Not Your Typical .410 Shotgun
August 15, 2009
May 17, 2009
Unboxing: Magnet Gun Caddy
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
There are gadgets and then there is gear. It is not often a gadget makes it into the gear category. Once a gadget, always a gadget. There are a very few gadgets that graduate into gear. A GPS is a good example. GPS when first introduced were at the mercy of wet weather, very expensive, and harder to program than a VCR. I still don’t know nor do I care how to program a VCR or should I say DVD or TiVo. A button compass sufficed for me until I dropped my Luddite dogma and embraced technology. I don’t know what I did before a GPS. When I first came along the Magnet Gun Caddy I quickly lumped it into the gadget category along with battery-operated socks, 5-in-1 baklavas and hunting knives with gut hooks. Gadget. Gadget. And gadget. Then I used the Magnet Gun Caddy.
How many times does this happen. You are all set to walk into the field when you realize you have forget
Continue reading "Unboxing: Magnet Gun Caddy" »
March 01, 2009
Top Hunting Shotgun Brand?
A recent survey compiled the brands and products that hunters and target shooters preferred most in 2008. care to guess the mst favorite shotgun brand? How about the most preferred shotshell? I know the anticipation is excruciating. Here's the list:
- Top shotgun brand: Mossberg (29.9% of all purchases)
- Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (35.7% of all purchases)
- Top game call brand: Primos (35.9% of all purchases)
December 20, 2008
Unboxing: Ruger Red Label Shotgun
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
It is hard to believe that the Ruger Red Label debuted back in 1978. Seems like yesterday I was blasting skeet with a blued and fixed-choke model. I guess that dates me. This year I wanted to go all American in the pheasant fields and grouse coverts and the newer Ruger fit the bill splendidly. The design has really proven itself in the field and not much has changed from that shotgun I used at the end of the last century. Today it sports choke tubes—and Ruger isn't stingy with them either—5 tubes in total for every shooting possibility. Choke tubes are a lot like ATM cards and cell phones—I don’t know how I survived with out them. The Red Label has a classic look with its combination of wood, stainless steel and blued steel. I like the fact that the receiver is stainless. That means it is easier to clean, less vulnerable to weather, and, as the most common carry point, the finish will not wear like a bluing. Look at your blued-receiver guns and I’ll bet you can tell how you carry it most often. I’ve always been partial to 12 gauge over-and-unders and this Ruger is a real go-to gun ready for any type of weather and shooting condition. Load it up for pheasant and duck or use milder loads for grouse and woodcock. The weight of the gun is substantial when compared to lithe 16s, 20s and 28s especially if you walk all day, but those extras pounds help lap up recoil. It's what I used this season in cut cornfields and through alder choked thickets, and it complimented Cooper and Bella. Here are the specifications for the Red Label:
- Action Type: over and under
- Caliber: 12 (shown), 20 & 28 gauge
- Barrel Length: 28 in. vent rib
- Front Sight: Bead
- Choke: Choke tubes; full, modified, improved cylinder, skeet (2 tubes)
- Overall Length: 45 in.
- Weight: 8 lbs. (unloaded)
- Capacity: 2 rounds
- Stock: American walnut w/ pistol grip
- Finish: blued barrels & stainless steel reciever
- Action Type: over and under
- Caliber: 12 (shown), 20 & 28 gauge
- Barrel Length: 28 in. vent rib
- Front Sight: Bead
- Choke: Choke tubes; full, modified, improved cylinder, skeet (2 tubes)
- Overall Length: 45 in.
- Weight: 8 lbs. (unloaded)
- Capacity: 2 rounds
- Stock: American walnut w/ pistol grip
- Finish: blued barrels & stainless steel reciever
I love reading the ends of firearm boxes. After the jump, see more of the Red Label.
Continue reading "Unboxing: Ruger Red Label Shotgun" »
November 14, 2008
Benelli’s BiMillionaire Shotgun
During the depression, authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote lavishly of the high life. And brother if you could spare a dime, the movie theater was also an escape. They served the purpose that cable TV and the internet do today—they distract the public of hard times and bring us entertainment. Fitzgerald allowed us to peek into an affluent world and become part of it if only for a few chapters. And Hollywood gave us images of we still remember. Benelli is offering more than a peek into that world. A limited edition—only 200 will reach US shores—shotgun called the BiMillionaire. What’s the occasion? It sure isn’t the bullish economy. The BiMillionaire celebrates the completion of the company’s two millionth shotgun. According to Benelli each BiMillionaire shotgun is a work of art—entwined baroque acanthus leaves and fine bevel-cut scrollwork, inspired by Italian armorers of the Renaissance, along with a cartouche of a duck in flight on the left side of the receiver and on the right a Spinone Italiano, northern Italy's classic gun dog, grace the metal. A distinctive half rosette with entwined gold overlay and shaded background accents both sides of the BiMillionaire. Ahhh. I haven’t been able to obtain the suggested retail price, but as the saying goes: If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.
November 10, 2008
The Old Gun Dog And the Ruger
Hurd State Park lies on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River roughly between the city of Middletown and the small town of Haddam. The state of CT swears they will stock pheasants in this area. Cooper, the gun pup, and Bella, the old gun dog rescue, visited this spot together prior to bird season. A trial run after which I thought it best to hunt them individually. Bella won the Nutro biscuit toss up. Late in the afternoon we walked the mile down hill to the meadow, known as Higganum Meadows, following powerlines and over a seasonal stream wet from recent rain. The land falls quickly and lower and lower you climb passing through hardwoods bright with fall color until you are on the flat meadow that abuts the river. If I was a farmer I would think corn or hay. The state cuts a maze through grass as tall as the average man. I had been told that Bella was a good hunter but my expectations were low. The previous owner was about to drop her off at a shelter before we took her in and he said Bella was quick on birds. He had also tried to give her away to members of his hunt club, but there were no takers for this 7-year-old. Today she worked close and kept an eye out for me. She, as well as Cooper, have learned to change direction on command. “Whup!” She shifted direction, ignoring other dogs and hunters, honoring another dog’s point. I did not expect much action from the put-and-take pheasant this late in the day either. That was probably a good thing since the Ruger Red Label in the crook of my arm was new. I have held the company of Rugers in chopped corn fields and on skeet fields and sporting clays courses well before they sported choke tubes so this was a reintroduction of sorts, like meeting up with an old acquaintance. Still I shouldered it a few times making sure the recoil pad cleared my vest. Bella was suspicious of the small wave of water coming toward shore but she was thirsty. Reassured when I stood in the swallow water, she felt safe to drink though still suspicious of the rolling ripples. Back up the river bank we made the loop around the back half of the meadow, working the fringe then hunting the soft ground around the marsh hoping for a wayward woodcock. The other hunters had left and Bella was quick to find the remains of downed birds, she looked me in the eyes. "Yes, girl, we are a little late." On the walk back, I cracked the Ruger and carried it over my shoulder. It was stiff like all new over-and-unders so I opened and closed the action on empty chambers and held two shells in my hand as we climbed the hill to the truck in case we flushed a straggler. I thought I would be the one waiting for her to catch up, but she stopped looking back for me. At home I brushed her out and she looked into my eyes. “Yes it was a good day after all.” And then the gun pup pushed his nose between us. He wanted to be brushed, too.
September 18, 2008
Unboxing Follow-up: DT H2O 1810 eCollar
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
The DT H20 1810 ecollar works as advertised and that is such a comforting thing. It did not over promise nor did it under deliver. You will recall we posted an Unboxing story on the DT H20 1810 ecollar a while back. While using the collar--and yes to answer your question, I did try it on myself. I thought I had a duty to understand how the ecollar worked. A slight nick on the lowest setting had my complete attention. And I thought this might not be such a good idea, so while we experimented with the ecollar we also tried an alternative training method positive reinforcement. The ecollar was obviously negative reinforcement. I had many conversations with trainers who are devotes of the ecollar and think they are the best invention in the world--even better than ATM cards, sliced bread, and canned beer. On the other end of the spectrum are the trainers who believe in positive reinforcement, e.g. give the dog a treat if he performs as directed. The positive reinforcement trainers abhor the use of an ecollar and think it is cruel and inhumane. The negative trainers wonder what the dog will do if you run out of treats. Regardless which side of the fence you are on, I really wanted my money back on the DT H20 it worked so well in such a short time with Cooper when teaching him to "come" and to "leave it." I never turned the power intensity past 2. As Cooper has grown from a long legged pup to a muscular adolescent, he tests his boundaries and judicious and prudent use of the ecollar has produced excellent results. But back to the actual collar. The controller comes with a lanyard, which can be convenient especially if you have a check cord in one hand and a wand in the other to teach "whoa." The nick button does just that, a quick zap that's designed to get their attention. The continuous button provides stimulant for a longer period, no more than a few seconds and then turns off. Use this if your pup thinks the neighbor’s cat is lunch. We used the DT ecollar in the land trust where there are streams and beaver ponds, steep hills and deep gullies and never once did we loose a signal. We used the tester, which is included in the kit, just to be sure. The collar strap is actually the antenna and is stiff since wires are sandwiched inside the plastic covering. Waterproof and definitely shock proof--Cooper proof would be more correct. It holds a charge over days and weeks depending on use. To recharge, pull out the rubber stoppers and plug in the charger. Both collar and controller can be charged at the same time. The DT ecollar definitely convinced me that gun dog training can be easy and safe. And yes, we still give positive reinforcement with treats as well.
September 01, 2008
Sarasota Clue Revealed: Beretta's Silver Pigeon II
I guess the clue was too easy in the Sarasota Sporting Clays posting: Il fucile da caccia è inceppato or roughly translated from Italian to English: "The gun for hunting is jammed" or "The shotgun is jammed." Sorry my Italian is rusty. I recieved emails with the correct brand and a few with the correct brand and model, and I would like to award a prize to those who responded, but I don't even have a blaze orange UplandFeathers.com cap to give away. For those of you who didn't guess right or are just wondering, the culprit shotgun was a Beretta Silver Pigeon II. It should be no surprise to those of you who hunt and shoot regularly. Gear breaks. That's why they make spare parts. Shortly after arriving back in CT from FL, I contacted Beretta Service Repair and crossed my fingers. Customer service departments can make or break a company. I don't even want to start in on a mega-size home improvement store I've had dealings with. Beretta's service department asked me to put my problem in writing and ship the note along with the unloaded shotgun to their repair facillity in MD. While they were at it I asked to have the trigger pull weight lightened. You can see the letter below. Come back to find out what the oldest maker of firearms in the world had to say about their shotgun and the type of service I recieved.
July 15, 2008
Unboxing Follow-up Part 2: Browning 10" Kangaroo Featherweight Uninsulated Boots
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
The SBW liked the review of the boots in a previous post, but was at loss as to why I did not include a image of the said unboxed and used boots. Well to satisfy SBW's courisoity as well as any other's an image of the used boots is posted. You can see that they are really holding up good after hunts, hikes and yard work. As stated before, the boots feel like sneakers.
July 05, 2008
Duly Noted: Benelli Ultra Light
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then it is with mixed emotion that someone is taking our cue. We noted shortly after this year's SHOT Show the Benelli Ultra Light was a shotgun of merit. Well it was selected as the winner of OL's Choice Award for 2008. Ok so maybe the editors at OL really do know a thing or two about shotguns. The hard part now will be finding one of these 20 gauges in my dealer’s rack.
May 09, 2008
Unboxing Follow-up: Browning 10" Kangaroo Featherweight Uninsulated Boots
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
I started this "Unboxing" post with: "Yankees are a frugal lot...". What's that you say, "No foolin'!" But really, it rubs my feathers the wrong way to pay a lot for a name brand and not have that brand deliver. These Browning boots deliver. I don’t get excited easily but a good pair of boots is priceless especially if you spend any amount of time chasing grouse or pheasants in New England or any where for that matter. You know a good pair can mean the different between a great day a field or blisters or wet feet. I have used the Kangaroo Featherweights regularly since I purchased them. Cooper and I have this habit of going for a hike on our town's land trust area, which is hilly, wet, and steep. It boasts a small switchback trail that leads to down to a beaver pond but not before crossing a 6-foot wide stream. The trail continues to meander through a maze of mountain laurel and hemlocks and then starts back uphill through a stand of hardwoods. It gets my blood pumping and Copper, well nothing tires out that pup. The boots feel like sneakers (I don't trip up over the soles like I have with a heavier soled boot) and are truly water proof (Ms. Deborah thinks I'm crazy for walking in the streams). Plus—and this is important—my foot slides easily into the boot. Ever have the rough side of leather exposed inside your boot? It’s like you have carpet tape on your socks. The Featherweights lace and unlace quickly. No fussing to loosen the laces and no pulling each criss-cross of the lace to tighten them. This all from day one. They never needed to be broken in. Well, Cooper is jumping on my lap looking for attention. I do belive he's suggesting we go for a walk on the land trust.
March 30, 2008
Unboxing: DT Systems - H2O 1810 ecollar
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
Back a few years ago when I was a pup, I had the great fortune to train a German Wirehaired Pointer otherwise known as a GWP or if have a Teutonic bent a Drahthaar. GWPs fall into the versatile hunting category and can be trained to hunt anything. And when I say anything, I really mean anything. My GWP, named Blue, was a natural-born hunter and anything I did help Blue’s training along he ignored. Back then there were no VHS tapes or DVDs to visually show you how to train a dog, just books. And since I had the time to train Blue, I thought I would do it myself. Blue obviously had read all the books and no matter how much I tried to teach him whoa and other gun dog commands he ignored me. He chewed a few of the books I read cover to cover in an effort to tell me he had everything under control. We finally reach an understand that if I would stop reading the gun dog training books he would oblige me and hunt birds. So that was how our hunting relationship ensued. I took no responsibility for his fieldwork prowess and he found birds where other dogs couldn’t. Now that Cooper is in the picture I pulled out my old dog training books for a refresher course. Blue never knew that I taped the pages back into the binding. If training Blue was an exercise in traditional dog training methods, then Cooper’s training would use 21st century methods. Electronic dog training collars, or ecollars, have been on the market since 1970s. These collars give the dog wearing it an electric shock stimulus. There are two sides of the fence with ecollars; those who think it is humane and those who think it is cruel. In a future post I will present both sides of the ecollar and let you know where I stand. The DT H2O 1810 series collar system is an example of an ecollar that can be applied in both basic and advanced training needs Some of the features are:- Range: 1 Mile
- Intensity Levels: 16 adjusted from the transmitter
- Antenna System: built into the collar
- Power Source: rechargeable Ni-MH battery
- Waterproof: yes
- Functionality: 2 buttons; 1 nick stimulation, 1 continuous stimulation
Continue reading "Unboxing: DT Systems - H2O 1810 ecollar" »
February 20, 2008
Shotguns of Note This Year
Now that the barrels of test guns at the SHOT Show have cooled we find that the trend in shotguns this year is light weight and trap-competition-ready models. Benelli's Ultra Light is a 20-gauge auto loader that weighs in at 5.2 pounds. Talk about svelt. Sign me up to walk all day in woods with one of those. Franchi, too, has an aluminum alloy 12 gauge auto at a lithe 6.5 pounds. You heard about Browning's BPS in 16 gauge from a previous post, plus the low profile Cynergy is now rigged for trap shooting. Caesar Guerini is also falunting their Magnus Trap, which has this DTS system with an adjustable rib to change the point of impact. The Browning and Guerini come with the typical trap features—adjustable stock, extended tubes. Remington has also tarted up thier 1100 with a nickle-plated reciever, gold trigger, and with semi-fancy American walnut. Who are they kidding, that's full-fancy if you ask me. What really caught my eye in the trap offerings, however, is the H&R Topper Trap gun. Can you image you can get into the trap game for less than $400? I would love to see the faces of those Perazzi guys when they see you break a clean 50 and they ask what type of gun you're shooting.
February 03, 2008
Browning's Latest Sweet Sixteen
If you are like me and partial to 16 gauge shotguns then here's some great news. Browning is offering their BPS, that's their pump gun that shucks the empties toward your toes and not over your right shoulder, in 16 gauge. And I am even more excited since this 16 gauge BPS is being built on a 20-gauge reciever. Read less weight. I have an Ithaca 37, which is vertually the same as the BPS, and it is a dream to carry all day. The newest BPS will also sport wood in a straight or pistol grip. Barrel lengths range from a 24 inch to a 28 inch. Just think 24-inch barrel, straight English-style stock in 16 gauge. Now that's sweet.
January 10, 2008
Big Green To Get Bigger
Big Green is spending big green to the sum of $41.7 million for the Marlin Firearms Company. Remington, as you may recall from another posting, was acquired by the private investment firm Cerberus Capital Management in April 2007. The three-headed dog also recently acquired Bushmaster and DPMS, giving Big Green a good foot hold in the AR-15 market. With Marlin on board, add rimfire and lever action rifles to the company’s portfolio. They will also automatically become the largest US manufacturer of single shot shotguns, too. You see Marlin has H&R and NEF in its stable. What Marlin did to H&R and NEF, Remington is doing to Marlin. Big fish eat little fish. Back in the 19th century there was plenty of opportunity for gun companies to thrive and many did. Of course you don’t hear much about Merwin Hulbert revolvers or Whitney lever rifles these days. This consolidation will give Remington an even bigger share of the gun market. Let’s hope they can keep the brand identities into the 21st century. I have great faith in Big Green and Marlin, too, they have been around since 1816 and 1870 respectively and that in it self says a lot. The Merrill and Huberts and Whitneys have gone the way of Ataris and Commodore computers, but the Remingtons and Marlins?
December 28, 2007
Unboxing Follow-up: Remington Wingmaster
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
Now that grouse season is winding down and the snow is deeper, I thought I’d bring you all up to speed on how Big Green’s workhorse pump, the Model 870 Wingmaster shouldered this season. If the 870 didn’t perform as expect there was something wrong with the world. My experience with 870’s in 12 and 20 gauge goes back a few decades from well-worn 12’s that doubled as slug guns during deer season to light 20’s that were just the ticket for all-day bird hunts. The 870 in 16 gauge performed flawlessly as I expected it would. It loaded and unloaded easily and came to the shoulder like an 870 12 gauge with the recoil of an 870 20 gauge. This 16 gauge, as mentioned in the Unboxing post, is retrofitted to a 12-gauge receiver. Back in the day, guns were scaled to the caliber and it was quite obvious the size differences between a 12, 16, and 20 when compared side by side. The added weight of the larger 12-gauge receiver made this 16 gauge carry like a 12 gauge but on the other side of the coin the added weight absorbed recoil and felt like a 20. The glossy stock and gold plated trigger is about as American as you can get for a sporting firearm finish. I’ll bet I could shave using my reflection in the stock. Gunwriters predict the demise of the 16 gauge on a regular basis to sell magazines as well as remind manufacturers to build a few more 16s. Of course it does takes a smidge more effort to find shells. I typically can find 16-gauge shells at big box retailers and recently purchased a case at Dick’s Sporting Goods, a big box chain here in the northeast. Many times you have to settle for #6’s or #7’s but isn’t that what you were going to buy in the first place? As I alluded to with the Robert Frost quote in the original posting—the 16 makes good hunting partners. With a 16 you won’t have to worry about your buddies asking to borrow shells. I suggest you also refrain from allowing them to shoot your 16. Once they get a feel for it, they’ll be lining up to purchase one. It’s best to be polite and perpetuate the mystery around 16 gauges. Tell them the shells are hard to come by and you barely have enough for the season. Or tell them you don’t know what they’ll think about the recoil. So why go with a 16 gauge? Again another Robert Frost poem comes to mind:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
November 15, 2007
Unboxing: Browning 10" Kangaroo Featherweight Uninsulated Boots
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
Yankees are a frugal lot and no doubt there are those of you not from these northern areas who also try to save a dollar or two by not buying the most expensive brand. We all try to cut corners and I have particularly on boots. I can state with certainty that I have had cheap boots that chaff, leak, wear out quickly and are as heavy as anvils. I’m not sure what it is but boots stamped "Made in China" and my American feet have a definite language barrier. One pair of upland boots that I remember with disdain had a layer of material that quickly wicked moisture. The problem was it wicked the moisture from the outside of the boot to the inside. That the early morning dew was inside my boots soaking my socks. I once tried to refresh the treads of the soles with a hacksaw of another pair I liked and created a series of ridges. Those ridges acted like skis on the side of a snowy hill. Ass end over a tea kettle I believe is the expression. So I cashed in my Cabelas points a bought a pair of Browning 10” Kangaroo Featherweight Uninsulated Boots. BTW: Due to state law, these boots cannot be shipped to California. Some of the stats are:- Upper: Kangaroo leather with a sharkskin toe cap
- Sole: oil resitant Vibram
- Average weight: 2.8 lbs./pair
- Linings: GORE-TEX, Cambrelle, and Dryz
- Laces: waxed nylon
- Eyelets: metal tubes
Continue reading "Unboxing: Browning 10" Kangaroo Featherweight Uninsulated Boots" »
October 27, 2007
Ruger's New Pistol Launch--Is It Too Late?
If you haven’t heard about the new Ruger SR9 pistol launch then you must have been lost in a grouse covey for the past few days or your internet connection failed. Finally an American gun brand is embracing online and using the media for more than a glorified product catalogue. Benelli has been using online for years. In fact they just recieved an award for excellence in the categories of Video Graphics and Viral Videos at the 2007 W³ Awards presentation. (Is there anything those Italians aren't good at?) The marketing hucksterism of Ruger’s SR9 microsite would have Sam Colt kicking up his heels, since Colt was about making a good product and marketing it to the hilt. What better way to spread the word than the internet. Ruger is creating awareness by actually showing the pistol in action; beats the hell out of a print article.
Continue reading "Ruger's New Pistol Launch--Is It Too Late?" »
October 24, 2007
The Return of the Model 70
Word on the street is the Winchester Model 70 is back. Winchester Repeating Arms announced the rifleman’s rifle will continue production in 2008 and it will continue to be American-made. I lament the fact that the barrel won’t be stamped with New Haven, Connecticut, but Columbia, South Carolina, is fine by me. Expect the classic pre-‘64 controlled round feeding, characteristic three-position safety, and improved fit and finish. They’ll ad a bit of enhanced accuracy, too. It will also tout a new M.O.A. trigger system. Should Savage and their AccuTrigger be looking over their shoulder? The M.O.A. is said to have zero take up, zero creep, and zero over travel. You can look forward to this spring with models in Super Grade (SRP: $1149), Featherweight Deluxe (SRP: $999 – $1049), Sporter Deluxe (SRP: $999 – $1049), and Extreme Weather SS (SRP: $1149 – $1199).
October 06, 2007
Curse of the "Best Of The Best" Award
Each year that stalwart publication F&S publishes a "Best Of The Best" list where the staff chooses the best hunting and fishing gear for that year. I took a quick look at the past winners and in 2005 it was Ruger's Gold Label, in 2006 in was the Remington 501 CTi, and this year the L.C. Smith 28 Gauge by Marlin. Want to bet you won't be able to find the new Marlin in your dealer's rack. Think about it. Hefted any 501s lately? How many GLs do you see on the shelves? Rumor has it that Ruger isn't manufacturuing the GL ongoing but will probably offer it in limited runs. (Read the hot string that I unitentionally started.) Does F&S curse these manufacturers with their endorsement? I am sure it is not their intention to give the evil eye to gun makers but to inform the shooting and angling public of quality products. The question still remains, why can't we find these shotguns at our dealers?
September 23, 2007
Ruger Going Great Guns
Ruger’s earnings more than tripled in the second quarter with $.22 per share, compared to $.06 per share in the same period last year. Perhaps part of the surge is Ruger’s strategy of bringing new products to market. Take, for instance, the new Hawkeye line of rifles. Ruger is one of those companies that continually tweaks it designs to make them better. The Hawkeye evolved from the Model 77 and Model 77 Mark II. No doubt Leatherstocking would like the latest incantation. The marketing team must have been reading James Fenmore Cooper. I must admit the Hawkeye is a better name for a rifle than the Natty Bumppo.
Continue reading "Ruger Going Great Guns" »
September 11, 2007
Federal Shells: Great for Hunters, Great for Conservation
Back in 1988, Federal and Pheasants Forever partnered to offer the first ammunition with a portion of the retail price donated to conservation. Since then Federal has donated nearly $120,000 to PF including $25,000 last year alone. This year Federal is also helping out Quail Forever by making a contribution to QF’s habitat work for every box of QF-labeled shells sold. Grouse and woodcock hunters shouldn’t feel slighted since the loads are also suitable for northern bird hunters. Wing-Shok Quail Forever Loads are available in 20 gauge (1-ounce at 1165 fps velocity in number 8 shot) and two 12-gauge loads (1-1/8-ounce at 1200 fps velocity (available in #7.5’s and #8’s). I have not yet tried the Federal loads but knowing a potion of the cost goes to quail habitat restoration does make me want to try them out.
July 25, 2007
Unboxing: Remington Wingmaster Shotgun
What is Unboxing?: Unboxing originated with Unboxing.com, a site dedicated to helping people show off their new techie toys, favorite gadgets, consumer electronics, and more. As their tag line states "Vicarious thrills from opening new gear."
I’ll bet we all have experience and a story about a Model 870, Big Green’s workhorse pump. Shouldering the Wingmaster is like shaking hands with an old friend. It just feels good. The Remington Wingmaster made its debut in cornfields, upland hills and duck blinds back in 1964 and traces its roots back to 1950 and the Model 870. This sexed up version has deep bluing, enough reflection in its glossy walnut stock to shave with, and the bling-bling of a gold-plated trigger. It's also chambered in 16 gauge. Every once in a while the demise of the 16 gauge is proclaimed and gun companies like Remington re-tool and produce a run of 16’s just to prove that the 16 isn’t going anywhere soon—other than those cornfields and blinds mentioned before. I feel 16's make good hunting partners, just like Robert Frost said, "...good fences make good neighbors...". Here are the specs which you probably know like the back of your hand:- Action Type: pump
- Caliber: 12, 16 (shown) & 20 gauge
- Barrel Length: 26 in. vent rib
- Choke: Rem Choke tubes; full, modified, improved cylinder
- Weight: 7 lbs. (unloaded)
- Capacity: 4+1 rounds
Box end label.
Plain brown cardboard box with logo.
All component secured in foam within the cardboard box.
Continue reading "Unboxing: Remington Wingmaster Shotgun" »
June 24, 2007
Hunter Dan Conspiracy: Where Is Upland Hunting Dan?
The News Hound reported that Hunter Dan is 10 years old this month. You know Hunter Dan the American Sportsman action figure. He’s about eight inches tall and has a big job--promoting hunting to our future hunters. Dan even has a friend in the same way Ken has Barbie, Dan has Ann. But have you ever wondered why Dan doesn’t come in a pheasant hunter or grouse hunter or even a quail hunter? And what about woodcock hunter? Hunter Dan does come in Duck Hunter, Goose Hunter, and Turkey Hunter. Me thinks there’s something rotten in the state of Dan-mark? The
Ruffed Grouse Society,
Quail Unlimited, and
Pheasants Forever should lobby the Creative Outdoor Products, Inc., which produces Hunter Dan, for an upland action figure. Perhaps to satisfy some purists, Dan could be attired in tweed breeks, brogues and cradling a hammer gun. If Upland Dan was fashioned after the lot of upland hunters I know, he would be shod in LL Bean boots, toting a Sear Roebuck Ted Williams Approved shotgun and wearing a blaze vest heavy with birds. Send an email to Hunter Dan sales@hunterdan.com and tell them Upland Feathers asked you to inquire about producing an upland hunter Dan.
May 17, 2007
Eau De Hoppe's: Scent of a Gunner Goes Green
You all know you’d rather dab or spritz No. 9 than No. 5. The scent is intoxicating. You’ve got the picture: Wind blown hair, heart beating staccato, flushed. The flush of birds, of course. Hoppe’s #9 is probably the one scent gunners most easily identify. That and maybe wet dog or Old Spice. It’s a gunner’s smell. Well move over Chanel No. 5, Calvin Klein Obsession, and other sweet smells in chic bottles. Hoppe’s has gone green. Hoppe’s Elite is ammonia-free, odorless, non-toxic, biodegradable and non-flammable. So now you can go in public without leaving a scent trail and when you’re in the checkout line and the cashier asks if that’s Hoppe’s #9 you can say no, 87 octane by Quickie Fuel.
March 24, 2007
Old School: Tate Hammer Shotguns
There are those among us who strive for tradition by walking in the footsteps of their fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers. The Parker bunch and L.C. Smith bunch are notable examples of shotgunners who look to yesterday for memories today. They are old school to say the least. If you have a taste for tradition but hate to think of taking a damascus-barreled O-frame in the field, you might want to take a look at Tate Gunmakers of Anglo American Sporting Agency. Anglo imports F.lliPoli (that would be Italian for really fine shotguns) bar-action hammer actions and barrels in the white. Dale Tate then crafts these hammer guns to a customer’s specifications. These guns look like they are from the late 19th-century yet they are constructed of the latest materials. Tate trained at Purdy in London (yes that London and that Purdy) prior to moving to the US and takes about 18 months to deliver your gun. Think quality not quantity. With prices starting at $9,000 you may want to start saving now or cash in that 401K. Great grand daddy would be proud.
March 14, 2007
New Ratings for Gun Tests
Gun Tests, the self-described consumer resource for shooters, has revamped its rating system, which was ambiguous at best. They went from a system that rated guns from “Best Buy,” “Our Pick,” “Conditional Buy” and “Don’t Buy” to a more universal system of “A” thru “F.” Anyone who ever received a school report card will understand the A thru F system. Hopefully this new rating structure will make it easier for readers to understand how Gun Tests rates guns. Anyone familiar with the publication knows they look at usability, fit and finish, accuracy, and price as their main criteria, but in the past I’ve scratched my head at why they gave guns different ratings. The common denominator they used was difficult to determine: Price? Accuracy? Functionality? I think now that the rating system is better defined the staff at Gun Tests will better be able to dial in what makes a gun worth owning.
January 28, 2007
Shot Show: New Hunting Shotguns
The crowds have gone back to their shops and the vendors are hoping for orders. This year's Shot Show in Orlando, FLA, has ended. The NSSF has left the building. But take stock (pun intended) on the latest and greatest shotguns for us upland hunters. When these guns will actually be on your dealer's shelf is anyone's guess. I'm still looking for a Ruger Gold Label. How about one of those Remington 105 CTi? Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. So without further adieu, here’s a look at some likely guns for grouse, quail, and pheasant.
Smith & Wesson is back in the shotgun game. You might recall they pitched a line of semis about 20 to 25 years ago. Well they are jumping back into the market with a new semi and side-by-side. Ruger and Marlin think the side-by-side is an idea that has come full circle again and they all are probably right. The S&W Elite Gold comes in 20-gauge in three popular stock configurations: straight, pistol grip, and Prince of Wales.
Keeping with the “gold” theme started by Ruger a few years back, Savage, like S&W, seem to think that the word 'gold' in the model name and double barreled guns go shell in chamber. Savage’s “Gold Wing” over-under shotguns come in all the prerequisite gauges—12, 20, 28 and .410—and are built on frames that are gauge specific, so the 20-gauge model hopefully won’t feel like and over weight 12-gauge.
The ersatz LC Smiths from Marlin are now being chambered in 28- and 410-gauge.
Ok, who has some experience with Benellis? The new Benelli Cordoba comes in 20-gauge. Tell us what you think about your Benelli and let’s see which of the Big B’s (Browning, Beretta and Benelli) are really worth the price of admission. Does a cryogenically treated barrel really put more pellets on target? The ComforTech stock takes some getting used to. It’s not easy on the eyes.
And Beretta fans now have an enhanced AL391 Urika. The new Urika 2 has an improved gas system that allows for more shooting between cleanings.
January 20, 2007
Really Good Hunting Pants
Now that winter is here and you're clicking through cable shows because hunting season is over, you might want to think about those pants you wore this season. A sweet gun, a good dog, and a really nice pair of pants. What more could you want for chasing grouse? I've been on a quest for really good pants since my LL Bean pair, bought years ago, suddenly started to shrink. My belt for that matter, too. A hunting partner of mine has been wearing the same pair for at least 20 years and the pant cuffs are so frayed I'm embarrassed for him. Not that any of us as fashionistas, but a good pair of pants that block briars, keeps you dry, holds stuff in your pockets...gosh is there anything better? I bought a pair of Filsons and I can say I'll be wearing these pants for as long as my middle does not decide to expand.