It’s the heart of hunting season in many parts of the country. Game hunters are heading out for their late fall deer hunts. For hunters making long treks in the back-country, reducing carry weight is a big deal. That’s why we’ve seen a trend among rifle-makers to introduce rifles that weigh significantly less. This is accomplished through use of carbon fiber stocks, carbon-wrapped or fluted barrels, and even titanium actions. The Weatherby rifles showcased here feature such lightweight components. For example, the Weatherby Mark V Backcountry 2.0 Ti (Titanium) model comes in at just 4.7 pounds before optics. That’s mighty light for a hunting rifle.

Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Ti with titanium action, fluted barrel, and carbon-fiber stock, 4.7 pounds.

Light-Weight, Carbon-Stock Backcountry 2.0 from Weatherby

Here is good news for backcountry hunters. Weatherby’s Backcountry 2.0 carbon-stocked hunting rifles weigh well under 6 pounds before optics. There is even one titanium action model series that weighs just 4.7 pounds. The 2.0 series now offers both standard steel receivers or even lighter titanium receivers. And Backcountry 2.0 Carbon models are equipped with a new carbon fiber stock that is the lightest in the industry — weight is a mere 20 ounces for standard actions. For further weight savings, some models feature a tensioned carbon fiber-wrapped barrel. But all that high-tech doesn’t come cheap — MSRP for the Titanium action, carbon-wrapped barrel model is $3849.00!

Ultralight Carbon Stock — Weatherby’s new Blacktooth stock features a Carbon Link™ bedding system which engages the recoil lug and distributes recoil throughout the stock without the weight of a traditional aluminum bedding block. This makes the overall stock lighter and stiffer.

The Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon combines a tensioned carbon fiber barrel with the ultra-lightweight Titanium Weatherby Mark V action. This barrel system has shown excellent accuracy, making it a good choice for a long-range hunter. Registering a very low 5.3 lb starting weight, the Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon combines a titanium action with the Peak 44 Blacktooth stock — which Weatherby claims is the “lightest production carbon fiber stock on the market.”

Along with the new ultra-light elements, these Weatherbys have premium Mark V features: 54-degree bolt lift for fast cycling, fluted bolts, TriggerTech triggers, and Cerakote finish on metal parts. All the Backcountry 2.0 series rifles have a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. CLICK HERE for Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Field Test by Peterson’s Hunting.

Light is Right — Weatherby’s Backcountry 2.0 rifles weigh as little as 4.7 pounds (before optics).

Weights for Backcountry 2.0 Models range with chamberings:

Backcountry 2.0 – 5.3 lbs (.308 Win) to 6.2 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $2499.00)
Backcountry 2.0 Ti – 4.7 lbs (.308 Win) to 5.6 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $3449.00)
Backcountry 2.0 Carbon – 5.8 lbs (6.5 Creedmoor) to 6.6 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $3299.00)
Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon – 5.3 lbs (6.5 Creedmoor) to 6.6 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $3849.00)

Weight Saving Secrets — How Weatherby Achieved Such Light Weights
GunsAmerica Digest reports: “A huge amount of the weight savings comes thanks to the updated carbon fiber Blacktooth stock by Peak 44. This stock uses what they call their Rock Solid Carbon Link bedding system which eliminates the need for a metallic bedding block. The Blacktooth stock weighs less than 20 ounces. The Backcountry 2.0 [series adds] both a carbon fiber stock and either fluted #1 MOD-profile or #2 MOD-profile carbon steel barrels or #4 MOD-profile BSF carbon fiber-tensioned barrel to achieve these light weights.” READ GunsAmerica Review.

To mitigate recoil Weatherby developed its new 3DHEX recoil pad — the gun industry’s first production 3D-printed pad. The 3DHEX’s three-dimensional honeycombed design extends the duration of the recoil pulse — taking away the sharp kick. Weatherby explains: “With the same amount of recoil spread out over a much greater time period, felt recoil is greatly reduced[.]” Backcountry 2.0 rifle recoil is also reduced by factory-fitted Accubrakes, contoured to match barrel profile.

Field Test of Titanium Action Weatherby Backcountry in 6.5-300 Whby Magnum
In this video, Hunter Todd Helms reviews Weatherby’s Backcountry T1 rifle in 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum. This rifle is meant for fast and light travel in the backcountry. A fluted barrel, titanium action, and carbon fiber stock minimize weight. Todd says the 3DHEX recoil pad really does tame the magnum kick. This model also features a new streamlined muzzle brake.

Preparations Before The Hunt

1. Map Your Hunt and Notify Others — Before your hunt, make a plan and notify friends and family members about WHERE you are going and your intended return date and time. Print out a Google Satellite map and locate landmarks and trailheads. Mark where you plan to park your vehicle and give a copy of this map to friend and/or family members. A hunter may injure himself by falling off a rock, or tumbling in a creek-bed. After that kind of injury the hunter may be confused or unable to walk. If you get stranded in the wilderness, you want trusted persons to know where you are. So, before you leave on a trip, provide a map to a friend or family member. Show them where you will leave your vehicle, and where you expect to be every day of your hunting adventure.

2. Licenses and Permits — Make sure you have a valid hunting licenses and all the necessary tags. Begin this process with ample time before your intended hunt(s). The NSSF adds: “If you are crossing state or national borders, find out about any special considerations you must take care of. Border crossings can mean knowing about firearm transport laws or Chronic Wasting Disease-related regulations.”

3. Work on Your Fitness — On a multi-day hunt you may be trekking many miles. You need to be in good shape. If you are out of shape you may be putting yourself in a precarious situation, particularly if you underestimate the terrain difficulty. As the NSSF says: “Not being able to handle the conditions lessens your chances of success, can turn a great experience into an agonizing one and can endanger your health.”

4. Do Your Homework — Study the area you will be hunting. Talk to other hunters. Look at satellite photos. Get a real sense of the walking and terrain challenges. For a multi-day hunt, MAKE a PLAN. The NSSF states: “Eliminate surprises. Learn as much about where you will be staying, the area you will be hunting, what the weather might be like and what you need to bring[.]”

5. Rifle and Ammo — Make sure your rifle is sighted-in and your ammo is tested. Sight-in your rifle with the ammo you plan to use on your hunt. CLICK HERE for 4-Shot Sight-in Method. After sighting-in from the bench, confirm your zero by shooting from typical hunting positions (kneeling and with forearm supported on a rock or post).

6. Communications and GPS — Bring a GPS if you are in a wilderness area far from civilization. It’s a good idea to bring a cell phone, but you may not have coverage if you’re quite a distance from populated areas. A smart-phone also doubles as a digital camera to record your trophies. For navigation and safety, consider getting Garmin inReach Explorer+. This high-tech handheld unit features interactive SOS, connecting you to the GEOS 24/7 search-and-rescue monitoring center. They also allow you to send and receive text messages, no matter where you are, via advanced inReach satellite technology. Yes you can communicate even if you are miles from the nearest cell tower.

Visit WhereToHunt.org

There’s a great online resource for hunters that will help you find game locations in your state and ensure you have all the proper permits and game tags. WheretoHunt.org features an interactive map of the country. For all 50 states, the NSSF has compiled information about hunting license and permits, where to hunt, hunter education classes, laws and regulations and more. For each state you’ll also find a link for required applications and license forms.

Click Map to Get State-by-State Hunting INFO

Deer hunting season is underway now across the country. If you plan a hunt in the days or weeks ahead, here are three important tips to follow if you want to successfully harvest a deer this fall. These tips come from an article by noted huntress Nikki Boxler for the Winchester Blog. CLICK HERE to read full article from Internet Archive.

Mistake #1: Not Sighting-In Your Gun with the Ammunition You Plan to Hunt With

You want to make sure you test the actual ammo you will use in your deer rifle. Make sure you are sighted-in properly with THAT ammo. Nikki says: “I always make it a point to shoot a few days before the season opens with the exact ammo and equipment that I will use while in the woods. Nothing gives me more confidence then knowing those last shots are hitting their target[.]”

Mistake #2: Rushing the SHOT — Focusing on Taking the Shot, Rather Than on MAKING the Shot

Being in the right place at the right time is essential to getting a shot on a deer. If you can’t MAKE the shot, being in the right place at the right time doesn’t matter. I have been guilty of this. A buck walks in and the conditions are perfect. He’s not far, but instead of taking my time I rush the entire shot and the results are not as I desired.

Mistake #3: Sticking to the Same Tactics Day in and Day Out

Throughout the course of the season, deer switch up their tactics. So, why wouldn’t we? When I was younger all of my hunting setups always looked the same — I’d have a ladder stand on the edge of a field. This was my comfort zone. I always stuck to it until recent years. I’ve now made it a point to step out of my comfort zone and explore new areas. This has definitely paid off with the percentage of deer I harvest.

READ Full Article by Nikki Boxler from Winchester.com »

Hunting season is coming soon in most areas of the country, so many of our readers will soon be trekking in the backcountry in pursuit of deer, elk and other game. As a way to celebrate the outdoors, here are some great rifle-centric outdoor photos courtesy of Nightforce Optics. Perhaps these “gunscapes” will encourage you to grab your rifle and head out to the range this Labor Day to sight-in your rifle and get ready for hunting season. These images can be an inspiration for a September shooting adventure.

These fine photographs remind us of the lure of the great outdoors for a rifleman. We hope that many of our readers will soon experience the grandeur of America’s mountains and wild backcountry. These images were part of a series of rifle photos posted on the Nightforce Facebook page. Can you identify the optics, and any of the locations?

Alpha Unknown image from Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge in Wyoming.

Hunters normally prefer relatively lightweight rifles. When trekking into the backcountry in pursuit of deer and elk, every pound counts. Along with the rifle, the hunter will be carrying a pack with binoculars, food, emergency gear, and tools for harvesting the meat. With all this extra mass to carry, today’s hunters want to keep their rifle’s weight to a minimum without sacrificing accuracy and durability. That was the design objective for Savage’s new Model 110 Ultralite Elite hunter — to “achieve lighter weights for higher altitude hunts and longer treks for big game.” At $3299.00 MSRP, the model 110 Ultralite Elite is the highest-priced Savage rifle on the market. But it offers impressive features and performance for that price.

This video shows key features of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite — good graphics, worth watching!

The modern 110 Ultralite Elite boasts a Proof Research carbon fiber-wrapped stainless barrel and advanced MDT HNT26 folding carbon fiber stock. With these components the 110 Ultralite Elite offers very impressive performance with a remarkably light weight. With its carbon components, and the shorter barrel option, the Savage 110 Ultralite Hunter weighs around 5.5 pounds without scope and rings — a good 3 to 4 pounds lighter than a typical wood-stocked hunting rifle. Seven chamberings are currently offered: 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 7mm PRC, 7mm BC, .308 Winchester, .300 WSM, and .300 Winchester Magnum. The internal magazine holds three rounds, and barrel lengths vary from 18″ to 22″. The shorter 18″ barrel is offered for 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm BC, and .308 Win.

Savage’s product page states: “Savage is taking innovation and accuracy to new heights at faster speeds with the 110 Ultralite Elite. With its exclusive Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped stainless steel barrel and MDT HNT26 folding carbon fiber stock, the 110 Ultralite Elite can achieve lighter weights for higher altitude hunts and longer treks for big game. Savage teamed up with PROOF Research to craft a barrel specific for a purpose driven firearm. At under 5.8 pounds, the 110 Ultralite is designed to combat elevation and elements while maintaining the performance of a factory blueprinted Savage 110 action.”

22 Plinkster Video with Steel Target Testing and Scope Camera

If you are potentially interested in purchasing a Savage 110 Ultralite Elite, you should definitely watch this review by popular YouTuber 22plinkster. He explains the features of the rifle, shows off the high-tech carbon components, and then bench-tests the rifle for accuracy on steel targets from 200 out to 1000 yards. The test rifle had a 20″ barrel chambered for the 6.5 PRC. The ammunition was 130gr Federal Terminal Ascent. Starting at 4:12 time-mark you can see 22Plinkster engaging the steel targets. The video provides a shooter’s POV via a TriggerCam Scope Camera.

HuntStand Quick Review of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite

Here is the HuntStand Channel video review from last year when the 110 Ultralite Elite was first released. The HuntStand’s Josh Dahlke was impressed with the rifle’s build quality and light weight. This has a five-minute dialog with a Savage representative. The video has some useful close-ups and it shows how the folding stock works. However, there is no field testing on targets.

TFB-TV Showtime Video Review of Savage 110 Ultralite Elite

This video was produced by The Firearm Blog (TFB-TV) last spring. TFB-TV states: “Savage Arms is typically associated with high quality but economically priced hunting rifles but at IWA 2024, they are unveiling a high end collaborative ultra-lightweight rifle with participation from Proof Research and MDT. The rifle will use an MDT chassis with carbon fiber elements and a folding stock, a Proof Research carbon fiber-wrapped barrel, and Savage’s excellent trigger. It’s hard to believe that Savage is getting on board with high end players like MDT and Proof, but it’s a welcome surprise, to be sure.”

Backfire Multi-Rifle Review Highlighting Savage 110 Ultralite Elite

In this video, the Backfire Channel host reviews a number of rifles. Starting at the 12:20 time-mark he spotlights the Savage 110 Ultralite Elite, calling it his “Dream Rifle”. He highlights the noteworthy features of the Ultralite Elite, and then shows how it can be mounted on a tripod using the integral ARCA rail.

Want to get more info on the Savage 110 Ultralite Elite? Here are three more web resources:

All4Shooters Savage 110 Review |Guns.com Savage 110 Review | GunsWeek Savage 110 Review

Here is an interesting item for hunters who want to keep their rifle as light as possible. MDT has introduced a new Titanium muzzle brake that weighs just 1.7 ounces. This ultralight MDT Hunt Brake can reduce recoil, so it’s a definite help for heavier calibers. And by reducing recoil up to 66% the follow-up shot speed is greatly improved. The new MDT Hunt brake has upward venting ports to reduce muzzle rise also (see video below at 1:05 time-mark).

On the negative side, the muzzle brake will increase noise heard by the hunter and can kick up dust if the shooter is firing from the ground. That can give away a hunter’s position, potentially spooking his prey.

Still, many hunters may want a modern brake, and this new $249.95 MDT Hunt Brake has some impressive design features. The baffles are designed to mitigate recoil and keep the shooter on target, and the self-timing lock makes installation easy. The MDT Hunt Brake is the third in MDT’s muzzle brake series which includes the steel Elite Brake ($129.95) and the innovative MDT Comp brake ($249.95), which has tunable upward gas vents and directs the blast away from the shooter.

Key Features of the MDT Titanium HUNT BRAKE:

Titanium Construction — Hunt Brake Weighs just 1.7 ounces
4 Baffle design to mitigate recoil and muzzle climb
The design also reduces backwards muzzle blast
Designed to match Sendero profile barrels
Self-timing nut for easy installation
Size specification options:
6.5/7mm/308 – 1/2-28
6.5/7mm/308 – 5/8-24
.338 – 5/8-24
MSRP $249.95

Hunting season is here. Around the country, game hunters are heading out for their fall deer hunts. For hunters making long treks in the back-country, reducing carry weight is a big deal. That’s why we’ve seen a trend among rifle-makers to introduce rifles that weigh significantly less. This is accomplished through use of carbon fiber stocks, carbon-wrapped or fluted barrels, and even titanium actions. Today’s showcased Weatherby rifles feature these lightweight components. As a result, the Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Ti (Titanium) model comes in at just 4.7 pounds before optics. That’s mighty light for a hunting rifle.

Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Ti with titanium action, fluted barrel, and carbon-fiber stock, 4.7 pounds.

Light-Weight, Carbon-Stock Backcountry 2.0 from Weatherby

Here is good news for backcountry hunters. Weatherby’s Backcountry 2.0 carbon-stocked hunting rifles weigh well under 6 pounds before optics. There is even one titanium action model series that weighs just 4.7 pounds. The 2.0 series now offers both standard steel receivers or even lighter titanium receivers. And Backcountry 2.0 Carbon models are equipped with a new carbon fiber stock that is the lightest in the industry — weight is a mere 20 ounces for standard actions. For further weight savings, some models feature a tensioned carbon fiber-wrapped barrel. But all that high-tech doesn’t come cheap — MSRP for the Titanium action, carbon-wrapped barrel model is $3849.00!

Ultralight Carbon Stock — Weatherby’s new Blacktooth stock features a Carbon Link™ bedding system which engages the recoil lug and distributes recoil throughout the stock without the weight of a traditional aluminum bedding block. This makes the overall stock lighter and stiffer.

The Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon combines a tensioned carbon fiber barrel with the ultra-lightweight Titanium Weatherby Mark V action. This barrel system has shown excellent accuracy, making it a good choice for a long-range hunter. Registering a very low 5.3 lb starting weight, the Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon combines a titanium action with the Peak 44 Blacktooth stock — which Weatherby claims is the “lightest production carbon fiber stock on the market.”

Along with the new ultra-light elements, these Weatherbys have premium Mark V features: 54-degree bolt lift for fast cycling, fluted bolts, TriggerTech triggers, and Cerakote finish on metal parts. All the Backcountry 2.0 series rifles have a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. CLICK HERE for Weatherby Backcountry 2.0 Field Test by Peterson’s Hunting.

Light is Right — Weatherby’s Backcountry 2.0 rifles weigh as little as 4.7 pounds (before optics).

Weights for Backcountry 2.0 Models range with chamberings:

Backcountry 2.0 – 5.3 lbs (.308 Win) to 6.2 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $2499.00)
Backcountry 2.0 Ti – 4.7 lbs (.308 Win) to 5.6 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $3449.00)
Backcountry 2.0 Carbon – 5.8 lbs (6.5 Creedmoor) to 6.6 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $3299.00)
Backcountry 2.0 Ti Carbon – 5.3 lbs (6.5 Creedmoor) to 6.6 lbs (.257 WBY MAG) (MSRP $3849.00)

Weight Saving Secrets — How Weatherby Achieved Such Light Weights
GunsAmerica Digest reports: “A huge amount of the weight savings comes thanks to the updated carbon fiber Blacktooth stock by Peak 44. This stock uses what they call their Rock Solid Carbon Link bedding system which eliminates the need for a metallic bedding block. The Blacktooth stock weighs less than 20 ounces. The Backcountry 2.0 [series adds] both a carbon fiber stock and either fluted #1 MOD-profile or #2 MOD-profile carbon steel barrels or #4 MOD-profile BSF carbon fiber-tensioned barrel to achieve these light weights.” READ GunsAmerica Review.

To mitigate recoil Weatherby developed its new 3DHEX recoil pad — the gun industry’s first production 3D-printed pad. The 3DHEX’s three-dimensional honeycombed design extends the duration of the recoil pulse — taking away the sharp kick. Weatherby explains: “With the same amount of recoil spread out over a much greater time period, felt recoil is greatly reduced[.]” Backcountry 2.0 rifle recoil is also reduced by factory-fitted Accubrakes, contoured to match barrel profile.

Field Test of Titanium Action Weatherby Backcountry in 6.5-300 Whby Magnum
In this video, Hunter Todd Helms reviews Weatherby’s Backcountry T1 rifle in 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum. This rifle is meant for fast and light travel in the backcountry. A fluted barrel, titanium action, and carbon fiber stock minimize weight. Todd says the 3DHEX recoil pad really does tame the magnum kick. This model also features a new streamlined muzzle brake.

Preparations Before The Hunt

1. Map Your Hunt and Notify Others — Before your hunt, make a plan and notify friends and family members about WHERE you are going and your intended return date and time. Print out a Google Satellite map and locate landmarks and trailheads. Mark where you plan to park your vehicle and give a copy of this map to friend and/or family members. A hunter may injure himself by falling off a rock, or tumbling in a creek-bed. After that kind of injury the hunter may be confused or unable to walk. If you get stranded in the wilderness, you want trusted persons to know where you are. So, before you leave on a trip, provide a map to a friend or family member. Show them where you will leave your vehicle, and where you expect to be every day of your hunting adventure.

2. Licenses and Permits — Make sure you have a valid hunting licenses and all the necessary tags. Begin this process with ample time before your intended hunt(s). The NSSF adds: “If you are crossing state or national borders, find out about any special considerations you must take care of. Border crossings can mean knowing about firearm transport laws or Chronic Wasting Disease-related regulations.”

3. Work on Your Fitness — On a multi-day hunt you may be trekking many miles. You need to be in good shape. If you are out of shape you may be putting yourself in a precarious situation, particularly if you underestimate the terrain difficulty. As the NSSF says: “Not being able to handle the conditions lessens your chances of success, can turn a great experience into an agonizing one and can endanger your health.”

4. Do Your Homework — Study the area you will be hunting. Talk to other hunters. Look at satellite photos. Get a real sense of the walking and terrain challenges. For a multi-day hunt, MAKE a PLAN. The NSSF states: “Eliminate surprises. Learn as much about where you will be staying, the area you will be hunting, what the weather might be like and what you need to bring[.]”

5. Rifle and Ammo — Make sure your rifle is sighted-in and your ammo is tested. Sight-in your rifle with the ammo you plan to use on your hunt. CLICK HERE for 4-Shot Sight-in Method. After sighting-in from the bench, confirm your zero by shooting from typical hunting positions (kneeling and with forearm supported on a rock or post).

6. Communications and GPS — Bring a GPS if you are in a wilderness area far from civilization. It’s a good idea to bring a cell phone, but you may not have coverage if you’re quite a distance from populated areas. A smart-phone also doubles as a digital camera to record your trophies. For navigation and safety, consider getting Garmin inReach Explorer+. This high-tech handheld unit features interactive SOS, connecting you to the GEOS 24/7 search-and-rescue monitoring center. They also allow you to send and receive text messages, no matter where you are, via advanced inReach satellite technology. Yes you can communicate even if you are miles from the nearest cell tower.

Visit WhereToHunt.org

There’s a great online resource for hunters that will help you find game locations in your state and ensure you have all the proper permits and game tags. WheretoHunt.org features an interactive map of the country. For all 50 states, the NSSF has compiled information about hunting license and permits, where to hunt, hunter education classes, laws and regulations and more. For each state you’ll also find a link for required applications and license forms.

Click Map to Get State-by-State Hunting INFO

Hunting season is underway around the country. If you need a good hunting rifle, consider a Tikka. The Tikka T3 and newer T3x rifles are very popular with hunters around the globe — for good reason. These rifles offer smooth-running actions, easy sub-MOA accuracy with good ammo, crisp triggers, and ultra-reliable detachable box magazines. The Tupperware stocks aren’t super-rigid, but they are comfortable and easy to handle. If you are looking for a hunting rifle, the Tikka T3 and T3X models are smart choices, offering good performance for the price (starting at $749.00 for the T3X Lite version). The T3 series is offered in a wide selection of chamberings, from .204 Ruger up to the large magnums.

Here are three good Tikka T3/T3x video reviews. The first, from the popular Backfire YouTube channel covers the features of the Tikka T3 series. The second video, from an experienced hunter in New Zealand, explains cover the T3’s controls and how to use the rifle most effectively during a hunt. Last but not least is a Hickok45 video examining the T3x’s controls and ergonomics. This video also demonstrates the T3x’s accuracy on steel targets.

VIDEO One — Why the Tikka T3x Is Great for Hunting

With 800,000+ subscribers, the Backfire Channel is one of the most popular gun channels on YouTube. You can trust what the Backfire reviewers say because they pay their own money for the products they review. This video reviews Tikka’s current generation T3s rifle. Backfire had high praise for Tikka T3x rifles: “The Tikka T3x SL is an incredibly lightweight mountain rifle that should be in every hunter’s safe. We like it for its lightweight build, stainless steel barrel, superb trigger, and surprisingly accurate shooting. Overall, this is the hunting rifle we recommend more frequently than any other.”

VIDEO Two — Tikka T3 Controls and Function

In this video, New Zealander Mitch of BushBrothersNZ reviews a T3 with polymer stock and stainless barrel chambered for the .270 Win. Mitch focuses on the T3’s controls and functions, with particular attention to the operation of trigger, safety, and bolt.

VIDEO Three — Hickok45 Tests Tikka T3X in 6.5 Creedmoor

Popular YouTube gun reviewer Hickok45 reviews the Tikka T3x Tactical Compact Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. There are good explanations of the operation of the action and magazine. In addition Hickok45 shoots the rifle offhand (05:10 and 13:44 time-marks), evaluating the ergonomics of the stock and the trigger feel. Hickok45 now has 7.38 million subscribers to his YouTube Channel.

Hunting season is right around the corner. That means its time to inspect all your hunting gear, including your scope set-up. If you have a new optic, you’ll want to get it mount it correctly, A proper scope installation involves more than just tensioning a set of rings — you need to consider the proper eye relief and head position, and it should be leveled correctly. This video shows a simple, quick method to mount a scope. The method assumes that the reticle (cross-hairs) are square without the turret. You’ll want to confirm that with a plumb line hanging straight down, a procedure you can do indoors.

In this NSSF video, Ryan Cleckner shows how to set up a scope on a hunting or tactical rifle. Ryan, a former U.S. Army Sniper Instructor, notes that many hunters spend a small fortune on equipment, but fail to set up their rifle to use the optics optimally. Cleckner likens this to someone who owns an expensive sports car, but never adjusts the seat or the mirrors.

Ryan notes that you want your head and neck to be able to rest naturally on the stock, without straining. You head should rest comfortably on the stock. If you have to consciously lift your head off the stock to see through the scope, then your set-up isn’t correct. Likewise, You shouldn’t have to push your head forward or pull it back to see a clear image through the scope. If you need to strain forward or pull back to get correct eye relief, then the scope’s fore/aft position in the rings needs to be altered. Watch the full video for more tips.

Tips on Mounting Your Scope and Adjusting Your Comb Height:
1. Normally, you want your scope mounted as low as possible, while allowing sufficient clearance for the front objective. (NOTE: Benchrest shooters may prefer a high mount for a variety of reasons.)

2. Once the scope height is set, you need to get your head to the correct level. This may require adding an accessory cheekpad, or raising the comb height if your rifle has an adjustable cheekpiece.

3. Start with the rifle in the position you use most often (standing, kneeling, or prone). If you shoot mostly prone, you need to get down on the ground. Close your eyes, and let you head rest naturally on the stock. Then open your eyes, and see if you are too low or too high. You may need to use a cheekpad to get your head higher on the stock.

4. If your scope has a flat on the bottom of the turret housing, this will help you level your scope. Just find a flat piece of metal that slides easily between the bottom of the scope and the rail. Slide that metal piece under the scope and then tilt it up so the flat on the bottom of the scope aligns parallel with the flats on the rail. Watch the video at 8:40 to see how this is done.

Deer hunting season is underway now across the country. If you plan a hunt in the days or weeks ahead, here are three important tips to follow if you want to successfully harvest a deer this fall. These tips come from an article by noted huntress Nikki Boxler for the Winchester Blog. CLICK HERE to read full article.

Mistake #1: Not Sighting-In Your Gun with the Ammunition You Plan to Hunt With

You want to make sure you test the actual ammo you will use in your deer rifle. Make sure you are sighted-in properly with THAT ammo. Nikki says: “I always make it a point to shoot a few days before the season opens with the exact ammo and equipment that I will use while in the woods. Nothing gives me more confidence then knowing those last shots are hitting their target[.]”

Mistake #2: Rushing the SHOT — Focusing on Taking the Shot, Rather Than on MAKING the Shot

Being in the right place at the right time is essential to getting a shot on a deer. If you can’t MAKE the shot, being in the right place at the right time doesn’t matter. I have been guilty of this. A buck walks in and the conditions are perfect. He’s not far, but instead of taking my time I rush the entire shot and the results are not as I desired.

Mistake #3: Sticking to the Same Tactics Day in and Day Out

Throughout the course of the season, deer switch up their tactics. So, why wouldn’t we? When I was younger all of my hunting setups always looked the same — I’d have a ladder stand on the edge of a field. This was my comfort zone. I always stuck to it until recent years. I’ve now made it a point to step out of my comfort zone and explore new areas. This has definitely paid off with the percentage of deer I harvest.

READ Full Article by Nikki Boxler on Winchester.com »

If you are looking for a good, durable hunting rifle with an excellent trigger, consider the Howa 1500 rifle series. These boast a 1-MOA, three-round accuracy guarantee. Howa 1500 rifles come in a variety of action sizes and stock configurations. And now there are models with quality stainless barreled actions. The prices are quite affordable with MSRPs from $639.00 to $1,179.00.

Multiple stock options are offered with these new stainless models: Hogue Overmolded, HS Precision, Walnut Super Deluxe, and Walnut Hunter (see above). For the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Win calibers there is also a Hera H7 option. We think this rifle is a very good choice for a large game rifle in a magnum chambering such as 7mm PRC. For large game hunting work, we would consider a 7mm magnum with the HS Precision stock. If you want something more compact, a short action .308 Win would work.

Howa importer Legacy Sports Int’l will soon have these HOWA 1500 stainless models in inventory. HOWA fans can get these stainless rifles with three action sizes and a wide selection of chamberings and calibers:

Mini Action (16.5″ to 22″ barrels): .223 Rem, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62×39, 350 Legend
Short Action (22″ barrel): 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester
Long Action (24″ barrel): 6.5 PRC, 7mm Mag, 7mm PRC, .300 Win Mag

HOWA 1500 Stainless Rifle Features:

NOTE: There are some older model Howa 1500s that have stainless steel barrels but a non-stainless steel gray-finish action (see below). The newer model rifles with thread-protector caps on the barrel muzzles (see top photo) have stainless barrels AND stainless steel actions.