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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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A MERIC A N

SHOOTING JOURNAL Volume 6 // Issue 1 // September 2016 PUBLISHER

James R. Baker ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Dick Openshaw

GENERAL MANAGER

John Rusnak

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andy Walgamott EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Craig Hodgkins

LEAD CONTRIBUTOR

Brad Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTORS

Larry Case, Tom Claycomb, Frank Jardim, Troy Taysom, Oleg Volk, Dave Workman SALES MANAGER

Katie Higgins

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Mamie Griffin, Steve Joseph, Garn Kennedy, Michelle Kovacich, Mike Smith, Paul Yarnold PRODUCTION MANAGER

Sonjia Kells DESIGNERS

Michelle Hatcher, Sam Rockwell, Liz Weickum PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Kelly Baker

OFFICE MANAGER/ ACCOUNTING

Audra Higgins

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Katie Sauro

INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER

Lois Sanborn

WEBMASTER / INBOUND MARKETING

Jon Hines

DIGITAL ASSISTANT

Samantha Morstan CIRCULATION MANAGER

Heidi Belew

DISTRIBUTION

Gary Bickford, Barry Johnston, Tony Sorrentino ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

ads@americanshootingjournal.com

ON THE COVER UFC Fighter Chad “Money” Mendes is an avid outdoorsman, and operates his own guide service, Finz & Featherz. He is also a proud member of Team Weatherby. (WEATHERBY)

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

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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CONTENTS

VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER 2016

CAGED HUNTER

32

As a boy, Chad “Money” Mendes learned to hunt by following in his father’s footsteps. Today, he balances a passion for the outdoors with a dynamic career inside the UFC’s Octagon. Our lead writer Brad Fitzpatrick attempts to go a couple rounds with Mendes in this issue’s cover story!

CHAD MENDES

special issue: hunting & hunting preparation

FEATURES

46

113

THE MAGNIFICENT SEVENS

78

Despite the rise of the 6.5, the 7mm remains America’s favorite hunting cartridge. And with several new choices available, the caliber is poised to serve a new generation of hunters.

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GETTING READY FOR WINGSHOOTING SEASONS Shotgun hunting is upon us, and it’s time to get those guns field ready. With that in mind, our smoothbore sage Larry Case offers seasoned advice and a few product suggestions to get you started off right.

RIFLE SLUGS Even though they have enjoyed a long history, today’s rifled shotguns are often hybrid creatures created specifically to comply with state-by-state regulations.

But these specialized loads can be very effective in the right hunting situation.

90

CUT THROUGH THE CONFUSION Even the highest quality knives have performance limits, so Tom Claycomb provides an expert primer on how to choose the proper style of knife for each specific hunting task.

SHOOTERS SHELF A pair of new books take different paths to flesh out small but fascinating segments of firearms history. Editor Craig Hodkins reviews Shooting For The Record: Adolph Toepperwein, Tom Frye, and Shooting’s Forgotten Controversy as well as The Winchester: The Gun That Built An American Dynasty.

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 © 2016 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A.

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CONTENTS ALSO INSIDE 121 AMMO REVIEW: Overlooked Powerhouse – The .41 Magnum 133 PRODUCT REVIEW: The Reliable Can-Am Defender

COMPANY SPOTLIGHTS 143 151 155 161 167

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Editor’s Note Competition Calendar Gun Show Calendar Top Shots

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE

SITE SEEING

I

love a good page-turner, and by page-turner, I mean you.

I’ll be completely straightforward with you. I edit a print magazine, so if you pick up the latest issue and page through it at your favorite newsstand or retailer or – better yet – buy a copy or subscribe on a regular basis, you’re already halfway to making my Christmas card list.

I also read and appreciate the emails and letters (remember those?) you send to our attention, even if you haven’t found anything right with the world since the Johnson administration … the Andrew Johnson administration.

We do appreciate the feedback, especially from those of you who enclose or attach photos for our monthly “Top Shooters” column (see what I did there?).

But print-o-phile that I am, I’d be remiss if I didn’t

mention the paperless ways you can keep connected to the American Shooting Journal.

First on that list is our website, which we’ve cleverly titled americanshootingjournal.com. With one click, you’ll find a wealth of shooting-related content, including articles that have appeared in our monthly print edition.

Like your high school friends and your crazy aunt, we have a Facebook page as well (Facebook/ AmericanShootingJournal). I can’t speak for your friends’ pages or your aunt’s, but ours is a great place to engage in ongoing conversation about the latest industry topics, and to get up-to-date news via video and other links. And from the looks of our most recent diagnostics, several of you are already active engaged there.

So whether you prefer to flip printed pages or virtual ones, we hope you’ll continue to turn to the American Shooting Journal. –Craig Hodgkins

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

RIO’S GOLDEN GIRL Teenage Shooter Ginny Thrasher Opens The 2016 Olympics With A Stunning Victory

Shooting in the 10-meter air rifle event just after the 2016 Rio Olympics began last month, West Virginia’s Ginny Thrasher (right) won the first gold medal awarded at the games. (JAVID NIKPOUR)

T

he sheer volume of pageantry and spectacle of the Olympic Games is equalled only by the amount of media hype leading up to them. But hype can’t predict the future, and nothing captures our hearts like the real-life stories that unfold only after competition begins.

In advance of the Rio games, our attention was understandably focused on well-known personalities of games past. But the very first gold medal awarded at the summer Olympics didn’t go to oftdecorated swimmer Michael Phelps or an NBA star. That singular honor went to Virginia “Ginny” Thrasher, a 19-year-old University of West Virginia student competing in the 10-meter air rifle

[

event, a sport few fans even knew existed.

Ironically, the gold medalist herself hadn’t heard of the sport until her first year of high school, a mere five years ago.

But on Day One of the XXXI Olympiad, Thrasher – the youngest member of Team USA’s shooting squad and clearly a quick study – defeated a talented field that included defending Olympic champion Siling Yi of China, who took the 2016 bronze, and China’s Li Du, who earned silver.

Although not wellknown in international circles, Thrasher is no stranger to competition.

At the 2015 USA Shooting Nationals last summer, she turned in a five-medal performance featuring two open and three junior medals. This past spring, as a college freshman, she earned NCAA

[

STORY BY CRAIG HODGKINS

“TO BE ABLE TO END ON A TEN …

IT’S EVERY ATHLETE’S DREAM COME TRUE.”

americanshootingjournal.com 25

A scene from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Opening individual small bore Ceremony on Aug. 5 at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, and air rifle titles while Brazil. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY TIM HIPPS, IMCOM PUBLIC AFFAIRS) helping her UWV teammates take a fourth straight (and 18th overall) NCAA team crown.

Following her gold medal performance, Thrasher made an equally impressive mark on a different stage, one involving cameras and microphones. But the young sharpshooter handled reporter’s questions with the same confidence and focus she displayed in competition while making the rounds of interview shows and press conferences.

Another popular question centered on her unerring In fact, her ability to concentrate during the heat of confidence in her potential to win the gold, despite a lack competition became a frequent topic. of experience.

“I would say that I’m very focused,” she told NBC’s Dan “Once you make the finals,” she reasoned, “the top eight Patrick, “and that’s how you have to be. Just having the go on, and then it starts from zero. It’s anyone’s game. right mindset, and being so determined … just going out “I came out really strong at the beginning of the final there and trying to do my best.” and about halfway through I took over the lead. I think at

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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that point we all kind of realized it could be a reality for me to come away with a medal.”

She attributes much of her success to the discipline of a very specific preshot routine, and her focus on the process rather than on any particular outcome makes her a more “consistent, better and happier shooter.”

Shooters of all types, whether competitors or not, can learn much from Thrasher, who was able to clearly and concisely describe her preparation to an audience compared primarily of nonshooters, and to truly place them in her shoes.

“In shooting,” she told reporters, “we have a preshot routine, and this is the process that you go through before you take a shot every time. For me, it involves a lot of breathing to calm down my nerves and my heart rate. I have a saying that I say every single time, and then there’s the specific process of picking up the gun when you look over. When you put your head down, you’re checking your natural point of aim (and) all of the physical processes that go into that before you finally pull the trigger.”

Her countenance cracked only once in the finals, and it was only after she clinched the gold with a 10.4 score on her final shot. After her winning result was announced, her intense glare suddenly transformed into a bright and cheerful smile. The Olympic champion had become a teenager once again.

“Taking that last shot was so gratifying,” she shared.

“To be able to end on a ten … it’s every athlete’s dream

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

MORE MEDALS Ginny Thrasher wasn’t the only Team USA shooter to medal in Rio. Team USA veteran Kim Rhode won the bronze in women’s skeet shooting, finishing third behind two Italians, gold medalist Diana Bacosi and silver medalist Chiana Cainero.

Rhode earned her spot on the podium by defeating China’s Wei Meng 7-6 in a shootout after both athletes scored 15 in the normal session.

Like Thrasher, Rhode was heralded as a teen sensation after winning gold for double trap shooting at the 1996 Athens Olympic games. Counting her bronze finish in Rio, Rhode has now earned at least one medal in six different Olympic games, a record in itself.

Corey Cogdell-Unrein, a three-time Olympian in her own right, earned the bronze in trap shooting, repeating her thirdplace finish at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

come true.”

As an added bonus, Thrasher had the pleasure of earning her medal in front of a group of supporters that included her parents, Roger and Valerie, and her brothers Carl and Rory. But beyond her family pride, she clearly understood and appreciated the timing of her moment in history as well.

“This medal makes me so proud,” she told reporters, adding that it was great “to be able to go out and represent my country and start off Rio 2016 on a positive note for the U.S.”

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Hailing from California’s Central Valley and best known as a UFC fighter, Chad Mendes also enjoys traveling far in search of great hunting. He took this red stag in New Zealand.

C AG E D HUN T E R 32

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

CHAD ‘MONEY’ MENDES BALANCES A DYNAMIC CAREER INSIDE THE UFC’S OCTAGON WITH A PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS STORY BY BRAD FITZPATRICK • PHOTOS BY CHAD MENDES

I

t’s difficult to imagine two more different environments than the UFC Octagon and the Sierra Nevada mountain range in autumn. It may be harder to imagine that anyone could feel equally at home in both places.

Everything in and surrounding the ring – the bright lights, screaming crowds, intrusive cameras and Octagon Girls – can dazzle and distract, yet none of it merits a moment of Chad “Money” Mendes’ attention when he circles an opponent. Inside the cage, a

“HE BROUGHT THAT SAME FOCUS AND DEDICATION TO THE SPORT THAT HE BROUGHT TO SHOOTING AND HUNTING …” moment’s distraction is all that is required for the top fighters in the world to take you down.

Compare that frenzied environment with the giant old-growth forests of northern California, where the silence can be as overwhelming as the Octagon’s noise.

Two different worlds, worlds apart. And Mendes belongs to both.

To truly understand this perplexing puzzle, you must focus on what the ring and the woods have in common, not what makes them different. In both the Octagon and the backcountry, your senses are honed to a fine edge. That’s part of what it takes to survive in these respective environments. Fighting and hunting also offer physical challenges, and if you disagree, you’re probably not hunting like Chad Mendes, who prides himself on finding big bucks and big bulls that others can’t because he goes places others won’t.

BUT PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT thread connecting the wilderness and the Octagon, for Mendes at least, is that both sturdy strands tie directly back to his father, Alvin. For Mendes’ two great loves—wrestling and the outdoors – were shared with his father from a americanshootingjournal.com 33

Mendes learned to hunt by following in his father Alvin’s footsteps. Today, he hunts right beside him (left). On this trip, they were joined by Mendes’ fiancee Abby Raines.

very young age.

“At five years old, my father made us bows from the fiberglass poles that mount on ATVs,” Mendes recalls, laughing a little at the thought. “He made arrows, and we shot targets in the backyard. Later, it was BB guns, shooting cans off hay bales.”

Mendes remembers going to school and waiting impatiently to get back home so he could shoot until darkness forced him indoors, where he would go to sleep anticipating the next day … and the next shot.

Something else entered Mendes’ life at age five, and that was wrestling. He brought that same focus and dedication to the sport that he brought to shooting and hunting, and once again, his father was right beside him.

“My father coached me in wrestling from the age of five through high 34

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

Mendes frequently fishes the Sacramento River near his home for fall Chinook and other species.

Limits are for game, not rifles.

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school,” Mendes says. Apparently, the elder Mendes did a pretty good job, as Chad went on to become one of the best high school wrestlers to ever hail from central California. (He was raised in the small town of Hanford.) At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he earned two PAC-10 championships and was named a two-time D-1 All-American.

While still in high school, Mendes met fellow wrestler Urijah Faber, and during his summers home from college he helped Faber conduct wrestling clinics. After finishing up at Cal Poly, Mendes traveled to Sacramento to train with Faber full-time as part of Team Alpha Male.

“TODAY, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING AT HIS DAD’S HEELS, MENDES BLAZES TRAILS INTO COUNTRY WHERE FEW HUNTERS ARE WILLING TO GO…” Throughout his college and UFC career, Mendes has been known for an intense physical training regimen that helps the 31-year-old stay in top condition. But when he isn’t training, Mendes is often in the woods, and it has been that way since he was a boy.

Mendes faces some pretty tough opponents inside the Octogan as well as outside; he took this Florida gator (above) with a bow during a hunt with Triple M Outfitters. But intense workouts with trainer Joey Rodrigues keep him in top condition.

HE BEGAN BY FOLLOWING HIS FATHER through the forest, learning to move silently and to watch for game. Soon, Mendes’ woods training began to progress. He took his hunter safety course and began chasing blacktails in the Sierras with a bow and a rifle. And although he’s hunted all over the world for a variety of game, the diminutive blacktail still holds a place in his heart.

“Some people ask me why I hunt them,” Mendes says. “They’re small, but I enjoy it. I’ve always enjoyed hunting blacktails.

There are big bucks out there, but they’re a challenge to find.”

If you imagine that Mendes’ other passion – the one that puts him in the crosshairs of some of the most dangerous

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men on the planet – has hardened him to the killing of game, you’re wrong. He doesn’t hunt for the kill, and he respects the game. His father taught him that, and if you haven’t figured out by now, Chad Mendes listens to what his father says. It’s served him well so far.

“He has been in my corner for about the last ten fights, and that’s been great.” But on a recent elk hunt in Utah the roles were reversed, and Chad suddenly found himself as the corner man for his father.

“This big bull came in, maybe 355 or 360 [points]. A six-byseven,” Mendes says with a laugh.

“Dad was getting ready to shoot and I was videoing. I had to calm him down, tell him to relax. It was great.”

As previously mentioned, the challenge of being in peak physical condition has served Mendes well as a professional athlete. But it’s also served him as a hunter, and that same drive to compete – primarily against himself – compels Mendes to hunt harder and to travel on foot into more remote country.

Today, instead of following at his dad’s heels, Mendes blazes trails into country where few hunters are willing to go, and that’s where Mendes finds some outstanding trophies. He’s had great success with both blacktails and big Ohio whitetails, and he counts elk among his favorite species to hunt with both a bow and a rifle. Northern California is also home to some excellent game country, and there Mendes chases turkeys and wild hogs. He’s also been to New Zealand, where he’s hunted fallow deer and red stags.

Mendes is equally comfortable taking on large game with a gun or a bow. Here he poses with an aoudad, or Barbary, sheep.

HIS UFC TRAINING DOESN’T ALLOW Much free time, but Mendes devotes a portion of each day to some hunting- or fishingrelated activity. “ If I’m not hunting, I’m shooting or I’m out scouting,” he says. That same drive that has compelled him to become one of the most38

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

This gobbler was no match for Mendes’ patience and determination.

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Hunting is all about family with Mendes, and he’s often accompanied by Abby and his dad, who also sparked his interest in wrestling at a young age.

watched fighters is the same passion that drives him to hunt where there are no crowds, no reporters and no cameras. Well, sometimes there are no cameras; Mendes is a regular on outdoor television shows, and he’s also a member of Team Weatherby.

Mendes has been lucky – blessed, in his words – to have had the opportunity to turn his passion for wrestling into a profitable career, and for someone who has received many honors, he’s remained humble. But fighting for a living does not make for a long career.

Each bout takes a physical toll, and there are always new, younger fighters coming up.

Although he is currently sidelined because of a rules infraction for taking a banned substance, Mendes has made it clear to his fans and the world that the substance wasn’t a steroid but rather a peptide found in, oddly enough, medication for plaque psoriasis.

Mendes will surely fight again, but for how long, even he doesn’t know.

“There’s no retirement system for fighters,” he says.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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Finz & Featherz Guide Service is Mendes’ newest project. The service provides hunters and anglers the opportunity to fish and hunt with a variety of celebrities.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

For that reason it’s critical to make wise investments for the future, and Mendes is doing just that. He’s started Finz and Featherz Outfitters (finzandfeatherz.com), which offers hunters and anglers a rare opportunity to go on a hunting or fishing trip with a celebrity.

Several of Mendes’ fellow MMA fighters go on these trips, including Faber, T.J. Dillashaw and Paige Van Zant, as do other professional athletes and celebrities from outside the Octagon.

For hunters and anglers, Finz and Featherz provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue big fish and big game while rubbing elbows with some of their heroes. For Mendes, it’s an opportunity to launch a second career, one that will make him that rare guy who is able to earn a livelihood from not just one, but from two great passions.

But Mendes won’t brag about it. He’ll just smile, and say that he’s blessed.

americanshootingjournal.com 43

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americanshootingjournal.com 45

THE MAGNIFICENT

SEVENS 46

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

Despite The Rise Of The 6.5, The 7mm Remains America’s Favorite Metric Hunting Cartridge

The 7mm Mauser, or 7x57, has little recoil and is perfect for light, handy rifles like this Ruger No. 1.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY BRAD FITZPATRICK

I

t’s hard to pick up a shooting magazine or wander through a large gun store without coming face to face with one of the myriad of popular 6.5 cartridges.

Some, like the 6.5 Grendel, 26 Nosler and 6.5 Creedmoor

are relatively new. Others, like the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, are practically historic. But the 6.5s are trending right now in every platform for hunting and competitive shooting.

I won’t take anything away from the 6.5s. They’re versatile cartridges that are accurate out to long range. But americanshootingjournal.com 47

the king of the metric mountain is and will be (at least in the foreseeable future) the 7mms, and here’s why.

Modern smokeless 7mm cartridges have been around for more than a century. The first truly successful sporting and military 7mm across the Atlantic was the 7mm Mauser, and at the Battle of San Juan Hill, Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders realized that the fast, accurate, flat-shooting Mauser 93s in 7mm Mauser were far superior to their .45-

70 Springfields. That battle prompted a change in American cartridge design that continues to this day.

Shortly after the Second Boer War ended, WDM “Karamojo” Bell, the Scottish adventurer, soldier and hunter, began hunting ivory professionally in Africa using a 7mm Mauser rifle. Also known as the 7x57, Bell’s rifle accounted for a number of big tusker trophies across the Dark Continent, most of them taken with precarious brain shots.

Why was the 7mm so effective?

In that particular case, Bell used a 173-grain bullet with a sectional density of .306, higher than a .375 H&H Magnum with a 300-grain bullet. Long, heavy-for-caliber bullets penetrate well, battle the wind and carry energy over long distances. But despite its power, the mild little 7mm Mauser was (and is) very comfortable to shoot.

“MODERN FACTORY LOADS HAVE BULLETS FROM 120 TO 140 GRAINS …”

From mild to wild: The 7mm Mauser, .280 AI, 7mm Rem Mag, and 28 Nosler

The Nosler Model 48 Liberty rifle comes with a 1-inch accuracy guarantee and is available in a host of 7mm chamberings, including 7mm-08, .280 AI, 7mm Remington Magnum and the company’s own 28 Nosler.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

Today, the round faces competition from the 7mm-08, another mild 7 formed by necking down the .308 Winchester.

But while the 7mm Mauser and 7mm-08 remain excellent options, 170-plus-grain bullets are no longer the norm. Modern factory loads have bullets from 120 to 140 grains, which offer ample knockdown power for nearly all North American game at moderate ranges. These two mild 7s are great for just about any game, and that includes elk and moose, though there are better, more specialized options outlined below.

IN THE 1950S AND 1960S, there was an arms race of sorts going on in the United States. Big, belted magnums that shot flat and hit hard were en vogue, and no person symbolized that line of thought more than Roy Weatherby.

Weatherby had recently designed his ultrasafe Mark V rifle, and that led to a jump in the popularity of his cartridges.

Weatherby already offered a 7mm Weatherby Magnum design, but the caliber took off in the Mark V with Western hunters who wanted to kill elk, mule deer, whitetail and just about anything else across wide canyons. The flatshooting 7mm Weatherby, with its large case and Venturi shoulder, had the capacity to burn lots of powder. And with better bullets on the

americanshootingjournal.com 49

Nosler’s 28 is a nonbelted cartridge capable of long-range shooting for all North American game. It’s an excellent elk cartridge.

The 7mm Remington Magnum is widely available and perfectly suited for a variety of game. If you want a versatile cartridge that is affordable, then this is the gun for you.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

market, the 7mm Weatherby became a star.

Remington seized on the 7mm’s success in 1963 with the production of the 7mm Remington Magnum, an effort that happened to coincide with the release of the budget-priced but accurate Model 700. The years that followed saw an unprecedented jump in the 7mm Remington Magnum’s success, and it remains one of the most popular American hunting cartridges today.

Although these two 7mm magnums were at the top of the class in speed and power in the ’60s, they have since been eclipsed. But each remains an extraordinarily versatile round that blends sufficient game-killing energy, flat trajectories, and tolerable recoil. In fact, both the 7mm Remington Magnum and 7mm Weatherby Magnum beat .30-06 velocities by more than 300 feet per second with the same or slightly higher recoil.

The midmagnum 7s are perfect for everything from antelope and whitetails to elk and moose, and both have great reputations among African

“ANOTHER NEW 7MM IS THE IMPRESSIVE 28 NOSLER.”

americanshootingjournal.com 51

Browning’s A-Bolt III is a budget offering chambered in 7mm Remington Magnum.

Both the 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm-08 are widely available and ammunition is affordable.

professional hunters. If you are sheep hunting, these are your rounds as well.

The 7mm Remington Magnum is more widely available, and ammo and guns for it are less expensive, but don’t overlook the Weatherby. If you are a fan of the Mark

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

V or are looking to have a custom rifle built, it’s a great option. Bullet weights for these cartridges pick up where the mild 7s leave off; expect to find what you need ranging from 139 to 175 grains. There are precious few things that these 7mms won’t do, and I’d be at a loss without one

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midpower 7mm in the gun rack.

THE 7MM FAMILY continues to grow, which is a testament to how great this bullet diameter really is. The first is the .280 Ackley Improved (.284 is the diameter in inches of the 7mms). It isn’t exactly new – developer P.O. Ackley used the .280 Remington case as its base – but Ackley gave the case a steeper shoulder slant (40 degrees), and in 2008, this wildcat cartridge became SAAMI recognized.

Since then, the hunting world has adopted this cartridge with gusto; Nosler loads a variety of ammo for it, and really good factory rifles are available from Kimber, Nosler, Montana Rifle Company and others. The .280 AI, as it’s called, can fire .280 Remington ammo (and the resulting case is fire-formed to .280 AI afterwards), yet it is capable of nearly matching 7mm Remington Magnum velocities with less powder and muzzle blast from lighter rifles. Plus, it’s known for accuracy. While the .280 isn’t as widely available as the 7mm Remington Magnum it’s a great option that gives you – pardon the pun– the most bang for your buck.

Another new 7mm is the impressive 28 Nosler. Based on the 26 Nosler case (which, a few generations back, came to us from the .404 Jeffrey), the 28 Nosler uses a lot of slow-burning powder. The 160-grain factory loads leave the muzzle at 3,300 feet per second and, when sighted in at 200 yards, the bullet is only 14.9 inches low at 400 yards. That’s flat-shooting!

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

The 28 Nosler is winning fans quickly, especially among sheep and elk hunters who want plenty of power and range without getting thumped at the back end by a .300 magnum. The flat trajectory simplifies long shots, and this cartridge will kill anything reliably with the exception of the largest and most dangerous

RUGER’S NO. 1 LIGHT SPORTER Not interested in magnum recoil, muzzle blast or high ammo prices? Here is a 7mm arm to consider.

My favorite mild 7mm is my Ruger No. 1 Light Sporter. It bears iron sights and has a short overall length that makes it a perfect brush gun. Plus, the design allows my lefthanded-shooting wife to use it with ease, and the recoil is manageable for new shooters. I can’t recommend it for new shooters, though.

game. Nosler has begun to make rifles chambered for this cartridge, and they promise sub-minute-of-angle accuracy. The Model 48 Liberty rifle I tested from Nosler beat that figure considerably.

It appears that the next generation of great, fast 7mms has arrived, so whether you are hunting big game or clanking targets from long range, this versatile caliber – from the wild and mild to a host of newer cartridges – will help you achieve your goals.

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HYBRID

HUNTING

The Savage 220Y And The Winchester SX3 Provide Accuracy And Power Where Rifled Shotguns Are Needed Or Required STORY AND PHOTOS BY OLEG VOLK

The Savage 220Y shotgun with 1-4x Vortex scope.

This 25-yard, three-shot group from a Savage 220Y firing Brenneke K.O. slugs measured 0.5 inches.

I

n modern America, rifled shotguns are hybrid creatures spawned mainly by regulatory compliance.

Several states require them for deer hunting, with the justifications ranging from reduced range for densely populated areas to deliberately limited effectiveness to give deer a fighting chance. Their technical provenance, however, goes back quite a bit further.

The first bolt-action rifle adopted by Prussia in

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

late 1840s, the Dreyse “needle gun”, used projectiles somewhere between 16 gauge and 20 gauge – a 1-ounce bullet riding a paper sabot at around 1,000 feet per second. As rifle designs improved and metallic cartridges came into use, several 1870s designs in Europe and the U.S. settled around .44 caliber, with ¾-ounce projectiles launched around 1,500 fps, a velocity sufficient to expand soft lead and provide massive stopping power

americanshootingjournal.com 61

on soft-skinned foes such as humans or leopards.

Incidentally, that ballistic envelope is very similar to today’s 20-gauge hunting loads.

As people came upon more thick-skinned game, including Cape buffalo and grizzly bears, large-bore rifles gained popularity, culminating in the massive .700 Nitro Express. Similar to the 12-gauge shotgun in bore size, the .700 NE had three times the energy and massively greater penetration. Limited to lower-pressure actions, shotguns could not compete.

“I DISCOVERED THAT SABOT SLUGS SHOOT STRAIGHTEST FROM A COLD BORE.”

Dupleks Monolit 32 produced 0.6-inch three-shot groups at 25 yards with rifled Winchester SX3.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

Big-bore rifles, however, had their downside as well. They were very expensive, had massive recoil and launched a day’s wages downrange with every trigger pull. Shotguns, while less powerful, were far cheaper to shoot and didn’t beat up the hunter nearly as badly.

For most North American game, whether dangerous or merely edible, 12-gauge slugs were more than sufficient at close range.

At distance, some accuracy could be gained with rifled chokes or fully rifled barrels. As game regulations

americanshootingjournal.com 63

forced rifles out of hunters’ hands in several states, rifled shotguns enjoyed a resurgence. A few hunters even chose them over rifles for close-range use because of the massive payloads available, up to 2 ounces in 12 gauge. In many areas, the rifled shotgun became the working man’s safari rifle.

I TESTED TWO EXAMPLES of such hunting arms, the bolt-action Savage 220Y, a lightweight youth 20 gauge, and a Winchester SX3 Cantilever Buck, a gas-operated semiauto 12 gauge.

Both have fully rifled

Winchester SX3 Cantilever Buck rifled shotgun with Holosun red dot sight.

barrels intended mainly for sabot slugs. In addition to sabot loads, I also tried Brenneke-style slugs, which work in smooth or rifled barrels.

The Savage 220Y has no provision for iron sights, so I used it with a 1-4x Vortex scope. With ¾-ounce Brenneke K.O. slugs, it had moderate recoil and gave consistent three-shot groups at ½ inch at 25 yards, the longest distance available to me during the testing. Minimal muzzle flash, good accuracy and respectable terminal performance – around 18 inches of gel penetration with slight expansion to about 0.72 inches – all combine to make it a very viable load for deer or hogs. Best of all, it’s one of the cheapest slugs suitable for rifled bores, at under a dollar per round! Rated at 1,475 fps at the muzzle, it comes out just a shade slower from the 22inch tube.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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The Savage shotgun also did its part to help accuracy.

Its Accutrigger is nice and crisp, and the bolt action was smooth. The only catch was inserting the two-shot box magazine: it has to be pressed against the back of the magazine well to lock in. Single shells may be loaded over an empty magazine through the ejection port.

inch off, followed by a third nearly 2 inches from the initial hole. I reshot the groups with both, and every time they opened up to nearly 7 minutes of angle with just three rounds.

Reading up on the problem, I discovered that sabot slugs shoot straightest from a cold bore. On the return

A folding rear notch sight allows use of optics mounted low on the cantilevered rail of the Winchester SX3.

I then tried 250-grain Hornady FTX and 260 Winchester Dual Bond Elite sabot slugs. Streamlined expanding bullets in plastic sabots have a reputation for accuracy, and both are rated at 1,800 fps muzzle velocity for flat trajectory. With the barrel slightly shorter than the test rig, both were in the low 1,700s from the 220Y, with a pronounced muzzle flash.

With both loads, I was quite surprised by the initial results: a bull’s-eye with each, followed by a hit half an

range trip, I was able to shrink the groups by cooling the barrel for a couple of minutes between shots with the bolt open. Both loads shot within 1 inch at 25 yards, reasonable for 100-yard shots on deer, but not living up to the reputation.

With the flatter trajectory offset by decreased accuracy, these looked less useful than the Brennekes, except for one factor: most deer hunting involves one shot on a stationary deer. The first-shot accuracy – point

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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of impact corresponding to the point of aim exactly – was excellent with both loads, and the flatter trajectory (about half as much drop at 100 yards compared to Brenneke) makes range estimation less critical.

THE WINCHESTER SX3 comes with a four-shot tube and an optic rail cantilevered off the barrel. That way, barrels may be swapped and replaced without a substantial shift in the zero. It also had a set of post and notch iron sights visible through the trough in the optic rail.

While adequate, these sights didn’t strike me as ideal, so I put a Holosun red dot on the rail for accuracy testing. I picked it over a larger magnified optic for two reasons: proximity to the bore line and the unlimited eye relief. I wasn’t sure what kind of recoil to expect.

It turns out that my concern was unfounded. The SX3 had no more recoil than the 20-gauge bolt action, thanks to the gas-operated autoloading. The solar-assisted red dot has two reticle options, a plain 2MOA dot and a dot inside 65MOA circle with hash marks for horizontal and vertical reference. That second reticle proved very useful for testing.

Since the main reason to choose a 12 gauge over a

20 is the raw power available, I went with two full-bore loads, Brenneke Green Lightning Short Magnum and DDupleks Monollit 32. Brenneke 1¼-ounce slugs rate at 1,475 fps, but actually recoiled less than the 1⅛-ounce Monolit rated at about 1,400 fps, which suggest the DDupleks load is more optimized for the relatively short 22-inch barrel. In fact, chronograph reports velocity closer to 1,500 fps.

Downrange, Brenneke Green Lightning expands very little, around 5 percent, but has nearly 35 inches of penetration. Combined with a semiwadcutter profile, it is less likely to glance off such barriers as hog skulls, and that makes it a very viable dangerous-game round.

The Latvianproduced Monolit 32 is a full-machined steel wadcutter supported by plastic driving bands and base. It shows no expansion upon impact and tends to resist deflection by branches and foliage. Gel penetration with it exceeds 40 inches in a straight line. Also, breaking large bones on the way to the vitals will use up quite a bit of the energy.

The two rounds are worthy of each other in terms of accuracy. With just a red dot sight, Brenneke yielded 0.6-inch groups at 25 yards, while Monolit spread 0.67

“FOR MOST MEAT HUNTING, THE FIRST SHOT MATTERS THE MOST …”

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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A MORE TRADITIONAL SAVAGE

If you live or hunt in a state that allows the use of traditional rifles, Savage Arms’ recently released model 16/116 Lightweight Hunter is a godsend whether you’re hoofing it on a backcountry marathon or maneuvering for a shot inside a cramped blind.

Savage has reduced weight in every possible way without sacrificing any accuracy and reliability. As a result, the aptly named Lightweight Hunter tips the scale at 5.65 to 5.8 pounds, depending on caliber.

A featherweight firearm is especially handy when hunting high country terrain, which makes this rifle a natural for tackling mule deer and elk. Fortunately, the Lightweight Hunter still packs serious firepower. It’s available in short- and long-action options in five calibers: 223 Rem., 243 Win., 7mm-08 Rem., 308 Win. and 270 Win. Accuracy is also epic, thanks to a hand-straightened, button-rifled barrel and self-adjusting, floating bolt head that yields a fit normally available only with hand-lapped, locking lugs. The 16/116 Lightweight Hunter also offers Savage’s user-adjustable AccuTrigger system, which lets shooters tailor trigger pull to personal taste.

While the combination of extreme light weight and reliable, tack-driving accuracy has traditionally been reserved for high-priced custom rifles, the 16/116 Lightweight Hunter carries a MSRP of just $729, making it an affordable luxury for hard-core yet budgetconscious hunters everywhere.

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Direct loading of a Brenneke K.O. slug into the Savage 220Y ejection port.

versions, as the projectiles wouldn’t have to jump extra quarter inch of freebore.

I picked the shorter loads to save wear on my shoulder which, in retrospect, turned out to be excessive caution. The recoil from both shotguns was fairly mild.

As a point of caution, the muzzle rise was fairly pronounced with both, so it’s worth holding onto the forend well to avoid a black eye from the scope eyepiece. Using a hasty sling, rifle style, provides both the stability for aimed shots and the extra resistance to muzzle rise.

For most meat hunting, the first shot matters the most, and each of these rifled shotguns should provide sufficient accuracy and power out to 100 to 150 yards, depending on the skill of the shooter and the size of the game. For dangerous game, the more powerful 12-gauge autoloader would also provide quicker follow-up shots in case the quarry isn’t alone or the first hit isn’t perfectly placed. For stalking meat game, either would work well, weighing in at around 8 pounds with the respective optical sights.

inches. The groups were extremely consistent and not affected by the barrel heating up. Points of impact moved very little between these two loads, at least at the distance to my backstop.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL FIVE loads I tested were short, 2/inch shells, and both shotguns had 3-inch chambers.

To maximize accuracy, you’d want to use 3-inch-long

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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HUN TING P REP Gettin’ Ready For Shotgun Season STORY AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE

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ike many of you, I am much better at just doing stuff than getting ready for it. I guess it’s all about being prepared, and I was never the sharpest Boy Scout in the troop, or something like that.

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for. Depending on what and where you hunt with your scattergun, your season is either coming up fast, or is already here. September is often the last call for getting shotguns and other paraphernalia ready, so let’s talk about what you need to do to get out there and sling some lead or steel.

First, pull those scatterguns out of the gun safe and look ’em over. I’m sure that you would never put a shotgun away

September means that it’s time to bring your scatterguns out of the safe and into the field.

Here are a few of the author’s favorites, including (left to right) his Remington 870 Wingmaster, Browning Superposed, Winchester Model 12, Browning A-5, Browning Model 32, and Remington Model 31.

the shotgun to the field.

Most of the time, the only prep our guns need is some old-fashioned cleaning. Pump guns and semiautos need a little more TLC when it comes to this, but don’t neglect the actions on your side-by-side and over-and-under shotguns just because they’re easier to clean. It is, however, easy to be intimidated when it comes taking pump and semiauto guns apart, so if you feel as if you are getting in over your head, don’t do it.

Not that long ago, I needed to disassemble a Browning BPS, and when it came to taking the bolt assembly apart I was unsure about getting it back together. Fortunately, there are multiple internet videos about putting this gun – and many others – back together.

While you are making sure that your guns are ready to roll, here are a few items that will help improve your experience in the field.

ONE GUN PROTECTION PRODUCT I’ve recently come to use is Hopper Spit

by Birchwood Casey. The name is derived from – and I am not making this up – the product’s dark brownish-green color. If you caught grasshoppers for fish bait as a kid (as I did), you know what color their spit is.

Hopper Spit is an extreme rust and corrosion preventative for the metal on firearms. It will protect ferrous and nonferrous metals, and withstand the harshest conditions, including salt spray. This is a good protective spray for long-term storage of your guns (so you’ll be all ready for next season), or before a hard day in the field or the range.

The suggested retail price is under $15, so you really can’t afford to not test it out.

For more, see birchwoodcasey.com.

at the end of the season without a thorough cleaning, but if somehow this did happen, now is the time to rectify it.

Open the action and make sure everything seems to function properly – action, trigger, safety, etc. If there are any problems, you may (yes, I wrote “may”) have time to get it to your gunsmith for repair. But if there are any questions with functioning or the safety, do not take

ANOTHER TYPE OF protection that we often neglect in the field is for our hearing. For some reason, we wear it religiously when we go to the trap, skeet or sporting clay range, but we think that banging away in the dove field all day is somehow different. Some of us (like me) have already experienced some hearing loss from years of unprotected shooting, but it’s never too soon, or too late, americanshootingjournal.com 79

Hopper Spit from Birchwood Casey is a fine gun protection product.

to protect the hearing you have left.

Any hearing protection, including the simple “jam it in your ear” soft foam type, is better than nothing, but I think the in-ear electronic models work best. They effectively reduce shotgun blast noise while letting us hear what is going around us, and this increased awareness can be very important while on the range or in the field.

Etymotic Research’s Gunsport PRO electronic ear plugs are an excellent option for this need. GSP 15 electronic earplugs allow natural hearing when no background noise is present, and gradually protect from loud continuous noise from vehicles, machinery or gunfire from nearby shooters.

At the flip of a switch, sound is amplified, improving distance detection up to five times for enhanced awareness.

I’ve used the GunSport 15 model ear plugs in the field and in a shotgun class at Gunsite Academy, and found them to be comfortable, effective and easy to use. The suggested retail for these ear plugs is $299.00, but if you do much shooting (or go to NASCAR races, etc.), they are worth every penny.

For more, go to etymotic.com.

Etymotic Research’s Gunsport PRO electronic ear plugs provide excellent hearing protection on the range or afield.

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THERE IS NO SUCH THING as too much ammo. Can I get an “amen?” We shotgunners tend to go through a lot of ammunition, and that is a good thing. No matter how many shotgun shells you may have stored at your ranch, you are probably always in the market for more. I know I am.

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Browning BPT Shotgun ammo with a CZ-USA All American Trap Combo Shotgun.

Before you head off to the dove field for your first hunting expedition, you should put in at least a couple sessions shooting trap, skeet or sporting clays – anything to get you out there shooting.

Maybe you’ve heard that Browning has entered the ammunition world, and here are a couple offerings for

Before you hit the fields, woods or marshes, tune up your aim with some clay targets.

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you to consider.

For the range, Browning offers Browning Performance Target (BPT) Shotshells. A combination of hard shot and a smooth hull make this an excellent choice. Most of you know that round shot will fly truer and hold a better pattern, and the harder or denser the shot, the more it

americanshootingjournal.com 83

WINCHESTER’S SUPER X3 SPORTING AUTOLOADER SHOTGUN It has been a few years since Winchester shooter Tim Flanigan set multiple records for speed and shooting hand-thrown clay targets, but the numbers remain impressive. The most remarkable one, at least to me, is that Flanigan fired 12 rounds of AA’s in 1.42 seconds. That’s right — 12 rounds in less than one and a half seconds.

There is no doubt Flanigan has a skill level most of us will never reach, but a fair amount of the credit for him reaching that level of speed must be attributed to the shotgun, the SX3.

The Super X3 comes in many configurations, and the latest to appear on my radar is the Composite Sporting Model. The synthetic stock is ergonomic and “grippy,” and it feels good when you grab hold of it. The nickel-plated receiver accentuates the black stock and red bolt handle and bolt release button. This shotgun is a race car in looks and performance.

Winchester’s Active Valve gas system accounts for a good deal of its speed, but this gun is also quick in the pointing department. A weighted magazine cap unscrews to allow the shooter to add or subtract weight on the front of the gun. Winchester also added a set of Invector-Plus Briley chokes, a back-bored forcing cone, a shim adjustable stock, oversize bolt handle and release button (a big plus), a chrome-plated chamber and bore and drop-out trigger assembly for easy cleaning. This gun is designed to put a lot of lead down range, and do it quickly I could go on with other features of the SX3, but you would probably just glaze over. If you are in the market for a sporting clays or skeet gun, check out the Super X3 Sporting Autoloader.

Ever the rebel, I intend to shoot doves with it this month.

For more information on the Super X3, visit winchesterguns.com.

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holds its shape and doesn’t become deformed during flight.

Harder shot also breaks targets better.

Browning wanted to come in somewhere in the middle on the price point on this ammo, and accomplished this on their BPT line with a brass-plated steel shell head. The brass plating allows for smooth feeding, but the steel head makes it difficult to reload, so Browning does not recommend it.

MSRP for a box of 25 is $9.99, but you may see them on shelves anywhere from $7.99 up.

Browning has also introduced the BXD line of hunting shotshells. Along with nickel-plated shot for tighter downrange patterns, the main feature of these shells is speed.

The 12-gauge 2¾-inch shell with a 13/8-ounce shot load delivers a muzzle velocity of 1,485 feet per second, and that, my friends, is a screamer. This type of speed should allow for less lead when drawing on that rooster pheasant that flushed a bit too far out.

For more, see browningammo.com.

THIS ONLY SCRATCHES the surface of all the things you need to attend to before you hit the woods or the dove field, but the editors would not give me the 20 pages I asked for to cover this topic adequately. Go figure.

As always, my advice to you is to just go. There will never be a perfect or even a good time to do it. Go to the range, go to where the doves are flying, or go see if the teal are in yet. No matter what you want to go after, just go!

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Browning’s new BXD line of hunting shotshells feature nickel-plated shot.

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CUT THROUGH

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TOM CLAYCOMB

hen I was a kid, there were probably five good knife companies. These days, there are too many to count.

And while there are several great designs to choose from, it can be confusing as to which works best for what, and how much to spend and why.

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A knife is a tool, and you must choose the correct one for each specific job. While you can dig a hole with a spoon, a shovel works a lot better, and the same goes with knives.

Also, I don’t jump out of helicopters with a tactical knife clenched in my teeth to cut off the heads of the bad guys. I just like to hunt and fish, and gut, skin and cut up what I kill, so my advice comes from that perspective.

THE CONFUSION How To Choose The Proper Style Of Knife For Each Specific Hunting Task Two of the best designed and constructed skinning knives on the market are made by Diamond Blades.

The Traditional Hunter (top) is, hands down, the best design. Notice how the spine is slightly ground down, giving it not only a drop point for skinning, but also a semipoint so you can cut the pattern.

There are four or five decent boning knives on the market. Whichever one you buy, make sure that it has this exact shape. You don’t see wood handles as often anymore, but they are more comfortable.

“A KNIFE IS A TOOL, SO CHOOSE THE CORRECT ONE FOR EACH SPECIFIC JOB.” Knives of Alaska makes several excellent products. The Legacy (top) is a skinning knife with a shorter blade and a full handle to give you total knife control. The Pronghorn is a clip-point style that makes it ideal for difficult initial incision cuts. (RON SPOMER OUTDOORS PHOTO)

LET’S DISPEL A MYTH. Just because you skinned your first bear with a certain knife doesn’t automatically mean that it is the best skinning knife. In fact, it may not even be a good skinning knife. It just means that it has some sentimental value.

Years ago, the Idaho Press Tribune ran a photo of a 12-year-old boy who had just shot his first deer with an old

Winchester .30-30. Beside him in the photo were his dad and granddad, who’d shot their first deer with the same rifle.

Do you think you could ever convince that kid that a .30-30 isn’t the best deer rifle? I wouldn’t even try.

So if your favorite uncle – the one who taught you how to hunt – entrusted you with his knife on his deathbed, then carry it and be happy. Who cares what I say? Just don’t try to tell me that it is the best design for every task.

Hunters can justify carrying four different knives. These are: a clip point to cut the pattern (the initial cut when americanshootingjournal.com 91

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For caping out big game heads and skinning the feet and toes on bears, you’ll want a caping knife.

I prefer one like the Cub Bear from Knives of Alaska because of its distinct point and narrow, short blade.

CLIP-POINT KNIFE The tip of this design sweeps upward and comes to a definite point, which allows you to stab into the hide and cut a pattern. The pattern is the initial cut you make down each leg, around the hocks and up the belly before you start removing the skin. You can skin your animal with a clip-point knife, but due to the shape of the blade, they have more of a tendency to cut holes in the hide while skinning. If you’re just skinning your deer so you can cut it up, then it doesn’t matter if you skin it with your clip point knife.

If I could only carry one knife, this would be it.

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skinning), a drop-point knife to skin, a caping knife to skin around the eyes, ears and lips, as well as the feet of bears, and a boning knife to bone out your game.

Do I always carry all four? No. When I’m hunting hard in the mountains, I usually only carry two: a knife to skin my animal and a boning knife. I’ve skinned more than a hundred deer with a clip-point knife, because it’s a versatile choice.

However, if you want to keep the hide or mount the head, it’s best if you use a drop point.

Let’s briefly review each style of blade, and why they are best for a specific task.

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

DROP-POINT KNIFE A drop-point knife is less likely to cut through the hide, and you can skin faster without being as careful. You’ll notice on a drop-point knife that the tip doesn’t sweep upwards like a clippoint knife. Although I can’t explain the mechanics of why, you’ll simply cut through the hide less often while skinning with a drop-point knife than with a clip-point knife.

CAPING KNIFE If you plan to mount the animal head, you’ll want to carry a caping knife.

A caping knife has a shorter, thinner blade with a definite point. This allows you to make intricate cuts around the eyes and lips of your trophy, as well as when skinning the feet on bears.

BONING KNIFE When I was a kid, we’d use a hunting knife for this job, but while working in beef production plants, I discovered what a real boning knife could do. I took what I learned there and applied it in my outdoor world.

To get a clean bone (which means to remove all the meat) you’ll want a semi-flexible knife. You don’t want it too flimsy or you won’t be able to control the blade while working. I favor a 6-inch boning knife, but have buddies who favor a 5-inch blade.

I favor a semiflex, but some people prefer a superflex blade. It’s a matter of preference.

BOLDNESS MAKES ITS OWN CHOICES GO BOLD

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I favor a thin fold-up knife. I don’t like thick, bulky ones, and most of Puma’s fold-up knives are thin and sleek.

A SOFTER METAL BLADE is easier to sharpen, but it doesn’t stay sharp as long. A harder knife is more difficult to sharpen but will keep an edge longer. Again, it’s not a matter of right or wrong, just personal preference.

If you’ve hiked in 7 miles and shoot an elk, it’s nice to have a knife that will hold an edge long enough to skin him so you don’t have to carry a sharpening stone. For that reason, I favor a knife that is hard and will keep an edge but that is not insanely hard.

Something of the hardness of a Knives of Alaska knife is perfect.

What about straight blade versus fold-ups? Again, it’s a matter of preference. I like both, and sometimes

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interchange at the drop of a hat. However, if you choose a folder, make sure it has a locking blade so it doesn’t close on your hand while working, although nearly all folders are lock blades now.

There are several good manufacturers on the market.

Choose which brand you prefer, and then pick one with the task-specific designs that I’ve listed above. And after you’ve made your selection, happy hunting!

Editor’s note: For more on this and other knife-related topics, see the author’s e-article “Knife Sharpening” (available on Amazon Kindle), and check out the YouTube videos on RonSpomerOutdoors.

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BEHIND THE BADGE

THE BOAT BEAT The Deputies Of This Florida County’s Agricultural And Marine Unit Serve On Land, Sea And Everywhere In Between

STORY BY TROY TAYSOM • PHOTOS BY BREVARD CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE

B

revard County hugs the Atlantic coast of Florida for more than 70 miles, and although non-Floridians may not recognize the name, they may be familiar with some of the area’s claims to fame. The 1960s television sitcom I Dream of Jeanie was set in the area – although in typical Hollywood fashion, it was not filmed there – and The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison was born in Melbourne, where his childhood home still stands.

But pop culture references aside, Brevard County is perhaps best known as the home of the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral and Canaveral Pier, while the Indian

to all that water, the county is home to several cattle ranches and fruit farms.

You may thinking, “I’d love to be a cop on a boat. On the water all day, enjoying the sun and the wildlife and the bikinis …” Well, not so fast there, Gilligan. Yes, these officers do pilot a variety of cool watercraft and superfast air boats, but it’s not all adrenaline and jet spray. The officers working this unit do experience danger, and although they may not be out kicking in doors on drug raids, the danger they face most frequently is one that can’t be controlled: Mother Nature.

Have you ever been floating on a lake or stream when the wind really starts to blow? Imagine being in the ocean or a large river when the wind kicks up. A day of fun on the water can turn to distress and tragedy in a matter of minutes.

Brevard County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bear Bright patrols the St. Johns River on the newest air boat in the fleet.

River (72 miles long), the Banana River (28 miles long) and the St. Johns River also all flow through the area.

With 541 square miles of water comprising a third of the county’s total area, it should come as no surprise that water sports are a big deal here. So who enforces all of the laws on the water? The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Agricultural and Marine Unit. Agricultural Unit? In addition

I recently spoke with three members of BCSO’s Agricultural and Marine Unit, and they shared some experiences they’ve had working this unique duty.

Sgt. Dennis Casey is a 27-year BCSO veteran with a year and a half in the unit. Corporal Gary Anderson has been with BCSO for 28 years and the unit for eight. Deputy Keith Grosse is both the rookie and the veteran of the three. americanshootingjournal.com 97

BEHIND THE BADGE BCSO’s 31-foot Safeboat out on the open sea ...

... and preparing to escort a cruise ship into port.

Although he has “only” been with the BCSO for 19 years, 15 have been as a member of the unit.

BEING SELECTED FOR DUTY with the Ag and Marine Unit is highly competitive. The job offers unique opportunities not only within the BCSO but within law enforcement in general. Each man I spoke with also owns a private boat, and when not working, each are out fishing, water skiing or just enjoying the fun of boating.

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Deputies are armed with standard-issue Glock 22s, AR15s and shotguns. Until recently, members also had M-14s onboard. Normally, officers wear cargo pants and shirts well-suited for the wet environment, but on extremely hot days (and we’re talking Florida-hot) they wear shorts and polo shirts.

While deputies don’t make many felony arrests, they do encounter criminals and creatures that can potentially be dangerous. In some ways, this assignment is like that of a

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BEHIND THE BADGE Deputy Steve Barton (left) and Corporal Gary Anderson patrol the Banana River on a 21-foot Mako.

This 40-foot Boston Whaler is used in dive operations and for cruise ship escorts as well.

fish and game warden. Their job requires them to work with ranchers and all manner of animals, including cattle, horses, snakes and alligators.

Once selected for duty with the unit, a new member must successfully navigate the Coast Guard’s captain’s school in order to operate each boat in the BCSO fleet.

For use on saltwater lagoons, locally known as rivers, they have a 21-foot Mako powered by a 300-horsepower outboard engine. They use a 27-foot Edgewater powered by twin 175 hp engines to escort cruise ships into port, and use a 31-foot

Safeboat in the open ocean, as well. The Safeboat has real get up and go, as it is powered by twin 300 hp Mercury engines capable of pushing the boat to 60 mph.

To search for bombs attached to the pilings of docks in port (yes, they do that on occasion), deputies use a 27-foot Parker outfitted with underwater sonar and bottom reader.

And perhaps the coolest looking of all the boats is their Boston Whaler 350 Challenger, with three 300 hp Mercury Verados. This beast is 35 feet inside to inside, making its total length nearly 40 feet. The model is primarily for law

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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BEHIND THE BADGE enforcement and military use, and keeping ports secure. Yes, I’ll have one of those, if you don’t mind!

This versatile collection of floating stock also includes air boats for the freshwater St. Johns River, the newest of which is a 12-footer powered by an aircraft engine.

SEVERAL MAJOR CRUISE LINES dock at Port Canaveral. Although the cape is best known for space ships, thousands of people arrive at the port daily to sail on the floating variety, and the

A BCSO truck patrolling ranching areas.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

BCSO is in charge of the security there. The Agricultural and Marine Unit patrols the docks with side-scan sonar, while divers search for anomalies along the docks. The deputies then meet incoming cruise ships and escort them the final distance (usually a mile or two) into port. They also receive container ships, and even help escort smaller naval ships to a nearby submarine base.

The unit also enforces water recreation laws. Florida is home to the manatee, and these gentle giants swim in the rivers and throughout the Intercoastal Waterway.

Unfortunately, many of these mammoth mammals are maimed or killed by careless boaters each year, so the unit enforces manatee zones that require boaters to keep their boats under a certain speed.

As you may expect, they work with fishermen to ensure that the fish being caught are in season, that limits are adhered to and that the fish meet legal sizes. The deputies also check fishing licenses and look for other safety violations involving the use of life jackets and such.

Derelict boats can be another problem for marine deputies. As boats take on water, there is always a chance that the boaters could end up in the water. If that occurs in the ocean, they could be caught up in a strong tide. That’s why it’s imperative for the deputies to respond quickly to ensure boater safety.

americanshootingjournal.com 103

BEHIND THE BADGE SEARCH-AND-RESCUE duty is shared by marine and ag deputies.

“Many boaters and fisherman don’t realize that a wind blowing at 7 knots will cause the boat to move faster than a person can swim,” Deputy Anderson told me. “If a boater falls overboard in these conditions, they will never catch up with their boat.”

To bring the point home, Deputy Casey told me of an incident that occurred early this year.

“An 18-foot boat went missing,” he recalled. “The boat eventually washed ashore in Indialantic [a coastal town just inland from Melbourne], but we never found the fisherman.

Our best guess is he caught a fish and went overboard.”

The deputies also participate in searches after hurricanes and other intense storms. Deputy Casey recalled a time when he was on land by the Indian River during a powerful thunderstorm and a call for help came in. Casey responded to the call by truck, but watched as Deputy Anderson navigated the river in a 31-foot aluminum boat with lightning strikes all around him. Both men admitted to be extremely scared during this call.

Deputy Grosse made a point of how dangerous the water can be, even to experienced swimmers.

“A group was tagging sea turtles for research and tracking,” he related. “One of their members went down [underwater] and never came back up. His body did

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These two air boats powered by Corvette engines are capable of reaching 70 mph in shallow water.

resurface three days later.”

WORKING WITH RANCHERS requires a variety of vehicles, including large pickup trucks for everyday work, but also larger, taller ones capable of traversing water and debris following hurricanes.

To serve the agricultural community, deputies patrol huge areas of ranch land. To successfully work this beat, officers must be capable of working cases from start to finish, and the job requires a solid relationship built on mutual trust with the ranchers.

americanshootingjournal.com 105

BEHIND THE BADGE Despite being known for its beaches, Florida has an abundance of cattle ranches. One of the biggest is the Deseret Ranch, which boasts more than 300,000 acres and 44,000 head of cattle, making it one of the largest livestock operations in the United States.

It is not unusual for criminals to attempt escape by heading for ranch areas where, at least on the surface, it appears easy to hide. What many of them forget is that Florida is home to a large alligator population, and these prehistoric reptiles enjoy the taste of criminals and good guys alike. The wooded areas of the ranches are also teeming with snakes and can be impossible to navigate. Many criminals enter these remote areas on the run, never to be seen again. Some may look at this as a win-win situation; the gators get fed, and citizens don’t have to pay for incarceration.

The deputies working agriculture areas also deal with poachers. Poachers are a unique type of criminal; most don’t view themselves as criminals, but by the very nature of their crimes they are armed and know how to shoot.

This reality requires deputies to be both good trackers and diplomats to locate and convince armed poachers to come along peacefully.

WHILE DEPUTIES ENJOY being outdoors and on the water, they don’t always enjoy what they have to deal with. Deputy

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Anderson told me about discovering a kilo of cocaine that washed up on the beach recently. He also related the story of a 5-year-old boy boating with his family on the Banana River.

The family beached at a small island to have a barbecue, but while the adults were making preparations, the boy fell off the back of the boat, hit his head and died.

They are also called in to use their sonar to look for bodies and other crime evidence – and seem to have plenty of both.

Like all law enforcement officers, these deputies are extremely dedicated to protecting the citizens of their community.

The job provides fun and excitement, but BCSO deputies check the docks using a also heartbreak and 27-foot Parker with sonar deployed. sadness. The work can be hard, and the days are often long and hot, but in the end, none of these deputies would rather be anywhere else.

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SHOOTERS SHELF

TWO NEW BOOKS DELVE DEEPLY INTO FIREARMS HISTORY

BY CRAIG HODGKINS

SHOOTING FOR THE RECORD: ADOLPH TOEPPERWEIN, TOM FRYE, AND SHOOTING’S FORGOTTEN CONTROVERSY

By Tim Price 304 pages, $27.95 (hardcover), E-book available Texas Tech University Press (2016)

A

few years ago, while researching images for an article, I came across a black and white photograph of a man named Adolph Toepperwein sitting atop a huge mountain of small wooden blocks. The accompanying caption was

brief but exuberant, proclaiming that the mustachioed man in the broad-brimmed hat had set a world’s record for endurance shooting.

As you may imagine, the man’s name and the visual stuck with me, and every time it came to mind, the history buff in me wondered how and why a competition such as that had come about.

With the release of Tim Price’s Shooting for the Record, I learned everything I ever wanted to know and more about Mr. Toepperwein, his shooting acumen, and the eventual “forgotten controversy” with a gifted midcentury marksman named Tom Frye, which is hinted about in the book’s subtitle.

The son of a gifted gunsmith, Ad took to shooting early and often, and followed in the footsteps of the performance sharpshooters he admired as a boy. Some of these names are still recognized today, such as Annie Oakley and “Buffalo” Bill Cody, but others, like William “Doc” Carver, have all but faded from memory.

Price does a marvelous job of bringing this turn-ofthe-century world of barnstorming (and feuding) Wild West performers to life, and – in alternating chapters – is equally adept at fleshing out the latter day story of Frye’s rise to rival his predecessor half a century later.

The parallels are intriguing. Both men were products of their time, and each understood (or quickly learned) the value of self-promotion in capturing the attention of the shooting world. Corporate sponsorships come heavily into play for both competitors, and drove the rivalry and controversy forward.

As with any captivating story, a variety of secondary and supporting characters add depth and interest to the tale.

For example, Toepperwein’s wife, Plinky, was a marvelous sharpshooter in her own right, and she toured and shot beside her husband for decades.

Price keeps readers engaged through the very end, and Shooting for the Record is clearly a well-researched labor of love. It is not, however, an easy read. The work covers a full century of action, and the author’s love of detail occasionally hovers on the excessive, especially in the earlier chapters, so folks accustomed to breezy, modern celebrity profiles need not apply. But readers looking to americanshootingjournal.com 113

SHOOTERS SHELF dive deeply into another time and place will be amply rewarded with an engaging real-life tale of two gifted but awed human beings driven to prove – and proďŹ t from – their mastery of a sport they loved.

THE WINCHESTER: THE GUN THAT BUILT AN AMERICAN DYNASTY

By Laura Trevelyan 264 pages, $28 (hardcover) Yale University Press (2016) I’m often wary of family histories written by family members, but Laura Trevelyan, a New York correspondent for the BBC, has done a ďŹ ne job with this detailed but accessible look at the life, times and commerce of Oliver Winchester – Trevelyan’s great great great grandfather – and his many descendants of both the human and ďŹ rearms varieties.

Because Winchester the man was such a colorful character, and because his primary products became so iconic, Trevelyan can’t avoid covering familiar ground. But there will be some surprises for even those well-versed in ďŹ rearms history, especially for his earliest years, and company events that occurred following World War I and beyond, including the illfated expansion into several non-ďŹ rearms product

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SHOOTERS SHELF categories, such as lawnmowers and lunch boxes.

Along the way, we meet the man who enjoyed three successful careers before he was middle aged, his daughterin-law who is more famous for the house she built than the life she lived, and Trevelyan’s own great aunts, who shot tennis balls out of a converted elephant gun at strangers who ventured too close to the family estate along Long Island Sound in coastal Connecticut.

But long before the money, and the estates and the tennis balls, Oliver Winchester was born in Massachusetts of hearty British stock in 1810. His father died when Oliver and his twin brother, Samuel, were infants, and he went to work at an early age. There is no evidence that he had anything more than a passing interest in firearms in his youth.

He was apprenticed to a carpenter at age 14, and became a master builder by age 20, when a contract to build a church brought him to Baltimore. Despite steady work, he chose to become a haberdasher three years later. He was successful once again, and after marrying in 1834, he and his wife, Jane, settled into Baltimore society.

Restless again by 1837, Winchester sold his business and relocated to New Haven, Conn., where he and a partner designed, made and sold shirts to the well-to-do, and eventually invested in a new-fangled invention, the sewing machine. Flush with cash from two successful lines of

business, Winchester began to look for other worthwhile investments. And, since New Haven had become a hotbed of American firearms manufacturing, investing in a similar businesses was a natural next step.

Trevelyan does a good job of detailing the trials and travails of Winchester’s early attempts with the Volcanic Arms Company and other entities as well as his troubled relationship with the gifted Benjamin Tyler Henry. It is telling to note that the Winchester name has been long associated with – and benefited from – classic firearms designed and developed by others, including Henry and, later, John Moses Browning.

She also traces the various models of Winchester rifles as they became favorites of diverse public figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, Ernest Hemingway and Native American tribesmen, who called the Winchester “the Spirit Gun.” Despite the inability to earn a sizable military contract for the Henry repeating rifle during the Civil War, Winchester’s company survived the post-war glut of surplus arms while his chief competitor, makers of the Spencer rifle, did not. Ironically, the company bearing his name suffered a similar fate following WWI. But whether you’re a fan of firearms or simply of American history, there is much to enjoy and learn in this easy to read and well-footnoted volume.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

Product FEATURE

OVERLOOKED POWERHOUSE The Fabulous .41 Remains A Preferred Caliber For The Discerning And Serious Shooter STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVE WORKMAN

D

espite hitting harder than the .357 Magnum (with a bigger bore), and shooting flatter (to a slight degree) with less recoil than the .44 Magnum, the .41 Remington Magnum has been unfairly overshadowed since hitting the American landscape back in 1964. But the truth is, it just might be the best of a pretty good bunch.

Let’s be honest. The .44 Magnum is a fraud, being a .429 in true caliber, while the .41 Magnum is the real McCoy. With comparable loads, the .41 Magnum can do anything the .44 Magnum can do, and it is a real survivor.

The popularity of the .41-caliber Magnum seems to ebb and flow, but those who have stuck with it make it as versatile a choice as its siblings. I’ve carried the .41 Magnum for personal protection, killed a couple of deer with it, shot long-range targets (it’s a favorite among silhouette shooters) and had it in the backcountry as a utility gun.

I like to think the really smart handgunners prefer this to the everybody’s-got-to-have-one .44 Magnum. And a lot of guys who have been around the block a few times have come to the same conclusion I did more than 30 years ago: It’s a damned fine cartridge.

Last year, I visited my friend Jim Zumbo at his place in Wyoming, and the former hunting editor for Outdoor Life

The N-frame Smith & Wesson is the perfect platform for the .41 Magnum. As the can attests, the gun can shoot, too! americanshootingjournal.com 121

PRODUCT FEATURE Author Dave Workman is a devotee of the .41 Magnum, including this vintage S&W Model 57 with a 4-inch barrel.

magazine had a Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Magnum parked near the front door. Veteran gunwriter Dick Metcalf and the late Bob Milek also wrote often about this caliber, and I always figured that this trio of wordsmiths were on to something.

IT’S A GEM FOR HANDLOADERS too. Thanks to modern powder research, there are more than a few propellants that make this round sizzle. My two favorites are Hodgdon’s H110 and Alliant 2400.

There are several good bullet choices in the 200to 220-grain field, and I’ve had great results with the 210-grain XTP from Hornady, the 210-grain Nosler JHP, and the 200- and 220-grain halfjacketed semi-wadcutter projectiles and a 210-grain Gold Dot JHP from Speer.

Hodgdon’s H110 is a favorite In addition, Barnes offers propellant among handloaders a 180-grain solid-copper for the .41 Magnum

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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PRODUCT FEATURE hollowpoint, and Sierra has two pills, a 170-grainer and 210-grain bullet, both hollowpoints.

Thanks to updated reloading data in the Speer, Nosler and Hodgdon manuals, I’ve been able to tinker with the cartridge over the past couple of years, and especially since last summer when I bought a little-used and nearly new-inbox 1980s vintage Smith & Wesson Model 57 in .41 Magnum.

There are plenty of factory loads available, including With a belt full of cartridges, one can do a bit of shooting with a pair of doubleaction magnums.

Winchester Silvertips, and JHPs from Remington, Federal and other manufacturers. When I acquired that 4-inch S&W last July, it came with four boxes of factory BVAC (Bitterroot Valley Ammunition) loaded with 210-grain semiwads.

“THE .44 MAGNUM IS A FRAUD, BEING A .429 IN TRUE CALIBER, WHILE THE .41 MAGNUM IS THE REAL MCCOY.” I’VE OWNED RUGER BLACKHAWKS and two S&W Model 57s, the first of those being a 6-inch version I’ve shot a few times in the annual Elmer Keith long-range handgun shoot just south of Spokane.

Keith is largely recognized as having been primarily responsible for the .41 Magnum, along with a man named Bill Jordan. It was originally intended as a law-enforcement caliber, but it proved to be a bit much for some lawmen, especially those of smaller stature, to handle. If that sounds like a similar story to that of the 10mm Auto, it is. But

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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PRODUCT FEATURE while the latter round led to the development of the .40 S&W, nobody bothered to create a .41 Short, so the original cartridge has remained the same since birth.

Of the two deer I killed with a 6.5-inch Blackhawk single action, the muley was the more memorable. Two shots downhill dropped the forkhorn. One bullet went clear through and the other was a perfect mushroom recovered just under the hide on the exit side.

While I prefer the longer barrel for precision shooting and hunting, in recent years I’ve opted for shorter-barrel versions. They’re lighter, they can ride on my hip in a truck, and they’re more concealable. A couple of years ago, I swapped out the alloy ejector rod housing on my 45/8-inch Ruger for one made from steel.

One thing I’ve noticed is that my loads lose 50 to 100 feet per second out of the shorter barrels, though that probably won’t make a lot of difference to anything I shoot within, say, 100 to 150 yards.

and my favorite handloads zip out in the 1,250 to 1,600 fps range, depending upon the bullet weight, powder charge and barrel length.

When I shoot Alliant 2400, I stick with standard large pistol primers, but with H110, I always use magnum primers.

Other powders are also good choices, including Winchester 296, H4227, Blue Dot, Lil’ Gun, Unique and Vihtavouri N110.

The cartridge case should measure 1.290 inches, and the overall length for cartridges should not exceed 1.590 inches. I have two sets of carbide dies, one from Hornady and one from Redding, with the seating die from each set for a different bullet, because they each crimp at a slightly different depth.

I’ve built gunbelts with ample cartridge loops for the .41 Magnum. One needs to use a slightly tighter loop for the .41 than the .44 (.429), and they need to be well-oiled. Mine are all individually hand-stitched rather than looped in and out of the belt.

THE .41 MAGNUM IS CAPABLE of some impressive ballistics. With lighter bullets, it can warp along at more than 1,650 fps,

AS A FIGHT-STOPPER, the .41 Magnum is no slouch. A cartridge that will knock down a black bear, big buck, caribou or

“THE .41 MAGNUM IS CAPABLE OF SOME IMPRESSIVE BALLISTICS.”

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PRODUCT FEATURE bull elk is also fully capable against predators of the two-legged variety. This is a defensive round that should be approached with a little caution, of course, due to the potential for overpenetration.

When it was first introduced, proponents suggested it would be a good load for law enforcement officers to shoot through the windshields of fleeing getaway cars or to foul up an engine block on similar vehicles.

When I carried my 6-inch Model 57 in an old Safariland shoulder holster, I always had a couple of HKS speed loaders stoked with factory Remington ammo because the bullet shape contributed to quicker reloading than a wadcutter. Under a winter parka, that big gun disappeared, and nobody was any the wiser.

So why doesn’t the .41 Magnum get more respect? The reason is probably as simple as Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty” Harry Callahan firing a .44 Magnum on film. But even if it won’t fire out of the “most powerful handgun in the world,” it has become something of a cult favorite with people who like to shoot metal chickens and rams, as well as discerning handgunners who don’t choose to follow the herd.

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Soon after Workman acquired this revolver, he knocked together the holster.

HOLSTERS

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Product FEATURE

DEPENDABLE DEFENDER

The New Can-Am Defender XT Cab Provides A Comfortable Cockpit, No Matter The Conditions In The Field Or On The Range

The Can-Am Defender XT will get you and your equipment where you want to go in style and comfort.

STORY BY BRAD FITZPATRICK • PHOTOS BY CAN-AM

T

he side-by-side UTV market continues to grow exponentially, and over the course of the last several years these handy and hardy machines have transitioned from strict utility vehicles to comfortable all-purpose cruisers that are equally adept at hauling downed game as they are transporting the family and equipment around the farm. Can-Am’s Defender series has always been strong with regard to functionality, but now the manufacturer’s flagship side-by-side has added a few creature comforts that shooters and hunters will enjoy.

For starters, it gets a full hard roof with a liner that both

protects and insulates. The front windshield tilts up and a wiper-washer kit now comes standard. There’s also a back glass for added comfort and the rear gas slides so you can access items in the bed or increase ventilation on warm days.

Full black doors round out the new cab configuration and keep heat in and moisture and cold out. In addition, these sturdy new doors have electric windows.

That’s certainly not the end of the Defender XT cab’s list of pampering features, though. An integrated heater kit keeps you warm on your way to and from the field or the range, and ten vents ensure even temperatures (as opposed to other models that blast heat from one or two vents so that you’re well-done in front and medium-rare on your back). americanshootingjournal.com 133

PRODUCT FEATURE There’s also a 5.6-gallon waterproof under-seat storage container for any items you want to keep secure and close at hand.

And speaking of seats, the Defender’s VERSA-PRO 4020-40 split design is inspired by pickup trucks, and each unit has a durable vinyl cover that protects it from the elements yet offers a cushioned ride. If you don’t need the extra passenger space, you can flip the passenger seats up for added storage, and there’s a flip-down center seat console and cup holders.

for maneuverability in four-wheel-drive; and 4x4 locked for maximum, go-anywhere traction.

Additionally, there are three separate driving modes: Eco, Normal and Work. In Normal mode the Defender has no torque or speed limitations and is optimized for running without heavy loads. In Eco mode, torque and speed are limited for better efficiency during normal travel, and the Work mode is designed for hauling heavy loads with smooth, consistent acceleration.

At the heart of the Defender is the dependable Rotax V-Twin HD-10 engine which makes 72 horsepower and generates 61 pounds of torque. The engine is also located at the rear of the Defender’s chassis, which reduces noise, heat and vibration, making for a smoother and quieter ride. The engine is mated to a PRO-TORQ transmission that offers integrated hill descent control (a fantastic feature for those who live or plan to travel in steep country) and a Quick Response System that helps deliver smoother power and precise engagement. The tow rating is an impressive 2,000 pounds, and payload is set

“THE DEFENDER XT CAB IS AN OUTSTANDING VEHICLE FOR A VARIETY OF HUNTING AND SHOOTING PURSUITS.”

THESE CREATURE COMFORTS don’t diminish the Defender’s rock-bashing brusqueness. On the contrary, this machine will work hard all day without complaint. There’s a 4,500-pound winch with convenient push-button operation, 27-inch Maxxis six-ply radial Bighorn tires that are designed for clawing through mud and snow, and a full skid plate. The 4-mode traction comes with front and rear toggle switches that allow you to select among: 2x4 open rear differential for tight turning and a light footprint; 2x4 locked for better two-wheel-drive traction; 4x4 open

Minuteman Ti Suppressor Freedom Armory Machine Works is proud to introduce the revolutionary Minuteman suppressor that utilizes our patented Gas Indexing Technology (GIT). US Patent #9410761 • Baffles are totally operator configured.

• 3.9 oz. suppressor weight.

• Rated from .22LR to FN5.7X28 calibers.

• Full Auto rated for .22LR. • As indestructible, if not better, than competing suppressors in the marketplace.

• Baffles minimize carbon leakage inside tube wall ensuring baffles remain easy to extract in a dirty suppressor.

• Thin 1″ diameter eliminates sighting conflicts.

• Provides a top rated 42dB noise reduction.

• Simple to assemble by hand with only a standard 3/8″ socket driver or extension.

• All titanium, no aluminum suppressor parts permits the use of all standard firearm cleaning solvents and tools, including brushes.

(717) 227-9060 • Suppressors@famachineworks.com • www.famachineworks.com 134

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

NEW PRODUCT FOR 2016

THE AMERICAN DEFENSE MANUFACTURING UIC MOD 2 • 7075 Billet machined upper and lower receivers • Full ambidextrous controls • 12”, 14.5” and 16” ADM Contour barrels from Criterion Barrels Inc. • A2S adjustable 2 stage trigger • ADM premium Bolt Carrier Group • Suppressor ready muzzle device • Magpul PRO Backup Iron Sights • Available with M-LOK, Keymod or Low Light handguards • Features Magpul SL stock, MOE Grip and 30 round PMag ͻ D ŶƟͲZŽƚĂƟŽŶ Y ŶĚƉůĂƚĞ • Weight- 6.8Lbs Unloaded • MSRP- $1750

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ADM OFFSET SUREFIRE SCOUT MOUNT ͻ WƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ Ă ϭ͟ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ĐĂŶƟůĞǀĞƌ ƚŽ ŵŽƵŶƚ LJŽƵƌ ^ƵƌĞĮƌĞ ^ĐŽƵƚ Žƌ ƐŝŵŝůĂƌ weaponlight. ͻ dŚŝƐ ĐĂŶƟůĞǀĞƌ ĂůůŽǁƐ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ĞůŝŵŝŶĂƚĞ or reduce barrel shadowing while using weaponlights. ͻ ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ŝŶ ďŽƚŚ ůĞŌ ĂŶĚ ƌŝŐŚƚ ŚĂŶĚ mounts.

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135 American Defense MFG, LLC • 2525 S 162nd St • New Berlin, WIamericanshootingjournal.com 53151

PRODUCT FEATURE The 2016 CanAm Defender XT CAB HD10 at 1,500 in Mossy Oak pounds.

Break-Up Country Camo.

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DEFENDER XT CAB is an outstanding vehicle for a variety of hunting and shooting pursuits. It’s smooth enough to drive around the lawn or the campground, and the 2x4 open rear option won’t dig ruts in your grass the way some other side-by-sides do.

If you’re concerned about storage, the Can-Am is chock

full of cubbies and other thoughtful features like recesses for five-gallon buckets in the cargo box, 14 separate LinQ quickattach accessories adaptable points for customization and a host of other functional options, so you can carry your binos, spotting scope, ammo, range bag, guns and a whole lot more.

Perhaps best of all, solid construction helps ensure that this side-by-side is capable of years of hard work, and any regular care is simplified thanks to thoughtful, userfriendly placement of key maintenance items.

If you’re in the market for a new UTV for the range or the field, the Defender XT Cab is certainly worth a close look. It hasn’t lost a bit of the standard Defender’s innovative design elements or workmanlike attitude but it has added some creature comforts that make this a very well-rounded side-by-side.

MSRP on the Defender XT Cab is $23,799. Other models in this popular line include the original Defender (MSRP $10,999), the Defender DPS ($12,899), the Defender XT (15,699) and the Defender Mossy Oak Hunting ($19,699). Two additional vehicles comprise the Defender Max series, including the Defender Max DPS ($14,399) and the Defender Max XT ($17,199).

Editor’s note: For more info on these and other Can-Am vehicles, visit can-am.brp.com.

.223, .308, .300 WM, .338 LAPUA MAGNUM • NO COLD SHOT POI SHIFT Q U I E T E S T 1 . 5 ” D I A S U P P R E S S O R S AVA I L A B L E * • 1 / 2 T H E W E I G H T O F S TA I N L E S S

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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A silencer on your ďŹ rearm can make the world a quieter place too. SilencerShop.com 138

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

SUPPRESSOR

GALLERY SRT ARMS Model: Ruger 77/44 Length: 1 inch longer than factory rifle Mount: Integrally mounted Weight: 1 pound more than factory rifle Decibel: 120 decibels absolute with 240-grain subsonic ammo Materials: 4130 outer tube, 7075 aluminum baffles and caps Notes: Optional fast-twist Douglas barrel available MSRP: $995 on customer-supplied rifle; add $365 for optional barrel upgrade More info: srtarms.com

HARDENED ARMS FREEDOM AR ARMORY Model: Minuteman Suppressor Caliber: .22 LR, .22 Mag, .22 WMR, .22 Hornet, FN 5.7x28 Length: 6.00 inches Weight: 3.9 ounces Sound reduction: 42 decibels Material: Tube: GR9 titanium; baffles/end caps: 6AI-4V, annealed titanium MSRP: $600.00 More info: famachineworks.com

Model: Black Widow Monocore Suppressor Caliber: 300 Blackout Supersonic and Subsonic only Length: 7 inches Diameter: 1.6 inches Mount: Direct thread 5/8-inchx24 tpi Weight: 24 ounces Sound reduction: 37 decibels (subsonics) Material: 4150 steel alloy Notes: Utilizes a fully serviceable monocore technology tuned for 300 Blackout. The Black Widow is designed to be pinned to a 10.5-inch 300 Blackout barrel, but is warrantied on all 300 BLK. Rated for full and semiautomatic rifles MSRP: $799 More info: hardenedarms.com

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Model: Desert Tech Selftightening .338 Titanium Caliber: .338 LM Length: 8.3 inches Diameter: 1.625 inches Mount: 1 1/16 x 18 Weight: 17.6 ounces Decibel: 146 decibels Material: Titanium MSRP: $1,995 More info: deserttech.com

Model: Nitro Calibers: .17 HMR to .300 Ultra Mag Length: 7.35 inches Diameter: 1.562 inches Sound reduction: 35 decibels Material: 17-4 PH stainless steel Notes: Multicaliber sound suppression system MSRP: $950 More info: yhm.net

MACK BROTHERS Model: MB762S Caliber: .308 Length: 8.5 inches Diameter: 1.5 inches Mount: Ball Lock Interface Weight: 17 ounces Sound reduction: 29 decibels Materials: Titanium/17-4 PH stainless steel Finish: Gun-Kote MSRP: $950 (includes one adapter) More info: macbros.com

COLE-TAC Model: Supressor cover Length: Custom to fit Temperature rating: 1,800 to 3,000 degrees Material: Mil-Spec hardware and 100D Cordura Nylon MSRP: $52.95 to $97.95 More info: col-tac.com

SILENCER SHOP Model: Hydra 22 AL or SS Caliber:.22LR Length: 5.6 inches Weight: 3.5 ounces Sound reduction: Varies Material: Aluminum MSRP: $299 More info: silencershop.com

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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AR15 & AR10 PARTS & ACCESSORIES

If you’re looking for AR replacement parts or other tactical gear, Pickett’s Mill Armory is your one-stop online gun shop. hop Whether you just need a new bolt carrier to install independently or an n entire in-house, custom-built upper receiver, we offer all types of AR parts arts for sale from the best brands out there today.

PICKETT’S MILL ARMORY (470) 545-4667 WWW.PMARMORY.COM 142

American Shooting Journal // September 2016

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

A CLASSY CHASSIS

INTERVIEW BY GARN KENNEDY • PHOTOS BY AMERICAN BUILT ARMS COMPANY

T

he American Built Arms Company was started in 2010 by Jason Combs, a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division and the Maryland National Guard. As a longtime outdoor enthusiast, Combs has been around firearms and other hunting tools his whole life. After the economy went belly-up in 2008, he took his innovative AR-15 hand guard design idea and his life savings, and launched A*B Arms.

Over the next year and a half, the company continued to design and launch a few other AR-15, AK-47 and IWI Tavor parts and accessories. Soon, a large, high-end AR manufacturer approached them to produce quality, Swissmachined bolt assemblies, and this additional work helped A*B Arms move forward with increased name recognition

and product sales.

When the AR-15 market went soft in 2014, A*B Arms saw the opportunity to shift gears and move back into the hunting and long-range shooting arena. The company designed and launched the MOD*X Modular Rifle System, a lightweight, aluminum chassis system for the Remington Model 700 Short Action.

americanshootingjournal.com 143

company SPOTLIGHT

Within a few months, they had sold more than 500 units to a variety of distributors, law enforcement agencies and hunting enthusiasts. Feedback was positive overall, but various Marine Corps snipers, SWAT team members and

competitive long-range shooters shared some excellent advice regarding a few small, important changes that they wanted to see to improve the MOD*X. Combs listened to their feedback and launched the MOD*X GEN III.

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

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company SPOTLIGHT Today, A*B Arms is designing chassis systems for rifles beyond the Remington Model 700.

American Shooting Journal What are the typical signs that a person should upgrade their rifle to your MOD-X Chassis system?

American Built Arms Bolt-action enthusiasts are looking for two main things when evaluating an upgrade of their factory installed stock to our MOD*X GEN III chassis. The first is to reduce weight, and the second is to give the rifle an improved tactical look and feel. Some states don’t allow hunting with an AR-15 and the MOD*X GEN III gives the user a rifle that looks like one. Some folks tell us that they “found” their grandpop’s old Model 700 with a beat-up, old stock and wanted to bring it into the 21st century.

size reduction after transitioning to one of your MOD-X Chassis systems?

ABA Sure, all things being equal, the MOD*X GEN III will reduce your groupings substantially. That’s due to the fact that the chassis “envelops” the barreled action in a tight grip.

No more potential slop often found in some bedded stocks.

ASJ Have only competition shooters made the changeover, or have you heard from hunters as well?

ABA Hunters are huge fans because of the weight reduction and the ability to add tactical accessories to the KeyMod rails, such as lights and night scopes, etc. Not to mention, with the side-folding variant, you can put your rifle into a carbine bag for easy transport.

ASJ Does this process require a gunsmith or anything different to change over to Chassis system?

ABA The beauty of the MOD*X GEN III Modular Rifle System is that you can remove your barreled action from your existing stock and assemble it into the MOD*X GEN III within 10 to 15 minutes. No special tools are needed. Just your standard hex screwdrivers and some Loctite. No gunsmithing is required.

ASJ: Can you keep the same barrel and hardware when switching over?

ABA: The MOD*X GEN III works with the Remington Model 700 short-barreled actions. Remington owners have built .223, .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor barreled actions into the MOD*X GEN III. A*B Arms provides all the hardware to make the switch from the stock to the chassis, as well as an easy-to-read assembly manual.

ASJ All things being equal, is there a significant shot group

For more information, visit abarms.com.

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION RTD MFG RT-10 upper and lower receiver See us on page 105

LAYKE LAYK L AY YKE TACTICAL TACT TAC TA TIIC ICA CA CAL CAL AL LT-10 lower receiver See us on page 68

PO POLYMER80 OLY YMER80 ER80 0 .308 WarrHogg 80 percent polymer lower receiver See us on page 114

FRONTIER TACTICAL F AR retrofit kit AR-15 See us on page 35 Se

CLA CLASSIC ASSIC CF FIREARMS AR-15 barrel See us on page 166

CDNN SPORTS AR-15 upper receiver See us on page 123

SUPERIOR WEAPON SYSTEM

SPINTA PRECISION 4.5-inch 9mm barrel See us on page 137

15-inch AR-10 Sniper handguard See us on page 170

PICKETT’S MILL 7.5-inch M4 keymod rail upper See us on page 142

SWAGGER BIPODS Bipod See us on page 83

MATRIX ARMS 5.56 side-charging upper See us on page 122

JL BIL BILLE BILLET LLET T MLA 308 M-lock handguard See us on page 126

CENTURION ARMS CMR modular locking accessory system (M-LOK) handguard See us on page 66

RUBBER CITY ARMORY Low-mass competition bolt-carrier group See us on page 104

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American Shooting Journal // September 2016

WHITE OAK ARMAMENT AR-15 carbon-fiber float tube See us on page 141

LEUPOLD AR MOD 3-9x40mm P5 FireDot TMR See us on page 58

MEOPTA SPORTS OPTICS ZD 1-4x22RD riflescope See us on page 42

TRO TROJAN T RO O FIREARMS F FIR IRE RE AR-15 and AR-10 adjustable drop trigger adjust See us on page 159

DEADFOOT D ARMS LLC A M Modified cycle system See us on page 65 S

TAC-CON TA TAC-CO AC--CON 3MR trigger See us on page 162

MACK BROTHERS MB762S suppressorr See us on page 69

XP PRODUCTS RO ODUC DU UCT CTS TS TS DEGUNS Aero Precision slimline .22-caliber flash can See us on page 13

AR-15 Can Ca Cannon See us on page 557

HUBER CONCEPTS NC CEPT C EPTS PT TS TS Square brake See us on page 111

R & J FIREARMS Crown muzzle brake See us on page 64

SILENCER SHOP Hydra 22 AL or SS See us on page 138

FREEDOM F REEDOM ARMORY AR A R Minuteman suppressor supp See us on page 2

GUNTEC USA AR-15 Airlite series skeletonized aluminum pistol grip See us on page 6

HARDENED ARMS Black Widow monocore suppressors See us on page 11

KAK Shockwave package See us on page 71

SANDERS ARMORY THORDSEN CUSTOMS

AR-10/AR-15 tactical buttstock See us on page 3

AR-pistol cheek rest See us on page 30

SRT ARMS Titanium cans See us on page 136

AMERICAN BUILT ARMS COMPANY Urban Sniper stock See us on page 160

LUTH-AR MBA-3 buttstock See us on page 55

americanshootingjournal.com 149

AMMO

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

REPORTING FOR MORE DUTY INTERVIEW BY GARN KENNEDY • PHOTOS BY G2 RESEARCH

school tried and true. We set out to create the most expansion possible out of a solid copper projectile to fill that need.

ASJ What calibers did you launch with, and what have proven to be the most popular?

G2R We started with the 9mm R.I.P. Demand for that round was so high for a fledgling company it took a while to get our next round, the .380 R.I.P., out. In the time since, we have covered all the semiauto pistols, as well as introduced a rifle line for hunting, and a cold tracer for training and plinking.

Now we are working to get the G2 Research Civic Duty out in more calibers and research and developing revolver calibers. Nine millimeter is by far the current favorite for shooters, though trends do change.

The 9mm R.I.P. was the first G2 Research round available to the public, but it now comes in a variety of calibers.

I

f you were to bet that “research” forms the core of projectile manufacturer G2 Research’s company beliefs, you would be correct. And along with research comes development, as in new products. We sat down with G2 Research to learn more about the company’s origins and what new rounds we might ght soon see.

ASJ Do you have any plans to offer your projectiles for the reloading market?

G2R We load our rounds to such a fine spec for performance that we feel a lot of homeloaders would overload or underload, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the round.

ASJ Is your ammo primarily for hunters, or for home protection?

G2R We provide mostly to the self-defense market. Interest has been building for our rifle rounds as more people test and evaluate them. We also received the California DNR lead-free certification.

For more information, visit g2rammo.com.

American Shooting Journal Did you start out small, or jump in with both feet?

G2 Research We thought we were starting small, but our internet presence went viral within a month of release. Thee servers handling our website crashed four times in a threeeday period. At that point, we went in with everything we had. ad.

ASJ The projectile in your cartridges looks devastating thee way it opens up like a proud flower.

G2R The round you are referring to is the G2 Research Civicc Duty. Our original round, the R.I.P., is designed to fragment, t, thus increasing stopping power and tissue damage. We found und over the course of a year that it was too innovative for somee people who were “set in their ways” when it comes to old-

G2 Research designed the Civic Duty round to create the most expansion possible out of a solid copper projectile.

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THE GUNS OF TROY Trojan Firearms Builds On Its Success STORY BY CRAIG HODGKINS • PHOTOS BY TROJAN FIREARMS

The new ULV1 from Trojan Firearms is available in multiple colors, including blue titanium.

A

couple of facts help set Trojan Firearms apart from a market crowded with modular rifle manufacturers. The most important one, of course, is the quality of their products. From their earliest guns – the M6 PV1 in .223/5.56 and the BPV1 in .300 Blackout – to the ULV1, which began shipping this spring, each Trojan product is precision machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, and the accuracy and ergonomics of their weapons have already garnered

positive attention from reviewers and customers alike.

But the second fact, while not nearly as important as quality craftsmanship, may make them completely unique in the industry: Trojan Firearms may be the only rifle manufacturing company to be named after a school mascot – and no, not that school, but you’ve got the right state.

“We’re not Greek, but liked Greek mythology,” explained Steve Salmeri, one of the company’s owning americanshootingjournal.com 155

company SPOTLIGHT

Trojan Firearms is quickly gaining a reputation for tight tolerances and a comfortable ergonomic design.

members. “And we always liked the look of our high school mascot” at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, near Sacramento, Calif. So when the owners were choosing a name, the Trojan mascot won out, and the rest is company history.

And speaking of history, if the ancient Athenians had just a few of these fine rifles on hand, the Peloponnesian Wars may have ended differently, making the world a completely different place today.

TROJAN FIREARMS RUNS their growing business from two

facilities in neighboring states. The first is in Rancho Cordova, Calif., where the company was originally based, and where all of the manufacturing currently takes place.

The second office is in Glendale, Ariz., which holds the federal firearms license and handles the business affairs.

The company believes it sets itself apart by making nearly every product they sell in-house, which includes uppers, handrails and trigger groups, in addition to complete firearms.

“We take pride in not being a bunch of assemblers,” said Salmeri. “There are more positives than negatives to designing and manufacturing everything. The secret

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company SPOTLIGHT

The satin mag finish on the ULV1.

is machining properly. We can control tolerances and produce true match grade.”

Like many other companies in the field, Trojan has enjoyed a good deal of success based on market demand, but they also want to ensure that they don’t allow demand to get too far ahead of supply.

“The year has been a good one,” Salmeri shared, “but we don’t want to be too backlogged. Customers can lose confidence.”

In addition to the recently launched ULV1, Trojan is also working on a 9mm platform that will use Glock magazines. Sameri confides that company employees

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have been very busy “doing more testing than actual shooting these days.” Besides the standard colors and set-ups, the ULV1 is also available in multiple colors and configurations, including satin mag and blue titanium.

The current M6 line is designed for the standard buyer, while the UL has become the company’s flagship model. But each Trojan rifle offers a great value for the money, something which is, and will remain, a priority for the company.

“Our goal,” said Salmeri, “is to offer high-end value at a more competitive price.”

For more information, go to trojanfirearms.com.

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FAMIILY FIREARMS BUSINESS GROWING INTERVIEW BY GARN KENNEDY • PHOTOS BY R&J FIRARMS Company cofounder Jason Harris puts one of R&J Firearms’ rifles through its paces.

S

tarting out as a gun shop in western Oregon’s Willamette Valley, R&J Firearms now builds ARs and may soon manufacture suppressors.

American Shooting Journal’s Garn Kennedy sat down with cofounder Jason Harris for more about the family business.

Garn Kennedy Can you tell us about why you started R&J Firearms and what makes you different?

Jason Harris My father, Bob, and I started R&J Firearms in

March 2012 as a simple home-based 01 FFL, primarily as a way to make a little side income. I’ve always had an interest in shooting and firearms in general, and this seemed like it could be a fun venture.

One thing we quickly noticed was how many folks, especially first-time buyers and women, were afraid to ask questions. They had likely either had a bad previous experience or were afraid of sounding uneducated. We make a firm point to make sure our customers are not afraid to ask any questions so they can be educated and make proper americanshootingjournal.com 161

company SPOTLIGHT decisions. Many are buying their first firearm, which may be the only one they’ll purchase. We want to make sure that they are getting a great match and feel comfortable when they leave our shop.

As the business quickly grew, we constantly found ourselves in a position where we were either limited or unable to purchase many firearms, mainly AR-type rifles. At that point we decided to change over to an 07 manufacturer’s license and see how well our brand would sell. I’ll admit, it has been a ton of work, but now having control of our own product is incredible!

We have partnered with some great businesses in the industry and are, in my humble opinion, producing amazing products at a great price point for consumers. Because we are not a large-scale producer, we are able to place more attention to details, fit and finish in our ARs. Each R&J AR is assembled from start to finish and test-fired by the same person. This allows us greater attention to detail. The only time I want to see one of our ARs come back to the shop is for some sort of upgrade and not for repair. We are completely family-owned and operated.

GK Do you specialize in something that sets you apart?

JH While we offer ARs in 5.56, .300 Blackout, 7.62X39 and .502 T-Sabre, the .502 is probably a standout caliber. As for a

specialty rifle, our 7.62X39 ARs are really popular. We build them to be as reliable as a 5.56, with an enhanced stainless fire pin, performance hammer spring, proper feed ramps and quality magazine. We build the gun to run the caliber. They have no problem eating up steel-cased surplus! They are a great .30-caliber option and cheap to feed!

GK That .502 Sabre looks like it delivers quite a thump. Can you tell us a little about it and why it is a good option?

JH The .502 T-Sabre is a fun round to shoot. Cloud Mountain originally developed it around 2000 or 2001. Not too many were produced – maybe less than 50. We bought the rights to the branding, all of the available .502 T-Sabre Starline brass and barrel inventory. After about a year of toying around with the platform, we have it where we are pretty happy with it! The rifles retail for $1,599. They feature a 16-inch stainless Lothar Walther 1:19 barrel. They now come with a thread protector or the R&J Mega Keg brake for $99, including a 10-round mag. Five-round hunting mags are available and recoil is pretty civilized. It’s about the same as a 12-gauge pump shotgun. We currently offer three loads: 330-grain hardcast slugs at 1,875 feet per second, 325-grain JHP at 1,650 fps and 300-grain FTX at 1,775 fps. Ammo costs start at $1 per round, which puts it as one of the most affordable bigbore ARs on the market.

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RANGE SPOTLIGHT GK What are most of your return customers saying when they come back to you and what else are they looking for?

JH We have some of the best customers in the business! Many travel several hours to come out to us. It’s very humbling to hear how happy people are with their purchase, especially when it’s a product we produced.

Many times they are returning for some sort of upgrade(s) or to expand their collection, or to just come in and say hi!

R&J Firearms makes it a point to make sure its customers, especially women and first-time buyers, “are not afraid to ask any questions so they can be educated and make proper decisions.”

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GK Where do you see your company going from here and which area would you like to grow?

JH I hope to see us continue to expand and grow the R&J Firearms name. We currently have the RJ-10 platform in the works and will be offering them in a .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor. We have also discussed producing our own suppressors, as that market has really boomed – bad pun – in the past couple years.

For more, visit rjfirearms.org.

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

HUNTERS HELPING HUNTERS

Author Jim Sessions (right) and Tim Thompson pose beside the moose Jim took in western Wyoming.

The Best in the West Team Knows That Hunting Is More Than Simply Putting Another Head On The Wall STORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM SESSIONS

L

ike all good hunting stories, this one features some interesting characters and a great ending.

And although it is mostly about a bighorn sheep hunt, it begins and ends with a couple of Wyoming moose hunts.

A few years back, Tim Thompson was helping to find a nice bull for Mike Schmid and the Intrepid Outdoors team.

Mike and Tim are friends from Big Piney and LaBarge, Wyo., and both are avid outdoorsmen. On this occasion, Mike killed a great Shiras moose with his bow. But sometime during the trip, Tim mentioned that he was building

preference points for sheep, and would be looking me up when he drew.

Fast forward seven years.

While viewing the list of successful applicants for Wyoming sheep, I saw Tim Thompson listed as “successful” for Area 5. I knew my phone would be ringing soon, and around the middle of August, it did. Tim was on the other end of the line asking, “You ready to go sheep hunting?”

Unfortunately, my September was slammed with a moose hunt in Alaska and bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts in Colorado. To complicate matters, we were filming each americanshootingjournal.com 167

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT hunt for The Best of the West show, so Tim’s once-in-alifetime bighorn hunt was put on hold until early October.

I ACTUALLY PREFER HUNTING at this time of the season. There is less pressure, and the mature rams have darker, fuller capes later in the year. I’d hoped to explore some country that I’d been on the fringe of, but not in its core, but the ridgeline trail accessing this area quickly becomes impassable with a few inches of snow and a good wind.

The weather held, so we drove to the trailhead, and in about an hour had the horses and mules loaded and began the steep ascent into uncharted country. We arrived at an excellent location for glassing a lot of country, and quickly set up camp and began peering into the rocky ridgelines, alpine basins and the timbered pockets that rams seek for protection. Out first evening was filled with several elk sightings, including some mature bulls.

The next morning, we began the same ritual that all sheep hunters know: glass, glass and glass some more. Again, we spotted elk in most drainages and ridges, but shortly after his second cup of coffee, Tim exclaimed, “I think I got rams.”

This band of bighorns consisted of two half-curls, a young three-quarter curl and two old mountain monarchs. The two old boys looked to be about the same age (“ancient”), but had completely different horn configurations. One looked

very massive, with a close tight curl, and the other had great mass throughout his length, with a much more open curl.

Both were simply magnificent as they grazed on the southfacing ridge.

I felt we should watch the rams and let them dictate our next move. There was just one small problem; the rams had made it into a steep timbered drainage before our intercept.

I found the tracks of both big rams crossing a windblown cornice directly below our ridgeline lookout. We continued glassing into the timbered pocket below and across from us.

I didn’t have much faith in our present location.

We headed back to our spike camp, stopping periodically to let our stock eat snow. We got back to camp and continued glassing. Way up high and a four-hour ride by horseback, I spotted two rams feeding on an easterly facing cirque. One of the rams was fully mature, with broomed full curls. We now had a backup plan if our first group of rams had left the country. We continued watching the weather and glassing until darkness enveloped the mountain basins.

The next morning brought high expectations as the weather held, and soon we spotted the band of five rams to the north of camp. We quickly saddled up and were picking our way to their location as the sun began to rise.

Our final approach was from the north, over a barren slope which dropped directly into their primary bedding area of

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT Tim Thompson proudly shows off his bighorn ram.

steep slopes and dense evergreen pockets. We crawled into position and began scanning the slope for rams. I spotted two on the edge of a timber finger protruding from the volcanic outcrops prevalent in the area. We had the three-quarter curl and the tight full curl feeding broadside at 450 yards!

TIM QUICKLY MANEUVERED into a stable prone position, and I had the video camera positioned and set to capture the

moment. We continued glassing the tree line for the big open-curl ram. He was very distinct in that he had recently knocked a chunk of horn out of his left curl at the first quarter.

In short order, our ram filtered out of the trees and was feeding, unaware of our presence. The downhill angle was accounted for with a “shoot to” distance of 425 yards. Tim dialed the Huskemaw turret to 425 on his The Best of the West Signature Series rifle and prepared to break the shot.

At the report, our ram dropped to the turf and rolled 6 feet and settled against a fallen pine. The other rams were momentarily confused, but soon followed the old tight-curl ram over the spine and down into the jumbled canyon. I finished the video shots needed for a future episode, and we hiked to where our stock were tied securely on the other side of the ridge, and then slowly picked our way down the rotten volcanic spine directly above the fallen ram.

We bailed off our mules and followed an elk/sheep trail down the final distance. Tim was fully enjoying the moment, and floated around the steep hillside like he was

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT 20-something again! The moment Tim swung the ram’s head around, I stated, “I think you shot a Booner.�

This ram was one of those rare trophies that continued to get bigger the more we looked at him. Many hunters know exactly what I’m talking about, and I hope many others will experience this in their hunting careers.

We had gone into this hunt totally unguided, explored country neither of us had ever been in, and came out with an exceptional animal – 177 4/8 Boone and Crockett points and 14 years old, for those of you who like the stats. Fortunately, Tim was using the complete Best of the West Shooting System, which made taking a difficult shot look easy. But the bottom line was this: We thoroughly enjoyed the hunt on public land, and in addition to using the proper equipment, we were successful in taking the animal because of our combined years of knowledge and hard work.

But the story doesn’t end there.

In 2015, I had the needed preference points to draw a Shiras moose tag near the area Mike had killed his bull.

Since Tim’s ranch is located in the same general area, one phone call to my friend was all that was needed to plan an October hunt.

By chance, Jon Bloom, another good friend, called and informed me his daughter had drawn the same moose tag.

Brennae Bloom currently serves in the United States Army

as a human resources specialist, and had only a brief window to hunt. One more phone call to Tim and his wife Jody, and Brennae was also teed up for a memorable hunt.

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, Brennae was up ďŹ rst, and Tim had a speciďŹ c bull moose in mind for her.

I’d explained to Tim that Jon had been in a terrible accident resulting in extensive neck surgery, and Tim and Jody were all in, along with their son RJ and daughter Amanda. On opening morning, the Bloom family trio of Jon, Brennae and her brother Skyler were ready to go. Brennae was long range-capable with her dad’s rie topped with a 5-20X50 Huskemaw. This scope was critical, because their established lookout point provided a great view of a willow bottom, with distances ranging from 200 to more than 1,000 yards, all from an elevated position.

About midmorning, the giant made his appearance.

Brennae was ready, having already established a very stable prone position. The bull was ranged at 550 yards, and was in eminent danger. The shot broke the morning stillness, and soon, Brennae was kneeling next to a magniďŹ cent Shiras sporting a 57-inch spread. The bull was ďŹ eld dressed in short order and hauled to the barn, courtesy of the Thompson Ranch front-end loader.

Later that October, I hunted with Tim and his family, and

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COMPANY SPOTLIGHT harvested a very nice 40-inch bull of my own at 680 yards, although I did fire a “warning shot” before settling down and placing a bullet through his heart.

To top it off, my wife Lynn also had a moose tag in another unit, and she made a great one-shot kill on her moose at 350 yards. Our family and friends have enjoyed many meals with moose being served as the main course. And along the way, I was able to enjoy the fall season with good friends in spectacular western Wyoming.

From a moose hunt to a sheep hunt, then back for three more moose hunts, our story had finally come full circle.

Skyler, Jon and Brennae Bloom pose with Brennae’s magnificent Shiras bull moose.

TRUE HUNTERS UNDERSTAND that hunting is much more than just killing an animal. For many of us, it is our escape from the pressures of everyday life, and is an integral part of who we are. But it is far more rewarding, in my eyes at least, to make sure that we are always giving back to the sport we love. Of course, I always advocate for hunters to become more educated and proficient in their choice and use of weapons, but there is more we can do beyond ourselves.

To me, the act of helping other hunters is much more satisfying than simply (and selfishly) putting another head on

the wall. Find a way to use your knowledge and resources to make another hunter’s dream come true. Become a mentor for a youth, invite a senior for a day in the field, or make yourself available to a new acquaintance. The experience will reward you with great memories that last a lifetime.

And if you take the time to mentor another hunter and bask in their success, it will become your success as well.

For more information about The Best of the West and Huskemaw Optics, visit thebestofthewest.net.

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