A M ERIC AN
SHOOTING JOURNAL Volume 11 // Issue 1 // October 2021 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andy Walgamott OFFICE MANAGER / COPY EDITOR Katie Aumann LEAD CONTRIBUTOR Frank Jardim CONTRIBUTORS Jason Brooks, Larry Case, Scott Haugen, Tony Leingang, Phil Massaro, Mike Nesbitt, Paul Pawela, Nick Perna SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Jim Klark, Kelley Miller, Mike Smith DESIGNER Lesley-Anne Slisko-Cooper PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Kelly Baker WEBMASTER / INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines, Jon Ekse INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES ads@americanshootingjournal.com
ON THE COVER Jason Brooks, who writes about lightweight hunting rifles in this issue, bagged this nice Idaho mule deer buck with his Savage Lightweight Hunter in 7mm-08. (JASON BROOKS)
Pistol Bullets and Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.
ZER 10
American Shooting Journal // October 2021
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CONTENTS COVER STORY
INCREASING ACCURACY IN LIGHTWEIGHT HUNTING RIFLES True, modern manufacturing and materials mean that today’s backcountry rifles are accurate right out of the package, but you still need to put in the work of learning how to shoot them correctly. In the final part of his three-part series on lightweight rifles, Jason Brooks details how to master their stronger kick, louder boom and more.
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VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 1
MORE FEATURES
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ACE IN TWO WORLDS You know Doug Koenig as one of the greatest pistol shooters of our time, given the 80-plus championships to his name, but did you know he’s also finding success in the Precision Rifle Series? We chatted with the legend to see what he likes about Production Division and more!
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BULLET BULLETIN: IN PRAISE OF THE BEAR CLAW’S SON Federal’s Trophy Bonded Tip – a descendant of the company’s Bonded Bear Claw – is “overlooked by much of the hunting community, and that’s a real shame.” So says Phil Massaro, who has an appreciation for this all-around versatile bullet that he put through its paces during a recent Namibian safari.
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ROADHUNTER: THE CRITICAL MOMENTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SHOT Knowing how your quarry may react to a shot before you squeeze the trigger is just as important a part of hunting as is being able to quickly locate and field dress your kill. Scott Haugen shares how to make the most out of the moments right before and after you shoot.
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FIRE IN THE MOUNTAINS “If there is a bright spot in the darkness that is declining hunter numbers these days, it is fathers and children like” the bear hunters of central West Virginia, writes Larry Case. He tags along with Todd Clemens and son Cade, 13, and Kish Justice and son Anse, 11, on an exciting Mountain State hunt. And Case also reviews the Sig Sauer Cross Rifle they used.
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UNIFORM RESULTS Tony Leingang of Outdoors For Our Heroes details the stories of six war-disabled Army veterans who enjoyed a highly successful bucket-list Alaska moose hunt last month, bagging a half-dozen very nice bulls.
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HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL, PART II Looking to ship your handguns, rifles or other weapons from your state to another? Nick Perna follows up his article last issue on flying with firearms with a rundown on options from FFL dealers to the US Postal Service to UPS.
(JASON BROOKS)
AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South, Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2021 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.
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American Shooting Journal // October 2021
CONTENTS 117 LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT: NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES. SOME WEAR COLLARS Who’s a good boy – not to mention bad-ass crime stopper? Nick Perna shares the story of Argo, the Fresno, California, Police Department canine who sustained multiple stab wounds capturing a domestic violence suspect holding a woman against her will – and was also back on the job just two weeks later! 119 SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING: WHAT THE OK CORRAL GUNFIGHT TAUGHT ME Paul Pawela is a serious student of all things self-defense and this issue he looks at deadly-force encounter training through the lens of that famous Old West clash in Tombstone, Arizona. 127 BLACK POWDER: SO THAT’S THE REASON FOR THE RULE ... When a spark lingered in his barrel as he poured powder for the next shot, it led to an aha moment for muzzleloader Mike Nesbitt – and a good range safety lesson for the rest of us.
Company Spotlights 101 Alford Designs, stylish concealed carry options for women 113 Nutmeg Sports, custom Colt grips, exquisite engraving on tap 123 Kusiak Leather, holsters with baked-in quality and value
(PAUL PAWELA)
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DEPARTMENTS 19 21 23 105
Gun Show Calendar Competition Calendar Precision Rifle Series Calendar, Recent Match Results Gift Guide
americanshootingjournal.com 17
PRIMER
GUNSHOW C A L E N D A R
October 2-3 October 2-3 October 9-10 October 9-10 October 23-24 October 23-24 October 30-31 October 30-31
Fayetteville, N.C. Sharonville, Ohio Salem, Va. Columbus, Ohio Harrisburg, Pa. Springfield, Ohio Dayton, Ohio Winston-Salem, N.C.
Crown Expo Center Sharonville Convention Center Salem Civic Center Westland Mall PA Farm Show Complex Clark County Fairgrounds Montgomery County Event Center Winston-Salem Fairgrounds
October 2-3 October 2-3 October 2-3 October 9-10 October 16-17 October 23-24 October 23-24
Ontario, Calif. Queen Creek, Ariz. Sandy, Utah Mesa, Ariz. Prescott, Ariz. Reno, Nev. Ventura, Calif.
Ontario Convention Center Barney Family Sports Complex Mountain America Expo Centennial Hall Findlay Toyota Center Reno Convention Center Ventura County Fairgrounds
October 2-3 October 9-10 October 16-17 October 23-24
Fort Myers, Fla. Orlando, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Palmetto, Fla.
Lee Civic Center Central Florida Fair Grounds Florida State Fairgrounds Bradenton Convention Center
October 2-3 October 2-3 October 9-10 October 9-10 October 16-17 October 16-17 October 23-24 October 23-24 October 30-31 October 30-31
Topeka, Kan. Marietta, Ga. Lebanon, Tenn. Springfield, Mo. Sedalia, Mo. Gainesville, Ga. Knoxville, Tenn. El Dorado, Kan. Marietta, Ga. Louisville, Ky.
Stormont Vail Events Center Cobb Co. Civic Center Wilson County Expo Center Ozark Empire Fairgrounds Missouri State Fairgrounds Salon El Imperial Knoxville Expo Center Butler County Fairgrounds Machinists Aerospace Union Hall Kentucky Exposition Center
October 2-3 October 9-10
Harker Heights, Texas Taylor, Texas
Harker Heights Event Center Williamson County Expo Center
tannergunshow.com
October 1-3 October 8-10 October 22-24
Colorado Springs, Colo. Loveland, Colo. Denver, Colo.
Colorado Springs Event Center The Ranch – Larimer County Fairgrounds Crown Plaza
Wes Knodel Gun Shows
October 9-10 October 16-17
Redmond, Ore. Centralia, Wash.
Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
C&E Gun Shows cegunshows.com
Crossroads Of The West Gun Shows crossroadsgunshows.com
Florida Gun Shows floridagunshows.com
RK Shows rkshows.com
Real Texas Gun Shows therealtexasgunshow.com
Tanner Gun Shows
wesknodelgunshows.com
Note: With COVID-19 restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending. To have your event highlighted here, send an email to kaumann@media-inc.com.
americanshootingjournal.com 19
PRIMER
COMPETITION C A L E N D A R
October 9
LPDA PTO San Antonio, Texas
October 9 usashooting.org
Sandy Ford Olympic Pistol Streator, Ill.
October 10
October 23-24
2021 VRPC Fall PTO Vancouver, Wash.
October 23-24
Firearms Training Club of America PTO Lakeland, Fla.
October 1-3
October 14-18
October 20-24
October 15-16
October 29-31
October 16-17
October 23-24
Atomic City GSSF I Los Alamos, N.M.
October 16-17
October 30-31
October 2
October 2-3
October 8-10
October 1-3
Virginia State Championship Fredericksburg, Va.
October 9-10
Indiana State Championship Edinburgh, Ind.
October 2-3
Carry Optics & PCC Nationals Talladega, Ala. Hawktech Idaho Sectional Parma, Idaho
Bluegrass Regional Classic XXIV Lexington, Ky. The Sunflower State Classic IX Wellington, Kan.
2021 CMSA NE Regional Championship Centre Hall, Pa.
Limited & Open Nationals Talladega, Ala. Halloween Classic Frostproof, Fla.
Hoosier State Regional Classic XXIV Atlanta, Ind. Lone Star Classic XXVII Carrollton, Texas
13th Annual Lone Star Classic Vernon, Texas
October 12-16
South Pacific Regionals Lincoln, Calif.
October 3
Kentucky State Championship Edinburgh, Ind.
2021 CMSA World Championship Amarillo, Texas
October 1-2
October 14-16
October 22-23
October 15-16
October 30
Indiana State Championship Atlanta, Ind. idpa.com
Utah October 2021 Monthly PTO Salt Lake City, Utah
Maspenock Air Gun PTO Milford, Mass.
Team Shooting Stars PTO Carrollton, Texas
Showdown at Big Creek X Mobile, Ala.
cmsaevents.com
October 15-16
October 17
October 16-17
October 2-3
gssfonline.com
2021 Rifle/Pistol National Championships Fort Benning, Ga.
MBA Rifle Classic Nashville, Tenn.
Missouri State USPSA Championship Newburg, Mo.
uspsa.org
October 10-18
October 9
Holiday Havoc 2021 Evansville, Ind.
Texas Guardians IDPA Championship Longview, Texas Chasing Zeros Halloween Haunt Piru, Calif.
Southern Belle IDPA Championship Guntown, Miss. Fall Brawl 2021 Perryville, Ark.
Note: With COVID-19 restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending. americanshootingjournal.com 21
SCHEDULE Pro Bolt Gun Series October 15
Kestrel Fall Classic AG
Baker, Florida
October 16
Alderbrook “Fall Brawl”
Littleton, New Hampshire
November 6
2021 PRS Pro Series Finale Presented By Kahles Optics
Raton, New Mexico
December 4
MPA Fall Shootout
Blakely, Georgia
December 10
AG Cup 2021
Finger, Tennessee
For more information visit www.precisionrifleseries.com
RECENT RESULTS VPRC RIFLEMAN’S REVIVAL Rocky Mount, Virginia September 4, 2021
1st Place KEN SANOSKI Open Div. 157.000/100.000 1st Place ALLISON ZANE Open Div. 157.000/100.000 3rd Place CLAY BLACKKETTER Open Div. 155.000/98.726 4th Place JUSTIN WATTS Open Div. 153.000/97.452 5th Place BEN FLEENOR Open Div. 151.000/96.178
2021 FEDERAL GOLD MEDAL MATCH Carbon Hill, Alabama September 10, 2021
(PRECISION RIFLE SERIES)
1st Place BRANDON HEMBREE Open Div. 172.000/100.000 1st Place LEVI WILSON Open Div. 172.000/100.000 3rd Place CLAY BLACKKETTER Open Div. 166.000/96.512 4th Place COLE HIGGINBOTHAM Open Div. 161.000/93.605 4th Place JOHN KYLE TRUITT Open Div. 161.000/93.605 americanshootingjournal.com 23
RECENT RESULTS (continued) 4th Place MATT STINER Tactical Div. 112.000/100.000 4th Place JOSHUA ULICKEY Open Div. 112.000/82.353
VORTEX TACTICAL PRECISION RIFLE CHALLENGE
3rd Place TYLER HOLMES Open Div. 152.000/97.436 4th Place ANDY SLADE Open Div. 149.000/95.513 4th Place JOSHUA ULICKEY Open Div. 149.000/95.513
B&T INDUSTRIES LLC BOX CANYON SHOWDOWN AG
Peoria, Arizona September 11, 2021
Medicine Lodge, Kansas September 18, 2021
1st Place JAKE MILLARD Open Div. 168.000/100.000 2nd Place MORGUN KING Open Div. 166.000/98.810 3rd Place DAVID WIESE Open Div. 162.000/96.429 4th Place CHAD HECKLER Open Div. 159.000/94.643 5th Place BRIAN LOPINA Open Div. 156.000/92.857
1st Place AUSTIN ORGAIN Open Div. 100.000/100.000 2nd Place CLAY BLACKKETTER Open Div. 95.906/95.906 3rd Place TATE STREATER Open Div. 94.152/94.152 3rd Place GREG HARRIS Open Div. 94.152/94.152 5th Place AUSTIN BUSCHMAN Open Div. 93.567/93.567
REVEILLE PEAK RANCH OPEN Burnet, Texas September 25, 2021
1st Place BRADY ALLINSON Open Div. 156.000/100.000 2nd Place DAVID NELLANS Open Div. 144.000/97.959 3rd Place DAN JARECKE Open Div. 143.000/97.279 4th Place AARON ROBERTS Open Div. 142.000/96.599 4th Place CHRIS KUTALEK Open Div. 142.000/96.599
MDT GREAT LAKES STEEL CHALLENGE Lake City, Michigan September 18, 2021
1st Place CHAD HECKLER Open Div. 136.000/100.000 2nd Place FRANCIS COLON Open Div. 131.000/98.810 3rd Place KEITH BAKER Open Div. 113.000/83.088
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American Shooting Journal // October 2021
ROAD TO REDEMPTION Warrenton, North Carolina September 25, 2021 1st Place JOE WALLS Open Div. 156.000/100.000 2nd Place DAN CHATTIN Open Div. 153.000/98.077
(PRECISION RIFLE SERIES)
ACE IN TWO WORLDS Pistol champion Doug Koenig finding success in Precision Rifle Series’ Production Class too.
Doug Koenig, center, took top honors in the Production Division at July’s Hornady Precision Rifle Challenge in Evanston, Wyoming, while his fellow Team Hornady members also did well.
PHOTOS BY DOUG KOENIG
T
o say Doug Koenig is a champion with the pistol would be an understatement. In his 31-year professional shooting career, he has won more than 80 national and international championships, including the Bianchi Cup an astounding 19 times, the NRA World Action Pistol Championship nine times, the Masters International 20 times, the World Speed Shooting Championship three times, and the Sportsman’s Team Challenge 20 times, among many other accomplishments. Koenig’s mastery with the pistol is clear. But for the past three years, he
has embraced a new challenge – that of precision rifle shooting. As Ruger’s shooting team captain, Koenig competes in Precision Rifle Series’ Production Division, using the Ruger Precision Rifle in competition. Whereas most PRS competitors use custom gear, Koenig says that shooting production rifles has its benefits. “I think the advantage of the Production class is that the price point stays lower than that of the open guns,” he says. “I think that it is definitely the best starting point for new shooters wanting to get started in the long-range
rifle sports. They can spend more of their money on practice ammunition (rather) than worrying about spending a ton on the equipment at the start. I like showing that you can be very competitive with a production rifle.” Indeed, in just a few years on the PRS circuit, Koenig has been very successful, notching many top-10 and top-20 finishes – all while shooting a firearm that costs a fraction of what many of his competitors are using. And if that wasn’t enough for Koenig, he also recently served as match director for the inaugural Koenigamericanshootingjournal.com 27
DOUG KOENIG’S RIFLE & GEAR • Rifle: Ruger Custom Shop RPR in 6mm Creedmoor • Scope: Leupold Mark 5 5x25 • Ammo: Hornady 110-grain A-Tips • Tripod: Leupold • Binoculars: Leupold Santiam 15x • Gear bags: Armageddon
Ruger Precision Rifle Competition, held at the Cameo Shooting Complex in Grand Junction, Colorado, this past June. “It entailed everything from start to finish,” he says. “Course of fire, food, props, targets, staff, trophies – pretty much everything.” After his successful first foray into match directing, he is already planning another one at Cameo next April. Stay tuned for Koenig’s next grand adventure! “I like showing that you can be very competitive with a production rifle,” says Koenig, who shoots a Ruger Custom Shop RPR in 6mm Creedmoor.
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Editor’s note: For more information on the Precision Rifle Series, visit precisionrifleseries.com. For more on Doug Koenig, visit dougkoenig.com.
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Lightweight rifles are perfect for hunting the backcountry, where every ounce counts, but their light weight also means learning how to shoot them properly.
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INCREASING ACCURACY IN LIGHTWEIGHT HUNTING RIFLES
True, modern manufacturing and materials mean backcountry rifles are accurate right out of the package, but you still need to put in the work of learning how to shoot them correctly – here's how. PART III OF III ON LIGHTWEIGHT HUNTING RIFLES STORY AND PHOTOS BY JASON BROOKS
W
hen it comes to hunting the backcountry, you will find all sorts of gear and gadgets made with reduced weight. The rifle is included in this, and it seems the market has been flooded lately with “ultralight” rifles. From titanium actions to fluted barrels, all of these rifles draw the attention of the hunter and shooter who want to carry a light and accurate firearm. But it is the accurate part that most
shooters find difficult. There is a reason why benchrest and “sniper” rifles are heavy, as the weight helps steady the rifle, as well as reduce recoil. The light rifle is neither sturdy nor fun to shoot, often kicking hard and difficult to hold steady. Rifle companies often market rifles for a specific intent, such as light weight or sub-MOA accuracy and most offer both. However, it seems the expectation is that the user can take it out of the box and shoot dime-sized groups the very
first time they take it to the range. This is not the case, and often the rifle is blamed. There are so many factors that are in play when it comes to shooting a light rifle accurately, and knowing how to overcome the obstacles that often frustrate shooters will help you get those tight groups.
A RIFLE THAT is less than 6 pounds will kick, and this causes flinching. It is human nature to avoid pain and shooting a rifle can cause some discomfort in both our shoulder and
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our ears. In fact, it is probably the loud “bang” that will cause you to flinch more than the actual recoil. This is because hearing is one of our defense senses and we spend all of our time in the outdoors listening for noises that might tip off game or cause us harm, such as a grizzly bear or other predator. So when the rifle fires, we react to the loud noise more than the recoil. One way to overcome flinching is to wear hearing protection, even while hunting. There are plenty of noise-cancelling earmuffs that also have electronic amplifiers. You can talk, hike and even Author Jason Brooks downed this Idaho mule deer with a 303-yard shot from his Savage Lightweight Hunter in 7mm-08. This lightweight rifle can shoot very accurately and carries easily afield.
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American Shooting Journal // October 2021
hear game, but when the rifle fires, the loud bang is muffled. Being “scope bit” hurts. A few drops of blood running down your cheek and that sharp pain above your eye is a reminder to your subconscious that it might hurt when you pull the trigger. Another thing to keep you from flinching is wearing safety glasses. It still stings a bit when the scope hits the glasses, but it will keep you from getting cut. If you have the time to find a rest and set up for a shot, then put on the safety equipment. Besides recoil and an accurate
barrel, the trigger causes the shooter the most problems when it comes to accuracy. Aftermarket triggers offer the ability to adjust their poundage as well as travel. Some rifle companies, such as Kimber and Savage, offer adjustable triggers in their factory rifles. With Kimber, there are two set screws in the trigger assembly. One changes the travel and the other changes the pounds of finger pressure needed to fire the rifle. Some shooters like to pull the trigger or have it travel before the rifle fires. This allows you to mentally prepare for the report of the rifle as you feel the trigger
Becoming proficient with a light rifle means spending plenty of time at the bench and sighting in with quality ammunition.
moving. Other shooters like a “stiff” trigger, which means once you apply the needed poundage, the gun fires with little to no trigger movement until after the rifle fires. Never go below the minimum poundage that the manufacturer recommends, which nowadays is pretty low – most are around 2 pounds or less – as this can be very dangerous and cause a misfire. It all comes down to less than a quarter of an inch. When you finally have that bull or buck – or whatever the quarry is – in your sights and you start to squeeze the trigger, this is the very last thing you will do before you either hit the target or miss.
A FEW YEARS ago, I was on what is known as the High Buck Hunt in the 34
American Shooting Journal // October 2021
A solid rest is needed when taking ethical shots with a light rifle. A coat allowed the author to settle the rifle in the rocks, making for a steady rest in the prone position.
Cascade Mountains of my home state of Washington. It was the second day of the season and a mature mule deer buck was in a small clearing 350 yards away. The rifle was very capable of that shot, and I had my son with me. He wanted to take the shot, so he rested the rifle across his pack – a solid rest for the 11-year-old. There was plenty of time and no need to rush the shot. He was not shaking and knew that he would have another chance, as the hunting season was just starting. He squeezed the trigger, and nothing. He squeezed again and then looked up from the gun when it wouldn’t fire. Making sure the safety 36
American Shooting Journal // October 2021
was off, he pulled hard on the trigger and missed. We learned a lesson that day: Be sure you practice with the rifle you plan on hunting with. My son was used to shooting his Thompson/Center Encore with a very light trigger. My rifle was a bolt gun and the trigger was only a pound stiffer, but that felt like a brick wall to my son. You can easily move the rifle while actually shooting it, especially if you are using a lightweight “mountain” rifle. There is a reason why benchrest competition shooters use a heavy rifle and a “hair trigger.” I don’t recommend either for hunting, as
safety has to come first and I really don’t like hauling a heavy gun around the mountains. Trigger pull is an easy one to overcome; all you need to do is practice a lot, and then practice some more. You cannot overpractice pulling the trigger, and it also helps you overcome all of the other factors that contribute to missing. The more you shoot your rifle, the more comfortable it becomes. In the field, have a good rest and use it. This could be something as simple as shooting sticks, a branch on a tree or even lying down in the prone position. A few years ago while elk hunting in Idaho, I came upon a herd of elk on a far hillside as I crested a ridge. As I laid down, I noticed a rockpile and placed my coat on top of it. The rocks cradled the rifle much like a benchrest and made the shot much easier. When it comes to shooting a light rifle, the shooter must remember any “outside influence,” which is basically anything that comes into contact with the rifle while shooting it. If possible, only put one hand on the rifle as you squeeze the trigger; again, think safety glasses and hearing protection, as the rifle jumps up at the recoil. But if you use two hands, then you are likely to move the rifle through natural movement; even breathing can cause the rifle to move. Of course you need to keep control of the rifle at all times and this sometimes means holding onto it with two hands. If using a tree branch, brace the rifle by using your far hand to clasp the rifle and the branch, clamping down to hold it steady. An offhand shot is almost impossible with an ultralight rifle, but if that is your only option, learn to use the sling to brace the rifle with your forearm.
YOU CAN SHOOT an expensive rifle using a cheap scope and find it to be “accurate” – that is, until the scope fogs up, its crosshairs shift, the bad coating doesn’t allow proper light transmission or any other number of issues that arise with poor quality control. It is better to shoot a cheap rifle with moderate accuracy and use a well-built scope that never fails in any weather condition, is bright in
low light and won’t change point of impact when you slip and fall. If you can’t see it, you can’t shoot it. There are many factors that can affect even the best scopes and their accuracy, such as parallax – the way light bends as it passes through the lenses. Some shooters like having a variable-power scope and most of my rifles sport them as well, but be aware that an increase in magnification also increases your counteracting of aiming. You will notice “wobbling” as you try to hold the crosshairs steady when on a higher power or with more magnification. A fixed-power scope takes away a lot of the potential problems with variable-power scopes, such as internal debris from the rings and moving parts inside the scope, parallax and wobble, but you are also stuck with just one magnification. A good compromise is to get a variablepower scope that has a lower range, such as the Vortex Razor 2-10x40mm. I have shot mule deer using the 2x at 100 yards and could see the entire deer, helping me stay focused
Brooks downed this Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness bull elk from the rock pile in the previous photo.
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American Shooting Journal // October 2021
on the front shoulder. I also killed an elk in Idaho at 325 yards on 10x and it helped me slip the bullet between trees to the lungs of the bull. Both times the rifle stayed steady, as I was focusing on the animal and not the wobbling crosshairs. A quality scope, regardless of power, needs to be clear with multicoated lenses that allow low light to pass through, as well as keep condensation and raindrops off. Ammunition is a key part of shooting accurately. Most competition shooters reload because they can be precise, down to the hundredths of a grain of powder, exact case length and overall cartridge length to where the headspace is but a sliver. Of course not everyone reloads, but if you plan on shooting accurately with cheap ammunition, then you are doing yourself a disservice. Quality ammo is expensive to manufacture, which is why it costs more than bargain ammunition. From primers and brass to blended proprietary powders and even bullet construction, try several different brands and bullet weights, as
each rifle will shoot them differently. After working up a load for my 7mm-08 that shot consistently tight groups in my Savage Lightweight Hunter Model 110, I put them in my son’s Browning Micro Midas and couldn’t get them to group at all. Both rifles sport 20-inch barrels, but the Browning didn’t like the bullet-powder combo, where the Savage loved it. Once you have put together a lightweight rifle package, topped with a quality scope and premium ammunition, and you have learned how to hold it steady and overcome flinching, you will realize that sub-MOA groups are common. Modern milling processes and materials make these rifles accurate right off of the assembly line, but it is up to the shooter to learn how to shoot them accurately. Always remember safety and manufacturer recommendations. Editor’s note: Author Jason Brooks has hunted deer and elk in the backcountry for the past 37 years and has served in law enforcement for the past 25 years.
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The Federal Trophy Bonded Tip is an overlooked choice in a market flooded with good designs.
IN PRAISE OF THE BEAR CLAW’S SON
Federal’s Trophy Bonded Tip ‘overlooked by much of the hunting community, and that’s a real shame.’ STORY BY PHIL MASSARO • PHOTOS BY MASSARO MEDIA GROUP
ying prone on an enormous slab of granite and using my jacket for a rest, I quickly identified the zebra stallion that professional hunter Jamy Traut was indicating. We established the range at 280 yards; I gave the proper amount of holdover, let my breath halfway out and broke the trigger of the vintage .300 Holland & Holland Magnum, sending a 180-grain
L
Trophy Bonded Tip bullet on its way. We heard the bullet strike flesh, and while the stallion did his best to follow his herd, he stopped just a few paces further and a second projectile put him down for good. The Hartmann’s mountain zebra is a very tough animal that lives in an equally tough environment, but that .300 H&H with a premium bullet like the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip handled him perfectly. Federal has a well-deserved reputation for offering the best projectiles available to the discriminating shooter and hunter,
fully embracing a multitude of other companies’ bullets, yet one of the best in their lineup is their own Trophy Bonded Tip. It is a unique projectile, in that it blends the traits of many different designs, and is one of the sons of Jack Carter’s Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. It is also one of my favorite choices as an allaround bullet in an all-around rifle, and we’ll get into why in just a bit. LOOKING AT THE construction of the Trophy Bonded Tip, you’ll definitely see the family traits; it is the eldest child of americanshootingjournal.com 41
bullet bulletin
The 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip handloaded in the classic .300 H&H Magnum performed wonderfully on game species of all shapes and sizes on a recent Namibian safari. A polymer tip, a thick copper jacket bonded to a lead core – which is located in the forward part of the bullet – and a copper shank at the rear all add up to a strong bullet capable of being an all-around choice.
the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, itself a great bullet. While the original Carter design has been modified since Federal adopted it as its own, the basic principle remains the same. It has a thick copper jacket bonded to a short lead core that is located at the front end of the bullet, while the base of the bullet is just that copper alloy. This keeps the center of gravity forward, greatly aiding in straight-line penetration. 42
American Shooting Journal // October 2021
bullet bulletin
The 165-grain .30-caliber Federal Trophy Bonded Tip; stuff this in a .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield and just go hunting.
Author Phil Massaro brought a .300 Holland & Holland on a Namibian safari, using the 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip to take a Hartmann’s mountain zebra stallion on the Namib Escarpment.
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You see, many modern bullet designs that have a center of gravity located more rearward have a tendency to kick sideways once they meet resistance. There have been numerous stories about the 55-grain FMJ bullets from the 5.56mm being designed to tumble; I don’t think that’s necessarily the case, it’s just that the majority of the little spitzer bullet’s weight is located at the base of the bullet and the bullet tends to turn 180 degrees and exit with the rear of the bullet facing forward. These military bullets act much like a rearwheel-drive vehicle in a snowstorm: when resistance is met, the rear of the vehicle will invariably kick to one side or the other. Move the bullet’s weight forward, more like a front-wheel-drive vehicle, and the bullet tends to stay nose-forward and maintain its course. Take some time and look at the cartridges that earned good reputations among dangerous game hunters over the last century, and you’ll see a common thread: long, roundnosed bullets that
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Massaro handloads the 160-grain Trophy Bonded Tip in his .280 Ackley Improved, with excellent results. Massaro took this Namibian red hartebeest bull at almost 300 yards with a single 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip.
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were heavy-for-caliber. Among the cupand-core softpoints and steel-jacketed solids of the day, these bullets gave deep, straight-line penetration, even if the ballistic coefficient values were less than impressive. But those bullets kept their weight forward, and that made a difference in comparison to the lighter spitzer designs. Carter’s Trophy Bonded Bear Claw was a flat-based spitzer bullet, which made for a better choice at longer ranges than the roundnosed designs. The smaller lead core and copper alloy base caused the bullet to be slightly longer than one of its cup-and-core counterparts, but the bonded core and homogenous base resulted in a tough bullet that reached the vitals consistently. Federal modified that design slightly, and the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw remains a sound choice for short- and medium-range hunting. But the benefits of the higher-BC bullets weren’t lost on the Federal engineers, so they decided to modify the Bear
bullet bulletin
This exceptional Namibian springbok fell to a 300-yard frontal shot from a .280 AI, loaded with a 160-grain 7mm Trophy Bonded Tip.
Claw and give it a sleeker profile to improve trajectories and retained energy, while keeping the penetrative qualities and high retained weight of the original Bear Claw design. Now sporting a boattail, a skived jacket, an orange polymer tip and nickel plating, the Trophy Bonded Tip
An expanded Trophy Bonded Tip recovered from ballistic gelatin; if you can recover one from a game animal, it will look much like this. Short of the thick-skinned dangerous game species, there isn’t much a .300 Winchester Magnum loaded with a 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip can’t handle.
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is a fantastic design. The shank of the bullet has a series of grooves in order to reduce the bearing surface, which will also aid in reducing fouling. That translucent orange polymer tip – like that of so many other designs – initiates expansion by acting like a wedge upon impact, being pushed rearward and
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bullet bulletin opening the nose of the bullet, as well as maintaining a uniform BC value. The boattail has long been employed for long-range bullets, and while the Trophy Bonded Tip doesn’t have the most severe boattail on the market, it does help flatten the trajectory. Is it accurate? I have experienced sub-MOA groups in a good number of cartridges when loading the Trophy Bonded Tip in component form, and Federal’s factory loads that feature this bullet have always been excellent performers.
The .280 Remington and the 160-grain Trophy Bonded Tip make a strong choice for a North American all-around combination.
For the .223 crowd – whether the AR platform or a good old bolt gun – the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip load is a game-changer, in that it gives premium bullet performance in a .22-caliber centerfire.
THE FIELD PERFORMANCE of the Trophy Bonded Tip leaves nothing to be desired, and it was on the Namibian safari with Jamy Traut that really opened my eyes to its potential. I had brought two rifles, a Colt Coltsman in .300 Holland & Holland Magnum and a Savage Long Range Hunter in .280 Ackley Improved, loaded with The African eland is easily the size of our North American moose; this bull was put in the salt with a single Trophy Bonded Tip from a vintage .300 H&H Magnum.
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bullet bulletin 180- and 160-grain Trophy Bonded Tip bullets, respectively. Namibia was in the midst of one of its worst droughts in recorded history, and shots were on the long side. I had experience with the Trophy Bonded Tip at whitetail-woods distances, but was curious about the longer shots. Surprisingly, I couldn’t keep a bullet inside an animal, whether I was
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hunting the diminutive springbok, the aforementioned zebra or the massive eland. Shots ranged between 125 yards out to 350 yards, and the Trophy Bonded Tip just flattened whatever it hit. Because some gear failed to show up for the hunt, I loaned my .280 AI to Federal’s Jake Edson and he used it to take a great red hartebeest – I would take my own a couple days later – and
his own Hartmann’s mountain zebra using the 160-grain Trophy Bonded Tip. I would use that same rifle for a 16-inch springbok at 300 yards later in the week. An eland bull with a great head would fall to a 180-grain Trophy Bonded Tip from that classic Colt rifle; in spite of the 350 yards that the premium bullet had to travel, it passed through the big bull, quickly destroying the vital organs. Federal offers the Trophy Bonded Tip in component form in .277-, .284-, .308- and .338-inch diameters, in common bullet weights, making it a great choice for general hunting. Factory loads are available for the common cartridges in the above calibers, as well as a 62-grain load for the .223 Remington, which makes a wonderful choice for deer hunters who insist on using that cartridge. Looking at the lineup of species our group took in Namibia with the Trophy Bonded Tip, you can easily draw parallels to North American game species. The springbok is very similar to the pronghorn antelope, the wildebeest and kudu are the African equivalents of our elk, and I’ve heard more than one African professional hunter refer to an eland as a desert moose. Being completely honest, I would take the Trophy Bonded Tip in an all-around caliber for a North American hunt for any species shy of coastal brown bear or bison. The bullet seems to be overlooked – or at least underappreciated – by much of the hunting community, and that’s a real shame. It is a strong, dependable bullet fully capable of superb accuracy. Looking at the 180-grain .30-caliber bullet – with its G1 BC of .500 – it will offer a trajectory advantage over the flat-based spitzers, and structurally it is certainly stronger than the cupand-core designs, while being strong enough to handle close impact shots at high velocities. There are a number of great premium bullets on the market, but I rank the Federal Trophy Bonded Tip high up on the list.
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ROAD HUNTER
Observe the behavior of game animals and note their surroundings before taking a shot. This Roosevelt bull was feeding when the author caught it by surprise.
THE CRITICAL MOMENTS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SHOT
Being able to quickly find your downed animal, proper field dressing go long way to optimize meat quality. STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN
ou just pulled the trigger on a big game animal. Now what? Actually, let’s back up because what happens immediately following the shot should be anticipated before
Y
pulling the trigger. When settling into a solid shooting position, assess the animal’s behavior. Also, note which direction it’s facing and the surrounding terrain. Though a deer might collapse upon initial bullet impact, a bear or elk likely won’t, meaning there’s almost always a blood trail you’ll need to follow.
A high shoulder or spine shot will put down a deer, and sometimes an elk, on the spot, but a perfect hit behind the shoulder normally finds animals running off. This is normal, so don’t be surprised. Though a double-lung hit behind the shoulder is 100-percent fatal, an animal will often run a short americanshootingjournal.com 55
ROAD HUNTER distance after being hit in the lungs, usually in the direction it’s facing. A deer may run 25 to 100 yards before expiring, and elk perhaps further. A bear hit through both lungs rarely travels more than 20 yards before expiring. For this reason, evaluate the terrain prior to taking a shot, so you know where the tracking and recovery efforts will likely ensue. BEFORE SHOOTING AN animal, pick a prominent landmark close to where it’s standing. Identifying a tree, rock, stump or clump of grass will be a good reference point from which to start your tracking job, as oftentimes the animal disappears during the recoil of the shot. If the bullet hits the animal and it’s still standing, keep shooting. After the initial shot, never take your eyes off the animal or the location where it was standing. Elk are big animals and can take multiple shots to bring down. A deer might not be hit in the perfect place, but still standing. In both scenarios, be ready with a quick followup shot. If you’re certain of a hit, watch the animal and listen. Even if the animal disappears into brush, you can often hear where it’s going and what’s happening. Animals shot with a rifle will need to be followed up immediately. If the animal is still standing as you approach, shoot it again. If the animal is on the ground but still alive, kill it with a shot to the base of the skull so no meat will be ruined. If you’ve taken a shot and are not sure if you hit the animal, mark your reference point and walk to that spot. Search for blood or hair where the animal was last seen. If blood is found, follow it. If no blood is found, follow the tracks of the animal. Look for freshly turned dirt, broken branches and overturned rocks, sticks or blades of grass. Search for blood as you go. Sometimes blood may not appear for 50 yards or more, especially if the lungs were missed. If finding only small drops of blood, mark them with flagging tape. Lethally 56
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Knowing what you’re getting into before taking a shot is an important part of big game hunting, as pack outs from the site of the kill can be physically demanding.
hit animals usually travel in a straight line, no matter what the terrain. If the blood trail leads uphill, stop tracking. This is usually a sign of a gut or liver hit, and the animal will need time to expire. You don’t want to push animals that are crippled, as they can keep going for long distances. For archery hunters, if after following a blood trail you locate your quarry and it’s still alive, put another arrow into it. Shoot it behind the shoulder, aiming for
both lungs. When following a blood trail, pay attention to what the blood looks like. Bright red blood with bubbles indicates a lung hit, meaning your animal won't be far. Dark red blood could be from the liver or muscle tissue. Blood with dark coloration or a grainy texture indicates a hit to the digestive tract. Animals hit in the digestive tract or liver should be given time to expire, usually two to four hours.
ROAD HUNTER ONCE THE ANIMAL is located and expired, unload your rifle, open the action and put it in a safe place. Adrenaline can impede simple judgement and that’s when accidents happen. Next, validate your tag. Once your tag is validated, immediately secure it to your animal with tape, twine or zip ties. If your tag is electronic, you know what to do. After that business is taken care of, take a moment for photos. The next step is field care. There are many ways to field dress a deer or elk. How you break down an animal in the field may depend on how far you are from a road, how many days away you are from getting it refrigerated, and how big the animal is or if you have
any help. Prior to the hunt, anticipate how you’ll take care of the animal once down, from the field to getting it home. The number one objective with field care is to get the carcass cooling as soon as possible. If you shoot an animal in the closing minutes of daylight, be prepared to track and field dress it in the dark. Leaving an animal overnight will result in spoiled, gameytasting meat, even on cold winter days, as animals have very efficient insulation at that time. If you’re not prepared to spend hours in the dark breaking down an animal, do not shoot. Gutting an animal is the first step in traditional field care. With the animal on its back, begin removing the entrails by inserting a knife under the hide,
Author Scott Haugen with a Cascades blacktail taken last season. The buck was bedded on a rimrock pinnacle, and luckily the first shot anchored it on the spot. Otherwise, the pack out could have been long and grueling.
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near the anus. Skin your way up the belly to the sternum. Be careful not to cut into the gut cavity. Next, gently cut through the abdominal wall, pushing away protruding entrails so as not to cut them and risk tainting the meat. With the abdominal wall cut all the way from the sternum to the pelvis, pull out the stomach and intestines. This will expose the diaphragm, to which the entrails are still attached. Cut around the entire diaphragm, exposing the respiratory system. During this process, be careful not to cut the tenderloins, which lie between the spine and stomach, tight to the back. With the heart and lungs exposed, reach inside and grab the windpipe with one hand, cutting it free with the
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ROAD HUNTER Haugen knew that pulling the trigger on this bull meant a long night ahead. He and a buddy made it to camp at 2 a.m., after they finished quartering the bull to cool down overnight. They spent nine hours packing it out the next day.
other hand. Because elk are so big, you can split the sternum with your knife or a saw to allow easier access to the upper respiratory system. With the windpipe severed, firmly pull out the respiratory tract, which will be connected to the digestive tract. All the entrails will spill out except for the large intestine, which is still attached at the anus, along with the urinary tract. Do not vigorously pull the large intestines or urinary tract, for you do not want them to tear and contaminate the meat with feces and urine. To free the lower intestine, take your knife and cut around the outside of the anus, under the tail, where hair starts to form. Before making this cut, feel for the boney structure that encompasses the lower bowels. You want your knife to follow this circular bone structure. Failure to cut against this boney cavity will find 60
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the blade too close to the anus, which can puncture the bladder and bowels. Once you’ve cut all the way around the anus from the outside, with your knife penetrating 3 to 4 inches, return to the body cavity. Lift and pull the bowels and urinary tract, cutting around the tissue until you meet the cuts made from the outside of the anus. When freed, lift and remove the bowels, bladder and remaining entrails. Any remaining blood can now freely drain from the body, through the cavity created in the pelvis. IF YOU CAN get the animal out whole, either to camp or home, this is a good way to transport and protect the meat. If you have to break down the animal in the field, do so by separating the front and hindquarters, removing the backstrap, filleting off all the neck
meat and collecting the rib meat and tenderloins. The heart and liver are full of nutrition and, if not damaged from the shot, are worth saving. All edible meat must be salvaged from game, including the shanks – meat from the lower legs. Slow cooked, shanks and neck meat are some of the best-eating cuts on an animal. Place the meat in a game bag and hang in a cool, shaded place. Game bags will keep meat clean, allow air to circulate, and keep flies away. With a good pack frame, all that’s left is to pack out your animal. This may take several trips with an elk. Proof of sex must be retained while in the field and transporting your game. Proof of sex is the scalp, including the eyes and ears (and antlers of males), or the reproductive organs which must remain attached to one hindquarter. To
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ROAD HUNTER keep the reproductive organs attached to the hindquarter, cut around the patch of fur that connects it to the inside of the hindquarter. The sooner you can get meat out of the field and cooling, the better tasting it will be. Ideally, game meat should be allowed to age in a refrigerated or cool environment between 34 and 44 degrees for at least five days. After that, the meat is ready for butchering, wrapping and freezing. By anticipating your shot and promptly following up big game, you’re on the way to optimizing meat quality. The pack out can be hard, but that’s part of the hunt, and the more you do it, the more proficient you’ll become.
Prior to shooting at a big game animal, taking note of the terrain and identifying landmarks will help in recovery efforts.
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Editor’s note: Want to learn how to quickly break down a big game animal in the field? Order Scott’s popular DVD Field Dressing, Skinning & Caping Big Game at scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
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Kish Justice with the Sig Sauer Cross Rifle and one of his bear hounds, 8 Track, and two of his hunting partners, Cade Clemens (left) and Justice’s son Anse (right), pose with a West Virginia bruin taken on an outing with author Larry Case.
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FIRE IN THE MOUNTAINS On the trail of black bears with the young hunters of West Virginia. STORY AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE
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AN OLD MOUNTAIN TRADITION
C
Two “strike dogs” ride on top of a pickup’s custom dog box, sniffing for bear tracks as the rig rolls through the forest.
ade Clemens and Anse Justice are bear hunters. This is not too unusual, seeing as how both are from West Virginia and they live in the Appalachian Mountains. We West Virginians take pride in being a stronghold for hunters and outdoorsmen, and Cade and Anse are every bit of that. Thing is, Cade is 13 years old and Anse is a ripe old 11. Both boys have been going on bear hunts since they were, well, little, as in toddler-size. And they come by it naturally; Cade’s dad Todd Clemens and Anse’s father Kish Justice are both avid bear hunters and have included their sons in their extensive ramblings around the mountains near Richwood, West Virginia. If there is a bright spot in the darkness that is declining hunter numbers these days, it is fathers and children like these. Oh, by the way, Anse has a sister named Arlo, and she also joins Dad and her brother on bear hunts. Arlo is every bit of five years old and has already taken her first bear!
Anse, Cade and Arlo are being steeped in a hunting tradition that in this area goes back to colonial times. The first brave hunters and settlers who came west of the Alleghenies found a wealth of game in the mountains, including bears. Black bears were plentiful and were an important food source and trade item to the early settlers in the mountains. Bear meat was highly prized and even more important was the rendered fat, which could be used in cooking, protecting leather items, fuel for oil lamps, and everything from skin care to lubricating metal hinges. Bear hides were bought, sold and bartered to be used for leather and other goods. These early hunters knew that one of the best ways to successfully take bears in the mountains was with the use of dogs, usually hounds. Early bear hunters quickly started to develop a bear hound that not only had a good nose for trailing, but also had great stamina to run long races in the mountains. And they had to have something else: grit. Bear hunters will often use the term “gritty” for the trait in hounds that will make them stay when they get in close quarters with a bruin. Without the hound’s desire to fight a bear, it could never make the bear climb a tree until the hunters arrive, or “bay” the animal if he refuses to climb a tree. The bear that stays on the ground and refuses to climb a tree (often a big male bear) can be a problem and will often hurt some dogs, sometimes killing them.
TWO DAYS HUNTING WITH CADE AND ANSE
Case pals around with bear dogs eager to be released on the scent of a bruin.
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I rode in the same truck with the boys and Anse’s father, Kish. It was an education, to say the least, and this wasn’t exactly my first bear hunt. Early the first morning, Kish took a couple of his best dogs and placed them on top of the custom dog box on the back of his pickup truck. The dogs, which ride here as he slowly cruises the mountain roads, are known as “strike” dogs. These are the best and experienced bear hounds with keen noses and can be trusted to only open, or bark, when
they smell the track of a bear as the truck rolls by. As this was happening, I asked young Anse what was going on. “When the strike dog strikes a bear, we turn him loose and listen to see how the track goes. If he is barking loud and it seems he has a good track, we will turn other dogs loose to help him,” he said. Cade added, “We listen for the strike dog’s bark, and you can tell when the dog’s bark changes by how excited he is; then we know we can turn other dogs loose.” On the second day of the hunt, one chase in particular seemed to go on forever. This bear went over the mountain several times and led the hounds and hunters on a merry chase. Thousands of acres of timber company land, which can border
national forest, make a vast area that the hunters sometimes have to cover. One minute you’re stopped in one place as you listen for dogs while the hunters check their electronic locator collars, and the next you’re speeding down a narrow forest road trying to catch up with the dogs and bear as they cross into another drainage in this wild country. It’s probably not for the faint of heart. Cade and Anse seemed to take it all in stride.
A CLOSE ENCOUNTER
Kish Justice and Corey Dauel were hunting together one day during the late season, along with several other members of their crew, on a hunting lease they belong to near Richwood, which is roughly in the center of the Mountain State. This is timber company
land and that means several clearcuts in the area. This process of clearing the hillside of all trees makes for some great wildlife habitat as the new growth regenerates. It also makes for an area that is very hard to traverse because the brush is so thick. This day may have started off much like any other bear hunt, but it soon turned into a lot more. “We found a track in the snow, the dogs jumped this bear, and the chase was on,” Kish recalled. “Corey and I both may have been thinking that we started this bear where we had run a bear back in the spring and had lots of problems ... We had ran this bear in the training season and it bayed on the ground and ended up killing one of our best dogs.” On this day in season, the chase did not go too far – for a bear chase,
At just 13 and 11 years of age, respectively, Cade (left) and Anse are avid bear hunters in Richwood, West Virginia. americanshootingjournal.com 67
Anse and Cade (holding the Sig Sauer Cross Rifle) stand under a treed bear as a pair of hounds look on.
anyway – and Corey and Kish tried to make their way through the maze of thick saplings, greenbriers, and rocks and old logs on the ground. As often happens, the bear heard them coming and broke away from the dogs before coming to bay again about 200 yards away. When they approached this time, Corey noted that the bear saw him coming (he thinks the bear could see the blaze orange vest he was wearing) and almost immediately charged him. “It is my fault that I was unprepared,” Corey said. “I had my .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson in my pack, (but) I had not taken it out yet because the brush was so thick.” He added, “I knew better, but that is the situation I was in when the bear came for me.” As with most bear charges, Corey said that it all happened so fast it is hard to relate. “About all I could do is turn and run downhill,” he said. “The brush and briers and saplings are so 68
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thick here, all you can do is push your way through it and hope for the best. I got about 75 or 100 yards down the hill and came to a big log that was about 2 feet off the ground. I made a dive to go under it and I really thought the bear had me. The only thing that saved me was the dogs were on him and the bear broke away and ran off.” “I have been charged by bears before, but I am not ashamed to admit that this shook me up,” Corey said. “The bear ran around the hill and bayed again. Kish came down the hill and joined me, but it took me several minutes to settle down. When I went under the log, he was right behind me; if it wasn’t for the dogs, he would have been on top of me. All of this only took several seconds.” When the two hunters advanced on the bayed bear the third time, they were able to get in position and finish the bear with a couple of well-
placed shots. What they found when they examined the bear may have explained some of his behavior. “We think this was an older bear,” said Kish. “He was around 200 pounds, but he definitely had the appearance of an old bear. Also, he was missing several toes from what we think was the result of frostbite. You don’t see it that often, but this bear could have crawled into a poor-quality den as a young bear and without enough protection, he could have experienced frostbite on several toes during a harsh winter. Along with this, the nose on this bear showed some damage, also probably from frostbite.” Missing some toes and claws on both front and back feet means this bear could not climb a tree or would have a hard time doing it, so this would account for him staying on the ground. Handicaps aside, make no mistake, this bear was a tough
old veteran of the mountain and was more than capable of defending himself. There is no way to tell for sure, but Kish and Corey believe this is the bear that killed one of their best dogs earlier in the year.
A DAY TO REMEMBER
Some may be surprised to learn that many of the bear hunters here, those who own the dogs, rarely kill a bear on these hunts. Often there will be hunters along who have never taken a bear and once the bear is treed
or bayed on the ground, the new hunter is called in to do the shooting. That is what happened this day, as Nathaniel Hambrick of Craigsville, West Virginia, went for a long hike for a treed bear and brought it down with one shot. I’m not sure who was the proudest, Nathaniel or his granddad, Gary Milam, who joined him. Also along for the hunt was Addison Kelly, daughter of Bill Kelly, one of the leaders of this band of bear hunters. It was quite a day for us all. I watched Cade and Anse through
it all. One minute they seemed like sage bear hunters, helping to catch dogs, leading them to the truck, and performing many other bear hunter chores that are required. The next, it was two young boys, racing down a dusty road and laughing at something in that way boys do. I could not help but think, what a great way for these boys to grow up. There is a fire in these mountains. The fire for hunting that hunters like Kish Justice and Todd Clemens, and now their sons Cade and Anse and
GUN REVIEW: SIG SAUER CROSS RIFLE TRIED AND TESTED ON A TWO-DAY TREK FOR MOUNTAIN STATE BRUINS
U
nder full disclosure here, I was less than enthusiastic about taking the Sig Sauer Cross Rifle on this bear hunt. No doubt I am a traditionalist when it comes to firearms and looking at the chassis rifle concept, I was not getting it. And the foldup stock thing; what was that about? All of this changed very quickly. Sighting in and shooting the rifle prior to the hunt, I immediately noticed the light weight and the “handiness” of the gun. At 6.5 pounds, this rifle is definitely in the bantamweight class, and as I have said many times before, you carry a firearm a lot more while hunting than you shoot it. Weight is important. Adding a scope adds to the weight, depending on choice of the optic. More on that later. In truth, I have always been a fan of a two-stage trigger and found the trigger on the Cross Rifle to be excellent. Kish Justice, the bear hunter, liked it from the first round fired. The weight and handiness – that is, overall ease with which the rifle can be carried and handled – was not lost on this bear hunting crowd in the mountains. These guys know all about the need for a firearm to be light in weight and easily carried in the god-awful country they traverse on a 70
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bear chase. When I first brought out the Sig Sauer Cross Rifle for their scrutiny, I was surprised. Everyone I handed the rifle to liked it. They liked the weight, the ease it could be carried, and again, that handy word. I wondered how the foldup stock would fare with this group, but they embraced it immediately. This group of bear hunters saw instantly what I did not. If you are going to carry a firearm all day in this kind of terrain, the ability to fold the stock and shove the gun in a backpack is a big plus. They loved this feature. The rifle we carried on this hunt was chambered in .308 Winchester, which is plenty for black bears. The Cross Rifle is also available in 6.5 Creedmoor and .277 Fury. The ammo chosen was the Hornady Black .308 with a 155-grain A-Max bullet. This ammunition fed and cycled in the Cross Rifle with no problems and from all indications performed flawlessly on black bear. The scope we chose, the Sig Sauer Sierra 3 BDX 4.5-14x44mm, may have been a little big for what we needed. Scope size walks a fine line for this type of hunting. While most of the shots are taken at the short range of a treed bear, it is possible at times for hunters to try shots at a bear on the
ground as it passes by. The range here could be 50 to 200 yards, so this makes scope choice tricky. The Sig Sauer BDX system is a wonder of modern technology. If you desire to take your shooting to the next level of accuracy, then download the BDX smartphone app and configure your rangefinder and riflescope for your exact ballistics and environmental characteristics. In other words, the rangefinder talks to the riflescope! Or, if you prefer, BDX also allows users to bond their rangefinders and sights quickly and easily with preset ballistic groups preloaded onto all BDX products. These preset ballistic groups allow you to use BDX-enabled products without the use of a smartphone app, so they are ready, right out of the box. In the end, the Sig Sauer Sierra 3 BDX scope did its job without a hitch, and believe me when I say we did not baby it. The scope and the rifle were carried over miles of lessthan-kind terrain, coming in contact with brush, mud, sweat and bear dog slobber. On top of that, they were continually pitched in and out of crowded trucks as the bear chases went through different phases. The rifle and the scope got the full treatment. I never give 5 stars, but I gave both 4½ stars.
his sister Arlo, have for bear hunting. Here’s to hoping this fire never goes out. Here’s to hoping that their children and grandchildren will have the same fire.
Cade and two baying hounds watch a treed bear.
Twelve-year-old Nathaniel Hambrick, pictured with his granddad Gary Milam, took this black bear with the Sig Sauer Cross Rifle.
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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.
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UNIFORM R Disabled Iraq, Afghanistan War veterans successful on bucket-list Alaska special permit moose hunt. STORY BY TONY LEINGANG, VICE PRESIDENT, OUTDOORS FOR OUR HEROES • PHOTOS COURTESY OF OFOH/GOT YOUR 6 FISHING
S
eptember brought another amazing experience with a spectacular week of “bucketlist” moose hunting near Delta Junction, Alaska. Six very deserving disabled veterans were drawn for this limited special permit opportunity, spearheaded by partnering organizations Outdoors For Our Heroes, Purple Heart
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Hunting Program and Safari Club International’s Alaska and Northwest Chapters. Within the first three days of the week, everyone had successfully harvested their bull and the field work of processing the animals was completed in short time with help from a team of eager volunteer supporters. A big goal of these annual events
goes far beyond just the lasting moose hunting experience for the group. Telling stories around the campfire, enjoying great meals prepared by camp cook Whitney Ann Morrison while building camaraderie, and enjoying other activities such as fishing and waterfowl hunting tends to round out the week each year. Additionally, 2021’s hunt had a great
M RESULTS Not only did these disabled Army veterans enjoy spectacular moose hunting success in Alaska’s interior, but it was a great chance for them to bond with one another and for the organizations that put on the hunt to thank them for their service.
“first” for the program when one hunter, Jason Mouret, was able to take his bull with a bow. Better yet, he was able to share that experience with his son Kadyn. Other hunters also had the opportunity to bring an important friend and fellow veteran: Sam Shockley was supported by Barney McClanahan; Justin Menchaca shared the moose hunt with his father Dominic; and Shane Lawry brought his brother Dan to enjoy the experience. From all accounts, many new long-
term friendships were forged. This is a big goal for everyone involved in supporting these efforts. These heroes sacrificed so much for our country. It’s an important part of our collective organizational mission to provide opportunities like these to say, “Thank you for your service” in a meaningful and memorable way. The six individuals selected this year all have incredible stories and it is an honor to be able to support them with hunts like these.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS Justin
Menchaca entered the US Army in 2006 at age 17. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Special Forces Engineer Sergeant in 2008; he was the honor grad of his class and one of the youngest to successfully complete the SF Qualification Course. He was assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Justin served on Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3232 for three years, with deployments americanshootingjournal.com 77
Sergeant First Class Justin Menchaca (left and left above) and his father Dominic Menchaca.
to Pakistan, then Afghanistan. He was critically injured on July 23, 2011, by a gunshot wound during combat operations. His recovery and rehabilitation took years, but today he is doing very well. Justin remained on active duty, moving into a training support position within the 3rd SF Group, and continued his own rehabilitation efforts until medically retiring in March 2019 with numerous awards and decorations.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS Douglas
Shreve joined the Army in 1996 and
Sergeant First Class Douglas Shreve.
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served at Fort Drum and Fort Hood before deploying for his first tour in Saudi Arabia. After completing this tour, he returned to Fort Sill. It was on his next deployment to Iraq in 2003 and 2004 when he had to fill in for someone to go out and pick up enemy ammo. During this mission, Douglas had a feeling something wasn’t right and decided to take point. On the way out, an anti-tank landmine hit right behind his seat, causing him multiple injuries. After his recovery from that incident, he returned overseas for yet another tour to Afghanistan in 2006. In 2007, he returned stateside to support
training efforts at several locations for eight years and got off active duty at the 12-year mark until retirement.
SERGEANT JASON MOURET joined the US Army in 1999, originally as a mechanic. He eventually converted to a 12B Combat Engineer. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 and was attached to an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team where he was able to use his newfound skills and passion to disarm IEDs. He was injured twice during this time and was eventually medically retired in 2012 due to injuries sustained in 2005 from operations in and around
Sergeant Jason Mouret.
Baghdad, Iraq. Today Jason owns his own business doing engraving and woodwork.
SERGEANT JEREMY VOSS entered
the US Army infantry in 2005, and received training at Fort Benning, Georgia, for One Station Unit Training (OSUT), Airborne School, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP). He was deployed to Iraq in 2006 as dismount infantry with the 2-12 Cavalry. In the 10
Sergeant Jeremy Voss.
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months that Jeremy served there as an Army Team Leader, his vehicle was directly hit with 17 IEDs, seven of which caused unconsciousness. The final IED attack occurred on July 27, 2007, causing severe injury to both his head and left hand. He spent a year at the hospital rehabilitating from reconstructive surgery on the left hand and the traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since being separated from the military, Jeremy has completed two MBAs and worked for a nonprofit
organization in rural Nebraska and outside Des Moines. He now works to establish blood drives throughout the state of Iowa for a regional blood center. He has 4-year-old twins and lives outside Des Moines, Iowa.
SERGEANT SHANE LAWRY joined the Army Infantry in 2007, in Madison, Wisconsin. At Fort Campbell, Kentucky, he became a member of the 4th Brigade 2506 Infantry Regiment, Easy Company. During
Staff Sergeant Samuel Shockley (above and right)
a tour to Afghanistan, Shane was on the Pakistan border, working to prevent the Taliban from coming in and out, when an IED blew. He was flown to Bagram, where he spent three weeks in a TBI clinic. He wanted to stay in service, but was injured in May 2011, and eventually medboarded to Fort Hood, Texas, for an eventual 2014 retirement. Today he is a senior vice commander for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and doing great things for veterans
Sergeant Shane Lawry (above and right).
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YOUR MUST-STOP BEFORE HUNTING & FISHING ON PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND, ALASKA KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF WILL LET YOU KNOW WHERE, WHEN AND HOW!
in Duluth, Minnesota, and is a junior vice commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2962 in Carlton, Minnesota. He is active on three all-veteran hockey teams in the Minnesota/Wisconsin area, doing his part to support folks who appreciate our veteran community.
STAFF SERGEANT SAMUEL Shockley,
who was born in Hanford, California, and raised in Ohio, joined the military at age 17, including training during his junior year of high school. He completed Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in his senior year. In July 2007, Sam went active duty in the Army and was assigned to Fort
Lewis’ 38th Engineering Company, 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). Sam was deployed in October 2007 to Iraq and served there from 2007 to 2008. He had two other deployments to Iraq in 2009 to 2010, and his third was Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He achieved dismounted route clearance in 2013. In a March 17, 2013, mission in Panjawi, he stepped on an estimated 30- to 35-pound IED. After medivac, he was sent to Walter Reed in Bethesda, Maryland; from 2013 to 2015, Sam went through more than 30 surgeries, resulting in double above-knee amputation, multiple skin grafts and
missing fingers. Sam moved back to Tacoma, Washington, in 2016, and then moved further south to Eatonville. Upon his recovery, he decided to go back to school to pursue a degree in business. By 2018, he applied and was accepted to Ohio State University for a four-year bachelor’s degree in operation management at the Fisher School of Business. After completing his bachelor’s degree in May 2020, he applied for a master’s degree at Washington State University and was accepted. He is currently working toward an MBA while working full time at Corrpac Packaging and Fulfillment as the buyer planner. Moose weren’t the only quarry for these retired sergeants. Mouret and son Kadyn (left) enjoyed a successful goose hunt, while Shreve downed a sandhill crane and Lawry got out on the water for some rainbow trout fishing.
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American Shooting Journal // October 2021
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THIS MOOSE HUNT in Alaska’s
Voss (center) shares a moment with some of the volunteers who helped make the hunt happen, including (left to right) Larry Martin, Wayne van Zwoll, Richard Barth and Cody Scriver.
DM795 unit comes with very specific requirements from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. This includes both a 100-percent Veterans Administration disability rating and Purple Heart veteran status, which is verified by ADFG. Four partner organizations began planning in fall 2020 to get hunt applicants entered in the drawing for a total of all six available locking tags and special permits. This is what it takes to pull off another year of what again became an amazing experience. The Purple Heart Hunting Program hosts the event, with logistics, travel support and funding provided by Safari Club International Alaska and Northwest Chapters, and Washington State-based Outdoors for Our Heroes/Got Your 6 Fishing. Special thanks for making this all happen go out to our volunteer leadership team on the ground and behind the scenes: Richard Barth and his team, including lead volunteer guide Larry Martin and camp cook Whitney Ann Morrison from PHHP; Louis Cusack, SCI Alaska Chapter; Cody Scriver, SCI Northwest Chapter; writer Wayne van Zwoll; in addition to Nick Leingang and Conrad Nygren, who served as volunteer pro-staff support for the hunt on the ground from OFOH/GY6 Fishing.
Editor’s note: For more about how to apply for a hunt like this, visit OFOH’s application page at outdoorsforourheroes .org/application.html or SCI Alaska Chapter at aksafariclub.org/sci-alaskachapter-warriors. Posing with the Menchacas (left center and center) are helpers Nick Leingang, Barth and Conrad Nygren.
Shockley was supported in his moose hunt by Barney McClanahan.
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In a perfect world, says author Nick Perna, shipping firearms “would be as simple and routine as shipping household goods.” But with a “triple threat” in terms of firearms laws to contend with, it can be tricky.
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HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL
(PART TWO)
Shipping your firearms out of state? Here's a look at the options, from FFLs to the Post Office to UPS. STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICK PERNA
L
ast month I talked about transporting firearms while flying. This month I’m going to discuss the challenges of shipping firearms through the US Postal Service, as well as privately owned shipping companies. In a perfect world, this would be as simple and routine as shipping household goods. In some ways, it is; in others, it’s not. The major issue is the legality of shipping firearms. You have to contend with the firearms laws in the location you’re shipping from, the firearms laws at your ultimate destination, and the federal laws governing the process. Negotiating this “triple threat,” the myriad complex laws throughout the process, can make this a difficult task. Does the state you are shipping from allow interstate gun shipments? Does the destined state allow it? Is the firearm legal to possess in the state you are shipping it to? The questions go on and on, and answers can be hard to come by. The red tape increases even more when shipping firearms out of the country. But it’s less difficult when shipping hunting firearms to countries where Americans often go to hunt, like Mexico and parts of Africa and South America. I recently went through the process of shipping a firearm from one state to another, so I have relevant experience in this area.
THE FIRST STEP is figuring out the legalities. The best place to start is with the local Department of Justice (or related agency) websites for both the shipping and receiving states. Be wary of online chat groups and similar
sites where folks discuss these issues. There can be good info there, but it is unvetted so anything you read you’ll need to confirm. For federal laws, you’ll have to research the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and United States Postal Service sites. More on that in a bit. Gun stores can also be a good source of information since they routinely ship and receive guns from different states and countries. What
gets confusing is trying to determine the difference between shipping a firearm to yourself as opposed to transferring it to another person, or even transferring it to yourself. In some jurisdictions, they attempt to use the terms interchangeably when, clearly, they have different meanings. The safest bet is involving a Federal Firearms License owner in the process, preferably on the receiving end. For anyone unfamiliar
Each carrier has its own set of rules. For example, the US Postal Service and FedEx do not allow its customers to ship handguns, while UPS does. americanshootingjournal.com 97
to possess on the other end, is legal. (I’m not an attorney, and not giving legal advice, but do your research – it really can be done!) A good rule of thumb is that if you can drive or transport a firearm in your vehicle (unloaded, in the trunk) from one state to another, you are probably OK to ship the firearm.
When it comes to shipping firearms, a wellbuilt, high-impact plastic or metal lockable container is the way to go. Be sure to place this into a nondescript box so as not to attract thieves.
with FFLs, it is a license issued by the federal government to sell firearms to those who are allowed to legally possess them. They can also facilitate transferring ownership of firearms, like when you want to purchase a firearm from another firearm owner, and you need to get it registered in your name. FFL owners are also in the business of shipping firearms. The issue there is the cost. An FFL is a business license for selling and transferring firearms. The FFL owner is going to want to be compensated for his or her troubles. When I looked into this, I found that the average price for an FFL receiving a firearm on your behalf is between $50 and $150 per gun. If that’s the route you choose to go, there are companies that will put you in touch with reputable FFL possessors in the areas where you plan to ship to and from, simplifying the process. There are exceptions to these rules. Many states allow for intrafamilial transfers from out-of-state family members. If that is an option in the state you are shipping to, it may be allowed without an FFL holder being involved. Surprisingly, I found out that here in liberal California this is actually an option! You submit the necessary paperwork after receiving 98
American Shooting Journal // October 2021
the firearm to get it registered in your name. It’s a much cheaper solution than paying someone with an FFL to facilitate this. There isn’t much information available at the various state and federal sites about temporarily shipping a firearm to another state for hunting or sporting purposes, but since no transfer is involved, there shouldn’t be any issues. Shipping a firearm to yourself, as long as it’s legal
A picture is worth a thousand words, or, in this case, a few thousand dollars. Document what you are shipping in case your firearm is lost or stolen in shipment.
WHEN IT COMES to carriers, each one has its own set of rules. What came as a surprise to me was that USPS is arguably the best option. They will allow you to ship long guns (rifles and shotguns), but they will not ship handguns. The only issue I found was that they have a 70-pound weight limit. Generally, though, this shouldn’t be a problem. Firearms need to be sent via registered mail. Federal Express, meanwhile, requires that an FFL be involved in the process, either from one FFL dealer to another FFL, or a non-FFL person shipping to an FFL owner. In other words, a non-licensee cannot ship a firearm to another non-licensee using FedEx. United Parcel Service, more commonly known as UPS, is similar, with the exception that they will ship handguns. There’s no mention on either vendor’s website regarding shipping your own registered firearm to yourself. As a word of caution, not all shipping locations are equipped to ship guns.
So your neighborhood family-owned UPS franchise may not be up for the task. Generally, with the commercial carriers, you have to go to a major hub or outlet to do this. Shipping is generally by ground, so expect longer wait times for delivery. Rules for shipping ammunition are similar. Every carrier has specifics about what types of containers need to be used. Obviously, you’re going to want to go with a hardened case with either internal or external locks. USPS recommends shipping the firearm in a box with no markings or indicators that a firearm is located inside. During my recent experience, I put the gun in a normal locked container. I then placed it in a cardboard box. In actuality, this was a little more difficult than that. I had to take two partially disassembled boxes and basically wrap the cardboard around the hardened case. Once it was done, it looked like anything but a gun case. Mail theft is a real problem, so making a gun box look inconspicuous is a good idea. Also, have a plan for receiving it, either at a shipping hub (preferred) or at your home or business. One last tip: Record all serial numbers for shipped firearms and take pictures of the weapons themselves, the lockable gun box and the final package with the “nondescript cardboard exterior.” In the event that your package gets lost in shipping (or stolen), you will have everything you need to file a claim or a police report. The next time you want to ship or transport a firearm, be sure to educate yourself about the dos and don’ts in the process.
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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
FASHION WITH A FUNCTION Alford Designs’ purses and handbags give women options for carrying a concealed weapon in style. STORY BY PAUL PAWELA PHOTOS BY ALFORD DESIGNS LIMITED
f you have been reading American Shooting Journal for a while, then you have probably come across the advertisement for Alford Designs Limited, a line of fashionable concealed carry purses and handbags designed specifically for women.
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A wearer of many hats, Dr. Mary “Paula” Alford also makes and markets leather purses and other concealed carry options for women, products that are not just functional but also fashionable.
All the women in my family – including my beautiful wife, two adult daughters, and two adult granddaughters who proudly serve in the military – carry firearms for self-protection, so I wanted to find out more about the items sold by Alford Designs Limited. I went straight to the source and called Dr. Mary “Paula” Alford herself. What I anticipated would be a 20- to 30-minute chat turned into a two-hour conversation. Thus, the genesis of this article. DR. ALFORD IS a fascinating woman who wears many different hats, and is a americanshootingjournal.com 101
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Alford Designs’ offerings include stylish Southwestern-themed satchels, crossbodycarry purses and belts made from exotic leathers such as alligator hide.
role model to boot. She grew up around firearms and always had a healthy respect for them, which was instilled by her grandfather, a World War I combat veteran, and her father, a World War II veteran and later a police officer. Around 1998, as a hobby Dr. Alford began trap shooting, a pastime that was designed for leisure and dominated by men. Diving headfirst into the trap shooting world, she competed heavily in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. While competing in her beloved sport, one thing Dr. Alford quickly found out was the importance of a good
shooting vest. Unfortunately, there were virtually no shooting vests tailored for women, and if on the rare occasion she found one, it either was the wrong size or a fashion nightmare. So, as a business-minded entrepreneur who happened to have degrees in both fashion merchandising and business administration, Dr. Alford decided to design and create a vest to suit her needs. Dr. Alford has been a part of the apparel business in many different facets, including retail and merchandising, manufacturing, advertising, and teaching university courses in apparel design and construction, retail merchandising, retail management, business and more. Dr. Alford continued her education and earned a master’s degree in business administration and then a doctorate of business administration. AS AN EDUCATOR of many different disciplines, Dr. Alford is fully aware
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that Americans rank violent crime as their greatest concern. While some less security-conscious persons might think this is paranoid, consider that the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting statistics for 2020 documented that armed private citizens fatally shot more criminals during the commission of felonies than police, a fact that seems to be unreported and avoided in our mainstream media. Women are often the target of these vicious attacks, including domestic violence, sexual assault, battery and rape, and this is why women are the largest section of the American population getting their concealed carry licenses and permits.
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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
The company’s purses are made with cut-resistant straps.
With a full understanding of the above, Dr. Alford has become the quintessential advocate for women in many ways. First, as a role model. Second, as an educator for women’s safety and training. Lastly, as a woman who understands the needs of other women when it comes to concealed carry handbags that are not only fashionable but functional. With a wide variety of handcrafted
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leather purses, concealed carry bags, satchels, briefcases and more, Dr. Alford offers women peace of mind, with the knowledge that tucked securely inside their bag is a tool that can and will save lives. Alford Designs Limited makes products for different makes and models of firearms, and all items are personally guaranteed against defects in workmanship. The quality is unsurpassed and is worth
every dollar! All Alford Designs products are made in America with American pride. Self-defense boils down to good training, good tactics and good equipment, and especially for the needs of women’s personal protection, Alford Designs Limited has it covered! Editor’s note: For more info on Alford Designs, go to alforddesignslimited.com.
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Diversified Innovative Products
diproductsinc.com The folks at DIP Inc. are not content with the cheap plastic parts that many firearms companies produce to cut production costs for rimfire firearms. At DIP, they make drop-in metal replacement parts and accessories that are both high quality and affordable. All products are made in the USA. DIP manufactures parts for the following brands: CZ, Marlin, Savage, Ruger, Remington, Tikka, Steyr, S&W, Howa, Marlin, Sako, Anschutz, Henry and others.
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fullforgegear.com Bags, gear and packs. Full Forge Gear is bringing quality and affordable nylon gear for everyday life, from multipurpose bags to one-day backpacks to pistol and rifle cases. Whatever your needs are, Full Forge Gear has something to offer you. americanshootingjournal.com 105
2021
Black Hills Ammunition black-hills.com New for 2021 is the Black Hills Ammo 6.5 Creedmoor 130-grain Dual Performance. Upon impact, the bullet expands quickly; the petals then fracture and continue penetrating, cutting through stressed tissue. Adequate penetration is assured by the projectile’s solid copper shank, retaining a uniform weight, which continues on to a depth of up to 27 inches. Velocity is 2,800 feet per second from a 22-inch barrel.
Davis Tent
davistent.com Find canvas hunting tents, stoves, cots, panniers and accessories at Davis Tent.
Triple K
triplek.com It’s hunting season, so put a scope on your “Big Iron.” Triple K Manufacturing offers the No. 485 Space Cowboy, a strong-side vertical-carry holster for the long-range handgun hunter. This holster will fit any waist belt or cartridge belt and has a latigo leg tie for added stability. The Space Cowboy holster can also be added to Triple K’s popular Wyoming drop loop belt. Features rich walnut oil vegetable-tanned leather with solid brass snap hardware. MSRP: $180.
Stocky’s Stocks
stockysstocks.com At under 24 ounces, Stocky’s new Carbon Hunter is sure to find its way into some very nice rifles. The UltraLite NextGen CF Hunter is a full-size hunting stock designed for any barrel you might want to run on it, from sporter to M24/Proof carbon (or even larger). Truly the next generation of carbon fiber layup: they are stronger, lighter and more precisely machined than ever before.
Rick Young Outdoors LLC
rickyoungoutdoors.com There are several suspension systems on the market today for binoculars and range finders, but none like this one. The shock cord grips, or hugs, your body and transfers the weight of your binoculars equally around your shoulder and chest without digging into your body. The round shock cord will not vibrate or flutter in the wind. Patented singlepoint adjustment allows you to quickly fit the harness to your change of clothing. Worn in five different positions and very affordable for stocking stuffers this holiday season. 106
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Kershaw
kershaw.kaiusa.com/launch-13.html The made-in-USA Launch 13 combines the best slimness, design details and cutting ability. Its Wharncliffe blade is perfect for fine work, yet it’s slightly angled for more versatile cutting. The narrow profile and deep-carry pocketclip let the Launch 13 easily ride in the pocket.
Timber Creek Outdoors Anarchy Outdoors
anarchyoutdoors.com Anarchy Outdoors’ Penguin Precision Rifle Grip is designed to allow for true thumb rest positioning while allowing the index finger to align with the trigger, reducing shooter fatigue. The palm swell allows for greater control and manipulation of the firearm while the palm shelf allows the shooter to rest their hand or instantly transition.
timbercreekoutdoorsinc.com Your next AR build starts here. Customize your AR with Timber Creek’s Upper Parts Kit, Lower Parts Kit or the Full Enforcer Kit. All build kits are available in multiple color options. All Timber Creek products are proudly made in Springfield, Oregon, and are backed by a lifetime warranty.
V-Line Security Cases and Cabinets
Woodman’s Pal
woodmanspal.com Made in America since 1941, chop, clear, blaze, build and more with the lightweight, compact and superbly balanced Woodman’s Pal. Unique land management and outdoorsman’s multi-use tool. MSRP: $175.
vlineind.com V-Line’s Slide-Away model features a convenient pull-out drawer design, making it handy for securing not just your firearm but other items as well. The drawer springs open a little bit when you unlock it and rides on smooth, heavy-duty ball-bearing slides, rated to 100 pounds. The body and door are made of 12-gauge steel, with a black textured powder coat. This case can accommodate two full-sized pistols and is lined with a bottom layer of thin foam and another layer of Pick N Pluck Foam. americanshootingjournal.com 107
2021
American Built Arms Company
abarms.com The A*B Arms Urban Sniper Stock X is a stronger, more compact, lightweight, ergonomic precision rifle butt stock that can be used on any weapons system that utilizes a carbine-length buffer tube. Available in black and flat dark earth.
Redding Reloading Equipment Vortex Optics
vortexoptics.com Western hunting demands an optic built for long range and the long haul, and the Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50 FFP delivers. You still get the core of the Razor HD LHT, including a stunning HD optical system and rugged build in a scope that’s among the lightest in its class.
Alford Designs Limited
etsy.com/shop/AlfordDesignsLtd Alford Designs Limited is offering a new line of fine leather concealed carry purses with special cut-resistant crossbody straps. They have several different new sizes of purses, bags and satchels, and a new selection of different leathers. Additional features include all leather-lined and a special design V-shaped leather holster pocket on the inside of the purse. Each purse is handcrafted and made in the USA. Check out Alford Designs on Etsy, as well as at alforddesignslimited.com. 108
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redding-reloading.com Redding Reloading has reached full production on the highly innovative Redding Slant Bed Concentricity Gauge. The uniquely angled ergonomic design of the slant bed better positions the dial indicator for easier reading as opposed to older designs. Additionally, the gauge can be transitioned from right-handed use to left-handed by using a provided set of mounting holes on the base. To learn more about Redding’s ongoing commitment to the precision handloading enthusiast and to request a copy of the company’s current catalog, visit their website.
JL Billet
jlbillet.com New from JL Billet is an all-aluminum AR pistol brace, machined from 6061T6 aircraft-grade aluminum with type III black anodized coating. Designed to fit AR-style buffer tubes with 1.25-inch outer diameter. Designed to install and adjust quickly with a set screw to lock it in place. Features a quick disconnect sling socket that can be utilized from either side for left- and right-hand shooters. Has a look like nothing else on the market.
Velocity Precision Engineering
velocitytriggers.com Velocity Precision’s Recoil-less Bolt Carrier is designed for accuracy and performance. Their unique patent-pending design is stronger and lighter than other low-mass bolt carriers on the market, and when paired with their adjustable gas block, you can expect recoil and muzzle rise to be nearly zero.
ADCO Arms Co., Inc.
adcosales.com Many consumers in states allowing 10-plusround magazines are delighted to hear of the 20-round-capacity magazines offered for ADCO’s Best Arms magazine-fed shotgun. Of course, these will fit the Best Arms models; however, the same MMXX item will work in a number of other brands of the Turkish mag-fed models. The MSRP is $139 post paid. For further information, contact 800-775-3687.
Underwood Ammunition
underwoodammo.com From Illinois-based Underwood Ammunition, the Xtreme Defender projectile uses optimized flute geometry, total weight and velocity to achieve a penetration depth up to 18 inches with a permanent wound cavity that is simply enormous. The non-expanding solid copper body ensures no adverse effects occurring to the projectile itself, despite encountering common personal-defense obstacles such as wallboard, sheetrock, sheet metal and automotive glass. americanshootingjournal.com 109
2021
MDGrips Peet Family Dryer
peetdryer.com Introducing the only shoe dryer on the market that dries three pairs of boots or shoes at once. New multiport base with push-button digital display allows for easy operation. Works with all DryPort accessories (excluding Helmet). Dries in one to four hours with heat/no-heat settings. Up to four tubes can be shut off manually when not in use. Doing so will increase fan velocity of tubes in use. New handle and space-saving design make for a more portable unit.
Exquisite Knives
exquisiteknives.com Three brothers make up the team of CAS Knives of Argentina. They do all of their own work, including forging, grinding and all embellishments. This is a Damascus Subhilt Fighter with blued fittings, stag scales and a superb feel in the hand. Exquisiteknives.com sells a lot of the brothers’ work and they are some of their favorite knifemakers. At Exquisiteknives.com, they always welcome that difficult-to-find project. Visit the website for more information. 110
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mdgrips.com Why use stock materials for your pistol when you can personalize your experience with quality handcrafted custom grips? MDGrips specializes in creating beauty, exuding old-world charm in a functional and practical way to enhance the look and feel of your pistol. To find out more about how they can create grips for your gun, call MDGrips today at 615-613-3552.
Sage Canyon Outfitters
sagecanyonoutfitters.com A Sage Canyon gift card is the perfect way to give the hunter in your life exactly what they want! Gift cards can be used toward anything on the ranch, including bird packages, guides, lodging and much more!
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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
A .45-caliber Colt Single Action Army revolver features exquisite engraving and custom grip, both handcrafted by Connecticut-based Nutmeg Sports.
NO CNC MACHINES NEEDED HERE!
Nutmeg Sports prides itself on its custom Colt grips from raw materials, exquisite engraving. PHOTOS BY NUTMEG SPORTS
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or nearly two decades, Nutmeg Sports, LLC has been producing handcrafted, engraved and fully customized Colt grips from their shop in Tolland, Connecticut. “My father James Alaimo started our company in 1993. He had just finished his 20-year career with Colt Firearms and was ready to start out on his own,” explains Nutmeg Sports owner Emily Alaimo Cusson. “The Samuel Colt legacy was something that inspired my dad, and he wanted to take that inspiration and use that as the basis for Nutmeg Sports.” Alaimo’s goal was that any gun
sold by Nutmeg Sports would equal or surpass the quality standards of the Colt Custom Gun Shop. Whether customers were looking to spruce up an old Colt Single Action or they wanted to buy something brand new and fully customized, Alaimo aimed to provide the finest in engraved guns and ivory grips on the market. Following her father’s passing, Cusson is now at the helm and continues his legacy proudly. “My husband Tyler and I took over fully in 2016,” she explains. “However, he and I worked closely with my dad for about 15 years prior to that. In January of 2020, Tyler accepted a position
with Colt’s Historical Archives, and I started running things here at Nutmeg primarily on my own.” As a woman in an obviously maledominated industry, Cusson has had her share of awkward encounters with customers who “assume that I am the secretary.” “(They) are surprised by my knowledge and are also amazed to learn that I am the one in fact getting my hands dirty and crafting the grips myself,” she adds. “We don’t have a CNC machine, or any automatic equipment. I make each one of our grips from raw material and completely by hand.” Because everything is done by hand, americanshootingjournal.com 113
Company SPOTLIGHT
“We don’t have a CNC machine, or any automatic equipment. I make each one of our grips from raw material and completely by hand,” says owner Emily Alaimo Cusson, the daughter of the company’s founder. Custom engraving projects can take six to eight months to finish.
a custom engraving project usually takes around six to eight months to complete. Cusson says this timeframe allows Nutmeg Sports to deeply connect with each individual customer and “do everything we can to ensure that they get exactly what they have been dreaming of.” “Many times, people need some guidance in the decision-making process on the details that they would like to have in their project,” she explains. “When someone calls me, I take as much time as is needed to fully answer questions, make suggestions, and help to steer them in the direction of being sure to have everything turn out as they imagined it.” Cusson adds, “We don’t take for granted the trust and faith that our clients place in our hands. When the client receives the finished product, and lets us know that we have exceeded their expectations, that is the best part of my job.” At Nutmeg Sports, they truly love what they do and it shows. Says Cusson, “From the smallest to the larger, more complicated jobs, each one is just as important. I hope that all our customers feel that from us.” Editor’s note: For more information, visit nutmegsports.com. 114
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GRIPS GALLERY
Hillbilly Grips
Nutmeg Sports, LLC
Hillbilly Grips are custom-made by hand in Kentucky. Specializing in revolver and 1911 grips from natural materials such as Turkish walnut, giraffe bone, mammoth ivory, ram horn, stag and more. These custom grips are guaranteed to have a perfect fit and beautiful finish. hillbillygrips.com
Nutmeg Sports offers the finest custom grips, like this one featuring giraffe bone. Highly polished, beautifully finished and fully stabilized, this material is rare and in limited supply. All of their grips are made individually and by hand to fit each and every gun. This gun, the Elizabeth Colt Legacy Foundation show gun, was to be raffled off at the Colt Collectors Association Show in Noblesville, Indianapolis. nutmegsports.com
Anarchy Outdoors MDGrips Why use stock materials for your pistol when you can personalize your experience with quality handcrafted custom grips? MDGrips specializes in creating beauty, exuding old-world charm in a functional and practical way to enhance the look and feel of your pistol. To find out more about how they can create grips for your gun, call MDGrips today at (615) 613-3552. mdgrips.com
The Penguin Precision Rifle Grip is designed to allow for true thumb rest positioning while allowing the index finger to align with the trigger, reducing shooter fatigue. The palm swell allows for greater control and manipulation of the firearm while the palm shelf allows the shooter to rest their hand or instantly transition. anarchyoutdoors.com
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GRIPS GALLERY
Handleitgrips Handleitgrips’ Hybrid Grips are like nothing you’ve seen before! Their hybrid grips are designed with the best of both worlds: the comfort of textured rubber and the grit of sandpaper with interchangeable grip panels and back straps. The interchangeable side grip panels/backstrap can easily be changed without removing the main grip. More options for different colors and materials will be available soon. The grip panels can be configured in many different ways. If you conceal carry, they include the original textured rubber panels/backstrap that are less abrasive against your skin. The perfect gun grip is here! handleitgrips.com
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HOGUE INC. Hogue’s Beavertail HandAll Grip Sleeves feature models specifically designed for today’s polymer-framed handguns. They engage with the textures and contours of the firearm frame to stay firmly in place over the lifespan of the grip. Six colors available. hogueinc.com
L.E. SPOTLIGHT
NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES. SOME WEAR COLLARS California police dog stabbed six times but helps capture domestic violence suspect. STORY BY NICK PERNA PHOTO BY FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT
eroes come in all shapes and sizes. Most are of the two-legged variety (humans). But in certain circumstances, they are the furry, fourlegged sort. Police canines serve a multitude of purposes. They can search for drugs and guns. During rescue and recovery operations, they can sniff out cadavers. They can track human scents, pursuing bad guys for miles. There are comfort dogs, used to help victims in distress deal with their emotions. There are even dogs trained to locate electronic devices during child exploitation cases. The classic police canine is one whose job is to protect its handler and apprehend crooks. These “fur missiles” wait patiently in the back of canine cars for the opportunity to deploy. Like the cops they protect, they are willing to risk injury and the loss of their lives to bring bad guys to justice.
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ARGO, A GERMAN Shepherd, is a member of the Fresno Police Department in Fresno, California. In April 2021, he was on duty with his handler, Officer Brian Sturgeon, when the pair responded to a call involving a woman being held against her will. The suspect, Carlos
Argo, a Fresno, California, Police Department canine, was back on the job two weeks after sustaining multiple stab wounds from a domestic violence suspect who tried to flee from officers.
Castanos, a criminal with a violent history, was armed and ready to assault the police. Castanos, who also had multiple warrants for his arrest, tried to flee the scene on foot when Fresno PD officers
arrived. He hopped a fence when responding officers gave chase. What Castanos didn’t count on was the speed and agility of Argo. Argo latched onto the suspect’s left arm. Castanos responded by pulling americanshootingjournal.com 117
a knife. He stabbed Argo repeatedly, a total of six times. Castanos was advancing on officers as this occurred. A taser was deployed and the suspect was taken into custody. Lieutenant Tim Tietjen of Fresno PD said, “The canine saved the officer’s life. If the canine wasn’t present, that guy would’ve been able to move towards the officer and stab him. They were in close proximity.” Argo, a two-year law enforcement vet, suffered wounds to his back and left eye and had to undergo surgery. He was also attacked by a pit bull during the melee. Castanos was charged with felony domestic violence, false imprisonment, assault on a police officer, felony resisting arrest and serious injury to a police canine. He has prior domestic violence arrests. Argo went back to work two weeks later. Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear collars. Editor’s note: Author Nick Perna is a sergeant with the Redwood City Police Department in northern California. He previously served as a paratrooper in the US Army and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also has a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. He is a frequent contributor to multiple print and online forums on topics related to law enforcement, firearms, tactics and veterans issues.
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Self-Defense TRAINING
Reenactors playing the roles of Town Marshal Virgil Earp, his brothers Wyatt and Morgan Earp, and friend Doc Holliday pose for author Paul Pawela during his trip to historic Tombstone, Arizona, and the OK Corral.
WHAT OK CORRAL GUNFIGHT TAUGHT ME Deadly-force encounter training lessons through the lens of famous Old West clash.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA
o other gunfight has received more attention in America than the one that happened in Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881, at 3 pm. And while the gunfight at the OK Corral took place 140 years ago this month, it is a classic example of what to do – and what not to do – in a deadlyforce encounter. To understand the subject of deadly force, it is imperative to look at real-world gunfights that people can identify with. Two huge blockbuster movies about the gunfight at the OK
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Corral were made in the 21st century, one being Wyatt Earp starring Kevin Costner, and the other being Tombstone starring Kurt Russell. It is safe to say that a large part of the public has seen one or both movies, and therefore has some knowledge of the events that took place that day. Many lessons can be learned from the famous gunfight. For example, the first contributing factor that led to the fateful confrontation between the outlaws and the lawmen was alcohol. The lesson learned should be obvious: Guns and alcohol should never mix. During this period there was an ordinance in the city of Tombstone
forbidding people from carrying weapons on their person in the city. Another hard lesson learned: Debatable or not, when it comes to Second Amendment issues and constitutional rights, always obey the law. The narrative of the gunfight at the OK Corral was that the two parties simply did not like one another and were very much at odds, getting into verbal altercations and physical assaults. Finally, the trouble came to a head when one party threatened to kill the members of the other party on the spot if he saw them on the street. The learning objective here is that when one has the responsibility americanshootingjournal.com 119
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
The gunfighters’ daily shows help illustrate the author and self-defense expert’s central point, that “the most valuable type of training is force-on-force training, utilizing man-marking cartridges that come out of real guns.”
of carrying a weapon, they must do everything in their power to avoid any kind of trouble. Every attempt should be made to deescalate the situation, but if you cannot avoid trouble, you should prepare for the fight. THAT IS PRECISELY what happened on the ill-fated day when four appointed lawmen faced down five outlaws, known as Cowboys, in Tombstone. A total of nine men aligned themselves no more than 6 to 10 feet apart from each other (to this day, the FBI calculates that the average distance in a gunfight is 10 feet). The five Cowboys were brothers Ike and Billy Clanton, brothers Tom and Frank McLaury, and Billy Claiborne. The town lawmen were headed by Town Marshal Virgil Earp, who deputized his brothers Wyatt and Morgan, along with trusted friend Doc Holliday. Between the two parties, the coolest head was Virgil Earp; all indications were that he did everything he could to avoid a gunfight. Upon approaching the Cowboys, he gave a loud verbal command, saying, “Throw up your 120
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hands.” (That command would become invaluable later on in court, as it would be used as evidence that Virgil Earp did not just walk up and gun down the Cowboys, as the opposing party would testify.) Through much study of the incident, I believe that what set the gunfight in motion was Doc Holliday. After the command was given by Virgil Earp, there was a brief silent lull before all hell would break loose. Under his coat, Holliday was hiding a double-barreled 10-gauge shotgun; upon getting it ready for action, he cocked both triggers at the same time. Hearing the cocking of the guns, the Cowboys thought they had no choice but to defend themselves and pulled their guns out of their holsters. The fight was on, and in a matter of 30 seconds, 30 rounds would be fired from both parties. The weapons used were in .44 caliber, .45 caliber and 10-gauge 00 buckshot. The question is often asked, “How could people miss shooting targets at such a close distance?” The best answer could be summed up in a movie quote
from The Shootist. After John Bernard Books (John Wayne) finishes giving a shooting lesson to Gillom Rogers (Ron Howard), Rogers asks him, “How could you get into so many fights and always come out on top? I nearly tied you shooting.” Books responds, “Friend, there’s nobody up there shooting back at you.” From the lawmen’s point of view, they knew Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury were good pistol shots, but their marksmanship had not prepared them for a real-life close-up gunfight, and they seldom practiced drawing from their holster. This is a very important lesson learned. Many people go to shooting ranges and shoot targets that are not shooting back; those same people will never take the time to learn how to draw from a holster and move while they are shooting. This is why I think the most valuable type of training is force-onforce training, utilizing man-marking cartridges that come out of real guns. WHEN A GUNFIGHT commences, a physical phenomenon called “fight or flight”
often takes place. Basically, a person either stays and fights, or runs away. This was the case with two of the Cowboys. Billy Claiborne broke and ran away altogether, while the Cowboy that started most of the feud, Ike Clanton, ran toward Wyatt Earp after the shooting had already started, stating he was unarmed and did not want to fight. It is important to note that Ike Clanton grabbed Wyatt Earp’s gun hand, causing Earp to discharge a round into the ground. Why is this important? Because all firearms training should include weapon retention skills. Also, it’s important to note that in the midst of the melee, Earp had the sense to realize that Clanton was indeed unarmed and therefore had no reason to shoot him. Once again, I cannot emphasize forceon-force training enough. For those interested in the gunfight itself, you can find a shot-by-shot breakdown by searching online, but here’s the gist: 30 total rounds were fired, resulting in the death of the three Cowboys who didn’t flee (Billy Clanton and the McLaury brothers), and wounding Virgil and Morgan Earp and Doc Holliday. Both Clanton and Tom McLaury were medically treated but died from their wounds. The lesson
learned here: get basic medical training so you’ll be able to help yourself and your comrades. After receiving medical attention, the next step is to seek legal counsel. As is still the case today, back then it was not just about surviving the gunfight or deadly encounter, but also surviving the ensuing legal process. Even though the Earps were acting as lawmen, they were charged for murder and had to undergo a grand jury hearing. They would eventually be cleared, but they still had to pay a lot of money in legal and bond fees that was never recouped. Lesson learned: if you don’t have gun insurance, like the type that Armed Citizens’ Educational Foundation provides, get it. Here are a few more key lessons that we can take away from the gunfight at the OK Corral: • Shoot until you stop the threat – anticipate firing multiple rounds. Even if the enemy is hit multiple times, that doesn’t mean they are out of the fight. Frank McLaury, known to be the most dangerous shot, was struck in the stomach by Wyatt Earp, but even with a mortal wound he was able to shoot Virgil, Morgan and Doc Holliday. • Practice shooting with your nondominant hand. Billy Clanton was
shot four times in the chest, belly, arm and wrist, and with all those wounds he was able to do a pistol transition and continue shooting with his nondominant hand until he was out of bullets. • Always have a backup gun. Doc Holliday fired a shotgun blast that ripped Tom McLaury wide open, but it did not kill him instantly. After discharging the shotgun, Doc thought his primary weapon failed him and he immediately went to his backup and continued to fire at the other two Cowboys. • Finally, never drop your guard. After the trial was over and wounds were healed, within a matter of months Virgil Earp was ambushed by men with shotguns. He lived but lost the use of his left arm. Not long after that, his brother Morgan was shot and killed in an ambush as well. How Wyatt Earp dealt with those tragedies is for another article on lessons learned. And that is my two cents! Editor’s note: For realistic self-defense training, see assaultcountertactics .com. Author Paul Pawela is a nationally recognized firearms and self-defense expert.
A full-size diorama in Tombstone shows how close the lawmen and “Cowboys” were together when the shooting began. Per Pawela, the FBI says that gun fights typically occur with participants just 10 feet apart from one another. americanshootingjournal.com 121
Hand Built For Hardcore Use (559) 478-5475 www.taprackholsters.com
Tap Rack Holsters is a leading provider of premium American-made gun holsters and knife sheaths. Our products are the result of 40 plus years of combined experience in the military and law enforcement field using American made materials. Every Tap Rack holster and sheath is handcrafted using extreme care, precision and built to last because we’re dedicated to providing premium quality products our customers can rely on.
a PREMIUM QUALITY a FULLY FUNCTIONAL a LIFETIME WARRANTY a CUSTOM BUILDS a BUILT FOR EXTREME USE a MADE IN AMERICA a BUILT WITH AMERICAN MATERIALS AND PARTS a MADE BY AMERICANS AND VETERANS
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
As a young baker working in a sketchy part of Miami, Pepi Kusiak decided to carry concealed. But with unsatisfactory holster choices on the market, he used skills learned at his mother’s leather shop to craft his own, and the rest is history.
follows function meets minimalism’ QUALITY, VALUE BAKED ‘Form with Kusiak Leather’s IWB, OWB INTO THESE HOLSTERS concealed carry options. PHOTOS BY KUSIAK LEATHER
ost small businesses have a unique “how they got started” story, but Kusiak Leather’s might just take the cake – literally. While working for his grandfather’s Cuban bakery in Miami, Pepi Kusiak developed a recipe and the retail packaging for gourmet brownies that were sold at farmers markets and local food stores. Because he was working after hours in a “sketchy neighborhood,” Kusiak decided he needed protection, so he set about getting his concealed
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weapons permit and a firearm. “Now, we’ve all been here: You’ve chosen the gun you’re going to buy and at some point, you find yourself at the wall of holsters,” Kusiak describes. “That’s when I realized, none of those holsters were going to work for me because they ride too high, leather is too thick, poor quality or they were plastic.” He continues, “Because I have leather work experience, I knew I could do better. Originally, I made holsters for myself, and because friends and other people started asking for them,
I decided to open up shop. In order to know that I was on the right track, I called my brother who’s a sheriff in L.A., and I asked him to list off all the problems he’s had with inside-thewaistband holsters, thus resulting in Kusiak Leather Holsters.” As a teen, Kusiak worked for his mother’s custom leather shop in Burbank, California, and he brought these skills to his new holsters. After about a year of making them out of his apartment, he quit the bakery to focus on holsters full-time. The americanshootingjournal.com 123
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Kusiak Leather offers several lines of inside- and outside-the-waistband holsters, all made out of natural steer hide and cut as thin as Kydex.
company continued to expand, and Kusiak soon found a commercial space and built a workshop. Now proudly located in Texas, Kusiak describes the design of his holsters as “form follows function
meets minimalism.” “It is a unique design to the conceal carry world,” he says. “Our holster offers protection to and from your pistol, secured retention, and provides ready access to it. Our The company’s holsters are available for a wide variety of handgun makes and models.
product was created for those who like to conceal carry on a daily basis with a lightweight and unobtrusive and ultimately invisible holster.” Kusiak holsters have been redesigned a few times over the years, as the company strives for perfection, but they have always retained the minimalist feel that shooters enjoy so much. Each holster is thin yet sturdy, and is handmade in Texas from natural steer hide. “Nobody makes leather holsters like we do,” says Kusiak. “They are as thin as Kydex, and in some cases as sturdy as Kydex, but they are as comfortable as any leather holster – but more comfortable because they are thinner. If you compare our holsters to other comparable leather holsters, we also provide the best value in the market.” Editor’s note: For more information, visit kusiakleather.com.
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CONCEALED CARRY
GALLERY HUNTER COMPANY LEATHER
MERNICKLE HOLSTERS
If your cowboy gun is what you shoot the most, why not make it your daily carry? Mernickle Holsters’ PS06SA is made of the highest grade Hermann Oak leather. This holster can be carried in the strong-side position or a crossdraw. Holsters are hand-molded to your model of gun to ensure a perfect fit every time.
Fits most small- and medium-frame firearms and made with American full-grain leather. The 4700-style holsters are handcrafted to hug your hip comfortably and fit universally so that one size fits most. It is available in two-tone color and black, and is handcrafted with durable nylon stitching, metal belt clip and metal screw set (for small frames) to adjust to different firearms. Designed for an all-day, everyday carry for both left- and right-handed users. Two sizes are available: 4700, which fits medium to large frame; and 4700S, which fits small frame.
www.huntercompany.com
www.mernickleholsters.com
KUSIAK LEATHER
TRIPLE K MANUFACTURING Crossdraw Holster is designed for gun owners who prefer a dedicated crossdraw-style carry. The open-top design allows for easy draw and features an adjustable tension screw that ensures proper gun retention. Made in the USA with premium vegetable-tanned leather and heavy nylon stitching. MSRP: $53.
Kusiak Leather has integrated claw technology into its American IWB holster. If you are not familiar with the claw, it helps conceal the pistol by applying pressure to the inside of the belt and rotating the grip of the pistol towards your body for maximum concealment. The claw is made up of three layers of rosewood and 10 layers of carbon fiber, with an overall thickness of about .2025 inch. Kusiak uses Shellac all-natural sealant and it makes the wood as waterproof as you would expect leather to be. Paraffin wax and silicone lubricant are added to the inside to make your pistol glide in and out easily and also to further protect the finish of your pistol. An all-American product, the American IWB features a second layer of 5-6 ounce leather over the upper section and sweat guard for added reinforcement. This not only makes it stronger, but also allows it to stay open, making reholstering easier.
www.kusiakleather.com
www.triplek.com
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BLACK POWDER
SO THAT'S THE REASON FOR THE RULE Author Mike Nesbitt’s Leman-style .54-caliber flintlock rifle, “Tacky Too,” fired prematurely as powder was poured down the muzzle. To prevent larger ignitions, range rules require shooters to use a separate container for their powder instead of pouring it straight from their horn or flask.
A lingering spark in his barrel as he poured powder led to a lesson learned for a muzzleloader. STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT
A
t several muzzleloading clubs, there is a general safety rule that you must pour your powder from the horn or flask into a separate powder measure, then plug the horn or flask and pour the powder from the measure into the muzzle of the gun. This is done specifically to keep the larger amount of black powder that is in the powder horn or flask away from the muzzle just in case the powder being poured down the barrel is somehow ignited. While we’ve observed that rule for years, no one that I know of had ever actually seen a “premature ignition” with a muzzleloading arm. But about 10 years ago, that really did happen to me. During this fateful match, I took my first shot with my .54-caliber flintlock Leman-style rifle as a fouling shot. I knew the bore was oily, so the fouling shot was necessary simply to be assured that my next shot, fired for score, would be a good one. When I primed the pan for that first shot, I poked a good hole in the priming powder through the flash-hole and the powder inside the barrel simply felt
soggy. That shot had slow ignition, just as could be expected, but the shot had fired. Then, while preparing to load for the next shot the powder had just begun to pour from my powder measure and into the bore when it was ignited – we might say “touched off” – by a lingering spark down inside the barrel. That powder charge, only 50 grains of GOEX FFg, blew the adjustable powder measure out of my hand and left me with some very numb and sooty fingers. Yes, I quickly checked and counted those fingers, all of which were still present and accounted for, quite thankfully. Then the numbness began to wear off and I quickly submerged my blackened and aching hand in the cool of the rainwater barrel. That cleaned some of the soot off of my fingers and it allowed me to begin feeling normal again. My powder measure, one of the old treasured adjustable ones from Doc Haddaway (find similar ones from TDC Manufacturing, tdcmfg.com), was blown more than a few yards away but I was able to find it. Other than being very sooty, like my hand, there was no damage to the powder measure. However, the blast at the muzzle of my rifle sent that powder measure far
enough that I know how lucky I was to not have my fingers directly in front of the gun’s muzzle. THIS EXPERIENCE ALLOWS me to testify that there is certainly a chance of having a lingering spark present in the gun’s barrel that can be hot enough to ignite the next powder charge. Why it happened this time, and I’m just guessing, is because my gun’s bore was left rather oily after being cleaned the previous week on a rainy day. The oil was wiped down the bore just after cleaning the gun. My thought is that some of the powder in my first powder charge absorbed some of that oil and did not burn completely when the shot was fired but remained in the bore, allowing a “slow spark” to remain after firing that fouling shot. I had never witnessed such a thing in over 40 years of shooting muzzleloaders, but I will say it again: it can happen. And I know I’m not alone in saying this. Let me quote a paragraph from Bernard DeVoto’s Across the Wide Missouri. “Hazard of the trail. On the way back, one of the hunters (in Wyeth’s group in 1834) started to reload his rifle, which he had just discharged. He didn’t wipe it and a piece of americanshootingjournal.com 127
BLACK POWDER smoldering patch was in the barrel, so that when he poured the powder in he was showered with flame. His face was all one blister and there was not much that one could do for burns in the wilderness. This sort of thing must have happened scores of times.” That is all that’s said about this occurrence in DeVoto’s book and he does not quote the diary or text to indicate where he got that information. While we can’t really ask for more information about what did happen, I’d like to add some comments. First of all, I’ll say I was luckier than the hunter in Wyeth’s brigade but I was not looking down the barrel while the powder was being poured into the gun’s muzzle. Next, I have my doubts that the powder was ignited by a piece of smoldering patch. That patch, along with the ball, is one of the first things to leave the barrel when the rifle is fired and I have never known a piece of the patch to remain in the bore, smoldering or otherwise. My
In addition to leaving his fingers numb, the blast blew Nesbitt’s powder measure, near the rifle’s triggers, out of his hand.
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American Shooting Journal // October 2021
guess is that some of the powder granulations in the hunter’s rifle became dampened with lube or lard, which caused those powder grains to become embers. It is quite likely that those embers would not have been blown out of the barrel, especially if they were located near the rear of the powder charge. Of course this makes little difference now. What I do take exception with is the comment, “This sort of thing must have happened scores of times.” I think that a premature ignition was just as rare in those days as it is today. If it had happened scores of times, we’d find more references to it in those diaries and books written either on or about the frontier. One other little point about DeVoto’s comments. Any burn, in the wilderness or otherwise, can be helped by covering it with mud or something that will “hide” the burn from oxygen. (I dunked my hand in the water barrel.) That will reduce the
pain and allow healing to begin. We can only guess that the hunter was lucky enough to keep his eyesight while getting his face burned. DeVoto was a tremendous historian but apparently not a shooter of muzzleloading arms, nor was he a Boy Scout, as we can guess by his comments about burns. At the same time, I do want to thank him for including that paragraph in his famous book. I CAN’T RAKE DeVoto over the coals too harshly; he’s totally correct on at least one point. The premature ignitions that took place while loading muzzleloading guns – mainly rifles, pistols and smoothbores – must have happened more times than what we can find recorded. And now knowing that it can happen, as I learned so very well, I fully recommend the range policy that states, “No loading or pouring powder down the muzzle directly from the horn or other powder container. Always use a separate
The
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The old and “sooty” powder measure was undamaged other than color.
powder measure.” We can’t be too well prepared or too safe in any of our shooting activities. Our muzzleloading sport has a rather
clean safety record, not spotless but still very good. We must continue to practice safe shooting procedures and safe gun handling habits in order to
maintain that record. Let’s all strive for safety in order to keep our black powder shooting sport on track the way we enjoy it today.
americanshootingjournal.com 129
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