Field and Stream - Shooting RSS

Hunting Gear of the Year: 2010 Best of the Best

Joe_Cermele — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:19:13 -0400

We spent the better part of the year finding the goods that will make your time in the field more successful and more fun. First up is a buyer’s guide to nine categories that sportsmen obsess over: shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders, binoculars, riflescopes, ATVs, bows, ammo, and knives. We’ve picked winners in each, plus highlighted some contenders that didn’t come out on top but still excelled in our tests - The Editors

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Burris Eliminator LaserScope 4–12x42mm

Joe_Cermele — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:10:06 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner; Rangefinder): Laser rangefinders seem more essential to big-game hunting by the day, and the advantages of having one built into your riflescope are obvious: You don’t have to take your sights off the game, and you can maintain a steady hold while ranging. Weighing not much more (27.7 ounces) than many large scopes, the Eliminator can be used as a straight rangefinder, or calibrated to compensate for the drop of nearly 600 rounds listed in its ballistics table, and fine-tuned beyond that. - Thomas McIntyre

Aimpoint Hunter Series H34L 1x47mm

Joe_Cermele — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:07:47 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner; Red Dot Sight): The 9.1-ounce sight is a good choice on long-action rifles for thick cover or dangerous game. It worked excellently at 30 yards on my .375 with the 2-MOA LED dot at its brightest, and was remarkably accurate with a dim dot at 100 yards. - Thomas McIntyre

Weaver Deluxe Gunsmith Tool Kit

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:57:39 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner): I don’t intend to take up gunsmithing to earn extra money on the side, but I sure appreciate having the exact tool for the task at hand—be it mounting a scope, punching out pins in order to replace a trigger, or separating stock from receiver. Weaver’s Deluxe Gunsmith Tool Kit gathers together what I need to do all of this, including an incredible array of bits and punches, as well as a driver, hammer, and bench block. - Slaton L. White

Timney Trigger Fix

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:40:29 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner): Timney knew that some Remington 870 owners wanted a cleaner, lighter trigger pull for more accurate shots. They also wanted a “fix” that didn’t require a gunsmith. So we now have the Trigger Fix, a do-it-yourself kit (springs and sear) that lets 870 users customize their trigger pull. If you can handle a screwdriver, you can install it. - Slaton L. White

Ruger New Model Blackhawk .327 Federal Magnum

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:35:33 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner; Pistol): The 51⁄2-inch single-action New Model Blackhawk is the right revolver for getting maximum performance out of the .327 Federal Magnum caliber. In testing, the eight-shot Blackhawk proved to be accurate and solidly made, with a smooth action and trigger. Recoil was easy to handle, and the 100-grain bullet produced excellent penetration on aspen logs. Think of this 11-inch handgun as a .357 Junior. - Thomas McIntyre

Leatherman MUT

Joe_Cermele — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:24:37 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): The MUT (Military Utility Tool) is dedicated to the care of the M16, M4, AR-15, and their cousins. It has 17 tools that can do anything to a black rifle but change the barrel - David E. Petzal

CCI .22 LR Short Range Green

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:38:00 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): Designed for plinking, not hunting, the SRG uses a 21-grain polymer-copper particle bullet that travels at an enthusiastic 1650 fps. Officially, its effective range is 50 yards, but I think it does better at 25. Accuracy is excellent, and in my rifle, the point of impact was so close to that of high-velocity lead-bullet long-rifle ammo that no rezeroing was necessary. - David E. Petzal

Quigley-Ford Long Range Scope 4–16x50mm

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:21:30 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): Canadian Randy Ford is producing scopes matched to specific calibers and factory bullets and velocities. The sample we tested was marked .264 cal./3030 fps/140 gr. which corresponds to the Winchester Super X load. Ford claims that when zeroed in at 250 yards, the hash marks on the reticle will provide the correct hold, in 50-yard increments, out to 750 yards - Thomas McIntyre

Vortex Viper PST 4–16x50mm FFP

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:19:29 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): This is a major scope for long-range shooting. The 10-level illuminated reticle sits in the first focal plane, so when magnification is increased, the reticle enlarges too, making drop compensation with the MOA hash marks easier. The argon-purged Viper PST beat all the other scopes tested for picking up faraway critters in low light. Its turrets are easily adjustable. - Thomas McIntyre

Konus KonusPro Plus 3–12x50mm A.O.

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:14:52 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): For a 3–12x50mm, the KonusPro-Plus is a good length and weight to keep down the bulk of a varmint rifle. A one-piece, 1-inch tube, it has large and visible white-on-black numbers on the ocular power ring and on the objective for adjusting parallax. The adjustments carry wide knurls and feel positive in the hand. The engraved 30/30 reticle, which “floats” inside heavy posts, is illuminated in red or blue. - Thomas McIntyre

Redfield Revolution 2–7x33mm

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:12:37 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): Leupold has brought back Redfield riflescopes in the Revolution line, starting with the 2–7x33mm. The testers liked the design, clarity, reticle, and price. Windage and elevation adjustments were as listed at 1⁄4 MOA per click, and the scope passed the waterproof and fogproof tests. The Accu-Range reticle can compensate for bullet drop out to 600 yards. - Thomas McIntyre

Weaver Super Slam 1–5x24mm

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:09:57 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): Built for dangerous game, the Super Slam is suitable for spotting and stalking with the highest magnification; at 1X, it’s ready for any point-blank encounters. A strong, stiffly made scope, it will stand up to heavy recoil. Available only with a duplex reticle, it would benefit from a heavier, faster-pointing crosshair. - Thomas McIntyre

Nikon Monarch M-223 2–8x32mm

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:03:00 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner): Nikon has matched its new M-223 scope to the .223 Remington/5.56 NATO round, specifically to 55-grain polymer-tipped loads with the standard factory muzzle velocity of 3240 fps. It’s a marriage made, if not in heaven, at least in the hearts of black-gun shooters and varmint hunters. The testers liked the M-223’s excellent image, size, turret adjustments, and construction. A 3–12x42mm is also available, but the compact 2–8x32 we shot is a particularly attractive configuration.

Pendleton King Series Safe

Joe_Cermele — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:50:15 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner): Gone are the days of having to pull out half your long guns to reach one in the back of your vault. Just push a button and the inside revolves until the gun you want is in front of you. This 1,250-pound safe holds up to 40 rifles and 54 handguns, so unless you’re a serious collector, you can use it to stash other valuables. The all-steel interior has 400 LED lights and a dehumidifier. - Jay Cassell

Brunton Restore Power Unit and Charger

Joe_Cermele — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:35:18 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner): Because our lives off the grid do overlap with our lives on, the solar-powered Restore brings the two together. Regardless of how you feel about taking a cellphone into the field, being able to power up using the sun can be a matter of convenience, if not survival. The portable power storage unit can charge small electronics, from GPS units to digital cameras, and comes with a mini USB adapter that accommodates many types of cellphones.

Thompson/Center Impact

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:54:59 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): Here is T/C’s entry into the beginners’ market. The Impact gets the same barrel as premium T/C muzzleloaders, and it has an industry-first hood that slides over the rear of the breech. Sliding the hood back opens the break action. When the action is closed, the breech is protected from the elements by the hood. At the range, it shot well; groups averaged 21⁄2 inches. Cleaning required a bit more effort than it does with guns that have hand-removable plugs.

CVA Accura V2

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:50:30 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): The V2 has a Spanish-made Bergara barrel that really enhances accuracy, with all four members of the test team shooting consistent groupings of less than 2 inches. It resembles the original Accura but offers more convenience with a quick-release breech plug for easy cleaning. With a SoftTouch coating and rubber grip panels, the V2 comes with a Quake Claw sling, a CrushZone rubber recoil pad, and a reamed muzzle that allows it to be loaded without the need of a starter.

Traditions Vortek Ultra Light

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:44:07 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner): All four members of the test team were crazy about the Vortek Ultra Light. It shot lights-out off the bench, offhand, and from shooting sticks, with the best groups achieving sub-1-inch MOA accuracy. A tapered, fluted, ported barrel helps make the gun a pleasure to carry at 61⁄4 pounds. Hunters will like the trigger, with a crisp 3 pounds of pull. There’s a CeraKote finish on the barrel and receiver for corrosion protection. The rifle features 209 primer ignition and a removable breech plug. - Brad Fenson

Thompson/Center Venture Predator

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:18:18 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): *Tested in .22/250. The coyotes should be honored to have such a nice little rifle devoted to them. It’s T/C’s excellent bolt action, and it comes in Realtree camo, equipped with a Hogue stock and a light 22-inch barrel. On my test gun the trigger broke at 31⁄2 pounds, which is the minimum, but it was creepy, and the detachable three-round magazine requires an effort to get the third round in. Aside from that, the gun is a shooter.

Thompson/Center Hotshot Youth

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:06:54 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): *Tested in .22 LR. A tiny version of the T/C Encore Pro Hunter (30 inches overall, 3 pounds), this is a dedicated single-shot kids’ rifle. There’s no safety to go wrong with; the hammer functions as the safety, and unless it’s fully cocked and released by the trigger, it doesn’t go anywhere. Sights are a large rear peep and a blade front, and the barrel is drilled and tapped for a scope. I shot the Hotshot with a variety of Long Rifle ammo, and it’s quite accurate.

Savage Model 111 Long Range Hunter

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:02:59 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): *Tested in 6.5/284 Norma. This rifle is not especially pretty (Savage doesn’t do pretty), but it’s the most accurate factory rifle in a big-game caliber that I’ve ever shot. For $934, you get a gun that consistently shot between .600 and .800, and sometimes went much smaller than that. The 111 LRH has an effective muzzle brake, an extremely well-set-up AccuTrigger, an adjustable comb, and an AccuStock with a good recoil pad.

Nosler Model 48 Trophy Grade

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:51:20 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Winner): *Tested in .300 WSM. Several years ago, Nosler caused shooters everywhere to drool with the introduction of its Model 48 Custom Sporter, a superb hunting rifle with a $3,200 price tag. The Model 48 Trophy is a modified Custom Sporter that costs much less. The Custom’s handmade Kevlar stock has been replaced by a Bell and Carlson composite stock; the elegant bottom metal, by a blind magazine; the Timney trigger, by a Rifle Basix trigger.

Thompson/Center Encore Pro Hunter Turkey

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:36:06 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): This break-action single-shot is compact for the turkey hunter looking for portability. The trigger broke at a crisp 4 pounds 10 ounces, making it easy to put turkey patterns on target with the fiber-optic sights. Recoil is fierce in any 6-pound 12-gauge shooting heavy loads, but the FlexTech stock helps absorb the pounding. - Phil Bourjaily

Remington 11-87 Sportsman Field

Joe_Cermele — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:32:47 -0400

2010 Best of the Best (Runner Up): A checkered, satin-finished walnut stock, matte metal, and a gold trigger dress up a gun that has only been available in black synthetic for the past few years. Underneath the facelift, the 11-87 is still the softest-kicking gas gun ever. At a nose-heavy 8 pounds, it’s perfect for waterfowling and league target shooting. It comes in 3-inch 12 and 20 gauge. - Phil Bourjaily