The Xtreme Defender is based on the popular Xtreme Penetrator product line. The XD ammunition has an optimized nose flute, total weight, and velocity to achieve a penetration depth up to 18 inches* with a permanent wound cavity (PWC) that is just simply enormous; no other expanding hollowpoint comes close to achieving anywhere near this diameter and volume. Not only is the PWC over 100% larger than any other expanding bullet, expansion is achieved despite being shot through barriers. The solid copper body ensures that wallboard, sheet metal, and automotive glass will have no effect on the PWC.
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*Falling within FBI guidelines This round offers: A permanent Wound Cavity (PWC) that is 2 times greater than any expanding bullet reduced recoil. CNC machined from solid copper to overcome barriers to penetration Radial flutes that force the hydraulic energy inward to build pressure Minimal surface area to increase the force at the point of contact and sharp cutting edges that defeat barriers.
Call us: (618) 965-2109 www.underwoodammo.com
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A M ERIC AN
SHOOTING JOURNAL Volume 11 // Issue 4 // February 2022 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andy Walgamott OFFICE MANAGER / COPY EDITOR Katie Aumann LEAD CONTRIBUTOR Frank Jardim CONTRIBUTORS Chris Cocoles, Scott Haugen, Phil Massaro, Mike Nesbitt, Paul Pawela, Nick Perna, Dr. Donnelly Wilkes SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, 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 Scott Haugen and his pudelpointer Kona and friend Gary Kramer enjoyed a good late-season hunt in Oregon’s Willamette Valley for cackling geese, bagging a couple honkers to boot. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
Pistol Bullets and Ammunition Zero Bullet Company, Inc.
ZER 8
American Shooting Journal // February 2022
P.O. Box 1188 Cullman, AL 35056 Tel: 256-739-1606 Fax: 256-739-4683 Toll Free: 800-545-9376 www.zerobullets.com
Website: AmericanShootingJournal.com Facebook: Facebook.com/AmericanShootingJournal Twitter: @AmShootingJourn
MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com
CONTENTS
VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 5
FEATURES
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23
COOL UNDER PRESSURE When the Precision Rifle Series’s 2021 Armageddon Gear Cup came down to a three-way sudden-death shoot-off late last year, Chad Heckler was dialed in for the win. We chatted with this long-range competitor about how he handled the high pressure, and more.
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GUN REVIEW: HENRY AR-7 With its intriguing US military backstory and modern design from a famed Wisconsin gunmaker, this semiautomatic rifle in .22 LR is “the right tool for the serious survivalist.” So writes Nick Perna, who put a Henry AR-7 through its paces.
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SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING: WHATS, WHYS AND HOWS OF MY EVERYDAY CARRY EQUIPMENT Paul Pawela shares the rationale behind each piece of personal protective gear and accessories he doesn’t leave home without.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT: THE MAN WHO KEPT THE PEACE Jan Ketchum enjoyed a 26-year career as a state trooper in western New York, eschewing promotions so that he didn’t have to move his family, but keeping the peace didn’t end when he hung up his badge. No, Ketchum merely traded it for a judge’s garb. Nick Perna details the life of this man of the law.
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SAVING LIVES ON THE FRONT LINES Growing up in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills as part of an outdoors- and hunting-loving family that also had military bloodlines, Donnelly Wilkes had a pretty good idea what he wanted to do. He became a Navy doctor and in an excerpt from his book, Code Red Fallujah: A Doctor’s Memoir at War, Wilkes chronicles his experiences in Iraq.
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BULLET BULLETIN: WOODLEIGH BULLETS – HOPEFULLY RISING FROM THE ASHES A fire last fall left Woodleigh Bullets’ factory in ruins and the Australian company’s future uncertain. Phil Massaro hopes we haven’t seen the last of either his friend and Woodleigh owner Geoff McDonald or the many dangerous game projectiles McDonald makes, some of which Massaro has also used on African safaris over the years.
COVER STORY
ROADHUNTER: CONFESSIONS OF A CACK ADDICT
Hooked on hunting cackling geese during February’s late season, but struggling to get the big flocks to come around again? Scott Haugen’s been there and done that, and has three keys for getting the birds to funnel back into your spread.
(DR. DONNELLY WILKES)
AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. 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 © 2022 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 // February 2022
CONTENTS ALSO INSIDE 95
BLACK POWDER: TALES FROM THE HUNT (AND HOME) Our intrepid black powder shooter Mike Nesbitt didn’t take to his home state’s fields and woods during last fall’s hunting seasons, but he was there in spirit with fellow muzzleloaders who did. He shares some of their success stories.
DEPARTMENTS 17 19 21
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American Shooting Journal // February 2022
(MIKE NESBITT)
Gun Show Calendar Competition Calendar Precision Rifle Series Calendar, Recent Match Results
May is the best month of the season for Halibut, and Winter Chinook (Kings), and you can’t beat Zeballos.
2022 SPECIALS NOW BOOKING FOR MAY Dates Available for May: 1st-4th, 4th-7th, 7th-10th, 10th-13th, 13th-17th, 17th-20th, 20th-23rd, 23rd-26th, 26th-29th, 29th-31st.
SALMON
The most successful Salmon Hatchery on the Pacific Coast is just 30 miles from Zeballos. For the past several years, over 50,000 Chinook Salmon have returned each fall to the Conuma Creek spawning grounds where the hatchery is located. Most of these migrating Salmon start to come through our waters starting in May. We have non-spawning Chinook Salmon in our waters year-round—Winter Chinook (Kings, or Springs). In May you'll be catching on average 12 to 18 pound Salmon—absolutely the best table fare.
HALIBUT
We are located very close to an amazing halibut fishery that seems never ending. We can't remember a trip where we didn't hook into many of these amazing eating fish. Come with us, and we'll show you how to bring up white gold. Be prepared with coolers!
Limited trips left, book now before we are sold out!
DAY TRIPPER
Up to 4 people per boat, expect full limits Three Great Locations: Zeballos, Tahsis & Tofino - 28' offshore boat up to 12 hours of fully guided fishing - Full private enclosed head on board - Breakfast, coffee, sodas, water, lunch, and lots of snacks included - All fishing gear provided - Rain gear provided - Cleaning of your catch - Bring a large cooler packed with ice to transport your catch home
$455.00 USD + 5% tax /per person Book Your Day Trippers Trip at zeballostopguides.com/day-trips. Complete and submit the form. TRIP LIMITS for Day Tripper Package: 4 Salmon of which 2 can be Kings and two can be Silvers, 1 Halibut up to 70 pounds, 3 Lingcod and 4 Rockcod. We have purchased Halibut Quota from the Commercial Halibut Fleet and if you wish to take extra Halibut, the cost will be about $5 per pound.
HALIBUT EXPRESS
Drive-In 3 Nights / 4 Days Package Join us for our 11th annual Halibut Express starting May 1st, 2022! - 20 hours of guided fishing - 3 nights accommodation at the Cedars Inn - All meals including wine with the dinner meals - Cleaning and filleting of your catch - All fishing tackle provided (You are welcome to bring your favorite rod and reel)
Party of 2 fishing 2 per boat: $1725 + tax USD Per Person Party of 3 fishing 3 per boat: $1395 + tax USD Per Person Party of 4 fishing 4 per boat: $1100 + tax USD Per Person TRIP LIMITS for 3N/4D Halibut Express Package: 8 Salmon of which 4 can be Chinook (Kings), 2 Halibut, 6 Lingcod, and 8 Rockcod. We have have purchased Halibut Quota from the Commercial Halibut Fleet and if you wish to take extra Halibut, the cost will be about $5 per pound.
LEARN MORE
zeballostopguides.com/halibut-special Call 250-337-2158 Email: doug.zeballostopguides2022@gmail.com
NOTES: Fishing Licenses required and can be purchased April 1, 2022
Guide and Staff gratuities not included Bring your own coolers ... you’ll need them!
Don’t wait—packages sell out fast every year, contact us now!
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
February 5-6 February 5-6 February 12-13 February 12-13 February 19-20 February 19-20 February 26-27 February 26-27
Columbus, Ohio Fayetteville, N.C. Hickory, N.C. Springfield, Ohio Sharonville, Ohio Winston-Salem, N.C. Concord, N.C. Dayton, Ohio
Westland Mall Crown Expo Center Hickory Metro Convention Center Clark County Fairgrounds Sharonville Convention Center Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Cabarrus Arena & Events Center Montgomery County Event Center
February 5-6 February 11-12 February 12-13 February 12-13 February 19-20 February 26-27
Sandy, Utah Logan, Utah Reno, Nev. Ontario, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. Phoenix, Ariz.
Mountain America Expo Cache County Fairgrounds Event Center Reno Convention Center Ontario Convention Center Kern County Fairgrounds AZ State Fairgrounds
February 5-6 February 12-13 February 19-20 February 26-27
Palmetto, Fla. Miami, Fla. Fort Myers, Fla. Tampa, Fla.
Bradenton Convention Center Miami-Dade Fairgrounds Lee Civic Center Florida State Fairgrounds
February 5-6 February 5-6 February 12-13 February 13-14 February 19-20 February 19-20 February 26-27 February 26-27
Gray, Tenn. Clinton, Mo. Corbin, Ky. Rome, Ga. Kansas City, Mo. Leburn, Ky. Knoxville, Tenn. Lawrenceville, Ga.
Appalachian Fairgrounds Benson Convention Center Corbin Arena Coosa Valley Fairgrounds KCI Expo Center Knott County Sportsplex Knoxville Expo Center Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
February 5-6
Harker Heights, Texas
Harker Heights Event Center
February 4-6 February 18-20
Denver, Colo. Aurora, Colo.
Crowne Plaza Arapahoe County Fairgrounds
February 5-6 February 19-20
Centralia, Wash. Redmond, Ore.
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Deschutes County Fairgrounds
Note: With Covid restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending. To have your event highlighted here, send an email to kaumann@media-inc.com.
americanshootingjournal.com 17
PRIMER
COMPETITION C A L E N D A R
February 4-6
February 13
February 12
February 19
February 18-20
March 10-12
March 11-12
February 12-13
February 19-20
February 26-27
February 11-13
February 18-19
February 26-27
February 4-5
February 19
February 26
Golden Bear Trap Championship Redlands, Calif. usashooting.org
Sandy Ford Olympic Pistol Feb 2022 Streator, Ill.
Florida Open 2022 Frostproof, Fla. uspsa.org
gssfonline.com
cmsaevents.com
Charleston Glock Challenge XXI Charleston, S.C.
Southwest Regional Championship Queen Creek, Ariz.
2022 Chesapeake Cup Lexington Park, Md. February 18-27 idpa.com
Winter Classic New Castle, Pa.
WSA February 2022 Air Pistol PTO Chelmsford, Mass.
February 25-27
Utah February 2022 Monthly PTO Salt Lake City, Utah
Team Shooting Stars Feb 2022 PTO Carrollton, Texas
SoCal Practical Shooting Grand Opening Match Piru, Calif.
Northern Florida Regional Classic IX Tallahassee, Fla.
Saddle Life Florida State Championship Green Cove Springs, Fla.
2022 South Florida Defensive Challenge Homestead, Fla.
2022 Alabama Sectional Midland City, Ala.
Benton Gun Club GSSF Challenge VII Bauxite, Ark.
SASS End of Trail Phoenix, Ariz.
IDPA Austin Rifle Club Manor, Texas
February 25-26
2022 Orr Tactical Gulf Coast Championship Eagle Lake, Texas
Note: With Covid restrictions uncertain, always confirm events before attending. americanshootingjournal.com 19
SCHEDULE Pro Bolt Gun Series February 19
MDT Bomber Run
Madison, Indiana
February 26
Frontline Fury
Warrenton, North Carolina
March 5
Clay’s Cartridge Company Classic
Leedey, Oklahoma
March 12
MPA Spring Shootout
Swainsboro, Georgia
March 19
Central Coast Chaos
San Luis Obispo, California
March 26
W.A.R. Rifles Shootout 2022
Tremont, Pennsylvania
April 2
B&T Ind. LLC Box Canyon Showdown
Medicine Lodge, Kansas
April 9
Koenig-Ruger Precision Rifle Competition
Grand Junction, Colorado
April 23
Vortex Vengeance AG Cup Qualifier
Kennerdell, Pennsylvania
April 23
Alabama Precision Rifle Challenge
Carbon Hill, Alabama
April 30
Leupold Lonestar Shootout
Navasota, Texas
May 7
Okie Spring Showdown
Ninnekah, Oklahoma
May 14
Federal King of Coal Canyon
Raton, New Mexico
May 21
Parma Precision Rifle Rumble
Parma, Idaho
May 28
K&M Kahles Precision Rifle Competition
Finger, Tennessee
For more information visit www.precisionrifleseries.com
RECENT RESULTS 2022 LEUPOLD STEEL CLASSIC Navasota, Texas January 29, 2022
1st Place MATTHEW CARUSO Open Div. 180.000/100.000 2nd Place BRADY ALLINSON Open Div. 176.000/97.778 3rd Place DEREK WEBSTER Open Div. 174.000/96.667 4th Place CHRIS KUTALEK Open Div. 171.000/95.000 5th Place CHAD ESTES Open Div. 170.000/94.444
(PRECISION RIFLE SERIES)
americanshootingjournal.com 21
Not only is Chad Heckler a top-10-ranked Pro Series shooter in the Precision Rifle Series, he is also a gunsmith who chambers his own long-range rifles, as well as those of many of his competitors.
COOL UNDER PRESSURE When 2021’s AG Cup came down to a three-way sudden-death shoot-off, Chad Heckler had it dialed in for the win. PHOTOS BY CHAD HECKLER
T
he year ended with a bang – literally – for Chad Heckler. The Michiganbased long-range competitive shooter beat out the competition to win Precision Rifle Series’s coveted 2021 Armageddon Gear Cup title. “The format of the AG Cup finale is unique in that the competitors are not allowed to communicate about stage planning or wind reading, and we are not allowed to observe anyone shooting with our binoculars or spotting scopes,” explains Heckler. “Those rules coupled with some very small targets made
for one of the toughest, yet most fun matches of the year.” The finale match was held December 10 through 12 at the K&M Training Facility in Finger, Tennessee. According to Heckler, the scores from the first two days were cumulative and only the top 15 competitors qualified to shoot on the third and final day. “I made it into day three by finishing the two-day qualifier in 13th place, but that didn’t matter much because all the scores reset for everyone on the last day,” says Heckler.
“The scores were tallied and posted on a TV screen throughout the day, but I never really looked at it because I figured that knowing my score wasn’t going to benefit me in any way … so I just put on my headphones, listened to my match playlist and kept to myself since we couldn’t talk to the competitors anyway.” He continues, “Halfway through the day, people kept coming up to me and telling me to ‘Keep it up’ … but I really had no reference to what that meant. Was I in the top five? Was I tied for americanshootingjournal.com 23
first? Was I leading by four points? None of that really mattered to me until the end of the day, so I put it out of my mind.” Fast forward to the end of the day, and there was a three-way tie for first place. It came down to a shoot-off at 745 yards. “It was a sudden-death-style elimination where you had to hit the target to stay alive and after each engagement
the target got smaller and smaller,” recalls Heckler. “In the end, I won the cup and the giant check, but I was only three shots away from things ending up with an entirely different outcome.” In addition to his AG Cup finale win, Heckler’s other accomplishments in 2021 included first place overall in the Michigan series, first place overall in the Great
Along with winning the Armageddon Gear Cup finale, 2021 also saw Heckler take first place overall in both the Michigan series and Great Lakes Region, plus 10th place overall in the National Pro Series.
Lakes Region, and 10th place overall in the National Pro Series. Heckler also won his first pro match last year, a career highlight that he says is his most memorable moment so far. “When I fired my last shot, my friend and shooting buddy Francis Colon ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug and congratulations,” he remembers. “It was an awesome feeling to have a competitor and friend be that excited for your success. The shooters, sponsors and people that make this sport possible are so incredible and I am grateful to have a series like the PRS as a platform to showcase and grow the sport.” When he’s not traveling around the country competing in PRS events, Heckler keeps busy with his gunsmithing company, 5X5 Precision (5x5precision. com), where he not only chambers his own rifles but also those of many of his competitors. He is also the creator of the Crush It timer, a rifle-mounted timer that allows the shooter to see how much time they have left during a stage. “This is critical when you only have 90 seconds to engage nine to 12 targets at different ranges from improvised positions,” Heckler explains. “I am a firm believer that once you have the fundamentals of marksmanship down and have a good shooting rifle, that the rest of this game is mental. Time management is key for keeping you calm and confident on the clock and allows you to use all the time you have available to make the best shots possible.” Look for Heckler to defend his AG Cup title this year, along with continuing to compete in the Great Lakes regional series and the PRS Pro series. Editor’s note: For more information on the Precision Rifle Series, visit precisionrifleseries.com.
Heckler has also invented a rifle-mounted timer so that a shooter can see how much time they have left during a stage.
CHAD HECKLER’S RIFLE & GEAR • • • • • • • •
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American Shooting Journal // February 2022
Leupold Mark 5HD and PR2 reticle Lone Peak Arms Fuzion action Bartlein Barrel chambered by 5X5 Precision in 6 Dasher TriggerTech Diamond trigger Masterpiece Arms BA Comp Chassis and scope mount Accu-Tac bipod Area 419 Maverick muzzle device Berger 6mm 105-grain Target Hybrid bullet
americanshootingjournal.com 25
G H
W g
A survival rifle is one of the most important tools in your firearm toolbox. The AR-7 from Henry Arms checks all the boxes for the outdoorsman and adventurer.
“Concealable yet quickly assembled and put into action,” the AR-7 is the ultimate pack gun, says author Nick Perna.
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American Shooting Journal // February 2022
GUN REVIEW: HENRY AR-7 With its intriguing US military backstory and modern design from a famed Wisconsin gunmaker, this semiauto in .22 LR is 'the right tool for the serious survivalist.' STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICK PERNA
S
erious firearms enthusiasts should have a firearm for every need. Like the tools in your toolbox, each one is designed for a specific purpose. You have your self-defense weapons like modern sporting rifles and tactical shotguns, as well as suitable handguns for concealed carry and self-defense. If you hunt, you have weapons for taking different types of game, plus plinkers and target shooters for fun and practice. If you are a person who likes to experience the great outdoors, hiking and fishing, a survival gun is something you should have with you. If you get lost, your vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere, or you get socked in by bad weather, a survival rifle may mean the difference between life and death. Going back to the toolbox analogy, the survival rifle’s main functions should be for the taking of small- to medium-size game for subsistence, defense against fourlegged predators and, in a pinch, to deal with two-legged ones. I RECENTLY BOUGHT my “survival tool” that fulfills the aforementioned needs. The AR-7 survival rifle, manufactured by Henry Repeating Arms, is a semiautomatic magazine-fed gun chambered in .22 Long Rifle. Based out of Wisconsin, Henry USA is known more for their quality, American-made lever-action guns. In truth, they manufacture a wide variety of excellent guns, including the AR-7. Although they are the only current manufacturer of it, the AR-7 is not a Henry Arms original design. It initially started out as a survival rifle to be issued to Air Force pilots in the late 1950s, and saw use with the Israeli Air Force as well. The gun was designed by Eugene Stoner, the mastermind behind the most successful sporting military rifle in history, the AR-15/M16 (sorry, Kalashnikov). The AR-7 soon became popular with civilian shooters. americanshootingjournal.com 27
Originally built and sold by ArmaLite, they sold the design to Charter Arms. There were a few other manufacturers as well. The weapon suffered from some teething issues, due mainly to faulty magazines. Since 2007, Henry has been the sole manufacturer and reliability has been restored. It’s a simple blowback design, weighing in at 3.5 pounds with a 16.5-inch barrel. What sets this rifle apart from just about every other weapon available today is that the
The barrel, receiver and magazine can be quickly and easily disassembled and stored in the stock, which is also water-resistant and floats.
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American Shooting Journal // February 2022
barrel, receiver and magazine can be quickly and easily disassembled and stored in the stock. And, as an added bonus, it floats! The interior portion of the stock is waterproof, keeping the action, barrel and mags dry if submerged. This makes it a superb backpack rifle: concealable yet quickly assembled and put into action. Henry updated the design, adding a Picatinny rail for mounting optics. I’d recommend using something with a QD, or quick detachable, mount.
This will allow you to remove the optic before storing the receiver in the stock. Also, the front sight on the rifle has an easily replaceable plastic piece that can be swapped out for aftermarket fiber optic models or front sights in other high-visibility colors. The Henry rifle comes with two magazines that both fit into the stock. I thought this was a nice feature since few rifles come with two magazines. For me, assembling the rifle is
accuracy, right out of the box. The front sight, in its high-visibility orange, is easy to see. The rear sight is a simple peep sight. Adjusting it is decidedly low-tech. You loosen a screw that holds it in place, then move it around accordingly. The manufacturer recommends using higher velocity ammo. This is generally a good idea when shooting any type of semiautomatic .22 Long Rifle, for a couple of reasons. One, the quality and velocity of .22 LR ammo vary greatly. The cheap no-name brand stuff (the kind you can use as a grease pencil in a pinch) can lack the required energy to cycle an action. Two, due in part to low-quality ammo, many semiauto .22 LRs can be finicky about what kind of ammo you use. Besides, that cheap stuff makes a mess of your action after prolonged use, so go ahead and treat yourself to some good quality ammo. You deserve it! As far as using .22 Long Rifle for a survival gun caliber, that is a subject that can be debated. I would never advocate for it as a self-defense round,
“For me, assembling the rifle is reminiscent of some sort of secret assassin’s weapon,” says Perna.
reminiscent of some sort of secret assassin’s weapon. You can pick one up for around $300. Henry makes them in basic black and camo. I RAN THE gun through its paces. I found that the cap on the stock that keeps all of the components safe and dry can be a little hard to take off. But I’m assuming that is by design to ensure that no water seeps through. The AR-7 has a cool mag release. It is located along the trigger guard, on the left side of the weapon. The shooter can use their trigger finger to push it forward to release the magazine. The location is ideal, and I didn’t have any issues with accidentally releasing it. I was impressed with the gun’s 30
American Shooting Journal // February 2022
The AR-7’s magazine release is located along the trigger guard, on the left side of the weapon – an ideal location, states the author.
americanshootingjournal.com 31
Henry Arms recommends using higher velocity ammo in the AR-7, which is generally a good idea when shooting any type of semiautomatic .22 Long Rifle, according to Perna.
unless of course there was no other option. Because the AR-7 is semiauto with a decent magazine capacity (there are aftermarket mags that hold more than eight rounds), it would give the user an option for followup shots in a self-defense situation. It is a good round for taking small game. In a short-term survival situation, small game like squirrels and rabbits are ideal food. They are plentiful, and easy to take, clean and cook. The AR-7 is the right tool for the serious survivalist. 32
American Shooting Journal // February 2022
“If you are a person who likes to experience the great outdoors, hiking and fishing, a survival gun is something you should have with you,” the author advises.
Self-Defense TRAINING Toddy the service dog alerts Paul Pawela to “everything,” but when the author might need a wee bit more firepower should bad guys come knocking, his everyday carry gear includes the equipment, accoutrements and even special clothing in this image.
WHATS, WHYS AND HOWS OF MY EVERYDAY CARRY EQUIPMENT Self-defense expert shares rationale behind protective gear, accessories he doesn’t leave home without. STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAUL PAWELA
veryday carry equipment is very personal, and I have decided to break my silence on what my EDC consists of for the readers of American Shooting Journal. I am doing so for one very good reason: Violent crime is at a staggering point in the US with a historic rise in homicides in 2020, and
E
again in 2021. In preparing for armed self-defense or tactical situations, far too many people simply buy a gun and consider themselves prepared. But this is far from the truth, as hardly anyone trains from the perspective of being in an ambush encounter. As instructor Rob Pincus states in his bestselling book, Counter Ambush: The Science of Training for the Unexpected Defensive Shooting, these kinds of encounters are “surprising, chaotic
and threatening, and thus, this is how you should train and arm yourself accordingly.” In this article I will cover what I believe are the most important components of my EDC, with the what, the why, and the how. AS FAMED INSTRUCTOR Massad Ayoob states, the golden rule in safety rescue equipment is that each piece must fulfill three criteria: 1) availability, 2) reliability, and 3) suitability. americanshootingjournal.com 35
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
Pawela goes back and forth between Bastinelli Knives’ Askari (top) and Chopper (bottom) as his favorite primary carry blades, with the Telum (middle) as a backup stuffed in a boot or offside pocket.
“One of the most important parts of your body is your eyes,” reminds the author, “and mine are always protected by Oakleys.”
The sheaths Pawela carries his knives in vary by model.
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American Shooting Journal // February 2022
In choosing a firearm (the what), my personal choice is the Glock 17, and as a backup, I carry the Glock 26. Why? They meet Ayoob’s three criteria, and they are readily available. Glocks run forever and are some of the most dependable pistols. You can buy a used one and it will still run forever. Also, 9mm ammo is readily available, and it eats all types of 9mm ammo. My primary Glock 17 is the third generation with modifications. The grip was professionally stippled by Veritas Tactical, giving me a better grip should there be blood in the fight (hopefully not my own). I also have TruGlo Tritium Pro sights on the slide; the front sight is a big orange dot, and the rear is two bright green dots. Underneath the slide is my TLR-1 Streamlight, which has 300 lumens with strobing capability. I have a KKM barrel, which is one of the most accurate barrels on the market (many of the top competition shooters use it), and a Ghost trigger, which gives me a 3.5-pound trigger pull. On the slide of my gun, I have laser-engraved my company name and logo, Assault Counter Tactics with halo wings; the
Hand Built For Hardcore Use (559) 478-5475 www.taprackholsters.com
Tap Rack Holsters is a leading provider of premium American-made gun holsters and knife sheaths. Our products are the result of 40 plus years of combined experience in the military and law enforcement field using American made materials. Every Tap Rack holster and sheath is handcrafted using extreme care, precision and built to last because we’re dedicated to providing premium quality products our customers can rely on.
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SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
“In preparing for armed self-defense or tactical situations, far too many people simply buy a gun and consider themselves prepared,” writes the author, who advocates for a much more robust approach.
Generally speaking, when Pawela carries for one to four hours, he runs his Glocks in inside-the-waistband holsters, like these custom Kydex jobs from Tap Rack Holsters, a favorite brand of late. But for longer periods, he switches to outside-the-waistband models.
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other side is again the halo wings with the Latin inscription Acta Non Verba, which translates to “Actions, Not Words.” This is just in case I ever have to identify it as mine, if it is ever stolen or is taken by law enforcement in the event of a justified shooting. For the magazines, I use the Glock 19X 19-round magazines; with one round in the chamber, I have a total of 20 rounds in the gun. For defensive rounds, I am using Pilgrim 9mm +P 115-grain hollowpoints that have a velocity of 2,000 feet per second. The recoil of the round is next to nothing, which translates to more rapid hits on target; the reason why the FBI went back to the 9mm was recoil management. The bullets are so lightweight that having 19 rounds of them in the Glock 19X magazine almost feels like there is nothing in it at all, which makes it easier for everyday carry. (Author’s note: Look for a devoted article on ammunition in an upcoming issue.) My backup gun is the Glock 26, with the same stippling and laserengraving from Veritas Tactical as my Glock 17. Truth be told, for the longest time I hated the 26 because it failed the suitability test for me. With the standard Glock 26 magazine, it just never felt comfortable in my hands; that was, however, until I discovered Magpul’s PMAG 12. This is a slightly longer and extended magazine than the original, holding 12 rounds. It forms the perfect fit in my hands, and if need be will also mate nicely with the spare 19X magazine I carry, or the 30-round Glock magazine I have at home. THE HOLSTERS I put my Glocks in must do a couple of things. They must allow for easy draw and reholstering; they must be secure; and they must be comfortable. I have a general rule: If I am carrying one to four hours, then it is inside-the-waistband carry, and my choices for IWB are custom Kydex. I have used CrossBreed, L.A.G. Tactical,
Custom Guns Gary Reeder announces his second book on handgun hunting. 256 pages on all aspects of handgun hunting, many in full color. John Taffin, America’s finest gun writer has this to say about Gary Reeder... “There is a long list of men, handgun hunting heroes I have been privileged to know, such men as Skeeter Skelton, Bob Milek, Lee Jurras, Steve Herrett, Larry Kelly, J.D.Jones, Hal Swiggett, Mark Hampton, John Linebaugh, Hamilton Bowen, and of course, Gary Reeder. All of these men are giants when it comes to handguns, and no one has had more effect today than Gary Reeder. There became a moment when Gary decided to become a handgun hunter, however he did not stop there. Besides building fine custom handguns he developed his own line of GNR cartridges and inspired others to be handgun hunters. Gary has made 16 trips to Africa and in this book, as in his previous book, you will share many of his experiences. Gary is a custom gun maker, which means he is in the business to make a living. However, he is a man who gives of himself to help others. Personally, I know him to be a man of great talent, simple honesty, a big heart and a humble spirit. I am proud to call him friend.” Gary Reeder’s second book Hunting Handguns and their Cartridges is available for $40. Signed copies are also available at no extra charge. Gary Reeder Custom Guns 2601 7th Ave. East, Flagstaff Arizona. 86004
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING have been using Sam Andrews’ products for over 40 years now. (Author’s note: Look forward to an upcoming article on Andrews soon, as well.) All the above-mentioned holstermakers have outside-the-waistband options as well, and I have one from each of these companies. So, any time I plan on having my holster on for more than four hours, I will switch to one of these OWB holsters.
With their reliability, widely available 9mm ammo and suitability for the job, the author prefers to carry Glocks, in particular the Glock 17 (this image) – here with a highly accurate KKM barrel – as his primary handgun. He backs it up with a Glock 26 (below) loaded with Pilgrim 9mm +P 115-grain hollowpoints.
and recently I was introduced to Tap Rack Holsters by my good friend, exDelta Force and CIA operator Dale Comstock. Also Tap Rack Holsters is an advertiser in American Shooting Journal and I try to support our advertisers as much as possible! All are great holsters and I switch them out often, depending on my attire. As of late, the Tap Rack 40
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Holsters have been going with me a lot due to the fact that I have been carrying a TacLight for the 17, and they made me a custom holster for it. They also made a left-handed custom 26 holster for my backup. The guns are secure, and the clips make them easy-on and easy-off. If I am using a leather holster, it is from Andrews Custom Leather, as I
THE STATE I reside in is Florida, and under statute 790.061, with my concealed carry license I am allowed to carry pretty much anything concealed, including “fixed blades.” I have already dedicated an entire article to Bastinelli Knives (American Shooting Journal, January 2021) and have used them for real in an automobile rescue to cut seat belts and deflate an airbag after a major accident. I have a dozen Bastinelli knives that I would bet my life with, any one of them. For horizontal carry, with easy-on/easy-off Kydex sheaths that secure the knife, I find myself going back and forth between Bastinelli’s Chopper and the Askari as my favorite primaries. My backup is the Telum, carried either in a boot or nondominant pocket. The Telum is a wicked double-edged knife that also makes a great thrower if needed. You might ask, why the dagger? The Spartans were asked the same question and their answer was, “Because we fight close to the enemy.” I wear 5.11 tactical jeans because they are made with comfort and fighting in mind. In my pockets are several items, including a very worn Streamlight 88061 ProTac flashlight that has been washed accidentally hundreds of times and it keeps on working. I also carry a Benchmade Mel Pardue axis-opening, pocket folding knife engraved with the Military Police symbols and its motto. I received this knife when my granddaughter was sworn in as an MP. I attach a D-ring to one of my belt loops, which is used for my car keys, but it could also act as a makeshift tourniquet
SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING in conjunction with the handkerchief I also carry. Lastly, a spare 19X Glock 20-round magazine is carried in the specifically built spare magazine pocket of my 5.11 jeans. For years I have advocated leather gun belts, with Andrews Custom Leather and CrossBreed being the ones I used the most. However, as of late I have been using Kore nylon belts that can be adjusted to fit your specific needs all the time. One of the most important parts of your body is your eyes, and mine are always protected by Oakleys. I have been using them for over 20 years now, and yes, I have prescription Oakleys now as well. Other EDC items I will mention are not tactical accessories, but rather reminders of why I carry. For the love of God, my family and
country. I never go anywhere without my necklace with the cross on it. On my iPhone is a picture of my lovely wife. On my left hand I have my 9-Line/Rockwell Tactical watch that proudly displays the American flag. And lastly, I carry a bracelet that honors my twin granddaughters serving in the military. These are my main EDC components, but don’t forget about the training aspect of selfdefense preparation. If you go to the Assault Counter Tactics website (assaultcountertactics.com), under scenario training you will find 12 scenarios we use for training for shoot/don’t-shoot situations. They are all based on real-life civilian documented incidents. How do I know? They were all mine! And that’s my two cents.
The author’s Assault Counter Tactics mantra.
Editor’s note: For realistic self-defense training, see assaultcountertactics .com. Author Paul Pawela is a nationally recognized firearms and self-defense expert.
Even Pawela’s Ariat cowboy boots can be very lethal weapons, given his martial arts skills, plus they’re a good place to affix a backup blade.
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American Shooting Journal // February 2022
L.E. SPOTLIGHT
THE MAN WHO KEPT THE PEACE
How Jan Ketchum went from being a state trooper to a local judge, plus raised a family and did a bit of fishing. STORY AND PHOTOS BY NICK PERNA
mall-town law enforcement is its own unique animal. Cops fill many roles. In some places, sheriff’s deputies also serve as coroners, dealing with the living one minute and with the deceased the next. They wear many hats. In some jurisdictions, state troopers fill a similar role. Known mainly for enforcing the laws on the highways of this great nation, some also serve small communities as resident state troopers. They also serve in multiple roles, doing the aforementioned highway safety function, as well as dealing with the crime and nuisance issues of their small towns.
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New York State Trooper Jan Ketchum at the swearing in of his daughter, Officer Ketchum. At 64 years old, he still fit in his police uniform – and cut a fine figure in judge’s robes after being elected to a local position.
Ketchum enjoyed fishing and hunting far and wide.
Such was the life of New York State Trooper Jan Ketchum. He was a local boy from Steuben County in western New York. As a young man, he entered military service, and upon his return, he joked that he decided the Army wasn’t for him, as he never wanted to wait in line (for chow) again. Ketchum started a career in law enforcement, becoming a New York State Trooper. Ketchum looked the part of an intimidating trooper – he was of strong Scandinavian stock, over 6 feet tall, with a deep voice and undeniable command presence.
FOR 26 YEARS, Ketchum served the state of New York. For the majority of his career, he patrolled the area of Route 17 (now named State Highway I-86) as well as Steuben County, keeping both safe. He was awarded for his bravery, and on one occasion he wrestled a loaded shotgun out of a suspect’s hands. He was also a crack shot, earning medals at the Police Olympics in skeet and trap shooting. Despite the awards and commendations, he was a humble man. As a trooper, Ketchum took pride in the fact that he never needed to “talk down” to people, regardless of their americanshootingjournal.com 45
L.E. SPOTLIGHT station in life. He eventually rose to the rank of sergeant. He was known as a fair and honest cop. Though he had opportunities to promote, he chose to remain as a sergeant of Troop E, in lieu of relocating his family to a new duty station. He sacrificed his promotional opportunities for a stable home life for his family and to continue serving the residents of Steuben County. Ketchum was also an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing and hunting. He traveled great distances to do so, including hunting in Montana, Canada and, later in life, several safaris in Southern Africa. In his house he had a “dead room,” full of mounts of animals from near and far. Upon his retirement from the NYSP, he took up the job of full-time fisher, hunter, father and husband. He had six children and lived in an area well known for outdoor sports, so this should have been more than enough to keep him busy. But, as often happens with men of action, he became bored and sought out a new adventure. He wanted to get back into the working world, but in a meaningful way where he could still serve his community. Ketchum told his family, “There are only so many days that I can be content to hunt and fish, and it is time for me to do something else.” IT’S NOT UNCOMMON to see retired police officers go on to work as prosecutors, district attorneys, judges and so on. It’s a natural extension of the justice process to go beyond arresting criminals and take it to the next level, ensuring that the criminals face justice. Generally, though, cops who want to be lawyers have to go to law school and pass the bar. Ketchum had a two-year degree from a local community college. This did not deter him, though. In many areas, especially at the local level, judge is an elected position. There was a vacancy in Ketchum’s town for a judge, so he opted to throw his hat in the ring. To the surprise of many, the man with an associate’s 46
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A sign from one of Ketchum’s successful re-election campaigns for Justice of the Peace in Bath, New York.
degree won the vote of the people. The respect he had garnered throughout his time as a trooper and as a member of his community was enough for the local citizens to put their faith in him. Jan Ketchum was elected to become the Justice of the Peace for the town of Bath, New York. Ketchum served the people for over a decade before his death. He had a unique way of dealing with those who ran afoul of the law. He applied unique sentencing alternatives to offenders, and opted not to lock up law-breakers in a few cases (despite being a hard-nosed cop). He would tell folks that there were a few options they could pursue when they left his courtroom: There was a church up the street, there was a military recruitment office half a block away, and a short walk from there was a bus stop. Pick one. Bath Town Justice Jan Ketchum continued his service to his community until he passed away. His actions as a law enforcement officer garnered him awards, but it was his continued service to his community that made him one of our heroes.
Obviously, some offenders may have a dissenting opinion, but there are many that would praise his decisions. We know this from firsthand accounts at his wake and funeral. Jan Ketchum was revered, loved, feared and respected by his community. Four of Ketchum’s kids went into the military. Two of his brood followed in his footsteps, going into law enforcement. One son became a federal agent. One of his daughters became a police officer in California. I met her in the police academy, fell in love with her and married her. That’s how I came to know the story of the old trooper with no law degree who went on to become a judge. 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.
SAVING LIVES ON THE FRONT LINE Book chronicles a California outdoorsman/Navy doctor's story.
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hen he was entering his fourth and final year of medical school, Donnelly Wilkes was excited about his future as a doctor and an ensuing career in the United States Navy. But when terrorists hijacked four planes on Sept. 11, 2001, causing thousands of deaths and sent a reeling nation into mourning, Wilkes’ euphoria turned to uncertainty and fury. “The United States has been attacked! I’m astonished at the sight of the burning buildings, bewildered at how such a thing could happen to us. A feeling of dread comes over me as I stare at sobbing, terrified New Yorkers running through ashen streets,” Wilkes writes in his memoir. “My sadness quickly turns to anger, and all I can think of is ‘Oh God, what can we do now, what happens next?’” Wilkes grew up in Placerville, California, about 50 miles east of Sacramento, in a family with plenty of military ties and that also had a love for hunting and the outdoors (see our interview in the following pages). Wilkes did his undergraduate work at the University of California Irvine and attended medical school at Tulane University’s School of Medicine in New Orleans on a full Navy scholarship. Dr. Wilkes graduated from Tulane and embarked on his service as a lieutenant commander in the Navy, which would eventually take him on seven years of active duty, including two combat tours in Iraq as a field doctor in 2004 and 2008. He would be awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions in the Battle of Fallujah in April 2004. These days, Dr. Wilkes runs a clinic in Southern California and still enjoys outdoor adventures in his home state and throughout the West. His book details the highs and lows of his time in combat, where he and colleagues worked tirelessly to save the lives of soldiers wounded in combat during the Iraq War. The following is excerpted from Code Red Fallujah: A Doctor’s Memoir at War by Dr. Donnelly Wilkes and published by Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster. 48
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STORY AND PHOTOS BY DR. DONNELLY WILKES
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hroughout the deployment our battalion worked closely with the Iraqi police, training them and conducting joint missions during offensive operations. This is in preparation for when Iraqis will eventually take over security enforcement of their cities and
Growing up in California's Sierra Nevada foothills as part of an outdoors-loving family that also had military bloodlines, Donnelly Wilkes had a pretty good idea what he wanted to do. He became a Navy doctor and in his book, Code Red Fallujah: A Doctor’s Memoir at War, he chronicles his experiences in Iraq.
ultimately their country. It is an extremely time-consuming, frustrating and difficult task for the Marines. There are only a few Iraqis with meaningful experience in law enforcement, and those who have the training use unorthodox techniques, tactics, and procedures. They are ill equipped and underpaid, making retention extremely precarious. All
these problems are inherited by the Marines. Throw in cultural and language barriers, and it becomes a slow and endless dance of twosteps-forward, one-step-back progress. Despite this, our men work diligently with the Iraqis towards their sovereignty, committing money, uniforms, weapons, and hours of blood and sweat to the cause.
Corruption and thievery are rampant among the Iraqi ranks, and when caught it is important to call out and punish these individuals to deter this behavior. On June 7 [2004], I attended a staff meeting outlining a plan to detain and prosecute five criminal individuals discovered among the Iraqi police. Our battalion commander plans to arrest and parade americanshootingjournal.com 49
During one convoy ride to an Iraqi police station , Wilkes (far right with his siblings and father, Mike) put in a dip of tobacco, which was “something I reserved for hunting trips and ‘male bonding’ with my brothers; Iraq brought back the indulgence.”
them in front of fellow Iraqi police members, sending a message that corruption will not be tolerated. The plan is to take a team of Marines to the Iraqi police station in Al-Garma during what should be a routine payday for the Iraqis. I will join the mission with five corpsmen to perform brief medical exams for each Iraqi officer as a gesture of goodwill and as a diversion tactic. After the corrupt members are paid and complete their medical exam, they will be placed in handcuffs and escorted in front of all other policemen, sending a message that corruption will 50
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be dealt with seriously. The remaining Iraqi police will be paid promptly and thanked for their service. This mission is named “Operation Silent Switch.” OUR BATTALION LAWYER is Capt. Jamie McCall. Among many nontraditional duties you might expect of a lawyer, his job is to pay the Iraqi police. For the Al-Garma mission, he will take thousands of dollars in cash to pay each member of the Iraqi police. After learning about the medical role in the operation, I suspect we will be working closely together. Jamie and
I first met in Okinawa before leaving for Iraq, and over the past couple months we became fast friends. He attended law school at Penn and shortly after joined the Marine Corps. I saw a lot of myself in him; his passion for life and commitment to duty as a Marine Corps officer inspired me. We bonded quickly, in part because we both chose professions sometimes perceived by society as those of opportunity, yet we found ourselves amidst war, executing our vocations in a capacity we never truly imagined. During deployment, we killed time
Q&A WITH DR. DONNELLY WILKES
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e chatted with Dr. Donnelly Wilkes, who served multiple deployments in Iraq with the U.S. Navy, about his experiences in combat (including a desperate attempt to save a wounded serviceman, Lt. Jackson, which appears in Wilkes’ book), his love for the outdoors growing up outside Sacramento, and his Southern California-based Summit Health Group, of which he’s president and medical director. Chris Cocoles Congratulations on a really compelling book. What inspired you to pursue this project? Dr. Donnelly Wilkes After returning from my deployment and as the Iraq War dragged on, I realized what an important event the Battle of Fallujah had been, and how it had changed me. There were only a handful of physicians as close to combat as we were in Fallujah. Moreover, the Battle of Fallujah proved itself to be the premier and most violent event of the entire 10-year Iraq War. Three years after Fallujah, I found myself in desert boots once again, heading back to Iraq for another deployment. Memories and emotions from Fallujah were stirred. I needed something to help get me through another deployment, and I felt a calling to tell my story from Fallujah. It was then that Code Red Fallujah came to life. My writing helped me harness the positives from my combat deployments, release emotional strain, and evolve as a physician. CC And considering some of the horrors of war you witnessed in Iraq, was writing this book a bit cathartic for you? DW Yes, it was. As my second deployment commenced, it stirred up emotions from the Battle of Fallujah. My writing helped me put my thoughts on paper and work through some tough memories from Fallujah. It also helped me express the importance of my faith – and its ability to help us endure. CC You have a lot of military 54
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connections in your family – your grandfather fought in World War II and Korea and only an injury prevented your father from enlisting during Vietnam – so was pursuing a career in the Navy something you always thought about along with going to medical school? DW The culture in my family has always been one of patriotism. America is our beloved home team, and whether up or down I learned to support and root for our nation’s endeavors. Service to our country was frequently celebrated at family gatherings. I knew at a young age I would follow suit in some capacity but wasn’t sure how. I let my passion for education and adventure drive this ship, so when the Navy offered me a full scholarship for medical school, that ship set sail.
we were receiving at our field aid station. Jackson’s death put me over the edge, and I felt myself bursting at the seams. The spiritual reckoning I write about is what turned the battle in my favor, and I have never forgotten that lesson. In my personal and professional life, I have drawn on the strength I gained over and over again. I have the good Lord’s strength on my side, and with this, I cannot fail. The trials of life still wound me, but they don’t inflict as much pain and I bounce back quicker. I have more empathy for my patients, and I see their struggles and rough sides through a softer lens. My temper has softened, and my ability to find time for the simple love of life has evolved. I am a better doctor, husband and American because of that night.
CC How much did the Sept. 11 attacks impact you as a young man in the armed forces? DW When the [World Trade Center’s] Twin Towers came down, I was in my fourth and final year of medical school – on the cusp of fulfilling my dreams as a medical doctor. That day, I sensed my career as a Naval officer would be much different. The tide had turned, and I felt an even stronger pull towards active duty. I felt edgy about what it might mean to go into harm’s way but pumped up to be a part of the best fighting force in the world. By this time, I had attended officer training school in Newport, Rhode Island, and I was ready to don the uniform and jump in the ring.
CC You grew up around Sacramento [Placerville]. That’s such a great outdoors mecca. Is that where your love of hunting evolved? DW Yes, I learned to hunt in the oaktree-lined foothills of our home in El Dorado County. We started with pellet guns hunting rabbits and quail right in our backyard. My father taught me the camaraderie found in hunting and the love of nature. He taught me to clean our kills and we always ate what we hunted. We moved on to hunting deer outside Placerville in the Sierra Nevada, and then finally to bigger hunts out of state.
CC I was so moved by your experience trying to save the life of Lt. Jackson. You write about how much that moment affected you spiritually. Looking back, how much did that shape who you are now? DW This event truly altered my evolution as a physician, Naval officer and Christian man forever. That night was a turning point in my deployment. I was really struggling with the intensity of combat trauma and incoming mortars and rockets
CC Can you share a California hunting memory? DW This story comes straight from my father, Mike Wilkes: “Donnelly and (brother) Riley were 8 and 9 years old and excited for our annual deer hunt. It would be the three of us and another hunter friend of mine. Typically, my friends left their kids home but not me. Our destination was halfway between Placerville and Lake Tahoe, 20 miles north of Highway 50 in the Sierra Nevada. We drove in on dirt roads as far as we could go. Then all of us loaded up with backpacks and hiked over 4 miles
to make our camp.” “In those days, money was tight, and I did not bring good equipment for myself or the boys. It started to lightly snow at dinner time on the first night. Initially, we thought it was great, but before long the light snow turned to rain as we were still cooking on the campfire.” “Eventually, we had to retreat into our tents. Thus, it began the most miserable night I have ever had. Our tent was a joke – not only did the rain seep right through the top, but it also ran like a river down the seams of the floor, soaking everything in its path. Riley was the only one who had an air mattress and stayed dry in his sleeping bag. Donnelly and I were doomed as the streams below the tent floor blossomed and soaked our sleeping bags. Donnelly was freezing and climbed into my bag. Huddling skin to skin was all I could do to keep him warm. I stayed awake the entire night, hating myself for getting us into such a horrible situation. Thankfully, Riley slept soundly on the air mattress!” “Before dawn, I escaped from our water-drenched tomb, packing all our gear in the dark. At first light, we were ready to hike out of the snow-crusted forest. We made it down the mountain in record time, bringing a safe end to our adventure. I can say without a doubt it was the worst night I have ever spent, and I vowed to never skimp on gear or go hunting unprepared ever again!” CC My dad was in the Navy and he’d talk to me a lot about the brotherhood of those you serve with. Did you feel that even more about those you not only worked with but those wounded warriors you treated? DW Yes, when you have a wounded man or woman under your care, you feel the ultimate responsibility to care for and protect this person who has been wounded. Throw in combat in the background, and this event or moment becomes crystallized in your memory. I remember the details of their wounds and the vulnerability in their eyes. Some persevered gloriously, while others succumbed to the ultimate fate. Each of them had a deep and 56
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lasting impact on me. CC Are we doing enough for our veterans after they come back from combat? DW During and since my service the care for our veterans has come a long way. But like [actor and veterans’ activist] Gary Sinise says, “We can always do a little more.” As a physician and a patient, I have personally provided and received medical care in our VA system and can attest to the vast improvements over the last 20 years. Now that we have made great strides in the access and delivery of medical care for our veterans, we can continue to refine and improve all services offered. I want to personally bring attention to the following mental health services: The National Center for PTSD (ptsd .va.gov), which has free consultation for any provider treating veterans for PTSD or related issues. PTSD Coach App: an evidencebased app with information for family, friends, or patients on symptoms, screening tools, links to support, and treatment options. CC You’re a dad now. What would it mean to you for your kids to follow in your footsteps of pursuing a career in medicine or the military, or both? DW I am an all-girl daddy, and we frequently talk about Dad’s adventures in New Orleans, the Navy and beyond. Admittedly, sometimes my stories may get a bit “inflated.” It gets harder and harder to impress them as they grow! The Wilkes household frequently celebrates the stars and stripes, posting our flagpole together for honorary holidays. With all the opportunities blossoming today more than ever for women in medicine and the military, I would support any choice they made to follow in my footsteps. CC It sounds like you’ve done a lot of hunting in different areas of the country. Is there a hunt that’s on your bucket list? DW I would love to go on a big game hunt in Montana or South Dakota. This vast and somewhat untamed part of
our country holds amazing beauty. My dream would be to set out on a weeklong, horse-guided hunt with my dad and four brothers into the high country for elk or mule deer. CC How satisfying has it been to be a doctor – both while deployed and now as the director of Summit Health in Thousand Oaks? DW I love being a doctor. The life suits me well. My book tells stories of hardships and challenges that tested my will, but the truth is I sought out an adventurous life, and it sought me right back. My journey took me where I was meant to be and molded me into the physician, husband and father I am today. The skills I learned and refined as a military doctor gave me the foundation I needed to successfully start and grow a private medical practice in an incredibly challenging environment. I love sharing my history with my patients – especially the veterans under my care. I am also proud to employ two former military members and am always looking to hire more! CC What do you hope people take away from reading your book? DW The first takeaway is that everyone has a unique story worthy of telling. My story is one of many passed down by the grace of God, and I feel fortunate to share it. Untangling the mystery of life is the ultimate adventure. Finding peace on that journey is the ultimate challenge. At the end of my journey, I have a treasure chest to share, and I have a seminal message. Don’t wait for your life to come to you. With the right training, you can do great things. Among them, these three key elements: Get your heart and mind balanced, get your body fit, grab a fist full of courage, and go after it! You are the most important person you will ever meet – don’t be late to the meeting. Take calculated chances, but expect things to go wrong and that you will make mistakes. These are not failures, rather opportunities for improvement. Learn to forgive and love yourself first, then you are ready to be a light to the world.
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Of his experiences in Iraq and what inspired him to write about it, Wilkes (left) says, “My writing helped me put my thoughts on paper and work through some tough memories from Fallujah. It also helped me express the importance of my faith – and its ability to help us endure.”
in the gym tent or jogging around the base, discussing our lives as young men, and dreaming of the life awaiting us upon return to the states. In the evenings we played Ping-Pong, watched movies on a laptop, or hunkered down with [Lt.] Cormac [O’Connor] and the chaplain for a competitive game of spades or Scrabble. Mid-deployment, Jamie developed 58
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an infected cyst in an unfortunate region requiring minor surgery. It was this event that propelled our friendship closer than either of us ever intended! In a second medical mishap, Jamie headbutted an air conditioning unit; he laughed it off with grace as I closed his scalp with seven sutures. IT’S SATURDAY, WE’RE
174 days into the deployment, and Operation Silent Switch is a go. In the back of my head, I’m telling myself, “Don’t do anything stupid; you’re on the home stretch.” Capt. McCall walks in the BAS [battalion aid station] with a friendly greeting and reminder of the fun and adventure we will have spending the day in Al-Garma. I assemble a crew of five corpsmen, and we pack a few medical bags for basic exams, mostly for show as a diversion tactic. Jamie and I hop in the back of a Humvee, and our convoy heads out at 8 a.m. It’s already getting hot, at least 90 degrees, and I suspect we’re in for a long day of travel. Per protocol, we stop just outside the gate, exit the vehicles, and load our weapons. Facing away from the Humvee, I insert a clip into my 9mm pistol, pull back and release the slide, chambering one round. I flick the safety up and I’m ready to go. The convoy lurches forward together, turning west onto the main highway for a short distance, then exiting on an unmarked dirt road I only halfrecognize from a previous convoy. Our routes constantly change, using back roads and making our own paths to avoid predictability, ambushes, and IED attacks. I tuck a bit of chewing tobacco in my lower lip for the road trip and peer out the window at the barren desert terrain that distracts me from our destination. Before Iraq, this habit was something I reserved for hunting trips and “male bonding” with my brothers; Iraq brought back the indulgence, since nearly every other marine carries chewing tobacco in his front pocket. We bump along the dusty roads, passing muddy, sewage-filled canals. Three weeks ago, one of our Marines drowned in this canal. While swimming across to span an electrical conduit, his feet became entangled in weeds and rescue attempts failed. On dirt roads, we travel through miles of crops and fields inhabited by the occasional farmer. Small farm towns punctuate the long stretches, most of them poorly constructed clay huts or rock structures, with dirt-caked walls. Children run in the streets, waving to us as we thunder by. I marvel at
their acclimation to the war all around them and the fragility of their daily life. Marines wave back, throwing soccer balls and other trinkets brought just for this occasion. We arrive in Al-Garma before noon, linking up with Bravo Company Marines stationed across from the Iraqi police station. They live in a large open bay structure with an aluminum metal roof and block wall perimeter. I enter the building headquarters and see to my left a few folding tables with laptop computers, maps, and field telephones. The remaining open Hunting with his dad and brothers has always been a big part of Wilkes’ life. “My father taught me the camaraderie found in hunting and the love of nature,” he says.
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bay is filled with a maze of sandbags, field gear, ammunition, and green mesh cots with silver aluminum legs. The latrine is just outside the main entrance, consisting of a dirt hole and boxes. Overheated from the journey, we unload our gear, wrestle off our helmets and flak jackets, and grab some water. Jamie and I sit side by side in metal folding chairs, waiting to hear when to depart to the police station. We open magazines to pass the time. Jamie picks up a copy of Field and Stream; pointing at a large fish, he fondly describes a prior catch,
and I share in the spirit with my plans for an elk hunt in October with my dad and brothers. KA, KA, KA-BOOM, boom, boom! We’re violently jerked back to reality when multiple mortars crush the ground outside. I lurch forward to reach for my helmet at my feet. As I strap it to my chin, three more rounds pummel the earth, closer than the last. Boom, Boom! I search frantically for my flak jacket as others race for cover, but it’s not where I set it down. Bodies rush past me on all sides.
“I love being a doctor. The life suits me well,” Wilkes (far right) says. “My book tells stories of hardships and challenges that tested my will, but the truth is I sought out an adventurous life, and it sought me right back.”
Frustrated, I scramble to crouch against the wall as the impacts continue. They cease a few moments later, but I remain still, heart pumping and lungs heaving with adrenaline. After a minute, I tentatively stand up to look around. No one seems to be hurt, and there are no direct hits on the building. I look over at Jamie. We both sigh with the same air of exasperation, as if to say, “Same story, different day.” I walk over and jokingly thank him for inviting me to such a memorable outing. TWENTY MINUTES LATER, we load up the vehicles with our gear. We head across the street to the Iraqi police station. Once there, we enter a building where the Marines have gathered a couple hundred policemen. Once lined up, the herding of bodies begins. I’m positioned in a small dirty back room with two corpsmen and an interpreter. As each Iraqi comes in, the interpreter asks if he has any medical problems or takes any medications. My corpsmen document the answers, then check 62
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his blood pressure and pulse while I listen to his heart and lungs. The first five men are the policemen suspected of corruption, and as they exit the room, they are arrested and placed in handcuffs. Despite the meaningless nature of the remaining medical exams, we continue the same process for every single Iraqi as a gesture of goodwill and an effort to support them. Most of them do not speak any English, but their faces and thankful expressions are understood. It is tedious, dirty, and hot and I’m anxious to head back to Camp Mercury upon conclusion. Our unit musters outside the compound, facing a formation of Iraqi police officers. The corrupt officers are escorted in front of the other Iraqis as a commander explains why these men have been arrested and that this fate will follow anyone participating in this kind of behavior. I meet Capt. McCall outside the compound, where we gather our gear and saunter back to the Humvees, sharing frustrations and triumphs alike. Despite the mortar attack, it’s a successful and motivating operation.
We load up the convoy and head for home. Our armored convoy drives, bounces, and bumps along highways, back roads, and no roads; some of it is familiar to me, while much is different from the way we came. I catch glimpses of abstract shapes, shacks, and shadows in the distance – a dead animal, an abandoned hut, a goat herder – all of it feeling suspended in time. The success of the day and journey back to the base have me feeling a pull towards home so powerful it feels as if my return is in the near future. The convoy rumbles on, leaving massive dust clouds in its trail. As we pass the outer limits of our base, two stout Marines coated in white powder dust wave us through. I feel the tension in my head decompress and the nerves in my chest unwind; we are at home base once again. Editor’s note: For more information and to order the book, go to simonandschuster.com/books/ Code-Red-Fallujah/Donnelly-WilkesM-D/9781642938029.
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ROAD HUNTER
Blinds are an important part of cackling goose hunting success. Here, hunters hide in a couple A-frame blinds that are brushed in with natural cover from that spot.
CONFESSIONS OF A CACK ADDICT
Hooked on hunting these late-season geese but struggling to get big flocks back? Try these three keys. STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN
R
ight on cue, over 20,000 cacklers funneled into our decoys. It didn’t take long before six of us had our four-goose limit, a seemingly tiny number among a flock so big, especially when grass seed farmers wanted them gone due to massive crop damage. February marks the start of some of the best late-season goose hunting in the country, especially for cacklers. While the shooting can be
fast, the process of hunting cacklers is far from quick and easy. Over the decades, I’ve enjoyed numerous cackler hunts throughout their range. Here are three steps I rely on for continued success. THE SCOUTING To emphasize that one step in cackler hunting is more important than the others could be misleading, but if there was a most important step, it would be scouting. I’ve hunted with several accomplished cackler hunters over the years and they agree that without
scouting, you’re wasting your time. They’d also agree that scouting is the most time-consuming process. On average, my group of cackler addicts and I spend three days scouting before deciding where to set up the decoys. Cacklers are birds of a feather, and where one flock goes, they often all go. Before setting up big decoy spreads in grazing fields, make sure the flock you’re targeting is the one all the other birds want to be with. Scouting success lies in being afield at first light so you can watch where roosting flocks arise and go. americanshootingjournal.com 65
ROAD HUNTER Cacklers primarily roost at night on water, be it lakes, ponds or wetlands. At first light – or shortly thereafter – they’ll start chattering, then erupt into flight. When a flock of 10,000 cacks take wing, it can be heard for miles on a calm day. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope, as you’re often watching birds from miles away. Watch where the cacklers go, tracking the largest group of birds should they split after their initial launch. Mark where that flock, and others, are landing, then keep watching. Be on the lookout for more flocks taking wing, and pinpoint where they land. On some mornings, cackler flocks will change fields multiple times over a couple hours before finding what they like. I think this is because there’s a constant search for greener grass. Once the majority of geese in the area have established a feeding zone, come back and check it again a couple hours before dark. While the fields are usually vacated later in the
morning, birds will usually be back to graze before nightfall. Once birds start heading directly to these feeding locales in the morning and afternoon for two days straight, it’s time to get serious. Since the majority of cacklers graze on private land, gaining landowner permission is a must. There’s still no substitute for knocking on doors, introducing yourself, and asking landowners if they’re seeking help in managing crops. A flock of 10,000 cacklers can cause a great deal of crop damage in a short period of time, and a flock of over 30,000 birds will wreak devastation, fast. Once permission is secured, it’s time to nail down the X, that magical spot where you want to set the decoys when it comes time for the hunt. This is where a midday stroll in the field – while there are no birds on it – will reveal exactly what you were observing from a distance. Locate the grazing line, that place where grass that’s been nipped short meets taller grass. This line, along with droppings,
It doesn’t look like over eight dozen decoys, but this is how tight cacklers gather when grazing. Note the setup’s hooks and stragglers to pull in birds approaching from various angles as the wind shifts.
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feathers and tracks in wet fields, leaves no question as to where the X is, and thus where the decoys should be set, as this is where the birds will return. Watch the birds the following day from a closer vantage point, noting the wind direction and where the birds are touching down. THE DECOYS When it comes to decoying cacklers, consider the time of season you’re hunting, where you’ll be, how long the birds will be in the area, and what the hunting pressure is like. I’ve hunted cacklers many times in Alaska in September. I’ve decoyed both cacklers and Taverner’s here, with good success on the water and, on occasion, on the tundra during years of flourishing berry crops. Early-season birds respond to just a dozen floating decoys in shallow water, as well as a few dozen silhouettes placed in a tight pack on the tundra. These birds aren’t pressured, and often you’re targeting family flocks or small flocks with many
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ROAD HUNTER
When a flock like this funnels into the decoys, the cackler addiction begins. Author Scott Haugen has been pursuing cacklers for over 40 years and loves the challenges they present. Here, he and his pudelpointer Kona secured a limit in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
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young birds. They’re gullible. I’ve also hunted cacklers as they migrate through a flyway. Thirty-five years ago, no cacklers stopped in a valley that I like to hunt today. Back then, birds were continually on the move, stopping for only a few days to feed and move south. Decoying them as they passed through was hit and miss. Today, Oregon’s Willamette Valley features hundreds of square miles of prime grass that keeps some 200,000 cacklers around all winter long. Mild winters over the past decade have also kept birds in the valley. As the season progresses, decoying cacklers becomes more challenging due to increased hunting pressure. When cacklers first arrive early in the fall, a mix of full-body and silhouette decoys will do the trick. Situating the silhouettes with the full-body decoys is a great way to add numbers. In all, seven dozen decoys will usually do the trick. As the season progresses and birds grow wise to hunting pressure, we’ll switch to a spread of all full-body decoys. Eight dozen life-size decoys are the minimum we’ll use later in the season, with 12 to 15 dozen being preferred. During the final six weeks of the season last year, we had multiple hunts where over 10,000 cacklers spilled into the decoys at once, and a few hunts where over 20,000 birds spiraled in. On some of these spreads, we had over 70 dozen windsock decoys. One of the biggest challenges for first-time cackler hunters is packing the spread tight. Put 10 dozen full-body decoys in a wad, like how cacklers really feed, step back and look at it, and you’ll be surprised at how small the spread is. Avoid the urge to go back and space them out, as you might a honker spread. If you want space, set 75 percent of the decoys in a tight wad and the rest in another little flock 10 yards away. This not only creates a landing gap, but it mimics what often happens when new flocks arrive to an already feeding flock; they land on the
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ROAD HUNTER Cackling Canada geese come in many sizes and range throughout much of North America, yet the basic approach to hunting them is similar. On this hunt in northern California, Haugen took a limit of Aleutian cacklers.
edge and feed their way in. On windy late-season days, we’ll often add windsock decoys to the spread. This setup has worked best on windy, cloudy days, and didn’t do well on sunny, calm days. This year I purchased a few dozen Final Approach fully flocked lesser decoys to hunt on those rainy days; I’m excited to see how they work. THE BLIND Part three of the cackler conquest is situating a good blind. Every season I find prime fields that simply can’t be hunted due to the lack of blind cover. Over the years, I’ve tried pulling birds off the X because I couldn’t get a blind close enough to it, and I can count on one hand the number of times it’s worked. The more cacklers are hunted, the smarter they become, and that’s why my 70
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hunting partner, Richard Kroph, likes A-frame blinds. Last season he picked up two of the blinds. “By the time you get eight layout blinds brushed in, it can look pretty unnatural when there’s not much cover around to pull from,” he says. “But put two A-frames side by side, and eight hunters can stand and shoot pretty easily.” A-frame blinds are ideal for aging hunters, too, who often struggle with layouts. Be it layout blinds or A-frames, I’ve had the best success brushing in blinds with the cover that’s in the field we’re hunting that day. After each hunt we’ll strip much of the blinds, brushing them in the next time we hunt, and we’re often hunting cacklers twice a week. Though gregarious, cacklers are smart, and educating them with sloppy blind work is a common mistake. You don’t spend days of scouting and two
hours setting up decoys in the dark to blow a hunt with subpar blinds. Look for ditch lines, brush, rows of trees, tall dead grass, small creeks and other breaks in the landscape near the X, and make that your blind location. The addiction to cackler hunting is a progression. First you pull in a massive flock and think it’s easy, or that you got lucky and it won’t happen again. Then it does happen again. Then the birds wise up and you’re scratching your head to figure out what went wrong. Once you hit that point, you’re addicted, because while cackler hunting is pure fun, consistently killing cacklers is far from simple. Editor’s note: For signed copies of Scott Haugen’s bestselling books, visit scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott’s adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
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WOODLEIGH BULLETS: HOPEFULLY RISING FROM THE ASHES
A fire last November left the famed dangerous game bullet maker’s factory in ruins and its future uncertain. STORY BY PHIL MASSARO • PHOTOS BY MASSARO MEDIA GROUP
had followed Brian van Blerk and his trackers Albert and Proud for nearly a half-mile, as the zebra stallions fed and walked, walked and fed, keeping just out of range. The larger
I
of the pair slowed to feed in a small depression – where what was left of the grass was still good – and gave us a chance to shorten the distance. The cover in this section of the famous Chirisa Safari Area in Zimbabwe was becoming thinner, and we were running out of it quickly. We stood for what seemed like an
eternity (though probably only 15 or 20 minutes) with my rifle on the sticks, waiting for a short but clean opportunity to take the bigger of the two. When he came clear, I settled the Leupold’s crosshair on his shoulder and broke the trigger of the Mauser 98. A 250-grain Woodleigh Weldcore from my .318 Westley Richards took him americanshootingjournal.com 79
BULLET BULLETIN
This Zimbabwean zebra stallion fell to a single Woodleigh Weldcore from author Phil Massaro’s .318 Westley Richards.
cleanly; he spun once and went down within 20 paces. Three years prior, and a bit to the northwest, I had leveled the front bead of my Heym Express onto the shoulder of a massive bull elephant and loosed two 400-grain Woodleigh
Massaro took his Heym Express in .404 Jeffery loaded with 400-grain Woodleigh Hydros to Zimbabwe for an elephant hunt.
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Hydrostatically Stabilized Solids, taking the crop-raider at 16 yards. That .404 Jeffery and I became inseparable after that, and I would feel comfortable using that combination of bullet and rifle for any dangerous game species anywhere on Earth.
AUSTRALIA’S WOODLEIGH BULLETS first came to my attention as a source for projectiles for reloading those cartridges for double rifles that were regulated with, and shot best with, the old bullets from Kynoch. That ammunition had all but dried up, and
The 400-grain Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilized Solids; note the small dish at the nose, which creates the cavitation bubble.
BULLET BULLETIN
Massaro’s Zimbabwean bull elephant was taken cleanly with two 400-grain Woodleigh Hydro Solids from his .404 Jeffery.
Old meets new: The classic .404 Jeffery cartridge loaded with Woodleigh Hydro Solids.
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many of those classic cartridges and rifles were left unfed and unused. Woodleigh filled that niche, producing a bullet that not only matched the nose profile of the old Kynoch stuff, but was stronger and performed better. Where the Kynoch ammunition used a standard, conventional cupand-core softpoint bullet, coupled with a full metal jacket nonexpanding solid bullet, the Woodleigh Weldcore softpoint had its jacket chemically bonded to the core to slow expansion and prevent premature bullet breakup. They also offered the correlative full metal jacket solid, with a thin copper jacket over a thick steel jacket, and the pair gave new life to many of the classic British and continental rifles. The folks at Woodleigh were, and are, passionate about making excellent projectiles in the style of yesteryear,
americanshootingjournal.com 83
BULLET BULLETIN
Norma’s African PH line, with 450-grain Woodleigh Weldcore softpoints in the .416 Remington Magnum.
but with modern twists. And, in my opinion, their Hydrostatically Stabilized Solid – known affectionately as the “Hydro” – is the best bullet ever invented for dangerous game. Sadly, on November 27, 2021, a fire devastated the Woodleigh factory in Murrabit, Australia; owner Geoff McDonald and his wife Shirley were both hospitalized with smoke inhalation, but thankfully came through unscathed. However, the factory is a total loss, with only a slight possibility of a small amount of product making it through the tragedy. I’ve been blessed to get to know Geoff personally over the years, as we always enjoy a long chat at the trade shows, and while I’m happy that he and his wife escaped the peril of that terrible fire, I can only imagine how he hurts, with the uncertainty of the extremely successful business he built up from the ground. I’d like to take a look at those fantastic Woodleigh products to celebrate them and hope that we haven’t seen the last of them. Woodleigh’s projectiles have long been a welcome sight for those who enjoy the obscure cartridges. These 250-grain .330-inch-diameter Weldcores are designed for the .318 Westley Richards.
The mighty .505 Gibbs Magnum, loaded with 600-grain Woodleigh FMJ solids in the Norma African PH ammo line.
Federal’s Cape-Shok ammo line features the Woodleigh Hydro Solid; shown here is the famous .416 Rigby with 400-grain Hydros.
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americanshootingjournal.com 85
BULLET BULLETIN Massaro long dreamt of owning a .318 Westley Richards, and had one built primarily because Woodleigh’s premium Weldcore bullets were readily available.
A Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .416 Remington Magnum, and Federal’s Cape-Shok 400-grain Woodleigh Hydro load. Note the blue polymer cap, which aids in smooth feeding.
AS I STATED earlier, the Weldcore bonded softpoint is the flagship of the fleet. One of the most attractive attributes of Woodleigh’s products is that they produce bullets in both popular and obscure bullet diameters; I rely heavily on their 250-grain .330-inch-diameter bullet for my .318 Westley Richards, and I’ve turned a good many shooters onto it. It has all the attributes of a century-plus-old design, yet penetrates for days, expands reliably, retains
a healthy percentage of its original weight and is wonderfully accurate. My pal Mike McNulty loves the Weldcore in his .458 Lott; I’ve loaded a good number of 500-grain slugs for him, and he’s taken that combination around the world, taking his first Cape buffalo with it. Norma Ammunition loads the Woodleigh Weldcore in its African PH line, and in many of the cartridges designed for bolt-action rifles,
employs heavier-than-normal bullet weights. I took this ammo, using a 450-grain Weldcore in .404 Jeffery, to Alaska with me when I hunted coastal brown bear and black bear; I took a respectable black bear, and while I didn’t have an opportunity for the brownie, I felt completely confident in that thick vegetation where shooting distances could be measured in feet instead of yards. Loads like the 350-grain .375 H&H
An old and handsome kudu bull, taken with a Texas heart shot from a .318 Westley Richards and a 250-grain Weldcore, in the Chirisa Block of Zimbabwe with professional hunter Brian van Blerk.
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BULLET BULLETIN A 250-grain Woodleigh Weldcore recovered from a kudu bull; the bullet entered just below the base of the tail, and was found against the breastbone.
Geoff McDonald of Woodleigh Bullets (left) and Massaro at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. McDonald’s factory in Australia was destroyed in a fire last November, making for an uncertain future for the bullet maker and his wares.
This Alaskan black bear fell to a 450-grain Woodleigh Weldcore from the author’s .404 Jeffery.
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americanshootingjournal.com 89
BULLET BULLETIN
The author’s rifle for Alaskan bears: a Bansner & Co. custom .404 Jeffery, which shoots Norma African PH ammo loaded with 450-grain Woodleigh Weldcores into sub-MOA groups.
Magnum, 450-grain .416 Rigby and .416 Remington Magnum, 550-grain .458 Lott and .450 Rigby, and 600-grain .505 Gibbs all give these cartridges a slight advantage at close quarters, where game must be stopped. Standard bullet weights in cartridges like the .470 Nitro Express and .500 Nitro Express allow the double rifles to shoot properly, yet still benefit from the bonded core design that holds together
The 500-grain Woodleigh Hydro Solid loaded in the .505 Gibbs Magnum.
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The Norma African PH line features a 350-grain Woodleigh Weldcore in the .375 H&H Magnum, and makes an already fantastic cartridge even better.
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BULLET BULLETIN even through thick hide and huge bones. In component form, Woodleigh offers the Weldcore in bore diameters from 6.5mm all the way up to the behemoth .700-caliber for use in the .700 Nitro Express, with models for most bore diameters in between, including the oddballs. AT THE OPPOSITE end of the spectrum,
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Woodleigh moved forward to develop one of the most impressive technological advances in bullet design in their Hydro solid. It is a lead-free monometal bullet, with long parallel sides and a unique meplat that culminates in a small concave dish-like design. The concept is that the meplat creates a cavitation bubble upon impact with the game animal, and that bubble will destroy blood-rich tissue, as
well as clear a path for itself, resulting in straight-line penetration with minimal expansion at the nose, if any at all. Strange as this theory may sound, it works. Prior to taking that big bull elephant in Zimbabwe, I used the Hydro to take a formidable blue wildebeest in South Africa, as well as a handsome impala ram. In each of the species – which are of considerably different sizes – there was a cylinder of blood-shot meat and jellified tissue along the bullet’s path, and the kill was both quick and humane. I’ve seen that bullet actually knock a Cape buffalo off its feet when shot through the hip and up into the front shoulder as it ran from the initial shot, and both broadside shots on that elephant exited the body, completely destroying his lungs; upon dissection, the damage was evident. Should you want a bullet that possesses all the penetrative qualities of the best solids, yet offers the destructive capabilities of the premium softpoints, look no further than the Woodleigh Hydro. It is loaded in Federal Premium’s Cape-Shok ammo line, with offerings in cartridges from the 9.3x62, 9.3x74R and .375 H&H Magnum up through the .416s and .458s, to the .470 and .500 Nitro Express. In the factory-loaded version, there is a hemispherical polymer cap installed over the meplat to ensure smooth and easy feeding in bolt-action rifles. That cap breaks off upon impact, and has no The 270-grain B.O.R. Lock MZat all. If effect.50-caliber on the terminal ballistics bullet is wonderfully you are headedand onexpands safari and want the best accurate, reliably. The polymer tipcan maintains insurance policy you buy ina the form higher-than-normal ballistic of ammunition, the making Federallonger Cape-Shok coefficient value, shots aafter. reality. Hydro load is what you’re Knowing the passion Geoff McDonald has for his company, its products and its legacy, I would be honestly surprised if we’ve heard the last from him, and I hope I’m correct. He and Shirley have certainly earned their place in the firearms industry, and as if the Covid pandemic hasn’t been hard enough on businesses around the world – and especially in Australia – the fire at Geoff’s factory was a devastating blow. Whichever path you choose, Geoff, I’d personally like to say thank you for your dedication and your great products. It’s an honor to be your friend.
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BLACK POWDER Third time was the charm for Allen Cunniff, here with the bull elk he took with a .62-caliber flintlock that immediately beforehand had twice produced a lot of flash but no shot.
TALES FROM THE HUNT (AND HOME)
Intrepid black powder shooter didn't hit the field last fall, but was there in spirit with fellow hunters who did. STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT
M
aybe I should have gone hunting last fall; it was certainly the proper time for it. In addition to that, it seems like cottontail rabbits in the area are at a high point in their population cycle. Some fresh rabbit
would have been prime meat for my .40 percussion rifle and I can just about hear Ol’ Bearclaw (from the movie Jeremiah Johnson) saying, “You cook good rabbit, Pilgrim.” Even so, I did not take to the hunting trails last year, preferring to stay close to camp to do things like get a supply of firewood ready for winter, which still might be a real good cold one.
While I kept my axe sharp around camp, worrying about these old bones getting cold, some of my regular partners did go hunting and they came back with some good stories of success. One of them was Allen Cunniff, who used his Jaeger rifle in .62 caliber to “make meat” on a large bull elk, dropping it with one shot. The rifle has a 30½-inch barrel americanshootingjournal.com 95
BLACK POWDER
A cottontail rabbit sorely tempted author Mike Nesbitt, but in preferring to “stay close to camp” this past hunting season, he decided against harvesting it, leaving the pursuit of small and big game critters to fellow black powder enthuasiasts.
with a Chambers Jaeger lock, and Allen loaded it with 60 grains of Olde Eynsford 1½F powder under a .600inch patched ball, patched with .018inch pillow ticking. Like a typical gunsmith, Allen gave me more details about the gun than the hunt. Even so, after some badgering from me, he did tell me that they were hunting in damp weather conditions, perhaps in a light falling mist or even some fog. When he saw the bull elk at a fairly close distance, he held for the shot he wanted and squeezed the trigger. Allen says the damp conditions led to a flash in the pan for his first try. His second try was also a flash in the pan. Each time, he ducked behind a 96
American Shooting Journal // February 2022
tree and reprimed the rifle. The third try was the charm, but that was after a long two-second hang fire, which at that time seemed more like an hour! Maybe Allen could hear some sizzling in the pan. Anyway, he held his aim as well as he could, looking through the smoke from the priming pan as the elk moved forward, and was rewarded with a real roar from the short-barreled rifle and the elk took it through the liver. The elk moved very little, about 20 feet, after taking the hit and soon afterward Allen’s partner was able to take the picture included here. A very successful hunt and Allen has shared some of the meat with this child so that I too could enjoy the “taste of the hunt.”
THEN MY OL’ duck hunting partner, Mike Moran, went out and got a deer almost right away. He was hunting with Doug Teakell and both of them are members of the American Mountain Men, so they were hunting primitive, in buckskins. But Mike had hurt his left knee so he was taking things rather slow, with that knee all wrapped up to make sure he was going slow. They were hunting near Carnation, Washington, in an orchard area. When they arrived at the spot where they’d make camp, they got things all set up so they could settle in for the night. Early the next morning, as they got ready to head out, Doug told Mike to get going because Doug would catch
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BLACK POWDER if she had heard his request, she took those two more steps and stopped. That’s when Mike shot, but then he couldn’t see where she went because of the cloud of white smoke that was in front of him. The deer was easy to follow because Mike could hear her crashing through some brush. Doug was almost to the clearing when Mike fired, so he came running. Then while the two of them were standing in the middle of the clearing, about 30 feet between them, another doe made an appearance. This one gave them an almost 10-minute-long staring contest before she offered a good shot. Doug took that shot and the second doe went down. Both deer were hit with good shots, both animals traveled less than 30 yards before falling, and both were very easy to locate. So, in less than 10 minutes of actual hunting, both partners had gotten their deer. They dressed the does out and got them back to camp, skinned them and had the meat hanging in short order. Mike said it all seemed too easy. But they didn’t mind how easy it was. That was underlined with what they had for lunch that day – slices of fried heart and liver with onions. That makes me wish I was there.
Mike Moran in “full uniform” just before his muzzleloader hunt for a blacktail deer in farmlands about 20 miles due east of Seattle.
up a bit later. They were going to hunt a clearing between some fruit trees on a farm. Mike slowly made his way to that clearing and had just started to look around for a place to sit, when he spotted a doe on the edge of the clearing just 25 yards away. He froze! The doe, just what he wanted, was broadside to him, facing to the right, and there was a 12-inch-diameter tree 98
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right in front of her. She took two steps forward and stopped with her head behind that tree. That gave Mike the chance to bring his rifle up, with the hammer at full-cock and the trigger set. Then she took one more step forward so her head was in the clear but her vitals were still behind the tree. “Two more steps,” Mike whispered to himself under his breath, and just as
MIKE MADE HIS shot with his .54 Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading Leman flintlock, shooting a .530-inch ball wrapped in a .015-inch patch over just 60 grains of GOEX 3Fg powder. He said, “I’d love to tell you that I cast that ball and made the patch lube, but I didn’t.” The patch was simply lubed with spit. “That Leman .54 has a coned muzzle and with that patch and ball combo, I don’t need a short starter,” Mike continued. “The pan was primed from the powder horn, which was one of my first things I made when I got into muzzleloading. That powder horn has a plain pine butt plug fitted to the natural shape of the horn, with a fiddle peg for a stopper and a strap made and gifted to me by Rich Pogue. The pouch was another early project of mine
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BLACK POWDER
The doe that Moran dropped with one shot from his .54-caliber Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading flintlock (both below) soon yielded a meal of venison heart and liver with onions (this image) for he and his hunting partner, as well as a hide that Moran stretched (right) for tanning.
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that was good enough; it has yet to be replaced with a better model.” Mike does his own brain tanning, so he’ll be busy for at least a little while, getting that doe skin all done and ready. Yes, both Allen’s and Mike’s tales of their hunts were good to hear and they certainly tell me that I missed some good hunting, but I already knew that. And shortly after they told me their stories, I had to gather my rifle, horn and pouch to get ready for the first match of the season at the Paul Bunyan range. That’s where I’d use my .40 percussion Leman again to see if these old eyes could see well enough to shoot. I would have loved to be on those hunts with either Allen or Mike, for sure. But we’ll have those future trips and adventures just a little later. In fact, I went to a shoot where Mike was also shooting, using the same .54 TVM flintlock that he got his deer with. We both turned in some pretty good scores in the match, but there’s nothing like taking game.
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