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WESTERN

westernshootingjournal.com SHOOTING JOURNAL

Volume 3 // ISSUE 4 // January 2015 PUBLISHER

James R. Baker ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Dick Openshaw EXECUTIVE/INTERIM EDITOR

Andy Walgamott SHOT SHOW COVERAGE

Dave Workman LEAD CONTRIBUTOR

Frank Jardim CONTRIBUTORS

Brittany Boddington, Jason Brooks, Chris Cocoles, Scott Haugen, Larysa Switlyk, Robin Taylor INTERN

Griffin Huggins SALES MANAGER

Brian Lull NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Heidi Witt ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Neelam Bowers, Becca Ellingsworth, Mamie Griffin, Steve Joseph, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS

Dawn Carlson, Beth Harrison, Sonjia Kells PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Kelly Baker PRODUCTION MANAGER

t a s U t i Vis 122

# h t Boo

John Rusnak OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING

Audra Higgins ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Katie Sauro INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER

Lois Sanborn INBOUND MARKETING

Jon Hines CIRCULATION MANAGER

Heidi Belew DISTRIBUTION

Tony Sorrentino, Gary Bickford, Barry Johnston ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

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ON THE COVER We sent hunting TV show host Brittany Boddington into the man caves of the über-masculine R. Lee Ermey, aka The Gunny, in search of his softer side. (GEORGE BALLENGER PHOTOGRAPHY)

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Last issue’s article on J. Michael Harter (p. 95) should have used his full name, and his ﬁrst solo album was released by GMV Nashville/Anozira Records, not LMV Nashville/ Arizona Records. We regret the errors.

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP WASHINGTON OFFICE P.O. Box 24365 • Seattle, WA 98124-0365 14240 Interurban Ave. S. Ste. 190 • Tukwila, WA 98168 OREGON OFFICE 8116 SW Durham Rd • Tigard, OR 97224 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 media@media-inc.com • www.media-inc.com

VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 5 • JANUARY 2015

CONTENTS

INSIDE THE LION’S DEN Huntress Brittany Boddington visits the many man caves of The Gunny – the gun rooms, trophy barn, and home of R. Lee Ermey – and lives to tell the tale! (GEORGE BALLENGER PHOTOGRAPHY)

FEATURES 59

GUN REVIEW 5.56mm Lightweight Battle Riﬂe

129 SHOOTING WITH LARYSA Timing Is Everything

Brigade Firearms is on the march with this superbly outﬁtted AR, a riﬂe that should shine for killing coyotes, tactical situations and more, says our reviewer, noted gun writer Dave Workman.

Before she unleashes her deadly shot on a New Mexico elk hunt, Larysa Switlyk learns hard lessons about the right moments to draw back her bow.

175 87

From Valley Girl To High Mountain Huntress We chat with Brittany Boddington as she prepares to follow in her famous father, Craig’s, footsteps with this year’s series of The Boddington Experience.

105 ROADHUNTER Make Mine A Double! Our far-traveling hunter Scott Haugen spotlights the ﬁve best opportunities for bagging multiple species of big game on the same Western road trip.

191

GUN REVIEW Ghost Gun Receivers Tennessee Arms has rewritten the book with their ultralight lower receivers for ARs – and they come in see-through too!

177

Stressed-out Shooting Big game and threats to your safety don’t stand still. Adding pressure during target practice – changing magazines, faking jams and more – can improve your accuracy when it counts, argues our hunter-officer Jason Brooks.

COMPETITIONS Florida Fireworks USA! USA! American shooters dominated at the recent International Practical Shooting Confederation’s World Shoot XVII, reports our competitions beat writer Robin Taylor.

DEPARTMENTS 15 17 21 25 83

The Interim Editor’s Note Competition Calendar Gun Show Calendar Guns Of Our Fathers: Barber Shop Memories Range Proﬁle: Shooting SHOT – 9 Las Vegas-area ranges for Showgoers to shoot

WESTERN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2015 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.

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

westernshootingjournal.com 11

CONTENTS SHOT SHOW 2015

From the hottest new guns and accessories to the state of the ﬁrearms industry, the glitz of Vegas gun ranges to the can’tmiss seminars, we’ve got everything you need to know about this month’s SHOT Show in this special issue!

State of the Firearms Industry report

SHOT Show Exhibitors

Seminar Schedule

Riﬂes

Shotguns

Ammunition

113

Reloading

121

Optics

133

Accessories

183

Handguns

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

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EDITOR’S NOTE

’ll be the ﬁrst to admit that my sports career in high school wasn’t the greatest, so my role this month as a benchwarmer isn’t all that unfamiliar. Just as we’re putting up 2015 calendars on the walls of our headquarter’s office, we’re also going through some changes at the Western Shooting Journal desk. Rachel Alexander, who has been your editor for the past two years, and the magazine have parted ways amicably, and your next editor, Danielle Breteau, arrives at the start of this new year. Danielle’s enjoyed a varied career in our industry as a ﬁrearms instructor, SWAT and police officer, personal protection and more. Her eclectic path is not unlike either of this month’s two cover

subjects – R. Lee Ermey, a budding young hunter who became a Marine Corps drill instructor turned actor turned gun and trophy collector, and Brittany Boddington, a standout high school synchronized swimmer, and now hunting TV show host and budding outdoor journalist. All three will be at this R. Lee Ermey and Brittany Boddington admire shotguns in month’s SHOT Show, and The Gunny’s gun room. (GEORGE BALLENGER PHOTOGRAPHY) to preview the big shindig, industry over the past few years. we asked longtime gun writer Dave Speaking of pulses, yours truly’s Workman to get the lowdown on all the heart rate is also starting to rise – the best new riﬂes, shotguns, handguns, press deadline calls! Hopefully this shooting equipment and more that will old undersized JV nosetackle still has be rolled out in glitzy Las Vegas, from what it takes to get the issue out in January 20th to 23rd. He also takes the time. –Andy Walgamott pulse of what has been a very vibrant

westernshootingjournal.com 15

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PRIMER

JANUARY 2-4

COMPETITION C A L E N D A R

2015 ISAA (archery) Pro-Am Tournament, Des Moines, Iowa

3 Tombstone Ghost Riders New Year’s Bash (cowboy mounted shooting), Tombstone, Ariz. Idaho Junior Olympic Riﬂe/Air Pistol Championships, Twin Falls, Idaho Illinois Junior Olympic Pistol Championships, Streator, Ill. Sandy Ford International Pistol, Streator, Ill. Nebraska Junior Olympic Championships, Broken Bow, Neb. Pennsylvania Junior Olympic Pistol Championships, Palmyra, Pa.

3-4 CMSA of Oklahoma New Years Blow Out (cowboy mounted shooting), Beggs, Okla. Texas Smokin’ Guns New Years Blast (cowboy mounted shooting), Boyd, Texas

3-10 California State Junior Olympic Riﬂe Championships, Apple Valley/La Puente, Calif. California State Junior Olympic Pistol Championships, La Puente, Calif.

4 Tombstone Ghost Riders Hang Over And Hang ’Em High (cowboy mounted shooting), Tombstone, Ariz.

10 California State Junior Olympic Air Pistol Championships, Redwood City, Calif. Indiana Junior Olympic Rifle/Air Pistol Championships, Fort Wayne, Ind. Kansas Junior Olympic Smallbore Championships, Salina, Kan. Montana Junior Olympic Rifle/Air Pistol Championships, Belgrade, Mont. Oregon Junior Olympic Air Rifle/Air Pistol Championships, Sherwood, Ore.

10-11 Club Baddog Kick Off The New Year With A Bang (cowboy mounted shooting), Goodyear, Ariz. Texas High Plains Drifters Beneﬁt

Dan Harris III practices his aim while his assistant coach Tony Castro looks on. The two were at last year’s Scholastic Pistol Program Junior/Senior National Championship in Illinois. (ROBIN TAYLOR)

Shoot (cowboy mounted shooting), Midland, Texas

10-17 Arizona Junior Olympic Rifle Championships, Phoenix, Ariz. California State Junior Olympic Rifle Championships, Sutter/Yuba City, Calif. Texas Junior Olympic Rifle Championships, Amarillo/El Paso, Fort Worth, Texas

Wisconsin Junior Olympic Riﬂe Championships, Cheyenne, Wis. Wyoming Junior Olympic Riﬂe/Air Pistol Championships, Cheyenne, Wyo.

17-18

Colorado State Junior Olympic Championships, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Roy Rogers Rangers’ and Arizona Cowboy Mountain Shooting Association’s “Border Wars,” Queen Creek, Ariz. 2015 Camp Perry Open (air pistol, riﬂe), Camp Perry, Ohio Palmyra Invitational (three-position riﬂe), Palmyra, Pa. Team Shooting Stars January PTO (multiple disciplines), Dallas, Texas

Utah Junior Olympic Championships, Salt Lake City, Utah

Minnesota Junior Olympic Riﬂe Championships, Mendota Heights, Minn.

16-18

24-25

ACUI West Coast International Conference Champions (trap, skeet), Tuscon, Ariz. USPSA 2015 Florida State Championship (handgun), Frostproof, Fla.

Illinois Junior Olympic Riﬂe Championships, Kankakee, Ill.

11-17

17 North Dakota Junior Olympic Championships, Minot, N.D. Indoor Free, Standard, Air and Rapid Fire PTO (multiple disciplines), Lincoln, Neb. Oklahoma Junior Olympic Air Riﬂe/Pistol Championships, Oklahoma City, Okla. South Dakota Junior Olympic Championships, Rapid City, S.D.

28 FWSSR Shoot Out (cowboy mounted shooting), Fort Worth, Texas

30-Feb. 1 Shootout on the Applegate Trail (cowboy mounted shooting), Albany, Ore.

Visit westernshootingjournal.com for more events. Email editor@westernshootingjournal to have your show listed here.

westernshootingjournal.com 17

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

PRIMER

JANUARY 2-4

GUNSHOW C A L E N D A R

Orlando Gardens Winter Show, St. Louis, Mo. Butte Gun Show, Butte, Mont.

3-4 Mt. Home Gun Show, Mountain Home, Ark. Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Ontario, Calif. Colorado Springs Gun Show, Colorado Springs, Colo. Great Bend Gun Show, Great Bend, Kan. Brooklyn Park Gun & Knife Show, Belton, Texas

3-5 Poplar Bluff Gun Show, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

9-11 Branson Gun & Knife Show, Branson, Mo. Kalispell Gun Show, Kalispell, Mont.

10-11 Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Mesa, Ariz. Conway Gun Show, Conway, Ark. Hot Springs Lions Club Gun Show, Hot Springs, Ark. Crossroads of the West Gun Show, San Francisco, Calif. Wichita Cessna Gun Show, Wichita, Kan. Kansas City Gun Show, Kansas City, Mo. Ogden UGCA Gun Show, Ogden, Utah Walla Walla Gun Show, Walla Walla, Wash.

17-18 Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Phoenix, Ariz. Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Sacramento, Calif. Prospectors Sertoma Colorado Springs Gun Show, Colorado Springs, Colo. Annual Vail Iowa Gun Show, Vail, Iowa Springﬁeld Gun Show, Springﬁeld, Mo. HGCA Gun Show, Houston, Texas Tyler Lone Star Gun Show, Tyler, Texas

20-23 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, Las Vegas, Nev. (Not open to the public)

23-24 Paragould Gun Show, Paragould, Ark.

Black Hills Ammunition, along with hundreds of other gun and accessory manufacturers will take over the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Jan. 20-23, for SHOT Show.

23-25 Winter Expo Gun, Knife And Collectibles Show, Dodge City, Kan. Grandview Gun Show, Grandview, Mo. Antique Arms Show, Las Vegas, Nev.

Sedalia Gun Show, Sedalia, Mo. Oklahoma City Gun And Knife Show, Oklahoma City, Okla. El Paso Gun Show, El Paso, Texas Crossroads of the West Gun Show, St. George, Utah

24-25

31-Feb. 1

WHS Hockey Booster Club Gun And Outdoors Show, Wasila, Alaska Kingman Gun, Knife, Coin & Collectibles Show & Sale, Kingman, Ariz. Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Costa Mesa, Calif. Wichita Coliseum Gun Show, Wichita, Kan. Anoka Armory Gun And Knife Show, Anoka, Minn.

Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Sandy, Utah Wyoming Sportsmans Gun Show, Cheyenne, Wyo. Pasco Gun Show, Pasco, Wash.

Visit westernshootingjournal.com for more events. Email editor@westernshootingjournal to have your show listed here.

westernshootingjournal.com 21

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

guns of our fathers

BARBER SHOP MEMORIES

A customer of his barber grandfather gave author Frank Jardim his ﬁrst chance to handle guns, including a Camp Perry Model target pistol, illustrated here in an old ad from a Colt catalog.

y grandfather got a barber’s license in the early 1950s so he could work a side job in local shops. He kept that license into the 21st century. A personality trait common to barbers is a friendly demeanor, and my grandfather made lifelong friends cutting hair. By the early 1970s many of those friends were too old to go out of the house, so my grandfather would go to them. He was

that kind of guy. It was rare for me to go with him, mostly because he knew I would rather be playing outside, and he really wanted me to have the fun childhood he never got to have while growing up in the Great Depression. On the occasions I did join him, it was usually because he thought I’d enjoy it. I recall very fondly riding in the front seat of his old car with him (no seatbelts) to the home of an elderly gentleman whom he told

ARTICLE BY FRANK JARDIM

me was a target shooter. This man was going to show me his pistols after the haircut. I had never touched a real gun before and I was very excited. When the time came, this old target shooter brought out a handmade varnished-plywood wooden shooter’s case and placed it on the kitchen table. One by one he took out and showed me his handguns. My grandfather said it was OK for me to hold them, and I remember they seemed heavy and huge, made as they were for adult hands. I was six years old. They smelled of oil and what I later learned was Hoppes No. 9. That old gentleman and, sadly, my grandfather are long gone now. I count that day among my many fond memories of him. It was a different time – there were no nylon shooting bags and polymer frame guns back then. It was a time of homemade wooden range boxes and beautifully rust-blued steel guns with oil-finished checkered wood grips. The guns I remember best from that day were the ones that didn’t look like I expected. There was the Colt “Match Target” Woodsman with its exaggerated wooden grip that came far below the magazine well and the bull’s eye on the side of the frame. To my novice eye it looked very futuristic. In reality it was already 30 years old. Then there was the Colt “Camp Perry” model single-shot target pistol, which looked like a revolver but had a rectangular cylinder that gave it an exceptionally flat and thin look. My first experience with handguns was not what I had expected from watching the Untouchables and Gunsmoke on television. It was surprising, and informative, the way a new experience should be. WSJ westernshootingjournal.com 25

SHOT SHOW 2015: SETTLING ON A HIGHER PLATEAU ollowing two years of what could best be described as phenomenal growth – what Steve Sanetti recalled as “stratospheric” in 2013 and pretty close in 2014 – this year looks like the ﬁrearms industry may settle on a new plateau. Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, told Western Shooting Journal that “the industry seems to be in a period of modest contraction right now.” Indeed, that just might be a bit of a modest statement, since the plateau on which the industry may settle, at least for the moment, is far higher than it has been in the past. A look at the new product introductions for 2015 certainly underscores the fact that the shooting and hunting industry is healthy; so strong, in fact, that Sanetti acknowledged that “there still seems to be a shortage of certain calibers of ammunition,” most notably, .22 caliber. “The ammunition manufacturers are trying to keep up and gun manufacturers are trying to gauge better the mood of the consumer,” Sanetti said in a telephone interview. “I think the outlook for the industry is pretty good,” he observed. “We’re actually somewhat ahead of where we were in 2013.” The midterm elections took control of Capitol Hill away from anti-gunners, and the same thing appears true of many state legislatures. True, not every political race went right, but suffice to say that overall, the atmosphere looks pretty good for people who want to hunt and shoot without having to worry whether next week might bring some new law to impact their right to do it. Sanetti noted that recent surveys, including the Gallup poll, say that support for gun control nationwide has declined. He

NSSF president Steve Sanetti

MUST-SEE PRODUCTS FOR 2015 In our third annual SHOT Show special double issue, we’ve put together the biggest collection of reviews of the coolest new guns and gear that will be featured at this month’s big show in Las Vegas. Once again we assigned our Dave Workman to talk to top ﬁrearms industry manufacturers attending SHOT to ﬁnd out what new products they will be showcasing. He

reports back on all the new Riﬂes (p. 49), Shotguns (p. 65), Ammunition (p. 97), Reloading (p. 97), Optics (p. 121), Accessories (p. 133), Handguns (p. 183), Black Powder (p. 199) and Knives (p. 201). Workman also checks in with SHOT Show organizers, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, starting on this page with president Steve Sanetti, to take the pulse of the industry

and how the organization is faring amidst gun control victories in the Northwest during the fall elections. If you’re among those in the industry who will be attending SHOT Show, use this issue as your guide around the expansive Sands Convention Center – we’ll be at booth 122, swing by and say hi – but if you can’t make it, sit back and discover the best of what it has to offer.

westernshootingjournal.com 27

SANETTI didn’t mention another telling factor: Concealed carry is continuing to rise across the country, and that can only lead to more people shooting, and buying more ammo and ﬁrearms. He also noted that people in the industry “get it” about the aims of the gun control lobby. “I think they are increasingly waking up,” he said. “To help us win this long-term battle, they asked us as a trade association to form a political action committee. They realize it’s a matter of survival.” That political action committee is being headed up by Larry Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel, and a veteran of the industry and its political and legal battles. Sanetti said NSSF and its members must keep an eye on local government as well as the national scene. “It’s funny how we tend to pay more attention to the national (scene),” he

said, “but what controls your life more than local politics? That really can have an effect on your right to keep and bear arms.” Part of the challenge facing those in the industry is being aware, and being representatives for a way of life, he elaborated. He said people need to be “leading by example.” Among those examples are the genuine gun safety programs (as opposed to gun control efforts masked as “safety” campaigns) offered by NSSF. The organization has renewed its commitment to Project Child Safe, expanding it beyond simply giving away gun locks. There are details about protecting gun collections from theft. “Part of the program is (about) consciousness,” he said. NSSF also reminds the public that ﬁrearms accidents have declined dramatically, “despite this surge we have of new ﬁrearms owners.”

“It’s all good news,” he stated. “More people owning ﬁrearms and storing them securely. “These programs actually work,” Sanetti stressed, “unlike this pie-inthe-sky stuff that the gun control people come up with.” Another effort is the SHOT Show Exhibitor Academy. Aimed at new exhibitors, this program is designed to help ﬁrst-time exhibitors, which will help the show remain vital. This year’s academy will be in June, also in Las Vegas, and it is limited to about 100 exhibitors. Last year, he said, 97 percent of those who attended said it was a worthwhile experience. For the moment, Sanetti said, “everybody is kind of waiting and seeing what the market is going to do. We’re trying to address the diversity issue as the face of America changes, (and) we welcome new people into the shooting sports.” WSJ

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

BATTLING THE BILLIONAIRES NSSF PREPARES FOR NEW FRONT IN WAR ON GUN RIGHTS hen billionaires and wealthy elitists including anti-gun former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg spearheaded a gun control campaign in Washington State, using their wealth to literally overwhelm the political landscape, the National Shooting Sports Foundation took notice. The organization is hardly alone. The entire ﬁrearms community is concerned about the next step that the gun prohibition lobby — exempliﬁed by Bloomberg’s multi-million dollar Everytown for Gun Safety — will take to erode gun rights. NSSF has created a Washington, D.C.-based political action committee at the request of its members. Heading this group is the organization’s senior vice president and general counsel Larry Keane, who noted that the kind of campaign mounted in Washington is “the new battleground.”

“What we are seeing,” Keane explained, “is that there is no ability to pass gun control measures federally.” NSSF’s Larry Keane The fight reached a fever pitch in Congress following the December 2012 Sandy Hook tragedy, but gun owners were able to turn the tide. But out of that fight, Bloomberg and others at the state level with deep pockets and a resentment for firearms civil rights came up with a new approach: the citizen initiative. The passage of Washington’s Initiative 594 sent a shockwave through the gun rights community. Many

believe it was the most important political battle on the landscape, even more important than winning Congress and state legislative battles. Pandered as a measure for so-called “universal background checks,” I-594 goes a lot farther. Bloomberg and other anti-gunners spent more than $10 million on the campaign against less than $2 million spent by a grassroots effort pushing a rival measure and the National Rifle Association’s campaign against I-594. What that fight proved to antigunners is that they can buy elections with enough money. Bloomberg and other billionaires, Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Ballmer and Nicolas Hanauer, and lots of wealthy Seattlearea millionaires and liberal elites not only won the election, they provided a victory that has fired up gun prohibitionists. Now they are encouraged and have momentum. And they’ve moved into Nevada, and are eyeballing Oregon, Maine and even Arizona for similar campaigns. “Bloomberg and the groups that he funds, as well as the Gabby Giffords group (Americans for Responsible Solutions), are shifting their focus away from Washington, D.C.,” Keane said,

WYOMING BUSINESS COUNCIL INVITES NEW BUSINESS With ﬁrearms-related businesses bidding farewell to some states that have adopted onerous gun laws, the folks in Wyoming have hung out the welcome sign, with the most prominent recent taker being Magpul, which headed up I-25 from neighboring Colorado (see sidebar, p. 34). The Wyoming Business Council will once again be exhibiting at this year’s SHOT Show, along with a representative from Wyoming Game & Fish. They’ll have the lowdown on business opportunities in the state, and the gun-friendly political climate. There is plenty of room in Wyoming for gun companies that have been feeling squeezed by antigun politicians and lobbying groups. Moving to Wyoming opens up new opportunities. Not only does this state have a ﬁrearms-friendly attitude, once established, there is plenty of hunting opportunity. Check online with Wyoming Game & Fish Department about seasons, licenses and hunting regulations.

westernshootingjournal.com 31

NSSF’S OUTREACH EFFORTS GAINING GROUND

hen anti-

gunners and their media cheerleaders start talking about “gun safety,” it’s a false narrative NSSF’s Chris Dolnack that has nothing at all to do with genuine safety and more about control and even prohibition.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is making lots of headway with genuine safety programs and efforts to introduce new shooters. According to Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer, the organization’s popular Project Child Safe — despite the loss of federal funding support a few years ago — is growing. Likewise the First Shots program, which introduces new shooters and is set up to make it a family affair, is also running strong.

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Project Child Safe has distributed millions of gun locks since its inception several years ago. Those locks have gone to participating law enforcement agencies and other groups that have in turn handed them out to the public. “We accommodate them,” Dolnack said, “but not to the level’s we’d like to supply.” It has helped, Dolnack said, when the local police agencies get involved: they draw local media attention. “This raises awareness. Reminding

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DOLNACK & KEANE Outreach continued from p. 33 gun owners about safety is important, and it also reminds non-gun owners that the real safety efforts are being done within our community,” he said. The First Shots program has taken a new step in some states — Florida, Texas and Arizona, for starters — by advertising them in Spanish. It has also included having Spanish-speaking instructors at participating gun ranges. Something NSSF has discovered about the First Shots program is

that 49 percent of the people who participate spend about $600 on shooting accessories during the ﬁrst year. They typically buy a handgun. Local sponsors can establish relationships with these new gun owners, contacting them later to get their impressions and learn about their experience. Oftentimes, this is a family affair, with parents and a child or two attending, or a mother and daughter showing up. Indeed, this program has

attracted a lot of new female shooters. It’s a great way, Dolnack explained, to create new customers and keep other shooters interested. Dolnack said that the 2015 Industry Summit is slated for June 1-3 in Savannah, Ga. This is an event at which the industry can rub elbows with members, and representatives from state wildlife agencies, the NRA and other organizations. “We’ll exchange ideas ﬁnd out what works and what doesn’t work,” he said. WSJ

Billionaires continued from p. 31 “because they know they can’t win there. They are sidestepping state legislatures and (going) directly to the people.” That’s not to say gun control is a winning proposition. In Washington, less than half the registered voters returned ballots. Of those, about 60 percent voted for I-594. Mathematically, that accounts for about 30 to 35 percent of the voters who adopted the measure. If that’s all it takes, there could be trouble on the horizon. What is ironic, Keane noted, is that the gun industry and the NRA have long been portrayed as the political Goliath against the anti-gun David. However, with billionaire ﬁnancial

inﬂuence, the reality is far different from the perception. In addition to the political battles, NSSF is also engaged in several legal actions. Keane noted that the Second Amendment Foundation, where this writer works, is also “doing a lot of that,” including challenging local ordinances. “It is important for people in the industry to realize we have a PAC.” However, having a trade association PAC is “very complicated,” and there are very strict guidelines. To ﬁnd out more, visit the website at nssfpac.org Keane said it could be hard to decide which laws can be challenged, but in the meantime the bigger challenge is money. The amount of money that Bloomberg, a multi-

billionaire, can pour into his gun control efforts would dwarf any amount that could be raised by NSSF, the NRA or other gun rights groups including the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Gun Owners of America and state or regional organizations. But the numbers game doesn’t simply apply to dollars versus dollars. It’s also a matter of people, which translates to votes. Getting out the vote, as Washington state demonstrated, is critical. To that end, industry and gun rights organizations need to work hard not only to register new voters but also to educate them on the realities of gun control disguised as “gun safety.” WSJ

MAGPUL(S) OUT OF COLORADO OVER GUN LAWS Magpul Industries fulﬁlled their promise to pull out of Colorado over the onerous gun laws passed in that state in 2013, relocating to facilities to the north and south. Some estimates suggest the loss to Colorado’s economy will be tens of millions of dollars annually, and about 100 jobs. This is the unintended consequence of pushing restrictive anti-gun measures. It costs jobs and money, and Colorado may not be the only state where this is happening. Beretta last summer announced that it was moving its manufacturing operations from Maryland to Tennessee due to gun laws passed last year. In September, Remington pulled part of its operations out of Ilion, N.Y. Last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s SAFE Act was

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

pushed through, and production of the Remington 1911 pistol and Bushmaster rifles shifted down to Alabama. According to the Denver Post, some of Magpul’s executive offices will be located in Austin, Texas, and Cheyenne, Wyo. The move is scheduled to be completed during the first quarter, which means that at least some of that activity will be in progress during the SHOT Show. In Cheyenne, Magpul is opening up a 185,000-square-foot facility, nearly twice as large as the 100,000 square feet of space that is being vacated in Erie, Colo. As a demonstration of how serious Wyoming was making it possible for Magpul to relocate there, the Post reported that the Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board approved an $8.3 million grant to assist the company in its move. Magpul manufactures replacement magazines for ARtype rifles, along with other AR accessories.

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

NMLRA 80 YEARS STRONG, AND STILL SHOOTING

From just 30 founding members, NMLRA has grown to 17,000 worldwide.

he National Muzzle Loading Riﬂe Association was founded in February 1933 by 30 people who had the foresight to preserve a vanishing part of America’s heritage. NMLRA has since grown to over 17,000 members worldwide. This growth was achieved on a platform that promotes, supports, nurtures and preserves NMLRA’s and the nation’s rich historical heritage in the sport of muzzleloading through recreational, educational, historical, and cultural venues. Those include match competitions, hunting, gun making and safety, historical re-enactments,

exhibits, museums, libraries and other related programs. The NMLRA is headquartered in Friendship, Ind. There you will find the Walter Cline Range, one of the largest shooting facilities and best kept secrets in the country. The range supports all forms of shooting sports, with ranges out to 500 yards. There are ranges for slug-gun, round-ball bench, off-hand rifle, cross-stick, silhouettes and pistol, with over 1,300 feet of covered firing line. The shooting facility has trail walks for both rifle and bow. It also has a trap, skeet, and two sporting clays courses.

NMLRA members enjoy top-shelf ranges. westernshootingjournal.com 37

matches for muzzleloading riﬂe, pistol, shotgun and primitive archery, as well as for black powder cartridge matches. Give the NMLRA’s Western National Shoot a try and you just might make it a new tradition! For more information, contact Bill Loughrige at (480) 557-0301, Dana Dore at (928) 636-0614, or the NMLRA (nmlra.org) at (812) 667-5131. WSJ

Part of the allure of black powder shooting is getting dudded up in period costume.

The Shaw Quail Walk was established in 1967 and is the oldest sporting clays course in the country. There are plenty of opportunities for muzzleloading enthusiasts to participate in national muzzleloading matches through the organization’s Charter Club and Territorial programs across the U.S.

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

The NMLRA’s Western National Shoot is held each year at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Ariz. Scheduled for March 3-9 this year, the event is an often-overlooked gem in black powder shooting sports and offers covered ranges allowing targets out to 1,000 yards. There are

NMLRA members’ aim isn’t limited to muzzle loaders. A knife thrower hopes to stick his blade in the bull’s eye of a wooden target.

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Parts & Shooting Supplies For Muzzleloading Guns

As Well As Re-enactor & Survivalist Supplies

Firekits Nipple Wrench

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Dealer Inquiries Welcome Find A Partial List Of Our Dealers At: tdcmfg.blogspot.com westernshootingjournal.com 39

exhibitors

SHOT SHOW SPECIAL EDITION The 2015 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show will be held Jan. 20-23 in Las Vegas, Nev. This is the largest industry ﬁrearms and accessories trade show in the world, open only to the industry. Tens of thousands of retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and media will attend this show, but it is not open to the public. Once again, this huge event will be held at the Sands Convention Center covering two levels and hundreds of thousands of square feet of ﬂoor space.

This is where new guns and gear is showcased. Riﬂes, shotguns and handguns, optics, electronics, clothing, knives, reloading equipment, boots and more will be on display. The annual media day at the range prior to the show’s opening will give gun writers and videographers the opportunity to get their hands on new offerings for quick release to a waiting public. Many of the items previewed in this special issue will be reviewed in other publications over the next weeks and months.

SHOT SHOW MUST-SEE ACT Tactical.......................................................... Booth #4142

Ear Phone Connection .......................................Booth #20553

Altamont Co. ......................................................................2357

Edwards Recoil Reducer ....................................................2818

American Tactical Imports...............................................16538

EMF Early & Modern Firearms Co., Inc. ...........................16346

Anderson Mfg, Inc...............................................................7110

EZE-LAP Diamond Products, Inc.........................................831

Armscor Precision International .......................... 16955, 16860

Forbes Riﬂe, LLC ...............................................................16142

Audemous/Frog Lube ...................................................... 7002

Fort Knox, Inc. .................................................................. 10319

Battenfeld Technologies, Inc. .......................................... 12525

Freedom Munitions ...........................................................2214

BeatenZone Manufacturing ..............................................1966

Griffin Armament ............................................................31306

Black Hills Ammunition, Inc. ........................................... 12752

Gunwerks ............................................................................. 731

Browning .................................................... 15129, 15538, 12740

Handi-Racker ..................................................................... 3761

Bullet Bunker, The ............................................................ 2240

Havalon Knives ................................................................. 2346

Burris Co., Inc. .................................................................. 12755

Hiperﬁre .............................................................................3016

Cannon Safe Co. ................................................................12714

Hornady Mfg. Co. ..............................................................13145

Carlson’s Choke Tubes ........................................................ 1114

Joseph Chiarello & Co., Inc................................................. 2628

CAS Iberia.......................................................................... 2946

K Bar J Leather Co.............................................................. 4062

Century International Arms, Inc. ......................................14251

Kakadu Traders ................................................................10035

Colt’s Mfg. Co., LLC .......................................................... 12529

Kenetrek Boots ...................................................................1318

Comp-Tac............................................................................2051

KICK-EEZ Products ............................................................3263

CORBON/Glaser Products................................................ 12274

Lansky Sharpeners ......................................................... 119919

Custom Metal Products .....................................................1308

Lauer Custom Weaponry ................................................ 20243

Cutting Edge Bullets ......................................................... 2360

Lewis Machine & Tool Co. ................................... 20252, 20249

Desiccare, Inc. .................................................................... 1652

Liberty Safes & Security Products ..........................13623, 2718

Designer Concealed Carry...................................................2128

Luna Optics, Inc. ..................................................................619

Dillon Precision Products, Inc. ...........................................3014

Lyman Products Corp. ...................................................... 12724

westernshootingjournal.com 41

ss It!WYOMING i M W t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; n Do

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Laramie amie County Fairgrou Fairgrounds Jan. 30th - Feb. 1st

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EXHIBITORS Mega Machine Shop, Inc....................................Booth #31000 MKS Supply, Inc. .............................................................. 16144 MOA RiďŹ&#x201A;es ........................................................................4066 Mossberg & Sons, Inc., O.F............................................... 12734 N82 Tactical .................................................................... 32408 National Muzzle Loading RiďŹ&#x201A;e Associations ....................L337 Ontario Knife Co. .................................................. 20305, 15722 Precision Firearms, LLC .................................................... 6007 Pro-Line Manufacturing Co. .............................................10751 Rainier Ballistics ................................................................ 3017 ReadyMax Tools & Safety ................................................... 209 Redding Reloading .......................................................... 16527

Send Reservations To: Wyoming Sportsmans Gun Show 6WHYH +RIĂ&#x20AC;QH Â&#x2021; 1 UG 6W /DUDPLH :<

Rio Grande Custom Grips................................................. 15754

Steve - 307-760-1841 â&#x20AC;˘ Ethel - 307-760-1180 307-742-5943

Schmidt & Bender USA, Inc. ............................................. 15151

All Federal, State & Local Laws Must Be Obeyed

SIG SAUER, Inc.................................................................12240

Ruger & Co., Inc. ............................................................... 11940 Safety Harbor Firearms ...................................................20613 Shooting Chrony, Inc. ......................................................... 2617 Sightmark .........................................................................11924 Silencerco ........................................................................ 20205 SKB Cases ........................................................................14305 SportEAR .......................................................................... 2606 Sticky Holsters ...................................................................1043 Swarovski Optik North America Ltd. ................................12120 Tannerite Explosives ...........................................................2118 TARGETVISION ..................................................................4261 Titan Security Products ..................................................... 2127 TOPS Knives .....................................................................20401 Triple K Manufacturing Co. .................................................1710 Umarex USA................................... 15062, 20112, 15260, 14562 V-Line Industires ...............................................................2748 Vortex Optics............................................... 20439, 4150, 4250 VZ Grips..............................................................................2243 Western Powders, Inc. .......................................................3227 Western Shooting Journal ..................................................122 Wicked Grips .......................................................................2114 Winchester....................................................................... 13329 Wyoming Business Council ......................................1825, 1725 YHM/Yankee Hill Machine Co., Inc. ................................. 31303

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

SEMINARS

SHOT SHOW SEMINAR SCHEDULE IS LOADED

There is always a full schedule of educational seminars for retailers attending the SHOT Show, and this year’s gathering is no different with a full lineup. Here’s the schedule, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s website.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20 9 – 10 A.M. NICS E-CHECK 2.0 AND NEW NICS PRESENTER: KIM BROWN

New and improved NICS E-Check 2.0 removes the digital certiﬁcate and allows you to access the system from any computer or any browser. This seminar will be a live demonstration of the NICS E-Check and the upcoming changes to the NICS and its processes. This seminar is free to all attendees of the SHOT Show.

10:30 – 11:30A.M. CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES IN STORE SECURITY PRESENTER: BILL NAPIER

Veteran loss-prevention expert Bill Napier will review the latest technologies and devices that are available in the loss-prevention industry. Join this session to see if it is time to upgrade the technology in your store to better safeguard your inventory, customers, employees and your livelihood.

12:30 – 1:30 P.M. THE HOWS AND WHYS TO BUY — PANEL DISCUSSION PRESENTERS: JOE KEFFER, RICHARD SPRAGUE, MILES HALL, JIM RAUSCHER Four top-tier ﬁrearms retailers will share their philosophy and strategy on buying products. Subjects include increasing inventory turns, mitigating the impact of downturns in sales and how to use vendor terms to your advantage. The course will wrap up with a question-and-answer session.

2 – 3 P.M. NSSF FFL COMPLIANCE CONSULTANT PANEL PRESENTERS: HARRY MCCABE, WALLY NELSON Bring your compliance questions and concerns to this open mic panel discussion hosted by the NSSF and their FFL compliance consultants. Wally Nelson and Harry McCabe were both deputy assistant directors of the ATF before they retired, and have decades of experience with the compliance portion of the bureau.

3:30 – 4:30 P.M. AFFINITY MEMBER BENEFITS — SAVING MONEY FOR OUR MEMBERS! PRESENTER: NSSF STAFF

Meet with NSSF’s Membership staff to review existing beneﬁts and get an overview of the new beneﬁts that will be available in 2015. This seminar is free to all attendees of the SHOT Show.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21 9 – 11 A.M. NFA COMPLIANCE AND BEST PRACTICES PRESENTERS: WALLY NELSON, CHRIS RENZULLI

This two-hour session will provide an in-depth review of the NFA process, including how to sell NFA products legally, common mistakes NFA dealers make, how to deal with trusts, and tips on how to best manage your NFA compliance programs. The goal for this seminar is for participants to understand and comply with the provisions of the National Firearms Act and the Gun Control Act. The class is designed for ﬁrearms retailers, trust attorneys, law enforcement ofﬁcers and anyone who participates in the NFA process.

11:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. DIVERSITY PANEL TO HELP RETAILERS GROW AND REACH NEW CUSTOMERS PRESENTERS: MARILYN HALEY, JIM CURCURUTO, DONNY ADAIR, LIBBY GIBBS, FRANK MANUEL

Panelists including Donny Adair, president of the African America Hunting Club, Libby Gibbs and Frank Manuel, owners of Montgomery Indoor Shooting Complex, as well as Marilyn Haley, range manager at Shoot Smart in Grand Prairie, Texas. The panel discussion will be moderated by NSSF director of industry research, Jim Curcuruto.

1 – 2 P.M. USED GUNS: HOW TO BUY AND SELL PRESENTER: LARRY AHLMAN

As retail gun sales continue to soften and the margins continue to shrink, a great additional revenue stream is the used gun market. Veteran retailer Larry Ahlman will share the secrets he’s learned over his career about how to successfully buy and sell used guns, what has worked for him and what to avoid.

2:30 – 3:30 P.M. FEDERAL PROHIBITORS FBI/ NICS PRESENTER: KIM BROWN

This seminar will go over the 10 federal prohibitors and will provide sample transactions that cover the actual research needed to complete a NICS Check and provide a ﬁnal status to the FFL. It’s an invaluable session for helping your customers understand why they might be delayed or denied, what information is reviewed during a background check, and what your customers can do to speed up the process or overturn a denial they feel is incorrect. This seminar is free to all attendees of the SHOT Show.

2015 SHOT SHOW HOURS TUESDAY, JAN. 20 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JAN. 22 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, JAN. 23 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

westernshootingjournal.com 45

January 2015 - February 2015

SEMINARS THURSDAY, JAN. 22 9 – 10 A.M. MERCHANDIZING TO WOMEN PRESENTERS: RANDI ROGERS, JULIE GOLOB

Butte, MT Butte Civic Center, 1340 Harrison Avenue Kalispell, MT Flathead County Fairgrounds, 265 North Meridian Road Walla Walla, WA Walla Walla County Fairgrounds, 363 Orchard Street Pasco, WA TRAC Center, 6600 Burden Boulevard

Jan. 2-4 Jan. 9-11 Jan. 10-11 Jan. 31-Feb. 1

Billings, MT Metra Park, 308 6th Avenue North

Feb. 13-Feb. 15

Yakima, WA Yakima State Fairgrounds, 1301 South Fair Avenue

Feb. 14-Feb. 15

Industry superstars Julie Golob and Randi Rogers will cover what products women want and need from today’s ﬁrearms retailers.

10:30 – 11:30 A.M. KEY RETAIL NUMBERS — GROWING PROFIT BY UNDERSTANDING RETAIL BASICS PRESENTER: TRACY MOFFATT

This session will explore key retail numbers straight off your ﬁnancials: retail sales, cost of goods sold and gross margin. Simple retail math will be explained using numbers such as dollars per square foot. Time will be allotted for conversation and questions.

12 – 1 P.M. MORE RETAIL NUMBERS — INVENTORY TURNOVER AND ITS IMPACT ON PROFIT PRESENTER: TRACY MOFFATT

Taking You Where Tires Can’t Go!

Practical ideas for developing and maintaining an inventory plan will be explored using simple Excel spreadsheets. Discussion on building proﬁtable business with vendors and distributors will also be part of this session. This session will build on the Key Retail Numbers session held immediately beforehand, but it is not necessary to have attended that session.

1:30 – 3 P.M. ACHIEVING BUSINESS AND COMPLIANCE GOALS — PRACTICAL EXAMPLES FOR MANUFACTURING FFLS OF ANY SIZE PRESENTER: JON RYDBERG

This session will provide case studies and practical examples for making operational decisions that will increase your compliance, reduce legal risk and, in many cases, help you run your business more effectively and proﬁtably. For more information on the seminars, visit www.shotshow.org/education. • Simple Bolt-On Installation For Most Vehicles • Amazing Performance - Affordable Price! • Reliable & Nearly Maintenance FREE

AMERICAN TRACK TRUCK, INC. P.O. Box 260 • Chassell, MI 49916 Toll Free: 800-900-0995 Local: 906-353-6330

www.AmericanTrackTruck.com 46

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

westernshootingjournal.com 47

Rifles

NEW HYBRID MAXX RIFLES FROM AMERICAN TACTICAL IMPORTS

100 Airpark Drive Rochester, NY 14624/(800) 290-0065/www.americantactical.us ATI is shining the spotlight on a series of new Omni Hybrid MAXX riﬂes, with models chambered in either 5.56mm or .300 Blackout. Half of them are offered with 10-round capacities to make them California-legal while the rest have original capacity 30-round magazines. All have 16inch barrels and six-position stocks. Two models chambered for the 5.56mm round feature

MAXX .556

MAXX .300

7-inch nch quad ad rai rails. A co couple of these entries ies ar are combo models, with oone barrel chambered in .22 long riﬂe with quad rails and the comes with other barrel in 5.56mm com a completed hybrid upper, one 10-round capacity to make it with a 10-ro California-compliant and the other Califo with the standard 30-round capacity. Visit us at booth #16538

ANDERSON DERSON M MANUFACTURING HAS NE NEWARS IN .308 WINCHESTER 1743 Anderson Boulevard, Dept. WSJ, Hebron, KY 41048 (859) 689-4085/www.andersonrifles.com

Anderson Manufacturing has been testing and evaluating its large-format AR-type riﬂe chambered for the .308 Winchester, and now that riﬂe is available.

According to Anderson, this new larger platform .30-caliber model would make a good choice for hunting and long-range target shooting. It has a medium 18-inch standard barrel, a precisionmachined 7075-T6 receiver and the RF85 treatment. This new technology actually involves the injection of calcium into the molecular structure of the metal, the company explained. It is there permanently and reduces friction by up to 85 percent and thus speeds up the cycling oof the action. The receiver design will handle metal or poly po polymer SR-25-type magazines. A Anderson manufactures several models of AR rifles including a heavy barrel varminter and one rifle with a ccamo finish on the receiver and handguard. Visit us at a booth #7110

QUALI AR RIFLES FROM QUALITY BRIGADE MANUFACTURING BR 7312 Northwest 46th Street, Miami, Florida 33166 (855) 445-9662/www.brigadefirearms.com Brigade Manufacturing has a large assortment of semiauto modern sporting rifles, all chambered in 5.56mm and built with quality components. Receiver lowers are CNC machined from 7075T6 aircraft grade aluminum, with several finish options including graphite black, flat dark earth, burnt bronze and OD green. Uppers are also CNC

Anderson .308 Winchester

X-Bolt Stalker

BROWNING EXPANDS AB3 BOLT-ACTION RIFLE FAMILY One Browning Place, Dept. WSJ, Morgan, UT 84050/(801) 876-2711/www.browning.com Browning has revealed that it will expand the AB3 bolt-action rifle series to include short-action calibers this year. The AB3 bolt-action rifle will now be offered in .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .270 WSM and .300 WSM. The standard caliber models have 22-inch barrels, and the short magnum rifles will have 23-inch tubes. Browning fits the AB3 with a composite stock featuring a recoilreducing Inflex recoil pad, a detachable box magazine, bolt-lock override

button and 60-degree bolt lift. That’s not all from Browning for 2015. In addition, the X-Bolt Eclipse Target and Eclipse Varmint models both wear a gray laminated thumbhole stock with satin ﬁnish and Monte Carlo cheekpiece. The Eclipse Target model will be chambered in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmore with a 28-inch heavy bull barrel. It comes from the factory with a trigger set at 3 to 3½ pounds. The Eclipse Varmint model is chambered for .204 Ruger, .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington. It has a 26-inch heavy bull barrel. There’s also a new X-Bolt Varmint Stalker with Mossy Oak Brush camo. It has a heavy sporter contour barrel with a matte blue ﬁnish and composite stock. It will be chambered in .204 Ruger, .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester and .223 Remington, all with 24-inch barrels, and a .22-250 Remington with a 26-inch heavy bull barrel. Visit us at booth #15129, 15538, 12740

westernshootingjournal.com 49

RIFLES accessories. Three of the SE models also feature ambidextrous controls for magazine release and bolt catch, and a single-side reversible fire selector. Of all these rifles, the LE901-FDE-16SE features an exclusive flat dark-earth finish on both upper and lower receivers. The AR901-16S has a free-floated barrel, tubular handguard and rail-mounting provisions in several locations. It also features a B5 Bravo retractable buttstock. Visit us at booth #12529

Colt LE901

Colt AR901-16S

machined from the same material and cerakote finished to match the lowers. Included in the lineup is the Brigade Battle Rifle. It’s got a 3.5-pound flat bow single-stage trigger or curved trigger, and a 16-inch M4 barrel with a black nitride finish. It’s cut with a 1:7-inch twist. The rifle features a Yankee Hill diamond rail, Bravo Company B5 stock, Magpul pistol grip, Magpul Mbus flip sights, and it comes with a Brigade rifle bag and 30-round Hex magazine. The Lightweight Battle Rifle has a chromelined carrier made from Carpenter 158 steel, a 16-inch M4 barrel, one-piece free-float 12-inch rail with a cerakote finish to match the rifle’s finish. It also has a 30-round Hex magazine, Ergo ambidextrous receiver plate for a sling mount, and it will soon be available in .300 Blackout. There’s also a Brigade Special Purpose Carbine, which also has the 16-inch M4 barrel, Yankee Hill Diamond Rail Specter length and Magpul carbine stock and pistol grip. It has a 30-round Hex magazine, and available finishes are burnt bronze, graphite black, flat dark earth and OD green.

MOA RIFLES OFFERING NEW EVOLUTION LONG RANGE HUNTER COLT UNVEILS NEW M.A.R.C RIFLE FAMILY P.O. Box 1868, Dept. WSJ, Hartford, CT 06144 (860) 236-6311/www.colt.com Colt’s Manufacturing has announced that its popular LE901 rifle family is expanding with the introduction of the new M.A.R.C. (for Modular AR Carbine) family of rifles. There are four new models in the series: the LE901-16SE, LE901-FDE-16SE, LE901-18SE and the AR901-16S. All of these new SE models feature a monolithic upper receiver with a fixed rail on top, according to Colt literature. There are also provisions for mounting rails on both sides and underneath. The AR901 has a flattop upper receiver and tubular forend and rails may be mounted in various positions. This design, says Colt, allows shooters to put the rail sections where they prefer. They will accommodate bipods, lasers, lights and other

MKS SUPPLY REVIVES THE M1 CARBINE 8611-A North Dixie Drive, Dept. WSJ, Dayton, OH 45415/(937) 454-0470 Initially announced in October, MKS Supply is once again producing two versions of the popular M1 Carbine in .30 caliber. These Inland M1 Carbine models include a pair of wood-stocked versions, one with a bayonet lug and one without, and the other in an M1A1 Paratrooper conﬁguration with a folding heavy wire stock. All three come with an original-looking cloth sling and oiler, and a single magazine. The

M1AL Paratrooper Carbine

Paratrooper model comes with a 15-round magazine and the wood-stocked models have 10-round magazines, but both will accept original 15- and 30-round WWII era magazines. All of these carbines are made in America, with all-American parts. According to MKS Supply, these carbines are so faithful to the original designs that Inland has marked them to prevent someone from passing them off as mint-condition originals. The Inland M1A1 Paratrooper model is based on the version introduced in late 1944 with low walnut forend, Type II barrel band and no bayonet lug. All of these carbines feature original adjustable “peep” sights. Visit us at booth #16144

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

2602 Southwest 4th Street, Suite B, Redmond, OR 97756 (541) 526-1820/www.moarifles.com MOA Rifles has announced the Evolution Long Range Hunter, a bolt-action model with features that should appeal to long-range shooters. The new model features the rugged Evolution action with an enclosed bolt shroud, easily removed firing pin assembly, a spiral fluted firing pin and plunger ejector and M16 Badger Ordnance extractor. It also has a 90-degree bolt handle, and a Timney trigger set at 3½ pounds. The Sendero contour match-grade 26-inch barrel is made from stainless steel and finished with Cerakote, in a free-float barrel channel. The rifle weighs 9¾ pounds. MOA designed the rifle with a McMillan A-3 black, tan and white stock. This rifle will be chambered in 6.5-284 Norma, 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 Remington Ultra Mag and .338 Remington Ultra Mag. The Long Range Hunter is something of a middle sibling to the MOA Evolution Long Action and the Evolution Extreme Long Range Hunter, both proven models that have earned good reputations. Visit us at booth #4066

MOSSBERG WILL INTRODUCE NEW RIFLES 7 Grasso Avenue, Dept. WSJ, North Haven, CT 06473 (203) 230-5300/www.mossberg.com Mossberg is keeping tight wraps on its new rifle introductions for 2015, which will be officially unveiled at the January SHOT Show. The company will have several introductions, with models ranging across the board to include rimfires and centerfire rifles. One new series of traditional bolt actions should delight hunters looking for varmints or big game, with a variety of stocks available, and several popular short-and long-action caliber choices. While Mossberg built its reputation as the source of workhorse shotguns over the years — both pumps and semiautos, including the very first smoothbore chambered for the 3½-inch 12-gauge – recent years have seen Mossberg getting deeper into the rifle arena. Visit us at booth #12734

RIFLES Century International RAS47

CZ-USA 527 Sporter

CENTURY INTERNATIONAL OFFERS NEW MODELS 430 South Congress Avenue, Suite 1, Dept. WSJ, Delray Beach, FL 33445/(800) 527-1252/www.centuryarms.com New from Century International for 2015 are three new riﬂes, two chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge and a third chambered for .308 Winchester. For openers is the C39v2, a semiauto made entirely in the United States. It joins the C39 family, which was introduced ﬁve years ago and features the same proprietary Chevron muzzle brake. The milled receiver is machined from a solid block of 4140 ordnance quality steel. It features a large tee-shaped magazine catch, is compatible with AKM furniture, and has a bolt hold-open safety and enhanced dust cover. It also boasts a new enhanced trigger group. It comes

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

CZ-USA with a pair of 30-round Magpul magazines. Next up is the RAS47, another semiauto chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge. Marketed under the Red Army Standard brand, this riﬂe is also 100-percent American made. It also features a large tee-shaped magazine catch and is compatible with AKM furniture. It also ships with two Magpul 30-round magazines. Century is also introducing the C308, based on the CETME roller-block bolt system action. Chambered for the .308 Winchester, the C308 has an 18-inch threaded barrel that accepts various muzzle accessories and has the proprietary Chevron muzzle brake. It ships with a single ﬁveround magazine and two 20-round magazines. Visit us at booth #14251

1401 Fairfax Trafficway, B-119, Dept. WSJ, Kansas City, KS 66115/(800) 955-4486/www.cz-usa.com There are several new rimfire and centerfire rifle models from CZ-USA this year, in bolt action and semiauto. Starting with rimfires, the CZ 455 Varmint thumbhole fluted model has a Nutmeg thumbhole laminate stock and 20.5-inch varmint barrel with heavy fluting. It has a five-round magazine and adjustable trigger. The 455 Ultra Lux has a beechwood stock, 28.6-inch barrel, tangent rear sight with slide adjustment for distance, 10-round magazine and adjustable trigger. The CZ 512 Tactical is offered in either .22 Long Rifle or .22 Magnum. It has a six-position adjustable stock, Picatinny rail, 16.5-inch barrel,

RIFLES Savage 16 Bear Hunter

25-round magazine in .22 LR and 10-round magazine in .22 Magnum. Then comes the Model 455 training rifle, chambered for .17 HMR. It has a beechwood stock, 24.8-inch barrel, tangent rear sight with slide adjustment, adjustable trigger and fiveround magazine. In the centerfire arena, CZ offers the Model 527 youth Carbine. Chambered in .223 Remington or 7.62x39mm, this one has a walnut stock, 12.75inch length of pull, 18.5-inch barrel, single set trigger and five-round magazine. The CZ 527 Varmint Thumbhole is chambered in .223 Remington, and has a Shady Camo thumbhole laminate stock, 24-inch heavy barrel, single set trigger and 5-round magazine. Then comes the Model 527 Sporter in .270 Winchester, .30-06 and 6.5x55. It has a synthetic stock, 20.5-inch barrel and four-round magazine. The Model 550 Western series Sonoran is now available in 26 Nosler. It wears a Manners carbon fiber stock, has a 26-inch No. 4 contour fluted barrel and three-round magazine. Lastly is the CZ 550 Safari Classic Craig Boddington signature series in .375 H&H Magnum. It has an XX Claro Walnut stock with red recoil pad and rust blue finish on the metal. It has a fiveround magazine and is engraved “One of Fifty.”

A NEW RIFLE FROM SIG SAUER? 72 Pease Boulevard, Dept. WSJ, Newington, NH 03801 (603) 610-3000/www.sigsauer.com With at least ten different rifle models already in its lineup, one might think that Sig Sauer has its hands full, moving into 2015. But there are hints of something new on the horizon, and an announcement is scheduled on Jan. 19, the date of the annual writer’s shoot just before the SHOT Show opens for its four-day run. WSJ cannot disclose any details, but watch for something truly innovative from the company that currently fields several modern sporting semiauto rifles and three precision bolt-action models, including a .50 BMG model. Visit us at booth #12240

DAKOTA ARMS 1310 Industry Road, Dept. WSJ, Sturgis, SD 57785 (605) 347-4686/www.dakotaarms.com Dakota has a full lineup of riﬂes, both single-shot and bolt-action models, and there are a couple of models built on the Sharps action. There is a Varminter model, the Model 76 family of bolt-action sporters, the Model 97 series which is loaded with features found on pre-’64

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

Model 70 and Mauser riﬂes, and the Miller singleshots with drop-block actions. There’s also the Model 10 single-shot drop block. Dakota’s Sharps models are scaled to 80 percent of the size of the original, with chamberings available from .22 Long Riﬂe to .444 Marlin.

REMINGTON 870 Remington Drive, Dept. WSJ, Madison, NC 27025 (800) 243-9700/www.remington.com Already reported in some of the blogs, Remington will offer the Model 783 in a bargain package in several popular calibers, from .223 Remington and .22-250 Remington up to .300 Winchester Magnum. It’s got a button-riﬂed heavy contour barrel, synthetic stock and adjustable trigger. Also, Remington is observing the 50th anniversary of the .22-250 Remington, introduced as a production cartridge in 1965. It’s being offered in a limited edition of the Model 700 CDL SF with a handsome checkered stock.

RUGER’S RIFLES WILL GET ATTENTION 1 Lacey Place, Dept. WSJ, Southport, CT 06890 (203) 259-7843/www.ruger-firearms.com Heading into 2015, Ruger was keeping quiet about any brand new introductions, but its recent entries, including the Scout rifle in .223 Remington and another .30-caliber version with a synthetic stock, will definitely get attention. In addition, Ruger’s AR-556 M4-style modern sporting rifle and the American Rifle in a left-hand version will also be high on the list. The new Scout versions have been afield with Western Shooting Journal. The .223-caliber model has a black laminate stock, a 16.1-inch cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:8-inch rifling twist and a chamber that takes both 5.56mm and .223 Remington cartridges. It also has a detachable 10-round magazine, flash suppressor, non-glare post front sight and ghost ring rear sight, plus a Picatinny rail ahead of the action. Ditto for the newest .308 Winchester version with its black synthetic stock. This is a dandy little carbine with a 10-round single-stack magazine, black synthetic stock with thick recoil pad, ghost ring rear sight, post front sight and Picatinny rail. Both models were accurate and stood up well to the Pacific Northwest weather, which pretty much defines how tough these models are. Ruger’s bolt-action American Rifle is now available in a left-hand version. Unveiled last fall, this one is chambered in .223 Remington, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, 7mm-089 Remington, .308 Winchester, .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. There’s also a new Ranch version with a 16.12inch threaded barrel in standard and compact length chambered for the 5.56mm/.223 Remington,

and .300 Blackout. This one has a black polymer stock with palm swell on the textured grip and a one-piece aluminum scope rail. Ruger’s AR-556 M4-style model has a 7075-T6 aluminum upper and lower receiver, cold hammerforged barrel made from chrome moly steel with M4 feed ramp cuts. It has a flat-top design with Ruger’s Rapid Deploy folding rear sight and a milled F-height gas block with post front sight. It also features a forward assist, dust cover and brass deflector. Ruger fits this rifle with a telescoping sixposition stock, enlarged trigger guard and supplies one 30-round Magpul PMag. Visit us at booth #11940

SAVAGE 100 Springdale Road, Dept. WSJ, Westfield, MA 01085 (413) 568-7001/www.savagearms.com Savage has announced new rifle models for 2015 that include both center and rimfire choices. There are six new models chambered for the .338 Federal, a cartridge based on the .308 Winchester case expanded to take a .338-caliber bullet. The choices include the 11 Long Range Hunter, 11 Hog Hunter, 11 Trophy Hunter XP, 16 FCSS, 16 Bear Hunter and 16 Trophy Hunter XP. For law enforcement, the Savage Model 10 FCP-SR series features a 10-round detachable box magazine, synthetic black beavertail AccuStock, fluted matte barrels, one-piece EGW scope-mount bases, tactical bolt handles and threaded barrels. All three are chambered in .308 Winchester. One has a 20-inch barrel and the other two have 24inch barrels, including the left-hand model. The new Model 11 Scout Rifle for law enforcement is chambered in .308 Winchester as well. It has an adjustable AccuTrigger, a cheekadjustable synthetic stock finished in flat dark earth, and muzzle brake. Chambered for the .17 Winchester Super Magnum, the Savage B.MAG is now available with a gray laminate thumbhole stock. It features a stainless heavy barrel, adjustable AccuTrigger, center-feed rotary magazine and soft rubber butt pad. The new Landry Signature Series bolt-action rimfire rifle comes in three versions, the Rascal, Mark II and Model 93. All feature a tough synthetic stock with Gator camo, an adjustable AccuTrigger and detachable box magazine.

WINCHESTER UNVEILS XPR MODEL FOR 2015 275 Winchester Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Morgan, UT 84050-3737 (801) 876-3440/www.winchester-guns.com This month’s SHOT Show will see the introduction of the new XPR bolt-action riﬂe from Winchester Repeating Arms, along with a new version of the Model 1873 lever-action riﬂe and new Model 70 Ultimate Shadow Hunter SS. The XPR has a “chromoly” steel receiver

RIFLES Winchester Model 70 Ultimate Shadow

and full-diameter bolt body with a Nickel Teflon coating. It has a 60-degree lift for fast cycling, and the barrel is button-rifled and free-floated. Winchester designed the XPR with the adjustable M.O.A. Trigger system and black polymer stock that is impervious to changing weather conditions. Chambered in .270 Winchester and .30-06 with a 24-inch barrel, and .300 Win. Magnum and .338 Win. Magnum with a 26-inch barrel, the XPR has a two-position thumb safety, cocking indicator bolt unlock button and three-round detachable magazine. Winchester’s newest Model 70 is the Ultimate Shadow Hunter SS with a lightweight synthetic stock finished in Mossy Oak Break-Up country. It features Winchester’s popular pre-’64 style controlled-round feed with claw extractor and the M.O.A. Trigger System. It has a forged stainlesssteel barrel and receiver. For history buffs, the Model 1873 Sporter Octagon Color Case lever-action lives up to its

descriptive name. It has a 24-inch octagonal barrel, with a color-case-hardened finish on the receiver, lever, forend cap and crescent buttplate. The stock is crafted from grade II/III walnut with a straight grip and satin oil finish. It is chambered in .44-40 Winchester and .357 Magnum. There’s also a new chambering for the Model 94 Short Rifle. It’s now available in .450 Marlin with a 20-inch barrel.

PRECISION FIREARMS, LLC 74 Dupont Road, Suite A, Martinsburg WV 25404/(240) 217-6875/www.precisionfirearms.com/www.pf15.com The Sidewinder Type II-A is a rifle for shooters who expect precision performance at long ranges. According to Precision Firearms’ literature, fiveshot, 1-inch groups at 300 yards are normal. The rifle’s barrel blanks are sourced from Bartlein and Lilja, and the company machines their own lowers and uppers in house from 7075-

Precision Firearms Sidewinder Type II-A T6 billet. Each set is hand matched for perfect fit, with no play or rattle. The rifle’s carbon-fiber handguard is extremely strong, lightweight and comfortable. The LMD Brake dampens felt recoil to less than most 5.56mm-stock rifles, and an adjustable gas block allows each individual rifle to be tuned to each shooter’s needs, such as when using a suppressor. The Geissele two-stage triggers are tuned to perfection for optimal control. The company boasts that there’s no such thing as horseshoes or hand grenades in its world, and says that with a Precision Firearms Sidewinder Type II-A rifle, a marksman knows he can count on each shot, shot after shot. Visit us at booth #6007

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

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gun reviews

BRIGADE’S ON THE MARCH WITH NEW AR Lightweight Battle Rifle Chambered for 5.56mm A Tough Act To Follow ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DAVE WORKMAN Brigade Manufacturing’s new Lightweight Battle Rifle comes with an adjustable rear sight, a rugged telescoping stock, 16-inch barrel fitted with a flash suppressor, and a padded nylon case that has four pockets for magazines.

hambered for the 5.56mm NATO round and featuring superb components from Yankee Hill, Magpul and Bravo Company, the Brigade Lightweight Battle Rifle is a serious piece of work that fans of the AR platform will warm right up to. Western Shooting Journal got a close look at this rifle recently, and learned that there’s a .300 Blackout version coming soon. Overall, it’s an impressive specimen, with the makings of a good coyote killer as well as a tactical rifle. It should shine in an urban environment or out on the ranch. SO, WHAT IS IT about this rifle that makes it tick? Let’s start with the barrel. It’s a 16-inch M4-style made from 4140 steel, with a black nitride finish and a 1:7-inch twist, which is ideal for using heavier bullets. It has a Yankee Hill flash hider and a Keymod free-float 12-inch cerakoted rail to match the finish of the rifle. The rail will accept all kinds of accessories and, with the sights folded or removed, you can mount a scope on top. The upper and lower are CNCmachined of 7075-T6 aluminum billet stock, with a cerakote finish. You can get different colors, including graphite black, burnt bronze, flat dark earth and OD green. Our test model was black from stem to stern. The Lightweight Battle Rifle features a chrome-lined carrier made from Carpenter 158 steel, with a MilSpec finish. The carrier key is also chrome-lined, and it has a low-profile gas block and tube. Brigade fitted the rifle with a BCM westernshootingjournal.com 59

gun reviews which has become rather popular with AR aficionados: a forward cartridge assist on the right side of the receiver. The rifle comes with a Brigade rifle case which has four exterior magazine pockets. It is well-padded and fits the gun snugly when the stock is collapsed.

On top of the Brigade Lightweight Battle is a fulllength numbered Picatinny-style rail for optics or accessories.

large-latch charging handle that was very comfortable to the touch, a Bravo Company B5 collapsible stock, and a factory-set CMC 3.5-pound trigger. There’s a choice of two trigger styles that includes a ﬂat bow single stage, or a curved trigger. Our test model came with the curved trigger, and it was smooth to the touch. The let-off was

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

crisp and it seems to reset rather quickly. The rifle also has an Ergo ambidextrous receiver plate for mounting a sling, and it is fitted with Magpul Mbus flip-up sights front and rear. It also has a Mil-Spec pivot pin and takedown pin, and the factory supplies a 30-round Hex Magazine. There was only one thing missing,

WE TOOK THE Lightweight Battle Rifle to the range in subfreezing weather, with snow on the ground and a breeze. No problem. Brigade designed it to operate under extreme conditions. At close sighting-in range the first five rounds were high and to the right, but with a quick sight adjustment, we put the next five right in the X-ring, shooting from a sandbag rest. Once the sights were adjusted, this rifle couldn’t miss unless we deliberately fired wide. With the factory iron sights, the Brigade put five onto a metallic 2-by-3-foot target at 200 yards. Long story short: there is not a coyote in the country that is safe, and

westernshootingjournal.com 61

gun reviews anything bigger simply offers more of a target. Slap a scope on this riﬂe and work up some good hand-loads, and

it’s likely to shine. In competition, the Brigade ought to perform quite well, and we experienced

nary a hiccup. There were no failures to feed or eject, and spent cases were kicked to the right rear about 6 feet. Also from Brigade comes the standard Battle Rifle with a Yankee Hill Diamond rail and virtually all the other features found on the Lightweight model, including the various color finishes. There’s also a Brigade Battle Pistol, chambered in 5.56mm, a Patrol Rifle and a Special Purpose Carbine. In addition, Brigade offers stripped lowers and uppers, barrels and stripped matching sets for the home gunsmith. The company’s website lists the MSRP for the Lightweight Battle Rifle at $1,575. WSJ

CONTACTS Shot from a sandbag rest, the riﬂe proved to be a winner, functioning in subfreezing temperatures. With factory iron sights, the author put ﬁve rounds through three holes in a target’s bull’s eye at 200 yards.

Brigade Manufacturing 7312 NW 46th St., Miami, FL 33166 (855) 445-9662 www.brigadeﬁrearms.com

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

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SHOTGUNS Omni Hybrid MAXX .410

AMERICAN TACTICAL IMPORTS .410 SHOTGUN 100 Airpark Drive Rochester, NY 14624/(800) 290-0065/www.americantactical.us Joining ATI’s Omni Hybrid MAXX series for 2015 is a .410 shotgun built on the AR platform. Chambered for 2½-inch shotshells, this entry has an 18.5-inch barrel, sixposition stock and comes with either a ﬁve- or 15-round magazine. Magazines are manufactured by ATI, and the ﬁve-rounder makes this gun California compliant. Visit us at booth #16538

CENTURY INTERNATIONAL HAS TWO SEMIAUTO SMOOTHBORES 430 South Congress Avenue, Suite 1, Dept. WSJ, Delray Beach, FL 33445/(800) 527-1252/ www.centuryarms.com New for 2015 from Century International come a couple of new Catamount shotguns, the 922r-compliant Fury and Fury II. These self-loaders are built on the Saiga pattern and chambered for 12-gauge shells. Both have 10-round magazines and will chamber 2¾and 3-inch shells. The Fury shotguns feature MIL-STD 1913 rails on the hinged dust cover and on the bottom of the gas block. Both guns feature an AK-style receiver and operating system.

The Catamount Fury model has a black synthetic sporter-style stock. The magazine inserts into the bottom of the receiver, same as on an AK rifle. The Catamount Fury II wears a thumbhole Dragunov-style stock, and the magwell funnel also allows the magazine to be loaded like an AR-type rifle. Both guns ship with a single ten-round magazine, two five-rounders and three choke tubes. Visit us at booth #14251

CZ-USA 1401 Fairfax Trafficway, B-119, Dept. WSJ, Kansas City, KS 66115/(800) 955-4486/www.cz-usa.com CZ-USA has several new shotguns for 2015, including pumps, autoloaders and double-barrel models.

Citori 725 Sporting Grade V

BROWNING EXPANDS HIGH GRADE, CITORI LINES One Browning Place, Dept. WSJ, Morgan, UT 84050/(801) 876-2711 www.browning.com For 2015, Browning is continuing its High Grade program by adding a pair of 12-gauge Model 725 Citori over-and-under Sporting models. Available with either 30- or 32-inch barrel configurations, the new Citori 725 Sporting models are engraved and feature high-grade walnut stocks and forearms. The Sporting Grade V has a silver nitride finish on the receiver. The wood is grade IV/V with an oil finish, close-radius pistol grip and palm swell. It comes with a fitted case made with canvas and distressed leather. Meanwhile, the Grade VII has a blued receiver with gold accents and both models feature deep-relief engraving. It has a stock of grade

There are a trio of pumpguns, the Model 612 Magnum Turkey model with a 12-gauge, 3½-inch chamber and 26-inch barrel. The gun is finished in Realtree Xtra Green. The nearly identical Model 612 Waterfowl model has a 28-inch barrel, five extended chokes and a Realtree MAX-4 finish. CZ’s Model 612 Trap gun is also a 12 gauge with a 32-inch barrel, raised rib and Monte Carlo stock. The Model 712 G2 synthetic semiauto has a 3-inch chamber, 28-inch barrel with five chokes and a black synthetic stock, while the Model 812 Waterfowl self-loader is chambered for 3-inch 12-gauge shells and a Realtree MAX-4 finish. There are four over-and-under double guns, including the Redhead Premier in 12 and 20 gauge

VI/VIII walnut, with the same close-radius grip and palm swell. It comes with a John M. Browning signature fitted case. Also in the new lineup is the Cynergy Micro Midas in 20 gauge. It’s an O/U shotgun for smaller shooters, and has a 13-inch length of pull. It has the MonoLock Hinge System, reverse striker ignition system and soft, recoil-absorbing Inflex recoil pad three ¼-inch spacers. It is available with either 24- or 26-inch barrel lengths. Browning’s new Pro Sporting and Pro Trap models feature the Pro Fit adjustable comb stock and Pro Balance System to allow the guns to be “fine-tuned” by each shooter. Additional features include Browning’s superb Fire Lite Mechanical Trigger System, the new Invector DS choke tube system, and full-width hinge pins and tapered locking bolts. The Pro Sporting model is available in 12 and 20 gauge with 30- or 32-inch barrels, while the Pro Trap model comes in 12 gauge with a high rib and the same barrel lengths. Another new choice is the Model 725 Feather in 20 gauge. It’s got a lightweight alloy receiver, steel breech face and hinge pin, and high-relief engraving on the nitride-finished receiver. It features a grade II/III walnut stock with close-radius pistol grip and barrel lengths of 26 or 28 inches. Visit us at booth #15129, 15538, 12740

westernshootingjournal.com 65

SHOTGUNS CZ-USA Wingshooter Elite

with 26- or 28-inch barrels, solid midrib and white bead front sight. The Redhead Premier Target model has 30inch barrels, a Monte Carlo stock, stepped rib for higher pattern, and extended chokes. The Wingshooter Elite is also available in 12- and 20-gauge shotguns with 28-inch barrels, two-tone hand-engraved receiver, a new CNCed action and solid midrib. The Southpaw Sterling in 12 gauge has 29inch barrels, two-tone gloss and matte chrome receiver and stock with laser-cut checkering. There are also a couple of side-by-side doubles, the Sharp Tail in 12, 20 and 28 gauge and .410 bore with 28-inch barrels, and the 12-gauge Sharp-Tail Target with 30-inch barrels and extended steel choke tubes.

REMINGTON 870 Remington Drive, Dept. WSJ, Madison, NC 27025/ (800) 243-9700/www.remington.com We know something’s in the works, but we’re sworn to secrecy until the SHOT Show. We can say “think versatility” and that you’ll be impressed.

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

SAVAGE 100 Springdale Road, Dept. WSJ, Westfield, MA 01085 (800) 235-1821/www.savagearms.com The Stevens Model 320 pump shotgun series is growing this year with the addition of 20-gauge models. There are four choices, including a Youth Field Grade model with a 22-inch vent rib barrel. The others include a Field Grade with a 26-inch vent rib barrel, and two Security models, both with pistolgrip stocks and 18½-inch barrels. One of those models has a ghost ring sight. They feature dual slide bars, rotary bolts, synthetic stocks and ﬁve-round magazines.

WINCHESTER UNVEILS 20-GAUGE SXP PUMP GUN 275 Winchester Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Morgan, UT 84050 (801) 876-2711/www.winchester-guns.com This month’s SHOT Show will see Winchester unveil a pair of 20-gauge versions of its SXP pump shotgun. The new SXP Field and SXP Field Compact models both feature alloy receivers with a black matte- and satin-ﬁnished stocks.

The SXP Black Shadow has a synthetic stock and forearm with textured surface and black matte finish. There’s also a new Winchester SXP Ultimate Defender model, this one with a black matte synthetic stock featuring a textured surface. The Ultimate Marine Defender has a matte hard-chrome finish on the barrel, magazine tube, slide arms and other component surfaces. Both models are chambered in 12 gauge, and they feature ghost ring sights and Picatinny rails, plus a Breacher choke tube. For spring turkey hunting, Winchester is unveiling the SXP Turkey Hunter model in both 12 and 20 gauge. This model has a synthetic stock, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo finish and 24-inch barrel with Truglo fiber optic adjustable sights. The 12-gauge model is chambered for 3½inch 12-gauge shells, and the 20-gauge shotgun has a 3-inch chamber. Winchester has also revealed that it will offer the new Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo finish on the SX3 Universal Hunter semiauto shotgun chambered in both 12- and 20-gauge model. Likewise, the finish appears on the SX3 NWTF Cantilever Turkey model in 3½-inch 12-gauge and 3-inch 20-gauge and the SX3 Long Beard Turkey in 3 ½-inch 12-gauge shotguns. The Long Beard has a pistol-grip stock and Invector-Plus Briley Extra-full extended choke tube.

THE MANY MAN CAVES

OF THE GUNNY Famous Drill Sergeant, Movie Actor Opens Up At His California House ARTICLE BY BRITTANY BODDINGTON • PHOTOS BY GEORGE BALLENGER PHOTOGRAPHY

R. Lee Ermey, known popularly as The Gunny, doesn’t just have a gun safe or gun vault. Rather, his home features a gun room that contains more than 200 riﬂes and handguns.

nterviewing R. Lee Ermey, aka The Gunny, in his home was a rare and wonderful opportunity. I did my homework on him, and the night before our interview I watched videos of him online. Those I saw had him yelling at people and forcing them to do push-ups, so needless to say, I did not sleep much that night. What had I gotten myself into?! I was timid walking up to the door, but The Gunny came out to greet me and shook my hand with a warm smile. I instantly felt at ease around the man who has commanded so much fear in the movies and boot camps of yore. The Gunny has a strange way of reading people. He knows if a person is looking to be screamed at in order to be able to tell their friends about the experience, or if they simply want to know the real man under the scary facade. Walking into his house an hour or so north of Los Angeles, I was immediately love-struck. No, it wasn’t The Gunny himself – or his guns or trophies. There were two tiny, four-week-old puppies on the couch, wiggling and squealing to be petted! The Gunny explained that he and his wife had found them the day before at an antique market and simply couldn’t leave them behind. Supposedly from the same litter, the puppies looked nothing alike and were an unrecognizable mix of breeds. The Gunny compared the looks of one to a bat, and already the softer side of the man was shining through. THE GUNNY’S HOME is exquisitely decorated with antiques, and there is very little evidence of his passion for guns or hunting in what he calls his “wife’s part of the house.” Then we entered his man caves. I was amazed to ﬁnd that The Gunny is even more of a treasure collector than I am! He has pieces from every corner of the world. He has an amazing collection of antique carved ivory tusks and westernshootingjournal.com 69

Ermey relaxes on the couch of his Southern California home, which he shares with his wife of four decades this year, Nila Ermey. The couple have had four children, and while being interviewed by the author, pictured here as well, were the new parents of two pups.

an Asian-style dragon – even a rare narwhal tusk. He says he was oﬀered the opportunity to buy it from the Smithsonian Institution because they needed funding, and of course he jumped at the chance. The second room of The Gunny’s man cave is full of gifts from the numerous Marine Corps Birthday Balls he has attended and spoken at over the years. One truly unique gift is a map of Iwo Jima, Japan, with handwritten notes from the World War II battle there. The map was found in a desk many years after the war and gifted to The Gunny by the Marines, in which he served during the Vietnam era. He tells me that when he is gone, the map will be donated to a museum. On the same wall are giant frames holding all the treasures he found while in the Middle East, each with its own backstory. Here I thought I was the only one who collected items based on their stories. Next stop was The Gunny’s, well, gun room. And yes, it’s a room, not a 70

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

safe. Knowing he likes weaponry – he hosted the History channel show Lock n’ Load with R. Lee Ermey – I’d been expecting a giant gun safe or even a gun vault, but The Gunny has an entire room dedicated to his love of guns. The entry is barred like an Old West jail cell – yes, it actually comes from an old western hoosegow – and he jokes that if anyone wants to get in his gun room, they had better bring a chainsaw and a whole lot of dynamite. Inside is a red felt-covered pool table, and against the wall is the largest collection of rifles I have ever seen. Each section of rifles is covered by another set of jail-like bars, but the overflow currently rests outside, on the bars themselves. He estimates that he has more than 200 guns in his collection. The other side of the room is for his handguns. The Gunny has them in a glass case, neatly displayed but with zero dust, which shows that he uses them often. Indeed, The Gunny is still active in shooting competitions and loves

his antique M1 Garand match rifles. Medals all over the place prove he can hold his own – not that I ever doubted it. He has exactly one “black” gun and calls it his space gun, but he admits that he needs it for certain matches in order to stay competitive. I know it sounds strange, but the way The Gunny lights up while talking about the unique pieces he has reminds me of a child showing someone their most prized possessions. Some of his firearms are truly one of a kind. THE NEXT STOP was the trophy room – or “petting zoo,” as The Gunny calls it. The first things you see as you walk through the door are two massive American bison. One, a bull, is a full mount and stands over 7 feet tall! It is one of the best mounts I have ever seen. The rest of the room is divided up by country – the long wall features animals from Africa; those on the shorter walls are from New Zealand and North America, with

westernshootingjournal.com 71

some miscellaneous mounts mixed in. As The Gunny started to explain to me what a Himalayan tahr was I startled him by saying I’d already shot two. And though he didn’t know until then that I too hunted, I was excited to talk to him about hunting and his upcoming adventures. BRITTANY BODDINGTON What is your dream hunt? GUNNY My dream hunt is Siberia, and I’m going to do it next year. Good Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I’m gonna go to Siberia and I’m gonna hunt the largest moose in the world. They claim that they have the largest moose in the world and the largest brown bear in the world too. I’m talking 14-foot-tall brown bear. I will hunt the bear and the big moose, and that is deﬁnitely my dream hunt, Siberia. I’ve been trying to get there for three years, but my schedule

keeps getting in the way. I have people depending on me to make their paychecks. I’ve gotta think about my guys that I take care of. I just can’t go running oﬀ. But I told my manager that this year the dates are set and those dates are sacred. BB Where did you get your interest in hunting? GUNNY Oh, I started with a Red Ryder BB gun at about age seven. I grew up on a farm in Kansas about 18 miles west of Kansas City. I went to a little country school called Horn of School, and it was just a little two-room schoolhouse made of natural rock. It was gone the last time I went back – a shame. I thought it would be a landmark for sure, you know, historic! Just because I went there! But no, I’m kind of like Rodney Dangerﬁeld, nobody shows me any respect, so they tore my damned school down! Just

Ermey’s “petting zoo” features mounted trophies he’s taken around the world, including Africa, New Zealand and North America. Up next for the hunter is a trip to Siberia for moose and bear.

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

kidding, but sad nonetheless. I grew up hunting sparrows and graduated to rabbits. And we trapped – we had wooden traps. Every now and then the traps would be tripped and we would pull it open and here’s a nasty old skunk lined up on you, or a possum growling, or a raccoon growling at you, but we tried to catch rabbits because we had a freezer to ﬁll. There were six boys in my family. My mom grew a garden and we had cattle, and the only time we ever had to go to the supermarket was basically for ﬂour and salt. Everything else we grew. Six boys, you had to feed those boys. We grew up hunting, we had a chest freezer, and we boys kept that freezer full. If it was duck season, we were putting ducks in there; if it was pheasant season, we put pheasant and red squirrel in there – we put in a lot of red squirrel. Hell, I could kill red squirrel with my Red

Ermey locks the authentic Old West prison doors barring the way into his gun room. He jokes that anyone who tries to break in had better bring a chainsaw and a whole lot of dynamite.

Ryder BB gun, that’s how good I got with it. Fishing and hunting, we grew up doing it. I never knew anything but hunting. BB And trophy hunting? Was that post-Vietnam or before? GUNNY I couldn’t aﬀord it before the Marine Corps. Only in the past 20 years have I been able to aﬀord to actually go hunting and not worry about whether I’m not actually hunting because I’m hungry. I’m hunting to put that trophy on the wall, and also to eat the meat. In quite a few 74

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

cases, I donate the meat. BB I read in your proﬁle on your website that after you left the military, after you were medically retired, you chose to go to school in the Philippines. Why did you choose to go to school there? GUNNY Because I couldn’t aﬀord to do it in the States. College is taught in English in the Philippines. BB Full Metal Jacket, I’m sure you hear it in every interview, but do you ever get tired of talking about it?

GUNNY (Laughs) No, no, it’s OK. Everybody loves Full Metal Jacket. I was on ﬁlm number ﬁve for me, and I basically accepted the job as technical advisor solely to get my foot in the door, so I could score another role, and I had done that four other times on movies, so I knew I could do it. It worked in the past, and it worked again. BB So you went in there with a plan – it wasn’t accidental? GUNNY You’ve got to have a plan, you can’t just go in there half-cocked. You’ve gotta have a plan and follow

through with it. BB Did Full Metal Jacket radically change your life? GUNNY Absolutely, I haven’t stopped working since. Before that, I was what you would consider a struggling actor. After Full Metal Jacket, I was no longer a struggling actor – the only struggling I was doing was trying to keep up with my demanding schedule, and it has been like that ever since. BB I’m sure you intimidated your fellow actors as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket, but were you ever intimidated working for director Stanley Kubrick? GUNNY No. BB Nice guy? GUNNY Demanding; I mean, I worked hard. But when you’re prepared, you’re prepared. I mean, you work hard, and you prepare yourself, and that gives you the conﬁdence to step in front of the camera and do your thing. If you don’t work hard and you don’t study and you don’t pay your dues, then when you step in front of the camera,

Joining the Marine Corps in 1961, Ermey served as a drill instructor stateside for two years, then reenlisted and spent several years with air units in Asia. Awarded the honorary title of gunnery sergeant after being medically discharged, he still answers the call should the commandant of the corps ask.

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you’re nervous, and it’s obvious you can’t do the job. I can spot a nervous actor in a minute when I go watch a movie. Mrs. Gunny [Nila Ermey] and I watch as many as we can. BB I can relate from my experience with public speaking – the same rule applies. GUNNY I like to screw up because then it’s challenging for me, then I get to back up and say, “Whoopsy daisy, somebody screwed up,” and I can turn it into a fun experience for everyone. I purposely screw up sometimes just to back up and have a little comedic mood-changing moment with everyone. Everybody worries about screwing up; I think that is the worst damned way to go up on a stage in front of a thousand people – worried about screwing up. I look forward to screwing up because it gives me more ammunition to play around with. It’s good for me, I like that, and it doesn’t bother me at all. BB When you do public speaking, do you write yourself a speech? GUNNY No, I do not. I might write down bullet points so I don’t forget

something. That’s the only reason I do it. BB I’ve done the same, I just started doing public speaking engagements, and the ﬁrst few times I did bullet points and that worked great, but then one time I wrote out a speech just to be extra prepared and I ruined it! I got lost and couldn’t ﬁnd where I was and then panic set in. GUNNY I’m one of those guys; I just put key words down. I write down names of people that I want to thank and important information like that. BB That is good advice! In movies like Seven, how was it to work around such well-known actors like Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman? GUNNY You have to understand, Brad Pitt was very fresh, he hadn’t really done anything prior to that. Morgan Freeman and I got along just great. He and I shared a table at the Golden Globe Awards. Great guy, but he and I were the old guys on the set. The young people were coming to us for advice; it was nice, I liked that. I’m always one of the oldest guys on set

Ermey and the author inspect details on the stock of an old doublebarrel shotgun, one of the many weapons in The Gunny’s collection.

BB What’s next? More acting? Do you have another movie planned? GUNNY If the right movie comes up. I’ve done some pretty good shows and I’m 70 years old, so I’m not going to accept a movie that I don’t think is Academy Award material or funny as hell. If I don’t think it is going to kick ass and be a blockbuster, I won’t mess with it, unless the role speaks to me, and I just have to do it.

hunt, huh? Only worth it if you are going to bring home a trophy? GUNNY It is exactly that! If it’s not something that I read and it grabs me, then it’s not worth it. I’m not going to do a piece of sh*t just to do it because it could be my last. I’m pretty locked into my schedule for the year, and my schedule usually consists of events that I do for the military, beneﬁts, working with the veterans, Toys for Tots, Marine Corps Birthday Balls, etc. I stay as busy as I can with the veterans, so if I accept a movie, it would take three months out of my life and I would have to cancel out on the guys. So unless it’s a kickass movie or role, I will maintain my schedule. But I will probably do some more movies. I’m 70, but I’m healthy.

BB You are going to do it like a trophy

BB What does the Marine Corps mean

these days. For me it’s complimentary when the young guys come to me for advice, and I’ve done 60-plus movies, so it’s not like I’m just getting started. I’ve had the experience of all of those movies, and for a lot of those I’ve also rewritten my roles so that they ﬁt me just perfectly.

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to you? GUNNY We’ll put it this way: The Marine Corps retired me in 1972 and I just kept showing up for work, plain and simple. I never went anywhere. If it weren’t for the Marine Corps, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The Marine Corps gave me discipline, pride, a brotherhood, a reason for being, a partnership, a big fraternity. I wasn’t ready to leave it; it was my objective to stay in the military for 30 years. After my first four years, I reenlisted for six more and then for six more, and I was not prepared to go anywhere. After 12 years I got it cut short, and I was medically retired. BB Can I ask why? GUNNY I screwed up my right shoulder; a bunker came down on top of me, so I was having trouble keeping my shoulder in place. That was right at the end of Vietnam, right when, if you had a scratch, you were gonna get retired, or put out of the Marine Corps because they were cutting down from about 200,000 soldiers to approximately 175,000. So if you were not physically fit, A1, ready to go to combat today, then you were sent down the road. So I was retired, but I continued to march, and I didn’t walk away from the Marine Corps. I still stay as active and as closely involved with the Marine Corps as I can. I never retired, I’m still there! I’ve been to Afghanistan and Iraq several times. I’m always around – if the commandant of the Marine Corps asks me to go, I go. BB I’ve heard that you host a golf tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., to benefit veterans. Could you tell me a little about that? GUNNY It is to help out the veterans, wounded and otherwise. Every penny goes to helping the veterans, unlike some other charities that only give 80 percent or something like that. We give 100 percent to the veterans. BB So how is your golf game? GUNNY (Laughing) Sucks! I’ve been too busy to play, I just don’t have time. I

played three rounds of golf last week and it was the ﬁrst time I had played in a month – I was just terrible. I’m headed straight from here to meet the guys to play today too! Golf is a game that one has to practice. When I practice, I suck less. BB You have lots of pictures with motorcycles on your website. Where did your passion for bikes come from? GUNNY Hell, I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was a kid! My ﬁrst motorcycle was a Cushman Eagle; it was a 1947 or 1948. I’m not sure exactly what year because I never did register it. It was just in a neighbor’s barn and I worked for the neighbors to generate a little extra cash for myself. I traded labor for the Cushman Eagle and I was 13 at the time. I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 13 years old and I’ve never been without a motorcycle. BB Do you still ride? GUNNY Well, what do you think? I’ve got a whole damn barn full. I’ve got one

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over at the brewery right now, sitting there on display, one in the garage, and three in that barn. I ride as much as I can! I work with Victory Motorcycles. Made in the good old USA. BB What do you have coming up? Will we see you at SHOT Show? GUNNY SHOT Show is up next – keep an eye on the website [rleeermey.com] to see where I will be. I do a lot of appearances. Actually, I think we have the longest lines at SHOT Show; we average a four-hour line. BB I sit at the SHOT Show too, and I deﬁnitely do not have a four-hour line. I think mine is ﬁve minutes if I’m lucky. (Laughs) GUNNY (Laughing) Well, people know me. Hell, I’ve been doing this for so long. I don’t hide, I don’t lock myself away. People come up and it’s like they know me. It’s kind of crazy, but they feel like they have known me for years. I joke around with people and take shots at them. I can feel out a guy

and see what kind of personality he’s got and see if he can take it. I love the guys who can take a shot right back and just be witty. I couldn’t imagine standing there for eight hours a day taking pictures, shaking hands and kissing babies without having some fun. For me, if I joke around and play around a little bit, time will ﬂy, it’s over and it seems like I just got there. I just love connecting with fans. ON THAT NOTE, we got up to see some more of his treasures and soon afterwards wrapped our interview up. The Gunny shook my hand, and in his hand was his personal Challenge coin from Glock, with his face on it. I got to give the puppies some more love on my way out. It was hard to leave those little ones, and it felt very much like I had just made a new friend. I left The Gunny with a ﬁnal wave and promised I would come by and say hi at SHOT Show. It’s no wonder there is a fourhour line to visit with The Gunny – all his fans are his friends. WSJ

RANGE SPOTLIGHT

SHOOTING S.H.O.T.

BY FRANK JARDIM

A number of celebrities have enjoyed shoots at The Range 702, including Playboy Playmate Jessica Vaugn (left) and model Chelsea Dawn. (THE RANGE 702)

Just as you might expect at a military-themed range, a M998 Humvee Gun Truck sits outside Battleﬁeld Vegas. (BATTLEFIELD VEGAS)

obody ever said that SHOT Show goers this month would suffer from a shortage of entertainment options in Las Vegas, and it should come as no surprise that there are no fewer than eight shooting ranges in the city – twice that many when you include the surrounding area. Here’s a quick rundown on where you can go after a day working the ﬂoors of the Sands Convention Center to bust some caps – or after you’ve busted at the casinos. THE RANGE 702 (Distance from SHOT Show: 3.0 miles southwest; 702-7613709; therange702.com) Taking its name from the local area code, this gun range, which bills itself as “the

largest in Las Vegas,” features 25 shooting lanes in four separate ranges, including a VIP section. Among the 18 packages the facility offers is a Black OPS deal for $165; it includes ﬁring 40 rounds out of a belt-fed M249 SAW – the rapper Ludacris enjoyed blasting it on his 36th birthday in 2013 – and an M4 and MP5. As the operator of a Kentucky zombie-shooting range, I’d be a sucker for the Zombiance package, which includes ﬁring an AK-46, M4 and other weapons at the undead for $155. TripAdvisor.com says The Range 702 ranks 18 out of 600 activities to try in Vegas. CLARK COUNTY SHOOTING COMPLEX (Distance from SHOT Show: 17.4 miles

north; 702-455-2000; clarkcountynv .gov) A large, versatile outdoor range very reasonably priced at $9 a person, this complex has 24 combination trap and skeet fields, two 15-station sporting clay courses, and a five-stand shooting field. For rifle and pistol shooters there are 30 covered shooting positions up to 50 yards, 15 up to 100 yards, and another 15 up to 200 yards. The archery facilities include a known distance range with 30 covered firing positions and a 2.4-mile-long, three-dimensional animal archery course for hunters to hone their skills. You can even camp there with your RV. Be sure to call for hours because they vary seasonally. THE GUN STORE (Distance from SHOT Show: 4.2 miles southeast; 702-4541110; thegunstorelasvegas.com) Located near the UNLV campus, this is both a retail store and indoor range where novice and experienced shooters can rent any of 50 pistols and revolvers before they buy. Weekly training courses are offered as well as concealed carry courses. DISCOUNT FIREARMS (Distance from westernshootingjournal.com 83

RANGE SPOTLIGHT SHOT Show: 1.5 miles northwest; 702567-1158; discountfirearmsusa.com) In addition to having more guns in stock than any other dealer in southern Nevada, they have an indoor range too! ALAMO SHOOTING SUPPLY & RANGE (Distance from SHOT Show: 2.3 miles west; 702-871-7795; alamossr.com) This family-owned and -operated retail store and range has been around since 1995. AMERICAN SHOOTERS (Distance from SHOT Show: 2.1 miles west; 702-7195000; americanshooters.com) One of Las Vegas’s largest retail gun stores is also its biggest indoor range. This outfit offers a five-port, 50-yard rifle range and a 14-port, 25-yard pistol range. Range fees are lower than average, at $15 a person and kids 17 and under shoot free. There’s also a large selection of rental guns to try, with pricing running at $40 to $60 for machine guns, $20 for rifles and

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shotguns and $10 for handguns. GUNS & AMMO GARAGE (Distance from SHOT Show: 3.0 miles southwest; 702-440-4867; gungarage.com) This operation has a 12-port indoor range and is among a few businesses in Las Vegas that specialize in shooting entertainment. Shooters of all experience levels, accompanied by a range safety officer, can ﬁre a variety of interesting weapons, including the most powerful production revolver on Earth, a .500 S&W, and historic full autos like the Tommy gun, AK-47 and UZI. If you want to schedule a party or event, they’ll even pick you up at your hotel. STRIP GUN CLUB (Distance from SHOT Show: 3.0 miles northeast; 702-7774867; stripgunclub.com) By no means is this the biggest gun shop or range, but the indoor facility has the style and glitz one would expect in Vegas – chrome-plated machine guns,

anyone? Shooting packages begin at $99, and there’s a huge selection of rental guns, including several belt-fed machine guns. The 4,500-squarefoot, seven-lane shooting lane (pistol and riﬂe) facility is available to individual hourly shooters, birthday and bachelor/bachelorette parties and corporate events. BATTLEFIELD VEGAS (Distance from SHOT Show: 1.6 miles north; 702-5661000; battleﬁeldvegas.com) Rather than a conventional range, this is the place to go if you happen to get the urge to shoot anything in existence. That’s only a slight exaggeration. It’s one of the city’s biggest attractions because it has over 350 different rental weapons (including the largest selection of machine guns anywhere) from World War I to the present day to shoot under supervision of a range safety officer. Ahh, yes, only in Vegas. WSJ

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FROM VALLEY GIRL TO HIGH MOUNTAIN Brittany Boddington Follows In

HUNTRESS here was little evidence pointing T to young Brittany Boddington being the apple that didn’t fall very far from the tree. In fact, she seemed orchards away from her father, Craig Boddington, a well-respected hunter, author and outdoor journalist. As the family settled in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, Brittany had very little interest in following in Craig’s footsteps. A competitive synchronized swimmer good enough to make the U.S. Junior National Team, her sport of choice didn’t exactly have much in

common with shooting. “I was swimming around 35 hours a week, so I didn’t have a lot of time to worry about guns and hunting,” she says. “There certainly wasn’t any hunting going on at that point.” But times change. The 28-yearold, who still lives in L.A., now bills herself as a hunting journalist – she interviewed this month’s cover subject, R. Lee Ermey, in The Gunny’s

Her Famous Father’s Footsteps STORY BY CHRIS COCOLES PHOTOS BY BRITTANY BODDINGTON

Palmdale, Calif., home – and building on previous TV shows, she will cohost the 2015 season of The Boddington Experience with Craig. Recently, we chatted with her: CHRIS COCOLES It’s a surprise to me that you were kind of late to the party when it comes to hunting, especially given your dad’s background as a renowned sportsman. So how did it happen?

Among the many countries Brittany Boddington has hunted, Macedonia, a Balkan nation that’s not exactly a household name for tourism, let alone big game, provided her a chance to chase chamois and experience an interesting local culture. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)

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Los Angeles native Brittany Boddington’s passion was once competitive synchronized swimming. Now, at 28, she is a big-game hunter who has traveled all over the world and is an aspiring journalist and cohost this year of The Boddington Experience with her father, Craig. One of their shows will feature a mountain goat hunt in British Columbia. (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)

BRITTANY BODDINGTON I was pretty much against hunting through most of my childhood into high school. And

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I think a lot of that stems from just growing up in Los Angeles. I had to explain to my friends why my dad was

killing Bambi (laughs). So it took me a while to come around. I didn’t even want to shoot a gun and really didn’t until after high school. My (high school) graduation present was a trip to Africa with no intention of hunting. He just wanted to show me where he’d been. And I was really excited to see it. But before the trip, I decided to do some research and more and more sites were popping up with safaris as an option. So ﬁnally, just out of curiosity, I started clicking on them. In my research, I found out more and more why people did hunt in Africa. I had no idea what he was doing. So once I learned that were regulations and conservation aspects, especially in Africa, where there was very little else to do besides hunting to control these populations, I came around to the idea pretty quick, and startled my dad by asking to teach me how to shoot. And he just said, “Why?” (laughs). I said, “We’re going to Africa. Don’t you think I should learn how to shoot?” He

again said, “Why?” I told him I wanted to hunt. CC So was that, at the time, a major shock to him, because you had not shown a lot of interest in the past? BB It was, because he didn’t believe me. So he told me if I could go on a pig hunt in California, then he would arrange for permits to hunt in Africa. So I shot a boar in northern California. I remember when the gun went off, he looked at me instead of the pig and asked, “Are you OK?” (laughs). I never lost eye contact with the pig and said, “Let’s go, let’s go.” CC Was that first shot and taking down that pig difficult at all? BB No. For some reason there was never a second thought; it was instinctual, I think. I was super excited. They thought I’d missed him; it was a huge group of pigs coming over the edge of this ridge. And the guide told me to shoot the one with the big black spot, and I shot the one

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with the big black spot. And I saw him roll down the ravine, but they were watching the pig with the black spot in the front, but I shot the one in the back. I said, “He’s down; I can see him!” It was really exciting. CC Your dad must have had a lot of thoughts racing through his head at that point. BB I think it was very exciting for him. The idea to have someone pass it onto, I think it had been lacking for him. I think he was really excited. My sister (Caroline) wasn’t that excited about it either, although she grew up shooting a lot more than I did. She had one of those cricket guns when she was like 6 and would go to the range. She loved it, but as she got older, things got more interesting, like hanging with her friends. She just stopped going to the range, and when she did go she would usually play with her phone. But then at 16, she also wanted to go on a pig hunt, and

she did. So I just think there were late bloomers in our family. But it’s also hard because we grew up in California, and it’s not the nicest place to explain to your friends, as a kid, what your dad does. I told them my dad was a sportswriter, and I think they all thought he wrote about basketball. I never explained it. When I was a child we didn’t have a lot in common; he was never into synchronized swimming and I was never into hunting. So there wasn’t a lot to talk about. But after that ﬁrst safari, our relationship had grown dramatically. We had a common ground. CC You’ve been able to see some fascinating places. BB I’ve been hunting in Europe, the South Paciﬁc and Africa, mostly. I’ve been able to hunt in places like Macedonia; never in my life had I thought about hunting in Macedonia. It’s a tiny country of two million people. It’s very interesting. We found

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shells in the ground from old wars. You could see where the bunkers were still kind of degrading from where there

were wars fought. But when I was there they seemed like very happy people. And the hunting was awesome.

Though Brittany wasn’t interested in hunting until her father, Craig, offered to take her to Africa as a high school graduation present, the duo, seen here on a British Columbia mountain goat hunt, are teaming up to host a new run of The Boddington Experience this year. (VIMEO)

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We were in Turkey for two weeks, hunting the Anatolian stag, and we had some extra time and ended up getting my scuba license and dove to sunken ships. Hunting has been a fabulous way to see the world. CC What was your ﬁrst TV experience like? BB During those years when I would travel with my dad once a year to go on a hunt, he would schedule the trips to South Africa. So every now and then, I’d be on camera in a very, very minor role. I hunted my buﬀalo on that show. I wasn’t as comfortable on camera as much as I am now. I didn’t take the lead and talk to the camera. It was very much my dad saying, “I’m here with Brittany; this is what we’re going to do and let’s go.” And I would just go. It was a nice learning experience and I was able to see how he does it in real time. After that show over a few years, I joined the American Huntress show, which was awesome.

Linda Donaho was the previous host for that, and we shared some responsibilities for two seasons. And that was the ﬁrst time I was on my own, sent out with the cameraman to get enough footage to make a TV show. You learn pretty quickly. CC What’s your ideal career path right now? BB I’ve always wanted to do my own show. And this year my dad and I are restarting The Boddington Experience. He had that show before, but it was him alone. So we’re bringing it back with the two of us as joint hosts, which is very exciting. And long-term I realize people aren’t going to want to watch me hunting on TV for my whole life (laughs). So with my degree in journalism, I want to write books. But really, the goal is to keep hunting throughout my lifetime. It’s something that I can do permanently. CC Unfortunately, this seems to be asked of a lot of women who hunt

lately, but how much of a backlash have you received about what you enjoy doing? BB It’s a dramatic shift. Growing up in a hunting family, there were people out there who didn’t like us, and I knew that from a young age. I remember once I was riding from the airport with a Japanese exchange student, and we arrived home there was a bomb squad on our lawn and going through everything we owned. Someone had called in a bomb threat to my dad’s oﬃce when he was a (magazine) editor. I was probably 5 or 6, so you grow up knowing people are after you. I think in the last few years, the aggression has switched directions and is now at the female of the hunting world; it’s much more than at men. People don’t go on my dad’s page and say, “Your eyes look stupid.” But they do on mine. And these are personal attacks that have nothing to do with hunting. I told several people, “If you have something intelligent to talk about, let’s talk. I’m more than

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

willing to talk to you.” But just calling me names and that you don’t like my hair – well, OK. (laughs) … I think they see us as weaker targets. When the whole Kendall Jones news broke (the college cheerleader who hunts being blasted on social media) I was getting 100 death threats a day on my Facebook page. That’s ridiculous. CC So on that note, what kind of message do you try and send out to your audience about hunting? BB I hope that women watching are empowered and feel, “if this little redheaded kid can do it, then we can do it too.” But I also want women to see that hunting is not a men-only sport. It may have been in the past, but we can do anything they can do. I really enjoy that part. In the last couple years I have been taking more difficult hunts to push my limits. I want the world to see that women are serious in the hunting industry. We’re not just doing fluffy hunts. We want to do everything. WSJ

AMMUNITION HORNADY UNVEILS SEVERAL NEW LOADS FOR 2015 P.O. Box 1848, Dept. WSJ, Grand Island, NE 68802-1848 (308) 382-1390/www.hornady.com Hornady has announced a new line of Superformance Varmint rounds, and an additional entry in .17 Winchester Super Mag. The initial Superformance Varmint line includes a .222 Remington with a 50-grain V-MAX bullet clocking 3,345 feet per second, a .223 Remington that launches a 53-grain V-MAX bullet at 3,465 fps, a .22-250 Remington topped by a 50-grain V-MAX that warps out at a reported 4,000 fps, and a .243 Winchester pushing a 58-grain V-MAX bullet at 3,925 fps. There’s a new .243 Winchester with a 75-grain V-MAX bullet that clocks at a reported 3,580 fps. The new .17 Winchester Super Mag pushes a 20-grain V-MAX bullet at 3,000 fps. Also from Hornady this year for handgunners is the new American Gunner line of cartridges. The lineup includes a .380 ACP with a 90-grain XTP bullet, a 9mm round with a 115-grain XTP bullet, a 9mm +P load with a 124-grain XTP, and a .38 Special with a 125-grain XTP. Additionally, there’s a .357 Magnum with the 125-grain XTP, a .40 S&W

American Gunner line of cartridges with a 180-grain XTP and a .45 ACP load with a 185-grain XTP. A second new ammunition family is the Full Boar, all loaded with GMX monolithic copper alloy bullets for controlled expansion and weight

Full Boar ammunition family

CORBON OFFERS AMMO WITH PROPRIETARY BULLETS

big-bore calibers for long-range shooting. Visit us at booth #12274

1311 Industry Road, Sturgis, SD 57785-9123 (605) 347-4544/www.corbon.com

NEW ENGLAND CUSTOM HAS RWS AMMUNITION

CorBon has revealed that they are now producing handgun ammunition with proprietary jacketed hollow-point bullets. Samples provided to Western Shooting Journal in .45 ACP were impressive, to say the least. CorBon is gradually introducing their proprietary bullets into calibers including .32 ACP, 9mm, .38 Special and .45 ACP. For riﬂe shooters, CorBon is introducing several loads featuring the Swift A-Frame bullet, in

Fans of RWS ammunition will be able to find it this year, thanks to New England Custom Guns, which offers dozens of loads in popular calibers ranging upwards from .22 Hornet. For some American shooters, RWS ammunition has been hard to find, and New England Custom has rounded up offerings in various hard-to-find metric calibers, including

741 Main Street, Dept. WSJ, Claremont, NH 03743 (603) 287-4836/www.newenglandcustomgun.com

retention. There are eight entries in the series, including a .223 Remington with a 50-grain pill, a .243 Winchester pushing an 80-grain bullet, a 6.8mm SPC pushing a 100-grainer, a .270 Winchester with a 130-grain projectile, a 7mm Remington Magnum with a 139-grain bullet, another entry in .308 Winchester with a 165-grainer, a .30-06 with a 165-grain bullet and a .300 Winchester Magnum also with a 165-grainer. Hornady’s Critical Defense Lite 9mm load offers reduced recoil but still delivers 10 inches of penetration in ballistic gelatin. It has a 100-grain FTX bullet with a pink Flex Tip, and a portion of the sales revenue goes to help fund breast cancer research. Hornady is also introducing an American Whitetail riﬂed slug in 12 gauge. This hollow-point slug weighs an ounce and leaves the muzzle at 1,600 fps. Visit us at booth #13145

5.6x57mm, 6.5x57mm, 8x68mm and 7x64, along with more common cartridges including the .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Short Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum. New England Custom will also be offering other metric calibers, and “lead free” ammunition for people who hunt in areas where lead projectiles are now prohibited.

WINCHESTER 600 Powder Mill Road, East Alton, IL 62024-1273 (618) 258-2000/www.winchester.com Winchester has announced several new introductions for 2015, with something for riﬂes, shotguns and handguns in the mix.

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Ammunition Hotshot ammunition

CENTURY INTERNATIONAL 430 South Congress Avenue, Suite 1, Dept. WSJ, Delray Beach, FL 33445/(800) 527-1252/www.centuryarms.com Century International has announced new Hotshot ammunition, and new loads in the Red Army Standard series. Hotshot ammunition is available in domestic and NATO calibers. These loads come in steel cases, which makes this ammunition more affordable. Available calibers include 9mm/115 and 124 grains, 9.92x57mm (8mm Mauser) in 170 grains ,and a 146-grain 7.62x51mm. The latter round comes in a 100-round pack with cartridges packaged in ﬁve 20-round boxes. Red Army Standard is expanding its selections this year with a 7.62x25mm Tokarev load pushing an 86-grain FMJ bullet, a 7.62x54R with a 148-grain FMJ bullet and a 7.62x54R pushing a 148-grain copper-jacketed bullet. Red Army Elite ammunition is offered in 7.62x39mm with a 123-grain FMJ bullet. The case is reloadable and they come in 30-round boxes, with six boxes per range pack. Visit us at booth #14251 Red Army Standard ammunition

Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

Starting with shotgun loads, the new Long Beard XR 12-gauge entries include one that’s 3½ inches and another at 3 inches, both clocking 1,050 fps at the muzzle and each offered in No. 4, 5 or 6 shot. These loads feature Winchester’s Shot-Lok technology for tight patterns against big savvy toms. For upland shotgunners, the Rooster XR 12-gauge 3-inch magnum load is offered in Nos. 5 or 6 shot with a muzzle velocity of 1,450 fps. Trap and skeet shooters ought to warm up to the new entries in AA Tracker and AA Steel. The AA Tracker loads are all 12-gauge entries of 2¾ inches, all with 11/8-ounces of shot sizes 7½ or 9, depending upon the load. In the AA Steel family is a pair of 2¾-inch 12-gauge rounds with an ounce of shot in 7½ or 8. Winchester is also introducing a 250-round Commemorative Wood Box of 12-gauge 2¾-inch loads in No. 8. There are ten 25-round boxes in the wooden box. Varmint shooters have a new 40-round carton of Varmint X ammunition with polymer-tipped bullets. On the big game front, the Deer Season XP loads are offered in .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Sprg., .300 Winchester Magnum and .300 Winchester Short Magnum. Handgunners are treated to a pair of .45 ACP loads in the W Train & Defend series. The training rounds come 50 to a box, and the defensive loads

Ammunition come 20 to a box. Both are loaded with 230-grain bullets, and they clock at an identical 850 fps. Visit us at booth #13329

BLACK HILLS S REVEALS NEW LOADS

FEDERAL

P.O. Box 3090, Dept. WSJ SJ Rapid City, SD 57709 (605) 348-5150 www.black-hills.com

900 Ehlen Drive, Dept. WSJ, Anoka, MN 55303 (612) 323-2300/www.federalcartridge.com

For 2015 Black Hills has Hornady GMX announced a special-5.56mm Bullets purpose 5.56mm round nd and another in .308 Winchester that will deliver the goods on game game. The 5.56mm round pushes a 70-grain Hornady GMX bullet. This round is designed for the best use in barrels with 1:7- or 1:8-inch rifling twists. Designed for 100 percent weight retention, the bullet has penetrated as much as 17 to 22 inches in ballistic gel, and it c creates a wide wound channel, which could put the hurt on hogs. For fans of .30-caliber cartridges, Black Hills has announced a new .308 Winchester load featuring a 168-grain Sierra Tipped MatchKin MatchKing (TMK) bullet. Sierra added MatchKing projectile to increase a polymer tip to the famous Mat coefficient, and that translates to its ballistic coeffic improved accuracy and more impr energy. en The addition of that tip translates to more uniform tra terminal performance, according te to Black Hills. Visit us at booth #12752 Vis Sierra Tipped MatchKing Bullets

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Several new offerings from Federal have been announced in riﬂe and pistol calibers, and for turkey hunters. In the American Eagle line, there’s a new .17 Winchester Super Magnum with a 20-grain bullet that clocks out of the muzzle at a reported 3,000 fps. Also under the American Eagle brand is a new load for the .338 Lapua Magnum. This round has a 250-grain jacketed soft-point bullet in a reloadable brass case. In .30-30 Winchester, there’s a new Federal Premium load with a new Trophy Copper bullet. It’s part of the Vital Shok line, and the bullet weighs 150 grains. It’s a polymer-tipped bullet to provide fast expansion. Also in the Federal Premium Vital Shok line is a new .223 Remington with a 62-grain Trophy Bonded bullet. The bullet has a neon polymer tip and boattail design, with exterior skiving for maximum expansion. Another addition to the Personal Defense HST line is a .380 ACP round. This one has a 99-grain JHP bullet designed for reliable expansion when used in compact pistols.

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Ammunition For turkey hunters, the new Federal Premium 3rd Degree shotgun loads feature a threestage payload consisting of 20 percent No. 6 FliteStopper pellets, 40-percent copper-plated No. 5 lead and 40 percent No. 7 Heavyweight pellets for downrange performance. It is offered in 3-inch and 3½-inch shells. A portion of the proceeds goes to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

NOSLER INTRODUCES NEW BT AMMUNITION FAMILY P.O. Box 671, Dept. WSJ, Bend, OR 97709 (541) 382-3921/www.nosler.com Nosler this year is taking advantage of its popular Ballistic Tip bullet family and introducing that projectile in a new line of ammunition appropriately dubbed “BT Ammunition.” The lineup includes loads in a half-dozen nonmagnum calibers, loaded for deer and hogsized game. According to Nosler literature, the initial introductions include a .243 Winchester with a 90-grain Ballistic Tip, a .270 Winchester topped with a 140-grain bullet, another entry in 7mm08 Remington featuring a 120-grainer, a .30-30 Winchester pushing a 150-grain pill, and two loads each in .308 Winchester (125 and 165 grains) and .30-06 (125 and 180 grains). Nosler color-codes the polymer tips on its Ballistic Tip bullets by caliber, so it’s going to be a

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colorful selection!

REMINGTON 870 Remington Drive, Dept. WSJ, Madison, NC 27025 (800) 243-9700/www.remington.com Remington has announced a new load for the .300 AAC Blackout with a 120-grain bullet. Remington will also offer four new Nitro Steel entries, including a 10-gauge, 3½-inch shell in No. 2, BB or BBB; 12-gauge, 3½-inch No. 2 or BB; and a 20-gauge, 3-inch No. 4 shell. The company is also churning out .22 Long Riﬂe ammunition as fast as possible, and bulk packs, including the Bucket of Bullets, will be increasingly available.

BARNES ADDS LOADS TO VOR-TX LINE P.O. Box 215, Dept. WSJ, American Fork, UT 84003 (801) 756-4222/www.barnesbullets.com This year Barnes is expanding its line of VOR-TX ammunition for riﬂes and handguns with the introduction of a pair of 5.56mm loads, a .300 AAC Blackout and .338 Lapua, plus a new 10mm handgun round. The new 5.56mm rounds come with two TSX bullet weights, in 62 and 70 grains. The .300 Blackout has a 120-grain TAC-TX bullet and the .338 Lapua is topped by a 280-grain LRX bullet. For handgunners, the new 10mm load has joined

the already-available .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt and .454 Casull offerings. The 10mm cartridge features a 155-grain Barnes XPB bullet that offers maximum expansion and weight retention.

LEHIGH DEFENSE OFFERS XP BULLETS FOR HANDLOADERS 130 Penn Am Drive, Suite D-1, Quakertown, PA 18951 (215) 536-4100/www.lehighdefense.com Hog hunters have a new line of ammunition at their disposal, the Controlled Chaos and Controlled Fracturing brands. For hog hunting in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, North Carolina and elsewhere that the expanding population of wild feral pigs is a problem, these new loads deliver more energy to the target. The company’s website includes loads in .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester and .300 Blackout. Xtreme Penetrator ammunition, for both riﬂes and handguns, features the CNC-machined bullet made from solid copper and produces a large wound cavity. The nose of this bullet features a unique design with an “X” produced by four concave cuts. Xtreme Penetrator ammunition is available in 9mm, .357 SIG, .380 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt, and riﬂe calibers including .308 Winchester and .300 Blackout.

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ROAD HUNTER

MAKE MINE A DOUBLE!

Plan Now To Score Multiple Big Game Species In The Same Western Hunting Trip ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN

The Salmon River Breaks of Idaho are prime habitat when it comes to elk, mule deer and whitetails.

ith a big bull elk and a nice whitetail in the back of the truck, I headed home happy from central Idaho. My mid-October hunt had been met with prime conditions – cold in Hells Canyon drainage for elk; snowing a few days later when it came time to pursue whitetails east of the gulch’s rim near Grangeville. Success didn’t come by chance on that trip, as I’d hoped to ﬁll two tags in a week’s worth of hunting. Once home, I got the deer and elk hanging, repacked and headed to Wyoming. Three days of hunting found me ﬁlling two more tags, a pronghorn and a muley. It was a great two weeks of hunting, but nothing extraordinary when it comes to big game hunting the West.

MAJOR SPORTSMEN’S SHOWS JAN. 8-11 International Sportsmen’s

greatamericanoutdoorshow.org

Exposition-Sacramento, Calif.; sportsexpos.com JAN. 8-11 2015 Minnesota Sportsmen’s Show, St. Paul, Minn.; stpaulsportshow.com JAN. 15-18 ISE-Denver, Colo.; sportsexpos.com JAN. 21-25 Chicago Outdoor Sports Show, Chicago, Ill.; chicagosportsmenshow.com JAN. 21-25 Washington Sportsmen’s Show, Puyallup, Wash.; otshows.com FEB. 4-8 Paciﬁc Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, Portland, Ore.; otshows.com FEB. 7-15 Great American Outdoor Show, Harrisburg, Pa.;

FEB. 19-22 ISE-Phoenix, Ariz.; sportsexpos.com MARCH 4-8 Fred Hall Show, Long Beach, Calif.; fredhall.com MARCH 5-8 Idaho Sportsmen’s Show, Boise, Idaho; idahosportsmanshow.com MARCH 12-15 ISE-Salt Lake City, Utah; sportsexpos.com MARCH 19-22 Big Horn Outdoor Adventure Show, Spokane, Wash.; wildlifecouncil.com/bighornsubsite/ index.html MARCH 26-29 Fred Hall Show, San Diego, Calif.; fredhall.com For more shows, see huntingﬁshingandoutdoorshows.com

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ROAD HUNTER THIS VAST REGION is still a place where hunting dreams can be lived. While many people feel the “good ol’ days” are gone, if you’re willing to look around and work at it, you’ll discover there’s plenty of great hunting available. And now is the time to start researching the best regions in the states you want to hunt, as well as start accumulating preference points just in case you’re not drawn this year. But if your goal is simply putting meat in the freezer, then the chances of drawing tags greatly increase. Meat hunts for small bulls and cow elk, or doe deer and antelope, make the odds of drawing tags even better. I have 15 years worth of preference points in multiple states, and am wondering if

Idaho whitetails abound, and there are some big bucks in both river bottom habitat and the high country. Scott Haugen took this buck south of Grangeville, southeast of Lewiston.

TIP SHEET FOR TWO-TIMERS

CALIFORNIA BLACKTAILS AND HOGS

OREGON ROOSEVELT ELK AND BLACKTAILS

IDAHO ELK AND WHITETAILS

Mid-October is prime time to score on Columbia blacktail deer and wild hogs in northern California. The best part is that both tags can be purchased over the counter in many units. There’s plenty of public land for blacktails, but hogs are a private land affair. For more information, contact booking agent and guide Parrey Cremeans at justforhunting.com.

If you’re looking for a coastal Roosevelt elk, midNovember is the time. While blacktail season is closed in the Coast Range at that time, there are many archery and muzzleloader seasons open in nearby parts of the state. If a Cascade Roosevelt elk works, spend a week chasing them in the Cascades, then the next week hunting blacktails in the same area. For more information on this Oregon double, contact Jody Smith at jodysmithguideservice.com.

Due to wolf predation, some of Idaho’s best deer and elk combination hunts now lie along the Snake and Clearwater Rivers breaks. The country is big and rugged, with long-range shooting being the norm. Be in shape for this October adventure. Mule deer and whitetail can be hunted in many places, along with elk. There’s a good deal of private land in this region, and some of the best is hunted by bouldercreekoutﬁtters.com.

WYOMING PRONGHORNS AND MULE DEER

Lots of animals in the north-central part of the state make this one of the most enjoyable big game combo hunts

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in the country. Mule deer and pronghorns abound, and while you won’t likely rewrite the record books any time soon, you will see hundreds of animals a day. While gaining access for pronghorns isn’t tough, getting permission to hunt muleys can be a challenge. There are some good public land spots for deer, between and around Sheridan and Buffalo, Wyo., but also lots of private land. For a guided combo hunt contact Jon Ball of jonsoutdoors.com.

ALASKA MOOSE AND CARIBOU

This is the ultimate challenge in do-it-yourself adventure. With caribou herds spread out and recent years’ migrations sporadic at best, timing is everything when it comes to caribou. Where they were last year at a certain time has no bearing on where they’ll be this season. Moose are more predictable. One of the best combination options is hopping on a bushplane in Kotzebue and getting dropped up north. Call Kotzebue Fish & Game for more details, and check out Western Shooting Journal’s sister publication Alaska Sporting Journal.

Alaska’s moose and caribou hunting could be North America’s most desired do-ityourself adventure. When targeting caribou, it’s all about timing and weather, so be prepared.

westernshootingjournal.com 109

ROAD HUNTER I’ll ever draw a trophy elk or deer tag in these areas before I get old. Going the guided route is also an option. With this investment comes guaranteed tags in many states, private land to hunt, and extra-high success rates. No matter where you plan on going, try organizing trips where multiple animals can be hunted at the same

time. This cuts overall costs and helps ensure greater success, with the increased likelihood of putting more meat in the freezer. With sportsmen’s show season going on around the country, now is a great time to meet with outﬁtters, booking agents and fellow hunters, and start planning trips of interest. What you’ll discover is that the “good

ol’ days” of hunting are still alive and well in the American West. WSJ Editor’s note: For signed copies of his popular big game hunting adventure book, Life In The Scope: The West, send $15 (free S&H) to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489 or order online at www. scotthaugen.com.

QUIK CAMO HATS: STAY UNDERCOVER

Quik Camo hats come in a variety of brands and patterns.

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A hunter’s face is the most challenging part of the body to camouﬂage. If you’re looking to draw animals close, it’s essential to be completely covered. Carrying a facemask works, but if you’re like me, it usually ends up in a place that’s not easy to access. Enter the Quik Camo hat. With a built-in mesh net, there’s never any question where it is, and it’s quick and easy to slip on. When not draped over your face, it’s easily stored under the cap, atop your head. When you’re ready to set up, simply lift the cap, give it a ﬂip and the mask drops into place. Masks on the Quik Camo hat are positioned at the back or up front, under the bill. They’re also designed for hunters who wear glasses. With many patterns to choose from, including 3D, there’s something to meet every hunter’s needs.

RELOADING 6-liter model with two ceramic heaters and ﬁve temperature settings. It has a pair of industrial grade transducers and a full-range timer that runs up to 60 minutes, plus a solution usage timer. It also boasts a three-color LED display. Bald Eagle’s 7.5-liter model has three ceramic heaters and ﬁve temperature settings. The threecolor LED display is user friendly, and this unit has three industrial-grade transducers with a fullrange timer that runs up to 60 minutes. The biggest of the bunch is a 9-liter model that has four ceramic heaters, a timer that runs up to 60 minutes, three-color LED display, 35kHz frequency with four industrial-grade transducers and stainless-steel tank.

HODGDON UNVEILS 2015 ANNUAL MANUAL

Lock-N-Load 1911 Auto Primer

HORNADY UNVEILS NEW EQUIPMENT, BULLETS P.O. Box 1848, Dept. WSJ, Grand Island, NE 68802/(308) 382-1390/www.hornady.com

6231 Robinson, P.O. Box 2392, Dept. WSJ Shawnee Mission, KS 66201 (913) 362-9455/www.hodgdon.com

Anyone who thought 2014 was big for Hornady needs to check out the introductions for reloaders that have been revealed for this year. Hornady is unveiling a new bullet, brass and reloading tools and accessories. For openers, all Hornady Match and A-MAX bullets will feature the new AMP (for Advanced Manufacturing Process) jacket. They have swaged lead cores and high ballistic coefficients for accuracy and flat trajectory. Hornady is also introducing the Lock-N-Load 1911 Auto Primer to fill primer tubes. It looks like a Government Model pistol and is powered by a couple of AAA batteries. It can fill a 100-count primer tube in about 15 seconds. For reloaders in need of fresh brass, Hornady is introducing unprimed cases in several calibers, in 50-count boxes. The selection includes .22 Hornet, .220 Swift, 6mm Remington, 7mm-08 Remington, 7x65R, .300 Remington Ultra Mag, .30-378 Weatherby, 8x57 JRS, .500-416 Nitro Express and .380 ACP. There are new Lock-N-Load bullet tubes for the 9mm, 10mm and .45-caliber bullets. Also in the Lock-N-Load lineup is the Neck Turn tool that allows the use of a cordless drill to speed up case neck turning, and the Quick Change Hand Tool that accepts chamfer/deburring tools, primer pocket reamers and brushes. Visit us at booth #13145

BALD EAGLE ULTRASONIC CLEANERS FROM BULLETS.COM P.O. Box 2219, 1821 Valencia Steet, Dept. WSJ Bellingham, WA 98227 (800) 235-0272/www.bullets.com Bullets.com has introduced new Bald Eagle ultrasonic cleaners, and there are models to ﬁt the needs of handloaders, whether they have small batches of brass or large. These cleaners range in size from a pint model to one that handles up to 9 liters. The 1-pint model has a stainless-steel tank and ﬁve built-in cycle times. It is quiet and features solid-state circuitry and digital programming. 6-liter ultrasonic cleaner.

Bald Eagle’s next in line is a 2.5-liter model which also has a stainless-steel tank, ceramic heater with internal safety timer and thermal cutoff. The timer can be set for up to 30 minutes, and there are ﬁve temperature settings. There’s also a

Once again, Hodgdon has updated its popular Annual Manual for 2015, featuring new data for three new propellants and 20 different riﬂe and handgun calibers, with data on the 26 Nosler. This magazine-format manual features data for the three new Enduron powders being introduced by IMR. In addition, it offers thousands of loads for other powders from IMR, Hodgdon and Winchester. Hodgdon says this publication offers more loads than any other reloading manual.

westernshootingjournal.com 113

RELOADING DPX bullets

CORBON BULLETS AS RELOADING COMPONENTS 1311 Industry Road Sturgis, SD 57785-9123 (605) 347-4544/www.corbon.com CorBon has entered the reloading market, offering its DPX line of bullets as components. Initially offered in 100-count boxes, CorBon’s DPX bullet offerings include an 80-grain, .355-caliber bullet for use in the .380 ACP; a 115-grain, .355-caliber bullet for the 9mm; a 140-grainer in .40 caliber and a 185-grain pill for use in the .45 ACP. The plan is to eventually have bullets available in all popular calibers from .32 to .500. Visit us at booth #12274

LYMAN HAS SEVERAL NEW RELOADING ACCESSORIES 475 Smith Street, Dept. WSJ, Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 632-2020/www.lymanproducts.com New from Lyman for reloaders in 2015 are several accessory tools that cover all kinds of chores, from melting lead for cast bullets to tumbling cases for an all-new look.

Mag 25 melting furnance For big melting jobs, Lyman has announced the new Mag 25 melting furnace. It has a 25-pound capacity and it offers precise digital thermal control, and it has a keypad. It operates on 850 watts of power and the temperature is digitally displayed on the front. Lyman also offers a new Ultimate Case Prep Kit. It includes small and large primer pocket reamers, nylon case-neck brushes in several calibers, an extra-large deburring tool, a bullet puller with two collets, an outside chamfer tool

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DILLON PRECISION HAS NEW TOOL HEAD STAND, NEW BOOK 8009 East Dillon Way, Dept. WSJ Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 948-8009/www.dillonprecision.com Dillon’s spotlight is on the Square Deal B Toolhead Stand and the Super 1050 Short Trim Die toolhead. The toolhead stand is a rugged unit that has six threaded slots for various dies. It holds the SBD toolhead, powder measure, dies and caliber conversion components. It has a solid blue base with rubber base pads. Square Dillon’s Super 1050 is a specialty toolhead designed for use on Deal B smaller cartridges, such as the .300 Blackout. Reloaders must use a short Toolhead trim die toolhead when using the Rapid Trim 1500 case trimmer. It allows for Stand the proper trimming and preparation of short rifle cases on the 1050. For everyone’s reading pleasure, Dillon has released a new book, 101 Classic Firearms: A Chronological Foray into the Golden Years of Firearms Development, by John Marshall, a long-time columnist for Dillon’s The Blue Press. It’s a 224-page treat, printed and bound in the U.S. and covers such legendary firearms as the Mauser Model 98, the Colt Single Action Army, the Model 1903 Springfield, German Luger P.08, the Model 1917 Enfield and Colt Government Model 1911. Visit us at booth #3014 and dry case neck lube. The design includes a bottom pour valve system and a universal mould guide that adjusts for popular blocks from several popular makers. There’s also a new Turbo Case/Media separator for improved sifting to get media out of clean brass cases. It has a solid latch to keep dust and media inside the container during operation, and it features a rotating basket that holds empty cases inside. Another Lyman sifting tool is the new Turbo Super Sifter. It has a stepped sidewall so it can be positioned over a common 2-gallon bucket and a deep design that prevents spillage. It also has large handles for a solid hold during the sifting process. On the subject of tumbling media, Lyman is introducing Turbo Tumbler media in jumbo 16- and 18-pound buckets. The media choices include untreated corncob and corncob green, both in 16-pound buckets and Tufnut crushed nutshells treated with rouge, in an 18-pound bucket. Lyman is unveiling a new Turbo Sonic 1200 Ultrasonic case cleaner. It has a midsize tank that can hold up to 350 9mm cases. It can clean cartridge brass, and clean and lubricate steel and stainless steel items. For active shooters, Lyman has announced it will offer a 5-gallon can of TurboSonic gun lube. This stuff works in an ultrasonic cleaning system, and provides deep lubrication and penetration. It leaves a dry protective film coating, and this gun lube may be used repeatedly. When the reloading is all done, people like to check their finished products, and Lyman is introducing cartridge checkers. They will be available for small and large rifle cartridges, and handgun cartridges. They are made from 6061 T6

aluminum and they are precisely machined. Visit us at booth #12724

CUTTING EDGE OFFERS REDESIGNED MTAC/MTH BULLETS 75 Basin Run Road, Dept. WSJ, Drifting, PA 16834 (814) 345-6690/www.cuttingedgebullets.com Cutting Edge has announced that its popular MTAC/MTH high-ballistic-coefﬁcient bullets have been re-designed, providing an opportunity for hunters to practice with less expensive solids weighing the same. The MTH hunting bullet is designed to fragment at the tip into three petals while the “Blunt Trauma Base” continues deeper into the target. The result is massive wound trauma. The MTAC is a match/tactical solid projectile that can be obtained in the same weight, and is less expensive than the hunting bullet, but still provides handloaders with the opportunity to cook up identical loads for practice. Offered in several caliber choices, Cutting

MTH hunting bullet

RELOADING Edge MTAC and MTH bullets feature solid copper construction, so they will work in areas where traditional lead projectiles are prohibited. Visit us at booth #2360

REDDING ADDS NEW DIES, ACCESSORIES 1089 Starr Road, Dept. WSJ, Cortland, NY 13045/(607) 753-3331/www.redding-reloading.com New dies for the 26 Nosler headline the 2015 entries from Redding, and there are crimp dies for four handgun calibers, and dual-ring carbide sets. The 26 Nosler is a sizzling hot cartridge introduced last year, and Redding is offering dies in Standard Full Length, Standard Neck and Deluxe

versions. There are bushing-style, Type-S and Type-S Match sets, along with a Competition Die set. For handgunners, Redding has a new Micrometer Adjusting Proﬁle crimp die for .38 Special/.357 Magnum and .44 Special and .44 Magnum. Both versions feature knurled micrometer-type heads that adjust to within +/0.001 inch, according to Redding, and a free-ﬂoating hardened-steel internal sleeve to form the crimp. Also new from Redding are additions to the National Match product line and carbide expander buttons. Joining the Redding line are dies for the .204 Ruger, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmore, .260 Remington and 7mm/08. The National Match set includes a full-length

sizing die, competition seating die and taper crimp die. Redding’s new Dual Ring Carbide sizing dies will be offered in various straight-wall calibers. The dual rings size cases to SAAMI specs. The use of dual rings creates case tension in the right spot for holding bullets securely for crimping. Visit us at booth #16527

SIERRA P.O. Box 818, 1400 West Henry Street, Dept. WSJ Sedalia, MO 65301 (660) 827-6300/www.sierrabullets.com New from Sierra for 2015 is the Inﬁnity Version 7 Exterior Ballistics software program, designed by Rodney Korn, who has designed software for Microsoft. Like the previous version, this new program allows a shooter to produce several trajectory charts with everything from point-blank range to maximum range and point of zero. The program is compatible with Windows 8 and 7, Vista, XP and Win2Kit, comes as a separate program, or in tandem with Sierra’s 5th Edition Reloading Manual.

WESTERN POWDERS’ ACCURATE LT-30 LIGHT TARGET POWDER P.O. Box 158, Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 234-0422/www.ramshot.com Western Powders’ LT-30 is in the spotlight for 2015, and it has already won several national competitions, according to company literature, during the research and development phase before it was available to American handloaders. It’s a versatile single-base propellant, featuring short extruded kernels for accurate metering and consistency. Designed for competitive benchrest shooters, it is a top choice for reloaders building rounds for the 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39 and the .30 BR. It is available in 8-pound canisters. Visit us at booth #3227

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COWBOY .25 .32 .38 .38 .38 .38-40 .44-40 .45LC .45LC .458

85 GR. 78 GR. 120 GR. 125 GR. 130 GR. 180 GR. 180 GR. 160 GR. 200 GR. 350 GR.

RNFP/500 RNFP/500 TC/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/500 RNFP/100

$28.00 $25.00 $32.00 $33.00 $34.00 $42.00 $42.00 $44.00 $44.50 $26.00

STANDARD .32KEITH .380 9MM 9MM .38 .38 .40 .45ACP .45ACP .45LC

125 GR. 95 GR. 115 GR. 125 GR. 148 GR. 158 GR. 180 GR. 200 GR. 230 GR. 255 GR.

SWC/500 RN/500 RN/500 RN/500 DEWC/500 SWC/500 RNFP/500 SWC/500 RN/500 SWC/500

$46.00 $30.00 $31.50 $33.00 $34.50 $36.00 $41.00 $42.50 $46.00 $55.00

GAS-CHECK .38 .357 .41 .44 .44 .44 .45LC .45LC .458 .500

158 GR. 180 GR. 230 GR. 240 GR. 240 GR. 305 GR. 260 GR. 325 GR. 430 GR. 440 GR.

SWC-HP/100 LBT-WFN/100 SWC/100 SWC-HP/100 SWC/100 LBT-WFN/100 SWC-HP/100 LBT-LWN/100 LBT-LWN/100 LBT-WFN/100

$21.50 $24.00 $26.00 $32.00 $32.00 $39.00 $37.00 $41.00 $49.00 $61.00

This is a good cross reference of the bullets we offer. We have about 144 set of molds with new molds coming. Sixteen employees working 10 hr. a day shifts 4 days a week with 9 casters, 6 auto lubers, and 12 VWDU OXEHUV JDV FKHFNLQJ HYHU\ GD\ :H KDYH EXOOHWV PDGH ZLWK 多YH different alloys that we order in 40,000 - 60,000 lbs at a time a mixed per our set alloys. By the time you read this ad we should be in our new state of the art 10 thousand square foot facility. Prices subject to change without notice.

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P.O. Box 1188 Cullman, AL 35056 Tel: 256-739-1606 Fax: 256-739-4683

Toll Free: 800-545-9376 www.zerobullets.com westernshootingjournal.com 117

LEHIGH DEFENSE OFFERS XP BULLETS FOR HANDLOADERS 130 Penn Am Drive, Suite D-1, Quakertown, PA 18951 (215) 536-4100/www.lehighdefense.com Handloaders can now utilize the Xtreme Penetrator bullets from Lehigh Defense, and they really do a job. These solid copper bullets feature a unique frontal design with radial ﬂutes that create a larger wound channel and better transfers energy. There are bullets listed on the website including a .429, 220-grainer for the .44 Magnum, and a .452 weighing 250 grains for the .45 Colt. Another entry is a .475-caliber bullet weighing 300 grains, and a .500-caliber pill weighing 350 grains.

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Dealer Inquiries Welcome

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IMR ADDS THREE NEW PROPELLANTS 6231 Robinson, P.O. Box 2392 Shawnee Mission, KS 66201 (913) 362-9455/www.imrpowder.com Three new propellants have been announced by IMR, all under the Enduron brand, and they cover lots of bases. The trio of powders feature a built-in copper fouling eliminator, and they are not sensitive to changes in temperature. All feature small grains for easy ﬂow, and IMR says they contain no ingredients that could harm the environment. For starters, there’s IMR 4166, a match-grade propellant designed for such cartridges as the venerable .257 Roberts, .22-250 Remington and .308 Winchester, among others. Next up is IMR 4451, a propellant for longaction cartridges and short magnums. The available literature points to .270 Winchester, .30-06 and the .300 Winchester Short Magnum as good cartridges for this powder, which has a midrange burn speed. IMR 7977 rounds out the new introductions. It has the slowest burn rate of the three, and is designed for magnum cartridges, including the .300 Winchester Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum and .338 Lapua. All three of these propellants will be available in 1- and 8-pound containers.

OPTICS SWAROVSKI SPOTLIGHTS NEW STR 80 SPOTTER 2 Slater Road, Dept. WSJ, Cranston, RI 02920/(800) 426-3089/www.swarovskioptik.com Boasting an illuminated reticle and 15 brightness levels, Swarovski Optik’s new STR80 spotting scope is built to deliver the goods for hunters and precision shooters. It will be on display at the January SHOT Show in Las Vegas, along with other Swarovski optics, including scopes and binoculars. This new spotter will accept Swarovski’s current eyepieces, the 20-60X and the 25-50xW wide angle. This is one rugged scope, with 10 daytime brightness levels and ﬁve night levels and a reticle that gets larger or smaller with the object in view through the magniﬁcation adjustments. This reticle is invaluable to precision shooters for adjusting shots in ¼-MOA or 0.10th MRAD increments, according to Swarovski literature. The optics in this scope are so sharp that users can spot bullet holes in targets at long range. Swarovski designed the STR 80 with an HD optical system. The lenses

SIGHTMARK PINNACLE FFP 1-6X24 RIFLESCOPE (817) 225-0310/www.sightmark.com Featuring premium Japanese glass, the Sightmark Pinnacle First First-Focal Focal Plane 11-6x24 6x24 Riﬂescope Series is designed in the U.S.The 1-6x24TMD features a multi-purpose Tactical Mil-Dash

Pinnacle FFP 1-6x24 Riﬂescope

The new XTR II riﬂescope family for 2015 is for longrange precision shooters with new proprietary special competition reticles (SCR) that come in two variations, the SCR MOA and SCR MIL. There are seven scopes in the lineup, including a 2-10x42mm with the SCR MOA reticle, a pair of 3-15x50mm models, one with the SCR MIL and the other with

feature Swarovski’s specialty coatings, Swarodur, Swarotop and Swaroclean. Together, they deliver an image that offers superb contrast and amazing color ﬁdelity, the company says. The scope has a rugged exterior and precision adjustments, and it may be adapted for use with an SLR camera. Vist us at booth #12120

reticle and fully adjustable ballistics-tested BDC dials for 5.56x45 55-grain and 7.62x51 180-grain loads. The 1-6x24AAC includes a CDC-300 reticle for subsonic and supersonic .300 Blackout, with holdovers from 100 to 800 yards. h Both models have a first-focal plane reticle, kee keeping it in the same visual p proportion to the target across the r riflescope’s entire magnification r range, and allowing shooters to rangefind and shoot with hold holdovers at any Th true 1x provides distance. The both-eyes-ope usage both-eyes-open situa for increased situational

BURRIS UNVEILS XTRII RIFLESCOPE FOR ‘15 920 54th Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Greeley, CO 80634 (970) 356-1670/www.burrisoptics.com

STR80 spotting scope

awareness at close range, while the 6x optical system hones in on far-away targets with ease. Shooters also have the luxury of a capped or exposed turret option, helping to protect the optic from impact. Visit us at booth #11924

VORTEX DIAMONDBACK HP RIFLESCOPES 2120 West Greenview Drive Middleton, WI 53562 (800) 426-0048 www. vortexoptics.com The all-new Diamondback HP (High Performance) riﬂescopes

XTR II 5-25X50mm riﬂescope

the SCR MOA. That pattern continues through the other four scopes, which include two 4-20X50mm models and a duo of 5-25X50mm scopes. The XTR scope series features Burris’ new XT-100 click adjustment knob. This offers 100 clicks per rotation, allowing shooters to more ﬁnely tune their scope adjustments. According to Burris, this will take tactical calibers “out past 1,000 yards in a single turn.” Vist us at booth #12755

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OPTICS offer a full-on array of high-performance features that discerning hunters are sure to appreciate— game animals, not so much. Optically, these scopes hit the proverbial mark: XD extra-low dispersion glass increases resolution and color fidelity while XR fully multi-coated lenses maximize every minute of shooting light. The side focus/parallax adjustment is easily accessible p g a trim pprofile and allowing g optimal p while keeping mounting height. And, with a 4x zoom range, the Diamondback HPs offer highly versatile magnification configurations to suit a wide variety

Diamondback HP Riﬂescopes

of ﬁrearms and shooting applications. Okay, it seems the buck does stop here. Vist us at booth #20439, 4150, 4250

STEINER ADDS NEW MERLIN PRO BINOCULAR 920 54th Avenue, Suite 200, Greeley, CO 80634 (888) 228-7747/www.steiner-optics.com

LN-ERS30M

LUNA OPTICS ANNOUNCES NEW NIGHT VISION SIGHT 54 Columbus Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Staten Island, NY 10304/(718) 556-5862/www.lunaoptics.com New from Luna Optics for 2015 is a compact elite sight they’re calling the LN-ERS30M, which can handle hard recoil and still deliver tremendous optical performance. This sight has simple controls, offering a high-resolution Generation -2+ intensifier tube for sharp, clear images. It has a 54mm objective for pulling in lots of light and making it possible to zero on targets several hundred yards away. This new scope features a Mil-Dot style reticle with variable illumination that is available in three colors: red, orange and amber. It also boasts a range-finding scale that allows quick calculation of distance to long-range targets, and it may be equipped with the optional Extended Range IR illuminators that are easy for users to install. In addition, Luna offers the Digital Viewer, which allows HD video recording and provides a transition between full color and night vision green, the company says. It utilizes a high-resolution CMOS sensor that has precision glass optics and allows 5-20x magnification. Users can take pictures and record high-definition video onto a Micro SD card, and viewers can have a look at objects closer, thanks to an electronic zoom system. Vist us at booth #619

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE

STAYING FOCUSED:

SWAROVSKI’S NEW STR80 SPOTTING SCOPE BRINGS TROPHIES CLOSE!

n the far country, knocking down a trophy requires more than just luck. It takes good optics that can reach out across hundreds of yards, or maybe a mile from where you’re stationed, to spot a good ram, bull caribou or elk, a trophy buck or mountain goat. That’s where the new Swarovski Optik STR80 spotting scope will prove its worth, and deliver the goods. The STR80 is just the latest in a long line of superb Austrian optics that have earned a sterling reputation among discerning American sportsmen and -women, guides, longrange target shooters and wildlife

enthusiasts. Binoculars, riflescopes and spotters have all come through with notched tags, meat in the larder and memories for many years to come. Living up to that tradition, the new STR80 spotting scope features an illuminated reticle (either MOA or MRAD) with 15 brightness settings. That includes 10 day levels and five night levels. Anybody who hunts in low-light conditions at dawn and dusk, or finds himself moving across various types of terrain that might include looking into areas with timber, will

certainly ﬁnd a use for this feature. Swarovski designed this scope to work with existing eyepieces, so the 20-60X and the 25-50XW wide angle will both work. In addition, it is adaptable for use with an SLR camera. That makes the STR80 one very powerful telephoto lens! The scope has an HD optical system, and the lenses have all three of Swarovski’s proprietary specialty coatings: Swarotop, Swarodur

and Swaroclean. There are other superb optics wearing the Swarovski brand, including the New Generation SLC binoculars in 8x42mm, 10x42mm and 15x56mm. The New Generation SLC binoculars are center-focus, roof-prism models. They feature twist-down eye cups to accommodate people who wear eyeglasses. Like other Swarovski models, they have a tough outer coating that protects the binoculars from the rigors of outdoor use. The 8X model provides a 408-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, while the 10X model offers a 330-foot field of view at that distance. The 15X model has a 234-foot field of view at that

range. The 8X model weighs 28½ ounces, while the 10X scales an even 28 ounces. The 15X model comes in at 42.3 ounces. These binoculars have advanced optics featuring state-of-the-art lens coatings and HD optics. The result is a high-

contrast image, sharp from edge-to-edge, that enables a hunter to tell the difference between a good rack and a great one. In addition, Swarovski recently announced the CL Companion Africa binocular model, available in 8x30mm and 10x30mm. It’s an exclusive travel edition featuring adjustable eyepieces for eyeglass wearers, and a handcrafted bag made from waxed canvas. It also comes with covers for the eyepieces and objective lenses, a carrying strap and wrist strap.

2 Slater Road • Dept. WSJ Cranston, RI 02920 (800) 426-3089 www.swarovskioptik.com

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OPTICS NIGHTVISION4LESS (800) 771-6845/www.nightvision4less.com The PVS-14 monocular is a versatile and popular night vision product. A veritable Swiss Army Knife of night-time equipment, its optics are capable of handling and excelling elling at almost any task, from security and surveillance illance to navigation, hunting and wildlife management, ment, to name just a few. The PVS-14 is small, lightweight,, and works equally well mounted on an AR-15 riﬂe or mounted on your head for hands-free operation. In addition to performance and versatility, the PVS-14 is full Military Spec pec quality, so durability and longevity are the best you can an get. The other most noteworthy feature on the device is the Manual anual Gain control that enhances the unit’s capability and enables it to better resolve images in both brighter and lower light conditions. The PVS-14’s Hand Select Image Tubes are simply awesome. With a guaranteed signal-to-noise ratio of 27.00 or higher plus exceptional image clarity, it doesn’t get any better than these tubes. bes. Only a very small percentage of the manufacturer’s image tubes make the hand-select cut. With these image tubes you can expect superior performance in the darkest environments environments, giving you longer range and improved resolution in very low light. The multi-purpose workhorse has a number of accessories that can further increase its capability – for example, using a weapon-mounted NV compatible Eotech red dot sight or an eye-safe infrared laser in conjunction with a properly set up helmet-mounted PVS-14. This system will give you the ultimate tactical capability and situational awareness. Should you go this route, contact Nightvision4less sales staff for help setting it up.

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New for 2015 from Steiner is the T5Xi series of tactical riflescopes, and they feature a Germanengineered optical system, while the scopes are designed, machined and assembled in the U.S. There are initially three models in the series, two larger models and a compact. The 5-25x56mm model is designed for longrange precision shooting. It has an SCR (for Special Competition Reticle) that is located in the first focal plane. The other full-size model is a 3-15x50mm that is actually about 2 inches shorter than comparable models, built on the M110 platform. The compact model is a 1-5x24mm designed for quick target acquisition when set on 1X. A Rapid Dot reticle is available on this model, calibrated for 5.56mm and 7.62mm calibers. Steiner’s T5X1 scopes feature 30mm or 34mm tubes, 5X zoom, broadband anti-reflection coatings, large windage and elevation adjustment knobs and low-profile turrets. The illuminated reticles have seven night and four day levels. When in the “off” position the battery is completely disconnected. Each scope comes with Tenabrex scope covers.

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SHOOTING WITH LARYSA

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Before She Unleashes Her Deadly Shot, Larysa Learns The Right Moments To Draw Her Bow ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY LARYSA SWITLYK

Challenging herself to take a big bull elk with a bow, Larysa Switlyk waits for the shot while accompanied by her guide on the Quinlan Ranch of north-central New Mexico.

recently came back from an epic elk hunt at the Quinlan Ranch in New Mexico. I was fortunate to be there right in the middle of the rut and had elk bugling all around me. This was my third time hunting the ranch, which is located near Chama, not far south of the Colorado border, and in previous years I’ve hunted some amazing elk with a riﬂe. This time, though, I wanted to challenge myself and hunt strictly with a bow. I was equipped with my Limbsaver Bow, broadheads and binoculars. I learned a ton about myself as a hunter, and even more from the mistakes I made. Yes, I admit that at one point I had my guide yelling at me, which almost brought me to tears of

disappointment. I was not trusting my gut instinct and was second guessing myself. I made a lot of mistakes on this hunt, but if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have the end result: a beautiful bull elk. IT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY hot out during my hunt, and the bulls were not coming to a cow call, so we decided to sit over a water hole. Once we were set up, a bull and cow came right in on us. I was sitting behind some fallen wood and scrub. While my eye was on this bull, another came down from the mountain just bugling his head off, charging forward, closer and closer. I heard my guide say: “Thirty yards, 20 yards, eh ... eh … try to draw back.” The bull came within 12 yards, but he was way too close for me to draw back

without him noticing. I tried anyways, but of course he heard, looked straight at me and took off. He’d surprised us, as we weren’t ready, but it was hard not to be all shook up when such a huge animal gets that close to you. Even though the elk spooked, he stopped at 60 yards. I drew back but was shaking too hard. I was trying to steady my pin and bring my bow sight up on his body. When I ﬁnally released, the arrow I was still moving the bow upwards, which caused my arrow to ﬂing directly over his back. Lesson learned: Calm thy nerves before trying to shoot, and don’t try to settle the pin moving up, Larysa. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE on this hunting trip because I had a lot of chances at westernshootingjournal.com 129

SHOOTING WITH LARYSA could even get half drawn. “You need to know when to draw back,” my guide told me sternly. “When he was behind the trees was the perfect time, before he popped out.” I felt like I should have known better, but after allowing myself two minutes to get upset, I made sure to engrave the mistake on my mind so it doesn’t happen again. Taking what I learned from my other encounters helped build on my hunting skills, and when the right situation came for my elk, I applied everything I knew for a perfect shot. All this was ﬁlmed for an upcoming show of Larysa Unleashed on the Sportsman Channel, to air in 2015! WSJ Success! After several missed opportunities, Switlyk connected with this 6x6 Southern Rockies bull.

elk. During another encounter, we again weren’t expecting elk, and again I tried to shoot when I shouldn’t have. The elk passed some trees and had me

pinned. He walked out and ended up at 30 yards, but he knew exactly where I was, so it was too late to pull back. I tried anyway and he took off before I

Editor’s note: Larysa Switlyk is a CPA turned professional outdoorswoman sharing her passion for her main pursuit to inﬂuence and encourage other females and children to get involved in the outdoors.

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Accessories ALTAMONT HAS NEW GRIP INTRODUCTIONS 901 North Church Street, Dept. WSJ, Thomasboro, IL 61878/(800) 626-5774/www.altamontco.com Altamont was busily working on its new replacement grip introductions for 2015 at press time, but there were some details available. The lineup will include a set of premier decorative grips for Luger pistols. There are also replacement panels for Bersa semiautos and a new line of G10 replacement grips. Also look for additional grip choices for “tactical” Model 1911 pistols. In addition, Altamont was planning other new components, including mainspring housings. If they are not available at the SHOT Show, they will likely appear later in the spring. Visit us at booth #2357

BATTENFELD’S CALDWELL ENTRIES COVER LOTS OF GROUND 5885 West Van Horn Tavern Road, Dept. WSJ, Columbia, MO 65203/(573) 445-9200 www.battenfeldtechnologies.com New from Caldwell for 2015 are an AK magazine charger and a DeadShot FieldPod Max model. The AK-47 Mag Charger accepts up to 50 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and it loads five rounds per stroke. The Mag Charger is compatible with all AK-type magazines, whether made from molded plastic or the Mil-Spec variety. It is made from a rugged polycarbonate. The DeadShot FieldPod Max is a terrific accessory for making precision shots in the field. Adjustable from 20- to 48-inch heights, the FieldPod Max features a bubble level for reference, independent leg adjustment for uneven ground, a dual tube frame compatible with detachable magazine rifles, and a pivot that allows a shooter to pivot the rifle up and down or rotate right and left. Made with a cast aluminum hub, it can be adjusted to any gun or crossbow and it quickly collapses for transport. Also from Battenfeld is a Frankford Arsenal

Battenfeld AK-47 Mag Charger

Altamont Grips

platinum series depriming tool that is handheld. Designed to handle calibers from .20 to .338 Lapua, the tool has a removable spent primer catch tube. It features machine-grade die construction. Rounding out the new Battenfeld lineup is a series of Tipton Max Force cleaning rods. There are two models, one to

handle .17 and .22 calibers, and the other capable of handling .22 through .45 calibers. They are lightweight and solvent resistant, and have 40-inch rods and adjustable handles. A patent-pending clamp mechanism clamps the handle to the rod at any location. Visit us at booth #12525

Bald Eagle 1156

NEW SAFES FROM BULLETS.COM P.O. Box 2219, 1821 Valencia Street, Dept. WSJ, Bellingham, WA 98227/ (800) 235-0272 www.bullets.com Bullets.com has announced a full line of rugged gun safes from Bald Eagle, designed and constructed especially for this Washington State company. For people with limited space and a few firearms, there’s a fivegun safe with an interior lock box for a handgun. It has five locking bolts, soft Bald Eagle 1158 barrel rests and a powdercoat finish and interior hinges. Next up is a pair of nearly identical models, one for eight long guns and the other for 12 guns. Both have interior lock boxes for handguns. They measure 57 inches high and approximately 20 inches wide. All of these safes have keypad electronic opening with manual key backup. The next largest measures 60x30x24 inches, followed by a 60x40x24-incher, and the largest of the lot comes in at 72x42x28 inches. All three have chrome locking bolts and heavy-duty Securam digital locks. The smaller three safes are black, and the larger models are red.

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Accessories BROWNING OFFERS NEW SAFES, FLASHLIGHTS One Browning Place, Dept. WSJ, Morgan, UT 84050 (801) 876-2711/www.browning.com For 2015, Browning is adding to its ProSteel safe line, including a new Heavy Safe model and Pistol Vaults. There’s also a new feature called ThermaBlock fire protection that is exclusive to ProSteel safes. This new feature has thicker sheets of fire insulation in an interlocking pattern to reduce gaps that might allow internal temperatures to increase in the event of fire. Browning’s Heavy Safe series models are built with 11-gauge steel and feature Pry-Stop bolts. Heavyweight safes have a 1-inch formed door with an inner plate and the Force Deflector locking system. There are four models in the series, finished in textured charcoal or gloss black. The ProSteel safe line is expanding to include the new Pistol Vault 500 and 1000 models. Made with 10-gauge steel, they feature an electronic four-button touch pad that is powered by eight AA batteries. There’s an interior LED light. There’s a manual backup operated by a unique key. In the flashlight arena, Browning offers a new Black Label model called the Disrupter. It produces 2,800 lumens of light that reaches out to 500 yards. It has a bezel design to prevent rolling, and the light is

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delivered by three white Cree LED lights. There are also three red LEDs and three green LEDs. Browning also is introducing Epic headlamps, powered by a single AA battery and featuring multiple LEDs. They feature flexible headplates and matte black polymer bodies with Vista camo on the front. The 4-in-1 Survival Pen is a combination flashlight, cap light, writing pen and glass breaker with a hardened tungsten-carbide point. It has an aluminum body, pocket clip and eight-hour run time. Lastly, Browning has announced the new 3C High Noon Spotlight, that is much brighter than previous models. It is available in several finishes including a camo pattern. Visit us at booth #15129, 15538, 12740

BULLET BUNKER UPGRADES ITS FREEDOM MODEL P.O. Box 400, Port Clinton, OH 43452 (419) 341-1416/www.thebulletbunker.com The popular Freedom Model bullet trap for largecaliber cartridges is newly updated for 2015, and it can stop virtually any type of bullet, including those designed to stop dangerous game. Bullet Bunker traps are built to last, and the Freedom Model is no wimp. It hits the scale at 800 pounds, and on the inside there are layers of ballistic fabric laminated within a specially designed rubber

Bullet Bunker Freedom Model

face. The material is the same polyester-nylon blend that is used in soft body armor. The face of this unit is a self-sealing material through which bullets can pass tens of thousands of times before it needs to be replaced. It can stop anything from .17-caliber rimﬁre rounds to the .460 Weatherby, and other cartridges including the .375 H&H, the .416 Remington Magnum, .458 Winchester Magnum and the .470 Nitro Express. According to Bullet Bunker, the Freedom Model can also stop a projectile from a 25mm cannon. The Freedom Model measures 31.76 inches deep by 30.08 inches wide and 37.95 inches high. Visit us at booth #2240

Accessories CANNON UNVEILS A100 GUN SAFE 19949 Kendall Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92407/(909) 382-0303/www.cannonsafe.com Cannon’s new roomy A100 gun safe is a real piece of work, featuring a huge capacity that can store scores of firearms, both long guns and handguns, along with other valuables. Weighing more than 1,000 pounds, this big safe measures 59x52x35 inches on the outside, and takes up 62.14 cubic feet of space. Inside, the storage space is 56¾ x 50 3/16 x 287/8 inches. The door has a fivespoke handle and a dozen 1¼x4-inch bolts. It is 4 3/16 Cannon A100 inches thick and the safe provides 45 minutes of fire protection. Cannon’s huge safe is built from heavy-gauge steel and has a plush lining that protects the finish of every firearm inside. Handguns can be stored in bags on the inside of the door, and there is loads of room for shotguns and rifles. Visit us at booth #12714

CARLSON’S CHOKE TUBES UNVEILS NEW MODELS 720 South Second Street, P.O. Box 162, Dept. WSJ Atwood, KS 67730/(785) 626-3700 www.choketube.com Turkey and upland bird hunters have two new choke tubes on the way from Carlson for 2015, with versions to ﬁt all popular shotguns. The Long Beard turkey choke and Rooster choke were developed to address what Scott Carlson said is a “misconception” about which chokes to use for certain loads. Carlson develops chokes by actually shooting ammunition through various chokes to see what patterns best. The Long Beard choke has a tighter constriction that will produce a good pattern using Winchester’s Long Beard XR ammunition. It works

Carlson’s Choke Tubes Long Beard

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Accessories Eartheasy LifeStraw

EARTHEASY’S NEW LIFESTRAW GO FILTER BOTTLE NOW AVAILABLE 758 Phillips St., Parkville, BC CANADA (888) 451-6752/www.buylifestraw.com The new LifeStraw Go integrates the awardwinning LifeStraw Personal water filter into a sport bottle. Made of durable BPA-free Tritan plastic, LifeStraw Go is ideal for hiking, camping, travel, emergency preparedness and survival. The LifeStraw hollow-fiber-membrane filtration technology makes contaminated water safe to drink, removing 99.9999 percent of waterborne bacteria, and 99.9 percent of waterborne protozoan parasites, including cryptosporidium, giardia and E. coli. LifeStraw Go will filter a minimum of 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water. LifeStraw won Time Magazine Invention of the Year in 2005, the 2008 Index Award, and the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas. With the Follow the Litres program, for every LifeStraw water filter sold, a child in Africa receives clean water for an entire school year.

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Western Shooting Journal // January 2015

well with other turkey-speciﬁc loads too. Likewise, the Rooster choke will deliver the goods with Winchester’s Rooster XR shotshells, but will also produce good patterns with other comparable upland ammunition. These new chokes are made from 17-4 stainless steel. They are heat-treated and carry a lifetime warranty. Carlson also has a two-pack waterfowl choke set for midrange and long-range shooting with steel shot. Like the other choke tubes, these are extended and may be inserted by hand without the use of a special tool. There are models to ﬁt Remington, Benelli, Beretta, Winchester and Mossberg shotguns. Visit us at booth #1114

FORT KNOX ENJOYS HOT MARKET FOR VAULT DOORS 993 North Industrial Park Road, Orem, UT 84057 (801) 224.7233 www.ftknox.com While Fort Knox is keeping a tight lid on its new introductions for 2015, the company has acknowledged that one of the hottest items going into the New Year is the vault door. People building new homes, or even doing major remodeling projects, are investing in vault doors to protect not only ﬁrearms but also other

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Accessories LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL HAS SIGHTS, COMPONENTS 1305 11th Street West, Dept. WSJ, Milan, IL 61264/(309) 787-7151 www.lewismachine.net

LMT Flip-up Sights

Lewis Machine & Tool has flip-up sights and accessory components for AR-type rifles. The sights are Mil-Spec phosphate steel, and will work either on 5.56mm or 7.62mm caliber rifles. The rear sight is ½ MOA-adjustable for height and ¼ MOA adjustable for windage. The .308-caliber model is designed for rifle-length rails and is marked for up to 800 yards, while the 5.56 version is designed for carbine-length rails and is marked for up to 700 yards. These sights attach to the LMT Flip-up Sights rails and are tightened with a flathead screwdriver. LMT’s rugged DMR stock fits the AR and features a MilSpec extension tube. The OAL is 9.25 inches collapsed and 10.5 inches extended. It has an adjustable cheek rest and buttpad for reduced felt recoil. It features four QD sling swivel sockets. For law enforcement and military applications, there are some stock assemblies for 40mm singleshot launchers. They are made with Mil-Spec anodized aluminum and Phosphated steel. Visit us at booth #20252, 20249

valuables. Some people even install vault doors to close off a wine cellar, while others store important documents inside of a vault. These are rugged accessories that are installed complete with frames. They are increasingly popular for setting up walk-in security rooms, and Fort Knox designs them with an Inside Release Mechanism that allows them to be opened from the inside, providing a safe room for a family in the event of an emergency. Fort Knox vault doors feature a Quadrafold doorframe and up to 24 active door-locking bolts measuring 1 ½ inches in diameter. This includes patented Star corner bolts on the Executive vault door model. They also feature EasyGlide concealed ball bearing hinges and a ﬁve-spoke clutch drive spinner handle. Visit us at booth #10319

advanced model can be adjusted for left- or right-handed shooters. The standard model is not adjustable and will ﬁt in a gun’s drawbolt hole. The Max model is 5 inches long and installs in synthetic stocks as well as wood stocks with a 7/8-inch hole. The Edwards Recoil Reducer has earned a reputation for reliability in riﬂes ranging up to the .505 Gibbs. It is an aluminum cylinder in three lengths, 3, 3½ and 4 inches, and the design features a piston placed between a pair of springs. Once installed, recoil is noticeably diminished. Visit us at booth #2818

EDWARDS RECOIL REDUCER TAMES THE KICK

P.O. Box 300, Dept. WSJ, Hamel, MN 55340 (612) 729-3829/www.hiperfire.com

1300 Seabright Drive, Dept. WSJ, Annapolis, MD 21409 (442) 995-2157/www.edwardsrecoilreducer.com For decades, the Edwards Recoil Reducer has given shooters a break from punishing recoil, and the tradition continues this year as the company celebrates 50 years since its beginning in 1965. The Edwards system is simple, and the most

Edwards Recoil Reducer

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HIPERFIRE OFFERS NEW AR R FIRE CONTROLS Joining the already-proven Hipertouch fire controls for AR15/10 rifles will be two new entries ries from Hiperfire, the Enhanced Duty Trigger and a further-enhanced version of the Enhanced Duty ty Trigger model. These are drop-in units that install like Mil-Spec triggers with hard-hitting hammers. Like the other trigger assemblies in the Hipertouch family, ily, these are built with heat-treated alloy steels and nd they will provide long service. The Hipertouch EDT is a single-stage trigger with a curved trigger bow, a fast reset and flat pre-travel. The further-enhanced version was in pre-production at press time. They join four Hipertouch models that were designed with lighter triggers and have become popular with competitors and hunters because they are user-adjustable. Where the Hipertouch 24, 24E, 24 3G and 24C fire controls have low weight let-offs, the new models are adjustable for medium to heavy weights and come in at 4½ or 5½

Hiperﬁre 24C

pounds, settable by the user, for street duty and home defense. All of the 24 models can be adjusted from 2 to 4 pounds, and have a best-in-class high-energy hammer fall, curved trigger surface (bow). The 24E features elite enhancements. The 24 3G features enhancements for the 3 Gun match shooters, like virtually no creep and a fast, positive reset. The 24C is identical to the 24 3G, but with a straight trigger bow and adjustable Hipershoe. Visit us at booth #3016

Accessories FLIP-N-TARGETS HAS FOUR POPULAR WOODEN STANDS

targets measuring 24x35 inches with callout targets, with a frame that measures 30x35 inches.

P.O. Box 1415, Dept. WSJ, Gardnerville, NV 89410 (775) 315-5234/www.flip-n-target.com

PURE GOLD CHOKES FROM GAME ACCESSORIES

Offering what they claim is the world’s finest folding wooden target stand, the folks at Flip-N-Target are proving it by producing four models that can actually be repaired by the users, simply by getting materials at the hardware and lumber store. Flip-N-Targets specializes in DIY (do it yourself) targets, which include the Sportsman, Pro, Qualifier and Tactical models. The Sportsman, according to the company website, was designed for use by rifle shooters. It is a small, lightweight model that can be carried for some distance. It measures 24x30 inches, and it weighs 16 pounds. The ProModel is for handgunners, and they are sized to accommodate QR-style paper targets. Its target frame measures 24x35 inches, and that size works well with typical handgun targets. This model weighs 17 pounds. Flip-N’s Qualifier model is designed for use with full-size NRA police silhouette-style targets. The frame measures 24x45 inches, so it will handle most cardboard targets. It weighs 18 pounds. Weighing 19 pounds, the heaviest of all these targets is the Tactical model. This one handles paper

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2262 Brattonsville Road, Dept. WSJ, McConnells, SC 29726 (803) 328-6829/www.gameacc.net The Titanium Diamond Series of chokes from Pure Gold are offered for various shotguns separately or in singles or sets. Models are available for the Browning Invector PLUS, Beretta Optima and Optima HP, Blaser, Krieghoff, and Browning Invector DS. These chokes feature the scratch-resistant DLC Diamond-like coating, and because they are made from

Flip-n-Targets

Pure Gold Titanium Diamond Series

titanium, they are far lighter than steel chokes and stronger than aluminum. It is important to note

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Accessories that chokes for the Beretta Optima are not interchangeable with the Optima-Choke HP system, which is why Pure Gold offers specific chokes for each system. The Optima (not HP) series will work with DT10, AL-391, 682 Gold E, 687 Silver Pigeon II, AL-391, Urika 2 Gold/parallel Target and Sporting Models, UGB25 and XCEL Trap. Meanwhile, the Optima HP series works with the SV10 Perennia, SV10 Prevail, A400 Xplor, UGB25 Sporting and DT11. The new Browning DS choke system will work in the Model 725 and A5 models. Pure Gold also offers Slip 2000 Choke Cleaner, a nonflammable, biodegradable formula that can also be used for cleaning firearms and gas piston parts.

drawn from either the front or back pocket, without the holster moving. There’s a variation for the Sig with a laser that is called the Model 2500-14. These same holsters, with different numeric designations are built for the Glock 42. The opentop holster is the 1142, and the pocket model is the 2500-15. These holsters are offered in either chestnut tan or black, and they are built in the U.S. from 100 percent top-grain vegetable-tanned cowhide.

KICK-EEZ ANNOUNCES NEW PATRIOT PAD

1136

1819 Schurman Way, Suite 106, Woodland, WA 98674 (877) 542-5339/www.kickeezproducts.com

HUNTER LEATHER EXPANDS MODELS 3300 West 71st Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Westminster, CO 80030/(800) 676-4868/www.huntercompany.com Hunter Leather has expanded its holster offerings to include rigs designed for the Sig Sauer Model 938 and Glock 42 pistols. There are open-top and pocket models, including the Model 1136 for the Sig Sauer, which features a sewn belt loop and retention screw so the holster may be adjusted for snugness. Another model for the Sig 938 is Hunter’s 250013 pocket holster, which allows the pistol to be

Kick-EEZ Patriot Series

1142

2500-15

The latest recoil pad innovation from KICK-EEZ is The Patriot series, and it is identifiable by its striking red, white and blue coloring. According to KICK-EEZ, the Patriot Pad will be offered in the company’s two most popular sizes to fit a wide range of firearms. Created from Sorbothane, a modern material that provides tremendous cushioning and recoil reduction, the Patriot Pad joins a full line of KICK-EEZ recoil pads. They are all 100-percent American made, and the surface is textured for a solid fit against the shooter’s shoulder. These new pads will be available after the SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Visit us at booth #3263

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Accessories LYMAN OFFERS GUN MAINTENANCE MAT 475 Smith Street, Dept. WSJ, Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 632-2020/www.lymanproducts.com New from Lyman for 2015 is a handy product called the Essential Gun Maintenance Mat, with an interesting design feature.

The mat incorporates several recessed sections. They work to prevent parts from rolling off and onto the ﬂoor, or to keep small spills from spreading. Made from a soft but tough polymer, the Essential Gun Maintenance Mat won’t scratch gun surfaces. Also, it shouldn’t slide off a bench. Visit us at booth #12724

PACHMAYR ANNOUNCES NEW ACCESSORIES 475 Smith Street, Dept. WSJ, Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 632-2020/www.pachmayr.com There are several new products from Pachmayr this year that include a new plug screw assortment, screwdriver kit, gunsmith tool kit and handgun grips.

LIBERTY SAFE ANNOUNCES HD SAFE SERIES 1199 West Utah Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Payson, UT 84651/(866) 537-0165/www.libertysafe.com

Liberty Safe HD-300

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Liberty has six small safes in its HD series, all able to store handguns safely and ﬁve that offer lighted interiors and auto opening doors. Starting with the simple HD-90 Key Vault, measuring 2.5x10.8x8.3 inches, this is a key access safe with a foam-lined interior and security cable that allows it to be anchored. Liberty’s HD-100 Quick Vault features the Soft Touch Combo (combination) opening with a lighted interior and auto-opening door. It also comes with a security cable and is the same size as the HD-90. The HDX–150 Smart Vault measures 12.4x8.5x2.2 inches and features Reliable Biometric Access. It also has a lighted interior and security cable. Next up is the HD-200 Quick Vault, measuring 5.4x12.4x8.5 inches. This larger unit also features the Soft Touch Combo opening and an auto-opening door. The HDX-250 Smart Vault measures 12x11x7 inches. It has the Reliable Biometric Access, lighted interior and autoopening door. Liberty’s HD-300 Quick Vault measures 8.3x3.9x10.1. Visit us at booth #13623, 2718

Accessories YANKEE HILL MACHINE OFFERS NEW HANDGUARDS

YHM SLK Handguard

20 Ladd Avenue, Suite 1, Dept. WSJ, Florence, MA 01062 (877) 892-6533/www.yhm.net Handguards introduced at midyear in 2014 are still very much in the spotlight for Yankee Hill Machine, and they represent precision engineering and design. One model that will quickly find favor with hunters is the Deer Tracks Handguard, with a unique vent pattern that actually does look like sets of deer tracks running fore to aft. These cutouts reduce weight and help keep the barrel cool. This handguard has a couple YHM Deer Tracks Handguard The new Master Gunsmith plug screw assortment has 120 pieces. They fit virtually all open scope and sight h are a dozen each of the ten base holes, and there most frequently required sizes. There are pieces with either stainless or black oxide finishes and the slotted screws are offered with straight-sided flush mounts and headed positive stop designs, according to Pachmayr. Another new tool entry is the Master Gunsmith 10-piece screwdriver set. They have a new design that features hollow-ground, magnetized S2 steel tips. Each screwdriver has a through-shaft handle design with steel striking cap. The handles are polymer coated and feature triangular Torq Grip

of threaded holes at the 12 o’clock position on the muzzle end that allow for ﬁtting of a 3-inch rail. There’s another threaded hole for installing a stud for either a sling swivel or mounting a bipod. The unit measures 12.25 inches. mo The SLK handguard is a keymod unit available in three different lengths. These keymod rails can be customized and they feature le a lightweight Picatinny rail machined at the 12 o’clock position. They come in lengths of 7.3 inches, 9.25 inches and 12.25 inches. Another Yankee Hill entry is the Tactical Charging Handle latch. This little accessory adds a scant half of an inch to the length la handle and weighs 0.6 ounce. Made from steel and ﬁnished of the charging cha Melonite QPQ, it improves the ability of a shooter to access the in black Me handle even while wearing gloves. charging ha booth #31303 Visit us at bo

Pachmayr Master Gunsmith Kit

NECO ANNOUNCES KURZZEIT CHRONOGRAPH

MEGA ARMS HAS NEW AR CHARGING HANDLE 5323 Joppa Street Southwest, Dept. WSJ, Tumwater, WA 98512/(877) 857-5372/megaarms.com Mega Arms has announced a new slide-lock charging handle that is among the new products being introduced for 2015. This patent-pending accessory was developed to be fully ambidextrous, so there are no pivoting points to minimize malfunction and breaking. Mega took 12 months to develop this replacement handle. Made from 7075-T6 aluminum to save weight, the new Slide Lock charging handle has a precision-cut latch

108 Ardmore Way, Dept. WSJ, Benicia, CA 94510 (800) 451-3550/www.neconos.com Mega Arms Slide Lock Charging Handle

and a textured contact point for positive purchase. Coated in black Nitride, it has been recessed on the bottom/rear of the handle to save weight. It is also being marketed at a lower price point than competing ambidextrous charging handles. Visit us at booth #31000

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wings. The screwdriver kit comes with a stand that accommodates all the tools. Pachmayr’s Ultimate Gunsmith tool kit is just the thing for professionals, with all kinds of useful tools. Included in the kit is a 277-piece Master Gunsmith Screw Kit, plus four roll-pin punches, ﬁve standard punches, a couple of special punches, a brass tapper hammer with heads of brass, steel and nylon, a Torx driver and seven ﬂat-blade screwdrivers. There are also a couple of returning grips for Smith & Wesson revolvers. These are the popular American Legend grips for J-, K- and L-frame S&W wheelguns, along with round-butt N-frame models. They feature rubber-grip panels and rosewood or charcoal laminate wood. Visit us at booth #12724

NECO has announced that the Kurzzeit BMC-19 wireless chronograph is now available. This unit can be used with a computer, and requires no USB cable. It offers enhanced sensitivity and features infrared screens that can pick up even the smallest .17-caliber projectile going over 4,000 fps. According to NECO literature, this unit has the fastest clock and processors available. The BMC-19 is designed to provide “real time” updates of minimum, maximum and average velocities, muzzle energy, extreme spread and standard deviation. It truly does it all, and is

Neco BMC-19

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Accessories capable of storing up to 600 shots. Once home from the range, all the data can be downloaded, or this operation can be done right at the range with a laptop. The Kurzzeit BMC-19 chronograph will work in all light conditions.

TACSTAR 475 Smith Street, Dept. WSJ, Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 632-2020/www.tacstar.com Fans of the SideSaddle and shotgun rail designed for the Remington shotgun platform will warm up to the new mount assembly to upgrade Mossberg Model 500 pump-action shotguns. The SideSaddle will hold six shotgun shells on the left side of the receiver, and there’s an integral Picatinny rail on top of the accessory. The new unit is designed to wrap over the top of the receiver. Made from lightweight billet aluminum, the SideSaddle Picatinny Rail Mount has a low-profile design to allow continued use of the front bead. There is also a new AR-15 AMRS (for Adjustable Match Rifle Stock) from TacStar. This accessory is likely to gain quick popularity with match shooters who use AR-15 rifles. Designed to adjust both the length of pull and comb height, it has a full range of adjustments. It also features several sling mounting points and ports for quick-detachable sling swivels.

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‘GHOST STRYKE’ HEARING PROTECTION FROM SPORTEAR 8683 South 700 West, Suite 200, Dept. WSJ, Sandy, UT 84070/(801) 566-0240/www.sportear.com SportEAR’s remarkable Ghost Stryke hearing protector is just now hitting its stride, and it is far more than just an “entry level” unit with a design that ﬁts entirely in the ear. The Ghost Stryke is a tiny, self-contained hearing protector that is useful for hunting, target shooting, various sporting events and industrial noises. It has four different-sized tips made from foam or silicone, and can be tailored by the user for maximum comfort. Engineered to compress noise at 85 decibels, the Ghost Stryke comes in different colors, including black, tan and pink, and the noise level can be adjusted. Recently SportEAR also unveiled a nonelectronic “passive” hearing protector that is the next evolutionary step up from the popular XP3. Provided with a variety of tips, including foam and silicone, this little unit allows for a simple press on the unit to open up the hearing canal slightly for improved hearing while the plug is installed. Visit us at booth #2606

SportEAR Ghost Stryke

Accessories Skinner Sights Express Series

N82 TACTICAL UNVEILS IWB MAG CARRIER 472 Grimes Boulevard, Lexington, NC 27299 (336) 479-3561/www.n82tactical.com N82 (for “Nate Squared”) has become highly regarded for its concealed carry rigs, and this year the company is introducing a companion magazine carrier for the offside.

N82 Magazine Holster

SKINNER OFFERS APERTURE PEEP SIGHTS, HTF TACTICAL GARMENT BAG P.O. Box 1810, Dept. WSJ, St. Ignatius, MT 59865/(406) 531-5113/www.skinnersights.com Skinner Sights is offering a rugged aperture “peep” sight with models now available for the Ruger American Rifle series. Skinner’s new Aperture peep is made from solid barstock. In addition to the centerfire and rimfire versions of the Ruger American, Skinner makes this sight for the Savage 93 and 42, the Winchester Models 94 and 70, and the Ruger 77/357-44 and 10-22, plus all models from Henry Repeating Arms. In addition to the replacement accessory sights, Skinner is offering the new HTF bag that holds firearms while appearing to be a simple garment bag that can hang in a closet. This “hidden in plain sight” bag is built with a tough hanger, and it can hold a rifle or shotgun measuring up to 40 inches OAL, a couple of handguns and eight pistol magazines, three rifle magazines and other gear. If the hanger is removed, the bag folds up for easy carry. There are four main categories of sights in the Skinner family. They include: • The Reliable series, which has been the Skinner mainstay for several years; • The Express series, described as a bit more elegant than the Reliable; • The Montana series that allows applications for many more models; • The Barrel Mount Dovetail, that is an aperture model that will work on sights with standard rear dovetails.

Skinner Sights HTF Bag

Each N82 magazine holster will come with a shim that allows the customer to tighten the retention when it is necessary to keep a speciﬁc magazine secure. For starters, the company offers a carrier for double-stack magazines for 9mm and .40 S&W-caliber handguns. Next come models for single- and double-stack .45 ACP handguns. The rig is constructed with a soft, layered back and a hard-molded synthetic material forming the actual holder/pouch. It features a belt clip to hold the carrier in place, and separate the magazine entirely from the body. Visit us at booth #32408

WILEY-X 7800 Patterson Pass Road, Dept. WSJ, Livermore, CA 94550/(800) 776-7842/www.wileyx.com Wiley X has an agreement with Remington to manufacture a full line of Remington-branded eyewear for hunters and shooters. The Remington Eyewear collections also include “Lifestyle Sunglasses,” a new category for the company brand. Remington Eyewear includes many styles, and over the horizon Wiley X will reportedly develop a line of hearing-protection products. They will be available in tandem with Remington Eyewear, or as individual products.

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Accessories RADARCARVE

Highﬁguregrips Aged Bone

28 Charlene Lane, Belen, NM 87002/(505) 948-0571/www.radarcarve.net The Radarcarve is a tool for carving gunstocks. It precisely copies any original stock, no matter the length, and has an accuracy of better than .005 inches. It works by placing the original stock and a new blank in a rotating mechanism, and a small high-speed router carves the new stock while a stylus traces over the original. It takes less than two hours to carve a new stock, including all inletting and the barrel channel. Radarcarve will carve objects up to 8 inches in diameter, including pistol grips. The New Mexico company’s website includes a selection of router bits, and the only thing to add to get going with your next project is a Bosch router, which you must purchase yourself. The Radarcarve comes with a lifetime guarantee, is priced at $1,185, and can be shipped to the lower 48 states for $60. Radarcarve

HIGHFIGUREGRIPS INTRODUCES AGED BONE GRIPS 11400 134th Avenue North, Dayton MN 55327/(612) 860-7337 www.highfiguregrips.com Highﬁguregrips has added Aged Bone grips to their distinctive grip lineup. Through a multiple-step process, multiple colors have been introduced, giving the Bone a very aged, timeworn look. The company also handcrafts stunning selections for 1911s, Sig P238s, Sig P938s, Browning 1911-22s, Beretta 92 and 96FS and the Ruger New Vaquero. A small family-run shop, quality, not quantity is foremost on their mind.

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HOLSTER SHOWCASE

Accessories FROGLUBE ‘SUPER DEGREASER,’ NEW ‘PRO GRADE’ LABEL DEBUT AT SHOT

SKB 3i-3614

P.O. Box 327, Dept. WSJ, Wellington, NV 89444 (855) FROGLUBE (376-4582)/www.froglube.com Making their debut at this year’s SHOT Show are two new products that should ﬁnd quick acceptance from serious shooters, FrogLube Super Degreaser and the new FrogClean kit for keeping guns clean and operating smoothly. Super Degreaser has a boiling point of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and is odorless, so you can safely use it in the house or workshop. It is the strongest nontoxic solvent available and replaces

FrogLube Super Degreaser

SKB CORPORATION 1633 North Leslie Way, Orange, CA 92867/(800) 654-5992 www.skbcases.com/sports SKB Corporation has been making indestructible cases for many industries, including music, sports, military and industrial, for more than 36 years. They started with quality vacuum-formed cases and evolved into rotational and injectionmolded cases that meet high military standards. With 38 different sizes of iSeries Watertight Injection Molded cases and counting, SKB is offering several types of rifle, pistol and accessory cases, such as the 3i-1006-SP Single Pistol Case, the 3i-3614-DR Double Rifle Case with wheels, the 3i-4909-SR Single Rifle Case, and the 3i-5014-3G 3 Gun Case with wheels, just to name a few. iSeries Injection Molded Watertight Cases are constructed of ultrahigh-strength polypropylene copolymer resin and feature a gasketed, waterproof and dustproof, submersible design (IP67) that is resistant to corrosion and impact damage. The molded-in hinges and stainless-steel hinge pins, patented “trigger release” latch system, comfortable, snap-down rubber over-molded cushion grip handles, and an automatic ambient pressure equalization valve (MIL-STD-648C) all contribute to the cases’ military-grade design. Stainless-steel locking loops are provided for a customer supplied lock. Some models also feature convenient roller blade-style wheels and will securely stack with like cases for easier transport of multiple cases. iSeries Injection Molded Watertight Cases are all manufactured in the U.S. and feature SKB’s lifetime warranty and $1,500 content coverage warranty if your gear is damaged by an airline. All of the company’s new case offerings will be on display at SHOT Show. Visit us at booth #00000

any toxic or corrosive petroleum-based products already on the market. It will be especially effective in ultrasonic cleaning devices. FrogLube formulates Super Degreaser to be diluted, so a little goes a long way. The company has also announced the introduction of the FrogClean universal cleaning kit. It’s a joint venture with MS Clean, and the kit includes a two-ended plastic/nylon brush, bore rod kit, bore brushes for riﬂe and pistol calibers, an AR chamber brush, dental pick, cleaning patches and a 5-ml tube of Frog Lube. It comes in a container shaped like a 30-round AR magazine. Visit us at booth #7002

GRIPUS/A WOMAN’S TOUCH 1713 Kansas Street, San Angelo, TX 76904 (325) 340-1335/www.gripus.com (254) 433-0856/www.awomanstouchgun.com A Woman’s Touch and GripUs offers some of

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the ﬁnest custom-made pistol grips and stock reﬁnishes to be had in Texas and beyond. They pride themselves on turning custom projects into GripUs Pistol Grips

a reality – if you can think it, they can make it. Not sure just what you’re looking for, they take calls.

BIRCHWOOD CASEY 7900 Fuller Road, Dept. WSJ, Eden Prairie, MN 553442195/(800) 328-6156/www.birchwoodcasey.com Several new accessories have been announced by Birchwood Casey for shooting and cleanup afterwards. There are new 36-inch Adjustable Target Stakes with Gravity Tension clip that hold nearly every size and shape of target. Made from ¼-inch steel wire, they anchor solidly. Sharpshooter TabLock kits are designed for hanging targets easily. They have a heavy corrugated plastic backerboard with pre-cut TabLocks. Two TabLock kits are packaged with Dirty Bird splattering targets. Each kit incudes a 24x9.5-inch wire frame. Birchwood Casey’s new line of gun-cleaning patches and phosphor bronze brushes are being offered for everything from .22 caliber through 12 gauge.

Accessories PRO LINE MANUFACTURING 186 Parish Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470/(800) 334-4612/www.prolineboots.com Pro Line Manufacturing Company has announced an agreement to produce and distribute a new line of footwear under the Girls with Guns brand. According to Bob Hollenberg, vice president of Pro Line, “We are developing the footwear based on the Girls with Guns philosophy of ‘Fashion meets Function.’” Pro Line has developed premium quality hunting boots under the Girls with Guns brand that live up to the quality people expect in the Girls with Guns products. The boots are waterproof, insulated and feature Mossy Oak camo patterns. Hollenberg points out, “Pro Line only uses the best materials available. We are very excited to produce the first of many styles for Girls with Guns.” The Hunting boots will be hitting the market this month at premium dealers across the US. The Huntress, which is the 6-inch hunting boot, has 400 grams of 3M Thinsulation Ultra to keep your feet warm during the cold-weather hunts. The allover Mossy Oak Break-Up camouflage upper is 100 percent waterproof and will keep your feet dry as you walk through different terrain. The boots boast a removable, cushioned orthotic insole, plus a secondary insole used to create a custom fit. The camo-wrapped EVA midsole provides the cushioning and comfort you need when you are out on the trail all day. The multi-directional lug system on the outsole is designed for optimum traction on many different surfaces. The technology used to build these boots provides the wearer all-day comfort. The 8-inch Tigress style is made with premium waterproof, Nubuck leathers Pro Line Tigress

and also features a waterproof membrane lining to keep the feet dry and healthy. The moisturewicking linings and the Mossy Oak Break-Up camo details truly makes this a boot to live up to the motto Fashion meets Function. Bring on the cold weather with the addition of 600 grams 3M Thinsulate Ultra Insulation. The Tigress was designed to work in a variety of conditions and hunting seasons. Just grab your Tigress and head to the woods in any season. Pro Line The Huntress is $99.99 and the Tigress is Huntess $109.99. The boots are available in sizes 5-10. For more information, visit www.gwgclothing.com, where you can also find a retail location near you. Founded by two best friends, in their garage, Girls with Guns Clothing (GWG) is located in Red Bluff, Calif. A perfect combination of passion for the sport of shooting, hunting and fashion, GWG clothing and accessories let women show their love for hunting and shooting in an edgy way. The GWG line, designed by women for women, was created for all women, from the avid hunter and shooter to the fashionista, to allow them to keep warm while looking good. It is your everyday, outdoor lifestyle apparel. There’s something for everyone: from pink camouflage luggage, gun and shell bags to t-shirts, pants and sweatshirts, including the ever-popular fur hoodies. Girls With Guns is an officially licensed partner of Haas Outdoors, Inc. Haas Outdoors is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. It markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, GameKeepers and Mossy Oak Properties. Visit us at booth #10751

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There’s also a new gun oil and grease called Renewalube, and both are biodegradable and nontoxic. The oil is designed to displace moisture and prevent corrosion, and the grease has a water-resistant formula that penetrates and bonds to metal surfaces. The oil comes in a 2-ounce pump spray and the grease comes in a 5-ounce squeeze tube. There’s also a new Universal gun-cleaning kit series for riﬂes, shotguns and handguns. They have Dual Axis cleaning rod handles and stainless-steel rods, patch pullers, phosphor bronze brushes, patches and a silicone cloth.

FISHHUNTER 10 Holland, Irvine, CA 92618/www.fishhunter.com FishHunter is a completely portable smartphone fish finder that measures water depth and surface temperature as it works to pinpoint fish. Manufactured with military-grade specifications, the downward-facing sonar transducer is securely wrapped inside a sealed, waterproof rubber ball. Using a high-frequency transducer, the FishHunter fish finder provides superior resolution and accuracy in all weather conditions. Can’t remember where you caught that big one? With FishHunter in your tackle box you gain access to military-grade sonar technology, including GPS tracking, mapping and navigation to your best fishing spots. By tracking your spots you’ll never have to remember again.

FishHunter Sonar Fish Finder App Have you ever wondered what it looks like where you’re casting? Take a few casts with FishHunter and you’ll see exactly what the bottom looks like, where the structure is, and where the ﬁsh are before you cast your lure. Right on your smartphone. No matter how smart you are, your memory will never be as accurate as FishHunter. You can keep detailed information on your catches, photos, type of ﬁsh, weight and length and bait used right inside the app.

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SHOOT ’N SPIN P.O. Box 999, Walker, MN 56484/(218) 243-2057/www.shootnspin.com It’s not often that the staff at Western Shooting Journal comes across a successful, innovative company in the gun industry that is owned and operated by a 14-year-old. Let us introduce to you Dawson Volker and his company, Shoot ’n Spin. The Shoot ’n Spin is a reactive target system developed by Dawson that spins and makes noise when hit. There is a soft metal version for airguns and a thicker version for riﬂes and handguns. The Shoot ’n Spin comes in a number of different displays, including deer and zombies, and can be customized to feature your company’s logo – Dawson even worked up some special ones for last year’s NRA show.

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INFIDEL BODY ARMOR P.O. Box 171, Royse City, TX 75189 (888) 608-6605/www.infidelbodyarmor.com With the public’s growing distrust of government due to countless instances of police militarization and aggressiveness of federal agencies, and as media coverage exposes more examples of government overreach and augmented police forces, some are looking at protective equipment such as body armor to guard themselves in these

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dangerous circumstances. Politicians tend to criticize the concerns of civilians. Some have even called for bans of protective items, such as body armor worn by average citizens, with proposed legislation such as the Responsible Body Armor Possession Act. For many, it’s irrational for politicians to presume that an individual doesn’t have the right to defend their person. Anyone should be able to purchase clothing that will protect them from threatening situations. Enter Infidel Body Armor. The Texas-based company has created a collection of body armor for the public to purchase and wear. The engineers at Infidel Body Armor have crafted body armor that provides both comfort and extreme durability, and they stand behind all of their products with lifetime warranties. As there are no signs of government interference or police militarization slowing down, now is the time to take a look at Infidel Body Armor’s premium line of body armor and purchase reliable defense equipment from a dependable company while we still have the freedom to purchase these items. On the company’s website, listed above, use the code “Journal” at checkout and receive 10 percent off of your order as well as free shipping.

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Accessories Prolix Gun Lubricant Rat Grips Thermomoldable Custom Grips

PROLIX X PRODUCTS CTS HONORED RED AS BIOPREFERRED EFERRED BY USDA DA PO Box 1466, West Jordan, UT 84084-8466 (800) 248-LUBE BE (5823) bricant.com www.prolixlubricant.com

RAT GRIPS (877) 339-GRIP (4747)/www.ratgrips.com What is a custom grip? RAT Grips answers that by saying, unless it’s ﬁt to your ergonomics and needs, it can’t be custom. So what word might deﬁne custom for RAT Grips? Thermomoldable – heat and shape, like working with silly putty, reuseable and no residue. For those of you who measure your results at the target, you already know the work that goes into being a great shot, but most folks just try to buy off-the-shelf grip products because of their perceived value. While a truly customized gun grip may not be off-the-shelf “pretty,” but again, where do you measure your results? Many folks are really gun collectors, not shooters, but if you choose to be a shooter, with a little time and a desire to have the best grip possible, there may be nothing out there like RAT Grips. For more, watch the Science of Rat videos at the above website.

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PrOlix/ProChemCo, hemCo, LLC, launched ed a new duct line biotech product to clean, preserve eserve te in and lubricate 1995, becoming ming the rs of a ﬁrst pioneers successful “all in one” oduct, gun care product, now deemed d “biotechnology.”” Their recyclable (strain and reuse) products are made off 89 percent or greater renewable resources, a true “commitment mmitment to sustainable practices

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Accessories and caring for the environment.” The USDA lists PrOlix as a BioPreferred Product. PrOlix removes carbon, copper, lead, shotgun plastic residues, and black powder.

BEATENZONE MFG. ANNOUNCES THE GENERATION 3 ADVANCED TACTICAL CHARGING HANDLE FOR THE AR15/M16 RIFLE (480) 719-0522/www.beatenzonemfg.com The Advanced Tactical Charging Handle, or ATCH, is an aftermarket charging handle that serves as a direct replacement for any OEM charging handle. Beatenzone Manufacturing’s Generation 3 ATCH retracts on its own and rests securely in the stowed position. It offers ample surface area to hold onto while in use while maintaining the slim profile of the rifle when stowed. The ATCH comes fully assembled, requires no major modifications to the rifle, fits virtually all Mil-Spec upper receivers, and is available in three different profiles and colors. Until now, most aftermarket charging handles would create more issues for the operator than they would solve. While these “tactical” latches benefit the shooter by allowing them to easily cycle the action with the nonfiring hand from the

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side, they have been known to introduce side load to the charging handle and elevated amounts of friction between the charging handle and the upper receiver. Additionally, due to the oversized nature of tactical latches, the user runs the risk of the latch getting caught on their gear as well as the potential discomfort of having a protruding latch jabbing them in the body when the weapon is slung. The Gen 3 ATCH is the only aftermarket charging handle that retracts on its own and locks in place. The lever portion is larger than other tactical latches, yet the profile is as small as an OEM charging handle, something no other current tactical latch offers. The ATCH effectively converts the weapon into a “side charger” and is easy to access with the left hand when firing in either the left- or right-hand position. It is especially beneficial when a large optic is mounted on the firearm, limiting access to the charging handle. The lever portion is ergonomically contoured to direct the

equipment malfunctions. For more information and other gun care products, see the abovementioned website or stop by their SHOT Show booth. user’s hand to the innermost portion of the charging handle, causing the operator to pull the charging handle straight to the rear, further reducing side load and friction on the upper receiver and charging handle. The Gen 3 ATCH boasts a completely redesigned locking latch that adds strength and enhances versatility. The roll pin of the locking latch has been relocated inboard of the charging handle, made 1½ times larger than an OEM roll pin, and replaced with a coil roll pin for increased strength and dependability. Striations have been added to the outside of the locking latch to allow for manipulation of the action without the use of the lever. The hook portion of the locking latch has been rounded to reduce wear and tear on the upper receiver. The charging handle is made of 7075 T6 aluminum, machined from billet, and is hard-coat anodized. The lever portion is made of 6061 T6 aluminum, machined from an extrusion, and hard coat anodized. The locking latch is laser cut from 4130 chromoly steel, heat treated, and coated in a black oxide ﬁnish. All parts and hardware of the Gen 3 ATCH are made in the U.S. Visit us at booth #1966

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gun reviews

GHOST GUN: LIGHTEST AR RECEIVER IN THE WORLD Lower Also Comes In Transparent Finish ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY TENNESSEE ARMS COMPANY, LLC

The Ghost Gun weighs only 3.6 ounces and is completely clear.

here have been many changes in the AR-15 market and aftermarket lately. Everything is getting lighter and more colorful, while reliability has been increased through the use of high-tech materials and manufacturing techniques. Tennessee Arms Company, LLC, is a veteran-owned manufacturer that is changing the way many view the use of composite materials in an AR-15. Their lightweight lower receivers come in a variety of colors – even transparent. Using experience grounded in automotive-bushing manufacturing, they have combined the use of a high-quality composite material and metallic inserts in a patent-pending design that combines the strength of an aluminum receiver with the lightweight of a composite. Essentially, they have made a polymer-pistol frame for a riﬂe receiver. Tennessee Arms has made a reliable, lightweight receiver that is still less expensive than a traditional lower. Based in Dyersburg, an hour and a half northeast of Memphis, the

company has been rewriting the book on polymer lowers for a little over a year now. From their ﬁrst shipments beginning in September 2013 to the improved receivers now, they have quickly answered the problems that were plaguing the world of low-cost, lightweight, and high-strength lower receivers. Using the knowledge they picked up along the way, they plan on launching their version of the DPMS pattern AR-10 lower in the ﬁrst quarter of 2015, calling it the AR-308. If the past year has been any indication, it will certainly turn a couple heads. The Ghost Gun is the lightest AR receiver in the world. Weighing in at 3.6 ounces and completely clear, you can watch all

the parts moving as the rifle is firing. Paired with a clear magazine, it is becoming a very popular training aid. The business is run by two veteran brothers, Dave and John Roberts, and their father Jerry Roberts. Dave, using his experience as a Recon Marine and private security contractor, saw a need early on for a high-strength, low-weight receiver for the AR platform. Although this need was being met to some degree before Tennessee Arms set up shop, they saw room for improvement. Dave saw early on in the design phase that most of the failures in polymer lowers were coming from the receiver extension and from the “beaver tail” area between the receiver extension and the pistol grip. He chose a high-shelf design for the lower, beefing up the rear of the receiver and immediately curing the cracking at the beaver tail. Brass inserts were used in the receiver extension and pistol grip to add strength to the threads, another problem that all-polymer receivers saw. The thick brass insert also added needed strength to the receiver extension. To date, no Tennessee Arms lowers have failed during regular use. With the high-round counts getting close to the 25,000-round mark, the reliability question has been answered. These hybrid lowers are the real deal. WSJ Despite the low weight, these receivers are incredibly strong.

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GET STRESSED OUT Adding pressure during target practice can improve your accuracy when it counts BY JASON BROOKS

e like to spend a day at the shooting range punching holes in paper knowing that practice makes perfect, or at least practice makes us better marksmen. We work on proper grip, trigger control, and sight picture as we stack round after round as close to the bull’s eye as possible. After a while, just poking holes in paper targets becomes mundane, so we start to shoot silhouettes or increase distance, maybe take a

Big game critters know better than to stand around and give hunters an easy shot. By practicing taking offhand shots, misﬁres, reloading in the middle of a shot sequence, you can improve your accuracy under pressure. (CHAD ZOLLER)

course on tactical shooting and start to put movement and shooting skills together. The more we incorporate into our shooting regimen, the more complex and fun it becomes. But what you might not realize is that you are also inducing stress on yourself, and your ability to become a better shot is naturally increased. Before you know it, you are hitting the 10 ring while walking from side to side. Cowboy action shooters like the “quick draw,” and of course, being on target with the fastest draw in the Old

West is what kept the real cowboys alive. While watching the news, in today’s world, we hear about our military and police departments and some feat where a person had extreme pressure on them yet made some incredible shot. Those who do not shoot ﬁrearms will never understand the extreme pressure put on the person making the decision to shoot or not during life-or-death situations. As I inch towards 20 years in law enforcement I often think back to my academy days. The range instructor westernshootingjournal.com 177

would give us the “line is hot” and “commence firing” commands, but I kept telling myself, “This isn’t what it’s going to be like in real life. There won’t be anybody telling me when to shoot and a paper target just sitting there waiting to be shot.” Back then we didn’t have things like “active shooters,” but we did have violence, and officers responded with like force. Since then we have adjusted our training to respond to active shootings by going into the building and seeking out the shooter while passing by victims. Our training for these scenarios consists of a loud radio blasting screaming people with moving targets and a walking course. This is induced-stress training. After I went through this course and then took standard punch-the-paper qualifications, I noticed my scores went way up. I felt comfortable while standing at the firing line and simply punching paper. It was easy for me to draw, aim, and fire, even clear a malfunction during the course without worry I would miss my target. THIS PAST FALL I drew a cow elk tag for western Washington, but my strategy to glass the brushy clearcuts for wapiti to stalk backfired on me. As I drove around a corner of a logging road, I jumped a herd of elk and they immediately headed out of the cut for a large stand of timber. I grabbed my rifle, stepped out of my truck and hustled over the embankment while loading the firearm. I then shouldered the bolt-action long arm and took three shots in quick succession at the last cow as she entered the timber. The shots felt good and I was confident. I didn’t even have time to think or realize what I was doing until it was all over. My father was with me and he couldn’t believe how fast I was able to load my rifle, shoot three times, throwing the bolt as fast as I did, and still be on target. He was thinking it was all in haste and none of the shots could have connected. After ranging where the elk entered the trees at 167 yards I walked over to the opening and found my elk piled up in 178

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Following stress-induced training to take out active shooters, the author, who is an officer at a major West Coast department, says ...

... he can now “draw, aim, and ﬁre, even clear a malfunction during the course without worry I would miss my target.” (JASON BROOKS)

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some ferns. Though one shot was low, hitting the foreleg, which I attributed to jerking the trigger, the other two hit exactly where I had aimed. It was instinct because I have induced stress at the range and was ready to make the shot under pressure. NEXT TIME YOU spend the day at the shooting bench, add a little stress to the routine. It can be as simple as performing a magazine change in the middle of a shooting sequence or placing a plastic dummy round in the magazine to cause a malfunction that you need to clear and get back on target. Eventually incorporate both of these things into a walking course of fire, then add drawing from your holster as part of the regimen. If you’re a rifle hunter, like me, a great way to induce stress is to step away from the bench. Though with private and public lands now limiting target shooting this is becoming harder to do, find a safe place to shoot outdoors and put targets out at various distances. I like to use the blaze-orange clay pigeons that are used for trap and skeet shooting as they are small and also biodegradable. Next, only put a round or two in the rifle, which means you will have to reload. Then start your target shooting while standing and with your rifle on your shoulder. This will cause you to find a rest, take your rifle off your shoulder, and then start shooting and have to reload during the sequence, just like if you find game and are not ready for it. Eventually this sequence will become easier, and next fall when you spot game and “buck fever” starts, you will be ready for it. You don’t need to go to extremes – we must practice safety first and never take shots that will result in lost game – but if you are going to carry concealed for selfprotection or are a hunter, then try and visualize what you will do when you have to shoot. It’s not if, but when. Being prepared to shoot and doing so under pressure makes it that much easier to punch holes in paper, fill the freezer with venison – or defend a life. WSJ

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HANDGUNS RUGER HANDGUNS REMAIN STRONG RU 1 Lacey Place, Dept. WSJ, Southport, CT 06890 (203) 256-3860/www.ruger.com

Ruger’s LCRx revolver in .38 Special

CZ-USA CZ USA P.O. Box 171073, Dept. WSJ, Kansas City, KS 66117 (800) 955-4486/www.cz-usa.com Several new CZ-USA handguns are being unveiled for 2015, including a .223 caliber, four in 9mm and one in .45 ACP. The CZ 805 Bren S1 pistol is a .223 Remington with a 30-round magazine with low-profile adjustable sights, ambidextrous controls and an accessory adapter. The CZ Scorpion Evo 3 S1 is chambered for 9mm and it has a 20-round magazine. This blowback-operated pistol also has ambidextrous controls and low-profile adjustable sights with a sling attachment. The 40th Anniversary limited edition CZ75 is a gem, with rainbow titanium nitride controls, custom birds-eye maple grip panels and hand engraving. Only 1,000 of these pistols will be made. CZ’s SP-01 Shadow Target II is a 9mm pistol with adjustable rear sight, fiber optic front sight, thin aluminum grips and accessory rail. CZ Custom builds this one.

40th Anniversary limited edition CZ75

The late-year introduction of a new version of Ruger’s popular LCRx revolver in .38 Special will likely draw plenty of aattention to the Ruger lineup for 2015, along with midyear 2014 introductions of the LCR 9mm and LC9s, also chambered for 9mm. int The newest incarnation of the LCRx has a 3-inch barrel and an adjustable rear sight. This make makes the five-shot double/single-action wheelgun a keeper. It’s got a Hogue Tamer Monogrip, stain stainless-steel barrel, matte-black Synergistic hard-coat finish and exposed hammer. Like all other revolvers in the LCR family, it has a polymer fire-control housing, aluminum monolithic frame and patented friction-reducing cam. The cylinder is heavily fluted to help keep the weight down. Ruger says the LCRx 3-inch will handle +P ammunition. The LCR five-round revolver joined guns ch chambered for .22 Magnum, .22 Long Rifle, .38 Special and .357 Mag. It’s a double action with polymer fire-contro fire-control housing, monolithic frame and fluted stainless-steel cylinder. It features Ruger’s reduced-friction cam fire-contro fire-control system, and is fitted with a Hogue Tamer Monogrip. The LC9s is a dandy addition to the small semiauto sem family, and Western Shooting Journal had an opportunity to field test the gun a few months ag ago. It was accurate and reliable, with a seven-round magazine, glass-filled nylon grip frame, grip extension magazine, mag steel frame and barrel, and weighs 17.2 ounces. Visit us at booth #11940

The Shadow Tac II is also chambered for 9mm and is also built by CZ Custom. It has a serrated rear sight, tritium front sight, tuned internals and thin aluminum grips. There’s also a Model 1911 A1 pistol in .45 ACP. It has a seven-round magazine, fully checkered walnut grips, stainless-steel barrel, dovetailed sights front and rear, and is true to the Model 1911 design with a couple of “minor improvements.”

CENTURY INTERNATIONAL OFFERS CANIK PISTOL 430 South Congress Avenue, Suite 1, Dept. WSJ Delray Beach, FL 33445 (800) 527-1252/ www.centuryarms.com Joining the popular TP handgun series from Century International Arms this year is the Canik TP9SA, chambered in 9mm. This striker-ﬁred semiauto has an improved

FXH-45 full-size model

AMERICAN TAC TACTICAL IMPORTS HAS NEW .45 ACP MODELS 100 Airpark Drive, Rochester, NY 146 14624 (800) 290-0065/www.americantactical.us A trio of .45-caliber semiauto pistols is being unveiled unve by ATI for 2015, and all three are polymer-framed with steel slides. The FXH-45 full-sized model has an eight-round capacity with a 5-inch barrel, while there is also a Commander-sized model with a 4.25-inch barrel. A third model is even more compact, with a 3.25-inch barrel and slide, but the same eight-round full-size grip frame and magazine capacity. In addition, there are a couple of AR-type pistols in the mix, both Omni Hybrid Maxx models. One is chambered in 5.56mm and the other in .300 Blackout. The 5.56-caliber model has a 7½-inch barrel, and the .300 Blackout has an 8½-inch tube. Both come with 30-round magazines. Visit us at booth #16538

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HANDGUNS Black Label 1911-380

BROWNING UNVEILS 1911-380 BLACK LABEL One Browning Place, Dept. WSJ, Morgan, UT 84050 (801) 876-2711/www.browning.com Browning will officially introduce a new incarnation of its reducedsized Model 1911 handgun, this time chambered for the .380 ACP, and Western Shooting Journal has already had its hands on this semiauto. Built to an 85 percent scale of the original Government Model, the Black Label 1911-380 has a 4.25-inch steel barrel, composite frame, steel controls, beavertail grip safety with bump, fixed sights, an eight-round single-stack magazine, steel slide and checkered plastic grips. Overall length is 7.5 inches, and the pistol weighs approximately 17 ounces empty. It features an ambidextrous thumb safety, magazine disconnect and it comes with a hardsided ABS carrying case that is lockable, and a cable lock for additional security. WSJ fired the Black Label at the range and found it to be reliable and accurate. Visit us at booth #15129, 15538, 12740

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single-action trigger and features a cold hammerforged barrel. Designed with an ambidextrous top-slide-mounted decocker, the pistol has threedot sights with a dovetailed steel rear. This handgun also has a loadedd

Canik TP9SA

chamber indicator, striker-status indicator and reversible magazine catch. It comes with two interchangeable backstraps and a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail and a pair of 18-round magazines. It also comes with a poly holster that has a paddle attachment and belt attachment, attachm plus a m magazine loader and cleaning rod with a brush. Visit us at booth #14251

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HANDGUNS Government Sig Sauer Nitron

COLT AND TALO OFFER R WILEY CLAPP SIGNATURE ATURE HANDGUNS

Lightweight Commander

P.O. Box 1868, 68, Dept. WSJ, Hartford, CT 06114 (860) 236-6311/ 6311/ www.coltsmfg.com The good news from Colt’s Manufacturing uring for handgunners is that the company is working tion with veteran gun in conjunction writer Wiley ey Clapp and TALO Distributors to provide all three exclusive Clapp signature handguns to independent ent sporting d gun shops. goods and The series eries includes the he original Wiley Clapp pp models, including a Lightweight Commander and a full-size Government Model, both with ClappConcealed designed features underscoring his standard of Carry “everythingg you need and nothing you don’t.” Officer Joiningg the WC series is a Concealed Carry Officer’s model with a 4.25-inch h Commander slide and barrel on a shorter Lightweight Officer’s frame. rame. Clapp upgrades include Novak sights, Tactical Oval grips and Pete Single checkering. eckering. All of these 2010. They all feature hese Colt pistols were designed by Clapp at Colt’s request back in 2010 a Series 70 firing system, the Novak brass-bead front sight and extra-wide black rear sight, and a match-grade barrel. The newest addition features a high cut under the trigger guard to allow the pistol to fit lower in the hand. Also new for 2015, Colt will expand upon many of the company’s classic and highly popular product lines. The new models include O4012RG Colt Commander, 01992 and O5870A1 Series 70 Gold Cup National Match. The new O4012 Colt Commander brings together popular features of the original Colt Commander, the Colt Marine Pistol, and the Colt Rail Gun. It features the M1913 government-length Picatinny rail for accessory mounting. Inside is the same dual recoil spring utilized in the Colt Marine Pistol, so shooters experience less recoil. The slide and receiver are stainless steel, with a single side extended slide lock to allow ease of use for a variety of shooters. Additional features and specs include an upswept grip safety for an enhanced grip, a single-side thumb safety, 4.25-inch barrel and 7.75-inch overall length. The classic and well-loved Colt 1991 is now available chambered in 9mm, with a nine-plusone magazine capacity. Aside from the chambering, the gun is identical to the original .45 model. Descending from the original M1911 design, the gun features a long trigger, flat mainspring housing and original style recoil spring system. Updates to the 1991 model include white dot sights and a lowered ejection port for extra reliability. The Colt Gold Cup is known as the finest shooting semiautomatic in the world, and is the standard for competitive guns. The first Colt Gold Cup pistol was introduced in the late 1950s to give competitive shooters a gun to take directly from the dealer’s showcase to the firing line. It features an adjustable wide trigger, national match barrel, adjustable target sights, and many Colt 1991 other refinements as standard. The new iteration of the Colt Gold Cup National Match features the Series 70 firing system, Gold Cup National a lowered and flared ejection port and blued carbon steel slide. Visit us at booth #12529

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NEW N EW HA HANDGUNS ANDGUNS FROM SI SIG IG SAUER 72 Pease Boulevard, Dept. WSJ, Newington, New wington, NH 03801/(603) 610-3000/www.sigsauer.com 610 0-3000/www.sigsauer.com Sig Sauer is keeping a very tight lid on its new handgun tig andgun introductions for 2015, with in ddetails not to be released until Jan. 19. WSJ understands there will be at least one full-size handgun in a major caliber, and another ful compact entry. co Sig Sauer has been a leader in the domestic handgun arena, with semiauto models for virtually ha all endeavors. With a continuing strong market for concealed carry by private citizens, the company co has also been innovative, developing a modular ha handgun package in the P250 series, introducing a striker-ﬁred P320, and covering all the calibers from .380 ACP to .45 ACP. The ﬁrm also developed the sizzling .357 SIG cartridge, which has been adopted by several law enforcement agencies. Visit us at booth #12240

TAURUS 16175 Northwest 49th Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Miami, FL 33014-6314/(305) 624-1115/www.taurususa.com A pistol that has already caused a considerable stir was unveiled late last year by Taurus, and it is a remarkable design because it is curved. Indeed, that’s what Taurus called it: The Curve. Chambered for .380 ACP, this seven-round pistol (six in the magazine and one up the spout), has a 2.5-inch barrel, loaded chamber indicator,

The Curve

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HANDGUNS stainless steel slide barrel and carbon steel slide, and a polymer frame with a metal sub frame The Curve has an integrated LaserLyte LED combo system and a bore-axis sighting system designed for instinctive point shooting at close range, according to Taurus literature. It also has an integral belt clip that allows the pistol to be carried without a holster.

DAN WESSON 65 Borden Avenue, Dept. WSJ, Norwich, NY 13815/(607) 336-1174/www.danwessonfirearms.com

YMH-15 pistol

YANKEE HILL MACHINE ADDING AR-15 PISTOL 20 Ladd Avenue, Suite 1, Dept. WSJ, Florence, MA 01062/(877) 892-6533/yhm.net Yankee Hill’s new YMH-15 pistol, chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge, features a 10.5-inch barrel length that includes a Phantom 5c2 Comp/Flash hider. This gas-operated handgun has a forged YMH lower and upper receiver made from 7075-T6 aluminum. The upper features an M4 feed ramp and the lower has an oversized mag well that is chamfered for quicker magazine changes. The handgunard is a midlength KR7 Keymod, and the pistol has a Picatinny top rail. The YMH-15 comes with a single 30-round magazine. Visit us at booth #31303

New from Dan Wesson this year is the Silverback model on the 1911 frame, and it is chambered for .45 ACP or 10mm. The .45 has an eight-round magazine, and the 10mm carries nine rounds in the magazine. The grips are G10 and it has a stainless slide and black frame. The Valkyrie is another gun on the 1911 platform, this one with an alloy Ofﬁcers Model size frame and stainless-steel Commander-length slide and barrel. It has G10 slim grips, checkered front and backstrap, seven-round magazine and ﬁxed sights. In the revolver arena, the Model 715 is chambered for .357 Magnum with a six-round cylinder. It has adjustable target sights, molded rubber grip, stainless steel construction and interchangeable barrel system.

ULTIMATE CARTRIDGE CHECK SYSTEM

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COMPETITIONS

FLORIDA FIREWORKS

US Practical Shooters Dominate At World Shoot XVII ARTICLE BY ROBIN TAYLOR • PHOTOS BY PAUL HYLAND, LIVESHOTS.NET Swede Bengt Backstrom was one of the 1,000-plus international marksmen and –women who descended on Lakeland, Fla., outside Tampa Bay for the International Practical Shooting Confederation’s World Shoot XVII, an Olympic-scale event held every three years.

f you’ve been thinking that the United States is the only country where people “really shoot much,” think again. Col. Jeff Cooper’s groundbreaking International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) came about because Cooper collaborated with serious shooters from every corner of the globe. Practical Shooting (as it’s called) began by modeling gunﬁghts before evolving into a sport. Its emphasis on speed, power and accuracy transformed the way defensive shooters use their handguns, and quickly changed the guns themselves. Because of people like Max Michel Jr. (more on him in a moment), today’s handguns are built to a much higher standard of reliability, longevity and usability than ever before. Even now, IPSC shooters literally wear out

handguns, shooting as much fullpower ammunition in a year each as a small-town police department. Every three years, IPSC shooters worldwide gather for an Olympic-scale event, The World Shoot. It travels from country to country, but last October, thanks to Florida’s Frank Garcia, the World Shoot came home. THE BIG SHOW Compared to other pistol events, the World Shoot operates on a massive scale. For example, a typical US Nationals draws around 400 competitors. The World Shoot drew 1,306, plus vendors, fans, and the international shooting media – estimates topped 1,600 in all. The overall schedule lasted three weeks, reaching a peak when a 1,000-strong parade of uniformed athletes walked the streets of Lakeland,

Fla., with their national flags flying. High school marching bands led the way, antique car clubs joined in, and people lined the streets. “Speaking as a European, the ceremony stuff is something the Americans can do really well,” says Hanneke Vermeulen, newsletter editor for the Netherlands IPSC organization. The group included Ms. Vermeulen, five range officers and a significant roster of competitors. The Dutch paraded through Lakeland with the other nations into the opening ceremony. Waterski demonstrations, including waterjet-powered flight, speeches by both local mayors, as well as flyovers and fireworks over Lake Mirror set the tone. Over the following week, the athletes each shot 30 high-intensity courses, ranging from nine to 32 rounds each. Organized into teams westernshootingjournal.com 191

COMPETITIONS of four and representing their home country, many shooters spent years training to get here. The Russian ladies’ team is a particular favorite, ﬂanked by teams

from all over Europe. “It had a great, positive vibe,” says Vermeulen. “You found yourself saying ‘oh, there’s Paraguay,’ and ‘oh, there’s Norway.’”

Julie Golob and the rest of the US squad did really well, placing no lower than third in 20 team contests. But countries such as South Africa, the Philippines, Brazil, Italy, France, and Russia are developing strong shooting organizations. In all, more than 90 countries sent regional delegations to 2014’s games.

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Most IPSC shooters describe themselves as amateurs. Most have day jobs to pay the bills. Hilde Nakling of Norway works as a nurse, but quit her job for a year to train for the World Shoot. She did some on-call work as a nurse, but focused everything she could into shooting. The work paid off, yielding the individual Ladies’ Standard title. Well-known American shooters Tori Nonaka and Randi Rogers placed second and third. Among the American teams, proshooter Max Michel Jr. stood out, laying down an amazing match to secure his lifetime goal of becoming the IPSC Open Champion. He and his teammates Shane Coley and KC Eusebio won their division by more than 400 points. THE COUNTRY TO BEAT For more than a decade, the Americans have been “the country to beat” in practical shooting. The US Practical

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COMPETITIONS

Held in the United States, the World Shoot reﬂected a more active, longer course – “This year we saw a lot more ‘running and gunning’ than at previous shoots,” noted a Dutch observer – while those that occur in Asia and Europe tend to be shorter, lending themselves to “technical masters, especially on complex moving targets.” ISPC grand master Brodie McIntosh of Australia moves through the course.

Shooting Association (USPSA) remains the largest single IPSC “region” with 25,000 members, but South Africa, the Philippines, Brazil,

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Italy, France, and now Russia have strong shooting organizations of their own. In all, more than 90 countries sent regional delegations.

Shooting on their home turf turned the normally dominant American team into an almost unstoppable force. They won almost everything there was to win. In 20 team contests, the Americans ﬁnished no lower than third. Frenchman Eric Grauffel fended off American JJ Racaza to win the individual production title, Ricardo Lopez of Ecuador took the individual revolver title ahead of American Josh Lentz, but if you’d bet on the American teams to place, you’d have won every time. Here at the top of the sport, “fast” is too small a word. Michel and his teammates literally run through the courses, high-tech 9mms and .38 Supers blazing. They have to run to post the best points-per-second score. Like nothing else, American-style IPSC competition personiﬁes “run and gun.” It’s fast, intense, and somewhat physically demanding. Top shooters develop a visceral understanding of how to control and maintain a

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COMPETITIONS handgun at racing speeds that few others can touch. “This year we saw a lot more ‘running and gunning’ than at previous shoots,” says Vermeulen. Stylistically, American matches ignore the course-length restrictions used by IPSC, preferring higher round counts and more movement. A true “short” course of nine rounds is rare. Big, open ranges are more common in the United States as well, making movement the Americans’ strong suit. In contrast, the Europeans and Asians ﬁre three short courses and two “medium” courses for every “long” course (in compliance with the IPSC rules). That short course experience makes them technical masters, especially on complex moving targets. Sadly, relations between the largest region (USPSA) and the international body (IPSC) have been frosty for years. Their rules have diverged, creating enough little problems that range

officials need to be specially trained for each rule set, rather like Canadian-rules football versus the NFL. Former USPSA president Michael Voigt did a lot to mend fences with IPSC, but USPSA’s current leadership was not part of the WSXVII staff. Instead, the match was organized by Frank Garcia and the Universal Shooting Academy staff, starting with their bid in 2011. Overall range master Jose Carlos Belino came in from Brazil, and the stats crew brought in Australia’s Jayne Moon – perhaps the top statistician in the sport – all coordinating with American assistant range master Mark Weir. FIND ACTION NEAR YOU By whatever name, USPSA/IPSC remains the hottest ticket in the handgun world, a magnet for highskill shooters, modern martial artists and would-be pros of every stripe. Freed of the “tactical” overtones, USPSA/IPSC competition focuses

on perfecting your basic skills and equipment. This all-competition world is where the Jessie Duffs, Robert Vogels and Rob Leathams of the world win their reputations. If you’re interested in seeing that kind of excellence ﬁrst-hand, by all means check out uspsa.org. USPSA does a great job connecting curious shooters with local contact people at their 400 affiliated clubs across the United States. Their best tool, from our point of view, is a page on their website called the “Clubﬁnder.” Enter your zip code and it will spit out the phone numbers and contact information for half a dozen members who live nearby. These volunteer “club contacts” happily answer questions and show newcomers the programs offered by their local club. While the World Shoot won’t be back on these shores for many years, the best players in the world live here. And some are shooting at a range near you. WSJ

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Black Powder SCHUETZEN BLACK POWDER: GERMAN-MADE FOR AMERICAN SHOOTERS 7650 US Highway 287, Suite 100, Dept. WSJ, Arlington, TX 76001/817-704-4261 www.schuetzenpowder.com Manufactured by WANO Schwarzpulver GmbH in Germany, Schuetzen black powder is carefully manufactured to meet the needs of American muzzleloaders, and is a true black powder. Schuetzen also supplies Swiss black powder, considered by many veteran smokepole shooters to be the best for black powder rifles .45 caliber and above, and even for cannons and muzzleloading shotguns and muskets. Schuetzen is made from potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal made of a blend of alder and hazelnut woods. The special blending process used by WANO produces consistency from one lot to the next. It is available in Fg, 1.5 Fg, FFg, FFFg, FFFFg and 0B granulations. As for the Swiss black powder, it is also available in those same granulations, with the finer-grain powders designed for priming flintlocks. Manufactured by Poudrerie d’Aubonne in Switzerland, Swiss black powder is produced in small batches to maintain quality control. This is why it has become popular with black powder competitors, and it burns cleanly.

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KNIVES Big Belly skinner

Black Label tactical folding knife

BROWNING OFFERS NEW HUNTING, FILLET MODELS One Browning Place, Dept. WSJ, Morgan, UT 84050/(801) 876-2711/www.browning.com New from Browning this year is a series of High Grade knives called the Storm Front Damascus. They are all fixed-blade models with hand-forged Damascus steel blades, and called the Stag Clip Point and Stag Drop Point. Both have 4¼-inch hollow-ground blades. In the folder arena, there’s a Big Belly skinner and Drop Point, both with 3½-inch flat-ground blades. They have black ash hardwood handles. Browning has also announced three new Damascus Folder models, all with 31/16-inch hollow-ground Damascus blades featuring a laser-cut Buckmark. There will be a full Damascus model with Damascus handle or Mother of Pearl and Mammoth Tooth with Damascus bolsters. The Ignite fixed-blade model has a 4-inch blade of 7Cr stainless, with polymer handles featuring molded contrasting grip inserts. They have a lanyard hole. There’s a Black and Gray model with a Titanium coating on the blade and d the Black and Orange has a black oxide blade coating. Browning’s White Water Fillet has a 7¼-inch stainless blade with a washable ashable injectio injection molded gold polymer grip with black inserts. The Black Label tactical series is expanded with the Shockk ‘N N Awesome tomahawk w with a hot-forged, black powder-coated tool steel blade. It features a curved penetration spike and one-piece e piece handle with a spiked pommel. Visit us at booth #15129, 15538, 12740

Madrock

LANSKY HAS NEW KNIFE MODELS, SHARPENER P.O. Box 800, Dept. WSJ, Buffalo, NY 14231/(716) 877511/www.lansky.com 7511/www.lansky.com New w from Lansky for 2015 are some new knives and sharpeners that should have broad appeal among ng outdoorsmen and women. The he Madrock slip-joint model is lightweight, lmost anywhere in the world, and has a legal almost 2.75-inch h stainless blade. It has a low low-proﬁle p deep-pocket cket clip, rubberized ggrip, and the blade shape makes kes it ide ideal for cutting all kinds of things, from meat to tarpaper. Another entry is Lansky’s new Urban Tactical knife model combo called the Responder/ Blademedic pack. It features the EDC (for “every day carry”) folder with the Blademedic pocketsized sharpening system.

Responder/ Blademedic combo

The Responder has a 3.5-inch blade of 440C stainless steel and a two-position pocket clip on the handle. The Blademedic ha has four different sharpening elements, including diamond, cceramic rods, carbide tips and a mini-ceramic bench stone. There’s also a combo featuring the World Legal knife model with the Blademedic sharpening system. Lansky is also offering its popular Deluxe Quick Edge and Quick Fix sharpeners in pink. The Deluxe Quick Edge is a tungsten carbide knife sharpener, while the Quick Fix is a carbide/ ceramic sharpener. Visit us at booth #119919

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KNIVES Shizuka noh Ken

COLUMBIA RIVER ANNOUNCES NEW BLADES 9720 Southwest Hillman Court, Suite 805, Dept. WSJ, Wilsonville, OR 97070/(800) 891-3100 www.crkt.com Columbia River Knife & Tool’s reputation for turning out quality blades is about to get even stronger, with the introduction the new Shizuka noh Ken, designed by James Williams. Featuring a folding Samuraistyle blade, it’s a compact version of the Otanashi noh Ken tactical knife, and has a 3.67-inch plain-edge blade made from AUS8 steel. It has a black corrosion-resistant coating. The handle is made from G10. This knife features a manual LAWKS safety that sets a pin against the frame lock. Once opened and locked, it has the feeling of a ﬁxedblade model. It has an overall length of 8.25 inches and weighs a scant 4.2 ounces. There are other models in the 2015 lineup, including the Northcliffe designed by Steve Jernigan. It’s got a 2.95-inch drop-point blade

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features some etching, and the handle material is a faux neon green ray skin with black cord wrap. The sheath is made from glass-filled nylon with a black cord lanyard. CRKT is also offering the Abe Eliaswith a flat grind and satin finish. It has a locking liner and measures just Akari over 7½ inches when opened. CRKT’s Thunder Strike also has a flat-grind drop-point blade measuring slightly more than 2.8 inches. It has a powder-coat finish and it comes with a glass-filled nylon sheath. No Time Off Another entry is the Hunt’N Fisch by Larry Fischer. Supplied with a brown leather sheath, this one has a satin-finished drop-point blade with a flat grind. Thunder Strike The No Time Off, designed by Flavio Ikoma, has a 2.99-inch drop-point blade with a hollow ground edge and satin finish. It features an Ikoma designed Saker, with a walnut wood handle, Lock Safety and a pocket clip. 4.53-inch drop-point blade featuring a Another model is the Akari with a 2.83-inch Scandi grind. It comes drop-point blade featuring a hollow-ground edge. with a dark brown The blade is finished with Titanium nitride and leather sheath.

• American Made with overal length of 7 ¾” and 3” blade • Lightweight @ 3 oz. with paracord handle for emergency situations • Engraving options make great gifts

AMERICANA FISHERMAN

The Ruana Americana Fisherman is a completely American Made, high quality knife. Its versatile blade shape and lightweight design make it an excellent choice for any outdoor adventure. Name and logo engraving options create great gifts from individuals or businesses wanting to say thanks to special employees or customers.

• Comes with a variety of carrying options • Dealer inquiries welcome for Americana Knives • Purchase supports Project Healing Waters

406.258.5368 info@ruanaknives.com | ruanaknives.com westernshootingjournal.com 203

KNIVES RUANA AMERICANA KNIVES MADE IN AMERICA P.O. Box 520, Dept. WSJ, Bonner, MT 59823 (406) 258-5368/www.ruanaknives.com

AM Fish Americana Fisherman

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The Ruana brand has become the stuff of legend, and knives from this company, founded by the late Rudy Ruana, are prized by outdoorsmen and collectors. This year, the company is spotlighting two new entries, the AM Smoke Americana Smokejumper and AM Fish Americana Fisherman. Both models feature AM Smoke high-carbon steel finished to a Rockwell 56-58. The Americana skeleton handles are wrapped with several feet of Smokejumper nylon paracord, and they carry a razor edge. They come with a Kydex sheath. The purchase of each knife benefits the Healing Waters project, which supports the rehabilitation of disabled active-duty military and veterans through fly fishing and similar activities. The AM Smoke model is based on Ruana’s popular original Smokejumper model designed in the 1930s and quickly adopted by smokejumpers in western Montana. The AM Fish is based on Ruana’s traditional Steelhead model, though it has also been utilized by big game hunters. Ruana offers a military discount. All American made, Ruana knives cover all the bases, from heavy skinning to careful caping, survival and even fighting Bowie models. They are identifiable by the traditional elk handle insets, and Ruana knives may be personalized with name and/or logo engraving. The Hangas family now owns the company. There are 10 different Bowie designs, 14 catalog hunting models and a hatchet, and they come with full-grain English bridle leather sheaths. Blades are hammer forged from high-carbon steel and are oil-quenched. They are hollow ground and can take a razor edge.

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KNIVES Ontario Knife’s Utilitac Track of the Wolf’s reproduction Gove pipe tomahawk

ONTARIO KNIFE PREMIER’S ASSISTEDOPENER MODEL

TRACK OF THE WOLF, INC.

P. O. Box 145, 26 Empire Street, Dept. WSJ, Franklinville, NY 14737/(716) 676-5527/ www.ontarioknife.com

18308 Joplin Street Northwest, Elk River, MN 55330/(763) 633-2500/www.trackofthewolf.com

Ontario Knife will have some new offerings for 2015 at the January SHOT Show, including an assisted-opening model called the Utilitac 1A. Based on the original Utilitac folder, this model has a Joe Pardue-designed patentpending TAO (for Tactical Assisted Opening) mechanism with only ﬁve moving parts. It features a 3-inch AUS8 steel blade ﬁnished in satin or black, with black G-10 handles. The overall length is 7.125 inches when open. Visit us at booth #20305, 15722

For over 40 years Track of the Wolf, Inc., has been the world’s foremost purveyor of replica antique ﬁrearms, accoutrements and historical cutlery. One of the many new and exciting products to come out in recent years is a faithful reproduction of Carlo Gove’s popular pipe tomahawk. Gove operated out of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and later Denver, Colo., producing riﬂes and tomahawks for buffalo hunters, western traveling pioneers and government Indian agencies in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Track

of the Wolf’s reproduction Gove pipe tomahawk is a highly detailed, superb quality wax casting available in 4140 steel or yellow brass. The tomahawk head measures 8 inches overall length, and features a 4-inch blade with a 2¼inch cutting edge. Offered as-cast, the head will require removing the casting gates, polishing, and ﬁnishing. The 22-inch handle is available in either hickory or a predrilled curly maple version. Track of the Wolf offers a wide range of brass and nickel silver inlays, silver wire, brass tacks, and wood stains. Track’s reproduction Gove tomahawks are available online at www.trackofthewolf.com and can be found among the 12,000 items in their 18th edition catalog.

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KNIVES CITADEL COMBINES OLD-WORLD CRAFTSMANSHIP WITH MODERN MATERIALS TO MAKE EXCEPTIONAL KNIVES 650 Industrial Boulevard, Sale Creek, TN 37373/(800) 635-9366/www.casiberia.com In a sea of black G10 handles and industrial-machined blades is it possible to find a knife maker who uses some of the latest cutlery steels with high-quality natural materials and handcraftsmanship without having to go custom? It is now. For the first time in many years Citadel Knives and Swords’ line of knives are available in North America from CAS Iberia. Citadel is perhaps best known as the maker of some of the most collectible and sought-after samurai swords outside of Japan, but they also happen to make some exceptional custom-level knives. Citadel’s knives combine imported European steels with the highest quality grip materials to create unique working knives at a custom level fit and finish, for far below that sticker price. Their knives are completely made in-house by master artisans. The blades are hand forged in a coal bed and highly polished to a keen convex edge. Most of their materials are imported, but in some cases high-quality local options are sourced, specifically the ray skin used in the Saigon and Husky models for the handles. Citadel purchases rays from local fishermen and processes the skins themselves. This ray skin is used in the handle wrapping of samurai swords, and is renowned for its natural grippy texture. The tough leather is then glued to a carved wood core and finished as raw or dyed and polished, making for a unique knife. Many of the knives have spines and spacers that are hand carved. Citadel’s folding knives are available as small every-day carry, or EDC, pocket knives up to large camp folders in traditional kukri designs, and a whole lot in between. They are made from European imported Bohler N690 stainless steel, a highly regarded steel that takes a good edge and is easy to maintain. The knives feature stout liner locks, or a back lock in the case of the

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Phobos Outdoor Folder. Other knives in their selection, such as the traditional Japanese pocket knife, the higonokami, are simpler friction folders, held in the open position by the hand via a forged-blade extension. Grip scales come in a wide range of options from palissander hardwood and rosewood to horn, bone and the aforementioned ray skin. Their range of ﬁxed blades run from large camp knives and medium-sized hunters down to 2-inch-bladed EDC knives. Each is made of high carbon DNH7 (similar to 1075) imported from Europe and are differentially hardened in the Japanese tradition. This process produces a hard, long-lasting edge with a softer, more resilient spine and tang better suited to taking the shock of hard use. As with their folders, Citadel sharpens each knife to a full convex edge. Full-grain stacked leather sheaths are double stitched and provide a number of carry options, depending on the knife. Crafting knives in this way means availability will be quite limited. Ask your local knife or gun store for a catalog, available from CAS Iberia.

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