reviews

A Beginner's Guide to Blackpowder

fieldandstream-editor — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 05:00:00 -0400

Gear Test: New GPS Systems for Bass Fishing

fieldandstream-editor — Tue, 30 May 2006 16:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered if you're fishing in the wrong spot? Then you know why GPS maps are such hot items with today's pros. These electronic marvels use detailed contour lake maps to tell you exactly where you are in relation to the structure you're fishing-and even to the fish you're after.

Many GPS maps also function as LCG depthfinders. Using both, you can pinpoint biting fish or productive structure, mark that location as a waypoint, and come back to it anytime. Here's what to look for:

DISPLAY: Color is far superior to black-and-white because it clearly differentiates land, water, contour lines, and other features. Get color, even if it means buying a smaller unit.

SIZE: This is the single most influential factor in price. Though significantly more expensive, a bigger display is better because it's easier to read. Go as big as you can afford to.

RESOLUTION: Most makers list the number of vertical and horizontal pixels. But the true measure of sharpness is pixels per square inch. Good resolution is most critical on small units.

MAPS: Some models have built-in contour lake maps, but most need plug-in map cards or downloadable maps, sold separately. All of the units here will help you catch more fish.

TIP: Click on an image below to enlarge it

Navman Tracker 5380
(800-628-4487; navman.com)
DISPLAY SIZE: 3.8 inches
PIXELS: 320V x 240H (about 10,500 per square inch)
BUILT-IN DEPTHFINDER: No
COMPATIBLE MAP SOURCE: C-Map
PRICE: $400
COMMENTS: This full-featured unit needs little space and has a great price for color. The display is small but very sharp and functional. It's a good, affordable choice if you already have a depthfinder.

Humminbird 595C
(800-633-1468; humminbird.com)
DISPLAY SIZE: 5 inches
PIXELS: 320V x 240H (about 6,100 per square inch) BUILT-IN DEPTHFINDER: Yes
COMPATIBLE MAP SOURCE: Navionics
PRICE: $550
COMMENTS: This compact, combination GPS map and LCG depthfinder has a unique quick-mounting system that'll save you fishing time. The transducer comes with a temperature probe.

Eagle FishElite 642c IGPS
(800-324-1354; www.eaglegps.com)
DISPLAY SIZE: 5 inches
PIXELS: 640V x 480H (about 25,000 per square inch)
BUILT-IN DEPTHFINDER: Yes
COMPATIBLE MAP SOURCES: Lowrance FreedomMap, Fishing Hot Spots Elite, LakeMaster Pro Maps, NauticPat USA, Navionics
PRICE: $600
COMMENTS: Six color modes let you adapt to light conditions. A surface temperature gauge is included.

Raymarine RC435i GPS Chartplotter
(800-539-5539; raymarine.com)
DISPLAY SIZE: 6 inches
PIXELS: 320V x 240H (about 4,250 per square inch)
BUILT-IN DEPTHFINDER: No
COMPATIBLE MAP SOURCE: Navionics
PRICE: $1,055
COMMENTS: "Point and shoot" navigation lets you click on any waypoinnt, and the unit will direct you to it. A SmartRoute feature automatically builds routes and waypoints from previous tracks.

Lowrance LCX-26C HD
(800-324-1356; lowrance.com)
DISPLAY SIZE: 7 inches
PIXELS: 480V x 640H (about 15,000 per square inch)
BUILT-IN DEPTHFINDER: Yes
COMPATIBLE MAP SOURCE: Lowrance FreedomMap, Fishing Hot Spots Elite, LakeMaster Pro Maps, NauticPat USA, Navionics
PRICE: $1,650
COMMENTS: The 20GB hard drive is loaded with charts of U.S. coastal areas and over 2,100 inland waters.

Garmin GPSMAP 3210
(800-800-1020; garmin.com)
DISPLAY SIZE: 10.4 inches
PIXELS: 640V x 480H (about 5,900 per square inch)
BUILT-IN DEPTHFINDER: No
COMPATIBLE MAP SOURCE: Garmin Inland Lakes
PRICE: $2,667
COMMENTS: The large color display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight. The unit has extremely fast redraw and response rates and is available with numerous optional features.

Slug Slingers

fieldandstream-editor — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 11:10:00 -0400

As whitetails colonize our habitat and we colonize theirs, the gun season in more and more areas has become limited to shotguns only. This is no longer a great handicap, though, as the performance of modern slug guns keeps getting better and better. Pair a rifled shotgun with premium sabot or attached-wad slugs and you can cleanly take deer at 125 yards or more. Moreover, some of the latest slug-gun designs-with recoil-reducing stocks, better triggers, and a customlike fit-make for less painful, more accurate shooting. Here's what to look for in a great shotgun for deer:

Action: Go with a pump or autoloader, both of which offer fast follow-up shots if needed. Pumps are reliable even in the coldest weather, and gas-operated autos reduce recoil, which can be ferocious when you're shooting slugs.

Gauge: The 12-gauge remains the standard, although some of the newest sabot-bulleted 20-gauge slugs are very accurate and kick less out of smaller, faster-handling guns. Any 12 or 20 that will handle 23/4-inch slugs is fine for almost any whitetail hunting situation. Three- and 31/2-inch slugs shoot only slightly flatter than 23/4-inch versions but deliver a boatload more recoil.

Barrel Length: Keep it fairly short. A 21- to 24-inch barrel will handle well even if you're tucked into the brush or hiding in a tree.

Sights and Mounts: Cantilever barrel mounts let you attach a scope to the barrel, which allows you to remove your scope and barrel as a unit without worrying about ruining your zero. Most models with drilled and tapped receivers also have iron sights on the barrels, giving you the choice of attaching a scope or using the open sights, which are perfectly adequate for areas where shots will be close.

Trigger: With some notable exceptions, most shotguns have heavy, gritty triggers. Dry-fire the gun to see if you can live with the trigger pull. Keep in mind, however, that a bad trigger needn't be a deal breaker, as a gunsmith can smooth and lighten the pull of most guns.

Extras: Every slug gun should have swivels for a sling, which will leave your hands free to drag home your deer. A synthetic stock is a good choice for a gun that'll get hard use. Some models come with shim kits that let you tailor the gun's fit to your own dimensions; others feature recoil-reducing stocks. All the excellent slug guns at left have rifled barrels and come ready for optics.

Reviews:

Winchester 1300 Black Shadow Deer (800-333-3288; winchesterguns.com)
Action: Pump Â¿Â¿Â¿ Gauge: 3-inch 12 and 20 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Barrel Length: 22 inches Â¿Â¿Â¿ Sights/Mounts: Drilled and tapped receiver and iron sights Â¿Â¿Â¿ Price: $376 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Comments: The 1300 shucks extremely fast, thanks to a rotary bolt. It's a great value: an accurate, no-frills, lightweight gun.

Mossberg 535 Slugster (203-230-5300; mossberg.com)
Action: Pump Â¿Â¿Â¿ Gauge: 31/2-inch 12 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Barrel Length: 24 inches Â¿Â¿Â¿ Sights/Mounts: Drilled and tapped receiver and iron sights Â¿Â¿Â¿ Price: $389 for camo; $322 for black Â¿Â¿Â¿ Comments: Mossberg's new 535 is a budget-priced pump with a slimmer, lighter barrel than the 835. The top safety is great for left-handers.

Remington Sportsman 11-87 (800-243-9700; remington.com)
Action: Gas autoloader Â¿Â¿Â¿ Gauge: 3-inch 12 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Barrel Length: 21 inches Â¿Â¿Â¿ Sights/Mounts: Cantilever mount Â¿Â¿Â¿ Price: $705 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Comments: This new lower-priced version of the soft-shooting 11-87 has a black synthetic stock and matte metal finish. The Monte Carlo stock puts your eye in line with a mounted scope.

Benellli M2 (301-283-6981; benelliusa.com)
Action: Inertia autoloader Â¿Â¿Â¿ Gauge: 3-inch 12 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Barrel Length: 24 inches Â¿Â¿Â¿ Sights/Mounts: Drilled and tapped receiver and iron sights Â¿Â¿Â¿ Price: $1,320 for camo; $1,200 for black Â¿Â¿Â¿ Comments: The M2 has all the famous Benelli reliability and features the new ComforTech recoil-reducing stock with an optional high-comb insert for a proper fit with optics.

Browning Gold Rifled Deer Hunter (800-333-3288; browning.com)
Action: Gas autoloader Â¿Â¿Â¿ Gauge: 3-inch 12 and 20 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Barrel Length: 22 inches Â¿Â¿Â¿ Sights/Mounts: Cantilever mount Â¿Â¿Â¿ Price: $1,131 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Comments: Browning's Gold is one of the softer-shooting gas autos and a perfect match for high-velocity, hard-recoiling sabot slugs, especially in 20 gauge. Overall, it's a reliable, good-looking slug gun.

Beretta Xtrema2 (800-237-3882; berettausa.com)
Action: Gas autoloader Â¿Â¿Â¿ Gauge: 31/2-inch 12 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Barrel Length: 24 inches Â¿Â¿Â¿ Sights/Mounts: Cantilever mount Â¿Â¿Â¿ Price: $1,595 Â¿Â¿Â¿ Comments: The new Xtrema2 has a redesigned, crisp, clean trigger and a synthetic stock with easy-to-grip rubber inserts in place of checkering. Beretta's Kick-Off recoil-reducing hydraulic stock is available as an option.