A growing segment of hunters are targeting predators with a different weapon of choice – shotguns. Why? Three reasons. Predators – and their prey, not coincidentally – often move in brushy habitats where lack of visibility prohibits long-range shooting. Secondly, as predators like coyotes have extended their range, they have moved into areas with higher human or livestock populations – areas where for safety reasons hunters may want to avoid long-range rounds.
Third, if your shotgun is properly set up, no weapon within its range is more effective on predators. A big part of that set-up for serious hunters focuses on Trulock Predator Choke Tubes. Trulock has long been an industry leader in designing, building and testing chokes to achieve maximum performance under challenging conditions, and that’s exactly what their Precision Hunter line of Predator Choke tubes do. Read more
“Where the rubber meets the road” are lyrics coined by an old Firestone tire commercial with a simple meaning: For anything with wheels and rubber, handling and control come down to the tires. Similarly, all the shiny steel and fine optics of a firearm come down to one moment of truth: when the bullet strikes its target. This all-important aspect of hunting – specifically deer for the purposes of this discussion – is often overlooked by some relatively savvy hunters.
Recently, I took the opportunity to compare results of two completely different styles of ammunition for the enormously popular .450 Bushmaster caliber. As you may know, several Mid-Western states, including Michigan, have adopted hunting regulations allowing the use of size-limited, straight-wall-case cartridges in areas heretofore primarily relegated to shotguns. The .450 Bushmaster is near the maximum allowable length and provides ethical hunters a viable option. Although the caliber got its beginning in AR platform rifles, economical bolt –action rifles are now flying off the shelves in an effort to accommodate the growing demand.
Specifically, the Ruger American was the first one to hit the market, because of the prompting of Randy Brown of Randy’s Hunting Center in Bad Axe, Michigan to produce it for the clamoring whitetail deer hunters. Ruger subsequently cornered the market and Randy became famous for his efforts.
Factory ammunition, however, has been limited in selection with Hornady taking over the lion’s share of sales with its Flex Tip, 250-grain offering. This sledge hammer of a round leaves the muzzle at 2200 feet-per-second (fps) developing a whopping 2686 foot-pounds of energy and has become the go-to ammo for sportsmen and women. Personal anecdotal evidence, plus that conveyed to me, bears out the inherent accuracy and effectiveness of the powerful combination of the handy rifle and load.
Always striving for something better, I was interested to learn of a new ammunition offering in .450 Bushmaster produced by ARX with its 158-grain Inceptor bullet at a substantially faster 2620 fps and 2409 ft. lbs. of energy.
L-R: ARX Inceptor, Hornady Flex Tip, and Recovered Flex Tip bullet
This non-expanding bullet, comprised of copper particles blended with a polymer, is engineered for maximum hydraulic displacement and terminal energy transfer to targets through fluted bullets with lateral dispersion creating a venturi effect. Initially, this frangible bullet had been developed to disintegrate upon impact with hard targets such as steel to eliminate ricochets in competition shooting, or to avoid over-penetration in self-defense situations with handgun calibers.
My unscientific test to compare the two different styles of ammunition involved the Ruger American rifle and a stack of soaked newsprint catalogs. Fortunately, I was able to locate two shoulder blades found as remnants from a deer that had obviously expired many years ago and placed them in front of the catalog expansion medium. Here’s where the “rubber met the road.”
At close range the ARX Inceptor bullet struck the bone and proceeded through some 2200 pages of wet pages – one complete catalog plus 10 percent of the next one. The Hornady Flex Tip bullet hit a corresponding bone and traveled through two complete catalogs and well into a third one.
The experiment concluded with a search for what remained of the two bullets. The recovered Inceptor made a violent entrance and completely disintegrated to its final resting place where only a tiny fragment of the original projectile was found – not even enough to bother weighing! On the other hand, the Hornady Flex Tip was peeled from well over 4,000 layers of paper, weighed 170 grains and had mushroomed to about 50-percent more than its original diameter of .452 inches, although the copper jacket had separated from the lead core.
The conclusion is that velocity and energy are only important if they can deliver a better wound channel and the less-expensive Hornady ammo and its Flex Tip design provide a much more appropriate transfer of said energy for a big-game hunting round.
Chambered for the straight-walled 450 Bushmaster cartridge, the new Savage 110 Wolverine offers both precision and power for deer, bears and hogs. Shipments of these firearms are currently being delivered to dealers.
The 110 Wolverine’s AccuFit system lets you easily tailor the length-of-pull and comb height for a perfect fit, while its user-adjustable AccuTrigger offers a crisp, clean pull. Together with the AccuStock, which secures the action three-dimensionally along its entire length, the rifle provides custom fit and function—right out of the box.
Other key features of the 110 Wolverine include a Magpul AICS magazine and 18-inch carbon steel heavy barrel complete with a ported muzzle brake and 11/16-24 threading. Plus, a one-piece rail mounted on the receiver makes it easy to set up the rifle to your personal hunting needs. Read more
Boonville, MO–CMMG has announced the addition of a new series of short barreled rifles (SBR’s) and AR Pistols that will be known as the BANSHEE line. The BANSHEE’s sleek new design sports the shortest barrels CMMG offers in 9mm, .45 ACP, 300 BLK and .22 Long Rifle. This ultra-compact and lightweight platform is extremely portable, making the BANSHEE a great option for close protection, home defense, plinking, competition shooting or any other application that benefits from the reduced size.
Each version of the BANSHEE sports CMMG’s new ambidextrous charging handle, as well as an ambidextrous sling plate and ambidextrous safety selector. The BANSHEE comes standard with CMMG’s Premier Cerakote finish, an RML M-LOK Hand Guard and a Magpul MOE Pistol Grip. The AR Pistol versions each come with a Tailhook Mod 2 Brace. Read more
Boonville, MO–CMMG has introduced its all-new DefCan suppressor line. With the addition of the DefCan suppressor line, CMMG now offers its customers the ability to quiet their firearms down to a safer, more comfortable sound level. Pairing a firearm with a DefCan suppressor not only makes that next trip to the range more enjoyable, it also makes it possible for hunters to be out in the field without traditional hearing protection and not risk long-term hearing damage at the expense of trying to listen for the sounds of animals.
CMMG’s DefCan suppressor line has a wide-range of offerings that will meet the needs of shooters from a variety of disciplines, ranging from personal defense, to the long-range shooters, to hunters. DefCan suppressors are not only optimized for decibel reduction, but are also lightweight, durable and being offered at an affordable price point. Read more
(Miami, FL) – Taurus Holdings, Inc.(“Taurus USA”) announces plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Bainbridge, Georgia, part of Decatur County, creating over 300 new jobs with a combined investment of over $22.5MM in infrastructure and operations. Taurus USA, through its subsidiaries, manufactures or distributes the popular Taurus®, Rossi®, and Heritage™ Manufacturing product lines.
“Taurus USA’s decision to locate to Bainbridge is not only a win for the community, but for the region,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Georgia has a long history in the manufacturing industry sector, and we are excited to add Taurus to the long list of manufacturers that are based here. I am confident that our thriving pro-business environment and unmatched logistics network along with the abundance of resources available in Bainbridge including a skilled workforce will allow Taurus to succeed in Georgia.”
(Accokeek, MD) Beretta USA is pleased to announce our entrance into the precision long range competitive field through our corporate sponsorship of recent competitions.
As the sport of long distance shooting evolves, Beretta continues to offer a full array of supremely accurate guns to fit every budget. Beretta is equipping sport shooters, SWAT officers, law enforcement officers, elite military units, and long/extra-long-range shooters with our product lines of the Tikka TAC A1, Sako TRG, and Victrix Armaments.
Featuring an all-aluminum machined stock capable of withstanding NATO’s tortuous drop tests, Tikka’s TAC A1 is the perfect precision firearm for both beginners and production class shooters. An open class gun at a production class price, this rifle features a hard-wearing cold hammer forged barrel and silky-smooth action and is available in .308 Win, .206 Rem, and 6.5 Creedmoor with various barrel lengths.
Our Sako TRG rifle line is currently equipping snipers in law enforcement and elite military units in 19 different countries. This line centers around the brands’ flagship model, the multicaliber M10, and now includes fixed caliber choices for the TRG 42 and 22 as well as the new TRG 42 A1 and 22A1.
Recently, Beretta has sponsored numerous sniper challenge matches including the 2018 Bushnell Elite Sniper Challenge and the 2018 Steel City Precision Challenge.
The 2018 Bushnell Elite Sniper Challenge in Clinton, SC comprised of 49 two-man teams who competed in a 3-day ruck-style competition that recreated some of the most prominent sniper engagements in history. These simulations included ‘Black Hawk Down’ style situations such as shooting from a rolled over car and out of a wrecked helicopter.
Beretta has also recently sponsored the inaugural Honey Badger Classic, which is a sporting clays tournament that benefits the Green Beret Foundation. Read more
Midwest City, OK – International Firearm Corporation, exclusive importer of an elite selection of European firearms is proud to introduce the 1911 Classic Series from BUL LTD of Israel to American shooters for the first time. International Firearm Corporation is the exclusive US importer and distributor of BUL pistols and these three new 1911 models, brand new for 2018 and at a retail price of $649 are without question the best quality and best value on the market to date.
BUL Ltd has been producing and specializing in the manufacturing of pistols since 1990. The company built its reputation on the legendary BUL M5 pistol, one of the first high capacity polymer framed 1911s to hit the market, which utilized innovative polymer injection molding techniques. They also specialize in custom pistols for all 1911 addicts, as well as competitive shooters and collectors. Add their proven legacy and design, state of the art materials, machinery and technology, combined with superb craftsmanship that only master gunsmiths can deliver, these unique handguns own the category for best quality and price.
The BUL 1911 Classic Series was created because the 1911 design has served in conflicts around the world, trusted by law enforcement as well as civilians for personal defense. As most 1911 enthusiasts know, the options on this platform are almost endless, so BUL took the enhancements they believed to be the most important and combined them into our 1911 line in an attempt to cater for every need. The 1911 Classic Series is available in three different configurations. The Government model 1911 features a 5 inch barrel, front and rear slide serration, an enlarged safety lever, and mag well with full length G10 Grips. The Commander 1911 features a 4.25 inch barrel, G10 Grips, black oxide finish on the frame and stainless steel slide, and the same front and rear slide serration. The Ultra 1911 is the lightest and most compact of the configurations weighing in at 1.51 pounds and making it ideal for concealed carry. It has a 3.25 inch barrel built on an officer size aluminum frame. It also features G10 Grips All priced at $649, nothing on the market compares to the premium quality of these BUL 1911s at such an affordable price. Read more
SW22 Victory pistol features Target Sights, Target Grips
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson Corp. today announced that it has added a Target Model to it’s award-winning SW22 Victory line of pistols. Chambered in .22 LR, the new SW22 Victory Target Model pistol incorporates featuresdesigned for competitive target shooting, including target sights, custom target thumb rest grip, and polished feed ramp.
Jan Mladek, General Manager of Smith & Wesson and M&P brands, said, “Since the launch of the SW22 Victory pistol in 2015, our customers have asked for a model specifically built for target shooting competitions. With that in mind, we designed the new SW22 Victory Target Model with target grips and sights to provide our customers with an ideal target shooting pistol.”
Designed for target shooting competitions, the new SW22 Victory Target Model pistol features include:
5.5” bull barrel
Target trigger with adjustable trigger stop
Black blade front sight and adjustable rear target sight
Textured, polymer target thumb rest grip panels for both right and left handed shooters
Huntsville, AL – Remington is proud to announce its full-size polymer pistol, the RP45 and RP45 Night Sight, is now available at retail locations nationwide. The Remington RP45 – a striker-fired, polymer frame pistol features a 4.5” barrel chambered in 45 Auto.
MAXIMUM FIREPOWER. COMPLETE CONTROL. THIS IS SHOOTABILITY. Following the 2017 release of the RP9 Remington’s first polymer frame full size handgun, the 15+1 capacity RP45 is a great addition to the RP line. boasting all the same features as the RP9 with the added power of the 45 Auto cartridge, and available with 3-dot tritium night sights. Built with one of the smallest grip circumferences in its class, The RP45 delivers a reliable defensive gun at a great value to the consumer. Read more
