Table of contents for November/December 2016 in Recoil

Recoil|November/December 2016

ON THE COVER

1 RIFLE MAKE: Desert Tech MODEL: HTI 375 Cheytac MSRP: $7,695 URL: www.deserttech.com 2 OPTIC MOUNT MAKE: Desert Tech MODEL: 20MOA mount MSRP: $365 URL: www.deserttech.com 3 OPTIC MAKE: U.S. Optics MODEL: ER-25 MSRP: $3,301 URL: www.usoptics.com 4 BIPOD MAKE: B&T industries MODEL: Atlas 5H bipod MSRP: $450 URL: www.accu-shot.com 5 JACKET MAKE: Beyond Clothing MODEL: Helios Rig Softshell Jacket MSRP: $150 URL: www.beyondclothing.com 6 PANTS MAKE: Arc’teryx MODEL: Assault pant MSRP: $320 URL: leaf.arcteryx.com 7 WATCH MODEL: Hazard 4 MSRP: Heavy Water Diver watch MSRP: $900 URL: www.hazard4.com OFF THE COVER 8 SHIRT MAKE: Arc’teryx MODEL: Assault Shirt MSRP: $230 URL: leaf.arcteryx.com 9 BELT MAKE: TAG MODEL: Riggers Belt MSRP: $42 URL: www.tacticalassaultgearstore.com 10 BOOTS MAKE: Asolo MODEL: Fugitive boot MSRP: $240 URL: www.asolo-usa.com…

1 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

TEXAS RANGER HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM

When it comes to the country’s bestknown law enforcement organizations, few can hold a candle to the Texas Rangers. Its fame can only be rivaled by the notoriety of some of the legendary outlaws its Rangers killed or captured, such as Sam Bass and John Wesley Hardin, along with present-day criminals such as Ángel “The Railroad Killer” Reséndiz. It’s only fitting that someone erected a shrine to the officers who’ve served in its ranks. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco not only provides a rich history of the Rangers’ role in protecting the community, it also offers outreach and educational programs. In 1823, Stephen F. Austin asked for a group of 10 men to volunteer as Texas Rangers to help settlers repel Native American…

4 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

INTERROGATING

GERBER GHOSTRIKE PUNCH KNIFE 411: Designed as a neck knife, this little guy is a part of Gerber’s Ghostrike lineup of discreet-carry fixed blades. It comes with 550 paracord lashed to a glass-filled nylon sheath, which can also be worn on a 1.75-inch belt or tied to MOLLEcompatible gear. Made in the USA. PROS: Despite the drop-point blade being made of 420HC — far from a premium stainless steel — it performed surprisingly well in our test cutting. Comfortable handle with rubberized overmold allows for an assured grip. Slim and compact CONS: Perhaps too compact? During quick-draw tests, our medium-sized hands had problems finding clearance between the handle and the sheath — and we don’t even have sausage fingers. As a neck knife, its sheath has no belt clip. COLD…

3 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

R BROS COMPETITOR TACTICAL

My friend, and the legendary pistolsmith, Stan Chen said it pretty well: “These days, a ‘gunsmith’ is a guy with a torque wrench.” Due to a variety of factors, none the least being economic, skilled craftsmanship in the gun trade is rapidly going the way of the revolver. Talented gunmakers are still around, but when you encounter one you take notice. In a world full of pretenders, promising accuracy that they can’t produce, delivery times they’ll never meet, or attention to detail that’s seriously lacking, R Bros Rifles is the real deal. The R in R Bros stands for Redell — brothers Travis and Jesse grew up under a gunsmithing father and were raised working in the shop. When the brothers showed up at a precision rifle match and won…

7 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

WHAT’S YOUR ANGLE

In the real world, it’s likely that your target may be above or below your location. If the target is far enough away and the angle is steep enough (high or low), you might just completely miss it if you don’t compensate for the angle and adjust your normal elevation settings on your scope or sights. The longer a bullet flies through the air, the further it falls from its original path. To compensate for this increased drop at further distances, we must increase the angle of our barrel upward. The good news is that a bullet’s drop due to gravity, and the corresponding elevation compensation across flat ground, are fairly consistent. Of course, different environmental conditions and different bullets and/or velocities affect how much a bullet drops…

10 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

GOING LONG

Way back in 2012, the U.S. Army put forth a “sources sought” notice for a Compact, Semi-Automatic Sniper System — CSASS, to save on word count. At the time, the M110 — a 7.62 gas gun produced by Knight’s Armament and based on its SR-25 — was doing all kinds of good work in bad places. But it was still a little long, heavy, and generally ungainly. So the military broadcasted a request for a rifle with the same (or better) capabilities in a shorter, lighter package. A number of companies submitted samples for the eventual CSASS competition. LWRCI was one of them. This rifle is now available to civilian shooters, and we were lucky enough to get our grubby mitts on one. Admittedly, this is not LWRCI’s first foray…

7 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

POINT. CLICK. SHOOT.

People the world over drift aimlessly through parks and city streets, like packs of fireflies with the soft glow of smartphones in hand, in search of mythical creatures to capture, battle, and evolve. Their obsession has been cleverly stoked via an augmented reality game that knits together graphics, game play, GPS data, and digital maps — all thanks to the incredible technology now available in smartphones. It’s said that the computing power available in the ubiquitous iPhone outclasses the computers used by NASA to put a man on the moon over four decades ago by millions of times over. Moving to less frivolous pursuits, that same handheld processing power is being harnessed to increase hit probability for professionals, hunters, and competitors. In this article, we take a look at several…

6 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

FIT FOR DUTY

Ironically, it was being on the receiving end of a bullet that changed my approach to fitness. EXOS (formerly Athletes Performance) Return to Duty and Comeback Initiative programs provide specialized, intensive rehabilitation to wounded personnel from the special operations community. Designed to maximize recovery and performance, the experts at EXOS provide personalized performance training, physical therapy, and nutrition plans for warriors who are working to rejoin their units and get back in the fight. I felt lucky to be alive after one bullet shattered my arm and another lodged in my leg during combat in Iraq in 2007. It left me with nerve damage, half of a tricep, skin grafts and scars from multiple surgeries, and an arm full of metal plates and rods put together with something the doc…

2 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

DOWNRANGE

You’ve probably noticed that this year, we’ve been bringing you issues that specialize in certain aspects of the firearms lifestyle. While others might launch special editions with great fanfare and hullabaloo (while delivering not much), we decided that our readers deserved better, whether it’s an in-depth look at AKs, or as in this issue, a closer examination of long-range matters. Even if you’ve never shot much beyond the 100-yard range at your local gun club, there’s a metric ass-ton of information within these pages, which should help you make informed decisions when it comes to equipment, training, and techniques. We’ve got the low-down on LWRCI’s submission for the Army’s compact semi-auto sniper rifle trials, two conventional bolt guns that can shoot the ’nads off of flies and Desert Tech’s…

1 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

POACHING RHINOS

When given a chance to get behind the wheel of a recent entry into the exotic vehicle market, we’ll be honest — we had low expectations, because luxury SUVs are a strange breed. They ride the line between practicality and bling, but often sacrifice the former for lots of the latter — maybe too much. Remember the Lamborghini LM002? Seemed like a good idea at the time, but we think the one belonging to Uday Hussein that the U.S. military blew up probably had a bigger audience than the 328 that were produced. How about the Hummer? After years of mixed reviews, a struggling economy, and GM’s failure to sell the brand, it too went the way of the LaserDisc. Here’s the rub — we walked away from our…

5 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

RIOT ON THE RADIO...

For some shooters, long range just doesn’t cut it. There are simply never enough foot-pounds or feet-persecond to satisfy these people. It’s a uniquely American dilemma and we, for one, admire those esoteric shooters and savvy engineers, pushing the very ragged edge of handheld ballistics. But where do you turn when you want something that flies like a fighter jet and hits like a freight train? Two words: Desert Tech. The folks at DT are artisans of the bullpup rifle, particularly those who are intended to shoot far…very far. They’re a relatively young company, less than a decade old, but have excelled in their very narrow niche of extended-range bullpup bolt guns. Its product line is essentially three separate chassis systems available in a total of 13 calibers. That’s…

8 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

TIKKA, ME, AND MCREE

You’re pretzeling hard in the corner of a deuce-and-a-half truck bed. The first few positions shooting across the roof and through the cab went fine, but now you’re trying to control the dancing fore-end of a rifle that’s sliding along the 20-inch-tall bed edge you’re forced to use as a support. Sweat stings your eyes while you try to settle your scope reticle on what looks like a fingernail-sized white square 800 yards away. It doesn’t matter if this is the final stage of a Precision Rifle Series match or a work-related call out; when you’re fighting the clock, the heat, and an awkward shooting position, the last thing you want to fight is your rifle. The Tikka T3 rifle has long been a sleeper favorite among the boltaction crowd,…

12 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

AMERICAN. MADE. BLADE.

Vortex has quickly earned a reputation for filling gaps in the optics market with quality glass available at prices that will let you remain married. Which may not be a good thing, depending on your particular situation. Now you can brag to your friends about what you paid for your high-quality optic without sounding like the assh*le we all know you are. This humble scribe proved in RECOIL Issue 19 that even Vortex’s lowest priced, imported optic can take beatings from even the most inept humans and still remain functional. But if you think Vortex is just a company that just puts its name on foreign made products, you’d be more wrong than Bill Cosby. We took a trip to Vortex Optics’ Wisconsin factory to check out one of the…

7 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

ATTACK OF THE CLONES

The first building block of a custom bolt gun is the action. It represents both the skeleton and the heart, holding all the pieces together and circulating ammunition and empty cases through the precision platform. With more than an estimated 6 million in circulation, no other action on the market comes close to the popularity of the Remington 700. Aftermarket support for the 700 is massive — and that alone is a good reason to build a custom bolt gun on the platform. For the builder on a budget who already owns a Remington 700 action, dropping a few hundred dollars on trueing and/or blueprinting might make sense. But, if pure performance is the goal, a custom 700-style clone will provide accuracy and reliability-enhancing features that Remington’s engineers couldn’t have…

16 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

THE STRAIGHT DOPE

To get a sense of how closely the calculated drops from all these fancy ballistic programs matched up with actual recorded dope, we compared previously recorded empirical data from a 6.5 PRS rifle with their firing solutions. Please note the following caveats: First, this was a sample size of one, so it’s hardly scientific. Second, there’s plenty of margin for error in the logged DOPE and measurements, not mention that the human factor is involved (note some common variances noted below that we saw in the 500- to 700-yard range). Additionally, since we were working with log data, the Bushnell standalone doesn’t have the ability to analyze “what-if” scenarios, only display real-time results, so we couldn’t include it in this analysis. Its pre-defined curves would have been at a disadvantage…

15 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

THE EXERCISES

Rather than constituting a full routine, the following exercises (in addition to “dry practice” rifle holds) are meant to supplement your regular cardio and strength training routine. While I also use other exercises, these pack the most benefit for shooters of all fitness levels. With these as a start, I highly encourage serious long-range shooters to incorporate yoga practice into their regular routine — check out the Foundation Training Fundamentals DVD (www.foundationtraining.com. 1. SUPERMAN This exercise really targets the muscle groups required for prolonged shooting positions (upper and lower back, neck, and shoulders, as well as glutes, hamstrings, and abs), especially those used when shooting in the prone. Lie face down on your stomach with your arms extended and legs straight back. Keep your neck in a neutral position, looking…

3 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

GOING HOT

MODEL Jennifer Irene @jenniferireneofficial PHOTOGRAPHER Jorge Nuñez @jorgehnunez HAIR & MAKEUP Liza Macawili Ramos @lizamakeup RIFLE Ruger @rugersofficial Ruger Precision Rifle (Gen 2, 6.5 Creedmoor) Long Rifles Inc @longrifles_inc Match Grade Drop in Replacement Barrel (24-inch) Cathedral Port Muzzle Brake Direct Replacement Bolt Knob (Machined) Direct Replacement Billet Aluminum Bolt Shroud (Machined) Midwest Industries @midwestindustries Ruger Precision Rifle Handguard (18-inch) ATLAS Bipods V8 Bipod (BT10-LW17) Accu-Shot Precision Monopods Precision Rail Monopod with Quick Knob (Standard Height) Ergo Grip @ergogrip Original Ergo Grip (Aggressive Texture) AXTS Weapons Systems @axts_weapons Talon Ambi 45/90 Safety Selector (4 Lever, FDE) Parker Mountain Machine @parkermountainmachine.pmm Magpul PRS Ambi QD Mounts (Locking Pair, FDE) Magpul PRS QD Sling Mount (Locking, FDE) RifleGear @riflegear A2 Rifle Receiver Extension A2 Rifle Buttstock Screw Magpul @magpul PRS Precision-Adjustable Stock…

1 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

INCOMING

1 Scraped knuckles, gouged aluminum, and rounded flats seem to be a thing of the past when looking at the new wrench trio from Fire 4 Effect. Made for pro armorers and commercial builders, the wrenches will appeal to hobby AR builders who appreciate nice things, too. The design is an adaptation of a wrench used by Army Marksmanship Unit gunsmiths. These Cerakoted beasts offer two-handed ergos that allow you to apply gads of rotational force without fear of slipping or pushing the work out of a fixture. With opposing forces on the wrench, you can really control the amount and bias of force you’re applying to a castle nut, barrel nut or muzzle device. The set works on standard AR fittings; if you have got an aftermarket barrel nut,…

10 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

UNUSUAL SUSPECTS

Just like shooting, combative skills take years to develop and decades to master. So how can someone with little or no edged-weapon training use a blade successfully in a life-and-death scenario? Consider getting your Wolverine on with a push dagger. Possibly the bastard child of the Indian katar dagger or the pata sword, this type of knife has had varying degrees of global popularity since the 1800s. It consists of a short blade attached to a T-shaped handle that’s held in a fist — it’s also called a punch knife. Sometimes carried as a neck or boot knife, push daggers are drawn from a belt, waistband, or thigh rig much like a handgun. This intuitive movement lets knife newbies deliver deadly blows under duress without the need for finesse.…

2 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

THE MG42 HITLER’S SAW

The chilly gray waters of the English Channel slowly became visible in the weak light of the early morning. The surf rolled over the sand, almost rhythmically, as the world prepared for another day of war. This day would be different. A vast armada approached the coast; so numerous were its vessels that the sea was darkened. The date was June 6, 1944. The Allies were coming. Heinrich Severloh manned an MG42 in Wiederstandsnest 62 overlooking Omaha Beach. He began firing at the American infantry sometime before the ramps dropped on their landing craft. Belt after belt disappeared into his gun. The pile of spent cartridge cases quickly grew around his feet. He switched barrels frequently to keep the gun running. Soldiers brought him more and more ammunition…

7 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

THE LONG-RANGE COWBOY

Todd Hodnett has carved his own well defined path by not fitting into someone else’s predetermined box. He’s a problem solver and pioneer in extreme long-range shooting whose career has had a snowball effect in the wider world, leading to improvements in the way our armed forces train and operate today. This Texas cowboy went from ranching, to competitive shooting, to teaching some of the most elite military members in the world. Growing up in Texas, Hodnett spent much of his free time hunting, and before long he pushed his long range capabilities to the limits as he took animals at ever further distances. Competitiveness always stirred within him, no matter the application. Within a year of taking up competitive cowboy action shooting, he was a national champion. Shortly…

16 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

CLOSET KUNG FU

When training in any form of unarmed combat, the physical areas in which we train are generally laid out for maximum movement to benefit the practitioner. In other words, you have space to move around. It’s an ideal setup to practice techniques and develop dynamic body movement. However, there’s an inherent drawback to this training — what happens when you’re confronted with a threat in a constricted space? You won’t have the space available to conduct your techniques the way you’ve practiced them. There’ll be little room to move or the ability to position your body to deliver a perfect technique, so what then? COMBATIVES IS MILITARYFOCUSED, UNARMED, HAND-TOHAND GUTTER FIGHTING, CREATED BY W.E. FAIRBAIRN AND OTHERS FROM THE WWII ER Before we get to the meat and potatoes,…

9 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

MODERN OUTFITTERS MR1

Here at RECOIL, we try to bring you content that’s just a little out of the mainstream. For example, for this issue we could have given you a review extolling the virtues of the Ruger Precision Rifle — just like every other gun publication and web outlet in existence. Good as Ruger’s product is though (and it’s currently a victim of its success, reportedly being backordered by 30,000 units as of press time), we figured that you’d rather hear about a scrappy little company that’s doing its own thing — and doing it pretty well. Modern Outfitters is in a growth phase at the moment, having carved out a name for itself in the Southeast as a manufacturer of quality ARs. Not content with simply building guns, it adopted…

9 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

LONG-RANGE FITNESS

The young sergeant did his best to hide a look of surprise when he realized the battle-worn gunnery sergeant in front of him wasn’t there to drop off some fresh-faced lance corporals for Marine Corps Scout Sniper School — no, I was there to check in … as a student. In my mid 30s, I was a generation older than all of my classmates, had a good 10 years on all of my Sniper School instructors, and already had multiple combat deployments as a Recon Marine under my belt. Still, on the first day of class I pulled the rank insignia off of my uniform and made it clear I was there to be treated as any other student. Over the next 11 weeks, as our numbers shrank from…

4 min

Recoil|November/December 2016

WANNA TRADE PATCHES?

1 MAKE: Advanced Armament Corp. PATCH: Smile Patch COLORWAY: Black and gray (shown), tan MSRP: $4 URL: www.advanced-armament.com 2 MAKE: AmericanSnipers.org PATCH: Patches 2010 (One) COLORWAY: Green, silver, tan (shown) MSRP: $10 URL: www.americansnipers.org 3 MAKE: Underground Tactical PATCH: Morale Texas Patch MSRP: $3 URL: www.undergroundtactical.com 4 MAKE: Mil-Spec Monkey PATCH: Major League Sniper COLORWAY: ACU-dark, ACU-light, arid, forest (shown), full color MSRP: $5 URL: www.milspecmonkey.com/store/ 5 MAKE: Trijicon PATCH: AP67 Round Patch - Olive - Trijicon Mil Dot MSRP: $5 URL: www.trijicon.com 6 MAKE: U.S. Tactical Supply PATCH: USTS Logo Patch MSRP: $3 URL: www.ustacticalsupply.com 7 MAKE: Mil-Spec Monkey PATCH: Kentucky Windage COLORWAY: ACU-dark, ACU-light, desert (shown), forest, SWAT MSRP: $6 URL: www.milspecmonkey.com/store/ You might be wondering what exactly the significance is of this “scope.” Since this issue of…

1 min