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A M ERIC AN
SHOOTING JOURNAL Volume 11 // Issue 2 // November 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 Scott Haugen, Phil Massaro, Mike Nesbitt, Paul Pawela, Nick Perna, Joseph Reagan, Kelli Schueler 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 Lance Craig (in orange, with his team of hunt supporters and volunteers), a retired US Army Special Forces staff sergeant with terminal ALS, bagged this trophy central Washington bull elk nicknamed “Toad” by locals during an Outdoors For Our Heroes-sponsored hunt. (OUTDOORS FOR OUR HEROES)
Pistol Bullets and Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
P.O. Box 1188 Cullman, AL 35056 Tel: 256-739-1606 Fax: 256-739-4683 Toll Free: 800-545-9376 www.zerobullets.com
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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!
CONTENTS
VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 2
COVER STORY
‘FROM ONE OLD WARRIOR TO ANOTHER’
As retired US Army Staff Sergeant Lance Craig battles Lou Gehrig’s disease, he applied for an Outdoors For Our Heroes-sponsored hunt for a central Washington elk. While any bull would have done the job, what Craig bagged was no ordinary animal, making this bucket-list excursion all the more special. OFOH’s Kelli Schueler shares his story.
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ROADHUNTER: HUNTING FALL TURKEYS WITH A DOG Fall turkey season is far less popular than the spring edition, but in many states you can bring along your four-legged hunting partner. Our Scott Haugen details how to team up with your pup to bag that Thanksgiving turkey.
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SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING: LESSONS FROM BLACK HAWK DOWN In part one of a two-part series, Paul Pawela shares nine personal defense truths seen through the lens of the battle between US forces and a Somali warlord on the streets of Mogadishu, as chronicled in Mark Bowden’s book.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT: OFF-DUTY MILITARY POLICE OFFICER DRIVES OVER SHOOTER Master Sergeant David Royer, a now-retired US Army MP, was off base in a construction zone on a bridge when he took “heroic” and “extraordinary” actions to stop a shooter, likely saving the lives of fellow drivers and crews working on the structure. Nick Perna hails this American hero.
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MILITARY SPOTLIGHT: GIVING VETERANS HOPE, A SAFE SPACE For veterans with PTSD and other combat trauma, there’s hope – Camp Hope. Since opening in 2012 with just eight beds, the Houston-based organization that provides residential treatment for vets has expanded to four housing units, and more is on the way, founder David Maulsby tells our Nick Perna.
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WE SAID WE’D NEVER FORGET: WILL WE? For the first time in 20 years, we celebrate Veterans Day in relative peace, but there is “still work to do,” writes Joseph Reagan of Wreaths Across America: making sure those asked to put their lives on the line for all of us are taken care of and given a chance to thrive after their tour is up.
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BULLET BULLETIN: MILITARY PROJECTILES: SOME TRUTHS AND SOME MYTHS While they’re held to different specifications than hunting projectiles, our Phil Massaro takes a look at the development of fighting bullets, from lead and Minie balls to full metal jackets and match-grade sniper loads.
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BLACK POWDER: SALUTING ‘A GRAND OLD VETERAN’ No, it’s not what you think of as a typical vet, but Mike Nesbitt has a tip of the cap to the .50-70, “our first military centerfire cartridge,” which saw duty across the West in the late 1800s. Nesbitt shares its story, one that contributed to subsequent military and sporting uses too.
(OUTDOORS FOR OUR HEROES)
MORE FEATURES 27
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MEET AMU AND PRS SHOOTER BEN GOSSETT “Marine. Soldier. Competitive shooter. Family man. A winner in every sense of the word.” Those are just a few of the things we can say about Georgia’s Ben Gossett after checking in with the US Army Marksmanship Unit Shooting Team member who is competing in the Precision Rifle Series.
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 // November 2021
CONTENTS
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Company Spotlights Skinner Sights’ HTF Garment Bag – guns, magazines and more hidden in plain sight 101 Stocky’s rifle stocks, delivering ‘ergonomics and accuracy’ 59
DEPARTMENTS Gun Show Calendar Competition Calendar Precision Rifle Series Calendar, Recent Match Results 111 Gift Guide 19 21 23
(STOCKY’S)
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
americanshootingjournal.com 17
PRIMER
GUNSHOW C A L E N D A R
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 tannergunshow.com
Wes Knodel Gun Shows wesknodelgunshows.com
November 6-7
Hickory, N.C.
Hickory Metro Convention Center
November 13-14
Concord, N.C.
Cabarrus Arena & Events Center
November 13-14
Sharonville, Ohio
Sharonville Convention Center
November 27-28
Columbus, Ohio
Westland Mall
November 5-6
Logan, Utah
Cache County Fairgrounds Event Center
November 6-7
Tucson, Ariz.
Pima County Fairgrounds
November 6-7
San Bernardino, Calif.
National Orange Show Grounds
November 13-14
Mesa, Ariz.
Centennial Hall
November 6-7
Miami, Fla.
Miami-Dade Fairgrounds
November 27-28
Orlando, Fla.
Central Florida Fair Grounds
November 6-7
Hallsville, Mo.
Hallsville Fairgrounds
November 6-7
Columbus, Ga.
Columbus (Ironworks) Convention Center
November 13-14
Jackson, Tenn.
Jackson Fairgrounds Park
November 13-14
Wichita, Kan.
Century II
November 20-21
Cartersville, Ga.
Clarence Brown Conference Center
November 20-21
Somerset, Ky.
The Center for Rural Development
November 27-28
Kansas City, Mo.
KCI Expo Center
November 27-28
Great Bend, Kan.
Great Bend Events Center
November 13-14
Belton, Texas
Bell County Expo Center
November 20-21
Orange, Texas
Orange County Expo
November 12-14
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Colorado Springs Event Center
November 19-21
Pueblo, Colo.
Colorado State Fairgrounds
November 26-28
Denver, Colo.
Crown Plaza
November 6-7
Albany, Ore.
Linn County Fair & Expo
November 13-14
Centralia, Wash.
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds
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
November 7
November 13-14
November 13
November 14
3rd Annual MRA Air Pistol Competition Woburn, Mass.
usashooting.org
LPDA PTO San Antonio, Texas
Firearms Training Club of America PTO Lakeland, Fla. WSA Air Pistol PTO Chelmsford, Mass.
November 19-20 Utah Monthly PTO Salt Lake City, Utah
November 10-14
2021 Springfield Armory Desert Classic Area 2 Championship Mesa, Ariz.
uspsa.org
gssfonline.com
cmsaevents.com
Area 6 2-Gun Championship New Smyrna Beach, Fla.
November 12-14
Team Shooting Stars PTO Carrollton, Texas
November 21
Maspenock Air Gun PTO Milford, Mass.
November 27
Cedar Hill Jr. Gun Club PTO Blackfoot, Idaho
November 14
2021 Oklahoma Section Championship Tulsa, Okla.
Sugar Cane Classic Donaldsonville, La.
November 6-7
November 6-7
November 20-21
November 6-7
November 13
November 20
November 6
November 13
November 27
November 15
November 28
Glock Showdown in Savannah IV Savannah, Ga.
NE-SD Border Wars McCook, Neb.
Andy Newton Memorial IDPA Match Homestead, Fla. idpa.com
November 12-14
November 20-21
November 6
Hartford IDPA Classifier East Granby, Conn.
Duel in the Desert XV Tucson, Ariz.
Winter Buckle Series Shoot Kiowa, Colo.
CCSC Monthly IDPA Match Edgemoor, S.C. Lowcountry Shooters IDPA Match North Charleston, S.C.
River Bend Ballistic Challenge IX Dawsonville (Canton), Ga.
2022 Turkey Shoot Acton, Calif.
IDPA Austin Rifle Club Manor, Texas IDPA Cedar Ridge San Antonio, Texas
Note: With COVID-19 restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending. americanshootingjournal.com 21
SCHEDULE Pro Bolt Gun Series 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 BUSHNELL TACTICAL GAP GRIND PRO AM Finger, Tennessee October 1, 2021
1st Place GREGORY BELL Open Div. 180.000/100.000 2nd Place LEE PETTROSS Open Div. 175.000/97.222 2nd Place LEE STEPHENS Open Div. 175.000/97.222 4th Place GREG HARRIS Open Div. 172.000/95.556 4th Place BRANDON HEMBREE Open Div. 172.000/95.556
CENTRAL COAST CHAOS AG
San Luis Obispo, California October 9, 2021 1st Place DANIEL BERTOCCHINI Open Div. 154.000/100.000 2nd Place MORGUN KING Open Div. 141.000/91.558 3rd Place MARK LE Open Div. 138.000/89.610 4th Place MICHAEL LILLY Open Div. 135.000/87.662 (PRECISION RIFLE SERIES)
americanshootingjournal.com 23
RECENT RESULTS (continued) KESTREL FALL CLASSIC AG Baker, Florida October 15, 2021
1st Place MATTHEW CARUSO Open Div. 159.000/100.000 2nd Place AUSTIN BUSCHMAN Open Div. 158.000/99.371 3rd Place CLAY BLACKKETTER Open Div. 156.000/98.113 4th Place KEITH BAKER Open Div. 154.000/96.855 4th Place KENDAL SIMPSON Open Div. 154.000/96.855
ALDERBROOK “FALL BRAWL” Littleton, New Hampshire October 16, 2021
1st Place SHANNON KAY Open Div. 142.000/100.000 2nd Place DANIEL POLIQUIN Open Div. 119.000/83.803 3rd Place RYAN EMBERG Open Div. 116.000/81.690 4th Place JIMMY MOORE Tactical Div. 115.000/80.986
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
(PRECISION RIFLE SERIES)
Competing for the Army Marksmanship Unit in the Precision Rifle Series, soldier has six wins since 2019. PHOTOS BY BEN GOSSETT
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t the beginning of 2014, when he was finishing up his last year in the Marine Corps, Ben Gossett’s ambition and desire for competition steered him toward the world of precision rifle shooting. So he got his first dedicated long-range setup, an FN A5M chambered in .308, and spent a year using it at local matches. “The first match I shot I think I finished almost dead-last and my com-
petitive nature couldn’t handle that, so I really put everything into PRS-style matches from that point on,” says Gossett. “I shot my first national-level PRS match in March 2015 and finished 11th and was absolutely hooked to the series and fell in love with the community.” Gossett later joined the US Army and in January 2017 was assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit. Formed in the 1950s to establish the US as an inter-
national shooting power, AMU provides small arms marksmanship training for soldiers, facilitates Army recruiting, and participates in global shooting competitions, including the Olympics. Staff Sgt. Gossett became an AMU gunsmith, “mainly building precision bolt-action rifles and also working on international competition firearms, from Olympic air rifles, .22 LR smallbore rifles, to trap and skeet shotguns,” he explains.
Earning a spot on the US Army Marksmanship Unit’s Shooting Team supercharged Ben Gossett’s interest in long-range shooting. He competes for AMU in the Precision Rifle Series. americanshootingjournal.com 27
BEN GOSSETT’S RIFLE & GEAR • 6mm Dasher with 105 hybrids, Lapua brass, primers and Varget powder • Impact Precision 737R receiver • Masterpiece Arms BA chassis • Tangent Theta 525P scopes • Proof Research and Bartlein barrels • Triggertech diamond triggers • American Precision Arms muzzle brakes • Hawkins Precision scope mounts • Accuracy First scope levels
Gossett made a 1,454-yard first-round hit, his furthest, during a competition earlier this year.
The following year, Gossett earned a spot on the prestigious AMU Shooting Team. “I have been very fortunate to shoot as a part-time shooter for the AMU for PRS,” he says. “The first match I shot for the unit was the 2018 PRS finale where I was gunsmith support for our shooters.” In a typical year, Gossett shoots seven to 10 pro-level national matches, and “I compete and plan on only ever competing in the open series due to the extremely high level of competition.” His most memorable match, he says, is his first PRS win, which came in 2019 at the Alabama Precision Rifle Challenge. “I had a bunch of top finishes leading up to that and just couldn’t seem to seal the deal with a first-place finish until it finally happened there,” recalls Gossett. “It was a huge confidence-builder in my shooting career and I feel like I finally was able to shoot to my true potential. This win allowed me to be invited to the very prestigious AG Cup match in 2019, which I was honored to be a part of the top 20 shooters in the nation.” So far in his PRS career, Gossett has won the top military class for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and has earned 24 top-10 finishes, 18 of which were top-five finishes and six were national-level wins. That sixth win came earlier this year at a match in
Gossett and his wife live in Georgia and have two active sons.
Missouri where he got his furthest ever first-round hit at 1,454 yards. When he’s not competing or working, Gossett keeps busy with his young family. “I spend most of my time chasing my two boys around!” he says. “My oldest just turned four and my youngest is
Including his first top-place finish at a 2019 Alabama match, Gossett has six PRS wins and two dozen top-10 finishes, and was also 2019’s and 2020’s top military class shooter.
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
almost two.” Marine. Soldier. Competitive shooter. Family man. A winner in every sense of the word. Editor’s note: For more on the Precision Rifle Series, visit precisionrifleseries.com.
Lance Craig, a retired US Army Special Forces staff sergeant, takes a moment with “Toad” after confirming the shot on the trophy central Washington bull elk estimated to have been 13 years old.
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
‘FROM ONE OLD WARRIOR TO ANOTHER’ Retired Army staff sergeant battling terminal ALS enjoys Outdoors For Our Heroes-sponsored 'bucket-list' hunt for a trophy central Washington bull elk.
A
STORY BY KELLI SCHUELER • PHOTOS BY OUTDOORS FOR OUR HEROES
rmy veteran Lance Craig had never harvested a bull elk and the goal of his “bucket-list” hunting experience sponsored by Outdoors For Our Heroes was to take anything legal. The hunt surpassed all expectations when Craig ended up taking home a particular bull known by locals in Kittitas County, Washington, as “Toad.”
OFOH is an all-volunteer, donor-funded organization that provides countless servicemen and -women with burden-free outdoor experiences that support healing and improve quality of life. In April, OFOH joined forces with Got Your 6 Fishing (GY6F). Together, they serve veterans through fishing excursions and support military heroes through hunting and outdoor adventures, all at no cost to participants. They exist to show gratitude for sacrifices made by veterans and first responders. “As separate groups, we have been serving the veteran community in
western Washington for a combined total of 14 years,” said Jason Brown, president and founder of OFOH. “We always shared information, our veteran base and advice. Working with the same goals and mission to serve our heroes by offering no-cost outdoor experiences, we decided to merge so we could share our many resources that directly live up to our mission of ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall.’” The team takes the time to get to know the applicants of the program and works diligently to accommodate the individual’s needs.
Craig rides in a side-by-side UTV.
They work with all physical limitations and make a point to focus on engaging with the individual to make a positive impact on their mental health as well. OFOH’s strategy works to match the person with their interests and abilities up front to ensure an enjoyable experience.
WHEN CRAIG APPLIED to be a part of the program, the OFOH team knew that they had to make Craig’s dream hunt a reality. Craig had a robust military career serving in the United States Army, retiring as a Special Forces staff sergeant in 1999. americanshootingjournal.com 31
“OFOH’S HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE AND TOAD’S SACRIFICE IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION.” In his 20-plus-year career, his service included tours in Vietnam, Iran, Iraq, Korea, Grenada and Kuwait. He is also a long-time member of the Brothers In Arms Motorcycle Club in Washington state and is currently battling Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as ALS, with a terminal prognosis. With the support of numerous volunteers, hours of planning, financial resources and coordination, this hunt happened in the face of many challenges, including wildfire closures on public land, permit hurdles and timing challenges. But through OFOH’s dedicated team and commitment to show “gratitude for
sacrifice,” the team was finally able to get all the green lights needed to make this hunt experience possible. “Our focus is to make a hunt like this as seamless as possible for the veterans and first responders we are supporting,” said Tony Leingang, OFOH vice president for hunting. “Lots of contingency planning is in play to ensure that once the time comes, things come together. This includes having other volunteers ‘at the ready’ in case personal scheduling conflicts come up within our volunteer support team and in preparing our equipment for the hunt.” The OFOH team that made this hunt happen for Craig included
Toad barely fit in the back of the side-by-side.
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
Brown and Leingang, as well as OFOH board member Kris Brown. Volunteers Joe Meitmann, Mike Arns, Steve Wright, Jeff Gibson, Cory DeYoung, Ron Vessey and Michael Mosher were also critical in coordinating the details and camp setup. The hunting support team included local volunteers Marc Eylar, Levi Stolen and Marcus Mays.
CRAIG WAS ABLE to share his hunt experience with his wife Barbara and his companion shooter and long-time friend, Jeremy “Wally” Wallsinger. The 4 a.m. start times came early for Craig, who said he “wasn’t used to getting up before watching Bonanza on TV Land midmorning,” and for him, the trip felt a bit awkward at first, not knowing the OFOH team on the hunt that well. This all quickly changed as the days went on and “what started out as uncomfortable turned into a bond with friends and a new support system with like-minded camaraderie,” stated Craig. “We enjoyed the camp and company as much as the hunt. It was a great team and you can tell that it is all from the heart; they really care and want to build relationships with the hunters they are supporting.” When Toad was located on Monday evening after a few days of hunting, the group was on land that was opened to them by a generous local landowner. This owner was one of many who had learned of Craig’s “bucket-list” hunt, all of whom were committed to making this experience happen for one of our nation’s heroes. After some considerable maneuvering to get into position –
Craig and his wife Barbara stand with Toad. americanshootingjournal.com 33
and a double-check from volunteer Stolen confirming, “He’s right there!” – Craig was ready to take the shot. The bull was bedded down, not moving, and appeared to be more of a big rock than an elk in the distance. “Aim for that big rock,” Eylar said, to which Craig quipped, “He reminds me of me.” Craig squeezed the trigger, and the big bull was taken quickly. As Craig approached and confirmed the kill, things took an emotional and respectful tone. “This experience made me feel alive. From one old warrior to another, there is no way to thank him enough. I have a renewed sense to fight and show him the respect he has shown me,” said Craig. He added, “OFOH’s hard work and dedication to make my dream come true and Toad’s sacrifice is beyond comprehension. I’m not dying, I’m just redeploying.” Craig’s elk was a six-by-six typical Rocky Mountain bull elk with a 397.5
gross green score. In other words, he was massive. He made the state book and came awfully close to stacking up against some of the largest bull elk ever legally harvested in the area. Toad was the last of five bulls tagged years ago and was believed to be around 13 years old. “We are here to help fulfill a ‘bucket-list’ wish for a very deserving individual who made sacrifices for our country and I am thankful to support the program,” said Eylar. “Sometimes you don’t get the chance to connect with the hunters, but with Lance, it was a pretty immediate friendship and connection. It was a great experience for everyone on the hunt.”
HUNTS LIKE THESE take a village, from the coordination of getting the hunt set up to the camp and food. After hunters like Craig have secured their animal, it must be field dressed, hauled out by volunteers,
and processed. Toad was taken down around 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening and the team worked into the early morning hours of the next day preparing the animal for transport. For this to happen, the team was lucky to have the support of Teanaway Custom Meats in Cle Elum, Washington, and DJ Taxidermy in Tumwater, Washington. Steve Plesha, owner of Teanaway Custom Meats, donated the processing, cut and wrap in full, and Dave Jones of DJ Taxidermy donated his services, taking large financial burdens off OFOH. “The entire experience and working with the OFOH team was amazing and life-changing,” said Craig. “It has even impacted my behaviors and outlook on life. I can see people care and I want to show them that I care too.” Barbara Craig was able to experience this adventure with her
GROUPS PARTNER TO OFFER OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES FOR DISABLED VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS GOT YOUR 6 FISHING AND OUTDOORS FOR OUR HEROES COLLABORATE ON THEIR WORK TO SHOW ‘GRATITUDE FOR SACRIFICE’
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ong-time outdoor groups Got Your 6 Fishing and Outdoors For Our Heroes announced in April that they have joined forces. The groups organize and provide for outdoor activities, including fishing and hunting, to injured first responders and military veterans who have selflessly served their country and communities. The all-volunteer, donor-funded organizations ensure men and women have a burden-free outdoor experience that supports healing and improves quality of life. GY6F serves veterans through fishing and OFOH serves heroes through its hunting and outdoor adventures, all at no cost to
participants. “We know that nature and the abundant activities and quiet it provides can be a healing force in a person’s life, particularly in the lives of those who have sacrificed serving our country and put their lives on the line to serve and protect their communities,” said Ryan Caldwell, founder of GY6F. “Our mission to support our heroes hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s actually been made stronger by our groups joining together to provide support for our heroes in the best way we know how – through nature.” In September, the now-combined groups hosted a week-long moose hunt
near Delta Junction, Alaska. Six deserving disabled veterans were drawn randomly for this limited special permit opportunity (see October 2021, American Shooting Journal). It was a “bucket-list” trip for many of them, who were supported by volunteers from OFOH and GY6F. Both Caldwell and OFOH’s Jason Brown say the work they are doing is about showing gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans and first responders. “As a team, we simply want to continue to give back in ways that are meaningful and offer healing experiences to those who have given us so much,” they said.
ABOUT OUTDOORS FOR OUR HEROES AND GOT YOUR 6 FISHING
as other organizations. In his role with Outdoors For Our Heroes, Brown is determined to provide the resources and business acumen needed to build strategic partnerships and enable fully supported hunts for our service-connected disabled veterans. Ryan Caldwell, founder of Got Your 6 Fishing, is a combat-wounded veteran who has served the country through multiple deployments around the world. After being
medically retired, Caldwell sought solace in the peaceful waters of Puget Sound and its tributaries. He began to invite other veterans to join him on these excursions and quickly figured out they find it as cathartic as he does. Ryan has provided over 1,000 fishing trips. With your help, he can continue to provide this much needed therapeutic recreation for other veterans and active duty military.
Jason Brown, president and founder of Outdoors For Our Heroes, is an avid hunter, outdoorsman, athlete and dedicated supporter of America’s armed forces. Brown is a successful tenured production manager, having worked with established entities such as Washington State Department of Transportation and Vigor Marine, as well 34
American Shooting Journal // November 2021
husband and will never forget it. “It was all about Lance and making the hunt happen for him. The team went above and beyond, and we will be forever grateful for this experience.” These hunts would not be possible
“The team went above and beyond, and we will be forever grateful for this experience,” said Barbara of the volunteers and hunting support team who helped her husband (in orange) harvest the elk, including (standing) Marcus Mays, Levi Stolen, (kneeling) Joe Meitmann, Mike Arns, Royce Stolen and (bottom left) Mark Eylar.
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
without the support of OFOH’s countless volunteers and donors. “We want to make special mention and thank all the hands that made this hunt for Lance a reality,” said Brown, as he reflected on the hunt.
Editor’s note: For more information about getting involved, donating to the cause or applying to participate in an outdoor experience, please visit OFOH’s website at outdoorsforourheroes.org.
ROAD HUNTER
Turkeys like being in flocks throughout the fall and winter months, so once your dog busts up a flock and sends them into the trees, you can set up a short distance away and call them back in.
HUNTING FALL TURKEYS WITH A DOG
Legal in most states with an autumn season, here are strategies for bagging the big birds with your pup. STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN
he whites of Echo’s eyes rolled to the left as she tracked movement, but I dared not move. Eight paces in front of us stood a hen turkey that responded to a series of kee-kee calls, as I’d hoped. What I didn’t anticipate was how effective the plan would be. Echo, my pudelpointer, and I sat against the base of a fat Douglas fir tree. Fifteen minutes prior, I’d sent Echo to flush a large flock of turkeys, more than 150
T
yards away. The flock was feeding into a strip of open meadow, bordered on both sides by fir trees. The plan was to send Echo in to bust up the flock, call her back to me, then go back in together and call the flock to us using assembly calls. What I didn’t plan on was so many turkeys coming in. When I saw Echo’s eyes roll to the left, I knew more turkeys were approaching. Echo held solid, not so much as moving her head or lifting an ear. When a pair of jakes strode into view 15 yards away, I prepared to shoot once they were in front of us. Then
they paused. I didn’t want to swing on them and shoot over Echo’s head, so I waited. The alert hen, still 8 yards away, hadn’t budged. I let out some soft yelps with a diaphragm call, and a hen behind us replied with a crisp kee-kee. Then the woods came alive. From all directions, the flock started talking in their reassembly chatter. Some birds started dropping from the trees, headed our way. There were nearly 50 turkeys around us. Surrounded by so many birds, I wasn’t sure how long Echo could maintain her composure. As I nestled americanshootingjournal.com 39
ROAD HUNTER my cheek into the shotgun, ready to pull the trigger on a jake, a big tom came striding out of the timber. At 35 yards, the tom crumpled and we had our Thanksgiving dinner. The experience marked one of my most memorable turkey hunts, and not because I filled a tag, but because of how well Echo performed. Since then I’ve taken my two pudelpointers on numerous fall turkey hunts, and there’s a reason it’s one of my favorite bird hunts. THE BEGINNING I was first introduced to turkey hunting with a dog on a November day in Montana. Six inches of snow covered the ground and it was cold. When my buddy’s Brittany locked on point, I figured she had a rooster pinned down. But as I got closer, I saw turkey tracks leading into a pile of tall grass bent over from the weight of the snow.
“Get ready, it’s going to explode,” smiled my partner. I was two steps from where I thought the turkey to be, but couldn’t see the bird. About the time I gave up, the cover erupted in a flurry of white. It was so loud, and visibility instantly so limited, I couldn’t see to get a shot. Quickly, I stepped to the side, got a clearing as the tom flew between some Russian olives, and got lucky. It was then, over 15 years ago, that I vowed to one day have my own dogs that I could turkey hunt with. FLUSH OR HOLD During the past six falls, I’ve learned a lot through personal trial and error when it comes to turkey hunting with my dogs. Foremost has been to trust the dogs, for the scent laid down by a turkey is so far beyond that of any quail or pheasant. Second, I’ve learned to try not to
As with any upland bird, hunt into the wind so your dog can pick up a turkey’s scent. Turkeys leave a lot of scent on the ground and they can hold very tight when pressed by a dog.
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control the dogs, because it’s ultimately the turkeys that dictate what the dogs will do. Case in point: My favorite way to hunt fall turkeys with a dog is to spot a distant flock, wait for them to start moving uphill toward thick cover and trees, then send a dog in for the flush. Turkeys have a hard time flying uphill, but if there are nearby trees, often they’ll hop into them and stay there until you arrive for the shot or until you set up to call them in. Two falls ago, my wife Tiffany and I were hunting with Echo on Halloween day. We watched a flock of turkeys plucking insects and grass seeds from the dry grass. Once the flock turned and started uphill on a game trail, we turned Echo loose. The flock had no idea we were there, nor did they see Echo coming due to high-growing briars that covered her approach. Echo nearly caught the last bird in the flock before
ROAD HUNTER they scattered, and the final thing we saw was Echo fast on their tail. Tiffany and I covered the 175 yards uphill as quickly as we could, but when we got to where we’d last seen Echo and the birds, they weren’t there. Fearing that Echo had gone on a long-distance chase, we waited and listened. Then we heard an alarm putt 20 yards in front of us, followed by another putt immediately to our left. We worked around a 30-yard patch of thick briars to find Echo on point on the opposite side. When I approached Echo, a turkey wildly flushed and I shot it, then the whole brush patch erupted. Tiffany filled her tag on a bird that tried escaping out the back. Echo retrieved both birds to hand. At 15 months of age, Kona, our male pudelpointer, went on his first solo turkey hunt. A flock of birds fed out of a thicket and into a stretch of open grass and low-growing brush along a powerline right-of-way. We watched from across a ravine and when they started heading into the trees, I sent Kona on his way. Kona covered more than 100 yards on a full sprint and birds scattered in
One of the rewards of turkey hunting with your dog is an impressive retrieve. Here, author Scott Haugen’s 63-pound pudelpointer Kona brings in a tom he pointed, one of many fall turkeys he’s retrieved in the past five years.
every direction. I called Kona back to me, then we circled downwind of the birds. Kona began quartering into the wind and soon picked up fresh scent. He moved fast, nose in the air, right to a small patch
When calling to a flock of fall turkeys your dog has busted up, keeping still is essential. This is where proper training as a puppy pays off, for a dog can’t move a muscle or make a sound, something that requires great discipline and restraint as turkeys approach. You may want your dog to lay down beside you to achieve a lower profile.
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of tall grass and sparse scrub. When I closed in and three birds flushed, I dropped a jake, which Kona promptly retrieved. Using your dog to break up turkey flocks is much more efficient than trying to do it yourself. Dogs move faster than we can, thereby getting a good, solid busting up of the birds. This gives you the option of moving in on a point, picking birds from a tree, or setting up and reassembling the flock through calls. Kee-kees, soft yelps and purrs have brought me the most success when calling in fall birds after they’ve been scattered. THE POINT While watching a flock of turkeys and waiting for them to get into position to send in the dog for a flush is thrilling, blindly hunting turkeys can be equally rewarding. The challenge here comes in running across a bird in the right habitat so it holds rather than flushes. To best achieve this, the element of surprise is the ticket. If a turkey or flock of turkeys sees a dog coming from a distance, they’ll
americanshootingjournal.com 43
ROAD HUNTER
A hen decoy can be used to reassemble a flock of fall turkeys your dog has broken up, as the author used here with his dog Kona.
have time to run and take wing. But if there’s enough cover to hide an approaching dog, allowing it to get close, turkeys will often hold on the spot, just like quail. Two falls ago, I began catching a lone tom on trail camera. Every day for three days, he walked a deer trail between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The next day I took Kona to the place, but we never found the tom; nor did we see it the next day, or the next. On day four, plans came together. We worked into the wind along the base of some rolling hills. Timber and hardwoods dominated the upper hillside habitat, while we hunted through dry grass meadows laden with 3-foot-tall briar patches. The briars were sparse enough to weave our way through and offered enough cover to 44
American Shooting Journal // November 2021
hide Kona. We walked a quarter-mile without so much as a sniff. As we worked onto the back side of a hill, Kona paused, his nose stuck to the ground. Soon, his tail started wagging and he was on the track. He ran as fast as his nose would allow, never leaving the scent trail. I lost sight of Kona, and when I eventually caught up with him, he was stiff, hindquarters shaking with intensity, tail in the air, holding a perfect point. Slowly I worked behind Kona, searching for a turkey. The briars were less than 2 feet tall, and the grass was sparse. Finally, I found what I was looking for: a lone tom, neck stretched out, body as flat to the ground as possible. I’ve seen this many times over the years, where a surprised tom will immediately hunker down,
rather than run or fly. As I moved around for a clear shot, Kona stood firm. When the tom made a run for it, I dropped him. Kona nabbed the 18-pound bird once it quit kicking and delivered it to hand. Whether you’re looking to hunt fall turkeys with your dog by pointing them or flushing and calling them back in, the options are there. If you’re lucky, the state you hunt offers multiple turkey tags in the fall, because the more proficient your dog becomes at it, the more turkey hunting both of you will want to do. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott’s best-selling book, Western Turkey Hunting: Strategies for All Levels, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
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Self-Defense TRAINING
Super 61 was the first Black Hawk helicopter to be shot down during 1993’s Battle of Mogadishu, killing pilot Chief Warrant Officer Cliff “Elvis” Wolcott and copilot Chief Warrant Officer Donovan “Bull” Briley.
LESSONS FROM BLACK HAWK DOWN Part I: Nine personal defense truths through the lens of the Battle of Mogadishu.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA
Editor’s note: As the 28th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu between US forces and Somali militiamen took place early last month, the author, having many close personal friends who fought in that engagement, sought to use the lessons learned in Mogadishu, as gleaned from Mark Bowden’s book Black Hawk Down, and apply them to the civilian world of personal defense. This is part one of the article. Part two will appear next month.
A
s a lifelong student of hoplology (the science that studies human combative behavior and performance), I am always researching and gathering as much credible and
useful information on the subject of combatives as possible. If you are similarly inclined, then I recommend Mark Bowden’s Black Hawk Down as required reading on the application of both modern and urban warfare. The popular book, as well as the Academy Award-winning 2001 film of the same name, depicts the
courageous performance of US Army Rangers, Delta Force and SEAL Team Six operators during the now-famous battle in Mogadishu, Somalia. I studied the lessons learned and how they apply in other defensive situations, such as civilian personal encounters. This article outlines key points from Bowden’s book and parallels that might offer you some personal takeaways from the hard-fought lessons of Mogadishu. POINT ONE: The book Black Hawk Down states, “War was ugly and evil, for sure, but it was still the way things got americanshootingjournal.com 47
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING Delta Force operators and (right corner) Delta Assault Team Leader Sergeant First Class Norm “Hoot” Hooten.
Several members of the 75th Ranger Regiment of Task Force Ranger.
Members of the 75th Ranger Regiment of Task Force Ranger.
done on most of the planet. Civilized states had nonviolent ways of resolving disputes, but that depended on the willingness of everyone involved to back down. Here in the raw Third World, people hadn’t learned to back down, at least not until after a lot of blood flowed. Victory was for those willing to fight and die.” Parallel: Violence and crime are also ugly and evil. Elitist politicians and others have methods and plans for solving disputes, but in the end, conflict is typically resolved by a military soldier, police officer or armed citizen. Victory, in the context of violent crime, goes to those who are willing to deal with it head on. POINT TWO: “Part of the Americans’ false superiority, their unwillingness to die, meant they would do anything to protect each other, things that were courageous but also sometimes 48
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foolhardy.” Parallel: Although many Americans will take no action to protect themselves or their family, it doesn’t change the facts. An estimated 83 percent of Americans will be victims of an attempted or completed violent crime during their lives. According to statistics from the Bureau of Justice:
POINT THREE: “Soldiering was about fighting ... killing people before they killed you.” Parallel: Surviving a personal defense encounter is about doing whatever will get the job done, surviving at all costs. Sometimes that does, in fact, mean killing them before they kill you.
• one murder occurs every 34 minutes; • one violent crime every five seconds; • one robbery every 43 seconds; • one aggravated assault every 24 seconds; • one theft every 12 seconds; • and one rape/sexual assault every two minutes.
POINT FOUR: “What they lacked in sophisticated weapons and tactics they made up for with determination.” Parallel: A famous quote by Vince Lombardi goes: “Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.” Criminologist Gary Klein’s nowfamous study found that handguns were used in self-defense 2.5 million times between 1988 and 1993 in the United States. Of those instances, 54 percent – 1.18 million – were by
Yet denial is still the key word in too many Americans’ lives, right next to the phrase, “It can’t happen to me.”
Delta Force C Squadron.
Several Delta Force C Squadron operators.
women. Of note, out of the 2.5 million times that a gun was produced in self-defense, the weapon was actually fired only 8 percent of the time, underscoring that determination is key in refusing to be a victim. POINT FIVE: “(In combat,) victory was for those who were willing to fight and die.” Parallel: According to an article by Melissa Soalt, an award-winning self-defense expert, when it comes to self-defense against an attacker or rapist, resistance is key. In her article, she quotes experts including Dr. Judith Herman, author of the best-selling book, Trauma and Recovery. Fighting back can be very effective, while pleading, reasoning or appealing to an attacker’s humanity is not, the latter being “almost universally futile,” notes Dr. Herman. Also quoted is Sarah Ullman, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She states, “By not
Delta Force operators and airmen from Task Force 160, known as the Night Stalkers.
resisting rape, women may be putting themselves at greater risk.” Professor Ullman’s research on resistance strategies concluded that a woman’s “level of physical injury is mainly determined by the offender’s use of violence” and initial blows struck, not because she fought back. POINT SIX: “Survival depended on proactive soldiering. You constantly assessed your position and worked to improve it.” Parallel: “To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues,” wrote Sun Tzu in The Art of War. Or, differently stated, it is the inadequately trained individual who, under threat of violence, will panic or brandish a weapon or otherwise react hastily or in desperation. It may seem odd that knowing one is competent to
handle violence helps avert violence, but preparedness and confidence have, in actual confrontations, been sufficient to shut off an attack before it started, according to Colonel Jeff Cooper in Principles of Personal Defense. What more can be said? POINT SEVEN: “Hard, realistic, stairstepped training made good soldiers, not the bulls**t macho attitude epitomized by the whole Hoo-ah esprit.” Parallel: “Suffice to say, you can only develop realistic, stress-based workable responses to deadly-force attacks by practicing them full-speed, full-force and full-stress against a moving, thinking human being,” says Ralph Mroz, author of the best-selling book Defensive Shooting for Real-Life Encounters. But perhaps Bruce Lee said it best: “The best preparation for an event is the event itself.” Bottom line is your training should americanshootingjournal.com 49
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING Army Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart were posthumously awarded Medals of Honor after giving their lives to save Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant, pilot of Super 64, the second Black Hawk to go down in the battle.
represent the actual encounter with as much realism as possible. POINT EIGHT: “You did what you were trained to do.” (A quote from the movie Black Hawk Down.) Parallel: “Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect. If you practice crap for 20 years, all you will be is a crap master. Crap masters do not win gunfights,” says tactical expert Mac Fleischmann. This is true with just about every real-life scenario. Consider this documented case: A police officer who is an experienced grappler apprehends a suspect. The fight goes to the ground, with the officer getting the best of the suspect – until the suspect taps the shoulder of the officer and instantly the officer releases his hold on the suspect because the “tap out” is what he was taught in training. Does the same “force of habit” happen in the military? You bet. In the Mogadishu battle, an Air Force combat 50
American Shooting Journal // November 2021
controller went to recover the fast ropes that were released by Blackhawks. Under normal circumstances, this is what would have been done as part of training; however, this was in the middle of a real firefight! A Navy SEAL had to tell the Air Force controller to forget the ropes; this was real life and war. Can you think of anything you do in your training that could become a dangerous bad habit in a real-life situation? POINT NINE: “When he had everything ready and packed again he stood over it with a strong sense of satisfaction. His kit, and the precise way that he’d packed it, had served him well.” Parallel: OK, so you are a CCW license holder, probably been to at least one shooting school, and carry all the necessary components (standard gun with at least one extra magazine, Surefire flashlight, clipit knife – the standard gear), right? But how about the other important necessities, like spare batteries for
your Surefire, or spare flashlight bulbs? How about an extra battery pack for your cell phone? How about preventive maintenance on your car — does it have all the necessary fluids, good battery and good tires? When traveling, do you take with you any kind of door sensor or motion detector for staying in a hotel? How about a medical kit? What about proper maps, blankets or rain gear in your travel bag? All these elements could be critical in a defensive crisis. Remember, you can never over-plan. The British Army’s Special Air Service motto is “Who dares wins,” but ask any former operator who served in that unit and they’ll tell you their motto should be “Check, recheck and check again!” Look for part two of this article next month. Editor’s note: For realistic self-defense training, see assaultcountertactics.com. Author Paul Pawela is a nationally recognized firearms and self-defense expert.
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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
‘Really, who wants to steal a bag full of clothes?’ That’s the beauty of Skinner Sights’ HTF Garment Bag; company also offers Concealed Carry Bible Cover for carrying a handgun. STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA
I
am going to guess that many of the readers of American Shooting Journal are big fans of Western movies. I, for one, am a huge fan and have been since I was a young lad. In 1968, a Western movie came out titled Five Card Stud. The two main stars of the movie were Dean Martin, who played the part of Van Morgan, and Robert Mitchum, who played the part of Reverend Jonathan Rudd. Rudd was a preacher who carried a six-shooter on his hip and a hideout gun in his Bible. The gun in his Bible played a significant part in the movie, without getting into spoiler alerts for those of you who have not seen it. It is worth your while to watch it, as it is a classic. In the movie, a group of cowboys are gambling, playing five-card stud. One cowboy is caught cheating and the rest of the gambler cowboys take revenge and hang the cheater. Sometime later, the cowboys responsible for hanging the cheater keep getting murdered one by one. The movie is a cross between Ten Little Indians and a Sherlock Holmes mystery in a Western setting. What more could you ask for than three powerful stars: Martin, Mitchum and the Bible with the hideout gun, which made the movie. I got to thinking about how that movie could apply today. If you’re armed, then discreet carry is the absolute way to go, especially in this anti-gun political climate. And once again, in tough times, Americans have always turned to their clergy for
Skinner Sights’ HTF Garment Bag can hide quite an arsenal, if author Paul Pawela’s recent product testing is any indication. He gave it a thumbs up. americanshootingjournal.com 59
Company SPOTLIGHT leadership and guidance. I am not, er, preaching, just telling the facts. What I was looking for, I happened to discover right in the pages of our very own American Shooting Journal. FAITHFUL READERS OF this magazine could not possibly miss the full-page advertisement taken out by Skinner Sights LLC for their HTF Garment Bag. As a traveling self-defense instructor, I find myself flying less and driving more to my teaching engagement destinations. Thus, I am always looking for discreet ways to travel with
my arsenal, so I became smitten with the garment bag. I made a phone call to the owner of Skinner Sights, Mr. Andy Larsson. I started out thinking I would ask for his bio and expected the interview would last 20 minutes max. Instead, this great man mesmerized me so much that the conversation lasted more than an hour. Larsson is one of the last American renaissance men this country has to offer. A success story if there is ever one to be told, a capitalist businessman who creates American jobs and hires Americans to do the work. A gunsmith,
“None of the hotel staff gave the HTF Garment Bag a second thought,” said Pawela about a recent business trip with the bag in tow, “nor did the attendees of the seminar.” The bag’s zippers can be locked with a small travel lock for extra protection against thieves.
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a competitive shooter who has an NRA Bull’s-eye National Championship under his belt, a world-class archer, as well as a world-class hunter. His specialty in hunting is all big game, including bears – and have you seen the size of the bears in Montana? Do you know what else Andy Larsson is? He is a man of God and has been a pastor for over 40 years. Coincidence, you say; I think not. In my interview, I asked Larsson how he came up with the idea for the garment bag. Funny story, he says. He was at the local courthouse to see a judge who was a friend of his, who in return wanted to see some of the guns Larsson had been working on. The judge requested that Larsson bring the guns into the courthouse, but the problem with that was Larsson had no cases in which to transport the guns. Judges being the quick thinkers that they are, this one threw Larsson his garment bag that he used for his robe and suit. With a wink and a smile, the judge said, “Put your guns in that; no one will think otherwise.” Just like that, the HTF Garment Bag was born, and yes, HTF are the initials of the judge. AS THE ADVERTISEMENT says, the bag can hold one rifle and two handguns, as handgun holsters are provided with a built-in extra magazine pouch that Velcros into the bag for easy-on and -off access. The bag itself has six built-in extra pistol magazine pouches, as well as three AR magazine pouches. The HTF Garment Bag comes with a pouch that can accommodate a Bowie knife, a large flashlight, and two other pouches that could be used for first aid or passport documentation. I chose to put a pair of handcuffs and a small pair of binoculars when testing the HTF Garment Bag. For testing purposes, I wanted to overload the bag’s capabilities. The two handguns I put in the bag were a Glock 34 with a 20-round magazine and a Glock 17, also with a 20-round magazine. Both nylon holsters had extra 17-round magazines, and the six pouches were filled with Glock 17
Company SPOTLIGHT Another “hidden gem” that Skinner Sights offers is the Concealed Carry Bible Cover, capable of holding a full-size handgun and 20-round spare magazine.
magazines. The total round capacity was a whopping 181 rounds of 9mm. For the rifle slot, I chose to use the Spikes Tactical AR-Pistol – complete with a Lawman Tactical folding stock, Holosun Gold Dot scope and a Streamlight TLR-1 tac light – dual 30-round Magpul magazines and sling. The three magazine pouches were filled with 30-round Magpul magazines. The total round count available in 5.56-caliber was an astonishing 181 rounds. The BlackJack Bowie knife I used to carry in the HTF Garment Bag has the inscription on the knife from Ehud: “I have a message from God for you” (read Judges 15:13 to get the gist). My flashlight pocket was filled with my Bushnell HD Torch Square light with strobe capability with 200 lumens. As previously stated, the other two pouches were filled with handcuffs and binoculars. I also put my tactical medical bag at the bottom of the bag. The bag itself is constructed well with padded Cordura and nylon using very strong webbing. The HTF Garment Bag comes with an extra heavy-duty coat hanger to support all the weight put on it. How did the HTF Garment Bag 64
American Shooting Journal // November 2021
work? Outstanding! As I traveled to West Palm Beach to be a guest instructor at Sean Kelley’s Chinese Karate Kenpo Federation national seminar, none of the hotel staff gave the HTF Garment Bag a second thought, nor did the attendees of the seminar. The HTF Garment Bag, with its easy-access zippers that can be secured with a small travel lock if need be, is a must-have for the traveler motoring across state lines who wants to secure their firearms that are hidden in plain sight. Because, really, who wants to steal a bag full of clothes? OF COURSE, THE other hidden gem that is available from Skinner Sights is the Concealed Carry Bible Cover. Again, leave it up to the colorful mind of a preacher who shoots to come up with a protective Bible cover that can also carry up to a full-size handgun in its secret compartment, along with a 20-round spare magazine. Once again for testing purposes, the gun that was used was a full-size Glock 17 complete with Holosun red dot and Streamlight TLR-1 tactical flashlight. The same lightweight and strong materials that are used in the garment bag are used in the Bible
cover, both come in black or green, and both are extremely beautiful. I liked the Bible cover so much I bought one for my pastor’s birthday. We use both the HTF Garment Bag and the Bible covers in our church security training. One might think that is over the top, but as I was returning from West Palm Beach from the martial arts symposium, I was contacted by my pastor who said that two churches in our area had had major incidents. One was taken over by a madman who had hostages, which ended with SWAT tear-gassing the hostage-taker and taking him into custody with no one getting hurt. Kudos to the police for a job well done on that one. In the second one, two innocent members of the church were killed, and the gunman shot himself. Like Andy Larsson’s motto says, “Don’t let your parish perish.” Words to live by! I cannot endorse these products enough. The HTF Garment Bag and the Concealed Carry Bible Cover meet the need to keep our equalizers hidden in plain sight! Editor’s note: For more information on Skinner Sights, go to skinnersights.com.
L.E. SPOTLIGHT
MP STOPS SHOOTER
Off-duty officer used truck to pin suspect, save lives of fellow drivers, work crews on bridge. STORY BY NICK PERNA PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID ROYER
ilitary veterans generally make good cops. There are a lot of similarities between the two professions. There is a defined rank structure, an element of danger not found in most professions, and a mission-oriented philosophy. Like a lot of cops, I got my start in the military. I was a paratrooper and platoon leader in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. After my active-duty time, I wore two hats: I was a full-time police officer and a part-time soldier. I served in the National Guard in two states – Florida and California – as well as in the Army Reserves. I deployed to Iraq in 2003, taking roughly a year off from law enforcement to do so. Being a soldier made me a better cop, and being a cop made me a better soldier. The same can be said for many military-vetsturned-cops.
M
MASTER SERGEANT DAVID Royer was a military police officer on active duty with the US Army. In May 2020, he was assigned to the 705th Military Police Battalion at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was off-post, driving through the city of Leavenworth and crossing the Centennial Bridge that spans the Missouri River. Due to construction on
Master Sergeant David Royer, a now-retired US Army MP, took “heroic” and “extraordinary” actions to stop a shooter on a Kansas bridge, likely saving the lives of fellow drivers and crews working on the structure.
the bridge, it was one-way-only, with traffic stopped in Royer’s direction. He was talking to his fiancée via a hands-free device when he observed something out of the ordinary. A man got out of a vehicle in front of him, pulled out a rifle, and began shooting at other drivers. Royer did two things in response. First, he told his fiancée to call 911.
Second, he took out the threat. Using his truck as a weapon, he sped up, intentionally hitting the active shooter. The suspect was pinned under Royer’s truck, and then was quickly taken into custody by local law enforcement. The suspect, another Fort Leavenworth soldier, was treated at the hospital and is currently awaiting trial. Master Sergeant Royer credits his 15 americanshootingjournal.com 67
years of military training for allowing him to quickly resolve the potentially disastrous scenario. Royer said he wasn’t frightened; rather, his adrenaline kicked in and took over. Said Leavenworth chief of police Pat Kitchens, in no uncertain terms, “Let’s be absolutely clear, (Royer’s) actions were heroic.” Chief Kitchens credits Royer with saving the lives of other drivers, as well as Kansas Department of Transportation workers who were working on the bridge. He further stated, “His actions were extraordinary, and he should be commended for that.” Royer is now retired from the Army. He received a Soldier’s Medal for his courage during the Centennial Bridge event, the highest award given for bravery outside of combat operations. You are never truly off duty when you’re in law enforcement. When the need arises, and lives are at risk, cops are called upon to act. Thankfully, for the other folks on the bridge that day, Master Sergeant David Royer chose to act. 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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MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
GIVING VETERANS HOPE, A SAFE SPACE
Houston-based nonprofit provides residential treatment for combat vets suffering from PTSD, trauma. STORY BY NICK PERNA PHOTOS BY THE PTSD FOUNDATION OF AMERICA/CAMP HOPE
wenty-two. On average, that’s how many military veterans commit suicide each day due to posttraumatic stress disorder. That’s over 8,000 a year, more than the sum total of combat casualties in the Global War on Terror. This sobering statistic shows that the scars of war exist long after one leaves the battlefield.
T
Since opening in 2012 with just eight beds, Camp Hope has expanded to four housing units with 84 beds and has now provided residential treatment to 1,300 veterans. The Houstonbased nonprofit is also looking to open a second campus.
The PTSD Foundation of America and Camp Hope, based in Houston, Texas, are doing their part to try to get a handle on this. The PTSD Foundation of America was founded in 2009 by David Maulsby. As an ordained minister, Maulsby initially reached out to homeless veterans living on the streets of Houston. He then decided to come up with a way to reach larger numbers of vets. What makes the PTSD Foundation unique is that they deal specifically with issues related to combat trauma.
In other words, their program is specifically tailored to those who served their nation in combat overseas and are having coping issues once they are home. This is important since there are many unique aspects to combat-related stress compared to other causes of PTSD. Additionally, combat vets are often the least likely to admit they have a problem or that they need help. Maulsby works together with director Pete McMillen to run Camp Hope. McMillen, an Air Force vet, got involved in the project after two of his sons, both military men, received help from the foundation when they were struggling with their own PTSD issues. CAMP HOPE IS a safe space for the victims of trauma and PTSD in which to experience healing. The facility
opened in 2012 to provide residential treatment for vets. Living at Camp Hope provides a more consistent way of working through issues. The staff is made up of combat vets and pastoral staff with training in working with victims of trauma and post-traumatic stress. In addition to mentoring and counseling, the camp provides offsite interaction activities like fishing, camping and sporting events. The staff works in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide VA benefits, job placement, medical treatment and the like. Along with the treatment from Camp Hope, this helps vets lead happy, successful lives after they leave the program. To date, over 1,300 veterans have benefited from the services provided by Camp Hope. americanshootingjournal.com 71
MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
“We serve veterans from every war,” says David Maulsby (right), who founded Camp Hope.
They have a 24/7 veterans crisis line (877-717-PTSD), as well as a very user-friendly website and social media presence that allows vets to take a self-assessment questionnaire, set up a tour and apply to the program. I RECENTLY HAD the opportunity to talk to founder David Maulsby about his organization. Nick Perna What has changed at Camp Hope since it opened in 2012? David Maulsby We originally started with one house and eight beds; we pulled out queen-size beds, twin bunk beds, fold-out couches (whatever was available). Prior to that, we were doing weekly support groups, housing guys in local hotels just to get them off the streets. We didn’t have much of a program; we were just trying to get them to a safe place. We now have four housing units with 84 beds. Veterans go through a six- to eight-month program. They can come and go as they please, but it is an in-house, residential program. We have classes for PTSD, anger management, coping skills, emotional regulation – all those kinds of things. We also run 72
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support groups in a few cities across Texas and across the country, and through Zoom. It’s for veterans, first responders and their family members. NP How did the recent sudden withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan affect your clients? DM There wasn’t many issues with the clients who stay here because they have each other. We serve veterans from every war, so we had four or five Vietnam vets living with us when all that was going down … so we were able to do the peer support. Where our numbers did go up was through our crisis line and through our social media. The number of guys reaching out to us definitely increased during a five- to six-week period. NP What does the future hold for Camp Hope? DM We’re looking to add a second campus. We’re also looking into having a shorter residential program; not everyone can do six to eight months. We’re looking for an opportunity to run a 30-day program and do reunion-type groups (to) bring
guys in for a week that we haven’t seen for seven or eight years. WHEN THEIR NATION called, they answered. They traveled to faraway places like Khe Sahn, Dak To, Tora Bora, Wanat, Fallujah and Ramadi, all names that meant little to American citizens prior to American soldiers deploying, fighting and dying there. Now they’re back, after surviving the hell of combat, only to battle demons at home. We owe it to them to do everything we can to help them through these tough times. If you know a vet in crisis, be there for them and let them know there’s help. Let them know there are resources like Camp Hope, their crisis line and other means of support, so we can stop measuring the human toll at 22 veterans every day. Editor’s note: You can support the PTSD Foundation of America and Camp Hope via monetary donations, sponsorships or providing products and services. PTSD Foundation of America/ Camp Hope is a 501c3 charitable organization. Visit ptsdusa.org for more.
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American Shooting Journal // November 2021
WE SAID WE’D NEVER FORGET: WILL WE? For the first time in 20 years, we celebrate Veterans Day in relative peace. STORY BY JOSEPH REAGAN, DIRECTOR OF MILITARY AND VETERANS OUTREACH, WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA PHOTOS BY WAA STAFF
O
n November 11, 1918, Ralph Lindsey wrote from his hospital bed in France: “Armistice signed at 11 o’clock. Grand celebration all over France. War is at last over and I am still alive!” Later in life if you asked him about the scars on his chest, he would simply respond with a shrug and say, “I zigged when I should have zagged.” Ralph was my greatgrandfather, and now, nearly 103 years after he wrote those words, our nation once again finds itself celebrating the contributions of our veterans at a time when their sacrifices may be less visible than they have been during the past 20 years of war. After returning from World War I, Ralph, like many others from his unit, found tremendous success; he took over the family business and raised a family. His friends H.A. Durkee and Fred Mower, both former infantrymen, started a small company based on a unique marshmallow confection. Another from his unit, Walter Brennan, is one of only three men to win three Academy Awards, his distinct voice the result of the same gas attack that wounded my great-grandfather. Take a moment to look at Brennan’s accomplishments – IMDb lists nearly 250 film credits and called him “in many ways the most successful and familiar character actor of American sound films.” To be clear, the end of the United States’ involvement in the Afghan war
doesn’t mean our service members are serving without risk. Our military will continue to execute missions across the globe in support of our national security, and some of those more sensitive missions may never be known to us. That aside, superficially this Veterans Day will be much like years past with parades, speeches and free meal deals in honor of the nearly 19 million veterans living in our communities. Unfortunately, many veterans – especially those who served in combat – may see this acknowledgement as shallow at best and patronizing at worst. Even before the fall of Kabul, many veterans complained that while they believed
Americans were genuinely grateful for their service, few cared enough to actually learn about the sacrifices our all-volunteer military makes on their behalf. This civil-military divide is not only impacting the military’s ability to recruit new troops, but also our veterans’ ability to find meaningful post-service careers. A few years ago, I was traveling from a conference in Washington D.C. in uniform. I was seated next to a young man who was wearing a sweatshirt from a very prestigious college in the D.C. area. He was clearly bright, affable, and I was enjoying our preflight conversation when he turned to me and said, “So you’re in americanshootingjournal.com 75
the military. Did you not get a chance to graduate high school?” This is just one of the many, many cringeworthy stories demonstrating the real-life challenges of the civilian-military divide. This divide is even more pronounced in Congress, where in the 1970s nearly 80 percent of the members in the U.S. House and Senate had served in the U.S. military; today, less than 20 percent of the 117th Congress have ever worn a uniform. When my great-grandfather and grandfather returned from WWI and WWII, respectively, they entered a job market that was saturated with fellow veterans, who understood them and the value they bring to our communities, as did our elected representatives. A congressional study in the late 1980s that looked at the return on investment on veterans programs (e.g., the GI Bill) found that for every dollar spent on veterans’ benefits, nearly $7 came back to the community through some form of economic output. Having worked with numerous veterans’ groups since
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leaving active duty, I can tell you this figure is an understatement. Since the end of the draft in the ’70s, our veterans have become increasingly diverse, as individuals saw – and continue to see – the military as a way to achieve economic mobility. They are smart, driven, resilient and entrepreneurial, words that most Americans – like my seatmate – don’t always associate with a veteran. After WWII nearly 50 percent of veterans owned their own business, like my great-grandfather, and most veterans outperform their nonmilitary peers in the long run. There is still work to do; while many veterans thrive in their postservice years, others struggle. Veterans continue to be over-represented in the homeless population, court system, substance misuse disorders and suicide deaths. These are hard problems, but they are solvable ones. For the past 20 years, Americans have claimed we support our troops, but how we choose to treat our veterans over the next few years will be the measure of whether
we meant it or not. As a nation we put an impossible burden on a small group of men and women who volunteer to serve – fully knowing the hazards of their chosen profession. If we are truly grateful for their service, we will invest in those individuals who have invested so much in our freedoms. Each generation of veterans has shown time and time again that when they thrive, our communities and our nation thrive as well. Editor’s note: Joseph Reagan is the director of military and veterans outreach for national nonprofit Wreaths Across America. He has over 10 years’ experience working with leaders within government, nonprofit and Fortune 500 companies to develop sustainable strategies supporting national security and veterans health. He served eight years on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army, including two tours to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division. He is a graduate of Norwich University, the oldest private military college in the country.
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BULLET BULLETIN
Military projectiles are held to different specifications than hunting projectiles.
MILITARY PROJECTILES: SOME TRUTHS AND SOME MYTHS
The development of fighting bullets, from lead and Minie balls to FMJs and match-grade sniper loads. STORY BY PHIL MASSARO • PHOTOS BY MASSARO MEDIA GROUP
was like a kid in a candy store, giggling every time I heard the signature “ping” as the M1 Garand spit out its clip after the eighth shot. The rifle was not mine, and I was grateful for the opportunity and the experience. I was
I
equally amazed at how well the ball ammunition performed, considering it was Second World War vintage. I am not a veteran, but my father, grandfather and uncle served our country, so in addition to being raised among hunters and shooters, the military cartridges, guns and ammunition were frequently discussed. Both Dad and Grandpa – and later,
yours truly – shot .308 Winchester due to my father’s experiences with the M14 at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri in 1968. He can be very convincing, but the tiny little groups he can still print with that rifle speak for themselves. I also remember the ball ammo Dad had hanging around for target practice and for eradicating woodchucks and other pests; a much younger, more americanshootingjournal.com 79
bullet bulletin
The US Army adopted the .45 Colt in 1873 when lead projectiles were the highest technology available. This load from Choice Ammunition replicates the original .45 Colt, albeit with smokeless powder and non-corrosive primers.
inquisitive me asked Dad what the “ball” name was all about. THE HISTORY OF our military ammunition and projectiles is long and sordid, ranging from the pure lead balls launched from the Pennsylvania rifles and standard muskets of the Revolution up to the literal rocket science that has led to the development of our modern projectiles. With the exception of the ignition system – flintlock evolving to percussion cap – the round lead ball reigned supreme even into the Civil War. Pure lead is highly malleable, the primary reason it was chosen as the material for the earliest projectiles, and caused horrendous wounds on the battlefield. One needs to simply look through photos of Civil War veterans to see the multitude of missing limbs; the lead balls and slightly more advanced Minie balls, combined with crude medical practices, resulted in an exorbitant number of amputated legs and arms. In the post-Civil War era, the
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bullet bulletin These .30-caliber FMJ boattail projectiles – shown in profile and section – are perfect for the .30-06 Springfield and 7.62x51 NATO. (FEDERAL PREMIUM)
This Mauser stripper clip is filled with 8mm Mauser cartridges loaded with cupronickel full metal jacket bullets.
centerfire cartridges took root, and with them came the roundnosed bullets in a conformation very similar to what we see today in most levergun ammunition, though the pure lead construction still held firm. Black
These World War II-era .45 ACP cartridges for the M1911 pistol are loaded with 230-grain FMJ projectiles.
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powder was the propellant of choice, clearly indicated in the original name of the .45-70 Government, officially known as the .45-70-405 (the .45 is the bullet diameter, the 70 is the charge weight in grains of black powder, and
the 405 indicated the lead projectile weight). The same can be said for the Army-issued .45 Colt revolver; its 230and 255-grain projectiles were of soft lead, fueled by black powder. Cartridge development continued
americanshootingjournal.com 83
bullet bulletin These 150-grain Speer TMJ (total metal jacket) bullets are a great choice for the .308 Winchester at moderate ranges.
This 9mm Speer TMJ bullet is not designed to expand. (SPEER BULLETS)
The .223-inch-diameter 55-grain FMJ bullet shown in profile and section is hugely popular in the 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington.
to be a priority throughout the late 19th century, with the projectile diameter shrinking from .45 to .30 with the Army’s adoption of the .30-40 Krag in the 1890s. This was the first military use of smokeless powder and with it came a 220-grain jacketed bullet, albeit in a roundnosed configuration. The .30-40 Krag saw action in the Spanish-American War, and the superiority of the 7mm Mauser in the hands of the Spaniards sent the Army ballisticians back to the drawing board. The immediate result was a rimless cartridge based loosely on the Mauser family, but retaining the 220-grain roundnose bullet of the Krag. The .30-03 Springfield wouldn’t be around long, but it would lead to what may be the most important rifle 84
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bullet bulletin
The M1 Garand can be wonderfully accurate with match bullets like the Hornady A-Max shown here. (HORNADY) Hornady’s Frontier ammunition line represents a great value, with militarystyle bullets that are acceptable for varmints and predators, as well as target work.
cartridge of the 20th century: the .30-06 Springfield. With its 150-grain full metal jacket spitzer bullet, this cartridge would go on to help win two world wars, and see action in Korea and Vietnam. The next decade would see what may have been the greatest innovation in the handgun world: the M1911 pistol and the John Browningdesigned .45 ACP with its 230-grain full metal jacket ammunition. The military began to refer to their ammunition as “ball” ammunition, as in the .30-06 designation of “cartridge, ball, caliber 30, Model of 1906.” This hearkens back to the basic differences in muzzleloading firearms; they were either loaded with ball or shot, and anything that wasn’t shot (as in birdshot) was referenced as ball ammunition. IF YOU’VE NOTICED the shift in projectile construction from the expanding lead to fully jacketed lead-core bullets at the turn of the century, you’re not wrong. I’ve heard – and personally misquoted
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americanshootingjournal.com 87
bullet bulletin
Speer’s 110-grain .30-caliber TMJ bullets are absolutely perfect for the .30 M1 Carbine cartridge.
– that the Geneva Convention is what prevents armies from using expanding projectiles in battle. The truth is that it is the Hague Convention of 1899 that is actually the source, and it is ironic that the United States is not a signatory party. The agreement prevents the use of “bullets which expand or flatten easily in the human
body,” taking the traditional jacketed softpoint bullet out of the equation, as they are clearly designed for expansion. The result was our military – in an apparent voluntary manner – adopting full metal jacket projectiles for the majority of our issued ammunition. I say the “majority” because many
Federal loads their 150-grain FMJ bullet in their American Eagle line, mimicking a military loading.
Hornady’s Match ammo for the .308 Winchester features a 168-grain boattail hollowpoint, and could be a viable choice for a sniper at moderate ranges.
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of our most renowned snipers use match-grade bullets to best fulfill their duties. While technically against the rules (but remember, the US did not sign that document) regarding bullets designed to expand or flatten easily, these projectiles do not rely upon the expansion, but rather the precise construction and conformation to provide the best accuracy possible for a distant kill shot. In other words, these aren’t intended to maim, but instead to kill, and kill precisely. Bullets like the Sierra Match King, Hornady A-Max and their new A-Tip, and the Berger OTM Hybrid are all shining examples of a projectile that would be – and has been – chosen by a military sniper. So with the majority of our military projectiles being of the full metal jacket conformation, another popular line I’ve heard for quite some time is that these bullets are designed to tumble, especially those fired from the 5.56 NATO cartridge. This simply isn’t true, or perhaps I should say that it isn’t by design. The common 5.56 NATO spitzer boattail projectile – from the original 55-grain FMJ to the modern lead-free 62-grain projectile – has its center of gravity nearer to the base than to the front, and upon contact with soft tissue will tend to flip, putting the heaviest part forward. It is for this reason that the bullet will tend to exit with the base forward. Hunters often see this problem with expanding bullets, which have a rearward center of gravity; the bullet’s path can be erratic. I’ve had monometal bullets hit an animal broadside, right behind the shoulder, only to deflect upward and break the spine. The classic safari cartridges that depended on straight-line penetration to keep the hunter alive most often used long, heavy-for-caliber roundnosed bullets because they deliver that needed penetration. While that style of bullet was once employed by our military (think back to the 220-grain roundnose slugs of the .3040 Krag and .30-03 Springfield), they simply don’t retain enough velocity for
bullet bulletin The .300 Norma shown here is loaded with 230-grain Berger Hybrid Target bullets, and is a combination any sniper would be happy with.
American Eagle’s 5.56x45mm NATO 62-grain FMJ load replicates the famous military “green tip” load.
American Eagle’s 124-grain 9mm Luger load is built around the FMJ projectile. The mighty .50 BMG, shown here with a Cutting Edge Single Feed Match/ Tactical 802-grain monometal bullet, has been used as a sniper rifle more than once.
a flat trajectory and enough energy to penetrate helmets and armor. THERE ARE MANY military-style projectiles available in both factory-loaded ammunition and as components for those who handload their ammunition. From Sierra’s line of FMJ projectiles in .45 and 9mm for handguns and the .223 and .308 choices for rifles, to Speer TMJ (total metal jacket) projectiles, to the Hornady FMJ stuff available in .223-, .308-, .310- (for the 7.62x39mm) and .311-inch (for the .303 British), the handloader can replicate their favorite military load. You may be hardpressed to find the armor-piercing projectiles, but hey, that’s life. And of course, there is nothing stopping you from picking up a set of bullet molds and casting your own lead projectiles to feed your Trapdoor Springfield and Colt Peacemaker. 90
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If loading ammunition for the autoloading rifles, look to some specialized reloading tools, like Redding’s taper crimp die, which will help combat the violent action of the cartridge being picked up from the magazine and slammed into the rifle’s chamber. This can result in the bullet “pulling” slightly out of the mouth of the case, changing the seating depth and affecting accuracy. If you are using a military-style rifle for precision work, this is a bad thing, and Redding’s tool is a worthy investment. From heavy pure lead balls and tri-corn hats, to the copper alloy projectiles and match-grade sniper bullets, American military projectiles have always been the best available, and will continue to be so. Our military has always adopted the newest cutting-edge technology, and I’m eager to see what’s coming as we get deeper into the 21st century.
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BLACK POWDER
The painting Old Glory by Western artist Cameron Blagg depicts a rawhide-repaired Sharps carbine converted to .50-70 caliber.
SALUTING 'A GRAND OLD VETERAN'
In praise of the .50-70, our first military centerfire cartridge. STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT
A
s Americans, we need to honor all of our veterans. Without them, we wouldn’t have any rights at all, particularly the right to free speech and,
perhaps most importantly, the right to keep and bear arms. To neglect and forget our veterans is to neglect and forget our heritage. So, to honor an old veteran and to discuss some of its heritage, I want to talk about the .50-70 cartridge and some of the people who used it. This isn’t
about what the .50-70 is doing today, because it is still active among black powder cartridge shooters, but instead how it was used in the 1860s and 1870s. ONE FAVORITE STORY involves Colonel Forsyth, who was in command of several mounted cavalry troopers americanshootingjournal.com 93
BLACK POWDER
The .50-70, a cartridge combining .50 caliber with 70 grains of powder, and a 450-grain bullet.
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during some battles with Native Americans in the West. Across the river from their camp was an unfriendly member of the warring tribe who was wildly gesturing with insults to the white men. The colonel wanted that stopped, but his troopers were armed with Spencer carbines and the native was far out of range of those guns, at a reported 1,200 yards, and he intended to stay out of range. But there were three hired civilian scouts with this cavalry group and the scouts were all issued .50-70 Springfields; these were rifles, not carbines. The colonel assembled the scouts in a line and ordered them to use their best judgment for such a long shot and to fire in unison. That’s what the scouts did and their guess for sight elevation was apparently pretty good. After the sound of their shots died away, so did the native. I can no longer cite that
story for a more specific time and place, but it might have been at Small Island, Kansas, in 1868. What I do remember are the particulars about the performance of the .50-70 cartridge. Another who used the .50-70 to gain fame was the well-remembered Buffalo Bill Cody. Cody was an enlisted teamster during the Civil War and he remained an enlisted scout, along with Wild Bill Hickok, after the war. During that time, from 1867 to 1868, Cody was granted a leave of absence to be a hunter for Goddard Brothers on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, supplying the railroad camps with buffalo meat. The rifle he used was a “trapdoor” Springfield Model of 1866, which he named Lucretia Borgia, after the character in the play Lucrezia Borgia. Cody claimed to have killed 4,280 buffalo in just a year and a half with that rifle. We can only assume that his
This Springfield Model of 1870 is a cut-down rifle.
In Sharps sporting rifles, the .50-70 was the second most popular before 1876.
.50-70 trapdoor was the rifle that was issued to him. Buffalo Bill used several guns, at least later on. One that he is credited with owning was a Remington rolling block, serial No. 3. That rifle is said to be in .45-70 caliber, but if so, I’ll say it must have been rebarreled because the Remington rolling block was in production and used several years before the .45-70 was introduced. And if that rifle was a .50-70, which would be very likely, that would add to the history and the heritage of the good old .50-70. LET'S MOVE UP to the Battle of Adobe Walls in June 1874. In the legends and lore of this famous battle, where 28 or so buffalo hunters defended themselves against several hundred Native Americans, the .50-70 is hardly mentioned. But in the archaeology of the battle site, more remains of .50-70
The Frankford Arsenal cartridge box label is from 1872 and the paper-patch is a sporting load. americanshootingjournal.com 95
BLACK POWDER
The .50-70 served very well with some members of the 7th Cavalry.
ammunition were found than any other caliber. The most famous shot of the entire battle, of course, was Billy Dixon’s long shot that struck a mounted native, which he claimed to have made with a “Big .50” (likely a .50-90 Sharps). Dixon quit hunting buffalo after the Battle of Adobe Walls and we can guess that he was broke at the time. Yes, he did buy a round-barreled Sharps .44 while at Adobe Walls, but that was almost certainly purchased on credit. Dixon had lost his own .50 Sharps and his wagonload of buffalo hides when his wagon overturned in the Canadian River. So he arrived at Adobe Walls with nothing to sell and empty pockets. This suggests that he returned the Sharps .44 after the fight at Adobe Walls rather than keeping it. Then, in order to earn bacon and beans, Dixon signed on as a scout with the Army. This was still during the Buffalo Wars in Texas and it meant that Dixon could still find trouble if he looked for it. And he found that trouble 96
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later in the same year, in September 1874, in what is remembered as the Buffalo Wallow Fight. Dixon, part of a six-man detail carrying dispatches to Fort Supply, was discovered by a large war party and the only cover they could find was in the depression of a buffalo wallow. The fight lasted more than a day and every man was wounded; one of them died from a hit in the lungs. In order to get help, Dixon left the wallow and headed toward a trail. He was soon found by a column of fresh troops under Major Price of the 8th Cavalry, who were protecting General Miles’ supply train. Major Price allowed his surgeon to administer aid to the wounded men but he would not leave any of his troops with them, nor would he allow them any guns or ammunition. It was written that the major’s troops were armed with rifles of a different caliber than the guns used by the defenders of the Buffalo Wallow Fight. That has led many to believe
that Dixon had a Sharps buffalo rifle at that fight, but I say that’s not true. In the book The Buffalo Hunters, there is a picture of hunters-turned-scouts taken at Fort Elliott, Texas, and in that picture Billy Dixon is clearly holding a Springfield trapdoor. The reason the fresh troops had rifles of a different caliber is because they had the new .4570s, while the scouts and troopers in the Buffalo Wallow Fight were armed with Springfield .50-70s. THE .50-70 WAS certainly not replaced by the .45-70 overnight; in fact, the .50-70 was used for several more years. One of the legends who used the “old .50” was George Armstrong Custer, both in a sporterized Springfield trapdoor and in a Remington No. 1 Sporting Rifle. Custer wrote letters to Remington praising his rolling block and some of those letters were reproduced in the Remington catalogs of the time. That rolling block was never found after the Battle of the Little Big Horn and we can only assume
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Hunters, bring in your green hides to Centralia Fur and Hide and let us turn it into a hair-on hide, or some light gold leather. We will also trade a deer, or an elk hide for a pair of pigskin work gloves.
360-736-3663 • 877-736-2525 furandhide.com CENTRALIA FUR & HIDE INC. 2012 Gallagher Road • Centralia, WA 98531 USA info@furandhide.com • sales@furandhide.com
BLACK POWDER An early Remington rolling block in .50-70, much like Custer’s rifle.
that Custer took it to his final fight. And Custer wasn’t alone in favoring the .50-70. Another was Captain Thomas French, a company commander under Major Reno. French is well remembered for having his .50-70 because many of the .45-70 carbines used by the troopers would jam when they got dirty, unable to eject the empties. This was in the day of the copper cartridge cases. When a trooper had a jammed case, he’d pass his carbine down the line to Captain French because his .50-70 rifle had a ramrod and he could use it to punch out the stuck empty.
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Archaeology of the Little Big Horn battle site shows that more .50-70s were in use as well. But who used them and how they were used cannot be determined. One more example should be mentioned. When Wild Bill Hickok was buried after being murdered, it was said that his Sharps rifle was buried with him. Many years later, his body was exhumed to be reburied and when his remains were brought back to the surface of this earth, so was his rifle. Hickok’s “Sharps” turned out to be a Springfield trapdoor, interestingly sporterized, in .50-70 caliber. How
or when Hickok used his .50-70 isn’t remembered when compared to his shots fired with his revolvers. These examples simply show how the .50-70 cartridge is a grand old veteran and we should recognize it as such. We should also give this fine old boomer credit for still being active for hunting and shooting matches today. The .50-70 was our first military centerfire cartridge and while it served faithfully, it also paved the way for other cartridges to be developed for both military and sporting uses. In view of the .50-70’s history and service, I proudly salute this honored veteran.
YOUR MUST-STOP BEFORE HUNTING & FISHING ON PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND, ALASKA KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF WILL LET YOU KNOW WHERE, WHEN AND HOW!
FEATURED COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Stocky’s carries a full line of premium gunstocks, including the H-S Precision vertical grip stock.
HAVE WE GOT A HOT STOCK TIP FOR YOU Stocky’s rifle stocks ‘deliver what they are intended to – ergonomics and accuracy.’ PHOTOS BY STOCKY’S
A
n avid big game hunter and competitive shooter, Don Bitz knows what he wants in a rifle. So in 2007, when he couldn’t find the right aftermarket stock for an upcoming hunt – and the suppliers he contacted quoted months for production – he took matters into his own hands. Bitz launched a retail website, Stockysstocks.com, so that he and likeminded shooters would never run into this problem again. “I realized folks would appreciate the knowledge I had accumulated during a lifetime of DIY bedding, restocking, rebarreling and generally making rifles shoot to their potential,”
Custom Remington 700 in Stocky’s EuroMatch Laminated Accublock.
explains Bitz. “So I picked my favorite manufacturers and started Stocky’s!” The company quickly gained popularity, selling stocks in a variety of materials and styles for hunting, tactical and competitive purposes. But
Bitz didn’t stop there. “When the bottlenecks hit the gun industry in 2008, we started to design and manufacture our own products,” he explains. Their first product on the market americanshootingjournal.com 101
FEATURED COMPANY SPOTLIGHT Long Range Composite Accublock Thumbhole stock.
Stocky’s offers a wide range of rifle stocks for hunters, target shooters, competitive shooters and more.
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was the Long Range Composite (LRC) Accublock stock. The LRC is constructed from the stiffest, most durable 40-percent fiberglass-filled composite available and features the aluminum Accublock bedding block molded right into the stock. It is guaranteed to be durable, comfortable to shoot, easy to control and flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of barrels. “Our focus is on offering the best, most accurate stocks in any given category,” says Bitz. “For example, in laminated wood it is the Accublock stocks. Same with injection-molded composite stocks. You’d be hardpressed to find a more accurate stock
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FEATURED COMPANY SPOTLIGHT at any price, yet the prices start at under $200.” The latest addition to the Stocky’s lineup is their carbon fiber stocks. Truly the next generation of carbon fiber Eliminator Ruger Rimfire stock in Yellow Hornet Laminate.
layup, they are stronger, lighter and more precisely machined than ever before. “In my opinion, these are literally the finest stocks you can buy anywhere,” says Bitz. “In addition to
the ever-popular vertical-grip VG2 and the M50, we are now introducing a new Sporter model weighing just over a pound!” At Stocky’s, you’ll find unique products that suit your needs perfectly, with unbeatable customer service from experienced shooters. “Our stocks fit properly and deliver what they are intended to deliver – ergonomics and accuracy. They are designed for the task intended because we are dedicated users of this stuff, not simply purveyors,” adds Bitz. “It sometimes shocks people that our salespeople are literally the most knowledgeable rifle-women on the planet when it comes to getting you the right stock the first time. When customers chat, email or phone, they are certain to get the right information before and after the sale.” Editor’s note: For more information, visit stockysstocks.com.
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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 backstraps. 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
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
Alumagrips Alumagrips’ ultra-high-quality handgun grips are designed to fit the single-stack, full-size Colt 1911, Commander-size 1911, Officer’s Model-style and most Colt clones, such as Kimber, Springfield Armory and a number of custom pistolsmiths. Options include ambidextrous safety cuts and mag well cuts for any size grip. Select the options you need from the drop down menu on the company’s “Order Product” page. Sturdy and corrosion-resistant, they will serve you well for years to come. Precision machining from high-grade T-6 aircraft aluminum, on state-of-the-art CNC equipment, assures you the finest fit and finish possible. Your complete satisfaction is Alumagrips’ goal. Try a set today and you won’t be disappointed. alumagrips.com
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Brooks TActical Systems AGrip is the revolutionary new custom-fit, wrap-around, non-slip tactical grip that works even better with wet and especially sweaty hands, and is made exclusively by Brooks Tactical Systems. AGrip is super easy on the hands, is non-abrasive, and incredibly durable. This “multipurpose hybrid material” was created to be non-slip even with hot, sweaty, dirty hands, or with cold, wet hands underwater. AGrip even works with oil on your hands! brookstactical.com
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Leather Conceal Carry Bags, Purses & Earrings
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Shop for a variety of pieces online at our Etsy shop or on our Website!
Free USPS first class shipping on orders $35 or more anywhere in the U.S. HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA
Contact us directly for wholesale pricing. PO Box 3273 • Lynchburg, VA 24503
www.Etsy.com/shop/AlfordDesignsLTD | www.PaulaAlford.com | 434-386-7854
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2021
AAA Police Supply
aaapolicesupply.com/ gamut-2-0-backpack/ Keep your essential everyday gear organized and your CCW readily accessible in a Vertx Ready backpack. Tuck the unassuming front flap away for access to gear loaded on the concealed MOLLE panel. Plenty of slots, pockets and Velcro brand loop panels keep smaller tools and admin materials securely stashed until you need them.
Nowlin Arms
nowlinarms.com Proven reputation. Eight world championships and 22 national titles, all won by competitors using Nowlin. Today, you can elevate your own 1911 to this level of performance, with Nowlin’s ECM Match Grade barrels. Made from 416 rifle-quality bar stock, with ultrasmooth ECM rifling, 40 RC hardness and an 8 RMS bore finish, Nowlin 1911 barrels deliver maximum accuracy. Nowlin’s unique precut barrel locking lug design ensures precise engagement, while centering the firing pin on the primer. Under 1 inch at 25 yards and under 1½ inches at 50 yards in the company’s barrel testing fixture.
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.
Full Forge Gear
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 111
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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. 112
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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 113
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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. 114
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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 JL Billet’s MBS (Modular Billet Stock) is a patented all-aluminum modular buttstock designed to fit AR-15 and AR-10 Mil-Spec collapsible buffer tubes. They start with chunks of 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum and precision CNC machine each piece to ensure an exact fit and perfect function. The MBS is a modular design that allows all components of the stock to be replaced if damaged. You can also change up the color and design to set your AR-15 apart. They don’t use any plastic on this stock, other than the rubber base and cheek pads; this allows you to Cerakote or anodize whatever color you like to accessorize and customize to your specific needs. The MBS is skeletonized to reduce weight while maintaining strength and giving a look like nothing else on the market. Weight without a buffer tube installed is only 16 ounces. It’s not for the weak guys who can’t handle a few extra ounces in their rifle. Of note, for those of you in California, the MBS can be used as a fixed stock as well with the use of a longer trigger set screw.
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 115
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 pushbutton 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.
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.
Xsteel Targets
xsteeltargets.com The most affordable AR500/AR550 steel shooting targets in the industry!
Exquisite Knives
exquisiteknives.com Exquisiteknives.com has been offering custom knife enthusiasts a selection of some of the finest collectible knives for over 20 years. With names like Loveless, Moran, Lake and Michael Walker, you can be assured that your wildest dreams can come true! They also carry a nice selection of reasonably priced forged pieces. Be sure to ask as their website has a small sample of Exquisiteknives.com’s extensive inventory. Knife pictured is by CAS of Argentina. 116
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Gentry Custom LLC
gentrycustom.com New quiet muzzle brakes with suppressor-length threads. Call Gentry Custom today at 406-3884867.
PrOlix Lubricants
prolixlubricant.com Even Santa would love to see a bottle of PrOlix in his stocking this holiday season! There is no product on the market to date that works like PrOlix; just see their ad in this publication and learn more over at their website! Let PrOlix make it a joyful holiday!
The Buffalo Wool Co. Kick-Eez
kick-eez.com Kick-Eez is a family-owned and -operated company that manufactures recoil pads and accessories to make shooting more comfortable. Kick-Eez recently moved from Washington to Lexington, Kentucky. They proudly source and manufacture all of their products in the United States.
thebuffalowoolco.com American bison luxury in an over-the-calf and fatigue-fighting compression sock. Their most requested sock ever, ready to ship. URfit System provides arch support and memory-knit construction fights fatigue by increasing blood flow up the leg from the ankle with 15 to 20 mmHg of graduated compression. Smooth, flat comfort toe seam.
RE Camp Kitchen
robertsonenterprises.net The RE Camp Kitchen is the result of many years spent in the backcountry, where safety and well-being rely heavily on functional and durable equipment. The box is constructed of aircraft aluminum. The practical design makes it convenient to use for everything from a family lunch on the lawn to an extended stay in the backcountry. The wheeled “suitcase” mode allows you to choose your cooking spot without being tied to your vehicle. The Camp Kitchen may be purchased with all the extra kitchen items or just the boxes. With the RE Camp Kitchen, you really can start cooking in 10 minutes.
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Nutmeg Sports nutmegsports.com Beautiful handmade giraffe bone 1911 grips. Highly polished, beautifully finished and fully stabilized, this material is rare and in limited supply. The grips pictured feature nickel Colt medallions, but the grips are made to order and you can choose either gold or nickel medallions, or you can choose to keep them plain. These grips will fit all Colt 1911s and clones. MSRP: $275 Nutmeg Sports offers a variety of handmade grips, as well as custom engraving projects. Gift certificates can also be purchased and applied to all of their grips and services.
Deflector Brake
deflectorbrake.com The Deflector Brake saves brass for reloading, protects paint and coatings, piles up brass closer and prevents brass burns for you and your friends on the range. Use coupon code HAVOC for $4 off.
InvictaSafe
invictasafe.com InvictaSafe is a revolutionary “firearm display safe” that offers the advantages of a traditional firearm safe, with the added benefit of “safely showcasing your firearm like a work of art.” Their display safes utilize see-through protective ballistic glass with stunning LED lighting that makes your firearm stand out like an amazing work of art.
Ogre Manufacturing
Handleitgrips
handleitgrips.com Handleitgrips is a veteran-owned and -operated company that manufactures textured rubber, sandpaper and vinyl grips/wraps for firearms, as well as other products. Pictured is the Springfield Hellcat textured rubber grip enhancement. Their products cover more surface area, are more versatile and more innovative compared to similar products offered, and are 100-percent made in the USA. 118
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ogremfg.com Pee-yoo! Are you cleaning your gun again? Try Enviroclean FA – the low-odor, biodegradable cleaner for firearms, used by law enforcement and responsible marksmen like you! Enviroclean FA is also great for cleaning black powder guns. Just imagine cleaning your black powder gun like a traditional firearm without all the mess! For more information, call 414-881-2953.
