American Shooting Journal - March 2023

SHOOTING JOURNAL

Volume 12 // Issue 6 // March 2023

PUBLISHER

James R. Baker

GENERAL MANAGER

John Rusnak

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andy Walgamott

OFFICE MANAGER / COPY EDITOR

Katie Aumann

LEAD CONTRIBUTOR

Frank Jardim

CONTRIBUTORS

Jason Brooks, Larry Case, Scott Haugen, Phil Massaro, Mike Nesbitt, Paul Pawela, Nick Perna

SALES MANAGER

Paul Yarnold

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Colleen Chittick, Mike Smith

DESIGNER

Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Kelly Baker

WEBMASTER / INBOUND MARKETING

Jon Hines

INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER

Lois Sanborn

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@americanshootingjournal.com

ON THE COVER

There’s no way to summarize longtime American Shooting Journal columnist Paul Pawela’s self-defense resume – it really is that long – so Jason Brooks went ahead and told the story of the life and times of this legendary man. (LISA PAWELA)

Website: AmericanShootingJournal.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/AmericanShootingJournal

Twitter: @AmShootingJourn

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com

CONTENTS

PAUL PAWELA: MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE ARTICLES

You know him for his Self-defense Training column in this magazine, but there’s so much more to this retired Special Forces operator, hand-to-hand combat instructor and martial arts expert. Jason Brooks details the man, the myth, the legend that is Paul Pawela.

39 L.P.V.O. SHOWDOWN

With all the low-power variable optics on the market today, how do you choose? Nick Perna offers up his take on what to look for in an LPVO and reviews five hot models from EOTech, Vortex, Nightforce, Leupold and Kahles.

51 L AW ENFORCEMENT

SPOTLIGHT: LONGTIME DEPUTY FONDLY RECALLED

For over 70 years Bill Hardin kept Texans safe and made them feel secure, all in a career spanning a remarkable transformation in policing. Nick Perna shares a glimpse of the life and times of Deputy Hardin, who recently passed away at 99 –and was still an active officer!

63

The 2023 spring gobbler campaign has already begun in Florida, but there’s still time yet to consider a new turkey gun. Larry Case details five new lighter-weight 12- and 20-gauges capable of downing a wily ol’ tom this season.

R OAD HUNTER: MARCH MADNESS – UPLAND STYLE

Whether you’re looking to extend your bird season, pursue rare species, treat yourself to a few reliable flushes or get in some more dog training, preserve hunts can fill the bill. Scott Haugen shares what to expect during these late-running opportunities on private lands.

73

BULLE T BULLETIN: THE EVOLUTION OF SILVERTIPS

Since its pre-World War II introduction, the Winchester Silvertip has gone through considerable changes. Phil Massaro tracks the bullet from when Peter Hathaway Capstick tinkered with it for leopards to today’s modern handgun and ballistic rifle lines.

(LISA PAWELA)

54 SC ATTERGUN ALLEY: TIME TO THINK ABOUT NEW TURKEY SHOTGUNS

CONTENTS

ALSO INSIDE

85 SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING: SIX GUN TERRITORY: A RIDE THROUGH ONE MAN’S MAGIC KINGDOM

Imagine a Wild West-themed park full of train robbers, a town straight out of the frontier and gunfights breaking out all over and you pretty much have Paul Pawela’s happy place. And while the original Six Gun Territory closed down in the early 1980s, it’s reborn a couple times a year at a Florida farm. Paul takes us on a stroll through his personal magic kingdom, then and now.

The Northwest is moist, but a band of fur trapper-era enthusiasts doesn’t let that stop them from holding an annual winter rendezvous. Fresh off trail walks with his “local Hawken” and “war bow,” Mike Nesbitt shares how 2023’s edition of the competitive Rain-De-Voo went down.

DEPARTMENTS

21 Gun Show Calendar

23 Competition Calendar

25 Precision Rifle Series Calendar

97 BL ACK POWDER: THE REPORT FROM RAIN-DE-VOO 2023

(MIKE NESBITT)

Real Texas Gun Shows

To have your event highlighted here, send an email to kaumann@media-inc.com.

usashooting.org

COMPETITION CALENDAR

March 9-12

March Smallbore Pistol Ranking Match Colorado Springs, Colo.

March 11 2023 VRPC Open Air Rifle PTO Vancouver, Wash.

March 22-26

2023 Roadrunner Shootout Clovis, Calif.

March 23-26

2023 South Carolina Section Championship

March 18

NTCSC - USA Shooting Rocky Mountain Regional Colorado Springs, Colo.

March 19-26

2023 ParaPan Spring Selection Colorado Springs, Colo.

April 1-2

Gulf Coast Championship Eagle Lake, Texas

April 14-16

Michigan Sectional Brooklyn, Mich.

April 15-16

Team Shooting Stars Apr 2023 PTO Carrollton, Texas

April 16

International Air Gun Milford, Mass.

April 28-30

Delmarva Section Championship Montpelier, Va.

April 28-30

uspsa.org

gssfonline.com

Belton, S.C.

March 4-5

The Ouachita Regional Challenge

West Monroe, La.

March 11-12

River Bend Ballistic Challenge Dawsonville, Ga.

March 10-11

Southeastern Regional Championship

Perry, Ga.

March 11-12

cmsaevents.com idpa.com

California State Championships

Oakdale, Calif.

March 4

MTSA IDPA Pistol Classifier

Dixon Springs, Tenn.

March 11-12

Southeastern PCC Challenge

Valdosta, Ga.

March 18-19

Emerald Coast Glock Classic Holt, Fla.

March 25-26

NW Indiana Regional Glock Shoot Chesterton, Ind.

March 24-26

Nevada State Championship

Las Vegas, Nev.

March 31-April 2

Arizona State Championship

Queen Creek, Ariz.

March 22-26

Coastal Carolina Challenge

Bolivia, N.C.

April 14-15

TN State IDPA Championship Daisy, Tenn.

To have your event highlighted here, send an email to kaumann@media-inc.com.

Texas State Open Championship Wallis, Texas

April 1-2

Sweet Home Alabama Glock Challenge Shorter, Ala.

April 1-2

Delaware State GSSF Challenge Bridgeville, Del.

April 29-30

South Pacific Regional Championships Acton, Calif.

April 29-30

Missouri State Championship Festus, Mo.

April 14-16

Virginia Indoor Regional Chesapeake, Va.

April 22

Western Washington Regional IDPA Championship South Hill, Wash.

SCHEDULE

Pro Bolt Gun Series

March 4 Clay’s Cartridge Company Classic

March 4 Snake River Standoff

March 11 MPA Spring Shootout

March 18 Central Coast Chaos

March 25 VPRC Rifleman’s Revival 2023

April 1 B&T Ind. LLC Box Canyon Showdown

April 15

Koenig-Ruger PRC – AG Qualifier

April 22 2023 A-Team PRC

April 29 2023 Leupold Best in Texas

May 6 Vortex Vengeance

May 6 Okie Showdown AG Cup Qualifier

May 13 Federal King of Coal Canyon

Leedey, Oklahoma

Bliss, Idaho

Swainsboro, Georgia

San Luis Obispo, California

Rocky Mount, Virginia

Medicine Lodge, Kansas

Grand Junction, Colorado

Carbon Hill, Alabama

Navasota, Texas

Kennerdell, Pennsylvania

Ninnekah, Oklahoma

Raton, New Mexico

For more information visit www.precisionrifleseries.com

RECENT RESULTS

2023 MDT FROSTBITE

Butlerville, Indiana

February 18, 2023

1st Place ANDY SLADE Open Div. 152.000/100.000

2nd Place NATHAN CUSHMAN Open Div.

148.000/97.368

3rd Place (tie)

FRANCIS COLON Open Div.

DERRICK WARREN Open Div.

147.000/96.711

FRONTLINE FURY

Warrenton, North Carolina

February 25, 2023

1st Place ALLISON ZANE Open Div. 170.000/100.000

2nd Place ANDY SLADE Open Div.

166.000/97.647

3rd Place (tie)

RYAN BECK Open Div.

BRYAN LEWIS Open Div.

DONALD TRAUB Open Div. 159.000/93.529

Paul Pawela: Meet The Man Behind The Articles

You know him for his Self-defense Training column in this magazine, but there's so much more to this retired Special Forces operator, hand-to-hand combat instructor, martial arts expert – just Google him or read on, the list's literally too long for a single subheadline.

STORY BY JASON BROOKS • PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS BY PAUL PAWELA

Being a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, lifelong martial artist, tactical firearms instructor and a close protection officer and trainer, I must admit there are times I wonder about some of these so-called “expert writers” when I read different articles on shooting techniques, training tips and defensive tactics. If you are anything like me, there are times you shake your head and wonder how these people have a platform to spew their opinions.

I usually do not break into the writing or public arena over these matters because I have a lot on my plate, but when my friend, brother and mentor called me and asked me to write about him, I humbly and gratefully accepted the challenge. You might think I am biased about Paul Pawela because my kids call him Grandpa Paul, but I would not write these things unless they were true, and I wholeheartedly believe in them.

PAWELA RETIRED FROM the 10th Special Forces Group and was designated a Military H instructor identifier and SOCOM hand-to-hand combat instructor. He is a former team leader and tactical QRF (quick reaction force) trainer for counterterrorism, and he previously worked with all Special Operations CT forces, which included U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment (Delta Force) and U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6.

Pawela has personally trained with some of the world’s best handto-hand combat trainers and martial artists, such as Rex Applegate, Gary O’Neal, Dan Inosanto, Joe Lewis, Steven Seagal, Frank Cucci and many others. With over 50 years of martial arts experience and certification as an instructor in Jeet Kune Do and Kali, Pawela is also recognized as a Grand Master and one of the foremost knife instructors in the country.

His Rolodex of friends and colleagues he trained with also includes

”Master of defense in unarmed handto-hand combat, knife/counter-knife, handgun/shotgun and rifle” – those are just some of the qualifications Paul Pawela holds and which have grown out of his fascinating and full 61 years of life, described in the subsequent pages.

Massad Ayoob. Pawela has known and trained with Ayoob since 1982. He attended all of Ayoob’s LFI classes and became one of his adjunct instructors. In fact, Ayoob considers Pawela one of the “all-around best tactical trainers in the country.”

Dave “Boon” Benton has been a friend of Pawela for many years and says that Pawela is one of the most humble tactical trainers in the business. Danny McKnight of Black Hawk

Down incident fame, who was also Pawela’s best man at his wedding, says he is rock-solid in his training, his word and his faith. Fred Mastison is another friend and mentor who is also a giant in the industry. Pawela has also known Graciela Casillas for over 30 years and trained with her at the JKD Smokey Mountain Martial Arts Camp and Karate College.

PAWELA HAS GRADUATED from three different police academies and has served as a police officer in three different states. Amongst his LEO training, he is a graduate of the FBI Hostage Negotiation School, Smith & Wesson, H&K, SIG Arms Instructor Academies, NRA Police Firearms Instructor Schools, and is a graduate from 10 different national shooting schools.

Pawela has also attended and graduated from multiple

I am a certified instructor of Jeet Kune Do, which was Bruce Lee’s form of martial arts. Here I am with Lee’s senior instructor, Dan Inosanto, who I have been training with since the 1980s!

Steven Seagal – yes, I trained with him.

Good friend and mentor Mas Ayoob.

13 Hours hero Dave Benton.

Me (left) and mentors Allen West and Gary O’Neal.

executive protection academies like the Executive Protection Institute, Lethal Force Institute, KDI, Scotti’s School of Evasive Driving and Protection, and CRI, an Israeli counterterrorism training school. He doesn’t just attend these classes as a writer; he goes through these courses as a student first and a writer second.

I was the lead instructor when Pawela came through CRI, and I can attest that he trained side by side with students half his age and even outshot them on the range, earning my coveted “Bang Energy Drink Trophy,” which he keeps on his shelf at home. Range time was just part of his training at CRI’s Counter Terrorism Instructor Course. Pawela had to go through all of the training with me at CRI, including survive, evade, resist, escape (SERE); close-quarter battle (CQB); defensive tactics; weapons disarming; knife throwing; kidnapped VIP rescue/recovery; tactical driving; counter ambush techniques; VIP protective measures, and so on. Not only did he complete all this training with me, but he did this at numerous other training facilities.

Some of you might think it would be fun, and you are right, but Pawela is not a 30-year-old hard-charger looking for challenges. He’s not even in his 40s or 50s – Pawela is 61 years old and still sacrifices his body to train and educate the masses. He even survived my tactical baptism (waterboarding) training during SERE class.

ALSO A PUBLISHED author, Pawela collaborated on The Special Operations Tactical Sniper Manual, considered by experts as one of the best books out there on the subject. With over 400 published articles and counting, Pawela’s work has appeared in the following magazines: The Chief of Police (the official publication of the National Association of Chiefs of Police); Police Magazine; Police One; Tactical Gear Magazine; Tactical MilSim Magazine; Concealed Carry Magazine; Armed Lifestyle Magazine; and, of course, his monthly column here in American Shooting Journal

Pawela’s articles have also appeared in: Black Belt Magazine; Guns &

Ammo; SWAT; Combat Handguns; Glock Annual; Martial Arts Insider; Bodyguard Magazine; Filipino Martial Arts Magazine; and Real Fighter.

In addition to his words appearing in print, Pawela himself has appeared and/or has been featured in magazines such as: Gung-Ho; Soldier of Fortune; SWAT; Black Belt; Martial Arts Digest; Real Fighter; American Handgunner; and Combat Handguns.

PAWELA PREVIOUSLY HAS worked as an adjunct instructor for several nationally recognized training schools, such as Lethal Force Institute, Defensive Training Inc., American Small Arms Academy, Red Man, and ARMA. He has also served in the military and law enforcement as an SRT team leader and certified personal protection specialist.

Currently, Pawela is a full-time instructor and CEO of Assault Counter Tactics, a self-defense training company covering all subjects. I am proud to work side by side with him as (full disclosure) co-owner and head instructor.

Pawela believes in “realistic selfdefense” training regarding firearms and edged weapons. You won’t find his classes being taught in an indoor range, as the tactical maneuvers and shooting positions call for a larger area where moving is allowed. He uses rubber dummies when he trains clients, not just paper targets or steel (although those are used during certain portions of class). The rubber dummies allow for enhanced training, as we put shirts on them and tape blood packets to the dummies. When you are up close and personal with a threat, you must understand and learn about the backsplash that occurs when engaging a target at that distance. This type of training was conceived after Pawela analyzed real-world encounters he went through as a member of the military and a private citizen. Even the edged weapons training consists of “getting messy” because you won’t understand the importance of the grip he teaches you until your hands are wet while you’re plunging a weapon into the rubber dummy. While I can’t divulge all the training secrets Pawela

One of three times I’ve served as a sworn reserve police officer.

Graduating the FBI Hostage Negotiator School.

As director of law enforcement training for the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

Black Hawk Down Delta operator Kyle Lamb.

I'm the first author ever given permission to publish an image of C Squadron, Delta Force, which fought during the Battle of Mogadishu, also known as the Black Hawk Down incident after the book and movie of that name.

Lt. General Jerry Boykin, Delta commander during Black Hawk Down.

SEAL Team 6 members Craig Sawyer and Dr. E.J. Owens, and Delta Force member Jim Erwin.

Medal of Honor recipient and SEAL Team 6 plank owner Mike Thornton and Tom Norris, also a SEAL Team 6 plank owner.

Norm Hooten, Black Hawk Down team leader.

The late Gary Harrell, executive officer for Delta Force during the Black Hawk Down incident.

As NCOIC sergeant with fellow Joint Special Operations Command and Delta Force operators training with a CASA 212 cargo turboprop.

uses, I can tell you that everyone who attends his classes gets a quick dose of reality when they go through his battletested drills.

Some feedback about training with Pawela comes from people like Green Beret/Ranger Hall of Fame legend Gary O’Neal, who has trained with him since their time in the military together. O’Neal says, “We have trained in many different aspects of warriors. In the air, on land and at sea. We trained in hand-to-hand combat with and without weapons; we tested equipment and parachutes together; we did test jumps from new aircraft,

both fixed and rotary wing. We have trained together since 1982, and it has been a long and hard journey together for God, country and family.”

Fred Mastison, president of Force Options and beloved firearms trainer and writer, says of Pawela, “I have had the pleasure of working with a number of what I consider to be serious men in the past. Men that have been there and done that. These are all men that follow the path of the warrior in all aspects of their life. One man that personifies that is Paul Pawela. Paul also has the gift of teaching. Rare is the day that we find someone with

the true ability to impart knowledge effectively to a new generation of warriors. Lastly and most importantly to me, he is one of the few people I consider a friend.”

Pablo Martinez, flight mechanic systems engineer at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Battle Line Tactical instructor, says, “I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Paul while I was a student at a different course where Paul was there to write an article. He told me all about his Assault Counter Tactics training. I enthusiastically signed up for one of his classes. I thoroughly enjoyed his ability to

I am standing second in line on the steps. This was the first Special Operations jump team to jump out of a commercial jet airplane. The man next to me is one of Delta Force’s greatest operators; the rest are either Delta or legends in the Special Operations community!

At my Master Sergeant promotion.

Orlando SWAT legend instructor Frank Repass.

The pic at upper left was during a military exercise in Korea and was not staged – the Korean never knew what hit him. Above right, me shooting with Delta; bottom left, as plane jump master; bottom right: me at 12,500 feet!

Images from when I became a black belt in Kuk Sool Won in Korea.

Getting to go on a SWAT raid.

break down relevant concepts to their most basic form that can be applied regardless of skill level. He explained every detail behind the ‘why’ of the techniques and had me hooked on learning more about firearms training. I have attended multiple classes and worked my way up to being one of his assistant instructors in armed and unarmed self-defense. Learning about training is one thing, but learning how to teach what he teaches and putting realistic training methods into practice takes things to a new level for me. I have learned many things over the years of training with Paul and am humbled to call him a friend and mentor. Everyone could benefit from training with Paul, as he is willing to help anyone at any time. He is a devout husband, father, mentor, teacher and a faithful man of God.”

With decades of training behind him, I can fill a book with all of Pawela’s students’ comments and testimonies about how amazing of an instructor this man is; many of them convey how honest he is, and he has been recognized as a courtroom expert. John Rea, former SEAL Team 6, says that Pawela “has been on top of the training game individually for

Hand-to-hand training techniques.

Demonstrating different fighting scenarios.

over 30 years. One only achieves that through integrity and honesty and Paul has both!”

A RESUME LIKE Pawela’s cannot be summed up easily or briefly. There’s a running joke in our family about him. When introducing him, it’s easier to tell people to Google him rather than list all his accomplishments, so we call him Paul “Google Me” Pawela. I even told him I would make T-shirts with that saying on them.

I’ll leave you with a funny story: Last SHOT Show, he and I were at

the Industry Range Day and there was a mix-up with our badges. We didn’t have the proper media badges, so when the lady at the counter asked for proof that he was a writer, I looked at him with a sideways smile, turned to her, and said, “Google him.” Naturally, they pulled up his latest article in American Shooting Journal, and the proper passes were given to us without hesitation. I promised him that story would haunt him, and now it’s in print!

It has been a true honor to write about my fellow warrior and brother,

Paul Pawela. He is much more than just a writer, and I thought I would share more about the man. 

Editor’s note: If you would like more information on Paul Pawela or would like to attend one of his classes, please visit assaultcountertactics.com.

Jason Brooks is a combat medically retired marine, force recon hand-tohand instructor, counterterrorism instructor trainer, recognized national law enforcement trainer, active personal protection specialist and co-owner of Assault Counter Tactics.

My wife Linda.

My hero who taught me to be a man – my dad, Marion Pawela.

My dad and my daughters when they were young.

Me pinning my jump wings on my granddaughter Hope.

My other twin granddaughter, who is a military police officer.

L.P.V.O. SHOWDOWN

With all the low-power variable optics on the market today, how do you choose? Here's one expert's take on what to look for and five hot models from EOTech, Vortex, Nightforce, Leupold and Kahles.

Low-power variable optics are the way to go for modern sporting rifles. LPVOs can be used by sport shooters, hunters, 3-gun competitors, law enforcement and the military. It combines two things in one system: a “red dot” holographic sight for taking quick

shots on zero or low magnification, coupled with a scope with enough power to reach out to far targets.

The “L” in LPVO is somewhat misleading. Early models usually only went up to 3 or 4 magnification. Now, on the low end of the scale, most optics can be cranked up to 6 power

while many now go up to 8 or 10 magnification. That’s plenty of zoom to allow for long-distance shots that are within the ballistic capability of 5.56mm, the most common caliber these optics are paired with.

In my opinion, these are a much better option than flip-up magnifiers

STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICK PERNA

There are a variety of low-power variable optics available today. Which ones make the cut? Author Nick Perna reviews some of the hot models on the market.

paired with 1 power red dot optics. Flipup magnifiers generally only increase magnification three or four times. They also magnify the reticle itself, which can cause the red dot to block the target partially, or completely.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN L.P.V.O.

There are currently a lot of LPVOs on the market. As with all optics, they

range in price from a few hundred dollars all the way up to thousands upon thousands.

In the world of optics, the price is generally going to be an accurate representation of what it is capable of doing. This goes for holographic sights, scopes and LPVOs.

Why are the good ones so expensive? It comes down to quality and reliability.

The $100 “cheaper than dirt” model, painted in a cool color like Ranger green or coyote tan and covered with lots of knobs, is probably a waste of money. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Realistically, plan on spending more for the optic than you did for the sporting rifle. With that being said, most reputable optics companies sell different grades of their product (think bronze, silver or gold). The lower-end models are usually fairly decent and reliable, but may lack some of the finer features mentioned below. Decide what you need, what you plan to use it for and then start looking at prices.

A good LPVO will have the following:

Rigid, durable structure: Since these were originally designed for the military, the better ones are designed to take a beating. They’re built to be banged around in armored vehicles, thrown out of aircraft, submerged in water, exposed to extreme temperature variances, and so on.

As a sport shooter or hunter, you

LPVOs combine two things in one system: A “red dot” holographic sight for taking quick shots on zero or low magnification, coupled with a scope with enough power to reach far-off targets. But, “as with most things in life, you get what you pay for,” says the author. So choose wisely.

EOTech’s Vudu series of LPVOs continues with the tradition of making quality optics for military, law enforcement and civilian applications.

may not need this, or the expense that goes with it. That being said, it’s nice to know you can drop your rifle/optic combo and it won’t be damaged or compromised. The “bronze” or “silver” models often lack the same level of protective armoring found in the more expensive models.

Ability to retain zero: The best scope in the world is worthless if it

can’t consistently place rounds in the same place, especially in adverse conditions. Good optics, paired with good mounts, will be able to accomplish this task.

Coatings: Different manufacturers treat the glass portions – the lenses –with different types of coatings. These coatings increase clarity and visibility in all types of conditions, including low

light. They reduce glare and provide protection from incidental scratches. The compositions of these coatings are often proprietary in nature with each manufacturer having their own secret sauce to apply to glass.

Glass: The portions you look through. Like coatings, good lenses give the user a clearer, crisper view in various conditions.

FIVE HOT MODELS

I recently had the opportunity to test some of the better LPVOs on the market. They include:

EOTech Vudu

LPVO range: 1x8

Weight: 20.8 ounces

Length: 10.9 inches

Reticle: HC3 reticle

Price: $1,399

Info: eotechinc.com

EOTech has been a long-time player

The Razor Gen II from Vortex features an easy-to-manipulate throw lever.

Perna uses a Vortex Strike Eagle 1x8 LPVO on his patrol rifle at work. “It is a lower-end model with many of the same features as the Razor Gen II,” he notes.

in the red dot optic game, being one of the primary suppliers of holographic optics to the military and law enforcement. Their Vudu series optics continue with the tradition of making quality optics for military, law enforcement and civilian applications.

The HC3 reticle is simple, consisting of crosshairs and four stadia lines to use for engaging targets at a distance. On the plus side, there is little to obscure the user’s view through the tube. On the down side, there are no markers for accounting for wind or for engaging moving targets, and the stadia used for elevation aren’t labeled for the elevation they would be used for.

I haven’t had a chance to use one, but the new Vudu Model 1x10 power has a T-shaped reticle that includes horizontal and vertical numbered stadia lines. The turrets are adjustable at ¼-minute-of-angle, or MOA, increments and are covered by caps. A quick throw lever is provided. The dot is red in color.

Price-wise, this optic ties with the Leupold for lowest retail price.

Vortex Razor Gen II

LPVO range: 1x6

Weight: 21.5 ounces

Length: 10.1 inches

Reticle: JM-1 reticle

Price: $1,999

Info: vortexoptics.com

Vortex is the relative newcomer to the optics world. With that being said, they make high-quality products. Featuring an easy-tomanipulate throw lever, the Razor Gen II is built like a tank, which explains why it is the heaviest on this list. But with that weight comes an advantage of a nearly indestructible optic. I recently spoke with a SWAT team member who was running one and weight was his only complaint. Ounces equal pounds when carrying heavy gear in law enforcement and military circles. In fairness, though, all the LPVOs discussed in this article (and all models in general) are going to weigh more than standard, nonvariable magnification optics.

The glass has proprietary antireflective coatings that also increase light transmission for increased brightness. They also add a coating that resists scratching on the lens.

The turrets are also covered by caps. The reticle is similar to the EOTech HC3. Vortex includes a lifetime warranty as well.

I use a Vortex Strike Eagle 1x8 on my patrol rifle at work. It is a lowerend model with many of the same features as the Razor Gen II. I have found it to be an excellent optic.

Nightforce ATACR

LPVO range: 1x8

Weight: 21 ounces

Length: 10.1 inches

Reticle: FC-DMx

Price: $2,800

Info: nightforceoptics.com

Nightforce is best known as one of the premier optics providers to the military's special operations community. The ATACR is the most expensive optic on this list, but with that you get a piece of gear that has proven itself in the most austere of environments. ATACR is short for Advanced Tactical Riflescope, and it lives up to its name.

The reticle is a T-shaped design with a red dot surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped red circle for quicker acquisition. It has stadia lines for elevation come-ups out to 1,000 meters, as well as lines for wind and moving target adjustment.

The ATACR can be acquired in flat black or dark earth finishes. A throw lever is included. The optic I tested for this article came with a backup one-power red dot optic. This is not a standard feature for this, or any optic mentioned in this article. However, it is a good idea to have one – or a sidemounted BUIS (backup iron sight), in case the LPVO fails to function for some reason.

Leupold Patrol HD

LPVO range: 1x6

Weight: 16.2 ounces

Length: 10.8 inches

Reticle: Firedot or CM-R2

Price: $1,399

Info: leupold.com

Leupold is one of the oldest, most respected names in scopes. They were one of the first producers of LPVOs, and their Patrol HD is a well-built optic. Although it can be used for many applications, it was designed mainly for police officers to use on

Of all the optics reviewed in this article, the Nightforce ATACR is the most expensive, but for the price “you get a piece of gear that has proven itself in the harshest of environments,” explains Perna.

patrol rifles. There are various options you can pick from. The Firedot reticle system has been used in Leupold LPVOs for most of their history. The Firedot is a fairly simple affair and lacks some of the features found in other optics. Another option is the CM-R2, a more functional reticle with a horseshoe-shaped red dot and stadia lines for elevation. You may also choose from a lockable elevation turret or to add a bullet drop compensator turret. A BDC turret allows a user to change elevation from specific calibers and bullet weights. It includes a removable throw lever.

LPVOs aren’t limited to AR-15s and M4s. I carried an earlier model of this optic on my department-issued SWAT M4 for many years. I found it to be a highly functional, robust piece of gear. Earlier models had exposed, nonlocking turrets. This was problematic because they could be inadvertently changed. The newer locking models have eliminated this potential risk.

The only real downside to this optic is that its maximum magnification is 6 power. Most LPVOs can be found with an 8 or even 10 power, so 6 power is a little on the low side. Given the fact that this is designed

Although it can be used for many applications, Leupold’s Patrol HD was designed mainly for police officers to use on patrol rifles. The author carried an earlier model of this optic on his department-issued SWAT M4 for many years.

Perna hadn’t heard of Kahles before researching this article, but discovered that one of the snipers on his SWAT team uses one on his patrol rifle.

primarily for police officers to use in conjunction with their patrol rifles, 6 power would be sufficient for most patrol situations.

Kahles K16i

LPVO range: 1x6

Weight: 16.9 ounces

Length: 10.9 inches

Reticle: Multiple options

Price: $2,049

Info: kahles.at/us

If you haven’t heard of Kahles before, don’t feel bad. I hadn’t either until, while doing research for this article, I found out one of the snipers on our SWAT team uses one on his patrol rifle. The company has been in business for over 120 years and is a subsidiary of Swarovski, considered by many to be one of the premier optics producers.

The K16i has an ultrawide field of view, which allows for maximum viewing when looking through the scope. There is a reticle available designed specifically for IPSC and

3-gun competitors. There are two additional reticles available, both with horseshoe-style red dot and elevation strata.

It comes in second in cost, with the Nightforce ATACR being the most expensive, but with the Swarovski name behind it, it’s money well spent. Like the Leupold, it maxes out at 6 power. Since it costs $600 more than the Leupold Patrol HD, it should have a higher magnification.

CONCLUSION

All of the optics I reviewed for this article are excellent and will meet the needs of most shooters, including military and law enforcement operators. Due to accessibility and time constraints, I didn’t get a chance to test out all of the LPVOs on the market, but I definitely recommend checking models made by Sig Sauer, Swamp Fox, Primary Arms, Trijicon, Bushnell, Steiner and others. So do your research, save your pennies, and get an LPVO that meets your specific requirements.

Like the Leupold, the Kahles K16i maxes out at 6 power. “Since it costs $600 more than the Leupold Patrol HD, it should have a higher magnification,” says the author.

LONGTIME DEPUTY FONDLY RECALLED

STORY BY NICK PERNA PHOTO COURTESY JOHNSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

It’s been said that law enforcement is a young person’s profession. Working nights, enduring long hours and having the physical ability and stamina to go toe to toe with an equally young criminal element are all reasons why it is best left to the youth.

As I enter my 23rd year in law enforcement, and my 53rd year on this planet, I know my days staying up all night chasing bad guys are probably behind me. I run a detective unit now and work mostly days, which is probably where a future AARP member like myself should be. But I stay proficient on all of my assigned weapons systems and maintain a strict physical fitness regimen, just in case. But like Sergeant Murtaugh (played by Danny Glover) was fond of saying in the Lethal Weapon movie series, I’m getting too old for this you-know-what.

However, my time in uniform (and on Earth) pales in comparison to

Deputy Bill Hardin. Deputy Hardin passed away on February 17 of this year. He was 99 years old. Now here’s the amazing part: He was still working as an active law enforcement officer!

DEPUTY HARDIN BEGAN his career in Texas in 1947 as a member of the Fort Worth Police Department. He later transferred to the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. He eventually landed at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, outside Dallas, where he would work for 28 years until his recent passing.

To put that in perspective, Deputy

Hardin’s time in uniform spanned 14 US presidents. He was a lawman during the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm and the Global War On Terror. The changes in law enforcement during that timeframe are epic. An officer in the late 1940s would hit the street with a sixshooter, a night stick and not much else. Throughout Deputy Hardin’s time, law enforcement got radios in cars, portable radios to carry on their person, in-car computers, semiautomatic firearms, patrol rifles, robots, drones and bodyworn cameras. The list goes on and on. Despite being in it for the long

That’s a lot of service stripes! Deputy Bill Hardin served several Texas communities in the greater Dallas area over his 70-plus years in law enforcement.

For over 70 years Bill Hardin kept Texans safe and made them feel secure, a career that spanned a remarkable transformation in policing.

haul, Deputy Hardin’s stone gathered no moss. He was active throughout his entire career. He was a narcotics officer with Fort Worth PD in 1957, one of only two officers assigned to the new unit at the time. He also founded the Texas Narcotics Officers Association in 1970.

Despite the rigors of the job, it was said that Deputy Hardin always had a smile on his face. He had a warm, friendly handshake and was known for treating everyone fairly. Looking at the 600-plus comments on the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page announcing his memorial service, it is a long list of all of the people who had been impacted by him, including officers who had served alongside him, as well as those members of the different Texas communities he had helped throughout the years.

For over 70 years Deputy Hardin kept Texans safe, made them feel secure, and always offered a kind smile and handshake. Rest in peace, Bill; we’ll take it from here. 

Editor’s note: Author Nick Perna is a sergeant with the Redwood City Police Department in northern California. He previously served as a paratrooper in the US Army and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also has a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. He is a frequent contributor to multiple print and online forums on topics related to law enforcement, firearms, tactics and veterans issues.

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The sun rises on spring turkey season as early as late February in portions of southern Florida and sets as late as early June in Maine, but the bulk of hunting across the country occurs in March, April and May, meaning now’s the time to get serious about shopping for a new shotgun. (MOSSY OAK)

TIME TO THINK ABOUT NEW TURKEY SHOTGUNS

Here are five new lighter-weight 12- and 20-gauges capable of downing a wily ol’ tom this season.

In all honesty, I have tried to put this off as long as I could. Talking about turkey shotguns, that is. Now don’t get me wrong, you know I love shotguns, and I certainly love those of the turkey persuasion. I just think we are going to be in “turkey mode” for a few months – turkey hunting, turkey shotguns and loads, choke tubes and patterns, you get the idea – and I don’t want you to get bored and worn out with turkey-related stuff.

But really, it is time. I write this in February and the season for those loud, aggravating, make-you-lose-all-of-yourdomestic-bliss-type birds has already started in southern Florida and will move north as the days go by. It goes by fast, my brothers and sisters in camo; soon it will be time to turkey hunt in your state and it will be here before you know it. Are you ready? Do you need to get your gear together, like calls and turkey vests and your camo attire? Are you OK for a shotgun? Do you need a new turkey gun or are you just wanting a new one? (Nothing wrong with that.) Good! That is what we are here to talk about. Here are a few selections for you to grind on.

Henry may have surprised us all with the offering of this single-shot, fully camouflaged shotgun for turkeys. Some may question a single-shot 12-gauge for turkeys, but if you think about it, how often do you require a second shot? Safety is a big factor here, as you can readily confirm by sight or by looking at the gun if the weapon is cocked or not. Likewise, while traveling with the gun, crossing fences or other obstacles, a break-action shotgun is easily opened, rendering it safe, and the hunter can go on his way.

While the single-shot break-action form and function is beautiful in its simplicity, Henry added some useful features for today’s turkey hunting enthusiasts. Most apparent is full coverage of Mossy Oak Obsession, the official camo pattern of the National Wild Turkey Federation. This pattern matches the colors and foliage of the woods in spring and early fall, so you can disappear into your surroundings regardless of the season.

The barrel is topped with adjustable fiber optic sights to get you on target quickly, and it is also drilled and tapped for a Weaver 82 base. Many turkey hunters opt to mount optics on their shotgun, like a red dot sight, and the Single Shot Turkey Camo Shotgun

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE

HENRY SINGLE SHOT TURKEY CAMO SHOTGUN

makes it easy to do so. At the muzzle end, a removable turkey choke is present for the tightest pattern possible to extend the lethal range. And while you may not be able to see it, Henry stuck with their beloved genuine American walnut for the stocks under all that camo.

Info: MSRP: $756; henryusa.com.

FRANCHI AFFINITY 3.5 TURKEY ELITE

I shot a Franchi 48 AL for years, starting as a grouse gun for its light weight and Browning A5-esque square receiver. When the grouse became too scarce, I transferred it to duty on turkeys. I always liked it and still do, as it is light, easy

to carry, comes up fast and goes bang every time you jerk the trigger. Franchi shotguns seem to do that consistently.

The Franchi Affinity 3.5 Turkey Elite is not the 48 AL, but it is a lightweight, handy, turkey-specific shotgun that you need to consider if you are in the market. Franchi took the popular Affinity shotgun, listened to feedback from avid turkey hunters, and optimized the platform into an ergonomic turkey-slaying machine. Franchi added a Steadygrip stock and 24-inch barrel with a hooded front sight for hunting in heavy cover, and combined Optifade Subalpine camo with a Midnight Bronze Cerakote finish

on the receiver and barrel to provide superior concealment in the woods.

Precision Cone Patterning was added to lengthen the forcing cone (for better patterns) and Rhino extended turkey choke tubes ensure consistent, tight and lethal shot patterns. A Picatinny rail atop the receiver can be used to mount optics. A chrome-lined barrel, 3½-inch chamber, oversized and textured bolt controls, beveled loading port, removable trigger group, and TSA recoil pad are some of the features of this 12-gauge turkey shotgun.

Info: MSRP: $1,249; franchiusa.com.

ESCORT PS YOUTH 20-GAUGE SHOTGUN

I would bet that more than twice we have discussed the dangers of giving a young or small-statured shooter a shotgun that is too big for

Henry Single Shot Turkey Camo 12-gauge Shotgun.

Franchi Affinity 3.5 Turkey Elite 12-gauge.

them. Letting a kid use an ill-fitting shotgun leads to all kinds of problems, including a flinch that they may never recover from. Youth-sized firearms make things much easier for the young shooter and they can enjoy the experience all the more.

Escort Shotguns has a line of fully camoed turkey shotguns that will help the younger hunter be successful. The Escort PS Youth 20-gauge shotgun is worth a look if you have an up-andcoming turkey hunter at your house. And if you have not been living under

the proverbial rock, you know about tungsten super shot, or TSS, and some of the other modern turkey loads that mean Junior doesn’t need to carry a heavier 12-gauge anyway.

The Escort PS Youth is chambered for 3-inch magnum 20-gauge shells and features Escort’s patented Fast Loading System and Smart Valve Piston. An aircraft-grade aluminum alloy receiver is fully anodized and sports a well-designed 11mm groove for optics mounts. The chromeplated 22-inch barrel pulls everything

together utilizing a 7mm, checkered, ventilated, anti-glare rib ending with a classic brass bead. The multi-choke system includes five chokes (F, IM, M, IC, CYL). A migratory plug can be installed for two-plus-one capacity and removed for a complete four-plus-one capacity.

The gas-operated Escort PS Youth comes with a synthetic polymer stock and forend with checkered gripping surfaces. For comfort, there is a welldesigned rubber recoil TrioPad. In addition, spacers can be added or removed to adjust the length of pull. Stock shims provide adjustment of drop and cast for a better fit. Safety is a significant concern for any firearm, so a manual cross-button safety is built in. Mounted sling studs make for easy carry and firing support.

The finish is available in full black and three camo options: Realtree Timber, Mossy Oak Bottomland and Realtree Max-5. It weighs in at 6 pounds and has a 41-inch overall length.

Info: MSRP: $409.99; escortshotgunsusa.com.

CZ-USA 712 G3

I am going to add the 712 G3 to this list, as it is a fully camouflaged shotgun capable of taking turkeys, waterfowl or anything else that you would hunt with a shotgun. Gun companies will often do small changes on next generation offerings, but in truth CZ-USA rebuilt the 712 from the ground up for the G3 model. The major change for this shotgun is that the gas system was extensively modified. The new 712 G3 draws a greater amount of gas when the shell is fired, resulting in the gun being capable of firing lighter loads. The new 712 gas system also incorporates the use

Escort Shotguns PS Youth 20-gauge.

Turkeys are one of the wariest of all game animals, requiring not only good calling and/or a hen decoy to bring into shooting range, but a dialed-in shotgun, choke and shotshell combo to hit a tom’s relatively small kill zone.

of two pistons, one for heavy loads like waterfowl and turkey shells, and another for light game and target loads.

Oversized controls on the receiver, shims for adjusting the stock to fit the shooter, and a softer butt pad are also new for this shotgun. Another feature on this gun is the over-bored barrel (.735), and it is furnished with a set of five long Active-Choke system chokes. The CZ 712 G3’s receiver and barrel wear a durable matte black finish that minimizes glare and can be paired with black synthetic,

camo or walnut stocks. The 12-gauge weighs 6½ to 7¼ pounds, depending on stock material and barrel length. This is a lot of shotgun for the price.

Info: MSRP: $579; cz-usa.com.

BENELLI NOVA TURKEY MODEL 20-GAUGE

I may be slightly biased in the addition of this little shotgun to the turkey gun list, as I grabbed one practically out of the box, took it to the field on opening morning of spring turkey season and promptly shot a big gobbler with it. (It is

easy sometimes, but not often.)

In keeping with the trend towards lighter, high-mobility shotguns for pursuing spring gobblers, Benelli has expanded the company’s popular Nova pump shotgun line with the release of the Nova Turkey. The Benelli Nova pump-action shotgun now comes in a 20-gauge platform, ideally suited for the aggressive run-and-gun turkey hunter.

The new Nova Turkey 20-gauge comes chambered for 2¾- and 3-inch 20-gauge shotshells and features a 24-inch barrel with included improved cylinder, modified and full chokes. Just an easy-carrying 6.5 pounds, it is a lightweight platform to leverage the reach and terminal performance of today’s advanced turkey loads. The new Nova Turkey model furthers its mission with a full-coverage Mossy Oak Bottomland camo finish. This iconic spring turkey pattern has helped conceal woodland and field-edge gobbler hunters for over three decades. The full-length ribbed barrel terminates with a high-visibility red-bar front sight for quick sight picture acquisition in the early morning light.

Info: MSRP: $559; benelliusa.com.

Editor’s note: Larry Case has been a devoted outdoorsman since he was a child. He will admit to an addiction to turkey hunting (spring and fall), but refuses any treatment. He enjoys the company of gobblers and cur dogs that are loud and people who speak the truth softly. Case served 36 years as a game warden in West Virginia and retired with the rank of district captain. You can check out his podcast and other stories at gunsandcornbred.com.

Benelli Nova Turkey 20-gauge.

When it all comes together, like it did for Woodrow Brogan, Mike Cooper and John Akin, spring turkey season delivers an outstanding hunting opportunity at a beautiful time of year.

CZ-USA 712 G3 12-gauge.

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ROAD HUNTER

MARCH MADNESS – UPLAND STYLE

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN

Upland bird hunters have one month left to hit the road on a preserve hunt.

Hunting on licensed private-land venues runs through the end of March in many states, offering loads of opportunities to hunters who don’t want the season to end.

One of the biggest draws of estate-style hunts is they extend hunting opportunities for your dog. Some preserves allow you to bring your dog and hunt alone, while others require hunting with a guide while running your dog. This is to ensure that a guest’s dog doesn’t run wildly around the property, scattering birds in every direction, and that guests don’t cross property lines or accidentally inflict damage on sprinkler lines or other farm equipment they may happen upon.

IF YOU ENDED the regular hunting season with your dog needing some work, preserves are a great place to fix these issues. Having a buddy or two tag along helps, allowing them to shoot while you focus on handling your dog. This lets you devote your attention to what needs correcting, and do it the right way. And the best part is there will be enough birds for you to hunt before the day is over.

Another bonus that preserve hunts offer your dog is multiple bird encounters. One gentleman I recently hunted an estate with said he travels

Whether you’re looking to extend your bird season, get in a little more dog training or pursue rarer species, preserve hunts can fill the bill.

One of the joys of hunting upland bird preserves in March is getting to spend more time with dogs. These two cocker spaniels, one a 5-month-old pup, were excited about this chukar flush and retrieve.

ROAD HUNTER

around the West during upland bird season and gets his dog on more points and gets more shooting during his two days of hunting the preserve than throughout the rest of the season combined.

I start upland bird hunting season on September 1, when I take my dogs into the Cascades in search of quail and forest grouse. We get out on a few dove hunts, then usually hunt every day of bandtail pigeon season, which is brief. We’ll go on some fall turkey hunts, but for the next four months, it’s waterfowl hunting several days a week. So for me and my dogs, hunting bird preserves once waterfowl season closes is just what we need to spend more time together, doing what we love.

Less than an hour from where I grew up in western Oregon, the first ringneck pheasants were released in the continental United States. Pheasants were everywhere when I

Private-land venues offer extended upland hunting opportunities in many states.

March is a great time to experience some enjoyable upland hunting on preserves, often called estate hunts.

ROAD HUNTER

was a kid, and it was pretty easy to shoot a couple roosters whenever you wanted to during the season. But it’s been over 25 years since I’ve seen a wild pheasant in my old stomping grounds. Valley quail abound, creating solid hunting opportunities, but the pheasants are gone, making hunting these gems on private preserves another reason I love such opportunities this time of year.

For hunters, preserves test our shooting skills and keep us active and in shape. Mind you, not all preserves are the same, nor are the birds, so shooting and physical intensity can vary.

I’ve hunted a number of privateland venues over the years. Some have had sparse cover remaining for birds

UPLAND LOADS

When I was a kid, 2¾-inch No. 6 lead shot was the go-to shell for upland bird hunting. But today, hunters have access to many types of shot and styles of shotgun shells. Even the guns and chokes have changed a lot.

Along with testing multiple loads on my recent hunt, I used many loads and various gauges all fall and winter. What I learned was I like shooting a 20-gauge more than any other. Double-barreled guns are fine, but I prefer that third shot, especially for coveys of early-season mountain quail or high-country chukars, where the rise can be sporadic. That third shot also comes in handy if I need to knock down a crippled bird. Browning’s Silver 20-gauge semiauto is a great all-around shotgun I love for upland birds and waterfowl.

As for shells, two stand out as being highly efficient for upland bird hunting. With these two loads I consistently got a higher number of kills when compared to other loads I shot.

If I had to choose one shell to hunt all upland birds with, it would be Federal Premium’s Prairie Storm FS Lead. This payload consists of 70-percent copperplated lead stacked on top of 30-percent Flightstopper lead. The shot is encased by what could be the most revolutionary

to hide come March. Others have been challenging, especially for chukars and Hungarian partridge living at high elevations.

LAST MONTH I hunted Highland Hills Ranch (highlandhillsranch.com) near Condon, Oregon. I’d heard a lot about this property since it opened 20 years ago, but had never seen it. From the river bottom habitat to the rimrock hills, and everything in between, this 3,000-acre northcentral Oregon ranch is unlike anything I’d hunted in terms of an estate experience. Here, birds were not released before each hunt, as was the case in most places I’d hunted. Rather, birds were released by the hundreds several weeks prior.

The birds we hunted were skittish, but there were plenty to provide ample shooting opportunities. Walking and good shooting were required if you wanted to take birds home.

I went on this hunt to test several loads in various brands of shotguns. This is another bonus of hunting preserves, as you get high repetition, which allows accurate conclusions to be made about the gun and loads you shoot. I shot more times in two days than I had the past three seasons of hunting upland birds on public land.

At Highland Hills, the birds held and flushed, thanks to the good working dogs. Sometimes birds were up and gone so fast that shot opportunities quickly faded; this was

wad designed for hunters, the Flitecontrol Flex wad. The rear-opening, updated and improved wad works great in standard upland and ported chokes. The pattern and impressive ability for this load to hit with force at eye-opening distances means more dead birds and fewer cripples. In my 20-gauge, the 1¼-ounce 3-inch No. 5 shot is one I’ve used on a range of upland birds, from flushing roosters to speedy chukars, dive-bombing bandtail pigeons to swiftly moving doves, and it’s a game-changer.

When it comes to nontoxic loads, Hevi-Shot’s Hevi-Hammer Upland gets my nod. This load is put together with 15-percent high-density bismuth stacked over 85-percent precision steel. With this

mix you get a good pattern that carries far when shooting birds moving straight away, thanks to the bismuth. You also get a wider pattern when swinging from side to side and firing at fast-moving birds because the denser bismuth keeps moving fast, while the lighter-weight steel slows down sooner. This results in a wide area of coverage and fewer misses.

A couple buddies who are die-hard public land chukar hunters and love chasing pheasants prefer Hevi-Hammer Upland in their 20-gauges for the favorable pattern and its ability to knock down birds. In No. 5 shot, the 7/8-ounce charge is moving 1,325 feet per second from a 3-inch shell and hits with authority.

Federal Premium’s Prairie Storm FS Lead in 3-inch 20-gauge is excellent for a variety of fast-moving upland birds.

ROAD HUNTER

especially the case with chukar in the hills and quail in thick cover along the river. Sometimes shots came close, while other times birds were 40 yards out before a shot could be fired. This wasn’t a “kick up the birds with your feet and wait for slow-flying roosters to cruise out to safe shotgunning range” experience. It was a “be on your game” hunt or your buddies would rat you out at the dinner table.

If your legs and lungs can handle it, you can follow the dogs up steep, rocky hillsides as they work chukars in the expansive hills. Then, as you reach the peak, finally catching up to the pointing dogs, the chukars flush, heading straight downhill at lightning speed that requires you to actually shoot below the little gray bombers in order to connect. Highland Hills Ranch offers unique challenges for hunters who are willing to work. And the breathtaking scenery of this place never gets old.

Author Scott Haugen recently hunted Oregon’s Highland Hills Ranch, where he was able to hunt behind some great dogs and test some very efficient shotgun loads.

ROAD HUNTER

ONE OF THE biggest payoffs for me when hunting preserves is that I often get to meet guides who hunt their dogs seven days a week. Tyler Biggs, a guide I hunted with at Highland Hills Ranch, has 14 upland dogs – a mix of English pointers, Brittanies and cocker spaniels – that he hunts from September through March. Biggs rotates out the pointers on each hunt, but his cockers, three of them, hunt with efficiency and precision, wasting little energy. This means the shortlegged cockers get to hunt a lot, often twice a day, and what a joy they are to watch work.

I was very impressed with Biggs’ calm demeanor when working his dogs. No matter the situation or

the terrain – or my sometimes poor shooting, which is no way to reward a hard-working dog – Biggs kept a smile on his face and stayed even-keeled in all communication with his dogs. This is the perfect demeanor for a guide, and full-time dog trainer, which the young Biggs aspires to be, and it was evident his dogs respected him.

Last, but far from least, hunting ranch venues for upland birds allow a lot of great-eating meat to be taken home. Having a mix of pheasant, quail, chukar and Huns to feast on throughout the spring and summer makes for a healthy, tasty change of pace from the big game and waterfowl in our freezers. And I come away with lots of bird wings and skins for dog

training, too.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older. Maybe it’s because there are no more wild pheasants where I grew up hunting. Or maybe I just want a longer hunting season and a chance to spend more time with dogs. Whatever the reasons, March is the time to experience fun hunts in good weather and take in the beautiful scenery with canine companions, and that’s all I really want. 

Editor’s note: To order Scott and Tiffany Haugen’s bestselling cookbook, Cooking Game Birds, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.

Highland Hills Ranch guide Tyler Biggs takes a ringneck pheasant from Daisy, his 2-year-old cocker spaniel that’s a great flushing dog and makes impressively fast retrieves.

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THE EVOLUTION OF SILVERTIPS

From its pre-World War II intro to today’s many offerings, Winchester bullet line has seen a lot of changes.

“These are Remington CoreLokt bullets, a regular softpoint which are perfect for deer. But these are Winchester Silvertips; save these for when we go to the Catskills to hunt bears.”

It was my 15th birthday, and my father had just given me one of the

greatest gifts I’ve ever received: a Winchester Model 94AE XTR leveraction rifle, chambered in the classic .30-30 Winchester. To a young man who’d never aimed a rifle at a big game animal, it was the gateway to a lifelong passion for pursuing big slabs of meat, and the accompanying gift of two varying types of projectiles was the impetus for a career as a bullet hound.

That was over 35 years ago, and that Winchester 94 and I made

all sorts of memories. If you were to discuss Winchester Silvertips with a young hunter of today, the conversation would be completely different compared to that of my youth; you see, the Silvertip has been on quite a journey throughout its life, and it looks nothing like it did when it originated. Let’s take a look at the many faces of the Winchester Silvertip, and how things have changed over the years.

The Winchester Silvertip has gone through considerable changes over the decades.

STORY BY PHIL MASSARO • PHOTOS BY MASSARO MEDIA GROUP

ALL SIGNS POINT to 1939 as the year the original Silvertip was released, and I’ve seen adverts dating back to 1940 to corroborate that date. Even before the now-famous Nosler Partition, both Winchester and Western were offering the controlled-expansion Silvertip in their loaded ammunition lines, and would eventually offer them in component form for those who handloaded their ammunition. The design of the Silvertip was an effort

to combat premature expansion, a phenomenon common to the cupand-core bullets of the first half of the 20th century, where the bullet would either expand too quickly – resulting in jacket/core separation – or would fail to penetrate deep enough to reach the vital organs of the game animal.

Where the jacketed lead bullets would have some amount of exposed lead at the nose in order to initiate expansion, the Silvertip would cover

that exposed lead with a thin cap made of what Winchester called “nickel silver” – a blend of copper, nickel and zinc. As this alloy was harder than lead, the bullet would not deform as quickly when hide, muscle and bone were hit, and because it would maintain its conformation longer, the Silvertip would penetrate deeper than would a standard jacketed bullet of similar weight and caliber.

The original factory offerings

Available only for the Winchester Model 71 lever-action rifle, the .348 Winchester is a powerful cartridge, suitable for all North American game at reasonable ranges. The 250-grain Silvertips hit hard and penetrate deep.

The .358 Winchester, based on the .308 Winchester case opened up to .35-caliber, is made even better by the use of a premium bullet like the Silvertip.

Loaded in nickel-plated cases, these .30-30 Winchester cartridges are the 170-grain Silvertips celebrating the American Bicentennial in 1976.

included .250 Savage and .257 Roberts with a 100-grain Silvertip; .270 Winchester with a 130-grain bullet; .30-30 Winchester and .30 Remington with a 170-grain bullet; .300 Savage with a 180-grain bullet; .3006 Springfield, .30-40 Krag and .300 H&H Magnum with 180- and 220-grain bullets; .303 Savage with a 190-grain bullet; .32 Winchester Special and .32 Remington with a 170-grain bullet; .348 Winchester with a 250-grain bullet; .35 Remington with a 200-grain bullet; and .375 H&H Magnum with

An advert circa 1940 for the Silvertip projectiles, in both the Western and Winchester lines.

The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum, loaded with a 300-grain Silvertip bullet, is renowned for its penetration.

The revamp of the Silvertip –known as the Ballistic Silvertip –is the result of a collaboration with Nosler. (WINCHESTER)

a 300-grain bullet. Note that of the .30 Remington, .32 Remington and .35 Remington – all developed for the John Browning-designed Remington Model 8 autoloading rifle – only the .35 Remington survives, and that cartridge thrived in the Marlin lever-action rifles. It is also noteworthy that Winchester/ Western embraced both the .300 and .375 Holland & Holland Magnum cartridges; both would be counted among the first offerings in the new Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifle. Reviews of the Silvertip were – over the decades – mixed, to say the least. Some folks found that the Silvertip was too hard; there were complaints that the bullet would poke a caliber-sized hole through the animal, indicating that the bullet hadn’t expanded much at all. Others found the bullet too frangible, breaking up on shoulder bones and making a considerable mess. My own experiences with the bullet – mainly

The 6.8 Western, loaded with the 170-grain Ballistic Silvertip, makes a great choice for deer and similar-sized game at longer ranges.

A rendition of an upset Winchester Ballistic Silvertip bullet; these bullets usually expand to at least twice the original caliber.

(WINCHESTER)

The Ballistic Silvertip shown in cutaway; note the tapering jacket and thick base.

(WINCHESTER)

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due to limited availability – align with the former opinion more than the latter. I’ve only used it on whitetail deer, and it has proven to be a stiff bullet that gives excellent penetration.

In Peter Hathaway Capstick’s Death in the Long Grass, he mentions the Winchester Silvertip as he is guiding a client for a leopard hunt. Because of the hardness of the bullet, Capstick alluded to the fact that he would pry the nickel-silver tips off the 300-grain .375 H&H Magnum slugs for leopard, as the thin-skinned lightweight cat didn’t offer enough resistance to have the bullet open and expand reliably. Should you choose to hunt with the older style of Silvertip bullet, I wouldn’t personally recommend this practice, no matter what Mr. Capstick had to say.

BY THE END of the 20th century, the Silvertip was being phased out, first as

a component bullet, and ultimately in Winchester’s loaded ammunition. In 1997, a new configuration of the Silvertip was introduced: the Combined Technology Ballistic

Silvertip. This bullet, the result of a joint effort with Nosler, is highly reminiscent of Nosler’s Ballistic Tip bullet. In fact, I’d venture so far as to say that this bullet is exactly like a Nosler Ballistic Tip, with the Winchester black Lubalox coating on the exterior of the bullet, and a signature gray polymer tip.

For those unfamiliar with the design, we are looking at a polymertipped spitzer boattail of cup-and-core construction. The polymer tip serves a few purposes: It helps maintain a consistent ballistic coefficient, prevents the bullet’s meplat from being distorted under recoil in the rifle’s magazine and acts as a wedge to consistently force expansion upon impact with the game animal. The Lubalox coating is employed to reduce friction between bullet and bore, as well as to reduce fouling and pressures alike. The jacket is tapered in thickness, growing thicker as you approach the base. Much like the principle used for the Nosler Ballistic Tip, the Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip is a hunting bullet with the potential of match-grade accuracy. But where the original iteration of the Silvertip bullet was designed to slow expansion, the Ballistic Silvertip is designed for a more immediate energy transfer through immediate expansion, without being overly frangible. And,

Winchester has also lent the Silvertip name to a line of rimfire ammunition tuned for use in handguns. (WINCHESTER)

Winchester’s Silvertip handgun ammunition uses a jacketed hollowpoint bullet; the jacket is skived at the nose to initiate expansion. (WINCHESTER)

A cutaway rendition of the 170-grain Ballistic Silvertip designed for the .30-30 Winchester; note the round polymer tip, making it safe to use in a tubular magazine. (WINCHESTER)

like the Nosler Ballistic Tip, the Ballistic Silvertip makes a great bullet for antelope- and deer-sized game, though you may want a stiffer bullet for larger species.

Winchester lists the Ballistic Silvertip in many popular calibers, from .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington, up through the WSSM family (though I haven’t seen those in

years), through the .270s, 7mms and .30s – including the speedy .270 WSM, 6.8 Western, 7mm Remington Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum – and they even list a 300-grain .45-70 Government load. Whereas the original Silvertip leaned toward heavy-forcaliber bullets, the Ballistic Silvertip line offers many more common bullet weights. For example, the .30-06

Springfield is offered in 150-, 168- and 180-grain weights. The lighter calibers are loaded with what Winchester calls the “fragmenting polymer tip,” while the larger calibers are loaded with the “rapid controlled expansion polymer tip”; this is on par with the Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint and Ballistic Tip Hunting. I have seen Winchester’s Ballistic Silvertip ammunition print very respectable groups; my Browning X-Bolt in 6.8 Western really likes the 170-grain load. And if you’re a deer hunter, these projectiles can deliver a healthy dose of “dead-right-there.”

Winchester has also loaned the Silvertip name to a line of defensive handgun ammunition, featuring a jacketed hollowpoint bullet, in most of the common pistol and revolver cartridges. The majority of the Winchester Silvertip handgun line will see light-for-caliber bullets – for example, the 110-grain .38 Special, the 155-grain 10mm Auto, the 185-grain .45 ACP, and the 115-grain 9mm Luger. There are more common weights available, like the 147-grain 9mm Luger and 175-grain 10mm Auto, but none of the heavier bullet weights are present in this line. There are also a pair of Silvertip rimfire loads – a 37-grain segmented plated hollowpoint .22 Long Rifle, and a 40-grain jacketed hollowpoint for the .22 Magnum –designed to bump up the performance of rimfire handguns.

If you have a supply of the original Silvertip ammunition, I’d recommend you keep it in your collection, as these bullets are certainly an interesting conversation piece when it comes to the history of bullet development. Those metal-capped slugs aren’t a bad design – I still have a handful of those .30-30 cartridges from Dad, and might like to take a bear with them one day – but the last two decades have seen a tidal wave of excellent premium bullets. However, if you’re aiming to fill your freezer with venison, taking the Combined Technology Ballistic Silvertip along to the deer woods isn’t a bad idea in the least. 

SIX GUN TERRITORY: A RIDE THROUGH ONE MAN’S MAGIC KINGDOM

The life and times, then and now, of a beloved Wild West-themed park in Florida.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA

The American Shooting Journal’s name sums up all the great things about our country. As a noun, “American” is defined by the idea of equal opportunity for any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved. To achieve one’s dreams,

life takes you on several journeys, usually documented in one type of journal or another.

In forming this great country, people expanded west. Knowing the dangers, they were prepared for trouble by arming themselves with firearms. The ones who were proficient with firearms became so by shooting extensively.

I am honored to have the privilege to share with you, dear reader, my

observations on firearms, training and self-defense-related issues in this great magazine. As such, I would love to share with you my points of origin as to how my journey and journal came to be. First, I must honor those who warrant the credit for my success.

First and foremost, to my Lord God. Being an American, our great country was founded on the freedom of worshipping God free of

Six Gun Territory’s a pretty rough place, whether the original Wild West-themed park and town that stood from 1963 to 1984 in central Florida or the resurrected version that pops up a few times a year at a nearby family farm. But fortunately for visitors, there are folks like Marshall Sundance, aka Dane Hovey, keeping the peace.

condemnation or persecution, a right I take full advantage of.

The second major influence was my dad. My dad was my blessing in life, a hero who raised me and a man whom I adored. He served in World War II with the 82nd Airborne Division, making four combat jumps and sustaining injuries at the Battle of the Bulge (a story recently featured in American Shooting Journal). My dad was my everything. As a man’s man, he was always doing manly things. Being a seasoned combat veteran, he always taught me to thank God. Dad thanked God for surviving the war, and in doing so, he promised God he would strive to be as good a man as possible. He kept his word.

OUT OF A young man’s curiosity, I would ask him what helped him survive the war, other than God. My dad said he read everything he could on the Western cowboy/gunfighter and became an expert on the subject. My dad shared his thoughts on Wild Bill Hickok, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Tom Horn, John Wesley Hardin, Billy the Kid, Jesse James and others he knew about.

My dad studied how the gunfighters traveled deep into enemy territory, either chasing bad guys or evading good guys, while trying to avoid Native Americans or Mexicans who did not take kindly to them encroaching on their lands. Their remedy was to do their very best to stop them by killing them.

Many of the most famous cowboy gunfighters were veterans of the Civil War from one side or the other. These men were proficient in land navigation and living off the land; they knew how to hunt and skin game and learned how to fish and forage off the land. In addition, they knew how to survive in extreme cold and scorching hot weather.

For survival purposes, the cowboy gunfighters were proficient in any form of violence, whether in a fistfight, brawl or knife fight (the best in the world). In addition, they were skilled with all firearms, including handguns, shotguns and rifles.

When my dad spoke on these

This Six Gun trio is George Webb, “Deacon,” who plays a good guy or bad as needed but is usually a lawman; Gary Smith, “Wyoming Kid,” a territory original and usually a bad guy; and John T. McEachern III, another original and who plays outlaw “JT Slade,” but also a lawman so he doesn’t have to fall down.

A banner announces a return of Six Gun Territory at Kirby Family Farm, near Williston, Florida. For more, see kirbyfarm.com.

Sheila Routolo, aka “Miss Sheila,” is the can-can girls director and plays a good guy, “but when she’s bad, she’s really good,” says author Paul Pawela.

SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING

Scenes from the recreation of Six Gun Territory. While gunfights abound, there are other things for visitors to do, including rides, shopping, demonstrations and taking a historic train – just watch out for the bandits known as the Shadow Riders!

subjects with such authority, I was mesmerized, wishing as a kid I could go back to that Western time and place where I could see these immortals my dad spoke so highly of.

Unbeknownst to me, there was such a place in Florida, and when my dad thought I was old enough, he introduced me to the magic kingdom before there was an official Magic Kingdom; for me, that magical place was Six Gun Territory.

BEFORE DISNEY WORLD came to Florida, one of the three main tourist attractions was Six Gun Territory, a 200-acre Western-themed park near Silver Springs in Ocala, Florida.

The Wild West theme park opened in February 1963. It was literally like going back in time. The attraction was

built around an Old West town set in the 1880s. After visitors parked their cars, they boarded an authentic steam train. The train would take you through a time portal and passage to the Old West town. The journey would either have safe passage to its destination or be interrupted by an attempted train robbery, which would turn into a gunfight. As the adventure continued, the train would pull into the train station in Six Gun Territory.

The town was built with 40 authentic Old West buildings, which included a beautiful two-story courthouse, a jail, a bank, saloons, a schoolhouse, and Mexican and Indian villages. Once there, one could learn about the cultures of both the Mexicans and Native Americans. There were plenty of stores and vendors,

but my fondest memory – and always our first stop at my dad’s insistence, since we went about every Sunday – is worshipping God in the park’s nondenominational church.

Other fond memories of Six Gun are the TV personalities the park brought in. The first celebrity I ran into at Six Gun – and I mean that literally, as I was reenacting a bank robbery with my friends with our cap guns – left me star-struck. I was running around the corner of Six Gun’s bank, when I ran smack into a wall of a man and was knocked flat on my butt. This mountain of a man picked me up and said, “Hey, little partner, you alright?” That man was actor Dan Blocker, who played Hoss on the TV show Bonanza

Another fond memory is when my dad took me into the saloon for some

The past, mythologized and otherwise, is on display. Pawela is a longtime fan of

Six Gun Territory – that’s him as a lad mounted on a horse at the original version.

beers – root beer, of course – to watch the can-can girls, and what a show they put on. One time in the saloon show, they had an extraordinary guest who was singing, and I was stricken as she came down from the stage into the audience and gave me my first kiss on the cheek by a woman other than my mom. That kiss came from Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke. I also met actors Lorne Greene from Bonanza and Clint Walker of Cheyenne fame.

Of course, the most unforgettable memories are the excellently choreographed gunfights by the professional stuntmen. The theme was always the same, whether the scenario was a train robbery, bank robbery, jailbreak or revenge-killing attempt; it was always good guy versus bad guy. The good was always outnumbered, but with a strong will, courage and a sawed-off shotgun, at Six Gun Territory, good always triumphed!

So, what moral of the story could be made for Americans? Always do good, be strong, have the strength and courage to face adversity, no matter the odds, and be willing to fight and defend others for the greater good. That is what America stands for.

Six Gun Territory had an excellent run for 21 years, closing on January 1, 1984 – but did it really?

IN SEPTEMBER 2018, Kirby Farm in Williston, Florida, hosted a reunion event with some original Six Gun Territory gunfighters. Kirby Farm bought the original train from Six Gun and put it on their property. The train is fully functional and prone to being held up by train robbers, known as the Shadow Riders, but have no fear, as the marshals are never too far behind.

This event now continues a few times a year. There is something for everyone in the family at Kirby Farm’s Six Gun Territory, from reenactments to children’s rides. There are Western singers, can-can girls, wagon tractor rides, eateries and various vendors to shop. They also have a Native

Don Maines, “the Colonel,” sits atop Bailey, who is playing herself. Below, a card shows Jim Pierce, who played outlaw gunfighter “Cole Younger” from 1969-71, but is a marshall these days.

SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING

American village where you learn how they lived. Of course, the main attraction is the two authentic gunfight towns built by the volunteer Western actors themselves, and what an impressive job they did. Six Gun Territory has gunfights on the hour throughout the day, and I am happy to report that their safety protocols are thorough, so you will never see a Rust situation.

The people who own Kirby Farm are God’s special people, who use their property as a 501(c)(3) educational facility and museum devoted to the ranching, farming and agriculture business. Their primary focus is on atrisk children, and thousands of special needs children have come through to enjoy the pure wonders and fun that Kirby Farm has to offer.

The cowboy/Old West gunfighter has always been a larger-than-life icon you could count on in a difficult or dangerous situation. They had both character and a creed they lived by:

• Live each day with courage;

• Take pride in your work;

• Always finish what you start;

• Do what must be done;

• Be tough, but fair;

• When you make a promise, keep it;

• Ride for the brand;

• Talk less and say more;

• Remember that some things aren’t for sale; and

• Know where to draw the line!

What could be more American than that? Thank you, Six Gun Territory, for all the memories.

And that’s my two cents! 

Author’s note: This article is dedicated to Marion Pawela and to all the staff of Six Gun Territory. For more information on Kirby Farm and Six Gun Territory, visit kirbyfarm.com.

Editor’s note: For realistic self-defense training, see assaultcountertactics. com. Author Paul Pawela is a nationally recognized firearms and self-defense expert.

Author Paul Pawela is about to meet his maker ... or not. Where the original theme park perished in the early ’80s, the updated version is slated to return again the weekend of April 22-23.

A train ride from parking lot to the Wild West town was a favorite at the former park, and operators of the new one have their own and have brought in one of the old locomotives, the Sam Houston, as well.

THE REPORT FROM RAIN-DE-VOO 2023

Annual winter rendezvous in moist western Washington woods offers some 'good doins' for shooters.

STORY AND

Itold you about this rendezvous last year but every year is different, with different guns, different shooting and, of course, different weather. It is called Rain-De-Voo because it is held in February; we could call it a wintertime

rendezvous, but in this neck of the woods it’s usually raining on us, so RainDe-Voo it is.

At Rain-De-Voo, the shooting aggregate is made up of the score from the rifle trail added to either the knife and ’hawk score or the archery score. Shooters get their choice of trying their best with the knife and ’hawk or the primitive bow and arrow. Of course,

shooters can do both if they enjoy doing so, but the choice of which will be added to their aggregate score must be made before they begin.

Let me say just a few words about my bow before we get into the actual shooting at this Rain-De-Voo. I made my bow from a kit, or rather I finished it, in 2012. This is of the Modoc design, with the wide but rather short limbs,

PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT

Author Mike Nesbitt brought some pretty nice shooting irons, along with his bow, to a fun Pacific Northwest competition known as Rain-De-Voo.

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and I painted the design on it. I like to call this my “war bow,” but it has only been used at rendezvous that include archery among the events.

Most of the rendezvous I’m familiar with do include trails or side matches for archery, with consideration or limitation to the equipment that can be used. For instance, the arrows we use can have steel field points – mainly because the point of the arrow is what takes a beating, even with good hits on the targets – but the arrows must have a primitive nock on the hind end. And our bows must not have sights. Naturally, compound bows are simply too modern, but primitive, or “Indianstyle,” bows are very welcome.

IT WAS LIGHTLY raining on Friday morning when we, the volunteers who keep things going at Rain-De-Voo, gathered at the trailhead to do our rifle shooting. This group of volunteers was smaller than it had been in the past, only eight of us, but

Nesbitt fires his “local Hawken” at a buffalo gong, and it was a hit. The author describes the lightweight .50-caliber as historically “made for the local Missouri trade and not necessarily for the mountain men.”

The volunteers who helped keep the rendezvous moving gather for a group photo on the competition’s trail walk shoot, held in a Washington forest near Olympia.

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that didn’t bother us a bit. We shot the trail in two groups of four, recording our hits on scorecards, and every shot had to be witnessed. (Nobody shoots our trails alone.) I don’t think the light rain was a negative factor at all in the shooting we did, flintlock or percussion.

Our group of four shooters – and we took the lead, being just a little faster than the second group – included names you’ll probably recognize: Bob DeLisle, Jerry Mayo, Mike Moran and myself. Among us four, I was the only one using a percussion rifle (and I heard about it). The rifle I was carrying was my lightweight “local Hawken” in .50 caliber and I selected that rifle because of its weight and handiness, not for its ignition. (It is called a local Hawken because rifles like it were made for the local Missouri trade and not necessarily for the mountain men.) On top of that, I seem to be able to see that rifle’s sights in the woods and that’s reason enough to take it along on a trail walk.

The load I used included 50 grains of 3Fg GOEX powder under a patched .490-inch round ball, and I was using Speer’s swaged balls. Ignition was from a No. 11 CCI percussion cap Twenty-one shots later, I could tally my score and I had missed only five of the targets. That’s not too bad at all, especially considering how dark the misty-rainy morning was. I had even hit the last target, a tiny white spot, no bigger than a golf ball, which we shoot at with a powder charge of no more than 40 grains. I dropped my powder charge down to 35 grains. As I said, each shot must be witnessed and on this target that is necessary because the shooter won’t be able to tell if the shot was a hit or a miss. Smoke from the gun’s muzzle hides the small steel target and it has already returned to its standard position before that smoke clears. In my case, Bob was watching and he let me know that my shot had been a good one.

While I say my shooting “wasn’t too bad,” I don’t need to point out how there was a lot of room at the top. At least four shooters topped my score. They did some good shooting and I certainly tip my hat to them.

NEXT, MIKE AND I grabbed our bows and arrows to shoot the archery trail. I traded my Montana Peak hat for my beaver fur cap. One reason for changing hats was because the brim of the Montana Peak “cowboy hat” gets touched by my bow’s string when an arrow is at full draw and that seems to distract me.

On each of the first four archery targets, I got just one hit. We’re allowed two shots per target. Any hit is worth five points, from legs and feet to ears or antlers. But then a good hit in the “kill zone” gives the shooter 10 points per shot. So, two good hits per target means 20 points per animal. On those first four targets, I got only five points each. Mike was getting ahead of me very easily, although he was missing some of his shots too. Then on the fifth target, we both hit with both shots. That was worthy of a picture. Yes, things were getting better.

When we finished the archery trail, Mike was in first place and I was second. Those scores would have gotten us awards if no one else had shot. In the end, several shooters outshot me, but Mike did well enough to stay in second place. Let me finish this description of our primitive archery trail with one more big thank you to Dale Soost and the Capitol City Bowmen – that’s a good shoot, which is really a lot of fun.

FOR PISTOL SHOOTING, we went back to the main trail walk and fired at 12 preselected targets. The first target is what might be considered an easy one; it’s a small oxygen bottle (empty, of course) hanging perhaps 10 yards away. I loaded my .50-caliber pistol with 35 grains of 3Fg GOEX powder under the .490-inch ball, aimed well and squeezed the set trigger. The gun roared and Mike said, “Way down and to the right!” I explained to Mike how

Mike Moran and Nesbitt with the “deer” target they hit with all their arrows on the archery trail. Nesbitt ’s bow, which he painted, was made from a kit and its wide but short limbs are hallmarks of Modoc design, named after a tribe along the OregonCalifornia border.

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what he saw was a ricochet in the brush and pointed out how the oxygen bottle was swinging back and forth from the hit. Mike agreed and we went on.

Last year I won the pistol match and I tried this year too. I recall last year I missed just one target and I missed the same target this year, the sucker! (Literally, they are little fruit-flavored suckers mounted on a pole and why I keep missing, I don’t know.) But this year my old partner, Bob, tied me on the pistol trail, where we both got 11 out of 12 hits. And Bob’s tiebreaker, which we had shot on the rifle trail, was a tiny bit better than mine. So, I took second and Bob was awarded first place for the pistol match. Good doin’s, Bob!

Tom Witt and Will Ulry joined our group for the trade gun match and that brought our group up to six people. It was raining again so I wore the Montana Peak for just a bit more protection. The rain didn’t slow us down at all; we shot very well and kept moving like a group of

good shooters should.

About halfway through the trail, a quick check proved that the flint in my gun was just about as sharp as a tennis ball, so that was changed on the spot. From then on, I had very good ignition, as well as having the bestlooking smoothbore on the firing line. (At least I think so!) Allen Tresch won the trade gun match. He also won the Top Mountain Man award and scored quite highly in all of the events he participated in. Good doin’s for Allen!

Well, that, almost in a nutshell, was some of the doin’s at this year’s RainDe-Voo. There are more stories to tell, for sure, and it seems like everyone who goes there will see something differently. That’s simply variety, and at this doin’s there was plenty of that. Things were plenty good enough, and Derek Sotelo, this year’s booshway, did a very good job. That all boils down to the bunch of us looking forward to doing it again next year.

Allen Tresch won the Top Mountain Man award at this year’s Rain-De-Voo, thanks to winning the trade gun match and scoring highly in all of the competition’s events.