Table of contents for October - November 2023 in Ballistic

As of gun owners, but also you undoubtedly noticed on this issue’s cover, there are some things found within these pages that are likely to “trigger” some people. That’s OK, though, because many left-wing gun-ban proponents get triggered by just about everything anyway, so this issue will be just one more thing that stands between them and the pie-in-the-sky utopia they believe they are building. These days, it seems like nearly everybody hates lawful gun owners, most of whom are simply trying to make a decent living in a tough economy, mind their own business and live their lives undisturbed while the world seemingly crumbles around them. Former VP Joe Biden certainly despises us, and recently he even took a swipe at the next generation of gun owners and hunters—if…

Are you one of those types of people who have parts earmarked for a certain project, and yet they just sit around? Well, thanks to the communists running Washington state, there is sufficient motivation to finally put this one together. The firearms laws here are going through some unconstitutional changes that will illegally make most things that go “bang” illegal to purchase, sell or import here in the PNW. That’s right, even spare parts for those evil “military-style” rifles won’t be able to be shipped into Washing-ton state once our braindead governor signs off on the bills he had rammed through this session. So, that’s how this one starts…. This small pile of AR parts needed a handguard, receiver set and a good trigger to be whole. That’s when the…

Many years ago, I had the good fortune to make the trip to Savage Arms to “build a rifle.” The company used to invite in writers now and then, and you would go in and crank on a few screws to get a better understanding of Savage’s build process. It was a cool experience to be sure—even cooler, I got to pick the build. So, 15 years ago, I chose to build a rifle I didn’t have in the stable, to take on a hunt I wasn’t quite sure I’d ever get. Though their lineup has changed a bit since then, the rifle build pretty much replicates the Savage 110 Classic of today, chambered in .300 Win. Mag. Wood and blued with a walnut stock and timeless look, it incorporates…

Sometimes it takes a new cartridge to revolutionize the game, however, when footwear is concerned, some things were just perfect the first time around. Lacrosse’s Grange boots have been serving outdoors enthusiasts since 1957 and have remained largely unchanged since their inception. Built for warmer climates, these kept my feet dry from the exterior moisture while offering excellent ventilation to ensure they didn’t get soaked from the inside out. Durable ZXT rubber mates with a fiberglass shank for tough-as-nails construction and offer a deep, wide tread for added assurance in treacherous terrain. lacrossefootwear.com.…

THE LOW ROLLING PLAINS AND HILLS NORTH OF PHOENIX are classic northern Sonoran Desert. While the images of sand dunes come to most people’s minds with the word desert, this is a beautiful swath of colorful brush, canyons and slow-rolling hills. It is also home to one of the most sought-after game animals in the Southwest—the javelina. Resembling a small wild pig—actually they are not pigs, but collared peccaries—these stealthy creatures pose a great hunting challenge. Relatively small and brownish in color, javelina are masters at hiding in plain sight. Like pigs, they have an exceptional sense of smell. Many a well-laid-out stalk has been thwarted by a brief change in the wind, and the javelina taking notice of your approach. Then in an instant, they scatter and disappear into the…

“…SPRINGFIELD ARMORY STANDS BEHIND THE RIFLE WITH A ROCK-SOLID 0.75-MOA ACCURACY GUARANTEE…” There is a saying that only accurate rifles are interesting. While some history buffs may argue, I subscribe to that idea. What has been nice over the last decade or so is a growing trend toward out-of-the-box accurate rifles. Back at SHOT Show 2021, Springfield released the Waypoint 2020 bolt-action rifle. It was a lightweight tack driver that checked many boxes on my shooting checklist. I got a very close look at the rifle during a precision rifle class I taught in Idaho, and it performed well. However, rare is the day that Springfield will leave a great idea alone. So, I was excited when I got the email that a follow-up version of the Waypoint was in…

IF YOU WANT a reliable and durable tool for your outdoor adventures, consider American-made, fixed-blade knives for bushcraft, camping and outdoor skills. These knives are designed to handle various carving, chopping, slicing and skinning tasks. They are also easy to maintain and sharpen, as they do not have any moving parts or hinges. Fixed-blade knives are also safer than folding knives, as they do not have the risk of closing on your fingers. American-made, fixed-blade knives are crafted with high-quality materials and standards, ensuring you get a knife that will last for a long time. Whether you are a beginner or an expert in bushcraft and outdoor skills, you can find a suitable knife for your needs among these five winners. SPECS: BEAR FOREST THE SIMPLE OAL: 8 inches Blade…

1 HOW TO “STITCH UP” IN A PINCH People panic when they see their own blood, and anything from a paper cut between your toes to a machete gouge to the forearm should be cause for alarm. As soon as your delicate skin suit breaks open, all kinds of bacteria and diseases can easily pile in, and an untreated laceration can be a death knell. While stitches are the standard method for closing deep cuts, some alternative options might be considered in certain situations. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that these alternatives should only be used in cases where medical attention is not immediately available. Steri-Strips are adhesive strips that can help hold the edges of a wound together. They work best for small, clean cuts that have straight edges…

If you carry a gun or frequent the range, → you’ll quickly realize that mainstream clothing companies couldn’t care less about your lifestyle, particularly during the summer. LA Police Gear gets it and has an extensive line of shorts to keep you cool while your barrel gets hot. I wore the Operator Tactical Shorts during this test and found them unrestrictive and far tougher than my bare skin when navigating pricker bushes and such. Features like forward-facing magazine pockets allowed me to leave my chest rig back at the house, while the elastic waistband ensures a proper fit and unsurpassed comfort regardless of if I have anything tucked inside. For more information, visit lapolicegear.com.…

On June 14th, 1777, the American flag became a symbol of freedom and justice to represent our great nation. Many individuals look at the flag with honor and are reminded of the sacrifice made to ensure we keep our liberties. Those sacrifices made should be respected and appreciated to keep the values of America alive and well. How many folks really know how to respect the flag? Believe it or not, there are laws to follow concerning the flag, and this law is referred to as the U.S. Flag Code. FLAG IQ The American flag was made to represent the new union of the 13 original states. The original flag had red and white alternating stripes with 13 white stars arranged in a circle to represent the 13 colonies. The…

The life of an outdoors writer is an interesting one. First, let’s dispel the rumor that it’s a nonstop party and that we do nothing other than hunt and post selfies. The truth is, some of those hunts are utter disasters. Whenever a group of us get together, invariably, we exchange stories of getting left in the woods, staying in deplorable living quarters, poor performing gear and even detainment in foreign countries until a “gift” is issued. Of course, the bad helps you to appreciate the good, which is why this particular hunt is one for the record book, maybe even literally. Back during the toilet paper and ammo shortage of 2020, I was invited to participate in the renowned Annual Alberta Bear Hunt put on by Mossberg, Hornady and…

Stag Arms has been creating a buzz in the industry ever since they made their exodus from gun-unfriendly Connecticut to the 2A-positive state of Wyoming in 2019. In 2022 when Ryan Donohue became general manager, the company began to skyrocket. With Donohue at the helm, the team is focused on constantly innovating. While their core products are solid rifles at buyer-friendly prices, they’re always figuring out how to make their products even better. Whether it’s offering a plethora of left-handed options (cleverly branded “Lefty Mafia”) or coming up with ways to enhance the overall shooting experience, Donohue and his team never tap the brakes on their momentum. When it came time to test out some modifications and upgrades to Stag’s popular Pursuit hunting rifle, the team put together a fun…

The AR-15 is an interesting platform. Although it holds the title of America’s best-selling firearm, it suffers an effectiveness malady that simply cannot be ignored. While the firearm is undoubtedly accurate and reliable, the 5.56 NATO cartridge is severely underpowered, so much so that the military has sought to replace it virtually from the start. This issue paved the way for the 300 AAC Blackout, but that too suffered from inadequacy issues. The problem with this one was that it was designed for slinging long, heavy bullets at subsonic velocities. The trouble comes when it’s time to reach out beyond contact distances to deliver some hate. Bill Wilson wasn’t numb to this issue and dealt with it several times when hunting hogs, which, in turn, led to the creation of…

The plan was simple: Do a little testing on the new FN 502 Tactical .22 LR pistol to see how it really performs. Now, I haven’t had a ton of trigger time on the 502, so a little extra range time with it would be welcomed. Then the project began to grow and soon moved into them, “Wait…what do you want us to do?” category. What started out as some light range time turned into a major torture test. We were tasked with running 2,222 rounds through the 502 as quickly as possible. The entire thing would be captured on video and ultimately edited into a two-minute, 22-second video. Now for anyone familiar with .22 LR guns, you know that this is a major test. Pistols firing .22 LR tend…

For the last dozen years, I have been committed to Toyota Tacoma pickups. But, as my family has grown and my towing needs expanded, I envied Toyota Tundra owners. Spacious seating, larger towing capacity and overall great aftermarket support had me searching online markets often. A good friend of mine purchased a Tundra CrewMax back in 2019, and when he drove into work, I jokingly told him that when he wanted to sell it to let me know. Fast forward to 2023, and I got the phone call that he was going to trade it in but would rather me get the option first. I jumped at the chance, but when I drove to his house to look at the truck, it was obvious that the last three years were…

The digital readout on the truck’s dash warned 17 degrees. I struggled to grasp that number, the blue LED light needling into my eyes. It surely warred with the last sips of the black coffee fighting to bring me to life. Only a hint of the coming sun had begun to slightly smudge the complete darkness on the horizon. “Alright, let’s go,” whispered our guide, John Way, jarring me from that place early hunt mornings can take us all sometimes. It was then that we left the fogged and iced-up vehicle, stepping in time for that first kiss of wind that so often comes married to the light. Today we’d be climbing the mountain. And in such conditions, you dress lighter for the hike, sweat another enemy of the hunt,…

See bear, shoot bear. While Mossberg and Hornady had the second part covered, Swaro outfitted each of us with a pair of its lavish binoculars and a riflescope. I topped my Patriot Predator with a Z8i optic that featured a 1.7x-13.3x magnification range. This swing is unheard of in the scope industry, as maintaining clarity is reserved for only the finest precision lens crafters. Both sides of the spectrum (and everything in between) were crisp and bright, especially during the darkest hours of the hunt, which provided the most activity. Coupled with the NL Pure 8x32 binoculars, I was granted vision on a super-human scale and was able to spot pieces of bears deep within the bush. Getting eyes on them before they had eyes on me was a…

TRIJICON CREDO 1-8X28 RIFLESCOPE To run a rifle fast, you need quick target acquisition with the best scope possible to keep up with your shots. The illuminated reticle on the Trijicon 1-8 Credo allows you to quickly acquire targets up close while still being able to reach out and dial into targets 500-plus yards away. The Credo features an MRAD segmented circle designed for both CQB and distance shooting. The clarity of the glass is edge-to-edge with an antireflective coating and excellent light transmission. With a repositionable magnification lever, you can easily turn up the magnification and aim at your intended target. (trijicon.com) WARNE SCOPE MOUNT A scope is only as reliable and accurate as its mounting system. The XSKEL34TW Extended Skeletonized MSR Mount is my go-to mount for all my…

What red-blooded American doesn’t have a special admiration for our country’s Navy SEALs? These soldiers saw one of the toughest jobs in the military and said, “That looks like fun; I can do that.” And then they did it. They endured hell week and all the other intense training it took to become tip of the spear. They knew going in that they were going to end up in some of the most dangerous situations imaginable and took the challenge anyway. Why? Because they love this country more than anything. These are my heroes. Getting to meet and hang out with some of the most incredible men and women this country has to offer is one of the best parts of working in this industry. Ray “Cash” Care served 12…

Testing a pistol on this scale takes some planning and assistance from the firearms industry. One major consideration is ammunition. Two of the best names in the .22 LR market have consistently been Federal and CCI. For this project, we were fortunate to have four different flavors of .22 LR ammo to utilize. First up was Federal Auto-Match Target Rimfire ammunition. This 40-grain ammo is specifically designed for use in semi-automatic firearms. Whatever rimfire pursuit drives you, you’ll get accurate, affordable performance with Federal Champion rimfire ammunition. The reliable bullet, priming and brass are suited to a wide variety of rimfire range applications. This composed the bulk of the ammunition we used, and it performed very well. Next up was CCI Green Tag 40-grain Competition .22 LR. This ammo is…

Just as David brought down Goliath, brush can be enough to stop any side-by-side dead in its tracks. Thickly woven thorn bushes can quickly tangle around axles and then need to be dealt with without tearing your fingers apart. I keep a SOGfari 18-inch Machete onboard for these reasons, as it quickly flattens any of the nonsense that stands in my way. The 18-inch blade carries enough energy to mow through even pinky-thick brush while the sawtooth back can take care of much thicker roadblocks. Forged from 3Cr13 steel, it keeps its edge and resists corrosion well enough to leave out in the elements. For more information, visit sogknives.com.…

Ordering a whiskey was easy when I was finally of legal drinking age and throughout my twenties. Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Canadian Club were the go-to options for whiskey. They all mixed with cola, 7 Up or ginger ale to make a drink effective, tasty and flexible. As far as I was concerned, scotch was for old men with Johnny Walker being the poster child. Bourbon was the same as good ole boy whiskey, but it came from Kentucky. At least that’s how the world of brown spirits worked for me, aside from rum, which is another discussion entirely. When I entered my thirties, I remember giving a bottle of $150 Scotch to a military general officer whom I worked with to gain some favor. After all, by then,…