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A MERIC A N

SHOOTING JOURNAL Volume 8 // Issue 3 // December 2018 PUBLISHER James R. Baker GENERAL MANAGER John Rusnak EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andy Walgamott OFFICE MANAGER / COPY EDITOR Katie Aumann LEAD CONTRIBUTOR Frank Jardim CONTRIBUTORS Brittany Boddington, Jim Dickson, Scott Haugen, Phil Massaro, Mike Nesbitt SALES MANAGER Katie Higgins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mamie Griffin, Nick Rios, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold DESIGNERS Kayla Mehring, Jake Weipert

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ON THE COVER Brittany Boddington shares the story of her successful hunt for chamois in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains.

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Website: AmericanShootingJournal.com Facebook: Facebook.com/AmericanShootingJournal Twitter: @AmShootingJourn

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

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 3

101

HUNTING AMIDST CARPATHIAN CLOUDS

No, Brittany Boddington didn’t go to Transylvania to hunt werewolves and vampires, but the swirling mists of the mountains surrounding this fairytale land yielded a much tastier trophy for our world-traveling hunter. Head into the heights with her in search of Romanian chamois! (BRITTANY BODDINGTON)

FEATURES 47

‘BEST QUALITY’ SHOTGUNS OF THE BRITISH ISLES

BULLET BULLETIN: THIS HUNTING BULLET COVERS THE BASES

111 BLACK POWDER: WHERE THE BUFFALO CAMPERS ROAM

Some of the world’s finest side-by-sides are made in England and Scotland. Jim Dickson got out his own engraving instruments to detail the proud tradition and handcrafting expertise that goes into these “Best Quality” shotguns.

“If you’re looking to give your deer rifle a boost in performance without breaking the bank, give the Speer Grand Slam an audition,” writes our Phil Massaro about this line of bullets. With their good expansion and availability for cartridges from .243 to .375, prepare to hit it out of the park on midsized and larger game.

ROAD HUNTER: CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR HUNTERS

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hunts as much as our Scott Haugen, and whether he’s afield in Alaska, his native Oregon, down in Texas or elsewhere, he’s constantly evaluating gear. So when he puts together his list of officially approved holiday present ideas for sportsmen, even Santa pays attention! When a group of buffalo gun enthusiasts got together for a mini rendezvous, they decided to hold a number of shooting skills contests. Our man Mike Nesbitt was among the happy campers, and he reports back on the fun – and results.

AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 14240 Interurban Ave South Suite 190, Tukwila, WA 98168. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2018 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.

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

CONTENTS

CHARLES DALY RESTORED

How did an American-, an Italian-, and a Turkishmade triple-barrel shotgun revive one of America’s premier sporting arms brands? Frank Jardim has the story of this storied name with roots in the late 1800s and arms for all modern purposes.

Product Features 133 ICONIC TOOL REBOOTED With a history back to the early days of World War II, the updated Woodman’s Pal has what it takes to handle brush clearing and more on your home front.

Company SPOTLIGHTS EZR Sport: Specializing in firearms grips and gauntlets 121 Ogre Manufacturing: Environmentally friendly gun-cleaning products, more 77

DEPARTMENTS (CHARLES DALY)

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

21 25

Competition Calendar Gun Show Calendar

PRIMER

COMPETITION C A L E N D A R

December 1

December 15

December 1

December 22

December 1

December 31

Action Steel Handgun Match Kempner, Texas Oregon TCDPL IDPA Match Sherwood, Ore. idpa.com

NKSSA Local Club IDPA Match Crittenden, Ky.

Devil Dog IDPA Louisburg, N.C.

TSGC – IDPA Match – Tier 1 Daleville, Ala. Spring Area Shooting Weekly Monday Match Spring, Texas

December 7-8

Battle at the Boondocks Raymond, Miss.

December 1-2

10th Anniversary Factory Gun Classic Clearwater, Fla.

December 6-9

FIPT Florida Invitational Pistol Tournament New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

uspsa.org

December 1-2 gssfonline.com

Remember the Alamo Ballistic Challenge XXIII San Antonio, Texas

December 8

December 29-30

December 8

December 29-30

2018 Snow Fall Shoot Eaton, Colo.

cmsaevents.com

Last Chance AQHA Winter Shoot Jet, Okla.

Sweet Home Alabama New Year’s Celebration Columbia, Ala. New Year’s Border Wars Bash Pendleton, S.C.

December 15

WI5121518x1 - AQHA Qualifier Sheldon, Wis.

December 1-2

December 8

December 3-5

December 15-16

December 6-8

December 29

Florida State Trap Gainesville, Fla. 2018 USAS Rifle Winter Selection Colorado Springs, Colo. usashooting.org

SMA Junior Air Rifle Sectional Sarasota, Fla.

Hoosier Hills 2018 December PTO Columbus, Ind. Team Shooting Stars December PTO Carrollton, Texas South Florida Junior Olympic Rifle Qualifiers Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

December 8

Sandy Ford Dec 2018 Olympic Pistol Streator, Ill. americanshootingjournal.com 21

PRS RESOURCE GUIDE

For 2019 match schedules, visit www.precisionrifleseries.com

PARTS, ACCESSORIES & GEAR

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American Shooting Journal // December 2018

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PRIMER

GUNSHOW C A L E N D A R

C&E Gun Shows

December 1-2 December 1-2 December 8-9 December 15-16 December 22-23 December 22-23 December 29-30

Columbus, Ohio Fayetteville, N.C. Harrisburg, Pa. Raleigh, N.C. Salem, Va. Springfield, Ohio Hickory, N.C.

Ohio Expo Center Crown Expo Center PA Farm Show Complex North Carolina State Fairgrounds Salem Civic Center Clark County Fairgrounds Hickory Metro Convention Center

Crossroads Of The West Gun Shows

December 8-9 December 8-9 December 15-16 December 15-16

Reno, Nev. Del Mar, Calif. Ventura, Calif. Las Vegas, Nev.

Reno Convention Center Del Mar Fairgrounds Ventura County Fairgrounds The Pavilions at World Market

Florida Gun Shows

December 1-2 December 8-9 December 15-16

Tampa, Fla. Palmetto, Fla. Fort Myers, Fla.

Florida State Fairgrounds Bradenton Area Convention Center Lee Civic Center

R&K Gun Shows

December 1-2 December 1-2 December 1-2 December 8-9 December 8-9 December 8-9 December 15-16 December 15-16 December 15-16 December 22-23 December 22-23 December 22-23 December 28-30 December 29-30 December 29-30

Gray, Tenn. Springfield, Mo. Ashland, Ky. Knoxville, Tenn. Topeka, Kan. Oklahoma City, Okla. Atlanta, Ga. Memphis, Tenn. Kansas City, Mo. Lebanon, Tenn. Farmington, Mo. Somerset, Ky. Louisville, Ky. Knoxville, Tenn. Saint Charles, Mo.

Appalachian Fairgrounds Ozark Empire Fairgrounds El Hasa Temple Knoxville Expo Center Kansas Expocentre Oklahoma State Fair Park Atlanta Expo Center Agricenter International KCI Expo Center Wilson County Exposition Center Farmington Community Civic Center The Center For Rural Development Kentucky Exposition Center Chilhowee Park St. Charles Convention Center

Real Texas Gun Shows

December 1-2 December 8-9 December 15-16

Tomball, Texas Orange, Texas Belton, Texas

Tomball VFW Orange County Expo Bell County Expo Center

Tanner Gun Shows

December 1-2 December 8-9 December 29-30

Denver, Colo. Colorado Springs, Colo. Denver, Colo.

Denver Mart Norris Penrose Denver Mart

Wes Knodel Gun Shows

December 1-2 December 8-9 December 15-16 December 29-30

Spokane, Wash. Centralia, Wash. Redmond, Ore. Medford, Ore.

Spokane County Fair & Expo Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Deschutes County Fair Expo Center Medford Armory

To have your event highlighted here, send an email to kaumann@media-inc.com.

americanshootingjournal.com 25

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

CHARLES DALY RESTORED

How an American-, an Italian-, and a Turkishmade triple-barrel shotgun revived one of America’s premier sporting arms brands. STORY BY FRANK JARDIM PHOTOS BY CHARLES DALY

Charles Daly Firearms has roots in the late 1800s and initially focused on shotguns. Over the decades it has changed ownership several times, and today the trademark is held by Don Madole, here inspecting the new N4S in Turkey, and who leases it to Chiappa Firearms. Madole’s intent has been to revitalize and restore Charles Daly’s former standing as a top brand.

ver the past 142 years, the name Charles Daly has earned its place as one of the most recognizable and respected brands in imported firearms. Mr. Charles Daly and his partners got started in the firearms business in New York City in 1875. By 1889 they renamed the company Charles Daly and a great American shotgun brand was born. Charles Daly didn’t design or manufacture shotguns. Why should he when he knew the best ones were made in Europe by craftsmen with generational experience? Lacking that expertise, American gunmakers weren’t producing many high-quality double-barrel shotguns and Charles Daly made its reputation on finding and importing the best of them for the American sportsman. A Daly led the firm until 1919, when the company was sold. It had only two more owners from then until 1976. After 1976, Charles Daly changed hands several more times, before the trademark was purchased by firearms importer KBI Inc. in 1997. KBI greatly expanded the product line to include pump and semiauto shotguns, and M1911-style handguns. In 2008, Charles Daly Defense was created to market American-made AR-15-style semiauto firearms, but the core of their product

americanshootingjournal.com 29

Model 101 Single Barrel Shotgun Model 601 SemiAuto Field Shotgun

line remained shotguns. By this time the brand had a long and prestigious reputation, but in many respects it achieved even greater acclaim under KBI stewardship. Unfortunately, financial problems largely unrelated to Charles Daly resulted in a bank foreclosure on the company and the sale of its assets early in 2010. The Charles Daly trademark was bought and sold several more times until the fall of 2016, when it was acquired by Don Madole, the company’s former operations manager under KBI. Madole’s intent was to revitalize the historic trademark and restore its former standing as a premier brand of sporting arms. With over 30 years of shotgun sports and importation experience, Madole had the knowhow to do it. Before coming over to KBI, he was the CEO of another firearms importer and major KBI competitor, Tri-Star Sporting Arms.

HARLES DALY’S PATH to restoration was unconventional. After KBI’s unexpected collapse, Madole acquired the patent rights to a unique three-barrel shotgun and subsequently developed it for production with a Turkish manufacturer. In 2012, when he approached firearms industry innovator Rino Chiappa of Chiappa Firearms about marketing the gun, Rino agreed – provided that Madole would come to work for him as the general manager of Chiappa Firearms USA. Rino Chiappa wanted him to raise market awareness of his brand in America and sell product directly to distributors. Madole agreed. Four years later, Madole acquired the Charles Daly trademark and leased it to Chiappa Firearms. Madole took on the additional duties of sourcing, importing and marketing the new Charles Daly product line. Chiappa Firearms USA owns the Charles Daly inventory and is the exclusive distributor of the brand. It is an arrangement where all parties are striving to maximize the success of the brand and it shows in the quality and value of their product selection, which

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

has expanded business significantly in the last two years. During Madole’s tenure at Charles Daly in the KBI era, they continued sourcing guns in Turkey from various manufacturers. This turned out to be a key strategic move for the brand and the Turkish shotgun manufacturing industry. At that time, Turkey was dominated by cooperative factories, collectively owned by one or more villages. These vaguely socialistic entities were difficult to work with and slow to respond to requests for improved quality and design alterations. The prices were nice but the quality problems were a deal-breaker. Fortunately, there were still some privately owned gunmakers in Turkey and Charles Daly forged relationships with them to develop products that would meet the quality expectations of American shooters. The result was a mainly value-oriented line of guns that delivered a lot of features at an affordable price point. In short, a Turkish Charles Daly shotgun was “a honey for the money” and over half a million were sold. Today, Turkey is once again the source of Charles Daly shotguns. Madole sees Charles Daly as the brand of innovation that challenges their Turkish suppliers to excel. He worked with four different manufacturers to develop their current shotgun line that includes single-shots, side-bysides and over/under doubles, triple barrels, pumps, and semiauto models, including a brand-new bullpup and AR-style magazine-fed model. The shotguns cover all aspects of hunting and sport shooting disciplines, as well as tactical/home defense roles. Charles Daly imports 85 shotgun models. Most sporting models come with 3-inch chambers, screw-in chokes, matte black or blued and polished metal, and synthetic or wood stocks, usually fixed but in some cases adjustable. Some models, reflecting the tastes of contemporary hunters, come with 3.5-inch chambers, Realtree camouflage, folding and/ or adjustable stocks, pistol grips, Picatinny rails and rifle sights.

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American Shooting Journal // December 2018

Triple Threat Shotgun

HOUGH THE BRAND was more recently known for its value-oriented guns, Madole is reaching up and down. Charles Daly now has entry-level guns for the occasional shooter or beginner on a tight budget, and top-quality guns for the high-end sportsman. In principle, Charles Daly offers guns in field, superior or empire grade, but as a practical matter, no gun is offered in all three grades at this time. For example, single-shot shotguns are entry-level guns for American hunters, so all Charles Daly 101 models are field grade. The 101 synthetic is a 5-pound 12-gauge, with 28-inch barrel, 3-inch chamber and Beretta/Benelli Mobil threaded choke. It comes equipped with a modified choke tube. The black synthetic stock is adjustable for length-of-pull. MSRP is $176 but lowest online price I found was an ultra-bargain $141! Perhaps the most outstanding value in the Charles Daly line is the Model 601 gas-operated semiauto shotgun. It was co-developed with the factory specifically for the American market. This 12-gauge has a 28-inch chrome-lined ventilated rib barrel with 3-inch chamber, and comes with Mobil chokes (three are included – improved cylinder, modified and full). Overall length is 49 inches and it has a 5+1 capacity. The receiver is milled from a solid block of aircraft-quality aluminum and it weighs 7.2 pounds with a black synthetic stock or 7.3 pounds with a laser-checkered walnut stock. This is a well-balanced, graceful and very handsome gun despite its simple matte black finish. On top of that, it is not at all finicky about ammunition. MSRP is $309 with black synthetic stock and $325 in wood. The lowest online retail for the wood stock Model 601 was $259. The cheapest I could find a Remington 1187 autoloader, with a synthetic stock, was $457. If you argue that the Remington is better, and that’s a tough argument to make, it’s certainly not $200 better than the Charles Daly 601. The superior grade side-by-side double-barrel Model 500 shotguns come stocked in beautiful checkered

Honcho Triple

Honcho Pump Spring-Assisted

Honcho Pump

Turkish walnut with a bright receiver and blued barrels (28 inches long in 12-gauge with 3-inch chambers, and 26 inches long for 20-, 28- and .410-gauge). The barrels are threaded to accept Rem Choke screw-in chokes (included are five chokes – skeet, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified and full). All models have extractors with a single selective trigger. These are light and quick handling guns. The Model 512 28-inch barrel 12-gauge is only 45 inches long and weighs 6 pounds. MSRP is $905 but the lowest online price I found was under $700, which is simply amazing for a quality doublebarrel. This year a sleek .410 (Model 536) was added to the line that weighs only 5.4 pounds. The unique Triple Crown threebarrel shotgun is a Charles Daly exclusive and was designed to be the ultimate hunting shotgun. All hunting models have white receivers, blued barrels and checkered walnut stocks (standard or anatomically designed with a higher comb and lower drop at 34

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

the heel for ladies or youth). Fit and finish is superior grade. The top barrel has a ventilated rib and fiber optic front sight. Since most states limit hunting shotguns to three rounds, the three-barrel design maximizes the speed of delivery and versatility of those three crucial rounds. No shotgun can fire three rounds faster. The barrels are threaded for Rem Choke screw-in chokes (a set of five are included) and fire in order (right, left and top) with a single, non-selectable trigger. A quail hunter can set his chokes for improved cylinder, improved modified or full and bag three birds out of a covey, getting the closest as they rise with the right barrel and taking his last shot at the farthest bird with the full choke top barrel. They are available in 12-, 20-, 28- and .410-gauge, and in 28-inch and 26-inch barrel. All barrels have 3-inch chambers, with the exception of the 28-gauge, which is 2¾-inch only. There is also a 12-gauge Magnum version with 3½-inch chambers and checkered

synthetic stocks camouflaged in Realtree Max-5 for waterfowl hunting. The slim 26-inch-barrel, 41-inch-long .410 is 6.8 pounds and the 28-inchbarrel, 45-inch-long 12-gauge is 8.7 pounds. The 12-gauge is slightly heavy compared to other guns of this gauge, but the extra weight does make the balanced gun swing nicely and helps absorb recoil. The MSRP on the Triple Crown is $1,929. The lowest online retail I could find was $1,328, which is easily $800 less than your best deal on a Browning Citori over-and-under. The triple barrel is also available in an 18.5-inch-barrel, 35.5-inch-long home defense model called the Triple Threat, in 12-, 20- and .410-gauge. Perhaps due to its awesome intimidation factor, it turned out to be a hotter seller than the full-length hunting version and generally costs more on the actual retail level as a result. In response to the consumer trend favoring compact tactical/home defense shotguns we’ve seen in the last few years, Charles Daly Defense released a pistol-grip version of the

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Charles Daly’s .410-gauge AR-15 compatible upper receiver group with flip-up sights.

gun in 12-gauge and .410 as part of their Honcho line.

HARLES DALY DEFENSE offers just about all the Charles Daly sporting shotguns in tactical/ home defense models, typically adding pistol grips, front and rear sights, Picatinny rail, breacher choke tubes and sometimes adjustable buttstocks depending on the model. The aforementioned Honcho line of compact, 27-inch-long, bird’s head grip, 14-inch-barrel shotguns was introduced last year and proved to be a solid seller. In addition to the threebarrel gun, the line includes a pump; spring-assisted pump; a detachable, five-shot, box magazine-fed, springassisted pump; and a semiauto.

N4S Bullpup

Gauges include 3-inch shell 12 and 20, as well as .410. The Honcho .410 spring-assisted pump weighs a scant 4.1 pounds. Its MSRP is $369 but lowest online retail was $283. The 12-gauge pump model had an MSRP of $309 and a lowest online retail of $244. A Mossberg 590 Shockwave will cost you $100 more. This year Charles Daly Defense is releasing its first bullpup shotgun,

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CDR-15 - 5.56 NATO

the N4S, its first AR-style shotgun, the AR12S, and its first .410-gauge AR-15 compatible upper receiver group. That .410 upper receiver group comes complete with flip-up sights and its own magazine and allows you to turn any standard AR-15 platform into a semiauto, five-shot, 2.5-inch .410 shotgun. The 19-inch cylinder bore barrel is completely enclosed by a carbine-length quad Picatinny

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American Shooting Journal // December 2018

AR12S semiautomatic shotgun

rail handguard in the rear, and a ventilated, cylindrical perforated heat shield in the front that terminates with a breacher-style cut at the end covering the muzzle and acting as a flash hider. MSRP is $399. This gauge recoils about as much as a .223 round in an AR platform and has excellent home defense possibilities. The N4S Bullpup is a semiauto, five-shot, box magazine-fed 12-gauge that can handle 3-inch shells. It comes with one magazine and flip-up sights. Its 19.5-inch barrel is threaded for Mobil Chokes. It comes equipped

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with modified choke. Overall length is 29.75 inches and weight is a hefty 9.3 pounds. It may not be light, but is very compact on the business end, ideally suited to defense in close quarters and easy to handle in rapid fire. The AR12S semiauto shotgun has a more conventional AR layout, including a carry handle rear sight and raised front sight tower. It likewise has a 19.75-inch barrel threaded for Mobil Chokes and comes equipped with a modified choke. The five-round box magazine has longitudinal slots so you can see how much ammo you have

LIVE FREE OR DIE TRYING

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

left. The buttstock has an adjustable comb. It is 37.5 inches long and weighs 7.5 pounds. MSRP is $517. A Charles Daly quality control inspector test fires all their shotguns in Turkey to ensure proper function before they are accepted for importation. All shotguns carry a fiveyear conditional warranty.

N ADDITION TO its many and varied shotguns, Charles Daly also offers Italian-made 1911 pistols in .45 ACP and 9mm, and an AKstyle pistol in 9mm called the PAK-9

Handcrafted in the U.S.A.

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1911 Empire Grade Pistol

made in Romania. Their full-size, 5-inch-barrel 1911 is all steel, uses a forged frame and slide, and features an eight-shot magazine, ambidextrous extended safety, front and rear slide serrations, extended beavertail grip safety, extended commander-style rounded hammer and skeletonized trigger with over-travel adjustment. The Superior Grade model has walnut checkered grip, fiber optic front sight and fixed combat-style rear sight. The Empire Grade model comes with target adjustable sights, relieved ejection port, and custom VZ Operator II Black G10 grips. The 1911 Empire Grade’s MSRP is $829 and the Superior Grade’s is $699. The PAK-9 is a more unusual bird, best described as a sheet metal AKM 9mm semiauto pistol. Like the 1911, this is not a new gun to the line, but it only started to hit retail stores in

1911 Superior Grade Pistol

2018. The reception was uniformly positive for this rugged pistol that accepts Beretta 92 magazines. At 6 pounds it is rather heavy to shoot as a true pistol, but Charles Daly now offers a package with an adapter to allow the fitting of an AR buffer tube, and by extension, an AR pistol-style arm brace. The addition of the arm brace greatly stabilizes the pistol when shooting. This new package also comes with an adapter to accept Glock magazines. With a laser sight and flashlight clamped to either side of the front Picatinny rail, the PAK9 has practical value as a personal

defense weapon. Add in the Glock magazine well adapter so you can use a 50-round drum and you have some truly awesome firepower. The PAK-9 has a 6.5-inch barrel, is 14.37 inches in overall length, has a fixed rear sight, an adjustable front post sight for elevation and comes with two 10-round Beretta 92-style magazines. MSRP is $559 but lowest online retail was $430.

HIS ARTICLE IS too brief to examine the full scope of Charles Daly products, especially since they are continuously adding new ones and improving old ones. For more, visit charlesdaly.com and contact them for the location of a dealer near you. This legendary brand seemed to disappear for a few years, but they have come back strong and in some unexpected and very innovative ways. 

PAK-9

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

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“Master Hunter” GARY REEDER CUSTOM GUNS is proud to announce a brand new .50-caliber leveraction rifle, our new MASTER HUNTER. This beauty is built on the customer’s base gun, which is a Marlin 1895. The new MASTER HUNTER is chambered in the 500 S&W and is full custom from the ground up. The new rifle has a 20-inch heavy barrel and has beefed up internals. The gun comes with an XS rear sight and our custom front. It is available with a red, gold or white bead up front. The action is smoothed up to super slick and the loop is widened for use with gloved hands. The gun is finished in a satin vapor honed Black Chromex finish on the barrel and loop with high polished frame sides with dangerous game scenes engraved. The stock and forend are finished in a soft satin walnut and we fit it with a Decelerator pad for a more comfortable shooting. In the past it has been hard to get a .50caliber lever-action without mortgaging the farm, but our new MASTER HUNTER changes all that. The gun can be customized with a longer or shorter barrel and different game scenes or none if you prefer. Plus your name or initials can be added to the gun at no extra charge. As usual 1/3 down and we begin work on your new MASTER HUNTER. $1995 on your Marlin 1895 - 6 to 8 month delivery

THE ‘BEST QUALITY’ SHOTGUNS OF THE BRITISH ISLES Some of the world’s finest side-by-sides are made in England and Scotland. STORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM DICKSON

he British are a nation of shotgunners, so it is no surprise that the shotgun reached its highest level of perfection there under the patronage of its wealthy aristocrats. The classic game gun is a 12bore side-by-side double weighing between 6 and 7 pounds with a straight stock, splinter fore-end, and a whopping-big price tag that puts off the uninformed. Americans question the high price and insist that they can kill just as many birds

The grass is greener on the other side of the pond when it comes to the production of high-quality sideby-side shotguns. Famed English gunmaker Giles Whittome demonstrates proper shooting form with one.

americanshootingjournal.com 47

This 1867 John Dickson Damascus gun is nitro proofed.

with a cheap gun. Well, they can’t kill as many birds with a cheap gun stocked for the “average man” instead of hand-fitted to you personally, and the price is justified as you are getting everything you paid for and more, as this article will show. The big price is because these guns are not just handmade, they are made to the highest standards of human achievement by the small number of men with the skill to do this. The term “Best Quality” means just that – the best that money can buy. I have stood there and watched as a raw forging was filed to shape and fitted to tolerances of under one tenthousandth of an inch entirely by hand. Parts are blackened with smoke then tried and the high spots marked by the smoking carefully brought into line for perfect functioning. I have watched the barrels “being struck,” which means that they are not only filed round to shape instead of lathe turned but also contoured, swamped, etc. The end product is carefully hand-polished and finished to the highest standards. No machine-made gun has ever been made with this much precision, 48

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

and attempts to duplicate this level of quality by machines have always failed. This is artistry of the highest form – functional art at the highest level of human skill producing items of unsurpassed grace and beauty. You are also getting reliability and longevity. This is why the early explorers of Africa and Asia carried Best Quality guns, for there were no gunsmiths in uncharted territory. While a pump shotgun is doing exceptionally well to last 10,000 rounds and a semiauto will not even do that well, the Best Quality guns last into the millions of rounds. Imperial Chemical Industries fired a Best Quality sidelock 1.25 million rounds testing their ammunition. At the end of this, the gun was completely disassembled and all parts measured for wear. None was found. How many cheaper guns would you have to buy to shoot that many rounds? Regular replacement of worn-out guns becomes the norm when you shoot a lot. The so-called cheap gun suddenly costs more than the Best Quality gun. There is an old saying that the young man buys a Best

Quality double for his grandchildren because they will be using it after he is gone. No other heirloom is as valued or used as much as this. HANDLING QUALITIES OF these jewels borders on the legendary, with a lot of that stemming from the fact that the gun is hand-fitted to the user. The customer’s measurements are taken with a try gun, which has a stock that can be adjusted to 1/16 inch in all directions. The gunfitter will stay at this until the shotgun unerringly points where the shooter is looking when the gun is mounted without the shooter having to adjust himself to the gun. When getting a gunfitting, do not show off how you can hit the bird no matter what. Let the gun miss until it is brought in line where you are looking. That’s the whole purpose of this. The gun must have a straight gripped stock or at most a semipistol-grip stock, as you cannot hit incoming grouse directly overhead consistently with a full pistol-grip stock. The fore-end should be a splinter fore-end, as a beavertail

americanshootingjournal.com 49

fore-end can kill the liveliness of a gun and it prevents the necessary grip. You hold the barrels with your left thumb laid alongside them. This aids in proper pointing and the simple expedient of laying the thumb alongside of the barrels is sufficient to block the left eye’s view of the barrels to prevent it from fighting for master eye dominance. When the left eye succeeds, you mysteriously miss to the side. Your master eye is the one whose view of the position of a finger held at arm’s length does not change when you shut the other eye. If you are one of the rare ones who are right-handed and shoot from the right shoulder but have a dominant left eye, you must shut the left eye when shooting. An over/under shotgun can never handle as well as a side-by-side, as the grip is deeper, preventing a proper grip, and you are conscious

Adjusting length of pull at John Dickson & Son.

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

of the increased wind resistance to its moving. The most damning feature of the over/under is that the right eye can see only the top rib, while the left eye sees the great mass of both barrels, setting off a serious bout for master eye dominance with each shot and the resultant random misses to one side when the left eye wins. The over/under came first but was discarded in favor of the better handling and pointing side-by-side. It was reintroduced by the gun trade as a ploy to sell an extra gun or two to their clients. It caught on in America because the phrase “single sighting plane” hit a note with the American practice of trying to aim a shotgun like a rifle, instead of pointing it like a shotgun should be. The desire to be fashionably in style is more important than performance to most people, so the over/under is popular today. A lot more credit is given to

balance than it is due. A Best Quality gun and a cheap double can have the same balance point and yet the Best Quality gun will feel lively in the hands while the cheap gun won’t. The proper balance point varies with the individual. Generally it is around the hinge pin somewhere. For me, it is best 4 inches in front of the front trigger. The important thing is that the majority of the weight is between the hands and both hands are lifting equal amounts when mounting the gun. A gun properly balanced for an individual will feel 20 percent lighter in the hands than it actually is. Where the weight is distributed factors in also. I remember once when too much weight was added to a gun’s butt. All of a sudden, a formerly lively gun went dead in the hands. Longer barrels have leverage aside from weight, which can be used to the advantage of big men. The last 9

inches will be thinned on these guns to improve the dynamics of this. Big men like myself are best served by 30-inch barrels, while small men can benefit from barrels as short as 25 inches. Gunmaker Robert Churchill liked 25-inch barrels on his guns and promoted them for everyone, but as one of his workmen once said to me, “Robert was a little shortass.” Shorter barrels’ benefits have been overstated a bit. At 5-foot-2, my Betty did just fine with 27-inch barrels and had no need for anything shorter. The saying among the gun trade has always been “Big man, big gun. Little man, little gun.” Just plain old common sense. THE RESULT OF all these factors is called “liveliness” in a gun. A Best Quality gun fitted to the shooter will seem to unerringly mount and fire itself with no effort from the shooter. At the moment of firing, man and gun are one in a mystical zen-like experience that is the highest moment in shooting skill. In my opinion, no matter how good you are, you will

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

never experience what I am talking about with any other type of gun except a fitted Best Quality side-byside double. The spare ammunition is carried loose in a shell bag in Scotland and England and the possibility of a smaller gauge shell finding its way into the bag can have serious consequences. In the heat of shooting fast-flying birds, a smaller shell can drop unnoticed past the chamber to lodge in the forcing cone to be followed by chambering the proper size shell. When fired, this blows up the gun. General Franco of Spain blew up a new Purdey this way. Therefore, for safety’s sake, the British and Scottish gunmakers standardized the 12-gauge double and made it in three different action sizes for different loads and weights instead of making multiple gauges. This is the reason most of these guns are 12-gauge, though they will make any gauge on request. In order to prevent excessive recoil, the rule is that a shotgun should weigh

96 times the weight of the shot charge thrown. Thus a gun shooting 1 ounce of shot should weigh 6 pounds. It is very important not to exceed the shot charge the gun is proofed for. The gun won’t blow up, but it will soon suffer damage. The action bar will spring, causing the barrels to be loose in the receiver and the barrels will suffer “riveling,” wavy lines of distortion as the excessive shot charge deforms the barrels that have been thinned for liveliness. If you want to shoot heavy loads, get a waterfowl gun that is proofed for them. Personally I have never needed anything more than 1 ounce of No. 6 shot backed by 3 drams of powder for everything from grouse to turkeys. This used to be America’s most popular load back when the farmer’s single-barrel 5-pound shotgun was so common, but now the big ammo companies no longer load this one. I got Estate Cartridge Company to load a bunch of these for me some years back. It should be noted that a 12-gauge will throw a better pattern

A gunfitting form from Purdey & Sons in London.

with a light load than a 16- or 20- or 28-gauge with the same load. THE SCOTTISH AND English style of shooting is designed for easy, effective

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

use, while permitting a shooting instructor to quickly spot errors and get you out of a hitting slump. Basically, the eyes are locked on the target and the gun is brought up

as levelly as possible while always pointing the muzzle at the bird. There should be no rocking back and forth of the butt and the muzzles as the gun is lifted. The whole body turns like a

gun turret following the bird instead of just moving the gun. When turning to the right you push off with the left foot and when turning to the left you push off with the right foot. The gun is fired as soon as it is cheeked without ever seeing the barrels or looking at anything but the bird. If your gun is stocked to fit you after a proper Scottish or British gunfitter has taken your measurements with the try gun, then your gun will be pointing exactly where you are looking and hitting is assured with proper form. A gunfitting and a shooting lesson can be had for a very reasonable price at the West London Shooting School outside of London, the Yeaveley Estate Shooting School in Derbyshire, and the John Dickson & Son Shooting School in Edinburgh, Scotland. Once you have your measurements, you can have a new gun built to them or have a second-hand gun stock altered to them. The gunsmiths in the British Isles are extremely skilled at altering gun stocks, even bending them to shape under hot oil.

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

The American Army Quick Kill Instinct Shooting method also works with a fitted game gun and the fitted gun makes it even more effective. The classic game gun comes in several action types. The London gun trade leans toward the hammerless sidelock and its elegant lock plates offer the largest surface for engraving. The hammerless sidelock is the invention of the Rogers lockmaking firm, which was a principal supplier of gun locks to the trade. The boxlock was invented by Anson & Deeley, two Westley Richards workmen who gave it their name. It is the most common action type in the world now. The Greener Facile Princeps action looks outwardly like a boxlock but is simpler inside and deserves to be more popular today. The Dickson Round Action has the mechanical parts located on the trigger plate. It was widely copied in Germany, where it is known as a Blitz action. The Round Actionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s springs are flexed less than the other designs and

are practically unbreakable, making this the one you want in sub-Arctic and Arctic regions where the cold makes steel more brittle. The Dickson Round Action also has the best weight distribution for liveliness of all the action types and the firm has always exploited this, pushing liveliness in the hands to the maximum when building their guns. While a big makerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name ensures quality, as they must maintain their reputation, these guns are the product of skilled workmen and the best individuals may or may not be at the big name gunmakers. I remember a few years back when the workmen at the bench considered the then best living gunmaker to be a toss-up between John Wilkes, if you paid him extra, and Peter Nelson. David Perkins was also mentioned. Wilkes was a fifth-generation gunmaker with a small shop. Nelson started his own shop and had a small group of appreciative clients that kept him busy. Perkins bought the Lancaster Gun Co. name, as he was unknown and had trouble

selling under his own name. It should be noted that the most elaborate Best Quality gun of the 20th Century came from gunmaker Giles Whittome. Whittome is a former Tanganyika elephant control officer who now specializes in the highest grade of Best Quality guns. He is most famous for his mighty 2-bore rifles, the most powerful sporting guns in history. His Paragon was a nitroproofed Damascus barrel masterpiece with every extra feature the gun trade could lavish on a gun. It was gold inlaid to the maximum amount permitted by good taste. The finest feature to my eyes is the disappearing flush lock detaching lever. Instead of a projecting lever that can snag and loosen on brush, this one is flipped up by the thumbnail and unscrewed. Upon replacing the locks, it is flipped down again and the lock plate is flat once more. The double triggers can be used as double triggers or as a single trigger gun, if desired. The list goes on, but space does not permit listing all.

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

DO NOT WORRY if your gun has Damascus barrels. It will be safe for the loads it was proofed for. In British Government Proof House tests, the best Damascus proved 3 points stronger than the best fluid steel barrels. Damascus barrels were slandered by the big American gunmakers after World War I when they could no longer get Damascus barrels in sufficient quantity due to the skilled workforce that made them having been largely shot up as cannon fodder in The Great War. Before that, they were putting them on their highest grade guns for all black powder and smokeless powder shells. The American government had abruptly canceled all wartime contracts at the end of the war, leaving those who had a factory full of war goods in desperate financial straits. The big gun companies hit on the idea that they could sell everyone in the country a new shotgun if they could convince them that their old one was unsafe, so they started buying every Damascus gun with damaged barrels

but not showing the fluid steel barrels with the same damage. A look at these barrels today often shows the cause at a glance. Bore obstructions included a barrel plugged with mud or snow; a 20-gauge shell loaded in front of a 12-gauge shell; the common problem of the day of someone loading the new Infallible powder, now known as Unique powder, bulk for bulk with black powder; barrels damaged by severe denting; or boring out pits leaving the barrel paper thin. All these things will blow up any barrel, but only Damascus barrels were shown. The truth is that Damascus barrels routinely sail through the proof house getting new nitro proof. I have seen a Purdey muzzleloader converted to a breechloader easily pass nitro proof, as did an 1867 John Dickson breechloader. According to British and European proof house records, no Damascus barrel “in proof” (which means it’s not overly pitted or bored out and still in the condition it was in when proof tested) has ever burst

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with the loads that it was proofed for. This is in stark contrast to fluid steel barrels that have occasionally done so. I personally know two men who had their hands injured by fluid steel barrels bursting. Fluid steel may have a slag inclusion or even an air bubble that can become a crack during firing, resulting in a blow up. Rare, but it has happened. In Damascus steel, an internal crack stops at the next layer and you keep on safely shooting. Even with a bursting situation, Damascus will often bulge instead of bursting outright like fluid steel. Talk of cheap inferior grades of Damascus barrels is a brazen lie. While Damascus barrels can be found on cheaper guns, the barrels themselves are always of the highest quality. The Damascus barrel makers had a spotless reputation and they jealously guarded it. Aside from their beauty, Damascus barrels also shoot better shot patterns. Some of the famous turn-of-the-century English shooters even had to have their new fluid steel barrel guns rebarreled in Damascus before they could get the perfect patterns they required. Steel shot is never to be fired in any gun not specifically made for it, whether it is a cheap gun or a Best Quality gun. Steel shot has more recoil and less power than lead shot. It has sprung water tables on the receivers, leaving the barrels loose, ironed out chokes until the thick metal of the choke was on the outside of the barrel instead of the inside, separated ribs, scored barrels, and generally totally wrecked guns. That’s fine with the big mass-production American gun companies that always want you to have to get a new gun. Planned obsolescence is the corporate way, you know. But if you appreciate the finer things in life and love guns and hunting, you owe it to yourself to get a classic Best Quality side-by-side game gun fitted to you. It will vastly improve your hitting and take your pleasure in hunting to the highest level. It is the ultimate game shooting experience. 

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BULLET BULLETIN

Author Phil Massaro’s .308 Winchester deer bullet: a 150-grain Speer Grand Slam.

HUNTING BULLET COVERS THE BASES

Speer’s Grand Slam expands well, is available for cartridges from .243 to .375 for midsized, large game. STORY AND PHOTOS BY PHIL MASSARO

t was the last day of the New York firearm deer season, and I had been having a rough go of it. To be honest, it was one of the worst seasons I’d ever had; I began to believe that all the antlered deer had been rounded up and shipped to a different part of the world. The morning had been spent

watching the gray squirrels doing squirrelly things, and I sat rather melancholy after lunch, wondering if one more hunt was even a bearable proposition. In the name of perseverance, I laced up my Schnee’s, grabbed my familiar old Ruger .308 Winchester, and headed to that little gully behind my father’s house that the

deer love to use as a funnel to head out to the orchards just before dark. The afternoon whiled away, with that last hour of light arriving like a beacon of failure for the season. Now, around my house, venison is considered a delicacy, with the kids often arguing over who gets the last piece, so to bring home the news americanshootingjournal.com 69

bullet bulletin

The 180-grain Grand Slam makes a good choice for the .300 Magnums on large and medium game.

that the freezer would contain only chicken this winter wasn’t going to go over well. But then, with 20 minutes left on the clock, a corpulent old doe, all by her lonesome, wound down the gully and finally offered a shot at just over 60 yards. The Ruger 77 came to shoulder quickly, as it had done so many times before, and a single 150-grain Speer Grand Slam bullet changed the outcome of my season.

The Grand Slam is a flat-base bullet, with a decent ogive for flat trajectories in a hunting rifle. (VISTA OUTDOOR)

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

VERNON SPEER STARTED THE bullet company that would bear his name 75 years ago, filling the demand for component projectiles during World War II, using spent .22 Long Rifle cases as the jacket material for his bullets. The company would go on to become a household name in the reloading world, with Vernon’s bullets being used by a good number of the top outdoor writers of the day, including his friend Jack O’Connor. Today, Speer is owned

by Vista Outdoor and remains an important part of their group of highly successful brands. The Speer Grand Slam is designed to be a strong bullet, fully capable of withstanding the high impact velocities of magnum cartridges, yet still giving the necessary expansion for a quick, humane kill. Speer’s patented Hot-Cor technology, which pours molten lead alloy into a drawn, copper alloy jacket of proper dimensions, is employed for the Grand Slam bullet. This avoids the issue of a layer of lubricant between the core and jacket – necessary for a swaged bullet – as well as prevents any voids or air pockets in the core, which can have a detrimental effect on a bullet’s accuracy. The jacket is thin at the nose to allow for proper expansion, thickening toward the base to keep the core and jacket together during the violent terminal phase of the bullet’s flight. The package is held together with a cannelure, or crimping groove, helping to prevent the jacket and core from separating upon impact. This bullet is a hunting bullet, make

bullet bulletin

A Grand Slam recovered from ballistic gelatin. (VISTA OUTDOOR)

no mistake, as its flat base and blunted meplat certainly do not offer the ballistic coefficient of recent boattail designs, but within the greater majority of hunting situations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; inside of 300 yards â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Grand Slam poses no issue whatsoever. The Grand Slam does have an elongated ogive, to make the best of trajectories with a flat-base bullet.

The 140-grain Speer Grand Slam in 6.5mm, a great choice for hunting with your Creedmoor. (VISTA OUTDOOR)

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

I LIKE GRAND SLAMS for bears, and have loaded many of them for clients in pursuit of bears over bait or with hounds. The tougher construction engenders confidence when strong

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bullet bulletin The 285-grain Speer Grand Slam is an excellent mate to the .375 H&H case, whether for African plains game, Alaskan brown bear, or elk and moose.

shoulder bones must be broken and penetration is a necessity; following a wounded bear into thick willows is not anyone’s idea of a good time. I also like the Speer Grand Slam for those situations when you’re taking a traditionally marginal cartridge,

and pitting against larger game. For example, many people hunt elk with a .270 Winchester and 130-grain bullets, but were I to do so I would feel much more confident with a stronger bullet design like the Speer Grand Slam. I’ve also loaded the Grand Slam for a

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American Shooting Journal // December 2018

number of clients wishing to use the .375 H&H for plains game in Africa; the 285-grainer will handle any antelope, including the biggest eland. THE GRAND SLAM IS currently available in calibers from 6mm/.243 inch up to .375 inch, which covers the majority of our popular North American hunting cartridges. Speer’s original design for the Grand Slam featured a dual core of differing hardness, but that is no longer the case. I find the modern design of the bullet to be a bit more consistent and accurate, and that’s certainly a good thing. While many of our premium bullets can be very expensive – approaching or even exceeding $1.00 per projectile – the Speer Grand Slam is very affordable. If you’re looking to give your deer rifle a boost in performance without breaking the bank, give the Speer Grand Slam an audition. I’d bet you’ll be a happy hunter. 

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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 star lubers gas checking every day. We have bullets made with five different alloys that we order in 40,000 - 60,000 lbs at a time a mixed per our set alloys. Prices subject to change without notice.

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GET A GRIP! EZR Sport specializes in rifle, shotgun and handgun grips and gauntlets. PHOTOS BY EZR SPORT, INC.

ezer Products has been in business over 50 years manufacturing grips and sanding products for industrial clients, as well as the military and law enforcement. So when the company was looking for growth and expansion opportunities, they found that the sport shooting market was a natural fit. “We have a number of avid shooting sports enthusiasts, including me,” says Bob Atkinson, operations director for Eezer Products. “We did our research and found there were some very good applications for our unique grip material. Our extremely durable, UV-resistant grip material was already being used in military and law enforcement applications. So we felt that the civilian market would be a natural opportunity for growth. In

Grip products are also available for a range of AR-style rifles.

EZR Sport makes gauntlets – grip enhancements – for 23 different handgun models, including the S&W M&P Shield.

2015, we began to produce products for the sport shooter.” Thus, EZR Sport, Inc. was launched, specializing in grips for rifles, shotguns and handguns, popular with military, law enforcement and civilians alike. “We think EZR Sport makes the best, most effective grip enhancements for Glock pistols,” says Atkinson. “The Glock pistol gauntlets are one of our most popular products. We also make grip handgun gauntlets for 22 other pistol models for a variety of other well known manufacturers.” Other popular products include a complete grip for the A2-style AR-10 and AR-15, which offers the shooter more comfort and performance, says Atkinson. “We have also expanded our gauntlet line for other manufacturers’ A2-style replacement grips, for example BCM, Magpul, ERGO and others.” EZR Sport’s shotgun gauntlets are made for shotguns with an A2-style americanshootingjournal.com 77

“We know how to make a superior grip,” states Bob Atkinson, operations director for the company that’s been in this business for 55 years.

pistol grip. “Examples would be the Keltec KSG models, SRM 1216 and Standard Manufacturing DP-12,” says Atkinson. Because of the unique quality material that EZR Sport uses, the company guarantees that their grips will not slip, move or rotate when installed properly on the handgun, shotgun or rifle, and they stand behind their grips with a lifetime guarantee. Atkinson says this guarantee is one of the factors that shooters like best about EZR Sport’s products. Other factors include the improved comfortable feel in the hand when shooting and a secure feel that improves your shooting accuracy, says Atkinson. EZR Sport’s grips and gauntlets also make close-to-the-body concealed carry more comfortable and make the hand-weld repeatable for improved accuracy. With strictly USA-made products and a lifetime guarantee, EZR Sport has the grip or gauntlet for you. “We have been manufacturing grip products for a multitude of industries for over 55 years,” says Atkinson. “We know how to make a superior grip.”  Editor’s note: For more information, visit ezrsport.com. 78

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

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GRIPS GALLERY EZR SPORT EZR Sport Gauntlet grips are perfect for smaller hands, and excellent for female shooters’ control, comfort and accuracy. Ideal for ladies concealed carry next to the body. www.ezrsport.com

NC ORDNANCE TRACTIONGRIPS Tractiongrips has added a premium coyote brown rubber material to their custom-made grips lineup. They look great on 19X and FDE pistols. www.tractiongrips.com

Reproduction Stag-like Grips: Over 2,200 of the finest quality reproduction grips and buttplates for sale. S10 Colt 1911 .45 Gov’t Model Auto and Clones. Staglike grips are made of the best quality urethane available. Will not shrink or chip. $50.00 plus $5.00 postage. www.gungrip.com

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American Shooting Journal // December 2018

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ROAD HUNTER

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE HUNTER Expert’s picks for best scopes, optics, trail cams, stocking stuffers and more. STORY AND PHOTOS BY SCOTT HAUGEN

he Christmas season is in full swing, and if you’re looking for that special piece of hunting gear to get for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, the clock is ticking. That said, here are some items worth considering, gear I’ve personally used. I know they work, I’d suggest them to anyone, and, most importantly, I use them and plan on using them for years to come, thus stand behind them. RIFLE SCOPES HAVE A wide range of purposes and price points, but one of the best bangs for the buck I’ve ever seen is Leupold’s VX-Freedom 3-9x40 CDS rifle scope (leupold.com). I recently put this scope, with a duplex

crosshair, on my wife’s .260 custom Nosler rifle, which was shooting 125 Nosler Partitions. We gave the folks at Leupold our specific ballistics and what yardage the rifle was zeroed in at, and they made us a custom dial turret. The custom dial, dubbed the CDS (Custom Dial System), is installed in the top turret position once the rifle is sighted in. The CDS eliminates the need for holdover, as it’s a turret that’s marked with specific distances out to a maximum yardage. Simply sight the rifle in as usual, replace the top turret with the custom dial, and you’re ready to shoot. It worked perfectly, as my wife made a clean, one-shot kill the first time out on a blacktail deer. The VX-Freedom 3-9x40 CDS scope is not only the hottest

scope in the hunting world right now, but it’s one of the most affordable, highquality scopes in the industry. If you’re a predator hunter looking to build a close-range rifle or shotgun setup, or are serious about turkey hunting, another versatile scope option is Trijicon’s MRO, which stands for Miniature Rifle Optic (trijicon.com). The MRO is a red-dot sight that’s rugged, lightweight and waterproof. There’s virtually no tunnel vision, commonly seen with other red dot sights, thanks to a shortened optical length. Mounting the MRO is simple. Treat it just as you would a rifle scope, including the bore sighting and actual sighting in process. What I love about the MRO is its infinite eye

Leupold’s line of optics is among the best in the industry, according to author Scott Haugen. He reports he was more than pleased with how this lineup performed for him this year and says their price points make them within reach of most hunters.

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ROAD HUNTER

Trijicon’s MRO, or Miniature Rifle Optic, is a reddot sight that works wonders on shotguns and rifles intended for close-range shooting.

relief, which makes it easy to quickly acquire game that’s moving off to the side, or at unexpected angles to your shooting position. The MRO has eight brightness settings and the 2032 battery offers five years of continuous use. The bright, 2-MOA dot is crisp and the ideal size to optimize target acquisition, and it’s also parallax free. OPTICS ARE SOME OF the most important pieces of gear I rely on, no matter where in the world I’m hunting. This year I put Leupold’s binocular and spotting scope lines to use in multiple situations. These optics are easy to use, offer a crisp image in a range of weather, and are durable. I spent many hours behind each piece of glass, and eye fatigue was never an issue. Most importantly, these optics saved me valued time, allowing me to cover ground with my eyes, not my feet, and spot game that was hiding in the most obscure pieces of cover. For binoculars I carry on my person, I was impressed with both the Leupold 90

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

BX-4 Pro Guide HD and the BX-5 Santiam HD. The BX-4 is a 10x42 that’s lightweight and compact. This was my preferred bino when hiking long distances, hunting in brushy habitat or facing rain and heavy fog. When spending time in more open terrain, the BX-5s were my bino of choice. Both pairs are waterproof, have easy-to-adjust eye cups and barrels, are comfortable to hold for long periods and perform well in low light and amid heavy shadows. For longer range glassing, the BX-5 Santiam HD 15x56 was ideal. Be sure and get a tripod to use with this glass, as this will allow you to search for hours in comfort. The amount of detail this larger binocular affords is well worth the investment due to the crisp image. I was also impressed with Leupold’s Gold Ring 12-40x60 spotting scope, as the unit is very compact and lightweight, provides a very sharp image and has appealing eye relief and physical features that allow you to glass for hours.

Finally, no optics package is complete without a rangefinder, and the Leupold RX-1600i rangefinder was perfect. This very light, compact rangefinder features a 6x magnification, a crisp red OLED display, high light transmission, a built-in inclinometer and more, which make it the ideal rangefinder for the hunter on the move, in a range of habitats and terrain. WHILE ON THE TOPIC of rifle hunting, I’m a believer in solid shooting rests, and advocate always taking shots at big game from a tripod shooting stick or gun-mounted bipod. I recently put a Javelin Bipod (javelinbipod. com) on one of my rifles, and was greatly impressed. This unit is easy to install, and the fact that the extremely lightweight, durable, magnetic bipod can be removed from the receiver, which is mounted on the rifle stock, makes for easy, comfortable carrying of the gun. Having the option to mount or remove the bipod quickly is a huge

ROAD HUNTER

One of the most versatile and efficient bipods the author has used, the Spartan Javelin Bipod is worth looking into.

breakthrough in the world of shooting aids, but it also can be folded forward or backward while on the gun and carried that way. The bipod easily pivots, yet can be locked in place in order to eliminate movement. Rubber covers slip over the end of the legs and grip on many surfaces, but can be removed to expose tungsten carbide-tipped feet, which grip on ice and rocks. One of the tools I depend on yearround is a trail camera. I have quite a few units, and am always looking for the best, especially when it comes to video quality. I learn far more about animals, animal behavior and animal movement through video than I do still photos, and this is where the Stealth Cam DS4K (stealthcam.com) instantly caught my attention. The quality of both day and nighttime video this camera captures is flawless. It’s the world’s first 4K digital trail camera, and the NoGlo infrared flash range is 100 feet. The fast trigger speed means

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ROAD HUNTER you’ll not miss capturing high-quality still shots, either. I’ve had great success with the DS4K for tracking deer, elk, bears, turkeys, waterfowl, small game and a range of predators. AS FOR STOCKING STUFFERS, consider these. Headlamps are an important part of my gear and this year the 250 Lumen

Cyclops Conductive Touch Headlamp (gsmoutdoors.com) instantly caught my attention. The light never turned on while in my pack, and its bright, direct beam worked great in the duck blind, in the woods and in the cold rain. The on/off touch pad is silent and the unit runs on three AAA batteries which last 2.5 hours on the high setting, up

A nifty, must-have piece of equipment for any hunter, the SSI Gun Rope Cleaner is a two-part system that is easy to carry afield and simple to use.

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

to 10 hours on the 100 lumen white COB LED setting, or 25 hours on the green COB LED setting. The shock- and weather-resistant housing held up on all my trips. I’m an advocate of keeping your gun barrel clean of powder residue and debris, and this stocking stuffer will help. The SSI Gun Rope Cleaner is a two-part system that is lightweight so it’s easy to carry afield, and it’s simple to use. Simply use the nylon rope to pull the brush from breech to barrel, then follow it up with the finishing rope. Available in a range of gauges and calibers, I had great success with it on multiple hunts, from Alaska to California, and it’s available online or at many local sporting goods stores. When camping, cooking is something I want done fast and simple. While it won’t fit into a stocking, the Camp Chef One-Burner Stove (campchef.com) is priced as such, and it’s easy to operate. I used this stove on

ROAD HUNTER multiple trips, and if I can cook on it, anyone can. It’s lightweight, comes in an easy-to-carry case, and is fast and efficient. Get the model that features an adapter to burn both butane and the 1-pound propane bottle. While on the topic of versatile hunting gear, the most versatile tool I’ve used in the outdoors is the LoopRope (looprope.com). The ultimate tie-down is durable and can be used in many ways. I take them on every outing and always have a couple in my truck. I use them camping, hiking, packing out game, and in a pinch so many times. At a mere $20, you can’t go wrong here, and believe me, you will find more than one use for these gems. There you have it, a look at some of the gear I used this year, and will keep using for years to come. Good hunting, good shopping, and happy holidays.  Haugen’s top pick for the most universal piece of outdoor gear he uses around the world, the LoopRope makes the perfect gift for anyone, even if they’re not a serious hunter.

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

Editor’s note: Looking for more Christmas gift ideas? Check out Scott Haugen’s many bestselling hunting, fishing and cooking books, and get them signed, at scotthaugen.com. Follow Scott on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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Dragoon Benefits • TBT allows 100% of the parts to be disassembled for easy cleaning. • 7.62 is rated from .22LR thru .300 Wby Mag. • Extreme strength/durability achieved by machining the body from solid Titanium Bar. • Superior db Reduction across entire caliber range. • Field strip and assemble with standard tools. • Proprietary fl ash hider/QD mount creates rock solid, fast and light weight (Titanium) lock-up. • Robust mounting system allows one handed installation or removal in 2 seconds. • 1.375” Diameter • DA model is 11.5 oz and QD Model is 12.9 oz in weight.

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she hunts

HUNTING AMIDST CARPATHIAN CLOUDS Chamois haunt the heights of this wild Romanian mountain range. STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRITTANY BODDINGTON

’ve had the opportunity to hunt several chamois subspecies, but the Carpathian goat-antelope is one I had yet to chase. I booked my hunt for one through Asian Mountain Outfitters (asianmountainoutfitters.com) and they

planned an adventure in the Carpathian range of Romania, in Eastern Europe. We traveled a long way from the airport up to Balea Lake, where we stayed in a beautiful mountain cabin. The area was breathtaking; the lake is surrounded by snow-covered peaks

that look like a scene from a Christmas winter wonderland. The hunting area begins at the top of the highest peak, which is about a mile hike from the cabin. At the top of the mountain you can see forever in every direction, and the hunting area

Brittany Boddington glasses in Romania’s snowy Carpathian Mountains, Europe’s second longest range and home to chamois, which were difficult to get to with a lot of snow on the ground.

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she hunts covers a big chunk of that landscape. Soon we’d get even closer to the action. WE AWOKE EARLY IN the morning and fueled up with a beautiful Romanian breakfast, got all of our gear organized and headed straight up the mountain. The snow was crunchy and went

knee-deep. I followed the footsteps our guide cut and crashed through a few times in deep spots. It was hard hiking but not terrible. The snow was starting to melt a bit, so it was slick in some areas. I slid around a bit, which was hard on the knees but didn’t prevent us from making it to the top.

We started glassing when we reached the top of the mountain. It wasn’t long before we spotted some chamois in the rocks below on the same face of the mountain that we were on. We scrambled to get ready but couldn’t get into a shooting position quick enough and the chamois ran out of sight. We glassed for a while longer and tried to figure out where the male chamois were. While the group of females stayed on the ridge in the distance, the males were nowhere to be seen. We hiked along the ridgeline to an outcrop where we crept forward carefully and peeked over the edge. Sure enough, the male chamois were straight below us, moving along slowly. The chamois in this area should have been entering the rut at this time, but they didn’t seem the least bit interested in the females on the opposite ridge. It was decision time. We could choose between waiting on the ridge a while longer to see if the chamois would come our way or try to hike down the steep snowy mountain to get a shot at

Stretching from eastern Austria and along the PolandSlovakia border before heading southeast, the Carpathians reach over 8,300 feet in Romania, where they are also home to red stag, wild boars, bears, wolves and more.

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she hunts them where they were. This was a risky move because it was a long hike down and it was approaching midday. We didn’t want to be caught in the dark on the mountain but decided to give it a try rather than waiting it out because, honestly, I’m not great at the waiting game. So it was time to make it happen. WE HALF HIKED AND half slid down the mountain in the melting ice and snow, but it paid off because we spotted the chamois again when we were about halfway down. We cut across the ridges to try and close some distance and peeked over each ridge carefully to make sure we didn’t spook them. We lost sight of the chamois for a while, but one of the guides got really excited as we peeked over a ridgetop. He rushed back to tell us that the chamois were just over the ridge right in front of us. I slowly crept forward with my rifle and lowered the legs of the bipod.

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I got set up lying down in the snow and steadied my breathing. Because the chamois were blissfully unaware of our presence, I had some time to range them, and they were around 120 yards out. It was a perfect set-up; there was no wind, the rest felt steady, I took a deep breath, let it out halfway and slowly squeezed the trigger. The chamois was hit hard and took one huge jump before it disappeared down a deep ravine. We tried to follow the tracks of the chamois, but it fell a long way down the ravine. The guide suggested that they go down and find it because we were running out of daylight and the hiking was really difficult. The guides hurried down and found the chamois, but it was in a terrible spot, so they used rope to pull it up out of the ravine. Because it was starting to get late The climb to the summit of one of the mountains featured some knee-deep snow to traverse, but the motivation to get close to the chamois made it worthwhile.

she hunts in the afternoon, we took some quick pictures and started the tough climb back up to the top of the mountain so we could hike back down the other side and back to the cabin. It was just about dark when we made it back and we were all excited to celebrate. Needless to say, day one was a massive success, and the next day my boyfriend would try for his chamois and also succeed! Romania was gorgeous and it is definitely on my short list for places to plan a return visit. They have lots of hunting opportunities, including red stag, fallow deer and more. If you are interested and want more info, contact Bryan Martin at AsianMountainOutfitters@gmail.com. ď&#x201A;Ť

Boddington could add another type of chamois to her ledger, the Carpathian version of this goat-antelope species.

Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: Brittany Boddington is an Arizona-based hunter, journalist and adventurer. For more, see brittanyboddington.com and facebook. com/brittanyboddington.

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BLACK POWDER

Buffalo Camp participants pose with their buffalo guns.

WHERE THE BUFFALO CAMPERS ROAM A mini rendezvous of black powder enthusiasts features various buffalo gun-shooting skills contests. STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE NESBITT

little group of us, calling ourselves the Black River Buffalo Runners, held an event for buffalo gun shooters that puts a new twist on things. We called it a “Buffalo Camp.” This was not really a hunt, although we might wish that it was. Instead it was a gathering of buffalo rifle shooters with a match for the buffalo guns, plus another match for

the “camp guns.” A camp gun could be just about anything the hunter might have in camp for either defense or meat hunting, other than buffalo. We included camping with an area for tents, plus another area for the “tin tepees.” This was our buffalo gun version of a muzzleloaders’ rendezvous. For the buffalo gunshooting, we held a “Little Quigley Match” with four metal targets. Three of those targets – a reduced size buffalo, a circle, and a 12-inch square – were set up at 200

yards. Participants fired at these targets from a sitting position over X-sticks. The other target, a reduced size “bucket,” was shot at offhand from 100 yards. The buffalo and the bucket targets were made by Young’s Point Manufacturing in Billings, Montana, while the circle and the square were locally obtained. The rifles we used in the Little Quigley Match had to have a bore of .375 inch or larger and be “buffalo guns” in appearance, primarily single americanshootingjournal.com 111

BLACK POWDER none of our shooters “aced” it by hitting with every shot. Our high-scoring shooter was Allen Cunniff, who got 13 hits out of 20 shots from his C. Sharps Arms ’74 Model Sharps in .45-70. We had a couple new shooters, including Clarence Atchison who had just gotten his .45-70 Sharps the night before. So he entered the match with a rifle he had never fired. I loaded about 30 rounds of .45-70s using the Lyman #457124 bullets (about 400 grain with the 25-1 alloy) over 63 grains of Olde Eynsford 1½ F for him to use. Jerry Mayo was Clarence’s spotter and they sighted the rifle in during the match by starting with a guess and then making necessary adjustments. Clarence got some hits and now he’s a confirmed Sharps shooter. The other new shooter was Tony Woore. Tony had bought a Sharps in .45-70 previously and he had come to one of our Old West Centerfire matches to watch and observe, but this was the first time he joined in the competition. We’ll be seeing Tony again too. Of course, new shooters are more than welcome.

Clarence Atchison with his brand-new Sharps in .45-70.

shots. They also needed to be loaded with black powder ammunition. With five shots fired at each of the four targets, our Little Quigley Match would consume 20 rounds per shooter. ON THE FIRST morning of our Buffalo Camp, we shot the Little Quigley Match and I was the last shooter in the first relay. The buffalo was our target and when my name was called by the scorekeeper, I aimed and fired. That was a hit! My heavy .44-77 apparently knew what it was doing! That morning was foggy and dark; dark enough that I could see the target when I looked at it but almost couldn’t see it through the rifle’s sights. That was emphasized as I missed that target with each of my next 112

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four shots. After the second relay had fired at the buffalo, Jerry Mayo and I went downrange and painted the other 200yard targets white. That made them much easier to see. But the bucket at 100 yards was not repainted and I realized that was a bad mistake as soon as I tried to make a hit on it. At the 200-yard targets, the shooting went on and I made four hits on each of them. Some of the other shooters were doing better. We saved the bucket at 100 yards for last and that’s when I realized I couldn’t see that target through my rifle’s sights either. So I scored a zero with my offhand shots. The Little Quigley Match was a good one. It was very challenging and

THE NEXT PART of our shooting would be done on the “Meat Hunt.” This is probably the greatest departure from other black powder cartridge shoots because it was done in the timber on a muzzleloaders’ trail walk and participants used their camp guns to shoot at animal-shaped gongs at distances varying from 15 yards to over 70 yards. It was like a hunt. While most shooters were using breech-loading rifles, many of which would be repeaters, our hunters walked the trail in groups carrying empty rifles. The rule on the trail walk states that “muzzleloading rifles will only be primed after the shooter is at the shooting station.” To comply with that rule, our cartridge shooters would only load their rifles, using them as single shots, at the shooting station. The shooting station, of course, is where the shooter would be standing when taking the shot at the target.

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BLACK POWDER Prototype #1 of the Hopkins & Allen .22 by C. Sharps Arms.

To do some good “hunting,” Allen Cunniff used a special gun, the Prototype #1 of the Hopkins & Allen .22 copy that has not yet been officially announced by C. Sharps Arms. And he used it very well, getting a good score. Verifying Allen’s hits was easy because with the subsonic .22 ammo he was using, the impact of the bullets hitting the steel targets was louder than the report of the rifle. That new little rifle couldn’t have gotten a better field test. It certainly is a very good camp gun. The Hopkins & Allen prototype was the only rimfire rifle used on our Meat Hunt. But that doesn’t mean all of the other rifles were centerfires. In fact, the Meat Hunt was won by Clarence Atchison, who used his .45-caliber percussion rifle. A muzzleloader fit our rules for the Meat Hunt very well and Clarence was our only hunter who

Allen Cunniff, seen at the Little Quigley Match, was the camp’s top shooter.

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POWDER RIVER PRECISION Powder River Precision has been in the market for over 11 years, providing high-end precision trigger kits that minimize wasted movement and inefficiencies in factory trigger systems. We research, prototype, develop and then manufacture parts and accessories for firearms. We also manufacture limited runs of 1911 pistols. All of our parts and kits are 100-percent made in the USA. In-house gunsmithing services are available to install our products on customer-supplied firearms. At Powder River Precision, we deliver quality products and timely service. Visit us at the SHOT Show (booth No. 2751) and the NRA Show. Or check out our web store. www.powderriverprecision.com (541) 523-4474 • 3835 23rd Street, Baker City, OR 97814

americanshootingjournal.com 115

BLACK POWDER Author Mike Nesbitt takes a shot with his .44 Colt in the revolver match.

made every shot count. The old buffalo hunters often carried handguns for personal protection and we had a black powder revolver match along the trail walk too. This included percussion revolvers as well as cartridge guns. Safety rules for this match directed shooters to load

the revolvers with five or six rounds at the first target, firing one shot at that target, and then returning the revolver to its holster without moving the gun’s hammer. That would keep the hammer down on an empty chamber. And I wouldn’t be bragging properly if I didn’t tell you that I won the revolver

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American Shooting Journal // December 2018

match with my Richards-Mason copy by Cimarron Firearms in .44 Colt. For my prize I selected a stick of BPC Lube from C. Sharps Arms. Speaking of prizes, we awarded prizes to shooters for first, second and third in each of the events, plus an aggregate prize for the combined Little Quigley Match and the Meat Hunt. Prize donors included C. Sharps Arms, The Single Shot Exchange, John Walters, Dixie Gun Works, Roy Marcot, Mike Venturino, Wolfe Publishing Company and Accurate Molds, plus some things from the Capitol City Rifle & Pistol Club and me. Our top shooter, taking first place in the aggregate, was Allen Cunniff. This was a new ballgame for shooting with black powder cartridge guns. It’s a lot of fun and we’re looking forward to doing it all again. The Black River Buffalo Runners are already discussing plans and dates for that next Buffalo Camp. Maybe you can join us. 

BRASS MASTER ULTRA VIBE CASE CLEANERS

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Top Quality Custom Built AR Weapon Systems at a great price Hand Guns Shotguns Bolt Action Rifles Firearm Accessories Cleaning Gear Gunsmithing

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americanshootingjournal.com 117

ADCO ARMS CO Super Thumb ST3 See us on page 120 SHELL SHOCK TECHNOLOGIES NAS3 cases See us on page 73

DELPHI TACTICAL 18â&#x20AC;? DP-10 Agincourt (available in .308 Win. or 6.5 Creedmoor) See us on page 41

HIGH TECH CUSTOMS Custom muzzle brakes for personal firearms, muzzleloaders See us on page 58

DEFIANCE MACHINE Tenacity action with 20 MOA rail and recoil lug See us on page 23

SEAL 1 SKIT R/P Gun Cleaning KitAll Rifle and Pistol See us on page 118

Guns &

Accessories

120

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

SAFER SOLUTIONS Ogre Manufacturing’s environmentally friendly products include gun cleaner, fish attractant, more. PHOTO BY OGRE MANUFACTURING

fter corporate buyouts and mergers shuttered the company he called home for 20-plus years, John “Ogre” Thompson, an avid hunter and chemist, decided to combine his two passions to fill a void he saw in the gun industry. “At my age it was impossible to find a position that would fully utilize my skills and give me job satisfaction,” explains Thompson. “I decided to use my skills to develop products for myself that would help fill a void in the shooting industry, a sport that I dearly loved.” “My daughter always was coughing when I cleaned my guns and I was tired of cleaning my guns out in the cold so as to not make her cough, so I tried to develop a gun cleaner that had very little odor,” he continues. “Reading the ingredients on most everyday gun cleaners, I realized the shooting industry also needed a gun cleaner that was less toxic and safer for the environment. After many trials, Enviroclean FA was born. I now needed a company to bring Enviroclean FA to market, hence Ogre Manufacturing LLC was started.” Now in business for over 16 years, Ogre Manufacturing produces an array

Along with biodegradable, low-odor gun-cleaning products, Ogre Manufacturing makes fish attractants as well as water-repelling oils for shoes and boots.

of environmentally friendly products for the hunting and fishing industry. The company’s initial product, Enviroclean FA, is a true gun solvent that contains no water, detergent or ammonia and is virtually odorless. Even though it is a solvent, the flashpoint is over 200 degrees Fahrenheit and is considered nonhazardous by DOT standards. The unique chemicals used to develop Enviroclean FA also make the solvent

biodegradable and safe for the environment. “Enviroclean FA is a great gun cleaner suitable for all types of guns, including black powder, which is different from most conventional gun cleaners,” says Thompson. Enviroclean FA is popular with hunters, gun enthusiasts and even law enforcement agencies. In fact, its popularity is what brought about Ogre Manufacturing’s second product, this

americanshootingjournal.com 121

Rust Protection for Firearms, Weapons, and Ammo Use Zerust20 for a 20% discount when ordering online

If you’re looking for the ultimate solution to protect metal from harmful rust, look for Zerust. Includes a VCI Weapon Protection Bag, Tube & Barrel Strip, latex gloves & a zip tie

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www.zerustproducts.com customerservice@zerustproducts.com • 330-405-1965 9345 Ravenna Rd. Unit E • Twinsburg, OH 44087-2465 122

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

time with fishermen in mind. “At the club I belong to, the fishermen were jealous of the Enviroclean FA gun cleaner and wanted something that would help them catch more fish. They asked if I could help them out and so I worked to develop ‘Ogre’s Catch More Fish,’” says Thompson. “My wife thought it was a dumb name so she changed the name to ‘Here Fishy, Fishy,’ which we have trademarked.” A fish attractant formulated with all natural ingredients, Here Fishy, Fishy is safe for the fish and for the lakes, rivers and oceans they inhabit. Ogre Manufacturing is always looking to develop products for the outdoorsman, and recently came up with two excellent water repellents, Ogre Boot Oil for leather shoes and boots and Dry as a Duck for fabrics and suedes. These products will be available on their website soon. Thompson takes great pride in making products that are environmentally safe. “We as a people have always strove for a better life for ourselves and for our children and for generations to come. We often made great strides in this endeavor at the expense of the environment,” he says. “Without a protected environment, a healthy world may not be there for future generations. As a hunter, I am also a conservationist and hence I knew the importance of developing products that were safe for the environment. Throughout my career as a chemist, I developed products that were environmentally friendly and strove to replace harmful chemicals where and whenever possible.”  Editor’s note: For more information and to view Ogre Manufacturing’s line of products, visit ogremfg.com. John Thompson also encourages readers to visit their booth at the NRA Convention in Indianapolis next spring to see all of their fine products in action.

americanshootingjournal.com 123

HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE

CDNN

Outers’ 51 Piece Gunsmithing Screwdriver Kit is great for gunsmithing, installing sights or scopes, or everyday use around the home. It includes a molded driver with magnetic tip, 15 flathead bits, 10 hex bits (inch), nine hex bits (metric), four Phillips bits, nine torx bits, two extra-long Phillips bits and one hex-to-square adapter. You get all of this for only $9.99.

www.cdnnsports.com

AMMO INC.

OPS rounds were developed to meet the wide variety of duty, defensive, and training scenarios. The lead-free and California-compliant projectile tracks straight through soft barriers, including drywall, plywood, car doors and auto glass. Upon entering soft tissue, however, OPS’s projectile fragments to transfer all of its energy into the target and minimize the risk of collateral damage.

DeSANTIS HOLSTERS

The DeSantis Osprey Holster is a trailingslot OWB/IWB holster built from premium tan saddle leather. The belt slots will fit belts up to 1½ inches wide. The IWB strap is “cantable” and easily removed without tools. The No. 159 is available for medium and large autoloaders. Patent pending.

www.desantisholster.com

AMERICAN PRECISION ARMS

The Answer Tunable Muzzle Brake is specifically designed for competitive shooters with one goal in mind – winning! With 12 months of research and development behind us, we are bringing the shooting community the most effective muzzle brake that AR-15platform shooters have ever seen. $169.

www.americanprecisionarms.com

www.ammoinc.com

VELOCITY TRIGGERS

NIGHTHAWK CUSTOM

The President by Nighthawk Custom is the second pistol in our sharp shooting Boardroom Series. This 5-inch range-ready Government 1911 is a shorter version of our very successful Chairman model. Windows and heavy-angle lightning cuts in the slide serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose. They allow the slide to cycle more rapidly while shooting competitively. This pistol is also available in multiple finishes, different colored barrels and grips.

The Marksman Performance Choice Trigger from Velocity Triggers is a drop-in trigger designed to give you more customization options and improve your finger’s position on the trigger. It’s compatible with any Mil-Spec AR-15 rifle, including the AR-10. The MPC trigger is designed for precision and made in America.

AMERICAN BUILT ARMS

The AB Arms Urban Sniper Stock X is designed and engineered for military, law enforcement and private security. The AB Arms Urban Sniper Stock X is a stronger, more compact, lightweight ergonomic precision rifle buttstock that can be used on any weapons system that utilizes a carbine-length buffer tube.

www.velocitytriggers.com

www.abarms.com

www.nighthawkcustom.com

TIPPMANN ARMORY

Back in the 1870s, the rolling block action was introduced to the world and then thrived because of its innovative design and ease of use. Today the gun community is still in awe over the simple mechanisms that make this firearm work so well. Now available from Tippmann Armory is the beautiful case hardened Rolling Block and Raw Deal knife and hatchet set. It’s the perfect combination for your next outing.

www.tippmannarmory.com 124

LUTH-AR

FANCY PANTS HOLSTERS

No two women are built the same, so our holsters are made to be not only comfortable, but versatile, stylish and adaptable to a variety of body shapes, firearms and lifestyles. All of our holsters are handmade in America, and we offer lots of custom options.

www.fpholsters.com

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

Luth-AR now has six complete upper barrel assembly configurations in 1:9-twist barrels in 16- and 18-inch 5.56mm and 1:9-twist bull barrels in 16-, 18-, 20- and 24-inch .223. They include an A3 flattop .223 upper, bolt carrier group, 15-inch palm handguard, low-profile gas block and tube. Starting at $399.95!

www.luth-ar.com

IOSSO PRODUCTS

Iosso’s Bore Cleaning System removes all fouling. Clean your bore in 15 minutes or less with the Iosso Bore Cleaner, Premium No Scratch Brushes and Triple Action Oil to remove carbon burn, copper, lead, and plastic wad. Chemically safe, no odor (great for the allergy prone), non-corrosive. USDA Certified Biobased. Buy all three for under $20. Great stocking stuffer!

www.iosso.com

IVER JOHNSON ARMS Our 10mm 6-inch ported barrel deluxe 1911 features LPA “TRT” fully adjustable, white dot rear sight with a dovetail front sight. It also has front and rear angled serrations; extended slide stop and thumb safety for easy reach; three-hole trigger and skeleton hammer; beavertail grip safety with memory cut; lowered and flared ejection port; slightly beveled magwell to make magazine changes quicker and easier; and beautiful Dymondwood walnut grips with logo. MSRP: $940

EZR SPORT

We have new gauntlets for single-stack magazine pistols, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and Glock model 43. Our gauntlets are designed specifically to increase the grip circumference so that the pistol fits better in your hand, making it much easier to control. Our gauntlets make concealed carry more comfortable by eliminating the rough surface of the original grip while still giving you better control of your gun.

www.iverjohnsonarms.com

R&S PRECISION

www.ezrsport.com

The Boyds At-One Adjustable Stock is a laminated stock that you can adjust quickly to adapt to any shooter. This new technology allows the change of the stock’s length of pull and cheek height with a simple push of a button. These stocks are available in a variety of colors for several different rifles.

SEAL 1

The SEAL 1 SKIT R/P Gun Cleaning Kit is for rifles and pistols from .22 to .45, as well as .410 and 28-gauge shotguns. NTOA member tested, recommended.

www.seal1.com

www.1022racerifle.com www.10-22racerifle.com

WMD GUNS

NC ORDNANCE

Talk about a perfect gift for AR owners! WMD Guns’ renowned NiB-X Bolt Carrier Group drops right into most any AR (and any stocking), and requires minimal cleaning or lubrication. It’s the gift that gives smooth, reliable, low-maintenance operation year-round! Available for .223, .308 and 9mm in multiple colors/finishes!

Reproduction Stag-like Grips: Over 2,200 of the finest quality reproduction grips and buttplates for sale. S10 Colt 1911 .45 Gov’t Model Auto and clones. Stag-like grips are made of the best quality urethane available. Will not shrink or chip. $50.00 plus $5.00 postage.

www.gungrip.com

www.wmdguns.com

ALTAMONT

Altamont has recently released some high-performance, hybrid panel grips for the Ruger Mark IV that allow target shooters increased customization and flexibility. Pictured are the Ruger Mark IV Falconia Grip with Grey/Black G10 Insert for $25.00. These join the extensive Altamont offering of handgun grips, rifle stocks, accessories, and metal engraving. All are made in America.

www.altamontco.com

NECO QUICKLOAD

LAYKE TACTICAL

Made to .308 bullet specs, the six-piece Bullet Puzzle stores away in an oversized revolver cylinder. Both are made from billet aluminum and protected by a hard anodized coating. It’s a great stocking stuffer for any gun lover on your list.

www.layketactical.com

QuickLOAD/QuickTarget Ballistic prediction software accurately predicts pressures, muzzle velocities and many other results using data for over 1,200 cartridges, 3,000 bullets and 275 powders. Accurately determine bullet path once it leaves the muzzle. Users can also enter wildcat cartridge and bullet information for those “what if” situations.

www.neconos.com

AUDEMOUS FROG LUBE

With the Dual Product 1oz System Kit, FrogLube is launching a new complete system that is the future of gun care! FrogLube’s two “flagship” products, nearly 10 years in the making, are now available at our most affordable price. The kit forms the backbone of our biobased system for complete gun care. Our top-of-the-line products are available now at a bargain price. MSRP: $21.99.

www.froglube.com

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American Shooting Journal // December 2018

TOUGH • DURABLE • LIGHT Easy Loader & Deuce Model • • •

Both sizes accommodate 2 dogs up to 70 lbs each Deuce fits compact pickups, UTV’s and SUVs Made from High Density Polyethylene, UV protection

• • •

Easy Loader fits full size pick up and SUVs Full one year warranty on material and workmanship Vents, cold weather door covers and insulated kennel covers also available

Coming in Spring 2018, the Easy XL. A larger version for your larger breed dogs.

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

CZ-USA

The 557 Sporter has a short extractor and plunger-style ejector for smooth operation and enhanced ejection. The short extractor or “push feed” system also makes it easier to single load the rifle, which many shooters prefer for range work. The receiver is machined from steel billet and is equipped with a two-position safety. To top it off, it comes with a fully adjustable trigger that allows the owner to tune weight, creep and overtravel to their liking. It’s available in .30-06, .270 Win., and 6.5x55.

STICKY HOLSTERS

The Sticky Belt Slider is an elastic magazine carrier which slides onto a belt and uses the accessory slot to carry an extra magazine, knife, or tourniquet. The accessory slot also has our “Sticky” material for added retention. It is open ended, so a variety of different sized items can be carried.

www.cz-usa.com

www.stickyholsters.com

BRIGAND ARMS

BA has developed a line of ultralight, carbon fiber handguards that is on the leading edge of AR-15 weapons technology. We build for the shooter who needs uncompromising performance – day in and day out.

www.brigandarms.com

AMERICAN REBEL

DIP INC.

New! Aluminum replacement trigger guard for Howa MiniAction rifles! Gone are the broken action screw tabs. Direct replacement for the plastic factory trigger guard/mag well. We redesigned the magazine catch spring perch location to add a noticeable amount of tension to help prevent accidental magazine drops.

www.diproductsinc.com

Our backpacks are made from the absolute best materials available focusing on quality, functionality and style that conveys the spirit of the Second Amendment. They feature a proprietary Protection Pocket, plus a concealed compartment. Our Freedom Pack has a designated compartment that fits our optional 2A ballistic shield. Please stop by SHOT Show Booth #10940 to see the new and innovative products American Rebel is releasing for 2019.

www.americanrebel.com

BEST OF THE WEST

The Mountain Hunter Rifle package can be customized with an array of Cerakote coatings and spiral or straight engraving on the stainless-steel flute, and upgraded to a carbon fiber barrel. Every Mountain Hunter Rifle is broken-in, and proven at 1,000-plus yards. This rifle is ideal for the hunter looking for maximum precision at minimal weight.

www.longrangestore.com

CUSTOM METAL PRODUCTS

The new Reactive Vitals Series of AR500 Steel Targets feature distinctive animal shapes (deer, coyote, more), each with a reactive flapper. Hit the vitals and the flapper flips up and closes, ready for the next shot! Targets are rated for pistol at 15 yards or rifle at 100 yards minimum.

FIERCE FIREARMS

Fierce Firearms is proud to admit that the Fury model is a limited version of the top-selling Edge models. That was the genius intent from the very beginning. Same action + same stock + same barrel + limited options = Same long-range accuracy and performance at a lower, affordable price that most avid hunters can afford. Each Fury rifle is backed by a ½ MOA group guarantee at 100 yards.

www.custommetalprod.com

www.fiercearms.com

JUST HOLSTER IT

Concealed carry made easy! Tired of having only one holster option to offer your customers? Just Holster It has a solution, from polymer to leather holsters and more, including a wide range of accessories. We work with you to give you solutions for both men and women. Come see us at SHOT Show in Booth 4064.

www.justholsterit.com

128

MUDDY RIVER TACTICAL

HIGH TECH CUSTOMS

Custom muzzle brakes for personal firearms and muzzleloaders.

www.htcustoms.com

American Shooting Journal // December October 2018 2018

Custom molded for the quality and fit your firearm deserves! Made in USA. Adjustable cant angle. Lifetime warranty. Starting at only $39.00.

www.muddyrivertactical.com

URBAN CARRY HOLSTERS

The Urban Carry G2 is a unique holster designed to comfortably carry your concealed firearm with any outfit.

www.urbancarryholsters.com

American Derringer The Tradition of the Past with the Quality of the Present The Legendary M-1 .45 Colt/.410

Lightweight & Ultra Lightweight

DA 38 Double Action

LM4 Simmerling 127 North Lacy Drive, Waco, TX 76705-4640 254-799-9111 // amderringer@aol.com // amderringer.com

Come see us at SHOT SHOW

IOSSO PRODUCTS

BOOTH #20200

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IOSSO Pretreated Media Mixes For Tumblers

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americanshootingjournal.com 129

Use Iosso Case Cleaner instead...

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

NOWLIN ARMS

DELPHI TACTICAL

AERO PRECISION

The ATLAS R-One is the newest addition to the Aero Precision Handguard lineup. Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, the R-One line of handguards feature a full top Picatinny rail, an extremely thin profile, and our proprietary ATLAS attachment system. This durable and dependable mounting platform maintains the slim profile while providing the strength and stability customers have grown to love from Aero Precision handguards. The R-One handguards range from 5.12 to 9.07 ounces in weight.

www.aeroprecisionusa.com

www.dillonprecision.com

www.nowlinarms.com

www.delphitactical.com

UNDERWOOD AMMO

The Xtreme Defender has an optimized nose flute, total weight, and velocity to achieve a penetration depth up to 18 inches (falling within FBI guidelines) with a permanent wound cavity that is simply enormous. No other expanding hollow point comes close to achieving anywhere near this diameter and volume.

DILLON PRECISION

Dillon’s SL 900 Shotshell Loader features automatic indexing; automatic powder and priming systems; an adjustable, case-activated shot dispenser; and its loading dies are factory adjusted to load AA hulls. The SL 900 also comes with a risk-free 30-day trial period and Dillon Precision’s famous lifetime “No B.S.” warranty.

The Man At ARms Rifle comes in 5.56mm and .300 Blackout, has a 16-inch barrel, overall length of 32.5 inches, weighs 6 pounds, 10- or 30-round magazine capacity and BCMGunfighter Mod 0 Stock. MSRP: $1,355.00.

Choose the 1911 pistol barrels preferred by champion shooters! We have a proven reputation with over eight world championships and 22 national titles! Visit us online for a complete list of barrels, parts and accessories to upgrade your 1911.

www.underwoodammo.com

AMERICAN TRACK TRUCK Accessing camp, getting to that remote hunting spot, and all your winter adventures are much easier and warmer in a tracked vehicle. Dominator Tracks bolt on in minutes and turn your truck or SUV into a snowcat. Contact us for details.

www.americantracktruck.com

DETROIT AMMO

From subsonic .223 to .50 BMG, we are your source for custom ammunition from American manufacturers. Stop by to take a look around and make your purchase with confidence.

www.detroitammoco.com

ULTIMATE ARMS

The all-new Warmonger .50-caliber BMG is a 12- to 14-pound shoulder-fired sniper rifle that should retail around $3,800.00 to $6,400.00.

www.uaarms.com

LUCID OPTICS

GLADIUS HOLSTERS

AMERICAN DERRINGER

GARRETT INDUSTRIES

Stop wearing your uniform and tourniquet out before you ever get to use it. Our Tourniquet Holder is the only one that comes stock protecting the windlass clip from getting snagged and/or worn.

The Legendary M-1 .45 Colt/.410 is our most popular gun. It fires two shots with automatic barrel selection. All American Derringers are equipped with a manually operated hammer block-type safety. The safety automatically disengages when the hammer is cocked.

Sleek lines, adjustable cant and retention, plus a smooth, top-grade American tanned leather interior make the Silent Thunder STX2.0 Garrett’s top-selling outside-the-waistband concealable holster.

www.gladiusholsters.com

www.amderringer.com

www.giholsters.com

130

American Shooting Journal // December October 2018 2018

Lucid Optics’ super-high-resolution, professional-grade B-Series binoculars are offered in 8x42 and 10x42, weigh in at a slender 24 ounces, and utilize high-definition ED Fluoride lenses. Other features include twist-up ergonomic eyecups, neoprene covers, padded neck strap and waterproof hard-sided carrying case. Backed by a lifetime warranty, nothing in their price point is a fair comparison.

www.mylucidgear.com

6.75″H 2.5″W 1.5″D

• Can be mounted in any position.

As seen at

Brownells.com & BeyerBarrels.com

Ultralight rimfire barrels

For the Ruger 1022 and 1022 takedown barrels as well as the AR15 dedicated uppers. Match chambers and 7075 aluminum. Bull barrels, mid weight and factory taper barrels now with straight or diamond fluting. To buy direct call Clint at 360 640 1497 Also available at Brownells or other various dealers.

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Stop wearing your uniform and tourniquet out before you ever get to use it. Our Tourniquet Holder is the only one that comes stock protecting the windlass clip from getting snagged and/or worn.

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americanshootingjournal.com 131

The Original Clipdraw® & Trigger Sheath™

FOR HOLSTER-LESS CONCEALED CARRY AMERICAN MADE SINCE 1995 800-869-7501

132

American Shooting Journal // December 2018

www.clipdraw.com

Product FEATURE

ICONIC TOOL REBOOTED

With roots in World War II, the Woodman’s Pal will handle brush clearing, trail blazing and more on home front. PHOTOS BY SKYLINE TOOLWORKS LLC

kyline Toolworks LLC has revived an American icon, relying on handcrafted quality plus modern improvements to bring back the Woodman’s Pal, better than ever. The Woodman’s Pal is an iconic land management tool with a long storied history dating back to 1941. It was standard issue to the Army from World War II through Desert Storm. GIs and the US Army Signal Corps relied heavily on the Woodman’s Pal for all landclearing operations. In Vietnam, the tool was issued in air crew survival kits. On the home front, whether you are clearing brush, blazing trails and building blinds in the woods or trimming, digging and planting in your backyard garden, the Woodman’s Pal is a versatile tool for every outdoorsman. Lightweight, compact and

superbly balanced, you will never use a tool of higher quality and more comfort than the Woodman’s Pal. Modern improvements have been made to the blade, handle and leather sheath while keeping the tool to traditional Mil-Spec. The handcrafted Amish ash wooden handle and stunning leather sheath support a precision laser-cut steel blade that is hand-sharpened to exact specs. The most unique outdoorsman tool on the market, Woodman’s Pal is 100-percent made in Pennsylvania since 1941. Trusted by your grandfather, trusted by all.  Editor’s note: For more info, visit woodmanspal.com or call (800) 869-7501.

The Woodman’s Pal is back and better than ever thanks to Skyline Toolworks LLC. The iconic tool is seen here with sheath and without.

americanshootingjournal.com 133

Thomayer’s Warm Spring’s Landing LLC Price Reduced $900,000.00

laurieann@live.com Call: 503-572-8291 / 503-680-7224

– 3 bedroom, loft, 1 bath home on 4+ acres in Hells Canyon on the Snake River. – All appliances and furnishings included. – Also included: John Deere tractor, Kawasaki “Mule” ATV, backup 7000 watt diesel generator and 7x10 steel storage building. – Solar power, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, satellite TV, phone and docking station. – There are 5 Warm Springs, 12.5 gallons per minute of 89 degree spring water. – In addition to relaxing in the soaking tubs there is boating, fishing, hunting, hiking and swimming from your own private beach.