US Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Nguyen, who stepped on an IED in Afghanistan and had his right leg amputated as a result, is shooting for gold as he represents the United States this month at the Paralympic Games in Paris. (USA SHOOTING)
30 ROAD HUNTER: TIPS FOR TAGGING A TROPHY PRONGHORN
They’re one of the most iconic animals of the wide-open West, and hunting them is far from a slam dunk. That’s why we have Scott Haugen – he shares how to get your speed goat as seasons open this month.
41 SHE HUNTS: TEACHING NEW HUNTERS TO SHOOT
Brittany Boddington breaks down the basics that she and other instructors at her women’s skills camp use to teach their beginner students how to safely and confidently use firearms.
49 BULLE T BULLETIN: HUNTING BULLETS, EXPANSION AND RETAINED WEIGHT
There might be a great debate at hunting camp about which bullet works best for big game, but not so much for our professor of projectiles. Phil Massaro details his proven formula that will “put a smile on your face in the trophy photo.”
65 SC ATTERGUN ALLEY: NEW ACCESSORIES FROM FEDERAL
Transporting long guns, shells and more to the range or field just got easier – and more stylish. Larry Case details Federal Ammunition’s new Premium, Field & Range and Top Gun lines of shotgun and rifle cases, shell pouches and range bags.
81 TACTICAL TRAINING: THE SCHOOL OF I.Z.O.F.
Ever been in the perfect flow state where everything snapped together without thinking about it? That’s what’s known as the individual zone of optimal functioning, but how do you ensure you can get there when SHTF? Ash Hess has how.
85 SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING: PREPARATION – KEY TO SURVIVAL IN COMBAT AND COMPETITION
This season, Surviving Mann contestants got by with a little help from the show’s friends. Here is a look at a few of the companies turning heads.
93 TACTICAL TRAINING: ‘SQUARE RANGE MENTALITY’ VERSUS THE REAL WORLD
“The goal is not proficiency for its own sake, but a preparedness that respects the gravity of wielding lethal force.” So says firearms instructor and self-defense trainer Rich Kluck as he runs our Graciela Casillas through his thoughts on getting the most out of tactical training courses.
THE LONG ROAD TO PARIS
Wounded in Afghanistan, US Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Nguyen found a second calling as a worldclass shooting sports competitor and will represent the United States this month at the Paralympic Games. Chris Cocoles has our Q&A with Nguyen.
99 MAKING THE CUT: MY BACKSTORY
TEXAN HOLSTER WITH MAG AND FLASHLIGHT COMPATIBILITY
A lifetime spent studying hand-to-hand combat and teaching those skills to others offers Paul Pawela a unique chance to share his knowledge about knives in these pages.
103 L AW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT: ROOKIE COP’S BRAVERY RECOGNIZED
When a “career criminal” came out shooting during a domestic dispute check and gunned down two of his partners, New York Police Department Officer Sumit Sulan had only one choice.
105 MILITARY SPOTLIGHT: MEET DALE COMSTOCK
In a world where bad guys lurk around many a corner, it’s good to have an American Badass on our side – Dr. Dale Comstock, a decorated Special Forces veteran of multiple conflicts, but far more than that as well.
109 BL ACK POWDER: CAN’T STOP CUNNIFF!
OK, Allen Cunniff might not have quite the name recognition of some of this month’s Olympians, but he turned in another fine performance at his shooting club’s annual Buffalo Camp. Mike Nesbitt has the final medal count.
23 PRE TTY PRECISE, INNIT?
Pardon our British accent, but Accuracy International’s AT, a purpose-built sniper rifle designed and manufactured in England and used by military and law enforcement units worldwide, impressed West Coast police sniper Nick Perna.
72 KIMBER R7 MAKO TACTICAL TFS
This new subcompact 9mm offers the best of both worlds – the ability to be used as a concealed carry weapon or a full-size service pistol, depending on configuration. Frank Jardim has our field test and review.
61 CR AFTING PRECISION BULLETS WITH A PASSION
Kevin Underwood has gone from loading ammunition in his basement to turning out half a million rounds a day. Learn more about family-owned and -operated Underwood Ammo, where “every round is a promise of quality.”
(MIKE NESBITT)
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TO THE LONG ROAD PARIS
US Army sergeant, wounded in Afghanistan, returns to Paralympic shooting competition.
STORY BY CHRIS COCOLES
Kevin Nguyen, the Southern California-born son of immigrants who fled Vietnam during the horrific conflict there in the 1960s and ’70s for a better life in America, knew the risks he’d take by enlisting in the United States Army.
But when his unit was fighting in Afghanistan, Nguyen’s military career – not to mention his life – became something altogether different in a flash. On February 2, 2013, Nguyen stepped on an improvised explosive device, or IED, that severely injured one of his legs in Afghanistan’s Horn of Panjwai, leaving him to face a long rehabilitation path and ultimately, a difficult decision to either face a life on crutches or in a wheelchair, or the amputation option.
More than a decade later, Nguyen, 31, can joke about what he learned from that pivotal moment that indeed resulted in the loss of his right leg.
“Watch where you step; LOL,” he deadpanned during an email interview. After wrestling with the choice and suffering from bouts of depression over an almost two-year stint at a San Diego military hospital recovering from his
After being wounded in combat in Afghanistan in 2013, US Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Nguyen found a second calling as a world-class shooting sports competitor. The Southern California native will represent the United States starting late this month at the Paralympic Games in Paris. (USA SHOOTING)
battle wounds, fate intervened and Nguyen, now an Army staff sergeant, became a world-class shooter who will make his second consecutive appearance in the Paralympic Games in Paris, which begin on August 28 (Nguyen also appeared in the Coviddelayed Tokyo Paralympics back in 2021). Nguyen qualified for the 50-meter prone rifle event in France.
Now married to wife Ashley and together raising their infant son Noah, who turned six months old on July 18, Nguyen has thrived as a member of the elite US Army Marksmanship Unit.
“Kevin is a great teammate,” says
fellow Californian Sagen Maddalena, who is also now a two-time Olympic Games shooter and this summer won a silver medal in the women’s 50-meter smallbore rifle event. “He is a professional at everything he puts his mind to, from being a soldier and leader of soldiers, to an athlete and competitor.”
Adds Sergeant First Class Henry “Hank” Gray, the Marksmanship Unit’s assistant team chief in international rifle, “SSG Nguyen is absolutely a positive, glass-half-full guy.
Representing the Army and Team USA in international shooting competition has allowed him to continue his career in the Army after a devastating injury.
He has truly embraced the opportunity he was given and represents the heart of a champion.”
“I know he had to go through some tough times in the early stages of recovery,” adds Gray, “but these days most people don’t even realize he is an amputee if they don’t see his prosthetic. He doesn’t shy away from challenges and does all the runs/ruck marches/obstacle courses with the rest of us all the time!”
We chatted with Nguyen about his injury and recovery process, his parents’ journey, Paris expectations and a very memorable introduction to hunting.
Chris Cocoles Congratulations on getting back to the Paralympics. What are your expectations for Paris after your Tokyo experience?
Staff Sergeant Kevin Nguyen As a returning Paralympian, my expectations are to better manage my nerves this go-around. Competing in the Games can be an overwhelming experience, so I’m hoping that my previous experience will play into my favor. With that being said, I hope to perform in a manner that reflects my training scores here at home.
CC What was your Tokyo experience like in your event and just getting a taste of the Games?
SSKN Performing on the world’s largest athletic stage was nerveracking. All my training and work up until that point couldn’t have prepared me for the nerves that come with that level of competition.
CC Did you do anything differently in your quad this time around after qualifying for the Tokyo Games in terms of preparation and how you competed? Do you feel like you’re a better shooter this time around?
Deciding to have his right leg amputated was an agonizing back and forth dilemma for Nguyen to ultimately agree to. “Having to face that decision on my own at 20 years old was terrifying,” he says. (US ARMY MARKSMANSHIP UNIT)
SSKN The first quad was definitely a learning process. This time around, I worked more diligently to refine specific aspects of my performance and I definitely think I’m more prepared this time around. Overall, my efforts during this quad have left me with higher training scores, but maybe more importantly, a better grasp on managing
Whether he’s skydiving, rock climbing or joining the best athletes in his sport on the biggest world stage, Nguyen is living life to the fullest after his
my mental game and recovery.
CC Being a Paralympian or an Olympian is such a great honor but also such an exciting adventure. What are you most looking forward to when you get to Paris?
SSKN This time around I won’t be traveling alone. I’ll have my family by my side, which makes the whole experience even more special. Sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with my wife and son is something I’m super excited about.
CC Can you share what happened when you were wounded in Afghanistan?
SSKN On that day, our platoon was tasked with performing reconnaissance on an elevated geographical terrain, which overlooked the base and gave the enemy a tactical advantage. About halfway to the location, while on foot patrol, I stepped on an IED, which detonated. I was then medically evacuated out of Afghanistan back to the States, where I spent one year and nine months in recovery at Balboa Naval Medical Center (in San Diego) after a selective amputation of my right leg.
CC I listened to a podcast interview that you did and you said after you stepped on the IED, your first thought was how would you ever be able to
drive a car again with such a serious leg/foot injury. What else was that immediate aftermath like after such a traumatic injury?
SSKN It was the scariest moment of my life. I didn’t know if I was dead or alive and it seemed like time slowed down and I was taking in every tiny detail. It felt like the world stopped moving.
CC You faced such a dilemma after you got back to the US to decide whether or not to have your leg
amputated or face spending your life either on crutches or in a wheelchair. I can’t imagine having to face that decision. I know you’ve said you struggled with that choice. What was going through your mind as you pondered what to do?
SSKN So much went into that decision: What will my quality of life be? Can I continue to serve? Will I be able to manage on my own? Having to face that decision on my own at 20 years old was terrifying.
tragic combat injury. (KEVIN NGUYEN)
Sergeant First Class Robert Peredo had a big impact on Nguyen’s recovery process. “He encouraged me, he pushed me to get better, he pushed my physical limits, and he never allowed me to slack off,” Nguyen says. (KEVIN NGUYEN)
Nguyen hopes to fare better than his first Paralympic performance at the Coviddelayed Tokyo Games in 2021, when he admits nerves played a factor. “I hope to perform in a manner that reflects my training scores here at home,” he states. (USA SHOOTING)
CC What kind of struggles with depression did you endure during your rehab time? You’d lost weight and just seemed to be in a dark place. What was that like?
SSKN Nothing about this time in my life was easy. I was isolated and felt hopeless, understandably. Pulling myself out of that mindset was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do.
CC Was there ever a time when you felt guilty that you weren’t back with your unit after the injury?
SSKN Absolutely. Just like any soldier, I felt guilty for being back home in the States while my brothers were still at war. I would have given anything to have been able to return to the fight with them to do my part and try to ensure that they got home to their families.
CC And did you have an epiphany at any point that steered you back on course?
SSKN At one point, I knew I had to accept my reality and stop feeling sorry for myself. I told myself that it was time to get up and get back to work. So that’s what I did.
CC In the process of getting the
amputation done and to rehab and get to where you are today as an Army Marksmanship team member and a Paralympian, was the mental rehabilitation just as important as what you had to do from a physical standpoint? How did you find balance between the two on your journey?
SSKN I felt like I was getting back to normal. When I mean normal, I mean I wasn’t fighting any negative self-thoughts; I wasn’t wallowing in my own self-pity. I had goals; I had milestones that I was working towards. And it was a huge morale booster that I had my platoon sergeant (Sergeant First Class Robert Peredo) training with me every single day. He was my battle buddy through it all; he encouraged me, he pushed me to get better, he pushed my physical limits, and he never allowed me to slack off. We were hitting the gym twice a day, we ran, we rucked, we even shared a nutrition regiment together. I owe the majority of my recovery to him. He and I are still close to this very day. In 2022-23, my (then) fiancée and I traveled to his home in Guam for Christmas and New Year’s vacation. He retired as an E8 (master sergeant) after 24 years of service.
Where did I find the balance? Mostly through trial and error. I played
Though never interested in hunting while growing up in the Southern California community of Westminster near Long Beach, Nguyen’s first hunt, with his now wife Ashley in her native Pennsylvania, was a memorable experience. Ashley and their son Noah will accompany Nguyen to Paris. (KEVIN NGUYEN)
around with a lot of workout regiments and plans. I painfully learned that my infantryman fit was not conducive to being shooter fit. I didn’t need to be benching 225 pounds; I didn’t need to be curling 30 pounds; I didn’t need to be (working) triceps at 90 pounds. I learned through lots of failures that I need to focus on medium weight and high reps. As much as I enjoy getting big and lifting heavy, getting big for my sport didn’t always produce the scores. After eight years of trial and error, I got the balance just right, but it also goes without saying I still continually train to maintain and meet the Army physical fitness standard.
CC Tell me how the Marksmanship Team became a reality for you.
SSKN It was an opportunity that was afforded to me out of the blue. It was
an unexpected journey that I made the best of.
CC How much has being on that team impacted your success in shooting?
SSKN Every bit of my success can be attributed to the Army Marksmanship Unit. I’ve been blessed to train alongside some of the best shooters in the world – eight Olympians in total. I wouldn’t be here without their guidance and support. Seeing their work ethic and success was inspiring and made me work harder.
CC You seemed to be a late bloomer to shooting sports. Growing up in Westminster, California, did you have any interest in shooting or hunting?
SSKN No, none at all. This wasn’t a reality for me until I came to the Army Marksmanship Unit.
CC Speaking of your days in Southern California, while I think you’re a big inspiration for what you endured, it sounds like your parents inspired you when they left Vietnam after the war. Can you share some of their backstory and how their journey convinced you to join the Army and everything that’s come along with that?
SSKN My father, his brothers and
sisters and both of my grandparents fled from Vietnam after the war ended in 1975. And from what I’ve been told, they were on the last few Chinook helicopters out of the US Embassy. They came to the United States in hopes of a better life. For me, joining was my way of repaying them for that freedom and to maintain the freedom that they fought so hard for.
My father and I did not see eye to eye when I first told him I was joining the Army. We fought for weeks about the issue, but I joined anyway. He really had a change of heart after I came home from One Station Unit Training. He saw
Nguyen’s story of recovery and perseverance as he heads for his second Paralympic Games should inspire all of us. (USA SHOOTING)
how the Army had changed me and how much better it had made me. So, 13 years later, and to this day he is proud of me for still wearing the uniform.
CC I know you have a passion for skydiving and rock climbing, but have you embraced hunting at all since you’ve become a world-class shooter? SSKN My first-ever hunting trip was to northwestern Pennsylvania. My now wife took me to her childhood farm to hunt with her family. As a California native and a Georgia resident (at Fort Moore), I’m not a fan of the cold, so she spent months trying to mentally prepare me for the misery of Pennsylvania rifle season in December. She regaled me with stories of standing in the bitter cold for hours on end.
That day, we showed up to the stand about 30 minutes before sunrise, and even before shooting time started we saw what we thought may be a deer only about 30 yards from the stand. About 30 seconds after shooting time officially started, my now sister-in-law fired a shot off in the distance, and when she did, sure enough, a huge doe popped up right in front of our stand. I took the shot as she stood motionless and broadside. By 8:15 a.m, we had her gutted and hanging and we were on our way to breakfast at the local restaurant.
To this day, my wife is still bitter about the experience and says that I had the easiest day of Pennsylvania hunting ever recorded, and that if you
KEVIN NGUYEN’S SHOOTING GEAR
US Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Nguyen will be competing later this summer at the Paralympic Games in Paris in the 50-meter prone rifle event, but he also participates in other shooting competitions. Here’s a look at the rifles and equipment he uses.
don’t almost lose your fingers from frostbite, it doesn’t count!
CC The Olympic Games are significantly publicized and covered, but having competed in Tokyo and now heading to Paris, can you speak to just how dedicated, competitive and badass Paralympians are? I guess I’m just hoping we in the media can tell more of your stories and emphasize how important it is to the Games to get more exposure that you’re working just as hard in your events as happens in the Olympics.
SSKN There is a great documentary on Netflix called Rising Phoenix, and I highly recommend it. It captures and talks about the journeys of Paralympians. Paralympic athletes are just as badass as Olympic athletes. They too put in the time, the dedication, the hours, the practice and the sacrifice to be a Paralympic athlete. They also share the same struggles and victories just like everyone else. They work and train hard for four years to make it count on the one day that matters most. Every one of those athletes that show up on the field of play are out to chase the same thing: They all want to be a Paralympic gold medalist. ★
Editor’s note: The Paralympics shooting schedule website is located at olympics.com/en/paris-2024/ paralympic-games/schedule/shootingpara-sport. For more info on the US Army Marksmanship Unit, check out army.mil/usamu.
Shirt: Under Armour
Glove: Kurt Thune
Visor: Eley
Blinder: Anschutz
Rifle sling: Truttmann
Pants: Unit-issued (“Just your typical sweatpants,” says Nguyen)
Footwear: Comfortable shoes (“I wear running shoes,” he notes)
*In terms of projectiles, Nguyen uses “whatever tests the absolute best out of my rifle at the time,” which he says right now are Eley .22LR bullets and Qiang Yuan pellets.
PRETTY PRECISE, INNIT?
With its sub-MOA shooting, British-made Accuracy International AT rifle impresses police sniper.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICK PERNA
here’s something to be said for a product that is built specifically for its intended use. Precision rifles tend to fall into two main categories: those designed for hunting and those built for tactical applications. Historically, this hasn’t been the case. For many years, the United States military used hunting rifles as sniper platforms. In Vietnam, one of the primary sniper rifles used was the Winchester .308-caliber bolt-action rifle with a hunting optic mounted on it. In the post-Vietnam era,
Twe continued to use rifles originally designed for hunting and sporting, such as the Remington 700 series. It wasn’t until the Global War on Terror that the US military began using rifles built specifically for tactical use.
Across the pond, the Brits realized the importance of using a tailor-made rifle for sniping. This may be due in part to the general lack of sporting firearms in the UK because of restrictive firearms laws. But the main reason is that since the late 1970s there has been a purpose-built sniper rifle designed
and manufactured in England that was readily available to British armed forces.
ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL WAS founded in 1980 by an Olympic shooting gold medalist and a group of firearms designers. In 1985, the British Ministry of Defense (the equivalent to our Department of Defense) chose an Accuracy International rifle, the L96, to be the sniper weapon for all British armed forces. Many countries, including Sweden and Germany, followed suit and also adopted the L96. In 2008, AI
Accuracy International’s AT is a purposebuilt sniper rifle designed and manufactured in England and used by military and law enforcement units worldwide.
gun review
(accuracyinternational.com) built an improved system, the L115A3, which replaced the L96 in many British units. Currently, more than 70 countries use AI systems. The company also has a production facility in the US, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
What sets AI rifles apart is the rigorous testing process they put their rifles through. They contract with a third-party company to test their rifles in extreme cold and heat. They dump their rifles in mud, fill the actions with sand and dust, drop them from 1 5 meters and conduct many other endurance tests to ensure their products will operate under any condition.
My police department’s Special Response Team uses AI rifles as our primary precision rifle system. We currently use the AT model. I’ve had the opportunity to put the gun through its paces and I can honestly say this is one of the finest sniper rifles around.
AI rifles undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are up to the task. “They dump their rifles in mud, fill the actions with sand and dust, drop them from 1.5 meters and conduct many other endurance tests to ensure their products will operate under any condition,” writes author Nick Perna.
Perna’s Redwood City Police Department Special Response Team uses AI models as their primary precision rifle system.
gun review
Many of the features that originally set it apart are now commonplace on most precision rifles. The stock is a folder, allowing for easier carry – important for operators who work in confined spaces, such as armored vehicles, and essential for paratroopers and air assault troops who need the most compact weapon available.
The stock also features a fully adjustable cheek piece. It can be raised and lowered by way of a couple of hex nuts that hold it securely in place. Gone are the days of taping pieces of foam to the top of the stock to get the proper cheek weld. The length of the stock is also adjustable by adding or subtracting shims. There is also an easily accessible sling connector that can be mounted on either the left or right side of the stock.
Moving on, the AI features a pistol grip. Again, a common feature in many precision rifles, it was a revolutionary addition when the rifle was introduced. Snipers often spend long periods of time behind their guns. A traditional stock isn’t as conducive to this, as it causes fatigue to the shooting hand. The safety is in a good location, on top of the receiver. The user can easily manipulate it with his or her thumb.
The bolt has six lugs to ensure that it locks tightly into place. The bolt itself needs to be rotated 60 degrees to go from locked to open, and vice versa. It is smooth and quick to operate.
The leaf spring extractor works well, ejecting spent cartridges from the rifle. The trigger is a two-stage affair, fully adjustable and removed easily for cleaning or maintenance.
The stock and barrel are free floating, with the barrel having no contact with the front of the stock for consistent harmonics. The rifle I shot is a .308 caliber with a 24-inch barrel. AI also makes rifles in 6.5mm, the current go-to round for most tactical rifles. Stocks are available in black, sage green and dark earth. Realizing that there is a huge market for sporting and hunting rifles, AI also makes a civilian version of the rifle that maintains
most of the features of their military/ law enforcement rifles. The AT-XC can also be obtained with a red stock, in addition to the other colors.
The AI uses a 10-round magazine. These are sturdy and built to take a beating. As with any modern precision rifle, it comes with a M1913 rail for mounting optics. Newer model AI rifles feature a key slot mounting system, similar to M-Lok, allowing for easy mounting of accessories. Current models also have an extended rail that covers the top of the barrel, as well as an extended rail system on the bottom portion of the stock under the barrel for mounting bipods, slings, etc.
The AT features a folding stock, fully adjustable cheek piece, pistol grip, and free-floating stock and barrel, and is available in several colors including sage green (pictured).
The author’s AI rifle has a 10-round magazine and is available in .308 caliber.
gun review
“I’ve
SIMPLY PUT, THIS is a rifle designed for consistent, accurate shooting. The model I shot was paired with a Surefire suppressor, a nice addition that not only serves its intended purpose of eliminating some of the noise, but also helps with recoil and muzzle flash. The optic is a Steiner M5XI 3-15x50. It is an excellent scope, perfect for mid- to long-range shooting.
I ran the gun through its paces, shooting paper and steel targets between 100 and 400 yards. On paper, accuracy was sub-MOA. I was able to get quick, accurate shots on steel targets, due in part to the excellent trigger and smooth bolt operation.
These AI rifles aren’t cheap. They list for around $6,000, and that’s for their base model. Higher-end models with more features go for twice that – and that doesn’t include an optic or other accessories. But if you want a gun built from the ground up for accurate, longrange shooting, AI is the way to go.
had the opportunity to put the gun through its paces and I can honestly say this is one of the finest sniper rifles around,” says Perna.
Pronghorn hunters who spend time glassing depressions in the land and places away from roads will increase their odds of finding a mature buck.
ROAD HUNTER
TIPS FOR TAGGING A TROPHY PRONGHORN
An expert on hunting the wide-open West shares how to get your speed goat.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN
hen I told my buddy that all three of the pronghorn bucks we were looking at were shooters, he quickly slipped off his pack, nestled his gun on it and looked through his scope. They were
Wover 600 yards away. Frazzled at the brush in the way, he stripped off his jacket, both sleeves inside out, wadded it up and put it on top of the pack. Finally, he could see the bucks, but the crude rest was far from steady. I looked at him and shook my head.
“What?” Shawn scowled.
“First of all, you’re not going to shoot a buck from this far away, and
second, you’re certainly not shooting off that wobbly pack,” I insisted.
“That’s why I brought these,” I added, looking at the tripod shooting sticks I was using to steady my binoculars.
It was Shawn’s first antelope hunt, and his first time to see the expansive high desert of the American West. We were five minutes into the hunt. He was
ROAD HUNTER
excited and got in a rush.
“We’re going to wait for the pronghorn to feed into that gully. Then, when they’re out of sight, we’ll move to that knob,” I pointed. “When they come out of that little swale, you’ll have a 250-yard shot, max, and be rock-solid in the sticks.” Shawn caught his breath and finally started to enjoy the hunt. For 45 minutes we watched the bucks feed, then they dropped out of sight. Our plan worked and Shawn punched his tag.
THE FIRST LESSON
of pronghorn hunting that Shawn learned was to stay calm. Rarely is there a need to rush. Pronghorns have incredible eyesight, so one errant move and the jig is up.
Of all the pronghorn hunts I’ve been on over the years, I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve located a buck and shot it from that spot. Typically, they’re spotted at a distance and a stalk is made to get within shooting range. That’s one of the fun parts of pronghorn hunting.
Pronghorn hunting is one of North America’s most enjoyable big game hunts, and there are a lot of animals roaming the Western plains and high deserts.
Tripod shooting sticks optimize stability and shot accuracy, which is key on pronghorn hunts where shots can be long.
ROAD HUNTER
There’s something special about these animals, not the least of which is their unique headgear, which is neither horn nor antler, but a keratin sheath that is shed annually.
When watching bucks and commencing a stalk, be patient. If you’re hunting during the rut, these bucks aren’t going anywhere. They began establishing their territories in May and are now awaiting does to come into their domain. Take your time and don’t force things, as that only leads to frustration and blown opportunities.
When not rushed, you’ll also make a better shot. An extendable bipod mounted on your rifle is wise, for there’s no better rest than shooting from a prone position. I’d also suggest tripod shooting sticks because oftentimes the brush is too tall for you to lie down and shoot over. I’m a big fan of Bog’s Deathgrip; it might be bulky but it’s rock-solid. The more solid your rest, the more accurate your shot placement will be.
Shots at pronghorn can be long, so know exactly what your shooting capability is. Pronghorn aren’t big animals, and a flat-shooting rifle in a small caliber, topped with a powerful
scope, can aid in shot accuracy. The farther you can shoot, the better too. Being able to shoot 300 yards will help increase the odds of success; a bit further than that, even more so.
Be sure to range a pronghorn before taking a shot. Due to their small size and contrasting colors, most shots are missed high. When you walk up on your first downed pronghorn, you’ll be surprised at how petite their body is.
I’M ALWAYS AMAZED by the number of road hunters looking for pronghorns. It’s a common theme throughout the West; cover as much ground as you can by driving until you find a buck you want.
But if it’s a big pronghorn you desire – and you really want to know how many animals are out there – park the truck and walk. Pronghorn country is simple to negotiate, and it’s fun. Given the small stature of these animals, it takes very little cover or folds in the terrain to hide them. Look into shallow swales, the backside of knolls and any
small depression that can’t be seen from the road. This is often where bucks hide.
A mature pronghorn is smart, and it knows exactly when opening day of hunting season kicks off. That’s when they go into hiding places obscured from roads. Walking, glassing and walking some more will help you find bucks, and it’s way more enjoyable than driving around.
Take plenty of water and a spotting scope. I like a small backpack with a hydration pouch and straw that hangs by my mouth, as I’m much more likely to drink water with that setup, versus having to take off my pack and grab a water bottle. You don’t need a lot of gear when pronghorn hunting. My pack is mostly water, a few snacks and optics.
Glassing for pronghorns does not mean walking down into where they’re hiding. It means looking at them from a distance, and this is best done with a quality spotting scope and binoculars. Cover ground with your feet, but cover
ROAD HUNTER
PRONGHORN FIELD CARE
Pronghorn is some of the best wild game meat out there, but proper handling is essential. To optimize the quality of your harvest, snap your pictures and immediately begin field dressing. Avoid driving around with the animal. Instead, field dress it as soon as possible, then start the breakdown process.
Remove the skin and lay it flat on the ground to provide a clean surface to work on. Separating the four quarters is easy. There are no bone-to-bone connections on the front shoulder, so they come off quickly. On the hindquarters, cut close to the pelvis and spine, then disarticulate the ball joint.
Be sure to remove all bloodshot, hair and dirt before putting meat in game bags. Pronghorn are small, and the quarters easily fit inside a large cooler. Place the cleaned quarters in a game bag, not a plastic bag, then put it in a cooler atop ice blocks. Get the meat into refrigeration as soon as possible.
Next, remove the backstraps, neck meat and tenderloins, placing them in game bags in the cooler. The ribs can be removed a side at a time by splitting up the sternum and cutting the base of the ribs, or the meat can be filleted off the outside and in between each rib.
Drain excess water from the cooler as necessary, as you don’t want meat setting in water. If having your buck mounted, either cape it yourself or get it to a taxidermist quickly.
more of it with your eyes. The objective is to spot animals without them knowing you are near.
Don’t be opposed to glassing all day for pronghorns. Find shaded spots and search from those. Heat waves will squelch glassing efforts, and when this happens, relocate into draws where thermals are moving through, alleviating the intensity of the day.
Pronghorns will get up from their beds multiple times a day. If hunting in 100-degree temperatures, be prepared for it, and know such temperatures are nothing for pronghorns.
AUTHOR SCOTT HAUGEN COVERED GROUND AND FOUND THIS BUCK FEEDING ON SAGE ON A SE.CLUDED HILLSIDE IN WYOMING. With the temperatures antelope are hunted in – seasons have already begun this month or will shortly – it pays to have a good, sharp knife to immediately begin breaking your harvest down.
Many hunters get hung up on waterholes. I’ve bowhunted over waterholes for days on end, and have never had the bucks I targeted come in. Trail cameras taught me that pronghorns don’t drink water for as long or as often as you’d think. A quick sip will get them by, and oftentimes wise bucks do this in the middle of the night. Make sure you have the proper moisture-wicking clothes that allow you to hunt in the heat. Today’s clothing options are many, and having breathable pants and tops that also protect you from the sun will greatly increase your comfort level and safety when hunting in extreme heat.
MOST
PRONGHORN
HUNTS
take place on public land, and learning as much about the terrain and the animals is key. The best way to achieve this is through physically scouting, but if you’ve not been able to do that, consider a spike camp.
Operating from a base camp – or worse yet, a motel – ties you down and greatly limits access. The more mobile you can be, the better. Come nightfall, it’s a lot nicer pitching a small tent on the spot rather than driving back to town, and then having to get up at 3 a.m. to do it all over again.
Make sure the vehicle you’ll be hunting from is in good condition and has proper tread for rugged, rocky terrain. Carry extra water, gas, a cooler of food with plenty of ice and two spare tires.
ROAD HUNTER
One of the biggest regrets I’ve seen from many pronghorn hunters over the years has been pulling the trigger on the first buck they spotted. Size up your buck and don’t be in a rush. If you’ve waited 20 years to draw a tag in a prime unit, don’t settle for a 14-incher when you know there are 17-inch bucks running around. Pronghorns are one of the most difficult big game animals to field judge, so study up if you want a monster buck.
Pronghorn hunting is one of the most enjoyable hunts in all of North America. Once you experience what it’s all about, you’ll be wanting more of what makes chasing this icon of the American West so special.
Editor’s note: Want to learn how to skin and cape a pronghorn? Order Scott Haugen’s bestselling instructional DVD, Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game, at scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram and Facebook.
Author Scott Haugen covered ground and found this buck feeding on sage on a secluded hillside in Wyoming.
Remote, Comfortable & Affordable
Our remote Alaskan fishing lodge is situated on the upper stretches of the beautiful Egegik River. You’ll watch some of Alaska’s most stunning sunrises, complete with a distant, active volcano. We are a fishing camp specializing in coho fishing, brown bear viewing, and flyout fishing adventures to even more remote destinations in the Last Frontier.
Coho Fishing The Egegik River
The Egegik River is touted by many experienced anglers as the best silver salmon stream in all of Alaska. Becharof Lodge On The Egegik River was the first fishing lodge to become established on the breathtaking Egegik River, and is less than a 5 minute boat ride from some of the best fishing holes on the entire river.
Now Booking for 2025 Coho Fishing Trips
Included in your fishing trip:
• 6 days fishing/5 nights stay in camp
• Experienced, fully guided fishing.
• Comfortable cabins furnished with beds, cozy comforters & bedding.
• Home cooked meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic beverages.
• Transportation from the lodge to prime fishing holes on the Egegik River.
• Freezing and vacuum sealing of your fish, up to 50 lbs., per angler.
$4,850per person Includes round trip charter from King Salmon. Call for more details.
A Unique Big Game Hunting Ranch
Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Missouri, High Adventure Ranch offers all of the excitement of western big game hunting without the costs and hassles.
Be prepared for a fair chase hunt! With over 3 square miles of prime natural habitat, our ranch provides challenges to even the most seasoned hunter, but our experienced guides and “No Game, No Pay” policy practically ensure that you won’t go home empty handed. In addition, High Adventure’s hunting season is year-round, allowing ample time to fit the most demanding schedule.
While our whitetail, elk, wild boar and red stag hunts top our hunter’s most popular lists, hunters from around the world have visited our ranch, hunting everything from American bison, black buck, fallow deer to Spanish goats and African game.
So, whether you desire a 10-point whitetail mount for your trophy room or simply the thrill and challenge of taking down one of our many elusive big game animals, High Adventure Ranch guarantees memories of an unparalleled hunting experience that will bring you back again and again.
Red Stag
Wild Boar
Whitetail
she HUNTs
TEACHING NEW HUNTERS TO SHOOT
Skills camp instructor breaks down basics that can teach anyone how to safely, confidently use firearms.
She Hunts is a women’s hunting skills camp, but one of the many things we do is teach ladies how to shoot firearms. We have women from all skill levels who come through camp, so we have to be flexible in the way we approach teaching each participant. Some women who
come to camp have hunted all over the planet but have just never set up their own gun. Other women have been hunting once or twice with a spouse but do not feel competent enough to go alone or take their kids out hunting. Still others have lost their hunting partners due to death or divorce and need to fill in the gaps in their knowledge to be independent. We also have a smaller demographic of women who have never hunted or have been hunting once and
did not have a great experience.
We have found that – both in camp and outside camp – there are some basic tips that can help anyone teach a child, spouse or new hunter how to safely and confidently handle a firearm. Firearm safety is, of course, paramount and those basics should always come first, but once beginners understand what not to do, the next step can be tricky. I am asked on the range all the time what a good caliber
STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRITTANY BODDINGTON
Author and instructor Brittany Boddington teaches Ginger about boresighting and how to adjust a rifle scope at her She Hunts Skills Camp.
SHE HUNTS
for a new hunter is and I stand by the 22 Long Rifle as the all-time best practice caliber. This holds true for kids as well as for adults. I have women on the range tell me all too often about a gun that they were handed by a husband or trusted friend – a gun they were assured wouldn’t hurt them – but once they shot it, they realized the recoil was too intense and were hesitant to shoot anything after that. It is true that hunters need “enough gun” for the size animal they are hunting, but it seems that too often new hunters are rushed from a .22 to something like a .30-06 with far more recoil.
At She Hunts camps, we try to find a happy medium with the .223. We practice extensively with .223-caliber rifles in the exact same makes and
models as our higher caliber guns so the ladies are familiar with the format and setup before they go up in caliber. Once they are ready, we go up to the 7mm-08, which admittedly has more recoil but not enough to jar them too badly. If they need to go up further to hunt in camp, we have a few larger calibers that we work up to.
THIS FORMAT WAS born from personal experience. When I was little, Petersen’s Hunting magazine was still headquartered in Los Angeles on Sunset Boulevard. My dad was the editor of the magazine for most of my childhood, but I grew up with no friends who hunted and didn’t often see anyone shoot unless we were at a camping event or something like it. At
one family camp when I was about 6 years old, my dad let me try shooting his rifle. I do not recall the exact caliber except that it was way too much gun. It hurt and I cried and swore to never shoot again. I kept that oath until I was 17 years old, when I finally got back on the horse and learned to shoot.
My dad had promised to take me to Africa for my graduation from high school. I had zero interest in hunting but he had promised that we would go on a photo safari only. As the school year came to a close, I started researching activities to do in Namibia and hunting popped up over and over in these searches. At some point I clicked a link and went down a rabbit hole of internet literature about hunting in Africa and how they take the non-
The author explains to Kayla how to adjust her scope in order to sight in her Weatherby Camilla rifle in .223 Remington.
SHE HUNTS
breeding older males out of the herd so that the babies have enough food to eat, etc. This was new information to me since, in my feisty teenager way, I had never let my dad educate me about hunting. There were lots of convincing arguments about game management in Africa and how hunting was their most valuable tool to not only manage wildlife, but also fund conservation. This was enough to push me over the edge and I humbly asked my dad
to teach me how to shoot. He was very confused, to say the least, but he obliged and took me on a wild boar hunt in California to make sure that I was in fact up for a real African hunting safari. I loved that first hunt and subsequently had a very successful trip to Namibia, but all of this almost didn’t happen because of that silly shot I took with a gun too big for me when I was too small. These little moments can have a lasting impact
on new shooters. It is important to prepare them before they take that first shot and make sure they are using equipment they can handle.
For kids, I love to start them on a pellet gun or BB gun. This is a great way to start teaching kids gun safety and give them some responsibility without opening the doors to real firearms just yet. We actually started my 3-year-old daughter Lilly on her little pink Daisy gun this year and she loves it! Before she was allowed to shoot it, we went over pointing in a safe direction and not ever at anything you don’t wish to destroy. We also talked about what would happen when she pulled the trigger and what it would sound like. She is pretty small and shouldering the little gun was not quite fitting her yet, so she tucked the stock under her arm and although it is not proper form, it does work for her. She got to take her first shots and had a blast.
TEACHING GROWN WOMEN is a bit different. The media today is not doing the gun and shooting industry any favors by blaming weapons for the brutality in people. Unfortunately, we see ladies come through who have a real fear of guns, a fear that most of the time they wish to overcome. We find that with women, too much information is just not a thing.
We start by taking apart the rifles and explaining the firing pin and how it functions. I tell them that rifles are just wood and steel, like a hammer – and like a hammer that cannot hit a nail unless you swing it, a rifle cannot shoot unless it is intentionally loaded and fired. We then explain the chosen caliber and why we like to start with it. The next step is to mount the scopes on the rifles and boresight the guns before we go to the range. By the time the first shot is taken, the ladies understand their equipment and can view it as a tool that they know how to operate.
We talk a lot in camp about taking responsibility as a hunter. The loss of too many wounded animals is blamed on the equipment or the guide not
Boddington and husband Brad Jannenga’s daughter Lilly got to shoot her Daisy BB gun for the first time this year!
SHE HUNTS
being patient enough and pushing the client to shoot. We talk in camp about owning your shot. If you as a hunter decide to pull the trigger on an animal, then the result is of your own making. This means that a hunter should know their equipment. They must practice adequately prior to a hunt. They must be in good enough physical shape to get to their prey and still be able to pull the trigger without being under too much physical stress. They must also study shot placement and understand where they need to place a bullet to minimize the suffering of the animal. The hunter should also have a plan for what to do with the animal if they are successful and have the tools they need to make quick work of the carcass so as
not to waste the meat or the trophy. These principles are too often overlooked in the haste to get a new hunter to take their first animal. Unfortunately, when any one of these factors is missing, it can lead to a negative first experience, and for some it can end their interest in hunting altogether. It might be one of the most common origin stories as to why ladies book themselves into the She Hunts Skills Camp: “I had a bad experience.”
The good news is that even with a bad experience, it is possible to move forward with some solid groundwork and a lot of positive reinforcement. We have had so many ladies who thought they were done with the idea of hunting change their minds in camp. It is truly
Happy campers after their sight-in seminar, where they all took two shots, adjusted their scope and took two more until they got to the bull’s-eye!
amazing to watch the light bulb turn on when someone hits the bull’s-eye on the range or takes a trophy with one perfectly placed shot. The key is to give the new shooter or hunter the info and training they need to succeed.
Editor’s note: Brittany Boddington is a former outdoor television host and journalist with 15 years’ experience hosting shows about various hunting adventures around the globe. She has hunted on six continents and collected just under 100 species. With her father Craig’s help, Brittany discovered a love for the great outdoors and has become a passionate hunter and conservationist. Follow Brittany’s adventures on Facebook, Instagram and X.
This 9.3mm 286-grain Barnes TSX retained 100 percent of its weight, but is that the optimum performance? Author Phil Massaro doesn’t mind a bullet in this configuration, though the deer certainly did.
BULLET BULLETIN
HUNTING BULLETS, EXPANSION AND RETAINED WEIGHT: THE GREAT DEBATE
Properly match design, caliber and weight to the job at hand, and you’ll be good to go.
STORY BY PHIL MASSARO • PHOTOS BY MASSARO MEDIA GROUP
hat bullet is like a hand grenade; my buck was dead on his feet!”
“That damned bullet just blew up; the whole shoulder was destroyed and the doe ran 150 yards. Never again.”
“I always want two holes – one in and one out – to make a bigger blood trail.”
“I only use bullets that impart all
their energy in the animal; that’s how you get a quick kill.”
Tell me you haven’t heard all of these statements in your hunting camp, at the range or around the campfire. Of course you have. And
I’m sure the folks who uttered those sentences firmly believed in their opinion, holding it as gospel. None are entirely correct, and none are entirely incorrect; rather, the rigid concept of a “one size fits all” bullet might not be feasible after all, especially when looking at the wide selection of species and hunting situations. So what makes the best hunting bullet for you and
BULLET BULLETIN
your hunting scenario? The answers may be eye-opening.
FIRSTLY, LET’S TACKLE the debate regarding energy. Striking energy is a part of the equation, but energy alone doesn’t do the killing. If that were the case, the .22250 Remington would be a better bison
and grizzly cartridge than the .45-70 Government, and that just isn’t the case. So while higher energy figures can be attractive, the destruction of vital tissue is what kills a game animal. Simply put, you need to reach the vitals, from whatever shooting angle you have, and use a bullet that possesses the qualities
to punch a large hole through those vital organs. Generally speaking, two holes (in and out) in an animal equates to the destruction of a greater amount of tissue, yet you want to have your bullet carve a larger-diameter hole, not just a deep one. So there needs to be a proper blend of penetration and
Launched from a .300 Winchester Magnum into a whitetail buck on the smaller side, the Federal Fusion bullet certainly expanded properly, putting the deer down immediately.
The Hornady Interlock – a quality cup-and-core softpoint – might not retain the same amount of weight as its premium cousins, but it has been getting the job done on thin-skinned game for decades.
The Swift A-Frame is a toughas-nails bonded-core and partitioned bullet, but needs a big chunk of meat to have it expand properly.
BULLET BULLETIN
expansion for the most humane kill. And if additional velocity and bullet mass (read: striking energy) help to get the job done, so be it.
Next is the balance of frontal diameter and sectional density, or SD. Larger calibers make larger holes, but if the bullet doesn’t have the structural
The Nosler Ballistic Tip can give violent expansion, but on deer and similar-sized game it can be a most effective tool. In many standardvelocity cartridges, like the .270 Winchester, it can switch a deer “off” immediately.
integrity to withstand the penetration of hide, bone and flesh, that hole won’t be very deep. If the target is a smaller animal – say, a pronghorn antelope or javelina – that might not pose an issue, but if we’re choosing a cartridge/bullet combination for elk or moose, things change. Prairie dogs warrant frangible,
low-SD bullets, as they are comparatively small in relation to even the .17-caliber bullets, while an elephant – enormous even in comparison to the huge Nitro Express cartridges – requires a tough, nonexpanding projectile capable of the utmost penetration.
The whitetail deer is, arguably, our most popular game species, and each season we hurl all sorts of projectiles in an effort to kill them. In fact, we nearly pushed them to the point of extinction before the jacketed bullet had gained popularity, using simple lead projectiles fueled by black powder. In some instances, those projectiles continue to work just fine. Jacketed bullets and smokeless powder combined for unprecedented velocities
BULLET BULLETIN
– though they were mild in comparison to modern developments – as well as improved terminal performance.
Folks will tell you deer aren’t tough; others will say deer are tough as nails. I’ll say that if hit properly, the whitetail can be neatly handled with .22-caliber and 6mm-caliber centerfires, but if hit wrong, a .300 Magnum won’t make up the difference. They are relatively thinskinned, and a traditional cup-and-core bullet like the Remington Core-Lokt, Winchester Power Point, Hornady InterLock and Nosler Ballistic Tip will do the job just fine, if of proper sectional density. Look for something with an SD value of at least .220 or so – including the 150-grain .308s, the 130-grain .277s, and the 90-grain 6mms (with an SD of .218) – for a sound deer bullet. Will the
premium stuff work? Absolutely. While a Swift A-Frame might prove a bit too stiff for optimum expansion on a deer, you’ll have punched your tag. Regarding retained weight and deer bullets, I don’t really get too awfully hung up with the idea because I actually prefer the bullet to exit, resulting in the largest wound channel possible. Quite obviously, I do not want an overly frangible bullet – I avoid match bullets and varmint bullets like the plague – as premature breakup and shallow wound channels can be a reality, but I don’t truly need a bonded-core or monometal (though as I said, they certainly work). Hornady’s ELD-X and Sierra’s GameKing are a couple of my favorite deer bullets, as they can offer wonderful accuracy and terminal ballistics that
can be relied upon for sheep, black bear, antelope and similar game species.
THE LARGER/TOUGHER SPECIES like elk, moose, nilgai, aoudad and many of the African antelopes are best handled by our premium projectiles. Where the age-old argument about elk cartridges – fueled by the Jack O’Connor/Elmer Keith debates – is firmly based on the cartridges and projectiles of a century ago, much of the material used by both sides has been made null and void by the advent of premium projectiles. The .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield, often labeled by Keith as too light for a mature bull elk, are perfectly viable at sane ranges when topped with a bonded-core or monometal bullet of sensible weight. Load either of those
The author used a 6.5 Creedmoor with a 140-grain Hornady ELD-X to take this mule deer at just under 200 yards; the bullet exited, resulting in large entrance and exit wounds and a quick kill.
Federal’s Trophy Bonded Bear Claw is one tough cookie, providing a high retained weight – if you can recover one. The author has had problems keeping this bullet inside an animal, which in his book actually isn’t a problem. (FEDERAL PREMIUM)
The Barnes TTSX monometal copper bullet will often give a retained weight into the high 90-percent range, and the bullet is associated with deep penetration as a result. (FEDERAL PREMIUM)
with a Barnes TSX, Federal Trophy Bonded Tip or Terminal Ascent, Swift Scirocco II or A-Frame, or a Nosler Partition and you can confidently take the shot on the largest elk or moose. Bump the cartridge up to one of the 7mm or .300 Magnums, and the additional velocity will help the premium bullet to expand a bit more, and penetrate a bit deeper.
I like to see an expansion of 1.5 times the caliber, and if I recover a bullet, I like to see weight retention somewhere between 80 and 95 percent. Much like a deer bullet, I still prefer the bullet to exit, as more vital tissue (theoretically) will be destroyed; I use the retained weight as a measure of the integrity of the bullet design. The higher the retained weight, the more potential the projectile should have to offer deep penetration, especially with less-thandesirable shot angles. Any recovered
Federal’s Trophy Bonded Bear Claw has a bonded front half and a solid copper rear half, and is famous for its retained weight and deep penetration. It takes some resistance (read: large game animal) to have it expand to a wide diameter. (FEDERAL PREMIUM)
bullet gives me an idea about the expansion qualities of the design, taking into account the impact velocity.
The biggest beasts like grizzly and brown bears, bison, Cape buffalo, Asiatic water buffalo, elephant and hippopotamus require a tough bullet, as they are not only big slabs of meat, but most possess thick hides, thicker bones and have the potential to end your hunting career. The Barnes TSX, Swift A-Frame, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and Woodleigh Weldcore all
Norma’s Oryx bullet has the rear of its jacket chemically bonded to the lead core, allowing for good expansion at the front of the bullet, while retaining enough weight for deep penetration.
The Peregrine Bushmaster is a sound choice for dangerous game, as it will shed very little of its original weight, yet the plugged hollowpoint guarantees wide expansion. These bullets were recovered from Cape buffalo.
Woodleigh’s roundnose Weldcore bullet is chemically bonded and will offer one of the best blends of expansion and penetration. The 250-grain bullet from a .318 Westley Richards penetrated the entire length of a kudu bull in Africa.
BULLET BULLETIN
The North Fork Cup Point Solid (inset) is designed to give the slightest bit of expansion at the nose, yet penetrate the thick hide and strong bones of the biggest game animals. Massaro used it – with good effect – for this Asiatic water buffalo in Australia, in a .470 NE double rifle.
make great choices for a softpoint bullet, as they have thick jackets and bonded cores, or in the Barnes case, are a homogenous design.
These species are also well-handled by the “expanding solids” like the North Fork Cup Solid or my personal favorite, the Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilized Solid. Penetration with the latter pair can often be measured in feet; I’ve had those Woodleighs exit on broadside body shots on bull elephant, and longitudinal shots on Cape buffalo. When the distances are short and the game dangerous, those bullets will give the penetration needed for a brain shot, or to reach the heart/lungs from any angle. In comparison to conventional nonexpanding solids, they will give just a bit of expansion up front, destroying more vital tissue along the way, yet still making penetration a priority. If you can recover one of the solids – and odds
are that you won’t – you’ll probably see weight retention in the high 90-percent range. Both the North Fork Cup Solid and Woodleigh Hydro are monometal designs, and are tough as nails.
Switching things up completely, when you take varmints and predators into consideration, you’ll want frangible bullets with thin jackets. For long-range work, high ballistic coefficient bullets are available, especially in the modern cartridges like the .224 Valkyrie, .22 ARC and 6mm Creedmoor, but the classics like the .22-250 Remington, .220 Swift and .222 Remington will generally stay on the lighter side of the spectrum. That’s OK, so long as you’re not fighting hurricane-force crosswinds or trying to take those older designs out to 1,000 yards. For the furbearers, I like the thin-jacketed bullets like the Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint or even the Sierra
MatchKing, as they often don’t exit on larger-bodied animals like the coyote, red fox and bobcat.
So the entire point here is to properly match the bullet design, caliber and weight to the job at hand, with a proper plan in mind. Choosing the projectile design best suited for the job will also extend the versatility of your favorite cartridge, and put a smile on your face in the trophy photo.
CRAFTING PRECISION BULLETS WITH A PASSION
At family-owned and -operated Underwood Ammo, ‘every round is a promise of quality.’
PHOTOS BY UNDERWOOD AMMO
rom its humble beginnings in a basement to its standing as a leader in the ammunition industry, Underwood Ammo exemplifies a true American success story. Founded by Kevin and Beth Underwood in Sparta,
Illinois, what started as a modest venture has transformed into a symbol of innovation and dedication in ammunition manufacturing.
The Underwoods began their journey in early 2009, with Kevin balancing his career in printing and
ammunition crafting, while Beth managed communications and customer service. The birth of their first child that fall allowed Beth to transition to being a stay-at-home mom, further intertwining their lives with the growth of Underwood
In the early years of Underwood Ammo, cofounder Kevin Underwood set up manufacturing in the basement of his family’s Illinois home.
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Ammo. By the spring of 2010, after months of juggling dual careers and growing demand, the couple decided to devote themselves entirely to their burgeoning enterprise.
Underwood Ammo has always been driven by a commitment to quality, a trait that is deeply embedded in the company’s roots. Initially, Kevin manually crafted each round of ammunition, working tirelessly into the early hours. Beth complemented his efforts by handling the business’s administrative side. Their transition from a basement operation to a more extensive setup was fueled by sheer determination and financial sacrifices, including enduring challenging living conditions to reinvest every possible resource into their dream.
Today, Underwood Ammo balances the scale of automation with the artisanal quality of its products. Although the company retains a small-business ethos, it boasts the capability to produce up to half a million rounds daily, thanks to state-of-the-art machinery that ensures unparalleled precision without sacrificing the handcrafted touch that sets their products apart.
Underwood Ammo is recognized
for its unique approach to ammunition design – prioritizing high velocity, superior accuracy and outstanding performance. These characteristics are a testament to Kevin’s original vision, which continues to guide their production philosophy.
The company’s journey has not been without its struggles. In the early days, Kevin would travel to gun shows across West Virginia, selling ammunition and often sleeping at venues to save costs. The financial pressures were immense, but so was the Underwoods’ resolve. These experiences shaped the company and underscored their commitment to overcoming obstacles through perseverance and hard work.
Underwood Ammo is also committed to giving back to the community. They maintain strong ties with organizations such as Camp Freedom, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and local chapters of Friends of the NRA, along with supporting local community and sports team sponsorships.
As for brand ambassadors, Underwood Ammo values an energetic and enthusiastic community. The company has a structured process for selecting ambassadors, opening applications annually to align with their strategic goals and maintain a
genuine and passionate representation.
Underwood Ammo’s story resonates deeply with shooters nationwide who value not only the technical excellence of their ammunition but also the passionate endeavor of a family that turned their dream into a legacy. At Underwood Ammo, every round is a promise of quality – a commitment that Kevin, Beth and their team take very personally, ensuring that every customer’s next shot is their best shot.
Editor’s note: Find out more at underwoodammo.com.
Kevin and wife Beth made financial sacrifices, endured challenging living conditions and with sheer determination, made their dream come to reality.
In the early days, Kevin would travel to gun shows to sell their product.
The Underwood family.
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
FEDERAL INTRODUCES NEW LINES OF SHOOTING ACCESSORIES
Transporting long guns, ammunition and more to the range or field just got easier – and more stylish.
STORY BY LARRY CASE • PHOTOS COURTESY OF FEDERAL AMMUNITION
am sure most readers of American Shooting Journal have never done anything like this. You get to the range for a long-awaited day of shooting. You have been putting off getting here and you want to make the most of your time. You park the truck and
Ibegin the arduous task of getting all of your gear from the vehicle to the range. Scanning the back seat of the truck, for a second you think you might need a good pack mule to
transport everything. You begin by stuffing your shooting vest with items, while carrying three things in each hand, all while lugging three cased shotguns. Sound familiar? It’s OK, your intrepid shotgun editor is here to help.
Federal Ammunition recently added three new lines of gear and shooting
Federal Ammunition ambassador and professional shooter Josh Froelich puts his shotgun into the company’s new Field & Range shotgun case.
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
accessories: Premium, Field & Range, and Top Gun.
FIRST UP IS the Premium gear lineup, including shotgun and rifle cases, shell pouches and range bags. All are built with the finest materials, including 18-ounce waxed canvas, topquality zippers, leather accents, brass hardware and embossed leather logo patches. The line of accessories is now available at select dealers and online.
“The world leader in ammunition is now your go-to source for accessories too. We are excited and proud to bring a new lineup of all-new Premium gear to the marketplace,” said Dan Deeb, Federal’s director of shooting accessories. “Any sportsman or -woman can shoot in style with this new, greatlooking gear. It showcases the outdoor lifestyle and hunting heritage we all must celebrate and take pride in.”
Firearms cases feature quilted padding, up to 12 pounds of floatation, durable easy-slide lining, a doublepull zipper opening with leather tabs, an exterior accessory pocket, and an adjustable and removable carry sling. (That floatation part is important; ever seen a gun dropped in the water on a duck hunt? I have.)
The Premium gear product line includes six pieces: a shell pouch, a range bag, a 48-inch shotgun case, a 52-inch shotgun case, a 44-inch sporting rifle case and a 48-inch sporting rifle case. All are
decorated in an attractive, traditional tan color and have an MSRP ranging from $54.99 to $159.99, depending on the item.
ALSO NEW FROM Federal is the Field & Range lineup of accessories, including shotgun and scoped rifle cases.
“Our Field & Range firearms cases meet the mid-tier price level, and we offer either camouflaged or stylized gray gun cases in this new lineup,” said Jake Jacobs, Federal’s accessories product manager. Features include rugged, long-lasting fabric, protective foam padding that floats up to 12 pounds, durable fabric lining that lets
Froelich is able to transport all his gear to the shooting range with ease using Federal’s new line of cases and bags.
Break clays in style with the Federal Premium Shell Pouch. It features 18-ounce waxed canvas construction, leather accents, brass hardware and embossed leather logo patches.
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
the gun slide in easily, easy-to-grab double-pull zipper, padded web carry handle, easy-grab zippered accessory pocket with structured lid, and more.
The Field & Range product line includes four pieces: a 48-inch shotgun case in Realtree Max-7, a 52-inch shotgun case in Realtree Max-7, a 44inch scoped rifle case in gray, and a 48-inch scoped rifle case in gray. All feature black trim or accents and have
an MSRP of $59.99.
Additionally, the Federal Tri-Fold Gun Case folds down for easy storage and is built with rugged, long-lasting material that keeps firearms safe. This case protects firearms during transport without having to deal with bulky gear. It features protective foam padding, a fold-over flap with an adjustable quick-release buckle, durable fabric lining that lets the gun
slide in easily, an adjustable length sling with sliding pad, reinforced muzzle end, a D-ring hanging loop, and more. MSRP is $39 99
THE TOP GUN line of accessories features rugged, long-lasting fabric and webbound edges and handles that provide durability. Bags and pouches feature a padded back panel that provides structure and comfort. Firearm cases
Carry everything you need for a full day at the firing line with this tough and stylish Premium-line range bag.
Along with Federal’s new Premium gear lineup (top), the company has come out with its Top Gun line of accessories (bottom), which features rugged, long-lasting fabric and web-bound edges and handles that provide durability.
SCATTERGUN ALLEY
feature protective foam padding, single-pull zippers, large hanging loops and durable fabric lining that lets the gun slide in easily.
The Top Gun product line includes six pieces: a single box pouch, a combo shell hull bag, a range bag, a 52-inch shotgun case, a 40-inch scoped rifle case, and a 48-inch scoped rifle case. All are decorated in a tactical black color and have an MSRP ranging from $11.99 to $34.99, depending on the item.
Another option is the Federal Neoprene Gun Sleeve, which delivers excellent, discreet protection to keep long guns safe from the elements. Its 53-inch length fits most long guns, and the rugged ripstop stretch neoprene keeps them safe in any condition. It also features a drawcord closure, reinforced muzzle end and it rolls for easy, compact storage. MSRP is $34.99. For more on these products or to shop, see federalpremium.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. Field
•
•
The 9mm Kimber R7 Mako Tactical TFS (Threaded For Suppressor) is 0.55 inch longer than its sibling, the R7 Mako KDC (Kimber Daily Carry) and comes with 15-round extended magazines that give it the grip frame size of a full-size service pistol.
SHARK IN THE WATER
Kimber’s subcompact 9mm R7 Mako Tactical TFS is suited to being a concealed carry or full-size service pistol.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY FRANK JARDIM
In testing Kimber’s R7 Mako Tactical TFS, I discovered this versatile polymer-frame, strikerfired, 9mm subcompact stands out from the pack with outstanding accuracy, reliability, sights, and fully ambidextrous magazine release and slide lock release controls that operate with equal ease, left- or right-handed.
Kimber offers two basic versions of the R7 Mako that differ in frame style and barrel. The R7 Mako KDC (Kimber Daily Carry) is the concealment-oriented model, featuring a 3 37-inch barrel and frame with a proprietary mounting groove on the dust shield where you can attach a Viridian E Series targeting laser. The KDC comes with an 11-round,
The Tactical TFS model frame differs from the KDC frame with the addition of a section of Picatinny rail on the dust cover.
gun review
flush-fit floorplate, and a 13-round semipinky rear extended magazine. I’ve seen online retail prices as low as $423 for the KDC model, which is very competitive.
The R7 Mako Tactical TFS (Threaded For Suppressor) model is a more recent addition to the Mako line, oriented toward versatility with a 3.92inch threaded barrel and a standard Picatinny rail with a single anchoring slot molded into the dust cover allowing for numerous tactical light, targeting laser, or light/laser combo options. I couldn’t find a price online for the pistol alone, as Kimber (kimberamerica.com) commonly bundles their products, combining the gun with extra magazine, a holster, range bag and optics. I did find the Tactical TFS with iron sights
bundled with a holster and an extra 15-round extended mag for $590.
Both models are opticsready, available with and without optics installed, and have stainless steel slides with front and rear grasping grooves, stainless steel 1-in-10-inch-twist barrels, rugged steel 3-Dot TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights with orange front ring and white rear rings, and use 11-, 13- and 15-round magazines interchangeably.
Visually and dimensionally, the R7 Mako is similar to the Smith & Wesson Shield, though 0 10 inch thinner and 2.5 to 4 ounces heavier. The KDC has an overall length of 6.2 inches with its 3.37-inch barrel, and is 4.3 inches tall with iron sights and the 11-round standard flush-fit magazine. The Tactical TFS is 6 8 inches long with its threaded barrel and 5 3 inches tall with iron sights and a 15-round extended magazine.
R7 MAKO is among the larger subcompact 9mm pistols on the market. In contrast to the Springfield Armory Hellcat or Sig Sauer P365, the R7 Mako has a taller frame, a slightly taller and longer slide, and a longer barrel. Even though the R7 Mako is a bigger gun, that bulk is on top, which left me barely a two-finger grip on the frame when using the flush floorplate 11-round magazines ideal for concealed carry. It actually has slightly less finger space on the front strap than a Hellcat when the latter is fitted with its flush floorplate
THE
All R7 Mako pistols are optics-ready and available with factory-installed red dot optics.
The subcompact features steel 3-Dot TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights with orange front ring and white rear rings.
The grip, frame and magazine floorplate extensions are all aggressively stippled for a sure grip.
gun review
11-round magazine. However, the Kimber doesn’t feel top-heavy or clumsy. The frame is cut quite high for the thumb in the back, which when combined with the lower trigger guard angles the shooting hand grip downward in a manner similar to the S&W Shield. I like the Mako grip more because of its pronounced Waltherlike hump at the heel that helps to anchor it between the base of the thumb and the center of the palm. The grip is also extensively and aggressively stippled on all surfaces, as well as both sides of the frame. The tops of the magazine ejection buttons sit just below the surface of the grip frame in shallow depressions that protect them from accidental activation. The slide lock release levers are incorporated into a horizontal swell at the top of the frame that likewise shields them from accidental activation.
The slide features front and rear serrations and is sculpted at the front to make reholstering easier. Unlike most modern autoloading pistols, the R7 Mako ejection port isn’t open on two or three sides. It’s cut through the right side of the slide only. Though I initially worried that spent cases might get hung up as they tried to make their way out of the comparatively narrow opening, this
wasn’t the case. The pistol functioned flawlessly in my tests.
Though the right-side-only ejection port makes for a stronger slide, the main reason behind this design feature has to do with creating a less disruptive mechanism for the barrel and slide to go into and out of battery. Most of your modern, rectangular-slide, lockedbreech, tilting-barrel autoloading pistols lock into battery along a vertical joint formed by squaring off the upper front edge of the barrel chamber with a mating squared edge at the upper front of the slide’s ejection port. When the barrel tilts downward in recoil, the two surfaces are separated, allowing the slide to continue rearward alone.
By contrast, in the R7 Mako a rectangular locking lug protrudes from the top rear of the barrel chamber and mates with a matching cavity machined into the top of the slide. Consider that if you keep the unlocking cam under the barrel in the same place, the farther back the barrel/slide lock-up joint is moved, the less tilt is needed to break the joint. With its locking joint about an inch further to the rear than typical locked-breech guns, the R7 Mako barrel has noticeably less tilt when out of
Field stripped for cleaning.
The R7 Mako employs a large stainless steel central block to guide the slide, cam the barrel down to unlock the action and secure the frame to the slide. This, rather than the polymer frame, is the serialized part of the firearm.
The action locks into battery a bit differently from most modern autoloaders. The locking lug is at the top rear of the barrel chamber and mates into a cutout in the top of the slide.
Ambidextrous magazine release buttons and slide lock release buttons are shielded to prevent accidental activation.
The slide has front and rear grasping grooves and is sculpted at the nose for easy reholstering.
■ Embedded bar magnet for unmatched retention
■ Paddle backing for comfortable carry
■ Durable, custom molded leather construction
■ Enables smooth, one-handed draw
■ Precision fit for your pistol
■ Suitable for concealed or open carry
■ No straps or retention screws to get in the way
■ Works with pistols with steel frames
If you’re looking for a holster that keeps your pistol secure while allowing for a fast and smooth draw, the AlphaMag™ retention Holster is the perfect choice. The combination of magnetic hold and paddle design sets this holster apart, providing both next-level retention and comfort.
Black
Mahogany Brown
Gunfighter Brown
Saddle Tan Natural
gun review
battery, which, according to Kimber, translates into less felt recoil. For my part, I can’t say for sure. I’m not overly recoil-sensitive, and the R7 Mako grip angle and shape, heavy stippling, and the use of 15-round extended magazines that essentially create a full-size, roundbutt handgun grip all contributed something to this pistol’s excellent handling and controllability. It was exceptionally accurate too – among the best production guns I’ve ever tested.
All Mako pistols have a flat-faced, metal trigger designed for a 5- to 6.75-pound pull. The Tactical TFS model I put through its paces for this story had a good two-stage, 5.5-pound pull, with about a quarter inch of overall travel, more than half of it in the takeup of the first stage after depressing the trigger safety blade. The first stage exhibits gradual stacking, but the break comes quickly and crisply just after
the wall. Shooting fast, the trigger feels like a single-stage as you press right on through the takeup and the wall to the break. The flat face of the trigger also makes the pull feel lighter than it actually is.
My test gun was factory-equipped with a Holosun HS 407K red dot, which has a 4-MOA dot adjustable for brightness. Though the dot seemed large when I read the specifications, in actual use, with the brightness reduced, it presented like the planet Mars on a clear night. It was a perfectly round glowing red orb, with no distracting, star-like sparkling. I did all my testing with this optic.
FOR ACCURACY EVALUATION,
I fired five-shot groups at 25 yards from the bench on a Caldwell Pistolero rest using three different brands of premium self-defense ammunition and got excellent accuracy
and reliability from all of them. Frankly, I’ve tested many full-size service pistols that didn’t shoot as well as the R7 Mako. Federal Personal Defense Punch 9mm Luger 124-grain JHP shot the tightest groups, averaging 2 26 inches center-to-center and 1,122 feet per second with a standard deviation of 7. To increase reliability, the primers are sealed to better resist oil or moisture migration into the pocket that could desensitize them over time.
Remington Golden Saber 147-grain bonded hollowpoint features their patented soldered jacket that attaches to the bullet’s lead core on a molecular level, ensuring they don’t separate when penetrating barriers. The bonded, overlapping spiral-cut brass jacket controls expansion in the target. Cases are nickel-plated for smoother feeding and corrosion-resistance with waterproof sealing at primer pocket and case mouth. This subsonic load shot groups averaging 2.35 inches and 982 fps with a standard deviation of 9. It would be my choice using the R7 Mako with a suppressor.
Hornady Critical Defense 115-grain FTX JHP averaged a very respectable 2.94 inches and 1,124 fps with a standard deviation of 6, the lowest of the three loads tested. While the FTX bullet doesn’t expand and petal open quite as dramatically as some premium hollowpoints, it’s earned itself a record of enviable reliability through heavy clothing that would clog other hollowpoint bullets. The patented FTX bullet has a soft rubbery plug clenched inside the hollowpoint cavity by the starcrimped nose of the bullet jacket that prevents barrier materials from clogging the hollowpoint before it hits tissue.
The R7 Mako Tactical TFS is two guns in one. With an 11-round flush floorplate magazine, it’s almost as well suited to concealed carry as the KDC, which is 0.55 inch shorter. With a 15-round extended magazine, the addition of a tactical light and/or targeting laser, and a suppressor, the Tactical TFS is a better full-size service pistol than many full-size service pistols. ★
Author Frank Jardim’s notes from his accuracy evaluation using three different brands of premium selfdefense ammunition.
Crafted by:
Ryan and Kay Grizzle
TACTICAL TRAINING
Along
THE SCHOOL OF I.Z.O.F.
How to optimize and sustain your ability to operate at a high level when SHTF.
This article is inspired by a conversation I had just yesterday with a detective who engaged in an officerinvolved shooting.
The only important detail is that it was a rapid callout and not a planned event.
The conversation was around competitive shooting/fitness events, and out of the hour-long discussion, one offhanded sentence held so much
value that I decided to share it with you. The detective said, “I still had my fitness tracker on and checked my heart rate afterwards and there wasn’t even a spike.”
This got me thinking about my own combat experiences and while I do not have quantifiable data, I don’t remember getting an adrenaline spike or having an elevated heart rate just based off of running guns. But I do remember elevated heart rates due to physical activities during those times.
For a long time, the trend in tactical
training was “gross motor skills” based on heart rate. Stress shoots were all the rage and manipulations were based off caveman hands versus having fine motor skills. A little bit of analysis shows that the mental stress of just pure shooting does not raise your heart rate as much as people would want you to believe.
Physical activity – running, diving to the ground, sprints to cover – will spike the heart rate very rapidly. Adding a load such as armor, extra ammunition, less lethal ammo and
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ASH HESS
with training and practice, staying physically fit and eating well are key elements to being able to quickly reach and stay in what is known as the individual zone of optimal functioning, or IZOF.
TACTICAL TRAINING
other equipment just accelerates that heart rate increase. The answer is not on the range; it is in the gym and kitchen.
The analogy I use for both operations and competition is based on a tachometer, which measures the speed of an engine in revolutions per minute, or rpm. Just like humans, engines are built differently for different jobs. They make power and are efficient in certain rpm ranges. Sport bikes and Indy cars run in the 10,000-plus-rpm range and do not even start making power until 8,000
rpm. Diesel and V-twin engines power down around 3,000 rpm and run much slower. If the rpm is out of the proper range, it leads to either lack of power, breakdowns or extremely inefficient fuel use. Each of us has our own specific rpm range for our brain and heart rate. Our performance degrades rapidly when we are outside our power band.
MY SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST speaks about this frequently. In his book, Pineapple: The Mental Art of Marksmanship, Joe Plandowski discusses one’s
“Having
mental arousal in relation to high performance. Without butchering it, each of us has an individual zone of optimal functioning, or IZOF. Too low and you will be sluggish and easily distracted; too high and you will be rushed, unfocused and, as we used to be fond of saying, “outdriving your headlights.” You need to know and understand your IZOF to be able to perform at the highest levels on demand. Our detective from the beginning of this article was able to stay in his IZOF for the duration of the incident thanks to training, practice, experience and excellent fitness.
If you have been around high-level performers, you may have heard them talk about the “flow state,” another phrase for IZOF. Many of us have experienced it by accident; at some point in your life, there was a moment when everything just happened perfectly. Many describe the first time they hit this state as like an out-of-body experience. Your brain and body just perfectly executed the task with fluidity and grace. You do not feel as if you are steering, and it feels like autopilot. This comes from a combination of mental and physical arousal, training and practice.
If any one of these things comes out of balance, getting into the IZOF is hard and impossible to maintain. It is your responsibility to find ways to position yourself to be able to rapidly assume it and maintain the balance.
Getting into your IZOF or flow starts long before the shot takes place. You must be well trained and practiced in the tasks associated with it. Having to think about what you are doing will take cognitive load and pull your mental focus to that action. This takes time, dedication and focused effort. Having a written process such as a shot process will help make each practice session consistent and valuable.
Fitness also takes time to develop. You need to be able to do the tasks with the minimal amount of effort so as not to spike your heart rate and be able to recover quickly if you do need to exert
the best equipment that is maintained is vital for keeping in your IZOF,” writes author Ash Hess.
A chart pulled from the book Pineapple: The Mental Art of Marksmanship illustrates the concept of IZOF. (COURTESY OF JOSEPH PLANDOWSKI)
TACTICAL TRAINING
effort. Depending on your current condition, this could take a month or a year to get there. This is not about how you look but how much your heart rate raises for the event. Fitness and heart rate recovery also factor into how your body reacts when the fight mode kicks in. Being fit and able to fight, like our detective, will result in a smaller reaction to stimuli versus a body that is not prepared. Again, time, dedication and effort will need to happen long before you need it.
Nutrition is a factor in the hours and moments before the event.
Plandowski, the sports psychologist, is so practiced at observing competitors that he can see when they are running out of fuel. Learning how your body reacts to food and what it needs for optimal performance can take months of experimentation. We all know what some foods do to us, but being able to predict what you need and stay ahead of it is much harder. You cannot get
into flow if your stomach is growling, or your brain needs some fuel.
The last thing I will hit on is equipment. Having to deal with a malfunction, ammunition not flying as predicted or something held together with baling wire will cause your focus to shift. Having the best equipment that is maintained is vital for keeping in your IZOF. Having to switch focus back and forth between working on the gun and shooting the gun will be detrimental to your performance and cause extra stress at the worst possible time.
TO TIE THIS
all together, during the officerinvolved shooting incident I opened with, the detective had all these things in place – years of training, competing in fitness-based shooting events, the focus on fitness and nutrition – and the practice resulted in being able to instantly hit their IZOF on demand. This led to a lower heart rate and mental clarity when both of those things
separate life and death. While many of us are not gunfighters and hopefully will never be on a two-way range, the chances are never zero. We cannot just flip a switch and go from couch potato to warrior. We must prepare daily for an event that may never come.
If you are a gunfighter, spend time with a sports psychologist and be able to snap into flow on demand. Keep up with your fitness and never leave the house under-armed, underfed and unready.
Editor’s note: Ash Hess is a highly seasoned combat veteran of 22 years with four combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, totaling 52 months. His military training includes the US Army Master Marksman Trainer course, as well as rifle marksman instructor, urban combat leaders’, senior leaders’, army basic instructor, high-angle marksman and unit armor courses. He also wrote TC3-22.9, the Army’s marksmanship manual.
TEXAN HOLSTER WITH MAG AND FLASHLIGHT COMPATIBILITY
Self-Defense TRAINING
PREPARATION: KEY TO SURVIVAL IN COMBAT, COMPETITION
SurvivingManncontestants got by with a little help from some friends. Here is a look at a few of the show’s sponsors.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA
For most of human history, one didn’t have a choice; one had to be prepared in order to survive. Your life, the lives of your family and tribe, and the very preservation of society depended on it. Part of that preparation meant you
had to be good at two things: fighting and hunting, and the two skills were tightly intertwined. Defeating an enemy in battle led to the survival of the tribe and the continuation of the bloodline, and the tools and tactics developed to defeat rivals were also used in the quest for sustenance.
“The reason each and every one of us is alive today is the martial prowess and
Mike Glover (right), author of Prepared: A Manual for Surviving Worst-Case Scenarios, with Don Mann on the set of Surviving Mann
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
hunting abilities of our ancestors. The tools have evolved, but the reasons to be proficient in their use have not.” These are the words of Jack Carr, the famous former Navy SEAL turned bestselling author and creator of the hit TV show The Terminal List. Carr also wrote the foreword to the book Prepared: A Manual for Surviving Worst-Case Scenarios by Green Beret/CIA operator Mike Glover.
Disasters and calamities are equal opportunists; they don’t care about your wealth, social status or how nice a person you are. The question is, are you prepared for either one in your life?
In the inside cover of Prepared, Glover states, “Being prepared is not about fearing crises; it is about creating more resilient habits, so you are ready for whatever comes your way.”
Being prepared means being mentally prepared and having the necessary tools to get by in life.
IN PREVIOUS ISSUES of American Shooting Journal, we have covered the competition show Surviving Mann, starring former SEAL Team 6 member Don Mann. The show featured several sponsors that centered around the theme of preparedness. One that stood out to me was Viktos (viktos.com), which donated clothing to the competitors.
Viktos sells tactical lifestyle apparel. The company has a wide range of
tactical clothing that’s perfect for the job when the crap hits the fan, including shirts, pants, shorts, belts, shoes, jackets, gloves, hats, bags and more. Viktos has what you need to be prepared.
On the first day of shooting Surviving Mann, the set was flooded with rain and the Viktos gear held up to the task. The clothing also
received quite a workout in many of the contestants’ events, from rope climbing to land navigation to tug-ofwar contests. Viktos was surely put to the test and passed with flying colors.
Another sponsor that caught my attention was Byrna Technologies (byrna.com), a company that advertises itself as “the leader in less
Clothing donated by Viktos was put to the test during the competition show Surviving Mann
Less lethal firearms supplied by Byrna Technologies were used in demos and during training for the show.
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
lethal self defense.”
It should be no surprise to the readers of American Shooting Journal that I am, first and foremost, a firearms and selfdefense instructor trainer. So whenever I see new technology out there that may prevent the death or injury of anyone involved in a deadly-force encounter, I become very interested in that product. Byrna has an assortment of equipment, including pistols and rifles, that work off of CO2 cartridges that shoot chemical irritant rounds, which also have paincompliance deterrents included. I was amazed by the accuracy and the range
that these rounds were able to reach. So here you have a product that works as a chemical irritant, and being hit by their ammo not only makes the bad guy choke and their eyes water but also stings the heck out of them. From a legal standpoint, that would be hard to beat in court.
I was also intrigued by Byrna’s training rounds, which were used in both training and demonstrations on Surviving Mann. Once again, as a firearms trainer, I saw the benefits right away. The shooters still had all the fundamentals of weapons training,
and they saw immediate results in their hits on target, which gave them solid feedback and confidence. For less lethal tools, Byrna has got you covered.
AMERICA WAS FOUNDED by men who were prepared for dangerous situations, and as such had excellent rifles. The rifle is still an absolute necessity to have in one’s inventory to be prepared for all things dangerous, but in today’s market, picking out a rifle can be an extremely difficult task due to how many manufacturers are out there. One company that impressed me very much on Surviving Mann was T6 Firearms (t6firearms.com). T6 Firearms is a family-owned business that is well stocked on all things related to building an AR rifle from the ground up, with the most important factor being their price point.
T6 Firearms has a wide range of already-built firearms in all kinds of calibers. I really enjoy their GOAT Enforcer series, a TCS Match Grade 308 rifle that, when combined with the Olympus 9 TCS Barrel adapter, has almost no felt recoil. The same model in 5.56 has zero recoil, which makes for great shooting all the way around. In fact, it’s so great that my wife wants one of her own, and you know what they say: Happy wife, happy life. I think that is a heck of an endorsement on its own!
The final sponsor I will mention comes from my home state of Florida. It used to be that the best states for firearms training were Arizona and Nevada, but I am proud to say that the Sunshine State is now an equal competitor in this field. While Surviving Mann went to three different firearms locations that were all great, one has become the premier training facility in the country, and that is West Orlando Firearms Training (woft.com).
The brainchild of Philip Toppino, WOFT is “designed to offer tailored education, personalized training, and hands-on coaching rooted in real-world scenarios,” according to the website. In addition to the many pistol and rifle shooting ranges, students are also able
Highly regarded by the author, T6 Firearms rifles were used during competition. Above, Junior World Shooting Champion Martin Reyna tests one before the competitors took over.
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
to experience simulated gunfighting scenarios, including armed robberies in a restaurant, carjacking, low-light scenarios and more. Featuring state-ofthe-art live fire ranges, an impressive close-quarter battle shoot house, and much more, I believe no one in the country can match this kind of training.
WOFT deserves an entire article to highlight its awesomeness, but due to space constraints, I will leave it at that. Hopefully the pictures included in this article will be sufficient for now.
As mentioned earlier in this article,
Glover’s book Prepared should be required reading on how to be ready for surviving worst-case scenarios, and his company, Fieldcraft Survival (fieldcraftsurvival.com) is one of the best sources for equipment and training of its kind. Both are highly recommended!
Editor’s note: Author Paul Pawela is a nationally recognized firearms and self-defense expert. For his realistic self-defense training, see assaultcountertactics.com.
Philip Toppino, WOFT CEO and founder.
At the West Orlando Firearms Training facility, competitors engaged in impressive close-quarter battle shoot houses that simulate different scenarios like armed robberies and carjacking. WOFT also has accommodations it can offer to guests.
TACTICAL TRAINING
‘SQUARE RANGE MENTALITY’ VERSUS THE REAL WORLD
Effective training uses a holistic approach to blend technical proficiency with mental preparedness.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY GRACIELA CASILLAS
midst concern over violent crime rates and a tense political landscape, the demand for firearms training is surging. However, the critical question remains: Do these training programs truly equip participants for real-world threats,
Aor merely hone marksmanship skills?
Rich Kluck, a seasoned voice in the field, warns against what he terms the “square range mentality” – a narrow approach that, in his view, could potentially prove fatal in a crisis.
For those unfamiliar with Kluck, he is a graduate from Executive Security International with top honors, also earning the title of Top Shooter. Kluck later served as a firearms instructor
at ESI for 15 years. He received the R.L. Gillmouthe Outstanding Shooter Award in 1996 while serving as a drill instructor at the former Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in Oregon, the state in which he is certified as an adjunct instructor for dignitary protection units and as an NRA Law Enforcement handgun and shotgun instructor. He was certified by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office in
Firearms instructor and self-defense trainer Rich Kluck (center) leads a shooting drill.
TACTICAL TRAINING
handgun safety and founded TRIAD, which stands for Training Regime Incorporating Aggressive Disciplines, in 2005, an officially recognized martial art. Kluck also designed the Practical Gunfighting Concepts program at Josephine County Sportsman Association in 2014, focusing on enhancing tactical awareness and weapon handling skills. He was sworn in as a special deputy in 2015 and has received specialized training in armed defense and close-quarters combat. And since 1995, Kluck has also operated The Fifth Profession, providing protection services and training to various agencies and operational groups, foreign and domestic.
IN A RECENT interview with Kluck, he delved into the evolution of firearms training over the years and its effectiveness in preparing civilians for armed defense scenarios. “When evaluating the quality of training,”
Kluck emphasizes, “one must scrutinize the instructor. Whether it’s martial arts, survival skills or firearms, authenticity is paramount. Anything less compromises your investment.”
Kluck’s critique extends beyond technical proficiency to the mindset crucial in life-threatening situations. He underscores the disparity between flawless static range performances and the chaotic reality of a gunfight. “Achieving ‘optimum times’ on a range,” Kluck argues, “does not simulate the adrenalized response demanded in a genuine threat scenario.”
Reflecting on televised heroics versus the gritty unpredictability of real-life confrontations, Kluck challenges the allure of sensational feats versus practical readiness. “We must acknowledge that surviving a gunfight rarely means emerging unscathed,” he asserts. “Human responses are flawed and unpredictable, far from the scripted heroics often portrayed.”
IN DISSECTING THE essence of effective training, Kluck advocates for a holistic approach that blends technical proficiency with mental preparedness. “It’s not about being awestruck by flashy skills,” he muses, “but about developing a mindset that ensures actions are ethical and legal.”
Central to Kluck’s philosophy is the principle of informed choice and critical self-assessment. “Whether training recreationally or practically,” he reflects, “one must question if it truly enhances survivability in crisis. Skill acquisition should mirror reality, not merely inflate ego.”
Addressing the community of dedicated practitioners, Kluck scrutinizes the balance between enjoyment and proficiency. “Do we train for fun or for life-saving proficiency?” he challenges. “Both have merit, yet the latter demands disciplined focus and consistent practice.”
Drawing parallels to everyday decisions and their life-or-death implications, Kluck invokes the responsibility inherent in carrying firearms. “Just as we weigh risks in everyday choices,” he contends, “so too must we prepare rigorously for scenarios where quick thinking and precise action are paramount.”
In conclusion, Kluck advocates
Kluck instructs as author Graciela Casillas performs a walking and shooting drill.
Trainees run at the beginning of a drill.
TACTICAL TRAINING
for a nuanced approach to firearms training, one that transcends the allure of spectacle to prioritize practical readiness and ethical responsibility.
“The goal,” he concludes, “is not proficiency for its own sake, but a preparedness that respects the gravity of wielding lethal force.” ★
Editor’s note: Author Graciela Casillas is a certified personal protection specialist who works as a staff instructor with Executive Security International bodyguard school (esibodyguardschool .com). She is also an advanced firearms trainer and has worked with many world-class firearms instructors. She has authored many articles on the subject for various publications and holds a bachelor’s degree in law and society, master’s degrees in education and physical education, and lifetime teaching credentials in psychology.
In another shooting drill, participants use their left hand as a supportive post.
Kluck demonstrates how to perform left-handed shooting to minimize exposure by using the engine block, wheel and axle for cover ...
.... And fetal left-handed shooting using the same vehicular components as protection.
MAKING THE CUT
MY BACKSTORY
Lifetime spent studying hand-to-hand combat, teaching those skills offers unique chance to talk knives.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA
hen I tell you, the readers of American Shooting Journal, how honored I am to have this column, Making the Cut, on all things knife-related, I mean it. As such, I owe you the story of how it all came to be. It is not just about me, but also the many great legends who helped me get to this point.
WAs you may already know, I come from a family of combat veterans, including my dad, who was an 82nd
Airborne paratrooper commando in World War II. The man never talked about combat until I was an adult and two years into my military service. My dad realized that I was interested in martial arts at an early age, so at 10, he started training me in hand-to-hand combatives, which he was taught during the war. At the time, I did not understand that everything he was showing me from an empty-hand standpoint would later become useful in knife training.
I would learn that lesson later on in life. At 17, I enlisted in the United States Army as a combat engineer; my first duty assignment took me to Fort Bragg, North
After years of training from the very best, author Paul Pawela has become a grandmaster, inducted into many martial arts halls of fame and is recognized as one of the top knife instructors in the country.
Pawela’s dad Marion started teaching Paul at age 10 the basics of hand-to-hand combat.
MAKING THE CUT
Carolina, which was coincidental because I was reading Black Belt magazine religiously. I was obsessed with a special operations trainer whose specialty was the knife. His name was Michael D. Echanis and he was a legend in the special operations community. Having bought all his books before heading to Fort Bragg, I learned that one of the men he worked closely with was a man who was now assigned to Special Forces.
Not knowing military protocols, I introduced myself to Sergeant First Class Gary O’Neal, who was already a special forces legend. I told him I wished to study with him in all types of modern warfare, and he promptly threw me out of his office and told me if I wanted to train with him, I should become a Green Beret. Not one to be rejected so easily, I would continue to be a pain in O’Neal’s buttocks by constantly asking him to
train me; he finally got so upset he broke a chair on his desk. At that point, I was in a fighting position. He looked at me and asked me what I was doing. I promptly said, “I guess I’m starting my training with you right now.”
He found that very amusing, and I’ve been training with him now for over 40 years. He is a Ranger Hall of Famer, grandmaster and a tenth dan who wrote the military manual for sentry removal. He was instrumental in writing manuals on hand-to-hand combat for Special Forces.
Through O’Neal, I was introduced to many Special Forces icons, legends and great men who showed me something about shooting and knife fighting. I am proud to say that I received training from Sergeant Major Vladimir Jakovenko (a Son Tay raider and an instructor under Echanis) and Sergeant Major Santos
Matos, a Delta Force stormtrooper. Later in life, O’Neal would train me and introduce me to other military legends and martial artists. One such legend was Sergeant Major Billy Waugh. Waugh spent 25 years in Special Forces, and eight of those years with MACV-SOG, one of Vietnam’s most highly decorated secret special operations units. After retiring from Special Forces, he would go on to have another incredible career, serving with the CIA for another 25 years. He successfully helped capture the number one terrorist at the time, Carlos the Jackal, and would be instrumental in hunting down Osama bin Laden.
DURING MY TENURE at Fort Bragg, now renamed Fort Liberty, I changed military jobs. I became a support element with Joint Special Operations
Gary O’Neal
Leo Gaje
Allen Elishewitz
Many of the instructors, trainers and experts who helped Pawela on his path.
Billy Waugh
Ed Lawson
Stephen Hayes
Dan Inosanto
Kelly Worden
Mike Pick
Bram Frank
Ernest Emerson
Rainer Schulte
Graciela Casillas
Mike Janich
Sean Kelley
MAKING THE CUT
Command, or JSOC, which not only introduced me to more Delta Force operators but also to many SEAL Team 6 operators, all of whom I would get the high honor of training with. And around the same time I was working with JSOC, I was introduced to another man who influenced and changed my life, Larry Hartsell, a student of martial arts legend Bruce Lee and kenpo Grandmaster Ed Parker.
Hartsell introduced me to the nucleus of Lee’s jeet kune do community with one of Lee’s best friends and senior students, Dan Inosanto. A master of many different martial arts, Inosanto was solely responsible for popularizing the Filipino martial arts of arnis, kali and eskrima in the United States. I would study these styles intensely for the next 35-plus years with some of the greatest legends of all time, including Inosanto himself, as well as Richard Bustillo, Ted Wong, Ted Lucaylucay, Tim Tackett, Paul
Vunak (trainer to SEAL Team 6), threetime world champion Graciela Casillas, Grandmaster (GM) Remy Presas, GM Bram Frank, GM Edgar Sulite, GM Leo Gaje, GM Ed Lawson, GM Kelly Worden, Master Mike Janich, Master Lynn Thompson, Master Steve Tarani, Master Ernest Emerson, Master Allen Elishewitz and Master Tom Sotis.
Over the years, I have sought out other martial arts that emphasize study, including ninjutsu, which I have had the honor of studying with GM Stephen Hayes, Bud Malmstrom and Cliff Lenderman. I spent a year in Korea, training in kuk sool won, and I was also honored to train with the Korean Marine Corps. Years later, I would be honored to train with kenpo GMs Mike Pick, Sean Kelley and Rainer Schulte.
ALONG THE WAY, on a journey that has covered over 50 years, I have managed to be recognized as a grandmaster in the martial arts world. I have also been
inducted into four martial arts halls of fame and the International Close Combat Instructor Association.
I have also been honored to be recognized as one of the top knife instructors in the country. I have been blessed to teach knives to all branches of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies throughout the country, and eight different countries’ militaries. I continue my education by training as a student and an instructor.
I am not at all bragging about these accolades. All praise goes to those great people who put the time and effort into training me. That is what I am doing: honoring those great people. And to you, dear readers, I hope and pray I “make the cut” with you! ★
Author’s note: This article is dedicated to the people who influenced me the
ROOKIE COP’S BRAVERY RECOGNIZED
NYPD officer involved in deadly shootout with copkiller also promoted to detective.
During tactical firearms training, police officers are trained to stop the threat. This begins in the police academy and is a constant theme throughout an officer’s career.
Officers are not taught to “shoot to kill” in the same way that they are not trained to intentionally wound an armed suspect. They are trained to
use only the force that is necessary to stop the threat to the community, their fellow officers and themselves.
In the society we live in today, the difference between injuring an armed suspect and killing one can have a significant impact on an officer’s career, their financial liability and their personal freedom. In every jurisdiction, there are so-called experts who lie in wait, coming forward after an officerinvolved shooting and then pursuing
involved officers and their respective departments.
There are “civil” attorneys who, seeing the opportunity for a quick buck, will sue law enforcement agencies and, in certain instances, the officers themselves. There are overzealous or politically motivated prosecutors who will criminally charge officers, even in a clear-cut case of self-defense in a use-of-force situation. Then there are the social justice and police reform advocates
STORY BY NICK PERNA • PHOTO COURTESY OF DETECTIVES’ ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION
Officer Sumit Sulan (center), pictured here with Detectives’ Endowment Association president-elect Scott Munro (left), was awarded with the New York Police Department’s Medal of Honor for his bravery in 2022 after two fellow officers were gunned down by a “career criminal” during a domestic dispute check.
L.E. SPOTLIGHT
who are automatically critical of any use of force, regardless of what the circumstances surrounding the event were. The decision to pull the trigger, a decision made in nanoseconds, is an extremely difficult one that has a myriad of potential negative outcomes.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE some use-of-force circumstances that even the most critical, anti-law enforcement person cannot argue against. On January 21, 2022, New York Police Department officers were called out to a domestic dispute in Harlem. Officers Wilbert Mora, Jason Rivera and Sumit Sulan responded to the scene.
They were confronted by the suspect, Lashawn McNeil, who was armed with a loaded handgun. The encounter took place in a narrow hallway in an apartment complex. When officers attempted to contact McNeil, he flung open the door to his bedroom and began firing at the
officers. This resulted in Officers Mora and Rivera being struck by bullets from McNeil’s weapon.
This left Officer Sulan – a rookie at the time – as the only cop who had not been hit. McNeil was advancing on him, still armed with the handgun. Officer Sulan fired his service weapon at McNeil, incapacitating him.
Unfortunately, Officers Mora and Rivera did not survive their injuries. They were the third and fourth officers shot in New York that week.
The weapon McNeil used was a stolen .45-caliber Glock with a 40-round drum-type magazine. In New York City, it is illegal to possess a firearm without a valid license. As with some other American cities, firearms laws can seem like they target only law-abiding citizens, not criminals. McNeil, who died later at a hospital, was described as a “career criminal,” just one of many suspects I’ve written about in this column who should
have been rotting away in prison, as opposed to being on the street, free to commit crimes and kill people.
On June 21 of this year, Officer Sulan received the NYPD’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions on that day. He also received a promotion to the rank of detective.
Officer Sulan’s actions in 2022 won’t bring back Officer Mora or Officer Rivera, but it will prevent a predator like McNeil from hurting anyone ever again.
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.
MEET DALE COMSTOCK
In a world where bad guys lurk around many a corner, it's good to have an 'American Badass' on our side.
STORY BY PAUL PAWELA
COURTESY OF DALE COMSTOCK
As a former career noncommissioned officer, I have had the honor of meeting many excellent military heroes who served our nation with pride. I am very proud to present Dr. Dale Comstock to the readers of American Shooting Journal
Comstock’s commitment to serving the United States is unparalleled. He has dedicated over 35 years of his life to combatting US enemies worldwide. His service in every military war campaign, from Grenada to the present conflicts, as a frontline combat soldier directly engaging our nation’s greatest enemies is a testament to his patriotism and inspiration to us all.
His military career is marked by diversity. Comstock has served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, a Delta Force operator, a Special Forces Green Beret and a CIA paramilitary contractor. His varied roles reflect the breadth and depth of his military experience. He was the youngest person to be selected to become a Delta Force operator at the age of 24 years old. He served with Delta Force for 10 years as an assault team leader and explosive expert. Comstock was the explosive breacher on Delta’s first successful hostage rescue, Kurt Muse at the Cárcel Modelo prison in Panama, code
MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
PHOTOS
Dale Comstock as photographed to promote his 2013 book American Badass
MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
named Operation Acid Gambit. Comstock’s combat tours include Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury), Panama (Operation Just Cause), Iraq (Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom), Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom), and Yemen.
For his service, he has been honored with a Bronze Star with a “V” device for valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with a “V” device for valor, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Army commendation medal (three awards), and many, many more.
BEYOND THE MILITARY, Comstock’s career has been long and varied. First, his education. He has a doctorate degree in natural health and alternative medicine, a master’s in business and organized security management, and a baccalaureate in education. He is fluent in German and has a working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.
Comstock is a certified locksmith, a driving instructor for both evasive and defensive off-road drivers, a firearms and close-quarter battle instructor, and
a professional canine trainer, handler and combat tracker. He even introduced the K9 training program to Delta Force.
In addition, he has a sixth-degree black belt in American open karate and extension fighting from renowned military martial arts legend James “Smokey” West and a first-degree black belt in jujitsu. He is also a former professional boxer, kickboxer and MMA fighter.
Comstock also works as an actor, stuntman and reality TV personality in Hollywood, and is highly sought after as a motivational speaker. He is also still a competitive athlete in his early 60s, and states that the reason he competes is that he refuses to let age define him. His approach to autogenic conditioning and to mental and physical conditioning was not
learned in a technical college or even in the Army, even though his service record in the latter makes general officers jealous. He learned his craft the old-fashioned way, through blood, sweat and tears, and many years in the gladiators’ arena.
In 2013, he released his book, American Badass: The true story of a modern day Spartan, which is the story of his life from childhood to that point. It should be required reading for every high school senior who has ambitions to join the military or to succeed in life in general.
Comstock in his Department of the Army photo when he was being considered for E-9 promotion.
For actions in Operation Acid Gambit in Panama, Comstock received a combat valor medal.
MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
COMSTOCK’S PATRIOTISM FOR this great country is in his blood. His father was a veteran, and now his son is continuing the Comstock legacy as a Special Forces soldier. Comstock is a man of many hats. While his enemies fear him as a dangerous foe, the people closest to him know him as a man dedicated to a lifelong pursuit of love – a love for his creator, a love for his country, a love for his family, and a love for life.
In American Badass, Comstock had this to say about what makes Delta Force operators larger than life: “Operators tend to be predominantly conservative, religious men that put God, country and family first. We are motivated by the glory of combat, we are not afraid to fight and eagerly go to battle because we are empowered by righteousness, courage, training and honor.”
This country owes a great deal of gratitude to Comstock and his brethren; we hope we have done our part to recognize that in these pages.
In his post-Army life, Comstock has provided contract services abroad.
BLACK POWDER
CAN'T STOP CUNNIFF!
A repeat winner does it again at shooting club's fun multi-contest Buffalo Camp.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT
One part about our Buffalo Camp that is getting to be rather repetitive is that Allen Cunniff has won the Little Quigley Match again. He’s placed first in the black powder cartridge contest put on by the Black River Buffalo Runners at the Capitol City Rifle & Pistol Club near Olympia, Washington, now for the fourth year in a row.
This year he used a new rifle, a ’74 Sharps sporting rifle by C. Sharps Arms in .40-65 caliber, with paperpatched bullets. Allen is certainly a serious shooter, and he practices more – and probably more seriously – than most of us. With his .40-65, he shot a score of 180; that’s 18 hits out of 20 shots. The only time a better score has been turned in was a couple of years ago when Allen managed to make 19 hits in the same course of fire. That’s good doin’s for Allen, and his practice
Kyle Kirkpatrick fires his .45-70 over cross-sticks at a 200-yard target during a shooting contest at a western Washington black powder cartridge club’s Buffalo Camp.
Allen Cunniff, top shooter again this year, winning two of three matches – one by a whisker.
BLACK POWDER
certainly pays off.
The components for Allen’s .40-65 loads included Starline cases filled with 63 grains of Swiss 1½ Fg powder, topped with a .060-inch Walters’ wad, and finished off with a 393-grain bullet (Accurate Molds’ No. 40-385P). The bullet was cast from a 20:1 lead-tin alloy, then wrapped with 9-pound onionskin paper, bought from Buffalo Arms, and ignited with CCI standard large pistol primers. That has to be a fine combination.
Second in the Little Quigley Match was a Buffalo Camp first-timer, Jerry Johnson, shooting a Shiloh Sharps in .45-70 caliber. Jerry got 16 hits for a score of 160. And in third place was Tom Witt. Tom started shooting in Buffalo Camp a couple of years ago, but this year he used his .4590 Sharps rifle by C. Sharps Arms with paper-patched bullets, which was a first for him. His score was a very respectable 150 for his 15 hits on those tough-to-hit targets. Mike Holeman also got 15 hits in the Little Quigley Match but Tom’s tiebreaker was just too good to beat.
We’ll be watching for Mike to place in next year’s match. We had some other new shooters this year and they certainly should be mentioned. Larry Litten joined us and so did my
Kyle Kirkpatrick. Kyle came from Idaho, cutting his teeth on Sharps shooting rather nicely, getting 12 good hits in the Little Quigley Match. He also used paper-patched bullets in his .45-70, a rather lightweight Sharps sporting rifle. Larry was just one hit behind Kyle with 11, which is really a very good start.
How about my own shooting? While using my .50-70 Sharps, the gun I call my “Moonbeam,” I got my lowest score
ever and it was also the lowest score fired in this year’s Little Quigley Match out of 16 registered shooters. I’ll have to work on that ...
FOLLOWING THE LITTLE Quigley Match, we had the Meat Hunt. In this event, we shoot at animal-shaped steel targets on the black powder trail. Again, Allen’s name was at the top of the list. Allen hasn’t won the Meat Hunt every year, but he has won it for the last three in a
Author Mike Nesbitt’s rifle for his club’s Little Quigley Match was his .50-70 by C. Sharps Arms.
nephew,
Nesbitt used this Model ’73 in .44-40 for the Meat Hunt.
The 200-yard “buffalo” target, part of the Meat Hunt trail shoot.
BLACK POWDER
For the Black Powder Revolver
row, including this one, with his Uberti copy of the old Henry rifle shooting .4440 cartridges with black powder loads.
But that was a tight race because Bob DeLisle, shooting his Model 1892 Winchester Short Rifle in .32-20 caliber, tied Allen, both with perfect scores. The tie was settled with the tiebreaker, which was one shot at a small target right on the scorecard, where both Bob and Allen shot 9s. Those two shots had to be measured to see which one was closest to center and Allen won. We don’t often get two shooters acing the Meat Hunt at the same time.
Tom placed third in the Meat Hunt, shooting his copy of a ’73 Winchester in .44-40 caliber. Tom missed only one of the 15 targets but his score was tied by two other shooters, Mike Holeman and Cody Mehr. Again, the tiebreaker shots had to be reviewed and Tom’s came out on top.
My shooting on the Meat Hunt was certainly better than my Little Quigley score, using my Uberti ’73 with the 30-inch barrel in .44-40. But my 13 hits weren’t even considered for placement. Actually, we had eight shooters all scoring 100 points or more. That’s some good shooting
because the Meat Hunt is not a particularly easy course.
THEN CAME THE Black Powder Revolver Match and some of the shooters were wondering if I’d be able to ace this match again with my Uberti copy of the Smith & Wesson #3 New Model in .44 Russian. Let me admit that I tried, but my chances for getting a perfect score again this year ended at only the second target. That was the first rabbit, which must be shot at with a one-hand hold. My guess is that I shot over its back, missing completely. In addition to that, I missed two more targets, finishing the pistol trail with seven hits.
Mike Moran won the match, using a Ruger Vaquero chambered in .45 Colt, with eight hits, and Jim Haeckel did well in getting seven hits. Once again, the tiebreakers were reviewed and Jim’s hit was just a fuzz closer than mine, so Jim took second place with the six-guns.
New for this year, the scores from the Black Powder Cartridge Revolver Match were included in the aggregate. That was the decision of our match director, Tom Brown. Previously, the revolver scores were not included in
the aggregate because not all of our shooters had the revolvers to use, but this year all shooters did participate in the revolver match.
Also, having a black powder cartridge revolver isn’t completely necessary. Cody shot the revolver match with a muzzleloading percussion pistol. “Two-Gun” Tom shot the match with a pair of Colt Walker copies, hitting with all five shots out of one of his guns and missing with all five shots from the other. Tom did hit the “mini moon” target with one of his shots, which required a one-hand hold. And Jerry tried his Colt 1851 Navy copy on the trail, but needs more practice using it at the longer ranges common on the revolver trail.
SOME SPECIAL MENTION must go to Joel Miles, who came to this match from Idaho. Joel didn’t stay for the whole weekend, leaving soon after the Little Quigley Match was done. He had to hit the trail to another such doin’s, the big cartridge shoot down by Bend, Oregon, where he did well in getting a number of hits on the buffalo at 1,200 yards! But before Joel left, he gave our club a fine gift, a gong complete with a
Match, the author favors this S&W copy in .44 Russian.
BLACK POWDER
stand. Thank you, Joel, we’ll be using that gong for sure. (Actually, as this is being written, we already have!)
The list of Buffalo Camp prize contributors grew a little bit, too, and you might recognize some of the names: C. Sharps Arms, SPG Sales, The Single Shot Exchange, John Walters, Wolfe Publishing Company, Accurate Molds, October Country, Mike Nesbitt, Jerry Mayo, Ironhorse Industries (Snake Oil), Bob DeLisle, Allen Cunniff, Eric Boos and Will Ulry. Prizes are awarded to the top three shooters in each of the events. Then, after those shooters have picked or received their prizes, the aggregate list is read from the top to the bottom, with each shooter selecting a prize from the generous donations in order of their score.
The next Buffalo Camp will take place in May 2025. Contact Capitol City R&P Club or find out more information by visiting ccrpclub.org. ★
