortable, neutral position; 13.5-inch length of pull; two swivel studs; and a very sturdy, lightweight thumbhole stock that weighs only 2.5 pounds! Now available in all of Boyds’ color combinations, and available for most rifle models. See us at booth #2621
GUNSTOCK BLANKS LLC www.gunstockblanks.com Gunstock Blanks LLC is a Las Vegas-based, hands-on company. They dry, plane, sand, and use a glossy finish to highlight grain structure for each blank. They have fancy wood for the custom shooter, as well as a large supply of production wood at special pricing (based on quantity). Whether you are an individual looking for just the right blank for your personal gun, or a manufacturer, Gunstock Blanks LLC has an extensive selection of wood for your needs.
DIVERSIFIED INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS www.diproductsinc.com Last year at SHOT Show, CZ introduced the new CZ 457 and they are now available in limited supply. DIP Inc. designed a Picatinny scope mount for the CZ 457 in both their standard and 25 MOA configuration. Also available are replacement bolt handles with additional accessories for the CZ 457 coming soon. Not content with the cheap plastic parts that many firearms companies are producing to cut production costs for rimfire firearms, DIP Inc. makes drop-in metal replacement parts and accessories that are both high quality and affordable. All products are made in the U.S.A. Other popular firearm brands that DIP Inc. makes parts for include Remington, Ruger, Steyr, S&W, Howa, Savage, CZ, Marlin, Anschutz and Henry. See us at booth #15944 americanshootingjournal.com 81
gear for guns
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VELOCITY PRECISION ENGINEERING www.velocitytriggers.com Like all Velocity Precision products, the Recoil-less Bolt Carrier and Adjustable Gas Block are designed with accuracy and performance in mind. Together these two products are an unbeatable, lightweight combination designed to eliminate recoil impulse and muzzle rise which allows for faster follow-up shots and improved accuracy. See us at booth #2227
ARMASPEC INC. www.armaspec.com The Armaspec Rifter Linear Muzzle Brake has varying initial chambers, which allows combustion gases to travel inside the chamber for a longer period of time, greatly reducing felt recoil and directing the sound forward, away from the shooter. The Rifter incorporates a blast shield to minimize the side blast pattern, which is especially helpful when in close proximity to others or in the prone position. The Rifter is an effective muzzle brake with or without the blast shield. See us at booth #20118
BEYER BARRELS www.beyerbarrels.com Crafted from stronger than mild steel 7075 material, Beyer’s premium aluminum alloy barrels are fully machined to precise match-grade tolerances, thus providing all the benefits, including the heat distribution capabilities, of a much thicker barrel, all in a barrel ranging from 13 to 18 ounces in weight. Compare this to the 60 ounces of traditional barrels, and the difference is immediately noticeable. Beyer AR barrels use a dedicated breech collar and a button rifled Chromalloy steel liner with 1-in-16 or 1-in-9 rifling, resulting in unparalleled performance. A variety of finishes, e.g. stainless, matte black and OD green, as well as custom colors are available. Go Beyer, and let your barrel “speak for itself.” See us at booth #2030
NOWLIN ARMS www.nowlinarms.com Proven reputation. That’s the key when it comes to the work done by Nowlin Arms of Oklahoma. Proof? How about eight world championships and 22 national titles, all won by competitors using Nowlin. And today, you can elevate your own 1911 to this level of performance, with Nowlin’s ECM Match Grade barrels. Made from 416 rifle-quality bar stock, with ultrasmooth ECM rifling, 40 RC hardness, and an 8 RMS bore finish, Nowlin 1911 barrels deliver maximum accuracy. Nowlin’s unique precut barrel locking lug design ensures precise engagement, while centering the firing pin on the primer. Under 1 inch at 25 yards and under 1½ inches at 50 yards in the company’s barrel testing fixture. That’s the Nowlin difference.
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ALPHA ONE OUTDOORS www.alphaoneoutdoors.com Patented, drop-in Glock trigger. Double action, short reset. See us at booth #3457
LITTLE CROW GUNWORKS www.littlecrowgunworks.com The Boom Tube from Little Crow Gunworks is simply a barrel extension made to redirect noise away from the shooter to downrange. When using subsonic .22 Long Rifle ammo, the noise signature to the shooter and bystanders is similar to the hollow thud of an air rifle versus the crack of a regular rifle. Another feature of the boom tube that customers really like is that when you wish to store or case the rifle or use the rifle without the barrel extension, you can simply clear/unload the rifle and the boom tube can be reversed and threaded over the barrel, protecting the threads and turning the unit into a faux suppressor. The unit is approximately 7 inches long, has a 1¼-inch outside diameter, and is available in ½-inch-28 tpi or 5/8-inch-24 tpi thread patterns.
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DRAGOON 5.56 & 7.62 RIFLE SUPPRESSORS In a market where heavy, welded, non-servicable suppressors are the norm, the TiON Dragoon family of suppressors are machined from solid Titanium bar stock.* This eliminates any welds/failure points and creates extremely durable and light weight suppressors. All feature Total Breakdown Technology (TBT), allowing the user to remove, clean and service ALL components. Top rated sound reduction is achieved throughout caliber ranges creating a truly universal suppressor for your many caliber needs. 5.56 DA
5.56 QD
7.62 CQB
7.62 DA
7.62 QD
Length Diameter Weight
6.75” 1.375” 9.66 oz
7.5” 1.375” 10.96 oz
7.5” 1.375” 11 oz
8.75” 1.375” 11.46 oz
9.5” 1.375” 12.95 oz
Sound Pressure .22LR Std Vel FN 5.7 Level
116dB 126dB 132dB 127dB
116dB 126dB 132dB 127dB
120dB 129dB 137dB 129dB 127dB 125dB 138dB 132dB
120dB 129dB 133dB 127dB 124dB 122dB 135dB 132dB 138dB 131dB 144dB 136dB
120dB 129dB 133dB 127dB 124dB 122dB 135dB 132dB 138dB 131dB 143dB 135dB
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FEATURE
Caliber
A.22LR (Full Auto) FN 5.7 (Full Auto) 5.56mm (Limited Full Auto) .22-250 .308/7.62 NATO (Limited Full Auto) 6.5 Creedmoor .300 Wby Mag
5.56mm 5.56mm (Heard @ ear) .300 Blk Sub .300 Blk Sub (Heard @ ear) .308/7.62 NATO .308/7.62 NATO (Heard @ ear) 6.5 Creedmoor 6.5 Creedmoor (Heard @ ear) .300 Wby Mag .300 Wby Mag (Heard @ ear)
Material
6AL-4V Annealed Titanium QD Spring-Stainless Compression Bushing-Brass
MSRP
Finish Black Cerakote FDE Cerakote Clear Gunmetal Cerakote
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•• • ••
•• • •• ••
•• • •• ••
D5B $795.00 D5QB $995.00 D7CB $1095.00 D7B $995.00 D7QB $1195.00 D5F $795.00 D5QF $995.00 D7CF $1095.00 D7F $995.00 D7QF $1195.00 D5G $795.00 D5QG $995.00 D7CG $1095.00 D7G $995.00 D7QG $1195.00
www.tioninc.com Call: (717) 227-9060 suppressors@tioninc.com
gear for guns TALON GRIPS www.talongungrips.com
EZR SPORT www.ezrsport.com EZR Sport offers three different grips for ARs: one with an index finger cutout, another without the cutout, and the third with no index finger. Installation takes about the same amount of time as with the handguns. EZR has grips and grip enhancements available for BCM, Magpul, ERGO and other major brands. All fit like factory and provide a nice look.
Talon Grips fix an area of shooting that cannot be perfected through practice – a slippery grip. Talon stick-on grips improve control, comfort and precision – increasing safety, confidence and enjoyment. Talon Grips’ new Pro Grip texture combines the best of the rubber and granulate grip textures. Comfort and control are maximized in one Pro texture, making this Talon Grip the answer to all of your shooting needs, whether you conceal carry or shoot competitively. Talon Grips are available in over 300 custom gun grip designs. See us at booth #6603
KICK-EEZ PRODUCTS www.kickeezproducts.com To help “stop the kick” of today’s high-powered rifles, choose Kick-Eez Magnum Grind-To-Fit Recoil Pads! The Magnum Recoil Pads are made of solid Sorbothane, the ultimate material for cushioning shock and reducing recoil. Kick-Eez Magnum Pads were originally designed for use on extra-large-bore guns but work equally well to tame heavy recoil on shotguns and rifles. At 1 3/8 inches thick, Kick-Eez Magnum Pads are also beneficial to increase length of pull whenever needed.
THE ULTIMATE IN LIGHTWEIGHT AND PRECISION SHOOTING RIFLES PIERCE ENGINEERING HAS ALL OPTIONS FOR ALL TYPES OF RIFLES The Pierce Titanium Action offers an unparalleled combination of low weight and high strength utilizing 6AL4V Grade 5 Titanium with a full DLC coating. A low friction coefficient with weights starting around 20 oz., and as light as 15 oz. in our featherweight option, gives you the shooter the ultimate edge of repeatability and accuracy in our complete one-off rifle builds.
NEW FOR 2020! Contact us about a full, custom rifle build. From a championship winning F-Class rifle to long range ultralight hunting rifles.
Our new 10X and 20X ELR actions capable of handling Lapua, Cheytac and BMG sized bolt faces.
Titanium action as light as 15.2 oz with DLC coating.
pierceengineeringltd.com • (517) 321-5051 84
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
jpierceltd@tds.net • 5122 North Grand River, Lansing, MI 48906
gear for guns LUTH-AR www.luth-ar.com Luth-AR has announced the new MBA5 Buttstock for AR carbine rifles, the latest in the MBA Series. Designed as an affordable, lightweight, adjustable carbine buttstock with a paddle-style adjustment lever, allowing rapid positioning. The wide flared cheek rest provides a comfortable cheek weld and the integrated Picatinny rail allows for attaching a monopod or other accessories. Designed to fit either Mil-Spec or commercial carbine buffer tubes. Paired with Luth-AR’s Chubby Grip and Palm Handguard, the new MBA-5 is just the right choice for your AR. MSRP $49.95; dealer, quantity and OEM pricing is available upon request. See us at booth #2730
TIMBER CREEK OUTDOORS, INC. www.timbercreekoutdoorsinc.com The Enforcer Ambidextrous Charging Handle from Timber Creek Outdoors is an Americanmade drop-in replacement for Mil-Spec charging handles. Oversized levers allow for easy access and fluid operation, no matter the optics mounted. Featuring TCO’s patent pending Roller Technology, this charging handle effortlessly unlatches from either side of the weapon, regardless of the dominant hand. Each piece is CNC machined out of aircraft-grade billet aluminum, is available in 10 different color options, and carries a lifetime warranty. See us at booth #3861
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WHITE OAK ARMAMENT www.whiteoakarmament.com Introducing the new TR M-Lok Handguard from White Oak Armament. The handguard is available in 12.6-inch and 14.6-inch lengths, octagonal with full-length top Picatinny rail, M-Lok sides and bottom. Two key goals in designing the rail were: 1) to ensure a stable, free-float handguard with minimal flex when pressure is applied, and 2) to make a rail that will work with virtually any gas block. White Oak Armament accomplished the first goal by making a longer barrel nut and increasing the space between the clamping screws. The key to eliminating the gas block issue was simply the length of the tube. White Oak Armament’s lengths of 12.6 inches and 14.6 inches are designed to stop just at the rear of the gas block. This will allow you to use an adjustable gas block and have clear access to the adjustment mechanism, or use a larger gas block that may not fit under the handguard and still have a sleek look.
gear for guns TION, INC. www.tioninc.com
ULTIMAK, INC. www.ultimak.com UltiMAK, maker of rock-solid, user-installed, ingenious solutions for mounting optics on classic rifles, has come out with a direct-interface optic mount for the Aimpoint Micro and similar sights having the same “footprint.” UltiMAK has models for the original GI carbines of the 1940s, and for the newer Israeli (IMI & IAI) .30 carbines, plus the Auto Ordnance and Inland Manufacturing .30 carbines. The direct interface eliminates the rail and the Aimpoint base, and that lets the optic sit just low enough to co-witness the factory iron sights through the optic, and it provides a more perfect cheek weld on the stock. It also removes a bit of weight and lowers the overall profile. There’s nothing more fun than a day at the range with a dot-sighted .30 carbine!
UNIQUE-ARS www.unique-ars.com Unique-ARs Original Series handguards are now compatible with Ruger Precision Rifles and Ruger Precision Magnum Rifles with the new Ruger Precision Barrel Nuts. These new barrel nuts allow anyone to customize their Ruger Precision Rifle with one of the many handguard designs offered by Unique-ARs. These two-part barrel nuts are crafted from 6061 T6 aluminum (barrel nut) and 1025 steel (castle bolt), and weigh 3.8 ounce (standard) and 4.6 ounce (Magnum). Each of these barrel nuts install the same way that UniqueARs’ AR-15 barrel nut and AR-10 barrel nut install to their respective receivers. Unique-ARs has put a fresh look to their existing “Making America Great” design to create the new Keeping America Great handguard. This forend blends an eagle breached front end with an updated message for patriotic appeal. The Keeping America Great design is available as a 15-inch handguard, which is drilled and tapped in the 12 and 6 o’clock positions for Unique-ARs’ custom Picatinny rail. This custom handguard weighs in at 11.2 ounces. This design remains standard for Unique-ARs handguards, as it is milled from 6061 T6 aluminum, the OD is 2 inches and ID is 1.75 inches, and it uses their proprietary barrel nut mounting systems (compatible with any Mil-Spec 5.56 upper receiver or DPMS Gen 1 Style .308 upper), and is also available in a Pantheon Arms Dolos Takedown System compatible version. See us at booth #3567
ZERMATT ARMS www.rimxrimfire.com New from Zermatt Arms, the RimX rimfire action! The newest addition to Zermatt Arms’ line of precision bolt actions is ZAI’s first action designed for rimfire cartridges. Zermatt Arms is offering the RimX with bolt heads for .22 Long Rifle and .17 HMR and similar cases. The RimX maintains the same high levels of quality and precision you’ve come to know in ZAI’s current centerfire actions, the Origin and TL3/SR3 actions. Similar options are available on the RimX, all while maintaining the same action footprint. See us at booth #1928
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Now in production, the revolutionary Dragoon .338 QD suppressor, configured as a Quick Detach (QD) model, utilizes Total Breakdown Technology. TBT allows the user to remove, clean and service all components using common tools. Extremely durable and lightweight, the Dragoon .338 QD is machined from solid Titanium bar stock, eliminating any welds or failure points. Top-rated sound reduction is achieved across the entire caliber range, from .22 LR through .338 Lapua, creating a truly universal suppressor for your multiple rifle caliber requirements. TiON’s proprietary Titanium Flash Hider/QD Mounts provide robust, lightweight, and uniform two-second lock up. See us at booth #2220
ELFTMANN TACTICAL www.elftactical.com The ELF Savage 110 Precision Rifle Trigger is the pinnacle of drop-in trigger systems for the Savage 110, Axis, and other Savage precision rifles. Designed with an easily adjustable pull weight, it is infinitely adjustable from less than 20 ounces to over 4 pounds. This trigger has the incredible feel and crisp break that ELF triggers are known for, even at the highest weight. One of the unique and proprietary features of this trigger, aerospace-grade bearings are key to the consistency and smoothness of the pull. Because the bearings are press fit in the trigger, with a press fit shaft, there is absolutely no play in any components. The trigger shoe is aluminum, easily adjustable, and both curved and flat are included. See us at booth #3851
GENTRY CUSTOM LLC www.gentrycustom.com Gentry Custom LLC is a family-owned business that has been manufacturing its own line of rifle accessories, as well as building custom rifles, for many years now. This year they are proud to announce that they have opened an online store, offering their quiet muzzle brakes, safeties, barrel bands, and other miscellaneous items. All of their rifle accessories are machined, assembled, packaged and shipped in-house. Gentry Custom LLC is still providing the same great quality of service that founder David Gentry did when the company started in the 1980s.
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BARTLEIN BARRELS www.bartleinbarrels.com If precision is what you’re looking for, then Bartlein should be making your barrels. The Bartlein Team is comprised of experienced reloaders, shooters and hunters; men and women who know and practice precision on a daily basis. These individuals pride themselves on uniformity, and can, if needed, carry a twist rate out to the fourth decimal point! So if a 1-in-11 twist isn’t working, how about 1-in-11.3642? It’s the difference between good and perfection, and the folks at Bartlein Barrels know how to make the difference. Trust Bartlein for all your barrel needs.
Handcrafted AR Platform rifles, carbines and pistols available in 9mm, 10mm, .45 ACP, 5.56, .300 blackout, 7.62x51, 6.5 CM. .458 SOCOM Proudly made in the U.S.A.
603-494-8412 RTDARMS.COM 90
SAFETY HARBOR FIREARMS INC. www.safetyharborfirearms.com New for Safety Harbor Firearms at the 2020 SHOT Show comes the SHF MCL (Magazine Conversion Lower) for the Grand Power SP9A1 Pistol. The MCL allows the use of Glock-type magazines and last shot bolt hold-open in the SP9A1. In addition, the MCL will also allow the use of standard AR-15 fire control parts/drop-in trigger groups and grips. The MCL is made from billet 6061 aluminum that’s Type III hardcoat anodized. See us at booth #20613
LIVE FREE OR DIE TRYING
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd. (NECG) specializes in top-quality gunmaking, gunsmithing and restoration services to the sporting arms community, as well as high-quality long arms, optics and gun components. They sell AyA, Blaser, Krieghoff, Mauser, Merkel, Sauer and others. The company’s extensive gun accessories list features an assortment of scope mounts by EAW and Recknagel, quality gun sights and gun accessories, many designed by NECG and made in Germany or here in the United States. They also sell their NECG Peep Sights for Weaver Bases, Grooved 22s, as well as Ruger and CZ firearms. You’ll find a lot of knowledge at NECG. Please browse the company’s new website (above) for more information.
The Ultimate Glock Trigger System Double Action - Ultra Short Reset Visit us at Shot Show Booth # 3457
AlphaOneOutdoors.com
Booth #3567
Unique ARs makes the finest AR Builds and Accessories on the Planet!
Unique-ARs.com Now compatible with Ruger Precision Rifles
Rook Brakes
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Connect with us on social! @UniqueARs
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ATHLON OPTICS Serious shooters want serious gear! The Athlon Optics Midas TAC 5-25x56 gives those diehard enthusiasts premium features without breaking the bank. HD glass and a precision zero stop, built on a 34mm tube, ensure this scope will work for any rifleman. A scope built to last a lifetime, backed by a lifetime warranty. $849.99 See us on page 64
EZR SPORT EZR Sport gives you three different comfort and control enhanced grips to replace your stock A2 grip. All three offer superior performance and control over your stock grip. See us on page 97
ZERMATT ARMS The Origin action from Zermatt Arms is a modestly priced precision bolt action. Incorporating a floating and interchangeable bolt head with controlled round feed and mechanical ejection as well as toolless bolt disassembly, the Origin action is perfect for the at-home tinkerer and the competition shooter alike. At $825, the Origin is an affordable option for any level of precision shooter. See us on page 47
AR Parts, Guns & Accessories americanshootingjournal.com 93
ATHLON OPTICS Perfect for hunters and target shooters alike. The Athlon Optics Talos 20-60x80 spotting scope delivers excellent light transmission thanks to silver-coated K9 glass prisms and fully multicoated lenses. Use with the included tabletop tripod, or any standard Âźx20 accessory. Covered by a lifetime warranty. $149.99 See us on page 64
SEAL 1 SKIT-R/P Gun Cleaning Kit – All Rifle and Pistol See us on page 137
LUTH-AR Palm handguard See us on page 80
AR Parts, Guns & Accessories
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GRIPS GALLERY
EZR SPORT Shockwave Gauntlets fit on all “shockwave-style” grips, with no movement or rotation of any kind when installed properly. The gauntlets will not tear during installation, do not rotate, will not lift or peel off – and can be removed if so desired with no damage to the original grips! www.ezrsport.com
HOGUE INC. Hogue’s Beavertail HandAll Grip Sleeves feature models specifically designed for today’s polymer-framed handguns. They engage with the textures and contours of the firearm frame to stay firmly in place over the lifespan of the grip. Six colors available. www.hogueinc.com
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BROUGHT TO YOU BY
BULLET BULLETIN
The .30-06 Springfield and a 180-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip make an excellent combination for any deer hunt.
BALLISTIC TIP REVOLUTION
Polymer-tipped bullets are nearly as ubiquitous as whitetails in some parts of the country these days, but it wasn’t always that way until John Nosler came along. STORY BY PHIL MASSARO • PHOTOS BY MASSARO MEDIA GROUP
I
t was a long time ago, nearly a quarter century, yet I can see it as if it happened yesterday. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and you couldn’t have asked for a nicer November day in upstate New York. We hadn’t had snow yet – that would come the next
day – and the sun shining on the fallen red oak leaves made a glare bright enough to cause a squint. It was just before 3 p.m. when I heard him coming, as I could hear the deer long before I could see him. He came at my stand in a perfectly straight line as if I were reeling him
in. The Ruger .308 came to shoulder and the deer stopped directly behind an oak, so I could see the tips of antlers and the curve of his rump on either side of the tree. When he finally took one step to the left, the trigger broke and a 165-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip was sent upon its journey. I americanshootingjournal.com 99
BULLET BULLETIN watched that buck fall out of the scope. That rifle and I spent many seasons together and still gets the nod from time to time, and though I use many different bullets, it still loves the Nosler Ballistic Tip. I know times flies, but I didn’t realize that the Nosler Ballistic Tip has been with us since 1984. About a decade later, as I became a proficient handloader the reputation
The Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint in .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington, as loaded in Federal’s V-Shok line. Both are fully capable of creating the red mist on woodchucks and prairie dogs.
The Nosler Ballistic Tip shown in profile, cross section and as upset in ballistic gel. (FEDERAL AMMUNITION)
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American Shooting Journal // January 2020
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bullet bulletin
The author’s Tikka T3x Lite in 7mm-08 Remington likes the 140-grain Ballistic Tip load from Federal, and it makes a great mountain rifle.
The 180-grain .30-caliber Ballistic Tip has enough sectional density to guarantee adequate penetration on deer and similarly sized game.
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of this bullet grabbed my attention. I was primarily a deer hunter (though that would change) and the Ballistic Tip is a fantastic deer bullet. The design is simple, yet remains effective. It is a cup-and-core bullet, with a jacket that gets progressively thicker from nose to base, and it features a polycarbonate, both to maintain a high ballistic coefficient as well as to act as a wedge upon impact to initiate expansion. A boattail is employed to increase the BC value, thereby flattening trajectory and increasing retained energy. Nosler uses varying color codes to quickly indicate caliber – the selection runs, with a few exceptions,
BULLET BULLETIN from .204-inch diameter up to 8mm – and has wisely chosen a lineup of effective bullet weights for each caliber.
The 55-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint in .22-250 Remington has been very accurate in the author’s Ruger 77 MKII rifle, taking coyotes and foxes cleanly.
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American Shooting Journal // January 2020
NOSLER SPLITS THE Ballistic Tip into two categories: the Ballistic Tip Hunting and Ballistic Tip Varmint, with the former being designed to be stronger and the latter designed to be highly frangible, with a much thinner jacket. The Varmint line comes in .204inch 32- and 40-grain models, .224inch 40-, 50- and 55-grain pills, 6mm 55-, 70- and 80-grain bullets and .257-inch 85-grain weight. If you want to absolutely flatten woodchucks and prairie dogs, the Ballistic Tip Varmint is a wonderful choice. They can get a bit messy on furbearers, and I recommend the lightest bullet that shoots well in your gun in order to prevent an exit wound, or simply take head shots only on the predators. As you will find when doing any
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bullet bulletin research on either type of the Ballistic Tips, they are a very accurate bullet. Handloaded in my Ruger Model 77 MKII .22-250 Remington, the 55-grain Ballistic Tip Varmint prints three shots in just over 3/8 inch at 100 yards; with Federal’s V-Shok factory ammunition the groups open all the way up to ½ inch. While many shooters with a dedicated target rifle and match ammunition might wrinkle their nose at such results, my rifle is a simple sporter, set in a Hogue OverMolded stock, with a Timney trigger, but I really like it in the field. The 7mm 150-grain Ballistic Tip Hunting is heavy enough for good terminal performance and wind deflection, yet will offer a good trajectory at longer ranges.
The .270 Winchester is one of the most popular choice for deer hunting, and the 140-grain Ballistic Tip Hunting – shown here as loaded in Nosler’s ammunition – will make an excellent choice for any deer hunting.
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LOVED AND HATED, the Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting has those who swear by it and others who swear at it. I will say that the Ballistic Tip Hunting can be frangible and the terminal performance can become questionable when the sectional density is on
bullet bulletin the lower side. Experimenting with different bullets in the game field, I had loaded up a bunch of 125-grain Ballistic Tips for my .308 Winchester for deer season. I took several deer with that load – both bucks and does – at a muzzle velocity of just under 3,000 feet per second. It generated plenty of hydraulic shock – more than one deer fell in its tracks, without so
much as a twitch – but when I hit a shoulder bone, things got a bit weird. I recovered the deer, a big-bodied eight-pointer, but the bullet had literally disintegrated. I can’t say that I expected any different, as the bullet is light for caliber and the impact distances were all under 75 yards. To solve the issue, I simply went back to the 165-grain Ballistic Tip
and all was right in the world. My advice to those who want to enjoy the excellent accuracy of the Ballistic Tip Hunting is to lean on bullets on the heavier side of the spectrum, as you’ll have enough sectional density for adequate penetration. This brings me to another point regarding the use of this bullet: the size of the game to be pursued with it. I think the Nosler Ballistic Tip is a great bullet for deer – whitetail, blacktail, Coues and mule deer – if they are of proper sectional density, plus it makes a great choice for pronghorn antelope. I also feel comfortable saying that the Ballistic Tip isn’t the best choice for elk, moose or bear – Nosler’s Partition or AccuBond are much better tools for those jobs – as the bullet expands too rapidly for the deep penetration needed. Game animals from caribou on down should be handled neatly by the Ballistic Tip; anything bigger or tougher than that and you should probably turn toward a stiffer bullet. The Nosler Ballistic Tip is more about the fast transfer of energy (perfect for whitetails) than about retained weight or serious penetration. IT SEEMS LIKE having a polymer or polycarbonate tip on a bullet is taken for granted these days, but before the Nosler Ballistic Tip, it was unheard of. As if John Nosler’s Partition wasn’t enough to cement his position in the history of bullet development – and the company that bears his name – the Ballistic Tip was certainly a game changer. Nosler has developed the Ballistic Tip Lead Free variation for varmint hunters in those areas where lead bullets aren’t permitted, as well as their Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip, with Lubalox coating. Federal loads both the Ballistic Tip Hunting and the Ballistic Tip Varmint, and Nosler offers both in their loaded ammunition. Whether you shoot factory ammo or handload your own, there is a Ballistic Tip suitable for your medium game and varmint/predator hunting.
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COWBOY .25 .32 .38 .38 .38 .38-40 .44-40 .45LC .45LC .458
85 Gr. 78 Gr. 120 Gr. 125 Gr. 130 Gr. 180 Gr. 180 Gr. 160 Gr. 200 Gr. 350 Gr.
RNFP RNFP TC RNFP RNFP RNFP RNFP RNFP RNFP RNFP
STANDARD .32KEITH 125 Gr. .380 95 Gr. 9MM 115 Gr. 9MM 125 Gr. .38 148 Gr. .38 158 Gr. .40 180 Gr. .45ACP 200 Gr. .45ACP 230 Gr. .45LC 255 Gr.
SWC RN RN RN DEWC SWC RNFP SWC RN SWC
Pistol Bullets
and
Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.
ZER
P.O. Box 1188 Cullman, AL 35056 Tel: 256-739-1606 Fax: 256-739-4683 Toll Free: 800-545-9376 www.zerobullets.com
AMMUNITION AMMO INC. www.ammoinc.com The /stelTH/ line is more than just a standard round tuned for subsonic velocity – it’s the culmination of Ammo Inc.’s Hyperclean Technology, precision engineering, and leading suppressor manufacturer collaboration. /stelTH/ offers a clean-burning, total metal jacket round that slows baffle erosion inside the can, reduces lead emissions that collect in the suppressor body, and delivers proven Ammo Inc. terminal performance for a superior shooting experience. Burns clean. Burns quiet. /stelTH/ Subsonic Ammunition. See us at booth #1016
BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION www.black-hills.com Black Hills Ammunition’s Dual Performance precision-machined, monolithic copper projectiles immediately expand upon impact to form a large temporary cavity exceeding conventional bullets. Once the cavity is created, the petals release from the projectile to cut separate wound tracks through stressed tissue. The bullet’s body, retaining substantial original weight but now free from unnecessary drag, penetrates deeply, ensuring maximum effect. Now available in 5.56mm with a 62-grain projectile at 3,000 feet per second from a 20-inch barrel and a .308 152-grain version at 2,800 fps from a 24-inch barrel. The performance of these rounds will set new standards and the accuracy ensures terminal capability is delivered with precision. See us at booth #15129
SHELL SHOCK TECHNOLOGIES www.shellshocktech.com Shell Shock’s 9mm case was hailed as “maybe the greatest innovation in firearms in 150 years” by the folks at the VSO Gun Channel. Not bad for their first try! Next on the list, the new .223/5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm rifle cases. Fifty percent lighter and 50 percent more powder capacity, these latest additions will deliver greater consistency between rounds, cost less than traditional brass, and can be picked up with a magnet when the shooting’s over. All Shell Shock cases are proudly made in the USA. Shell Shock – Shoot it! Love it! americanshootingjournal.com 111
Ammunition UNDERWOOD AMMUNITION www.underwoodammo.com New from Illinois-based Underwood Ammunition, the Xtreme Defender (EXD) is based on the wildly popular Xtreme Penetrator product line. The Xtreme Defender ammunition features an optimized nose flute, along with the weight and velocity necessary to achieve the FBI standard 18 inches of penetration. With a permanent wound cavity described as “enormous,” the Xtreme Defender’s solid copper body ensures no adverse effects occurring to the projectile itself, despite encountering common law enforcement and personal defense obstacles such as wallboard, sheetrock, sheet metal and automotive glass. See us at booth #4230
MATT’S BULLETS www.mattsbullets.com It’s official! The good folks at Matt’s Bullets will now be offering their familiar .45 Colt ammunition in a hollow-base wad-cutter format. This premium-grade ammunition is manufactured under the most tightly controlled of conditions, meaning round-to-round consistency is maximized and the resulting accuracy on the range is second to none. Ideal for those using revolvers with either oversized cylinder throats or oversized barrels, this new ammunition will retail for approximately $49.99/50 rounds. Reloaders – only bullets are available.
ZERO BULLET COMPANY www.zerobullets.com Fifty-two years. That’s how long the folks at the Zero Bullet Company have been manufacturing jacketed handgun bullets. And their expertise and craftsmanship shows in their impressive competitive championship wins. Team Zero member Kevin Angstadt won the prestigious Bianchi Cup in 2014 using the company’s Number 136 9mm 125-grain jacketed hollowpoint competition bullet. Kim Beckwith has racked up multiple High Senior awards at the cup with Zero’s .38 Super ammuntions. The National Pistol Championship? Zero’s been there and done that. Same with the Pistol 4-Man Team Championships at Ohio’s Camp Perry. An impressive record, for a company with equally as impressive credentials and products.
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RIM ROCK BULLETS www.rimrockbullets.com; www.oregontrailbullets.com Rim Rock Bullets has purchased Oregon Trail Bullets.
Matt’s Bullets
Premium Bullets & Ammunition The 500 S&W Specialists Including: 700 Grain
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www.mattsbullets.com - for bullets
www.mattsbullets.com/ammunition - for ammunition americanshootingjournal.com 113
RELOADING
REDDING RELOADING EQUIPMENT www.redding-reloading.com
The latest from Redding Reloading Equipment, the Redding Type S Elite die set is a direct result of customer feedback and is available for 85 different cartridges. The Type S Elite set is comprised of a Type S Bushing Full Die, a Type S Bushing Neck Die and the unparalleled Redding Competition Seating Die. All Type S dies use an interchangeable bushing to control neck diameter and tension to an increment of 0.001 inch. Bushings are available in hardened steel but also are available with a TIN (titanium nitride) coating for even greater lubricity. This allows the handloader complete control and precision when setting the appropriate neck tension without fear of overworking the brass in the case neck. These bushings are also free-floating to self-center on the case neck for a higher degree of sizing accuracy. These features provide not only an enhanced degree of control but significant improvements to consistency and accuracy of the final loaded rounds. See us at booth #16527
WESTERN POWDERS, INC. www.westernpowders.com As one of the slowest spherical propellants ever developed, Ramshot LRT (Long Range Tactical) was developed for exceptional performance at extreme ranges in large capacity cartridges. Designed specifically for the .338 Lapua Magnum using heavy, high ballistic coefficient bullets, LRT offers high load densities and low standard deviations for superior accuracy. Hunters who prefer the advantages of overbore magnums like the .257 Weatherby or .30 Nosler will find that LRT meters more easily and produces flatter trajectories than rival propellants. For the latest loading data, contact Western Powders at customerservice@ramshot.com for a free copy of their 7.0 guide. See us at booth #13772
21ST CENTURY SHOOTING INC. www.xxicsi.com The days of neck turning with a cordless screwdriver are over! Introducing the new 21st Century Shooting Power Neck Turning Lathe. An integral power head glides on stainless steel rails, with power being adjusted from 200 to 600 revolutions per minute in 50 rpm increments, via a digital speed controller. Given properly expanded brass, ample lube and the proper titanium nitride arbors, case necks can be turned at 600 rpms without any heat generation! Speed up your case prep process, and have more time for the range. The new 21st Century Shooting Power Neck Turning Lathe – taking reloading into the 21st century!
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BLACK POWDER
THE FLINTLOCK BUFFALO HUNT Going on a meat hunt for bison calves with traditional mountain rifles.
These two custom Hawken .54s would get their buffalos on the same day.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT
M
ore than 15 years have passed since “Big John” McMullen and I teamed up for a buffalo hunt at Clover Creek Ranch in Oregon. That was a summer hunt and we both were carrying flintlock .54-caliber Hawken-style rifles that had been made by the late Dave Dolliver. This was John’s first hunt with a flintlock and it turned out to be a good one. We had talked about going after bison even before John’s rifle was finished, and when his gun was completed, we didn’t waste too much time before heading to the “buffalo range.” I wanted to take a buffalo with a traditional mountain rifle and I wanted that critter for meat instead of for a trophy. Taking a buffalo for meat is a very traditional thing to do and the meat is simply exceptional. At that same time,
the rendezvous season was in full swing and having some good buffalo meat to share and enjoy would also be very traditional. When the mountain men hunted for meat, they made sure to get some “fat cow” because the meat was much better in taste and tenderness than “poor bull.” So as soon as John’s rifle was sighted in, we set out to get some of the tenderest buffalo meat of all – calf. THE RIFLE I was hunting with was a custom-built half-stock Hawken flintlock that was patterned after the Mariano Modena Hawken, in .54 caliber with a 35-inch barrel. That rifle was made for me just a year earlier and while I had been using it in shooting matches with welcome success, this was the first hunt with that gun. John’s rifle was very similar but with an inch longer barrel and a full stock that went all the way to the muzzle. He had ordered his rifle after shooting mine and liking it too much
to not have one almost the same. We got to the ranch in midafternoon but wouldn’t hunt until the next morning. That was good because John wanted to take just a couple more sighter shots before getting serious. The ranch had a nice rifle range for just such practice. That was when Mat, our guide for the hunt, told us to be ready at 5 a.m., which was before sunrise. After a short night in the bunkhouse, Mat was there before 5 a.m., ready to lead us to the hunting area. We got to where we’d start walking and that’s also where we loaded our rifles. Both John and I were using the same loads, which used 110 grains of Goex FFg powder beneath patched .526-inch diameter round balls. When both rifles were loaded, and primed with FFFFg powder, the hunting really began. AND WE REALLY did some hunting. Rather than wait on a stand, we went out looking for the buffalo. Mat had americanshootingjournal.com 117
BLACK POWDER “Big John” McMullen shot this target while sighting his rifle in just before the hunt for bison calves at a north-central Oregon ranch.
given us some good ideas on where to find them but we still had at least a full square mile in which to search, with both timbered and open areas. Our goal was to locate the herd and then stalk close enough to get good shots. John was moving faster than I was, and soon enough both John and Mat had left me behind. That was fine; Mat had signaled to me to wait where I was. Moments later, Mat appeared again and signaled for me to follow. They had located the buffalo and John was following the herd. Mat was trying to help me get in close but the buffalo were moving faster than we figured. Just as I was about to make another move, John’s rifle roared. Big John could keep pace with the buffalo easier than I could, being at least 20 years younger. And he was using trees for cover every chance that he could get. When a good calf appeared, John crawled to the base of a juniper and tried to take a shot from 118
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the prone position. But the juniper’s limbs were lower than he expected, so he rolled to the side and fired his flintlock sideways to get the shot. That shot was a good one, but John watched his wounded buffalo keep going until it was out of sight. Then John was on the move again, reloading as he went. He was in sight just for a few moments and then disappeared again. Soon Mat and I heard another shot and we hurried in that direction to see if we could offer any help. In just another two minutes, I could see the buffalo calf on the ground and John was nearby reloading his rifle again so he could give the buff a final and killing shot. That was a real success and it was still a few minutes before 6 a.m. We paused to take a couple of pictures and then Mat gave us directions on where we might locate the herd again. Then Mat headed back to get his fourwheeler with a trailer so he could take
John’s buffalo back to the main ranch, where he’d skin it and hang the meat in a cooler. We parted company there; Mat went one way and we went the other. THEN IT WAS my turn. Big John must have had good confidence in my shooting abilities because for the rest of the hunt he carried an empty rifle. Maybe that was a test. Even so, I was hoping that if a shot came my way it would be good enough that John’s help wouldn’t be needed. We didn’t head back down the same way we’d gone up. That gave us another view of the rugged central Oregon country. Also, we were going slower than when we were following the buffalo uphill so we wouldn’t miss or spook them before we spotted them. We followed no tracks that time; we were following Mat’s suggestion and we followed it for about two hours. We had gone quite a ways down
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BLACK POWDER and begun to cut back to the right when John ducked and signaled to me that the buffalo were just to our left. We were on the edge of some big timber next to some shorter junipers and visibility was limited. Continuing to “chat” in signs, John suggested that I double back several yards, then work my way to the left and approach the herd with the wind in my face. That worked really well and my only problem was to find a calf that was in the clear so my shot would not hit more than one buffalo. The herd was moving, going to our right, and seeing them reminded me of how large adult buffalo are. As I kept pace with the buffalo, John quietly joined me. Then, as a clear lane opened in front of me, a buffalo calf entered the lane and stopped to look at us. John whispered an encouraging “Get him” as my flintlock came to my shoulder. The buffalo calf, a yearling bull, began
McMullen with his yearling buffalo.
moving again. My shot was about 75 yards in distance and the charge of 110 grains of powder sent the round ball all the way through the heart and
lung area and out the other side. The calf stepped out of my line of sight and I began to reload while moving in order to keep up. While
PrOlix
PrOlix is a penetrating solvent/dry lube product that was lab-developed and tested by law enforcement, military and commercial shooters over many years. The citrus-based biodegradable cleaner, pioneered in 1995, is the first successful “all in one” gun care product, now deemed “Bio-Technology.” Their recyclable (strain and reuse) products are made of 89 percent or greater renewable resources, a true commitment to sustainable practices and caring for the environment. As such, the USDA has listed PrOlix as a BioPreferred Product since 2012. The solvent “goes on wet, cleans, bonds, and the lube turns dry to the touch.” It removes carbon, copper, lead, shotgun plastic residues, and black powder. PrOlix will not damage wood, freeze, or flash off, and it can be used for commercial and industrial applications as well. To complement the PrOlix Cleaner/Lubricant (Dry Tech) line, shooters can use the equally superior “gun-oil and grease replacer” PrOlix Xtra-T Lube for a total care product. PrOlix, which will be celebrating its 33rd anniversary soon, announced at the 2019 Shot Show that they would be shipping out their products with a new look around the middle of the year. Along with the new look, due to many requests, their PrOlix TGCP in the 16-ounce-PRO with an adjustable nozzle and trigger-sprayer cap will also change to an easier-to-handle bottle. Visit prolixlubricant.com for more information.
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BLACK POWDER Author Mike Nesbitt, dudded up in his “mountain man hat,” poses with the bull calf that would provide tender meat during black powder rendezvous season.
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I lost sight of the buffalo, I asked John to keep an eye on it. He quickly replied, “No hurry, he’s down.” A couple members of the herd milled around the fallen calf for a minute or so and then moved on at a fast walk. My first buffalo was dead before we got to it, after moving no more than 20 yards after being hit. Mat had heard the shot and he guessed where we were rather easily. He came back with the four-wheeler and trailer to take my buffalo back for further attention. Of course that wasn’t until a few more pictures were taken. It was just about 9 a.m. by then, and for John and me it was truly an exciting morning. Our .54-caliber rifles had done their duty well and the hanging weight of those two yearling bulls was 400 pounds each. That hunt was some doin’s and the meat was excellent. With “ingredients” like that, it’s about time to do it again.
American Derringer The Legendary M-1 .45 Colt/.410
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HANDMADE FIREARMS
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Gear V-LINE INDUSTRIES www.vlineind.com
LIBERTY SAFE
The Quick Vault XL is an exciting new addition to the V-Line Industries family of quick access security cases. The QVXL is a supersized version of V-Line Industries’ top-seller, the regular Quick Vault. The QVXL continues to feature the original Simplex Quick & Easy access lock and is made of sturdy 14-gauge steel with antipry brackets for extra security. The Quick Vault XL measures 14 inches wide by 28 inches high by 4 inches deep and easily installs in between wall studs (16 inches on center). The frame fits flush to the wall once installed. V-Line, a leader in quick access firearms cases and cabinets, has incorporated three felt-lined shelves and finished this QVXL in an ivory-textured powder coat for durability. Made in the USA!
SURELOCK SECURITY COMPANY www.surelock-security.com The Gen II Colonel Series proudly provides deluxe security features so you can protect what can’t be replaced, without breaking the bank. You’ll never sacrifice quality for cost with SureLock, because they know defending what matters most to you matters. The 75-minute fire rating (at 1,400° F) and thick, 11-gauge steel provide excellent protection should a fire occur. The 16 1.5-inch-diameter locking bolts, Palusol fire seal around the door, and SecuRam electronic lock make sure that only those you want to get into your SureLock safe can. Be sure with SureLock and protect what can’t be replaced. See us at booth #L214
www.libertysafe.com Liberty Safe is America’s number one producer of heavy-duty home safes, gun safes, fire safes and commercial safes! Join the more than two million homeowners who have found the peace of mind that comes from owning a Liberty Safe. When buying a safe, people shop at Liberty because of the quality, reliability and service received. Just read the more than 15,000 reviews online and you’ll see why this home and gun safe brand has a 98-percent customer satisfaction rating. There is nothing like owning a Liberty Safe with value and features at a great price. See us at booth #12524
AMERICAN REBEL www.americanrebel.com When you need something more than a safe, vault rooms can be the ideal solution for security and protection. Whether it’s a safe room, a shelter, or a place to consolidate your valuable property, the American Rebel InSwinging and Out-Swinging Vault Doors add the critical functionality to an amazing vault room. Their new vault doors are constructed with the same strength and rugged independence that America was built upon. Made in America, homes with vault rooms increase in value by 3.5 percent and return 84 percent of the original investment. See us at booth #10940
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gear RANGESTORE.NET www.rangestore.net Never run out of paint again! Sign up for Steel Target Paint Auto Re-Order Program to get 5 percent off and free ground shipping. Perfect for match directors, club owners, and shooters who frequently purchase paint. Select the color of paint, the quantity of cases, and the frequency of when you want it delivered. There are no fees and you may cancel at any time. Formulated for steel targets, Steel Target Paint was made for shooters, by shooters. It has high paint resin content in a 16-ounce aerosol can and covers quickly. Spend less time painting and more time shooting. Steel Target Paint and other quality products are available at the above website.
ARMA-GUARD www.armaproducts.net ARMA-Guard is more than a material offering. It is a system to spall cover body armor plates using automated processes for covering, edge seaming and label attachment. ARMA-Guard is a unique blend of urethane film that provides the correct balance of chemical-, UV- and abrasion-resistance. DOD tested and approved. Features include: Preprinted TPU sheets with registration holes; automated PLC controlled vacuum formed and edge seamed; and “mold-in” TPU label becomes part of the cover – no edge lift. See us at booth #51326
PRESENT ARMS, INC. www.presentarmsinc.com The AR Hook is another “third hand” from Present Arms. It is an AR cleaning rod guide and upper receiver strut. Simply hook the upper receiver and pin to the lower with the takedown pin. Use it with Present Arms’ patented Sentinel Plate and AR magazine post, sold separately, for the perfect userfriendly AR cleaning station.
DRY VAPOR CLEANER www.dryvaporcleaner.com The DVC-169 Weapons Cleaning System was specifically designed as a powerful cleaning system to provide the means to remove anything from a surface – dirt, grease, grit, grime, chemicals, toxins, contaminants, microorganisms – and leave the surface clean, dry, sanitized and free from chemical residue. Used in the field, this system has become a “go-to” for weapons cleaning. Used by shooting sports and hunting enthusiasts, all branches of the military, national guards, and law enforcement throughout the United States. When lives are at stake, DVC is the chosen system to ensure well-cleaned weapons. See us at booth #2118
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PEET DRYER www.peetshoedryer.com Peet Dryer has once again proven why they are the leader in the footwear, gear, and safe dehumidifier business, and are the most copied in the industry. Peet has introduced nine new items for the 2020 offering, including a first-of-its-kind Family dryer that will dry up to six shoes, gloves, mittens or hats at one time, and all in one to four hours. Contact your Peet rep to see all of the exciting new products.
gear BALLISTOL www.ballistol.com For more than a hundred years, consumers have trusted Ballistol to lubricate, penetrate, clean, protect and preserve their firearms, leather gear, wood, metal surfaces and more. Ballistol cleans and removes all types of bore fouling. Cleaning with Ballistol will save you time, minimize the need for brushing, and also form a protective film on your firearm. Due to its slight alkalinity, Ballistol neutralizes and dissolves black powder and corrosive ammo residue. In addition, Ballistol will beautify gunstocks, and prevent them from drying out. As a lubricant, Ballistol will never gum up or harden. With an astonishingly wide range of applications, this environmentally friendly multipurpose oil has become an essential tool for shooters, hunters, fishermen and handymen all over the world. See us at booth #15552
SEAL 1 www.seal1.com Seal 1 Signature Series Copper and Lead Remover is specifically designed for the “high performance” shooter. The company did years of laboratory and field testing comparing traditional copper removers and found that Seal 1 Copper and Lead Remover was more effective than traditional products and was safer for the user and the environment. Seal 1 uses state-of-the-art technology to remove copper and lead fouling from the bore without the strong odors or dangerous chemicals used in traditional copper removers. Seal 1’s Copper and Lead Remover can also be used to help improve performance in bores that have slight imperfections. See us at booth #10132
RIGEL PRODUCTS www.boresmith.com Firearm maintenance done right need no longer be a tedious task or challenging proposition, thanks to Rigel Products’ Boresmith. The Boresmith’s patented cable bore brush features shaved bristles that flex to fit a patch tightly inside the bore. The process – solventsoaked patch, bristles and oiled patch – results in a faster, deeper clean than do traditional methods, and without the mess and splatter of old-school rods and eyelets. Available in phosphor bronze or nylon in a standard 8-32 thread format. See us at booth #2310
HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA Leather Conceal Carry Bags & Purses
Contact us directly for wholesale pricing. Shop for a variety of pieces online at our Etsy shop or on our Website!
PO Box 3273, Lynchburg, VA 24503 434-386-7854
AlfordDesignsLimited@gmail.com | www.Etsy.com/shop/AlfordDesignsLTD | www.PaulaAlford.com
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gear MAN GEAR ALASKA, LLC www.mangearalaska.com Made with pride in the USA, Man Gear Alaska, LLC, continues to expand their already lengthy line of EDC holsters and accessories. For 2019, the company introduces their patented Gen2-MTU-MOS holster, a secure carry capable of handling semiauto pistols packing small RMR-style or reflex optics. Available in three color variants – black, coyote brown and universal digital camouflage – the Gen2-MTU-MOS two-mag pouch option was designed specifically for the Glock M40 MOS (6-inch slide); however, it also works well with most shorter barreled semiauto handguns.
MERNICKLE CUSTOM HOLSTERS
PITBULL TACTICAL
www.mernickleholsters.com The PS6-SA is one of Mernickle Custom Holsters’ most popular holsters because it allows single-action shooters to have the ability to conceal or open carry. This holster is specifically designed to be worn as either a strong side or a cross draw, which makes it perfect for carrying on the ranch or as an everyday carry. This holster sits at a medium-high height, allowing for an easy draw and reholster. The PS6-SA is handmolded to each individual gun for a guaranteed fit. Mernickle Custom Holsters are made out of two-ply Hermann Oak leather because the company believes in only using the finest leather to ensure the finest holster for their customers.
www.pitbulltactical.com Finally a universal mag carrier that works! The new Universal Mag Carrier Gen 2 from Pitbull Tactical makes carrying an extra mag easy and comfortable and fits any pistol mag from 9mm to .45 ACP, both single and double stack. It works right out of the box, no screws or adjustments to mess with. It can be worn inside the waistband or outside the waistband and the rounds can face forward or backward. Made in the USA, and at $24.99, these make the perfect gift for anyone who owns a handgun.
Helping to Create World Champions Since 1975 Veteran owned, Family owned, US made
Mernickle Custom Holsters Address1875 View Court Fernley Nevada 89408-10 Phone1-800-497-3166 Fax775-575-3188 sales@mernickleholsters.com
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www.mernickleholsters.com
gear TAP RACK HOLSTERS www.taprackholsters.com Tap Rack Holsters is a leading provider of premium, American-made custom gun holsters, but they do not stop at gun holsters. If you want to carry it, then they want to build it. Tap Rack Holsters started with gun and mag holsters and branched out to provide knife sheaths, spear mounts, emergency and first responder tool carriers, mask and bag inserts, wallets, passport, iPad, laptop, cell phone, flashlight, pepper spray, taser gun carriers, RV light mounts and so on. At Tap Rack Holsters they are dedicated to building the best Kydex products possible and ensuring their customers are 100 percent satisfied.
ALFORD DESIGNS LIMITED
COVERT CARRIER
www.paulaalford.com
www.covertcarrier.com
Alford Designs Limited, LLC, is an up-and-coming fine leather company since 2015. Paula Alford is their brand of fine handcrafted leather concealed carry bags, purses, satchels, men’s briefcases, and assorted accessories – wristlets, holsters and leather jewelry. All their products are made in the USA. Their newest line of concealed carry includes a wide variety of new embossed fine leathers with lots of pockets inside and out. Straps are cut-resistant (no wires). Alford Designs Limited sells both retail and wholesale. Contact them directly for wholesale pricing.
The Covert Carrier is intended for use with small-framed semiautomatic pistols. The application allows the user a deepcover option with formal or casual wear. It does not require a holster, case or pouch. The Covert Carrier affixes to the handle of a gun by means of a universal rubber sleeve, grip panel replacement or a custom attachment to a grip. The Covert Carrier is designed for IWB, appendix fashion; however, behind the back, in-pocket, boot or purse carry can all be accommodated. It comes in right- and left-hand options. Phone (701) 245-6302 or go to the above website for more information.
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VISIT US AT SHOT SHOW, BOOTH #51326
gear STICKY HOLSTERS www.stickyholsters.com The Belly Band and Guard Her Belt from Sticky Holsters are modular bands that secure a Sticky Holster and handgun around the hips/ torso or thigh. Both bands have two small accessory pouches for a spare magazine or knife, and the Belly Band has two large accessory pouches for a phone, wallet or other items. See us at booth #1043
DARA HOLSTERS & GEAR, INC. www.daraholsters.com Dara Holsters’ Custom Appendix Inside The Waistband is a no-nonsense holster designed to cover all the proverbial bases. Featuring myriad options ranging from optics capability, custom ride heights and individual specific cant angles, this AIWB has understandably risen to the top of the very competitive holster market. Whatever your CCW requirements might be, Dara Holsters has the right piece for you.
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TRIPLE K MANUFACTURING CO. www.triplek.com The Crossdraw Concealed Carry Holster from Triple K Manufacturing Co. is for gun owners who prefer a dedicated crossdrawstyle carry. The open top allows for easy draw and a leather stiffener assures easy reholstering. Adjustable tension screw ensures proper gun retention. Available in tan color for a variety of revolvers and semiautomatic pistols. Retail: $53. See us at booth #1710
As seen at
Brownells.com & BeyerBarrels.com
Ultralight rimfire barrels
For the Ruger 1022 and 1022 takedown barrels as well as the AR15 dedicated uppers. Match chambers and 7075 aluminum. Bull barrels, mid weight and factory taper barrels now with straight or diamond fluting. To buy direct call Clint at 360 640 1497 Also available at Brownells or other select dealers.
VETERAN OWNED COMPANY
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ADCO www.adcosales.com ADCO Super Thumbs are well established as an ideal tool on the range and in the field. The ST1 item is for a vast majority of high-capacity doublestack mags, as well as a groove for 1911 singlestack mags. While the normal black plastic works in the field, some would prefer a tan or a green version for field use. Therefore in 2020, ADCO will offer the ST1 in black, green or tan, all at the same price, all still fully guaranteed, and all with two- to three-day service to most states.
TIME TESTED LEATHER CARE Since 1929 PREMIUM BEESWAX FORMULA WATERPROOFS LEATHER GEAR
• Keeps new boots in top shape. • Renews and waterproofs dried-out leather. • Guards against rock and brush abrasion. • Safe to stitching and rubber soles. • Helps extend the life of leather boots. Available at sporting goods stores, shoe repair shops, and wherever leather care products are sold. Or visit the website to see the entire line-up of leather care products.
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CAMO FACE PAINT www.camofacepaint.com Camo Face Paint was started 23 years ago by an FX makeup artist for the film and TV industry. Today Bobbie Weiner is the number one supplier of camo face paint for the U.S. DOD for all branches of the government. Makeup is available in three-, four- and five-color durable compacts with mirrors for all terrains, including tubes of camo face paint in nine different colors, eye black and lip balm. All are of the highest quality ingredients. Features include: 20-plus applications; four-year shelf life; washes off with soap and water; nontoxic, hypoallergenic and odorless. Private label available! All face paint is manufactured and packaged in the USA. See us at booth #310
Since 1929
gear KIRKPATRICK LEATHER www.kirkpatrickleather.com With the Rifle Shell Holder from Kirkpatrick Leather, rifle shotshell reloads will be close at hand for your next hunting trip. Constructed of premium 8-ounce saddle leather, the rifle shell holder is offered for a wide array of rifles. Choose from plain with laserengraved name for $105 or plain with laser-engraved logo for $115.
VANSTARR ENTERPRISES www.armchaps.com These protective sleeves contour to the hand and arm and provide “adjustable” air flow. They allow full finger use to grip weapons or bows, yet gloves can easily be worn over them if needed. Available in four colors to fit the environment you’re working/hunting in. The sleeves provide ideal protection from cuts, scratches, punctures, abrasions, bruises or burns; whether crawling on the ground, through thick brush or climbing trees, you’ll improve your safety and greatly reduce risk of injury. Useful in hundreds of other situations. Improves grip when handling guns, bows and most tools. It will become one of your most valuable accessories to have.
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ZERUST www.zerustproducts.com The Zerust VCI Rifle Bag is specifically designed to shield your rifle from the harmful effects of rust and corrosion. Time and the elements can be rough on all metals, and your firearm is no exception. It takes surprisingly little time and elemental exposure to do serious damage. The Zerust VCI Rifle Bag is heavy duty, affordable, fleece-lined with a zipper closure and constructed to release a nontoxic, antirust vapor that coats all exposed metal surfaces, providing up to five years of protection against rust and corrosion. These vapors leave no residue on either metal or wood surfaces and dissipate harmlessly into the air once the weapon is removed from the bag.
gear HUBERD’S SHOE GREASE www.huberds.com Huberd’s Shoe Grease softens, conditions and waterproofs your leather footwear, as well as saddle and tack, sports equipment, apparel, and more. Huberd’s has created a loyal following for nearly 100 years for good reason. Loyal customers and first-time users know that nothing protects and preserves their leather like Huberd’s.
EARPHONE CONNECTION www.earphoneconnect.com It’s time to go tubeless! Earphone Connection introduces Micro Sound: a simplistic tubeless two-way radio earpiece that delivers clear audio with no obstruction or loss of sound, just clean audio from the source all the way to your ear. Customers can choose between two cutting-edge Micro Sound systems: the Micro Sound Listen Only Earpiece and the Hawk EC M1 Tubeless Lapel Microphone featuring Micro Sound. Both systems are lightweight, affordable and, best of all, tubeless.
WONDERDUCK DECOYS www.wonderduck.com Natural Wonderduck, with rear-mounted motors, is the most natural, realistic motion decoy Wonderduck has ever made. Its rear-mounted motors create more natural body motion than ever before. Unfortunately, due to the extensive use of motion decoys, ducks have become harder and harder to decoy. We do not hunt the same type of ducks our grandfathers hunted 50 years ago. That is why Wonderduck has introduced Natural Wonderduck, with rear-mounted motors and Wonderduck’s new and exclusive 5-5-5-5 second timer. Wonderduck’s new natural swimming decoy swims 5 seconds to the left, 5 seconds to the right, 5 seconds forward and 5 seconds total stop. Ducks today are far more wary than ever before. That is why, to stay ahead of evolution, you must have the best motion decoy possible. That is why you need Natural Wonderduck.
CONTACT US TODAY! Find what you need in spices and seasonings at our Spokane store or online at: SpokaneSpice.com
claro walnut
WE ALSO HAVE • herbs & spices • meat grinders • seasonal blends • meat saws • cutlery • how-to-books • supplies for sausage & jerky making!
english walnut
No one can dry wood as well as Mother Nature. Here in Las Vegas, we have many summer days with triple digit temperatures and single digit humidity – ideal conditions conducive to drying wood, and perfect for gunstock blanks. Currently, we have about 30,000 gunstock blanks in various stages of drying, including: •English walnut •Black walnut •Claro walnut
Gunstock Blanks 5401 Mello Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89131 140
American Shooting Journal // January 2020
fiddleback maple
•Bastogne walnut •Circassian walnut •Maple Shell & more!
702-382-8470 GunstockBlanks.com cecil@gunstockblanks.com
Hand & Forearm Protection that prevents nearly any injury!! 100% Guaranteed to Work!!!
Arm Chaps
®
• Comfortably Protects Hands, Wrists, and Forearms • Allows Total Dexterity of Your Fingers • Durable, Yet Soft Cowhide Leather Contours to Hand & Arm • Helps Prevent Cuts, Scratches, Bruises, Abrasions, and Burns • Provides “Adjustable” Warmth and Air-Flow
- Bow & Gun Hunting - Wrist Support for Fishing - Clearing Brush - Sheet Metal Workers - Many Industrial Uses - Wood & Metal Fabricators
100s of Uses! Here’s just a few!
www.ArmChaps.com
- Mechanic Work - Tree Service & Logging - Gardening & Landscaping - All Construction Work - Farmers & Ranchers - Vet & Animal Control
651-492-4830