American Pioneer - Vol 1, Summer 2018

Summer Issue
Volume 1, 2018
FROM HUNT
AMERRVICIVAANL
SU UIDE
AMERICAN PIONEER MAGAZINE
G
PRESENTS
TO FEAST
HUNT IT, KILL IT, COOK IT
DE
THE ULTIMATE GUI
→ GUN
SUMMER 2018 VOLUME 1
→ BOW
→ ROD From The Editors Of American Survival Guide
→ GEAR U.S. $8.99 DISPLAY UNTIL 09/18/18
→ FOOD 32
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ENGAGED MEDIA INC.
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Summer Issue
Volume 1, 2018
table of
contents
10 The Reason
It’s not always size that matters most
26 Gaining Momentum
Franchi brings its first-ever bolt-
action hunting rifle to America in a
lightweight, affordable package
36 Make It Back
Let Mother Nature guide you
back to base
46 Take A Shot
Sig Sauer’s new Whiskey
5.3-15x52 riflescope
52 The .358 Taylor

Precision punch at all practical
ranges
62 A Great Catch
Riches are not always of
monetary value
72 Rifle Buyer’s Guide

Round up of 2018 releases
84 Dominate The Hunt

The Fiddleback Bush Hermit proves
its versatility
90 Best Grilling Tips

The tools and knowhow needed to
turn out great-tasting grilled meats
departments
8 Editor’s Letter
20 Great Gear
Got time to kill? Look up these editor’s
picks for superb, useful products for
the outdoors.
22 dressed
Select clothing for the season ahead
70 bait
Top necessities for serious trout bums
96 Brew
The Beer Hunter: Summer Suds
AP-1832-TOC.indd 5 6/21/18 4:01 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
10
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL,
JASON MULRONEY/ EDITOR
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CONTRIBUTORS IRVINE, CA 92614.
MICHAEL D'ANGONA, MIKE DICKERSON, KEVIN ESTELA, © 2018 BY ENGAGED MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OF ANY MATERIAL
BRAD FITZPATRICK, RANDY HYNES, STEVEN K. LEDIN,
FROM THIS ISSUE IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS STRICTLY
DARRON MCDOUGAL, J. MILLER, CHUCK TAYLOR, PROHIBITED.
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AMERICAN PIONEER
8
If you’re
ic an Pioneer.
issue of Am er hands on a
om e to the second ce th at you got your e-
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od ch an at engagedm
ad in g th is t, th ey ’r e available I be gin
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te st version of we re ceived le
th e la e feed ba ck is invaluab
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co ceived
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first issue ce ful. best conten
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We look
Enjoy.
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AMERICAN PIONEER
11
THE
REASON
It Is Not Always Size That Matters Most
By Randy Hynes
I
n a day where megalomania attempts to make its way into short and swift. Before he ever caught a glimpse of what made the
every aspect of life, a hunter can be tempted to see his or noise, instinct told him what was coming down the trail. Ever so
her ‘trophies’ in a false light and forget the reason they slowly the young hunter positioned himself, waiting for the deer
started hunting in the first place. to walk within shooting range.
While the sun erased a heavy morning frost, a mink scam- After settling the sight pin behind the crease of the deer’s front
pered along the edge of the creek looking for breakfast, in the shoulder, the bow released a lethal mix of carbon arrow and ki-
distance a hawk screeched, and within arm’s reach a black-capped netic energy. Within seconds the event was over. The forest floor
chickadee tilted its head and looked in our direction, as if bewil- stained with a crimson trail, which would lead him to the quarry.
dered by our presence. As nature awoke it became apparent there Deliberately the young archer turned to face his father. A
were other hunters in the vicinity—not many of them were being large smile spread across his face and excitement radiated from
quiet and sitting still. his countenance. He reached out a trembling hand, his father
Squirrels scurried through the leaves, birds repeated their cho- grasped it tightly. They celebrated in silence. The young hunter
rus, leaves fluttered and trees swayed to the tune of the spring-fed had joined an ancient order—a perfectly placed arrow secured
creek that flowed just a few feet away from where we sat. There his initiation.
was something tranquil about this ensemble, something not I watched as he followed the blood trail and knelt beside the
found in the city’s maze of concrete and asphalt. animal. He was quiet, respectful and thankful for the opportuni-
The simplicity of the sounds took us away from the pressures ty. He seemed excited to have made a clean kill, but there was a
of everyday life. They were a sedative immersing us in a primitive side of him that realized this was not a parody or trivial perfor-
and pristine world. Every blade of grass, sunbeam and gust of mance. Hunting was an honor granted to us by our Creator and
wind allowed us to experience a place unspoiled by the preten- respect was just as much a part of the experience.
tious. The young buck sported a strange set of antlers, one antler was
Though surrounded by commotion, there was only one sound U-shaped and the other, nothing more than a large nub. Reveling
we were tuned in to—the peculiar, unmistakable footfalls of a in the moment, it never entered the boy’s mind this deer would
whitetail deer. It was a subtle cadence, but one that contained not find a place in the record books or be the next sensation
something mysterious, so powerful it caused the young man’s within certain circles on social media.
body to tense, his hands to shake, and his breathing to become He had worked hard, faced disappointments, and endured
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AMERICAN PIONEER
12
"Hunting was an honor

granted to us by our Creator
and respect was just as much a
part of the experience."
discomforts. The end result was the satisfaction, sadness and

pride that came with taking an animal’s life. He wasn’t hunting so
others would talk about how big or small the antlers were, he was
here to enjoy the beauty and process of the hunt. Here in these
woods, he’d found belonging. It was a place where, from the smell
of dead leaves to the chill of morning air, nothing was artificial.
The act wasn’t theatrical, it was sacred. And this moment meant
the world to my son.
As was instilled in me, I’ve tried to teach my kids to view
hunting as a privilege. It’s not to be treated as a video game or a
Hollywood production. As hunters, we respect life, and at the
AP-1832-THEORY.indd 12 6/20/18 5:42 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
13
same time, understand all life is sustained by death. Hunting is fortunately not all hunters agree.
the taking of a life. But in a world full of make believe, the reali- With remorse I’ve seen hunters forget the reason they started
ties of life and death are not easily passed on. hunting in the first place. They no longer see the flower, or smell
Ruark said it best: the breeze; the experience as a whole has been traded for their
” . . . If you properly respect what you are after, and shoot it own aggrandizement. They care less about “recapturing the day,”
cleanly and on the animal’s terrain, if you imprison in your mind and care more about accolades from other hunters or gaining a
all the wonder of the day from sky to smell to breeze to flow- “sponsor” or two.
ers—then you have not merely killed an animal. You have lent I’ve also witnessed the extreme situation where a youth or
immortality to a beast you have killed because you loved him and “non-professional” hunter kills an animal that does not reach a
wanted him forever so that you could recapture the day.” certain standard or score, and the narcissistic hunter then ridi-
That single quote should define the essence of hunting—un- cules them for their ‘small’ trophy.
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AMERICAN PIONEER
14
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AMERICAN PIONEER
15
"Hunting is the summation of indescribable

moments etched upon the heart and mind.
These are what a hunter should cherish
and pursue."
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AMERICAN PIONEER
16
"Only one person should set the standard

for what we kill—the person doing the
killing."
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AMERICAN PIONEER
17
A few years ago a young man posted a picture of his bow kill
(and biggest buck to date) in a popular Facebook group catering
to archers and bowhunters. The few words above his photo spoke
volumes, “Oh, ya got a big buck. No bashing please, I’m 14.”
This young man isn’t your typical 14-year-old boy—he’s a
hunter. Anthony told me personally, “My life is hunting when
I’m not in school. I have hunted everything in my home state of
Pennsylvania, except elk.”
In a little over three years, Anthony had taken three
deer—two bucks and a doe—with his bow. Outside of a
few trout fishing excursions in the spring, Anthony was a
bowhunter at heart. He’s proud to be part of a group of indi-
viduals who live for the next close encounter with some of
nature’s most elusive creatures.
Obviously, he was not a young man who deserved to be
‘bashed.’ Sadly, at only 14, Anthony had become well aware of
the criteria set by keyboard cowards whose sole mission it is to
bash anyone who kills a deer that falls under their minimum
set of standards. No 14-year-old should ever have to type, “No
bashing please…” to a group of fellow hunters.
Only one person should set the standard for what we kill—
AP-1832-THEORY.indd 17 6/20/18 5:42 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
18
"..our attitude toward

those walking in our
footsteps can do just
as much damage as those
who are against hunting
altogether."
the person doing the killing. To shoot or not to shoot should properly define an experience. The quest for an elk, moose or
only be determined by the one (young or old) holding the bow whitetail cannot be defined by a calculation.
or gun. And only the one whose adrenaline is flowing gets to The memories, experiences and adventures we assemble
dictate if the antlers are ‘big enough.’ from hunting are immeasurable. The moments we share while
Anthony’s words made me wonder if we’ve placed more val- in hunting camp or in a treestand border on the infinite. My
ue on antler size than the sparkle in a young hunter’s eye or the 99-year-old grandfather still gets a smile on his face when he
experience as a whole. I believe Fred Bear would agree that no shares hunting stories. Yet, my grandfather doesn’t have a single
hunter should allow himself or herself to become a self-righ- buck in the record books.
teous antler elitist who refuses to celebrate with a 14-year-old Hunting is the summation of indescribable moments etched
unless the antlers are at least of Pope and Young caliber. upon the heart and mind. These are what a hunter should
Hunting is a tradition that must be preserved. But our atti- cherish and pursue.
tude toward those walking in our footsteps can do just as much It was more than a high-scoring set of antlers, those hunters
damage as those who are against hunting altogether. before us handed down to us. They passed down traditions,
Don’t get me wrong, I like big antlers. Matter of fact I’m passion and respect. This speaks of a quest that cannot be mea-
enamored with them. Furthermore, I score every deer I sured—it must be lived.
harvest. But score alone is based upon measurement and As Gene Hill penned so adequately, “Our greatest trophies
dimension. Score speaks of limits. But these limits cannot are not things, but times.”
AP-1832-THEORY.indd 18 6/20/18 5:42 AM

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AMERICAN PIONEER
20
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AP-1832-PRODS_CX1.indd 20 6/27/18 12:24 AM

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soles use ScentLok layer and Silent able blade system to safely weather conditions, such as Battletac 40L daypack. Comfortable,
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AP-1832-PRODS_CX1.indd 21 6/27/18 12:25 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
22
02è
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Chugach NX Rain Jacket uses three-lay- includes a reinforced ankle cuff, built-in belt should be a welcomed addition to
er construction. The Toray Dermizax with duraflex metal snap and elastic waist for your hunting wardrobe. Weighing at
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conditions, while the four-way stretch easier movement. This completely windproof for easy layering. It features double
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AP-1832-DRESS_CX1.indd 22 6/26/18 2:17 AM

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AP-1832-DRESS_CX1.indd 23 6/26/18 2:17 AM

AP_SUM18_24 6/20/18 4:45 AM Page 24
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AP_SUM18_25 6/20/18 4:46 AM Page 25
AMERICAN PIONEER
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AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 26 6/26/18 2:11 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
27
GAINING
MOMENTUM
Franchi brings its first-ever bolt-action hunting rifle
to America in a lightweight, affordable package.
by Mike Dickerson
S
taring at very large, fresh, grizzly tracks in the managed to connect on a pair of nice 6x6 elk bulls, but
snow has a way of making you wonder if maybe, they reported no wolf sightings.
just maybe, you’re going to end up in one of The clear takeaway for me, apart from the fact that
those hunter-becomes–the-hunted stories. the rifle showed promise, was that Americans don’t have
It can also make the .30-06-chambered rifle in your a monopoly on the unwise practice of overprotecting
hands suddenly feel somewhat inadequate compared to, predators.
say, something in the .375-and-up persuasion.
That’s especially true when you’re hunting from dark Lightweight and Affordable
morning to dark night in heavily forested, grizz-rich The prototype rifles we hunted with showed a little
country for eight days with an unproven prototype rifle, room for improvement, as you might expect with a
from a company that has never made rifles before. company’s first-ever rifle. Our group made several
That’s the situation I found myself in late last year suggestions that mostly had to do with the barrel and
during an elk hunt in southern Alberta, just east of trigger. Months later, as I unboxed the new production
Banff National Park, where grizzlies were very much in rifle, I was pleased to see the changes Franchi had made
evidence. I was there with five other hunters to test the to the gun.
new Franchi Momentum bolt-action rifle and provide For starters, the rather thin barrel had been replaced by
feedback on its design. a slightly heavier one, and the slick-surfaced protective
Unfortunately, I never saw an elk, thanks mainly to cap for the threaded muzzle now had a knurled surface
an overabundance of wolves, which were even more in for easier tightening and loosening. The somewhat plain,
evidence than grizzlies. fat bolt had been replaced with an attractive, weight-
Happily, the rifles held up their end of the deal: My reducing, spiral-fluted one, and the trigger seemed much
hunting partner shot a huge white wolf while it was improved.
watching my guide and me as we scouted our way along I was particularly happy to discover that the trigger on
a river. I saw several other wolves that never presented a the production gun is considerably better than the one
shot opportunity, but two of our hunters in the wildlife on the prototype rifle I tested. That one had an excessive
management unit north of us found themselves in the amount of creep. It would seem to correct itself but then
middle of a pack of wolves during a snowstorm. They revert to its prior state. It was, in a word, inconsistent.
shot three before the rest of the canines departed. The single-stage trigger on the production gun has
Only two of our party, hunting the northernmost unit, no discernible creep and breaks crisply. Franchi says

AMERICAN PIONEER
28
the trigger pull weight is adjustable from 4 to 2 pounds. ergonomically superior and affordable hunting rifle.
My production rifle arrived with a trigger that broke How affordable? The MSRP is $609, placing the rifle’s actual
consistently at 3 pounds, 4 ounces. That’s just a bit retail price roughly in the middle of the pack between today’s
heavier than I prefer for most applications, but, as is my budget-priced rifles and the higher-priced flagship models
practice, I left it at that setting to duplicate a buyer’s out- from the likes of Ruger, Remington and Winchester.
of-the-box experience. The rifle is available with and without a threaded
The Momentum is designed to be a lightweight, barrel (5/8x24), and you can buy a packaged combo that
Adjustable to a pull weight of 4 to 2 The rifle has a smooth-cycling, spi-

The bolt of the Momentum has a short, 60-degree throw, providing ample pounds, the trigger breaks cleanly, ral-fluted bolt of the standard three-
clearance for mounting scopes. with no discernible creep. lug design.
01 02 03 04

AMERICAN PIONEER
29
includes a Burris Fullfield II scope, Burris two-piece Rate of twist in the .30-06 rifles is 1:11.
base and Burris Zee rings for about $110 more than the The rifle has a single-piece, three-lug bolt with a short,
rifle alone. The chrome-moly barrels are cold hammer- 60-degree throw that provides lots of scope clearance.
forged and truly free-floated. Tipping the scales at just 6.6 A two-position safety is located on the right rear of the
pounds without a scope, all variants of the rifle, except for receiver, just behind the bolt handle and within easy
the 6.5 Creedmoor, have 22-inch barrels. The Creedmoor- reach of your thumb. When engaged, the safety does not
chambered gun has a 24-inch barrel for enhanced velocity. lock the bolt down, so you can cycle rounds through the
“as I unboxed the new

production rifle, I was
pleased to see the changes
Franchi had made to the gun.”
The polymer stock provides a firm

The Momentum is available with grip on the rifle from any shooting
Franchi claims a 50-percent reduction either slick or threaded barrels for position and in all weather condi- The spiral fluted bolt allows for a
in felt recoil with its TSA recoil pad. attaching brakes or suppressors. tions. smooth operation.
05 06 07 08

AMERICAN PIONEER
30

AMERICAN PIONEER
31
“some rifles purely love copper

bullets, printing tiny, little
groups with monotonous
consistency; others react like a
human who has just been dosed
with arsenic.”
action with the safety in either position.

The Momentum is initially chambered for six popular hunting cartridges,
including .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win., .308 Win., .30-06 Springfield
and .300 Win. Mag. The rifle employs an internal magazine with a hinged metal
floorplate. The floorplate release button is located inside of—and is protected
by—the trigger guard. It takes a fair amount of pressure to operate, so the
floorplate is unlikely to be opened accidentally. Magazine capacity is four rounds
for standard calibers and three rounds for the sole magnum chambering.
If you’re willing to part with a bit more money, you can buy a limited-
edition version of the Momentum that commemorates Franchi’s 150th
anniversary. This model comes with a nice walnut stock and a 150-year-
anniversary logo on the receiver.
Unique Styling
One thing that sets the rifle apart, even at a quick glance, is the unique
polymer stock. It has a sleek appearance, with what some would call “modern”
styling. Franchi touts it as being ergonomically designed to yield an ideal
hold in five frequently used shooting positions.
This translates into somewhat curvy lines and crisp checkering with cutout
borders. The checkered surfaces below the action and along much of the forend
ride atop swells that fill the hand, while the fingertips tend to wrap around the
cutout borders on the top side, providing a solid and comfortable grip in just
about any shooting position. There’s even a checkered cutout at the rear bottom
of the stock just ahead of the bottom of the recoil pad that’s intended to serve as
an offhand finger-gripping point when shooting from a bench.
The stock has recessed swivel attachment points and is equipped with Franchi’s
TSA recoil pad, which I found to be fairly effective at reducing felt recoil.
Mounting a scope on the production rifle, which was also chambered in
.30-06 Springfield, was a snap, because the gun accepts the same scope bases
as the Remington 700. I used a Trijicon AccuPoint 4-16X50mm scope (lately,
I’ve used this frequently for both hunting and as a dedicated testing scope)
that’s nestled into a set of Talley lightweight rings, which I have long favored
for hunting rifles. With everything properly torqued to specifications, I set
out to see how the final version of the rifle would perform.
Italian Performance
At the range, the rifle turned in a decent performance ... with one
exception: It did not care very much for the all-copper Barnes VOR-

AMERICAN PIONEER
32
» PERFORMANCE
TX 150-grain TTSX load. That, in itself, is not unusual. Some rifles
purely love copper bullets, printing tiny, little groups with monotonous RESULTS
consistency; others react like a human who has just been dosed with AMMUNITION AVG. BEST AVG.
VELOCITY GRP. GRP.
arsenic. Rifles, like people, can be very individualistic in their tastes.
Whatever the reason, the Momentum was not fond of that copper load, Barnes VOR-TX 150- 2,974 2.20 1.65
grain TTSX
and it proved to be a show-stopper. The case from the first round I fired
Federal Edge TLR 175
stuck in the chamber and would not extract without some persuasion grains 2,743 1.37 1.15
applied to the bolt handle with a rubber mallet. So did the second and Federal Non Typical
third rounds. Things gradually loosened up just a bit, but my frustration 2,642 1.86 1.40
Whitetail 180-grain SP
was likely evidenced in the fact that the load printed average groups at 100 Hornady Precision 2,612 1.49 1.27
yards of more than 2 inches. Hunter 178-grain ELD-X
That extraction issue might possibly have been partly due to Winchester Ballistic 3,074 1.48 1.23
dimensional differences with the Barnes brass, because the rifle had no Silvertip 150 grains
NOTES: THREE FIVE-SHOT GROUPS WERE FIRED IN WIND BETWEEN
5 AND 12 MPH AT 100 YARDS. VELOCITIES ARE AN AVERAGE OF
THREE SHOTS, MEASURED WITH A COMPETITIVE EDGE DYNAMICS
M2 CHRONOGRAPH.
« FRANCHI
MOMENTUM
CALIBERS STOCK
.243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, Polymer with swells and
.270 Win., .308 Win., .30-06 checkering
Springfield (tested), .300 Win.
TRIGGER
Mag.
Single stage
ACTION
WEIGHT
Bolt-action, push-feed
6.6 pounds
CAPACITY
LENGTH
Four-round, hinged-floorplate
42.3 inches
magazine
MSRP
BARREL
$609
22-inch (24-inch in 6.5
Creedmoor) URL
FranchiUSA.com
RATE OF TWIST
1:11 (.30-06 Springfield)
« CONTACT
INFORMATION
BARNES AMMUNITION NAGEL’S GUN SHOP
BarnesBullets.com NagelsGuns.net
COMPETITIVE EDGE DYNAMICS TALLEY MANUFACTURING
CEDHK.com TalleyManufacturing.com
FEDERAL PREMIUM AMMUNITION TRIJICON
FederalPremium.com Trijicon.com
HORNADY AMMUNITION WINCHESTER
Hornady.com Winchester.com

AMERICAN PIONEER
33
02 »
The matte-finish barrel is entirely free-floating for
maximum accuracy. The threaded end allows for a
variety of muzzle accessories.
« 01
The Momentum takes the same scope
bases as the Remington model 700
(two-piece bases only).
« 03
The polymer stock of the Momentum uses a
combination of swells and sharp checkering
with cutout borders to provide a firm grip on
the rifle from any shooting position and in all
weather conditions.
04 »
The release to the hinged floorplate maga-
zine is located in the trigger guard. The catch
must be fully depressed in order to release
the floorplate, which lessens the chance of
happening accidentally.
“One thing that

sets the rifle apart, even at
a quick glance, is the unique
polymer stock. It has a sleek
appearance with what some
would call “modern” styling.
Franchi touts it as being
ergonomically designed to
yield an ideal hold in five
frequently used shooting
positions“

AMERICAN PIONEER
34
« 01
“The rifle has

Mounting a scope on the production rifle,
which was also chambered in .30-06 Spring-
field, was a snap, because the gun accepts the
same scope bases as the Remington 700. a single-piece, three-
lug bolt with a short,
60-degree throw
that provides lots of
scope clearance.”
02 »
The one-piece bolt is spiral
fluted and features 3 large-
sized locking lugs for a
rock-solid lockup—which
translates into accuracy and
reliability. The bolt is easily
disassembled and has a
short, 60-degree throw.
issues loading, firing or ejecting all four other factory The Winchester round was the hottest of the loads
loads tested. Three of those rounds printed average tested with lighter bullets, with an average muzzle
groups that would make me perfectly happy to take those velocity of 3,074 fps. Fastest among the heavier-hitters
rounds hunting with the Momentum. The rifle never was the Federal Edge TLR 180-grain load, which stepped
quite broke the sub-MOA mark with five-shot groups, out at 2,743 fps.
but it came close.
Federal’s Edge TLR 175-grain load shot a best group Big Grizzles Excepted
of 1.15 inches and average groups of 1.37 inches, I would not hesitate to take the Momentum hunting with
while Winchester’s 150-grain Ballistic Silvertip load any of these three loads, the Hornady, Winchester or Federal
produced a best group of 1.23 inches and average groups Edge TLR, for just about anything that walks in North
of slightly less than 1½ inches. Hornady’s Precision America—with the possible exception of big grizzlies. The
Hunter 178-grain ELD-X load also turned in a good .30-06 can do the job, of course; it’s just not my first choice
performance, with a group average of 1.49 inches and a for that particular job. For anything else, the new Franchi
best group of 1.27 inches. bolt-action is more than up to the task.

AP_SUM18_35 6/20/18 4:48 AM Page 35
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MAKE
IT BACK
Let Mother Nature Guide You Back to Base
By Michael D’Angona
A
s you push deep into the woods to secure the you must know what these signals are and how to use them
best hunting site or the ultimate fishing spot, properly.
two things may occur: You might bag the perfect
kill or land your evening’s dinner, or you might Calm Down and Focus
find yourself lost in unknown territory, unable to find your If you become lost in the wilderness, whether or not
way back home. Normally, you’d turn to your GPS device or you have electronic devices to assist you, remain calm.
cellphone to let technology help you out of this predicament, That’s probably easier said than done, but panic can lead to
but these devices aren’t 100-percent fail proof. impulsivity, which initiates poor decisions and makes a bad
situation worse.
Although we, as a population, have communication
literally at our fingertips every minute of the day, modern The very idea of being lost in a seemingly endless
technology can and does fail. Failure comes in many forms: landscape can immediately get your heart racing and urge
mechanical failure, limited battery life, physical damage you to move. You might start traveling very quickly until
caused by human carelessness, or lack of signal due to you’re basically running through the woods, heading in
landscape topography or distance from a tower. No matter a direction you think is the way to safety. That’s when
what circumstances cause your electronics to fail, having an problems multiply and chances of an accident increase—
auxiliary way of navigating is an absolute must. twisting your ankle during a trip or fall, getting poked in
the eye by low-hanging tree branches, or cutting your leg on
Fortunately, Mother Nature provides various signals and a sharp, jagged rock can further hinder a safe escape from
directional indicators that can point you back to safety, but the woods. Instead of succumbing to panic once you realize
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AMERICAN PIONEER
37
AP-1832-LOST.indd 37 6/20/18 6:03 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
38
you’re lost, stop moving, assess your situation and decide gain a bird’s-eye view of the land below.
wisely. Only when you’re thinking clearly can you make good
decisions. Always remember, however, that if your intended ascent
is possibly dangerous or could cause an accident, it must be
Survey the Landscape scrapped in favor of an alternative plan. An injury will further
Start with the simplest solution first, then expand from there. hamper your journey. Avoid steep rocks covered in moist
In this situation, seek higher ground for a better, perhaps clearer, moss, thick foliage and tree branches, and rotted leaves and
vantage point from which to assess possible travel routes. Mother brush that sink under your weight.
Nature offers various terrain levels, and your mission is to reach
the highest nearby point and survey the surroundings. This could Also, burning excessive calories or working up a sweat that
mean traveling up a hill or an easy-to-traverse rock formation to could cause hypothermia isn’t worth the benefits of scouting
AP-1832-LOST.indd 38 6/20/18 6:03 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
39
A GPS signaling it’s widely accepted as fact that if you follow nearly any water
device is a lifesaver source, you’ll eventually find people and much-needed help and
when you become
guidance back home.
lost. Just a touch of
a button will send
help your way for a Another benefit to following a stream or river is that the
quick rescue. shoreline will most likely be easier to traverse than fighting
the denseness of an adjacent forest. Shorelines are often flatter,
which will help you travel faster with fewer rest stops. Since wa-
ter travels downhill, if you find you’re still above the surround-
ing lands, start venturing downward. Your odds of locating
moving water will increase, so keep both your ears and eyes
open for any noticeable signals.
Go Stargazing
Sailors have used stars to guide their ships for generations. You,
too, can learn to use stars to find true north and continue from
“Although you might have

the endurance, stamina
and mental fortitude to
take on the challenge, your
companions may not, and
their resistance could
compound your problems.”
the nearby wilderness. If you do make it up safely, look for

campfire smoke or noticeable manmade shelters, then note any
streams or rivers, which could come in handy later. Also, high
above the forest canopy you can observe the sun’s position and
changing weather conditions, which give you key information
on whether to hunker down or continue.
Eyes on the Water

Rivers and streams can be a great guide to civilization if
you’re lost. Many cabins, lodges and even tucked-away homes
are found near various waterways. Although not guaranteed,
AP-1832-LOST.indd 39 6/20/18 6:03 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
40
TIPS FOR
PEACE OF
MIND
Never venture into the wild without
being prepared. Even the most seasoned
outdoorsperson shouldn’t underesti-
mate Mother Nature. Drastic weather
changes, extreme temperature variations
and unpredictable terrain all can cause
life-changing injuries, disorientation and
even immobilization. As such, pack these
essential items before you set foot out
there. Space and weight is of high impor-
tance, so stick to the bare necessities.
01 GPS Device: Without a doubt, this is

one of the most useful devices you
can carry, no matter where you find your-
self in the world. This cellphone-sized de-
vice will send a GPS signal of your exact
location to rescuers if you happen to get
lost or injured in an isolated area.
02 Signal Flares and Smoke Canisters:

A plane or helicopter might go
right over your head without noticing
you. Prevent this by carrying flares or
smoke canisters. Whether you shoot a
bright flare into the sky or create loads of
thick orange smoke, both will attract at-
tention and help get you rescued. Various
sizes and colors are available, and all are
simple to use.
03 Signal Mirror: Sometimes simple

does the job. Reflecting the bright
sunlight into the sky can help rescuers
find you amidst thick, dense foliage. Tak-
ing up virtually no space and extremely
easy to use, a signal mirror is indispens-
able.
04 Compass: Tie a compass to your

jacket or hang one from your belt
loop. Available in simple designs or mod-
els with all of the bells and whistles, rest
assured that true north is always at your
“Although we … have
fingertips.
05 Signal Whistle: Unknown to most

people, continuously shouting for communication literally at our
help when lost will only tire you out and
weaken your voice. Instead, travel with
fingertips every minute of the
a simple rescue whistle. Using almost day, modern technology can
no energy, you can emit a high-decibel
signal for great distances without fatigue and does fail.”
or voice loss. Hang it on your zipper pull
so it’s always accessible.
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AMERICAN PIONEER
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AMERICAN PIONEER
42
Even experienced
hunters can lose their
way in the wilderness.
Know this fact going
in and prepare before-
hand so that if you
do become lost, you’ll
have ways to find your
way out of the woods.
The thick forest canopy

can hinder your chanc-
es of being rescued.
Move to higher ground
and survey the sur-
rounding area to locate
signs of civilization.
there. Identifying the North Star is your goal. Locate the Big
Dipper (know what it and other constellations look like prior
to venturing into the wilderness). Then, locate the two stars
that form the outer edge and draw an imaginary line through
them and downward to intersect with the Little Dipper. This
line will point very close to the Little Dipper’s handle, and the
brightest star at the end of the handle is the North Star. Also
known as Polestar or Lodestar, this point represents true north
and can be your guide if you lack a compass.
Remember, determining true north is only beneficial if

you have knowledge of the surrounding area and what lies in
various directions. This information should be gathered prior
AP-1832-LOST.indd 42 6/20/18 6:03 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
43
to any excursion. If not, knowing where north is, or isn’t, has be found on the east, west, south and north sides of trees. You
little or no value. have a one-in-four chance of being correct.
Avoid Myths Also, be cautious of hypothermia. Even if winter has passed,

While nature can provide you with clues to help you find your your body’s core temperature can be susceptible. Excessive
way, it can also lead you astray. Unfortunately, many “truths” travel and exertion causes sweating and eventually saturates
about nature and being lost are myths, and these myths can be your clothing with moisture. Without realizing it, wind and
detrimental to your health and your entire wilderness survival surrounding air temperatures can start sapping body warmth.
plan. For instance, one extremely popular idea—moss grows The widely believed myth that hypothermia occurs only in
only on a tree’s north-facing side—is false. snow-covered winter environments can be deadly.
Moss grows in moist, shady areas under relatively cool Finally, you’re in the wilderness, so finding food and water
conditions. Beneath the forest canopy, these characteristics can shouldn’t be too difficult. Think again. Fishing and hunting,
AP-1832-LOST.indd 43 6/20/18 6:03 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
44
“While nature can provide you with clues to help

you find your way, it can also lead you astray.”
even for the most experienced outdoorsperson, doesn’t always traveled and environmental conditions all play into deciding
yield results. Additionally, quenching your thirst is a no-no unless the best course of action.
the water you secure is purified. Even fast-running rivers and
streams usually contain dangerous microorganisms that can upset Additionally, if you’re traveling with others, their ability to
your internal systems. Bottom line: conserve calories whenever make the return journey must also be considered. Although
A compass is a
possible, because your next meal could be days away, and stay you may have the endurance, stamina and mental fortitude
must-carry item
when traveling into
hydrated with water that’s been purified and is safe to drink. to take on the challenge, your companions may not, and their
unknown territory. resistance could compound your problems. Ultimately, we’ve
However, without Stay or Go? circled back to the first rule: stay calm, assess your situation
a basic idea of your There’s great debate among hikers, hunters, campers, surviv- and make the best possible decision for you and your group.
surroundings, find-
alists and “regular” folks whether to stay put if lost or to venture
ing true north has
very little value for
out and try to find safety. The decision ultimately depends on At times, Mother Nature may be harsh and relentless, but if
finding your way each specific situation and cannot be a general rule. Deciding you know where to look and how to decipher the clues, she’ll
back home. factors such as availability of food, water, stable shelter, distance help lead you out of her backyard and back into your own.
AP-1832-LOST.indd 44 6/20/18 6:03 AM

AP_SUM18_45 6/20/18 4:52 AM Page 45
PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT
COMMUNICATIONS
WORLD GONE SILENT
H
aving a plan for when SHTF isn’t going to do you much good
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CELL NETWORK COLLAPSE

You may be used to seeing cell phones everywhere, but when things go
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AP-1832-WHISKEY.indd 46 6/20/18 6:36 AM
AMERICAN PIONEER
47
TAKE A
SHOTSig Sauer’s New Whiskey 5 3-15x52 Riflescope
by Steven K. Ledin
T
he well-versed hunter does not need to have many made it so easy for so many to shoot so far. This Sig scope is
“extras” at his disposal, but rather a few tools that all over it.
work well in a variety of situations, and he is not It feels like a quality riflescope. Before looking through a
afraid to embrace some technology either. In his ar- scope, we inspect the exterior. The Whiskey 5 had a uniform
senal is a do-it-all big game rifle well-equipped with Sig’s new and attractive dull black finish that Sig calls “Stealth ID: De-
Whiskey 5 3-15x52 riflescope mounted on top. It’s a premium flection Armor Surfacing”. This color is new for 2018 and it is
scope, and the price reflects that. This time, whiskey and indeed non-reflective.
firearms mix quite well. Then we turn the magnification ring back and forth like a
You may have noticed Sig in the news. Our own U.S. Army safecracker, checking for hard spots, grit, noise, how hard it
recently accepted a variant of Sig Sauer’s P320 pistol as their was to turn, and how it smoothed out after initial use, as if
new Modular Handgun System. Over the next 10 years the it was a new scope out of the box. The ring’s movement was
Army will distribute the new MHS handguns to all Army firm but smooth, with positive stops at both limits. The shape
units, replacing the Beretta M9 pistol which has been in ser- of the protrusions on the ring were large and will be easy to
vice since 1986. Sig has become a powerhouse in the firearms grasp with gloved and/or frozen hands. Sig gets bonus points
industry, now offering their own wide brand of handguns, for including a nicely-executed fiber optic power indicator,
long guns, ammo, suppressors, airguns, and electro optics, with a glow visible to the shooter on top of the largest pro-
including a game-changing infra-red riflescope called the trusion on the power ring when behind the gun. It indicates
ECHO 1 that is available to the public for about $1,500. the magnification you are on. It may be rarely used, but it’s
The 2018 Sig Whiskey 5 riflescope has magnification from 3 neat and is typical of the refreshing new thought process and
to 15 power, with a turn of the power selector dial; 3 into 15 is execution Sig is bringing to the table.
5, so it has a 5x magnification range. A 3 to 9 power scope has The fast-focus eyepiece (diopter) is quite firm to adjust, as
a 3x magnification range because 3 into 9 is 3. Both scopes it should be. Remember, this feature is to adjust the clarity of
start at 3x magnification, but the 3 to 15 has much larger legs, the reticle to your eye. Nothing else. Point the scope at a blank
so to speak. It goes a lot farther with the same movement of sky or wall and turn the diopter ring so that the reticle is as
the power selector ring. This is useful because you gain a sig- sharp as it can be for your eye. Done. Leave it forever unless
nificant 6x more magnification without losing the crucial 3x another shooter needs to adjust for their eye. Remember
magnification at low end, where you have the widest field of where you prefer the position of the recessed and green-paint-
view and the brightest image. Longer range shots can become ed witness mark and you’ll be able to put it back there again
more accurate possibly because of the additional magnifica- without testing in case it gets moved.
tion. This 5x power range in riflescopes is still enjoyably new. The scope has Sig’s new TH-100 Tactical Hunter uncapped
The 30mm tube size of the Whiskey 5 allows for the room elevation turret that adjusts in .25 MOA (Minute Of Angle)
required by the larger erector assembly (guts) of a 5x magnifi- clicks at 100 yards. It has 100 clicks per revolution. Like the
cation range scope. Contrary to popular opinion, a larger tube magnification ring, the shape of the turret makes it secure
does not offer a brighter image, it simply gives more room to to grasp, even with slippery hands. The nicely checkered
adjust for elevation (and windage). This is crucial for today’s spring-loaded button on the side of the turret is a part of Sig’s
long range optics and cartridges. Never before has technology Lockdown zero system, which incorporates a zero lock as well

AMERICAN PIONEER
48
as a zero stop. Depress the button to unlock and turn. the turret for a distant shot, you simply turn your turret back
Sig’s resettable zero lock is an extremely important feature clockwise until it hits a wall. I found the clicks a bit sloppy at
on a hunting scope with uncapped turrets to prevent accidental zero yards, but the adjustments were accurate, as checked via
movement while in the field. Carrying a rifle on a sling prac- cartridge type laser boresight and at the range.
tically guarantees that sooner or later you will rub the scope A feature we’ve long been enamored with in the hunting field
against your body, or something else, causing the turret to is an elevation dial matched to my rifle’s cartridge. Leupold
move. This movement can be easily overlooked when the time hooked me on their version, the CDS dial, decades ago. Sig calls
comes to take a shot. their version the Sig Ballistic Turret (SBT), and it is as good as
The zero stop feature is also useful. It allows you to reset to most on the market. The SBT still incorporates the zero lock
your original zero without looking at the turret. After adjusting and zero stop as with the turret that comes with the scope, but
The gaping maw of the 52mm objec-

tive lens allows more light at low power The windage dial short and capped
Hunters prefer the easier math of .25 than can be used by the human eye, and is resettable to zero via three small Sauer has plans to continue growth of
MOA adjustments. like drinking out of a firehose. hex screws. manufacturing here in the U.S.A.
01 02 03 04

AMERICAN PIONEER
49
this one is marked in your own custom yardages. Get yardage With most Whiskey 5 scopes comes a coupon for a free SBT
via rangefinder, push the button to unlock the elevation turret, dial. My dial was laser-engraved for Sig’s own factory .300 Win-
and turn until required yardage. Shoot. We’ve tried similar sys- chester Magnum load using their HT 165 grain solid copper
tems, and it really can’t get easier. Turning an elevation turret bullet. Give Sig any factory load by email or phone, and they’ll
to a number is the simplest and most foolproof way to shoot at make you your dial. Of course, the more you know about the
distance, particularly for those who may not have the best grasp characteristics of your exact cartridge and the environment
on how to comfortably use their reticle to determine holdover. where you’ll be using it, the more accurate you can make it.
And remember, you have enough to worry about by aiming, There can be quite a difference between sighting in on a hot
breathing, and pulling the trigger without having to trouble summer day at 700 feet above sea level in Illinois, and 10,000-
over what part of a busy reticle you hold on to aim. foot elevation and below freezing in the Rocky Mountains.
The Whiskey 5 incorporates a nicely

Sig Sauer’s rings have wide square executed fiber optic rod set into the The checkering on the zero lock The left turret includes the single
recoil lugs that fit well into the .206 largest protrusion of the magnifi- button and the etching on all turrets CR2032 battery and adjustments for
grooves of a 1913 MIL-STD rail (Picat- cation ring, visible to the shooter is sharp and represents the overall parallax, reticle intensity and Levelp-
inny) rail. behind the gun. quality of the finished product. lex anti-cant system.
05 06 07 08

AMERICAN PIONEER
50
Handloaders, or those with more exact velocity or air density tribute of this scope that emits a quality feeling and gives pride
readings, are free to get as granular with the information as of ownership, like the box it arrives in.
they like. Additional dials are readily available to order for We mounted the scope on a Sauer 101, in my mind a classic
different loads or geographies and environmental conditions, rifle with that unmistakably shaped oval ejection port, superb
but Sig is pretty proud of these, retailing extra TH-100 custom trigger, and exquisite bolt throw. We used a Weaver one-piece
turrets for a hefty $155.99 each. picatinny style base with built in 20 MOA angle. This angle
For those who like to use a reticle for holdovers, this scope helps allow the scope to be adjusted for extreme distances with-
came with the new MOA Milling Hunter reticle. It is a second out the elevation turret running out of travel. It also keeps the
focal plane reticle. Second plane scopes are preferred by most scope’s adjustments more in the mechanical center of the scope,
hunters, because the image gets larger as magnification increas- where they are at their strongest. Such an angled base is not
es, but the reticle stays the same size. This means that you can required for the several hundred yard distances that most of us
estimate distance by counting stadia lines in your reticle and shoot, but it helps at extreme ranges.
doing the math only when you’re at the highest magnification We used Sig’s own 30mm rings. They have a unique angled
of 15x, but who uses math anyway? You can still use it to hold profile on the top ring, where the SIG logo is found. The nicely
high at any time at any magnification if you like. Until recently, packaged rings use two star screws to attach to the mount. We
that’s how it all worked! Most of my animals are still taken this like this because quick release parts are prone to problems and
way. The entire MOA Milling Hunter reticle is illuminated, not have protruding parts that like to reach out and grab stuff. The
just a portion of it. This reticle is easy to aim precisely with, recoil lug on bottom of the rings is square, wide, and nicely ma-
since the crosshairs do not converge, but surround a small aim- chined for a good fit in the .206 groove specification of a 1913
ing dot that covers only .25 MOA at 100 yards at high power. Mil-Std (Picatinny) base.
The left side of the scope houses the parallax ring, the reticle The eye relief is a scope-eye friendly constant 3.9 inches,
intensity ring, and the button for the anti-cant features. which is plenty to avoid getting your eyebrow filleted with the
Without getting technical, simply think of parallax as focus. end of the eyepiece under significant recoil or when aiming
You will have to adjust the parallax ring to get the sharpest view high or in contorted positions, which can lessen your eye’s
at differing distances. The ring moves as smoothly as can be, distance to your scope.
similar to the movement of the magnification ring. It is marked The Whiskey 5 has what Sig calls their “HDX optical system”
in yardage from 25 yards to infinity. for extreme clarity and low light performance. Their Lenshield
The reticle intensity dial protrudes from the center of the external coating is oleophobic, which resists oil, water, and
parallax dial. There are 9 reticle intensity positions and the dial debris. This technology was originally used by Apple to resist
seems tight enough to resist most accidental movement in the fingerprints on the iPhone 3GS. This technology is just starting
field. There are no off positions between on positions. In real to hit the commercial optic market, but it’s a welcome idea.
world use for hunters, low is key. It’s easy to have an illumi- Optically, the Whiskey 5 got high marks in brightness
nated reticle wreck your vision when your eyes have become and resolution, when tested on a standard 1951 USAF reso-
biologically acclimated to the darkness. It’s hard to see a target lution chart.
in the dark past a too-bright reticle. The two lowest illumina- We found the scope’s weight useful in taming the recoil of
tion settings are described as night vision compatible, which the .300 WM cartridge. It is not a lightweight, at 27 ounces, but
we did not test. The glass-etched reticle is always visible and the features that add to the weight are beneficial. Mounted on
not dependent on illumination. Also on the outer end of the this Sauer 101, there is little that this combination would not
left turret there is a battery compartment for the single CR2032 be ideal for. The combination was a joy to shoot and inspired
battery that powers the reticle for up to 20,000 hours of use. confidence in the equipment; 15x on the top end is plenty.
The LevelPlex anti-cant system on this scope ensures the user We’ve shot a target at a measured mile with less magnification,
that his scope is being held level. This is particularly important so you’ll not be underpowered. The equally important mini-
when long range shooting in areas with hilly or mountainous mum of 3x will not preclude you from using it on the back 40
topography. When not held exactly horizontally, an indicator for whitetails in cover, and the giant 17.33 mm exit pupil at 3x
light appears at either the extreme left or right in your field of offers many times the light a human eye is capable of accepting,
view. That’s the side you have to raise. The light is clever and like drinking out of a firehose. All the brightness you can want
can be adjusted by the user to be at an accuracy specification of is there.
either 1.0 degrees or 0.5 degrees, which is sensitive enough to Although the Whiskey 5 series is designed and marketed for
use to level your scope while initially mounting it. It is activated hunters, this scope also sits well on your accurate rifle designed
by pushing in the whole outer left turret cap into the parallax for extreme long range targets. If you have the range, this 15x
ring. It takes an appropriately firm push to activate. Leave it off scope can help you engage targets at the magical 1000-yard
if not needed or too busy for you. mark and farther. The low end of 3x results in a wide and bright
The windage turret is low profile and capped, as it should be. field of view and allows close shooting as well. The large 5x op-
Using the reticle is a better way to dope the fickle wind than tical magnification range is not yet commonplace, and the glass
moving your turret—and faster. The windage zero is resettable and coatings are premium quality. Mechanical execution is ex-
via three hex screws and an included tiny wrench. cellent and there’s a lot of pride of ownership in this riflescope.
The excellent markings on every dial must be mentioned. This could be the one good scope for your one good
They are crisp and readable and have fine detail. It’s another at- hunting rifle.

AMERICAN PIONEER
51
01. SERIES 09. LENGTH

SIG SAUER 13.1 INCHES
WHISKEY 5
10. ILLUMINATION
02. MAGNIFICATION SETTINGS
3-15X 9 DAYTIME,
2 NV
03. OBJECTIVE
LENS DIAMETER 11. BATTERY LIFE
52MM 20,000+ HOURS
04. TUBE DIAMETER 12. RETICLE
FOCAL PLANE
30MM
SECOND
05. ADJUSTMENT
CLICK VALUE 13. WATERPROOF
.25 MOA IPX-7
WATERPROOF
06. ADJUSTMENT
RANGE 14. FIELD OF VIEW
72 MOA 34.1 FEET AT 3X
ELEVATION 6.8 FEET AT 15X
AND WINDAGE
15. WARRANTY
07. LLUMINATED
RETICLE LIFETIME
OPTICS/5 YEARS
MOA MILLING ELECTRONICS
HUNTER
16. MINIMUM
08. WEIGHT ADVERTISED PRICE
27 OUNCES $1199.99

AP-1832-TAYLOR.indd 52 6/20/18 6:59 AM
AMERICAN PIONEER
53
THE .358
TAYLOR
Customizing the model 70 for a precise, powerful punch
By Chuck Taylor
A
s I examined the mulie buck with my binoc- second voice replied.
ulars, it quickly became apparent that he was But when the rifle settled back down and I once again
a shooter. Big, healthy and in the rut with 7 found the buck in my field of view, I saw immediately that
does, he sported a nice 28-inch 4x4 rack and fine no follow-up was needed. He was down in a cloud of dust,
features. The problem, at least for hunters equipped with a facing downhill, back toward us. I relaxed, letting the
typical rifle and caliber, was twofold. First, he was 250 yards pent-up tension drain from my body. For me, it was over,
away and opening the distance fast. The second was that he at least for this hunt.
was also quartering away to my left, slightly uphill, making My two companions crowded around, clapping me on
for a tough raking shot. the back. “Nice shot!” one of them said, excitedly. “And
“He’s a nice one,” one of my companions remarked. did you see the shock waves radiating from the point of
“Take him.” I nodded quickly, setting the elevation turret bullet impact? I saw them plain as day!”
on the Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm scope for 275 yards, “I sure did,” my other companion said, enthusiastically.
taking a deep breath, letting it out slowly and settling the “And the impact of that big slug slewed him around big-
butt of the big rifle into the pocket of my shoulder. It sat time, like a giant hand had swept him off his feet. That
on a pair of shooting sticks in front of me, giving stabil- was something, too!”
ity as the Leupold’s fine duplex reticle settled on a point Subsequent field dressing and a quick post-mortem
about a foot and slightly high in front of his left ham. showed that the slug had struck him exactly where I’d
Holding it there as I tracked his movement, I again took a hoped it would—a bit high and just forward of his left
deep breath, let it out slow and squeezed the trigger. hip—and traveled diagonally through both the abdominal
Boom! The sound of the shot rolled away in the frigid and thoracic cavities, then, leaving a 1½-inch hole, exited
Colorado morning. through his chest, just to the left of his right foreleg. A
The .307th of a second it took the Barnes 200-grain perfect performance on one of the toughest shots a hunter
Tipped Triple Shock bullet to cover the distance seemed can face.
like forever. Two weeks later, I was sitting in a haystack blind in
Whop! A millisecond later, hollow impact sound of the Missouri, watching a 160-class 12-point whitetail buck in
bullet reached us. the slowly brightening dawn once again with the big rifle
I don’t remember the actual sound of the report when sitting on shooting sticks in front of me. “He’s big.” my
the big rifle fired, but as it recoiled, I quickly worked the companion said. “He’s got a nice rack and he’s over 250
bolt, in case a follow-shot was needed. As I did, I dimly pounds, easy. He’s standing square-on, looking this way.
heard a voice saying, “Holy smoke! Did you see that?” A tough shot.”
“Roger that. Never saw anything like that before,” a I agreed on all counts. This one, too, was a shooter and
AP-1832-TAYLOR.indd 53 6/20/18 7:00 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
54
01 02 03 04
Barrel was free-floated to provide The standard Model 70 safety was The legendary Model 70 Winchester VX-3i ¼-MOA click-positive wind-
maximum accuracy in the widest retained, but smoothed out for action was selected because of age and elevation turrets have
variety of environmental conditions. quieter, more positive operation. its superior design and function. screw-on caps for maximum protec-
Its bolt manipulation is fast and tion in the field.
positive and its extractor large and
reliable.
“At 100-yards, the .358 Taylor

easily penetrated 3-inches of
bulletproof glass and 3/8-inch
T-1 armor plate. The .308/168
BTSP and .30-06 BTSP did not.”
an excellent test for the big rifle, as well as a challenge for The duplex reticle was stable on the base of his neck,
me as a marksman. which, I reasoned, should place the shot pretty much
The read-out in the Bushnell Fusion ARC was 359 dead-center in his chest. I squeezed the big rifle’s 2-pound
yards, so as I took a couple of deep breaths and let them Timney trigger oh so carefully, seeking the treasured sur-
out slowly, I set the elevation turret for 350 yards, settled prise break so critical to a good shot.
the butt of the big gun into my shoulder, took one last Boom! I was successful, and the big rifle spoke in the
breath and went to work. “Here we go, amigo,” I whis- cold dawn, its bullet covering the distance in a mere
pered, “Spot for me.” .416th second.
AP-1832-TAYLOR.indd 54 6/27/18 12:37 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
55
05 06 07 08
A Leupold 2-inch sunshade was A Sniper Tools Design Co. angle co- Badger Ordnance Picatinny rail base As this 5-shot 300-yard ¼-MOA
installed to prevent glare when the sine indicator (ACI) allows compen- with extra 20-MOA elevation capa- group shows, the .358 Taylor is
sun is to the shooter’s front. Flip-up sation for the effect of extreme up or bility provides maximum elevation capable of superb accuracy. Similar
Butler Creek lens caps on the ob- downhill angles on bullet trajectory capability for calibrating the rifle accuracy is produced with virtually
jective and ocular lens also prevent and was installed on the scope tube. out to longer ranges. all bullet weights tested.
accumulation of damaging dust and
grit.
Whop! And once again the sound of a hit signaled itself. ect that had taken me several years and a great deal of
“He’s hit,” my partner breathed, “Dead-center hit in the experimentation to complete. On the scales back at the
chest. He did a complete pinwheel; no kidding! And he lodge, the buck’s dressed weight was 258 pounds. And
went down like a ton of bricks. I don’t think he knew what the post-mortem on the skinning rack disclosed that the
hit him!” Barnes 200-grain TTSX had indeed done the job, slam-
As I ejected the spent case from the big rifle, I thought ming through the entire length of the animal—thoracic
to myself, that makes two: Two tough shots and two and abdominal cavities, and pelvis, exiting through his
slam-dunk kills. It was a great conclusion to a proj- rump, once again, leaving a 1½-inch exit hole.
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AMERICAN PIONEER
56
AP-1832-TAYLOR.indd 56 6/20/18 7:00 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
57
“For tactical or sporting use, the .358 Taylor

is efficient out to ranges past 700 yards, but
without the heavy recoil associated with
such potent cartridges.”
I was elated. Along with the big Colorado buck of two is of similar capacity, so I endeavored to develop it into NORMAN HANSON FIREARMS
weeks earlier, the freezer back home would indeed be full a cartridge capable of handling a wide variety of tactical 20358 West Valley Blvd.
for a while. situations, as well as being capable of being the proverbial Tehachapi, CA 93561
NormanHansonFire-
Built to my specifications by my friend and associate, “bone crusher” on big, nasty critters if I so chose. arms.com
Norman Hanson of Tehachapi, California, the “big rifle” After some months of research and load development,
was a custom rig based on a blueprinted Winchester I settled on the Barnes 200-grain Tipped Triple Shock
Model 70 action, but with many improvements. It had a boat tail bullet. My goal was to drive it at a minimum of MIDWAY USA
5875 West Van Horn
free-floated 1-14 twist 26-inch Douglas Premium barrel, 3,000 fps, so its energy yield at all practical ranges was
Tavern Rd.
contoured identically to the one on the old Remington substantially superior to conventional cartridges like the Columbia, MO
Model 700 Sendero, carefully bedded into a Desert Sand .308 WIN 168-grain, .30-06 168-grain and 7mm Rem Mag 65203-9274
H-S Precision synthetic stock with aluminum bedding 168-grain that were considered long-range capable. In MidwayUSA.com
blocks, a Timney 2.0-pound trigger, and solid rubber butt other words, I wanted a single bullet and load that would
pad. The well-located Model 70 bolt-mounted safety had provide exceptional accuracy and punch, but would be ca- BROWNELLS INC.
been retained, but polished internally to smooth out and pable at longer ranges as well. It took me several months 200 South Front St.
quiet its operation. And for a final touch, Norm had matte of work with all the available bullet weights and types, but Montezuma, IA 50171
black Cerakoted all metal parts to prevent inadvertent I finally determined that, in my rifle at least, 67-grains of Brownells.com
glare and light reflection in the field. Hodgdon’s H4895 with a Remington #9½M primer would
On top, it sported a Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x50mm target drive the Barnes 200-grainer at a sizzling 3076 fps, pro- LEUPOLD & STEVENS
scope, with a duplex reticle, 2-inch sunshade and Butler ducing a whopping 4,203 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. 14400 NW Greenbriar
Creek flip-up objective and ocular lens caps, held in place Cases were necked up from Hornady virgin .338 Win Pkwy.
on a Badger Ordnance Picatinny rail base with Leupold Mag cases, which proved to be a surprisingly easy task— Beaverton, OR 97006-
5790
PRS rings. It also had an anti-cant device from Mounting simply run a .35-caliber expander ball down through
Leupold.com
Solutions Plus, and angle cosine indicator from Sniper the neck and the process was complete. Custom dies are
Tools Design Company. In short, it was a beautiful rifle, indeed required but nearly all of the die manufacturers
though subtle in its appearance. offer that service. I chose Redding, in deference to their BARNES BULLETS
Why a target scope? Simple; I wanted protected eleva- high quality—I only wanted to buy them once. 38 Frontage Rd.
Mona, UT 84645
tion and windage turrets. Past experience has shown me However, velocity alone wasn’t enough; I also want- BarnesBullets.com
all too graphically the susceptibility to damage or inad- ed exceptional accuracy, as well, and I was pleasantly
vertent manipulation of the exposed turrets currently so surprised when 3-shot 100-yard groups with this same
popular with so-called tactical scopes. load exhibited 3/8-MOA. I was satisfied that, at least on MOUNTING SOLUTIONS, PLUS
10655 SW 185th Ter.
Still, however nice-looking it may be, what really paper, I’d found the right combination of bullet and load,
Miami, FL 33157
delineates this rifle from others is the cartridge for which but I needed more proof. So, I haunted all the local glass MountsPlus.com
it was chambered. After many years of field experience, shops, finally locating a 3-inch thick panel of bulletproof
I concluded that while there are many good cartridges glass. I also procured three FBI gel blocks and sever-
available, there was a void in the .35 caliber category. I’d al 10x10-inch pieces of 3/8-inch T-1 armor plate. So SNIPER TOOLS DESIGN CO.
Post Office Box 1647
seen good results with the .358 Winchester, .35 Reming- equipped, the big rifle, 25 rounds of custom loaded ammo Estes Park, CO 80517
ton, 350 Rem Mag and .35 Whelen, to be sure, but I want- and I headed for the range. SniperTools.com
ed something in .358 that not only had punch, but was I figured that I had a winner, but the results were even
also capable of longer range work and no such cartridge better than I’d hoped. Shot from 100 yards, the big rifle
BADGER ORDNANCE
existed, at least commercially. slammed the 200-grain TTSX right through all three
1209 Swift St.
Some judicious research disclosed that the .358 Norma end-to-end gel blocks and threw them 6 feet into the air North Kansas City, MO
Mag was a great performer and thus might just fill the and nearly 10 feet downrange, severely damaging them in 64116
bill, but its factory cases and loaded ammo aren’t readily the process. Now very encouraged, I turned the big gun BadgerOrdnance.com
available and are thus expensive. So, I set out to duplicate on the bulletproof glass panel and wasn’t disappointed
its performance with a more easily procured cartridge when the Barnes 200-grain TTSX blasted right through
case. More research disclosed that the .338 Win Mag case it with relative ease. For comparative purposes, I then
AP-1832-TAYLOR.indd 57 6/20/18 7:00 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
58
“At 700 yards, the .358

Taylor still produces over
1000 foot-pounds of ener-
gy, comparing favorably
with a 168-grain .30-06 or
180-grain .300 Winchester.”
PERFORMANCE
» BEST LOADS WITH VARIOUS BULLET WEIGHTS IN TEST RIFLE.
NECKED-UP HORNADY VIRGIN CASES, REMINGTON #9½M PRIMER
GRS/ VEL E/S KE ACC

BULLET COMMENTS
POWDER (FPS) (FPS) (FT LBS) (MOA)
180
68-H4895 3140 23 3941 .75 Moderate
TTSX
Moderate
200
67-H4895 3076 12 4202 .35 Best O/A
TTSX
Load
225
66-H4895 2798 22 3911 .63 Brisk
TTSX
250
66-IMR4320 2711 18 4081 .59 Pronounced
TTSX
275
66-IMR4320 2633 9 4234 .35 Heavy
M/S
PERFORMANCE
» 200 GRAIN BARNES TTSX/BC: 369/67-H4895/
REM #9½M PRIMER/NECKED-UP HORNADY
» DATA
VIRGIN CASES
RANGE ENERGY VELOCITY DROP FLT TIME CHRONOGRAPH

(YDS) (FT LBS) (FPS) (IN). (SEC). Oehler M35P
MUZ 4203 3076 0 N/A w/improved sky
screens
100 3503 2809 -2 .010
ALITITUDE
150 3190 2680 -5 .157 4960 FT. ASL
200 2899 2555 -8 .214 HUMIDITY
250 2630 2434 -13 0.274 34%
300 2384 2317 -20 .338 TEMPERATURE
350 2157 2204 -28 .404 55-degrees

Fahrenheit
400 1948 2095 -38 .474
BAROMETRIC
450 1758 1990 -50 .547 PRESSURE
29.98
500 1583 1888 -64 .625
550 1423 1790 -81 .706 TTSX
Barnes Tipped
600 1279 1697 -100 .792 Triple Shock
650 1149 1609 -123 .883
M/S
700 1032 1525 -148 .979 Monolith Solid
750 928 1445 -178 1.08
800 833 1370 -211 1.19
850 751 1301 -250 1.30
900 681 1238 -293 1.42
950 621 1183 -342 1.54
1000 573 1136 -398 1.67
AP-1832-TAYLOR.indd 58 6/20/18 7:00 AM

AP-1832-TAYLOR.indd 59 6/20/18 7:00 AM
AMERICAN PIONEER
60
“With the Barnes 200 grain TTX, the .358 Taylor

produces more energy at 250 yards than the
.308/168 and at 150 yards, more than the .30-
06/168, at the muzzle.”
shot it with the .308 WIN, .30-06 and 7mm Rem Mag (all MV and 4203 ft.-lbs. ME is clearly the most versatile.
utilizing 168-grain bullets for their superior ballistic coeffi- Comparatively speaking, it generates more energy at 300
cients) and the 200-grain factory .35 Whelen. All failed to yards than the 168-grain .308 WIN at the muzzle. At 150
penetrate. yards, it also produces more energy than the 168-grain
Next came the 3/8-inch T-1 armor plate. Heartened by .30-06. And at 550 yards, it even compares favorably with
the results I had experienced so far, I expected penetra- the 180-grain .300 Winchester. Surprisingly, even at a full
tion, but was surprised when the 200-grain Barnes TTSX 1,000 yards, it’s still supersonic (1,136 fps).
not only blew right through the plates at 100 yards, but at Recoil with the 200-grain TTSX is moderate and is
a full 200 yards as well. This means that only the actual comparable to the 180-grain .300 Win Mag or 168-grain
engine block of a car would stop it. Bodywork, door and .30-06. However, as you might expect with a 250-grain
window linkage, windshield glass and cross-members TTSX or 275-grain Monolith Solid, recoil is sharp.
posed no serious resistance to it. So, in conclusion, by any reasonable standards, the .358
As a bonus, during the load development phase of the Taylor project is a success. In a properly configured rifle,
project, I’d discovered that if one were so inclined, a shoot- it’s exceptionally accurate, highly versatile and performs
er could also use a 225-, 250- or even 275-grain bullet for, tremendously well not only as a tactical rifle/cartridge but
say, large African nasties and expect good results. For in the sporting arena as well. Even the biggest of North
example, 250-grain Barnes TTSX or 275-grain A-Square American game is easily taken with it and it can do so with-
Monolithic Solid bullets and 66-grains of IMR-4320 out being punishing to the shooter. Loading the cartridge
perform nearly as well as a 270-grain .375 H&H. But for itself is a snap, requiring no difficult necking down, fire
nearly all other types of game, even at ranges longer than forming or other time-consuming effort.
considered practical, the 200-grain TTSX load at 3076 fps It doesn’t get much better than that.
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A GREAT
CATCH
Riches Are Not Always of Monetary Value
by Randy Hynes
O
ne chooses to acquire things, another seeks expe- miles to experience an emergence of this scale.
riences. In thirty years from now, which of the two This was a phenomenon unique to Northern Michigan. An
will wish they’d spent more time in their pursuit? event where for a few short nights in early summer, cryptid-like
Clouds of mayflies frolicked in a hypnotic cho- nymphs morph into two-inch long winged insects that litter the
rus. Those that had completed the circle of life slowly paraded rivers by the thousands and become entrees for hungry trout. A
downstream. The silhouette of each Hexagenia meant another highlight for fishermen who prefer to catch bruiser fish on big
moonlit meal was served to eager diners. Though the banquet flies.
was shrouded in darkness, the night was filled with the unmis- It was near midnight when I came to my senses. A state of eu-
takable sound of greedy trout. The river was alive, its patrons phoria was interrupted by the reality of a 40-minute walk back
frenzied by the bonanza floating overhead. to the truck, a 30-minute drive to the cabin, and after only a few
Scattered shafts of moonlight daubed the water with hours of sleep my wife expected me to drive our family back to
shimmering blotches. Though dozens of blind casts were met our home state. Resuming reality, I passed on the message to
with refusal, an occasional hookup fed our anticipation. It was my son, it was time to get off the water.
difficult to serve make-believe in the presence of the authentic, “Let’s stay a little longer. Please, Dad!”
yet in spite of the challenge, we intently gazed into the darkness It was easy to see why he wanted to stay. My son knew, as
in hopes of seeing any disturbance on the water—a hint we had well as I, this was no ordinary fishing trip. In a hundred years
deceived the picky eaters. we could never replicate this moment. All we would have is
Dozens of insects crawled over my face. I brushed them the memory, not soon to be forgotten. The events of this night
away softly and laughed. The moment was surreal. There were would become a new chapter in the book of recollection—a tale
fly fishers who would’ve driven hundreds, if not thousands, of worthy of sharing around a campfire.
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A sense of excitement lingered long after we exited the river.

Maybe it was the combination of the “Hex hatch,” the exorbitant
amount of fish we heard feeding in the river, or a lack of sleep;
whatever the reason, my 19-year-old son was talking a mile a
minute.
“That was so awesome! Can you believe we got into a Hex
hatch? Did you see all those fish? Too bad we couldn’t stay
another day. What a blast… !”
Somewhere in the midst of his declarations and incessant
inquires my mind wandered down memory lane. I saw a
pre-teenage boy standing in the kitchen of an old farmhouse.
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share stories, enjoy the outdoors and wrap it up in a word— as my map through the dark pine forest.
hunting. Though just a boy, I quickly realized we didn’t spend a With a Marbles compass and those ivory crescents, grandpa
week in the woods for the sole purpose of killing deer. made sure I could find my way in the timber whether at dawn
From childhood I’d been enraptured by grandpa’s stories. His or dusk. I watched as he used the hatchet to drive tent stakes
tales of tenting in the cold and stalking bucks in the snow were and clear shooting lanes. Grandpa also taught me how to cut a
book worthy. Not only was his dry sense of humor contagious, buck pole with that little ax.
so was his love for the outdoors. Our camp site was located in Grayling, Michigan, just a few
When in hunting camp, grandpa would tote a little red miles north of the iconic Gates Au Sable Lodge. In the shadow
hatchet on his belt. When needed he’d unsheathe the hatchet of the tall pines we’d make camp for an entire week. There were
and with a swift stroke send a piece of pine bark flying, expos- no phones, no running water, no indoor plumbing and for a
ing a bright white blaze on selected trees. Those marks served youngster—no school.
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He watched as his mother wrote a short paragraph on a piece

of paper and signed her name. “Give this to your teacher. Don’t
forget,” she instructed. Shoving the note in his pocket, he rushed
out the door to meet the bus.
It was late October, only a few leaves hung on the trees and
frost carpeted the landscape. The cold air sent a chill over the
youth as he waited by the roadside. As the school bus drew
closer he looked down at his hand-me-down jeans and well-
worn shoes. He knew mom and dad didn’t have the money for
new clothes, but Toughskins were not in style. Though they
wore like iron, fitting in seemed more important than owning
jeans that could withstand the rigors of play and farm work. His
mother was practical and his dad worked incessantly to provide
for the family. It was understood that “jonesing” after new
clothes, new cars or nice things was not on the family agenda.
Though they didn’t have the latest in fashion, his parents always
made time to take their boys hunting and fishing
After delivering his mother’s note, the teacher was gracious.
He read the note and told the youth he’d get his homework
ready.
“Hunting?” he inquired.
“Yes! Headed up north for deer season,” I replied.
Mr. Connor shook his head in approval.
Somewhere around 1927 my grandfather started the tradi-
tion. I don’t remember a time when we didn’t make an annual
pilgrimage to hunting camp. For an entire week, we’d laugh,
“Thirty years later, I still

owned every single memory
that accompanied each
adventure.”
A smile spread over my face as I remembered my hunting

clothes. They were hand-me-downs, as well. Two generations
had worn the heavy wool, but when in the woods I didn’t
need approval from my peers, I was there to experience the
outdoors. Every year I looked forward to new encounters with
whitetail deer, pileated woodpeckers, ruffed grouse, porcupine,
and various other species of Michigan wildlife.
As I drove down the road reminiscing about days past I
realized my memory wasn’t filled with what I didn’t have while
growing up. I didn’t remember sitting on used furniture, riding
in a used car; besides the red plaid hunting get-up and the
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Toughskins, I didn’t remember a particular article of clothing. ing me to be self-absorbed with temporal stuff. I wondered if
Though I did remember when dad took us to Lake Huron my friends, who at one time I was so concerned with fitting in
to fish for Walleye, to Lake Michigan to fish for steelhead and with, still had all their in-style stuff ? Thirty years later, I still
when we fished the Au Sable River for brookies. I also remem- owned every single memory that accompanied each adventure.
bered the family vacation where we fished a little stream in the As we arrived at the cabin I was still looking deep within my
mountains of Wyoming and caught a limit of trout. soul. Our fly gear was used. My truck wasn’t new. I recalled mo-
Obviously my parents believed doing was much more ments I’d felt bad about not being able to afford better things.
important than having. They agreed with noted writer and While I contemplated, “What are the most important
outdoorsman Jim Harrison: things?” My thoughts were interrupted by my son.
“If you hunt or fish a couple weeks in a row without reading “Thanks, Dad! I really appreciate you taking me fishing. That
newspapers or watching television, a certain not altogether was incredible. I’ll always remember this!”
deserved grace can reenter your life.” His words contained irony and the answer I needed.
My mom and dad were more interested in handing me an What he would remember thirty years from now was the
adventure and watching me live out an experience than allow- most important.
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AP_SUM18_69 6/20/18 5:03 AM Page 69
NEW GUARDIAN3.5 EDC

BOHLER M390 | 7.25” OVERALL | LEATHER HORIZONTAL CARRY SHEATH
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FLY
AMERICAN PIONEER
70
GEAR
Top necessities for
Serious Trout Bums 07 
Trout aficionados recognize the importance of quality gear—especially

when the quest is to land a fish species notorious for Houdini-like escape
acts. Whether matching wits with Michigan’s trophy brown trout, stalking
brook trout in a local spring creek or hiking into the Rocky Mountains in
search of Yellowstone cutthroat, your gear should offer peace of mind no
matter where the adventure. From waders that won’t leak to a fly rod that
delivers accurate casts, every piece of equipment ought to provide func-
tionality, dependability and a warranty. If you’re in the market for stellar
products designed to target trophy trout here’s a helpful roundup.
05 
08 
 06
02 
 04
01   03
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01 Scientific Anglers/ 02 Abel Reels/

Amplitude Trout Model SDF 03 Simms/G3 Guide
Wading Boot 04 Costa Del Mar/
Reefton 580G
The Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout Trout fishing may not require a fly reel Fast water and slippery rocks demand a Every trout bum knows the value of
series of fly lines was designed to provide worthy of Michelangelo’s approval, but wading boot designed to take a beating polarized sunglasses. They also know
trout fishers with the ability to fool wary why not own the best? If you want a reel along with delivering ample ankle sup- there’s no substitute for excellence—
trout—an accomplishment Scientific that’ll last a lifetime and look good on port and traction. The Simms G3 Guide you’ll get what you pay for. Costa sun-
Anglers prides itself in. Built for precise and off the river the Abel SDF (Sealed Wading Boot was engineered to meet glasses has a long-standing reputation
presentations, the Amplitude Trout is a Drag Fresh) series of fly reels are for you. these exact criteria and ensure every day for delivering superior clarity in glass and
game changer on any stream, anywhere. Designed with a combination of class, is a safe and successful day on the river. polycarbonate polarized lenses expressly
The Amplitude Trout fly line is also slick- artistic flair and legendary Abel quality Constructed of durable, high abrasion designed to block reflective glare. Seeing
er than any trout taper SA has ever made the new SDF fly reels are nothing short of textile with fill rubber rand, these boots is not only believing, it can also mean
and has been engineered to shoot farther a ‘masterpiece’ ideal for trout enthusiasts. are made to perform and protect. Paired a chance to catch wary trout. With a
than any other line on the market. SA This new series of reels boasts an enor- with the G3 Guide Wader, the Simms G3 multitude of features and styles to choose
terms it, “…slickness down to a science.” mous amount of drag, an adjustment Guide Boot offers comfort for hiking and from, every fly fisher can find a style and
Additionally the Amplitude series of range almost three times greater than wading anywhere your fishing adven- fit they prefer.
lines has been designed to last over eight its predecessor, and virtually zero start tures may take you.
times longer than other lines on the mar- up inertia. The Abel SDF also features a MSRP: $250
ket making it well worth the spend. Trout large-arbor spool engineered to reduce MSRP: $229 URL: costadelmar.com
should take note. line memory and increase retrieval rate. URL: simmsfishing.com
With the level of detail found on these
MSRP: $129 reels it’s easy to see why they qualified
URL: scientificanglers.com as winner of the best new freshwater
reel for 2018 by Fly Fisherman Maga-
zine and Best of Show at the 2017 ICAST/
IFTD industry trade show. Available in
custom finishes as shown.
MSRP: $695
URL: abelreels.com
Yeti/Hopper
05 BackFlip Point 6/Trout
06 Boot 07 Simms/G3 Guide 08 R.L.Winston Rod Co./
24 Mid-Calf Waders Winston Air
The Hopper BackFlip 24 is Yeti’s new Spending countless days in a pair of Ill-fitting or leaky waders should Since 1929 the R. L. Winston Rod Company
convenient-to-carry soft-shell cooler. waders requires adequate cushioning never be the norm. That’s why Simms has been offering small bundles of perfection
Engineered to carry as a backpack, the and moisture control, two things Point 6 engineered their G3 Guide Wader to discerning fly fishers. The Winston Air
BackFlip 24 is taller and wider than pre- socks are engineered to provide. These with advanced Gore-Tex technology, represents 88 years of rod making and an all-
vious counterparts and sports ergonomic socks are made from the highest quality articulated knees, anatomically correct new series of high modulus Boron graphite
shoulder straps to make the journey merino wool, period. Since merino fea- neoprene stockingfeet, a three-layer Go- fly rods with significantly less weight, more
more comfortable. And like the rest of tures natural anti-microbial properties re-Tex Pro Shell upper and a four-layer liveliness and higher responsiveness for
the Hopper family, it promises superior and resists odor-causing bacteria your Gore-Tex Pro Shell in the seat and legs, optimum presentation. The Air series of rods
cold-holding, a 100-percent leak-proof feet and waders won’t smell like a landfill. and combined all these features with the are built on Winston’s reputation for flawless
zipper, and a tough DryHide Shell. So, Every pair of Point 6 socks is guaranteed best warranty in the business. Each pair finishes, precisely aligned guides, a perfectly
if you and your fellow trout bums are for life and made in the U.S.A. using state of G3 Guide Waders are handcrafted in formed grip, and a reel seat made from the
planning a trip to a faraway fishing of the art, sustainable technology. And Bozeman, Montana, and are designed to finest components. Available in weights 3
destination, this backpack cooler offers with 25 percent of the proceeds from this provide the durability serious fly fishers through 6 these rods deliver the broadest
plenty of room for food, beverages and sock being donated to Trout Unlimited, need. Simms has proven that all waders casting range of any fly rods Winston has
your gear. Throw it on your back and this it’s a win-win. are not created equal. With the Simms G3 ever designed.
cooler won’t slow you down. Wader, your time on the water is guaran-
MSRP: $27 teed to be dry and comfortable. MSRP: $950
MSRP: $299 URL: point6.com URL: winstonrods.com
URL: Yeti.com MSRP: $499
URL: simmsfishing.com
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RIFLE
BUYER'S
GUIDE round up of 2018 releases
by Brad Fitzpatrick and American Pioneer Staff
I
f this is the year you’ve decid-
ed to upgrade your hunting
battery to include a brand-new
hunting rifle, you’re in luck.
There’s a laundry list of new guns for
the upcoming year, with new models
to suit every taste, budget, and hunting
scenario—from long-range varmint
and predator shoots to dangerous game
in the thick bush.
Here’s a rundown of some of the
most-exciting new guns for 2018.
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1
Savage 110 Hunter
With AccuFit
» OVERVIEW » SPECS
The 110 Hunter was an excellent production rifle made MAKE: Savage
better by the addition of Savage’s new AccuFit system. It
comes with five separate comb risers and four length- MODEL: 110 Hunter
of-pull spacers, all of which allow the shooter to cus- CALIBER: .204 Ruger, .22-250 Rem, .223
tomize the gun for a perfect fit. Combine this with the Rem, .243 Win, .25-06 Rem, 270 Win,
110’s Accustock (featuring a rail system that engages the
.280 Ackley Improved, .30-06 Spfld,
entire length of the action), adjustable AccuTrigger and a
110-barreled action with barrel nut for precise headspac- .300 Win Mag, .308 Win, 7mm Rem
ing, and you’ve got a versatile, accurate hunting rifle that Mag, and 7mm-08 Rem
doesn’t cost a fortune. ACTION TYPE: Bolt
A new stock design incorporates new, soft-touch finger
BARREL LENGTH: 22-24 in.
grooves and grip inserts for maximum control and
comfort. In addition, there are a dozen caliber offerings STOCK: Synthetic
that range from .204 Ruger all the way up to the pow-
erful .300 Win Mag (including the superb .280 Ackley WEIGHT: 7.15 – 7.35 lbs.
Improved—a hunting round that’s just now getting the CAPACITY: 3 or 4
attention it deserves). This rifle’s weight ranges from 7.15
to 7.35 pounds, depending upon caliber. MSRP: $ 749
URL: SavageArms.com
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Rigby Highland
Stalker
London gunmaker John Rigby & Company produces exquisite MAKE: Rigby
hunting rifles. While we might not all be able to carry one of
these guns in the field, if the looks of this elegantly styled British MODEL: Highland Stalker
Highland Stalker don’t stir your blood, you’d better check your CALIBER:.275 Rigby, .308 Win,
pulse. The bolt-action Highland Stalker—named in honor of .30-06 Spfld., 8x57mm Maus-
the Scottish Highlands, where the “stalking” rifle concept was
er and 9.3x62mm
born—is inspired by the smaller-caliber rifles Rigby produced
at the turn of the 20th century. They were carried by the likes of ACTION TYPE: Mauser 98 Bolt
Karamoja Bell and Jim Corbett. Action
Rigby spent three years developing this new rifle, which comes BARREL LENGTH: 22 in.
standard with grade V walnut, an ambidextrous stock, rounded
grip shape, Rigby pattern iron sights, hand-finished checkering STOCK: Grade 5 walnut
and original-style engraving. Available calibers include .275 Rig-
WEIGHT: 7.8 lbs.
by, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, 8x57mm Mauser and 9.3x62mm.
These rifles weigh 7.8 pounds. Of course, if the stock version of CAPACITY: 4+1
this “Aston Martin” of hunting rifles isn’t lavish enough for you,
there are innumerable upgrades and custom options available MSRP: $8,995
through the Rigby Custom Shop. Incredibly beautiful and built
URL: JohnRigbyandCo.com
to the highest standards, these drool-worthy guns should be on
your short list of purchases ... if your lotto numbers ever line up.
2
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3
Winchester XPR
Sporter
With the exception of Rigby’s nearly $9,000 Highland MAKE: Winchester
Stalker, the new XPR Sporter is the only other rifle with a
wooden stock on this list. Despite the abundance of syn- MODEL: XPR Sporter
thetic-stocked rifles on the market, there are still plenty CALIBER: .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor,
of serious hunters who believe nothing can replace the 7mm-08 Rem, .308 Win, .270 Win,
look and feel of a walnut stock. Those hunters will appre-
.30-06 Spfld, 7mm Rem Mag, .300
ciate Winchester’s affordably priced XPR Sporter. At its
heart, the Sporter shares the same push-feed action, box Win Mag, .338 Win Mag, .300 WSM,
magazine design, two-position safety with bolt unlock .270 WSM and .325 WSM
button, and crisp MOA trigger as other XPRs, but the ACTION TYPE: Bolt
close-grain grade I walnut stock gives this gun a classic
look. Despite its low price point, the walnut on the XPR BARREL: 22-26 in.
Sporter is actually quite good, with crisp checkering and
STOCK: Grade I walnut
an excellent wood-to-metal fit.
Perma-Cote finish on the metal reduces glare and pro- WEIGHT: 6.12 –7.4 lbs.
tects against corrosion, and the bolt has a nickel Teflon CAPACITY: 3
coating for a smooth bolt stroke. There are 12-caliber op-
tions ranging from .243 Win to .338 Win Mag, including MSRP: $600
.270, .300 and .325 WSM.
URL: WinchesterGuns.com
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Mauser M18
It was big news in the hunting world when Mauser announced MAKE: Mauser
it was releasing a new rifle in 2018. Dubbed the M18, or “Volk-
swaffe” (“people’s rifle” in German), this bolt gun comes with MODEL: M18
a synthetic stock that offers two soft inlays for a secure grip in CALIBER: .243 Win, .270 Win,
any conditions, along with a cold hammer-forged barrel. The .308, .30-06 Spfld, .300 Win
five-round, detachable box magazine fits securely in place, and
Mag and 7mm Rem Mag
the trigger is adjustable and very crisp. There’s a three-position
rocker-type safety that’s easy to find with clear demarcations. ACTION TYPE: Bolt
Mauser backs this rifle with a serious accuracy guarantee: five
shots under an inch at 100 yards. That’s a bold promise, espe- BARREL LENGTH: 22-24.4 in.
cially because this “people’s rifle” is priced under $700. There are STOCK: Synthetic
a number of caliber options, including .243 Win, .270 Win, 7mm
Rem Mag, .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Win Mag and 6.5 WEIGHT: 6.4-6.6 lbs.
Creedmoor.
CAPACITY: 5
Christian Socher, CEO of Mauser’s North American distributor,
Blaser USA, sums up the M18 by saying, “Being able to produce a MSRP: $699
rifle this good at such an affordable price means more sportsmen URL: Mauser.com
than ever can realize their dream of owning a Mauser.” Very true.
4
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5
Weatherby Mark V
Camilla Subalpine
Most shooters probably know the name, Roy Weatherby, but MAKE: Weatherby
it’s his wife, Camilla, who is being honored with the introduc-
tion of Weatherby’s first Mark V built by women, for women. MODEL: Mark V Camilla Subalpine
Camilla rifles come with shortened lengths of pull and stock CALIBER: .240 Wby Mag, .270 Win,
geometry designed to better fit a female shooter’s frame, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, .30-06
which translates to faster shots and more comfort under
Spfld
recoil. The newest Camilla, the Subalpine version, features a
synthetic stock covered with Gore Optifade’s Subalpine camo. ACTION TYPE: Bolt
The action and hand-lapped, fluted barrel are treated with BARREL LENGTH: 22 in.
a Flat Dark Earth Cerakote finish to protect the rifle, and the
new LXX trigger is light and crisp, with a broad face for max- STOCK: Composite
imum control. The Camilla Subalpine, like other Mark Vs, is
WEIGHT: 5.75 lbs.
capable of sub-MOA accuracy, and at just 5¾ pounds, these
are rifles you can carry all day in the high country. Available CAPACITY: 5; 4 (Creedmoor)
chamberings include .240 Weatherby Magnum, 6.5 Creed-
moor, .270 Win, .308 and .30-06. If you are (or know) a serious MSRP: $3,000
female hunter who wants a sub-MOA rifle that fits properly, URL: Weatherby.com
the Camilla Subalpine might be the perfect choice.
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Nosler 48 Long
Range Carbon
The Model 48 Long Range Carbon is a gun that’s built from the MAKE: Nosler
ground up for serious long-range shooting. The most striking
feature on these rifles is their PROOF Research match-grade, MODEL: Model 48 Long-Range
carbon-fiber-wrapped barrels. These are lighter and stiffer Carbon
than stainless steel barrels and dissipate heat more efficiently, CALIBER: 6.5Creedmoor, .26
making them a great option for dedicated long-range hunting
Nosler, .28 Nosler, .300 Win
rifles. The barrel is matched with a trued and faced Model 48
push-feed action, and the barreled action is then dropped Mag, .30 Nosler, and .33 Nosler
into a Manners MCS Elite Midnight Camo carbon-fiber stock. ACTION TYPE: Bolt
Both the action and bottom metal are protected by Cerakote in
Sniper Grey. BARREL LENGTH: 26 in.
A Timney trigger and two-position, rocker-type safety round STOCK: Carbon Fiber
out this long-range rig. The threaded barrel comes with a
WEIGHT: 7 lbs.
knurled end cap, and Nosler promises MOA accuracy with
its prescribed ammunition. Even with a 26-inch barrel, these CAPACITY: 3; 4 (6.5 Creedmoor)
rifles weigh around 7 pounds, so it’s suitable for hunts for
which you need to do a lot of hiking. Available chamberings MSRP: $2,995
include 6.5 Creedmoor, .300 Win Mag, and the flat-shooting
URL: Nosler.com
.26, .28, .30 and .33 Noslers. These aren’t cheap guns, but if
you’re serious about hunting at long ranges and need a rifle
that’s up to the task, the Nosler is a natural choice.
6
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7
Franchi Momentum
The Franchi name is synonymous with shotguns, but this MAKE: Franchi
year, the Italian brand is launching its first bolt-action hunting
rifle. Named the Momentum, this gun includes a fluted bolt MODEL: Momentum
with three locking lugs, a free-floated, cold hammer-forged CALIBER: .243 Win, 6.5 Creed-
threaded barrel, TSA recoil pad and adjustable (2- to 4-pound) moor, .270 Win, .308 Win, .30-
trigger. The black, synthetic stock comes with stylized cutouts
06 Spfld and .300 Win Mag.
and textured panels.
But these avant-garde additions are for more than just esthet- ACTION TYPE: bolt
ics. Franchi took the standard synthetic rifle stock and made it BARREL LENGTH: 22 - 24 in.
as user-friendly as possible: There is a recessed area near the
rear sling stud to accommodate your hand when shooting off STOCK: Black Synthetic
bags, and the grip panels provide a firm and stable platform
WEIGHT: 6.6-6.7 lbs. (7.7-7.8 lbs.
for holding the rifle when shooting in a number of different
positions. The sling studs are recessed and sit flush with the with scope)
contour of the stock so they won’t hang-up. Yet, they are large CAPACITY: 4; 3 (.300 Win Mag)
enough to easily accommodate most swivels. There are six
caliber options: .243 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win, .308 Win, $609 ($729 rifle/scope
MSRP:
.30-06 Springfield and .300 Win Mag; and there’s also a combo combo)
version that comes equipped with a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40
URL: FranchiUSA.com
rifle scope already mounted. The Momentum weighs 6.6 to 6.7
pounds unscoped, so it’s easy to carry in the field.
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CMMG Mk4 V2 .22

Nosler
Anyone who thinks all MSRs are basically the same needs to visit MAKE: CMMG
the CMMG website. This brand constantly manages to come
up with fresh, new AR-platform hunting, tactical, and target MODEL: MK4 V2 .22 Nosler
rifles. The CMMG Mk4 V2 in .22 Nosler is no exception. The Mk4 CALIBER: .22 Nosler
harnesses the potential of the exciting, new Nosler round by
chambering it in a rifle with a 24-inch, medium-taper, 416 stain- ACTION TYPE: Semi-Automatic
less barrel with a 1:8 twist rate. A Geissele Automatics SSA trigger
BARREL LENGTH: 24 in.
allows for precision shots on varmints, hogs and predators at
long distances. At 7.5 pounds, this rifle is actually fairly portable, STOCK: Magpul MOE Rifle
considering its impressive long-range capabilities.
WEIGHT: 7.5 lbs.
In addition to the V2, CMMG is offering three other variants of
the Mk4 in .22 Nosler this year, with barrels of 18 and 22 inches. CAPACITY: 10
All these rifles come with forged 7075-T6 uppers and handguards
MSRP: $1,450
that are KeyMod compatible for adding accessories. If you’re seri-
ous about taking long shots at song dogs and other varmints, this URL: CMMGInc.com
rifle needs to be on your short list.
8
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9
GAMO TC35
and TC45
If you dismiss air-powered pellet rifles as being under- MAKE: GAMO
powered for serious hunting, take a look at the two new,
big-bore offerings from GAMO—the TC35 (.35 caliber) MODEL: TC35 and TC45
and TC45 (.45 caliber). These single-shot pellet rifles are CALIBER: .35 and .45
capable of shooting 1-inch groups at 50 meters and are
suitable on game as far as 100 yards away. Muzzle veloc- ACTION TYPE: Underlever
ities range from 600 to 900 feet per second, and energy
BARREL: 14.96 - 24.24 in.
figures can top 150 foot-pounds. There are a growing
number of states in which air rifles are legal for hunting STOCK: n/a
big game.
WEIGHT: 6 - 8lbs.
Both rifles come with a black carbon-fiber; 480cc air
cylinder capable of filling to 250 bar; an adjustable two- CAPACITY: 1
stage trigger; integrated suppressor; and a Weaver-style
MSRP: $1,000
rail for mounting optics. You can expect to get roughly
15 shots per air tank fill, too. The TC35 is designed for URL: GAMOUSA.com
small game and coyotes, while the larger TC45 is better
suited for game up to and including whitetail deer.
AP-1832-GUIDE.indd 82 6/21/18 4:47 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
83
Traditions
Outfitter G2 .450
Bushmaster
The G2 isn’t brand new, but this year Traditions’ sin- MAKE: Traditions
gle-shot rifle gets a power boost with the addition of
the mighty .450 Bushmaster version. These rifles are MODEL: Outfitter G2
undoubtedly marketed toward deer hunters who are CALIBER: .450 Bushmaster
allowed to hunt with straight-wall cartridges; even so,
the G2 guns make sense for anyone who needs a safe, ACTION TYPE: Break (Hinge) Single Shot
affordable big bore. The break-open design is easy to
BARREL LENGTH: 22 in.
use, and a transfer-bar safety offers peace of mind.
The 22-inch Lothar Walther barrels come outfitted with STOCK: Synthetic
muzzle brakes, which is a good thing when you con- WEIGHT: 5.8 lbs. (6.8 lbs. w/scope)
sider the level of recoil generated by the Bushmaster
cartridge in a light gun. If you don’t need the level of CAPACITY: Single Shot Cartridge
power the Bushmaster version offers, there is also a
MSRP: $439-586
wide array of other centerfire options, including .44
Mag, .243 Win (including a youth model), .444 Marlin URL: TraditionsFirearms.com
and .35 Remington. There are combo packages avail-
able with optics and cases, as well.
10
AP-1832-GUIDE.indd 83 6/21/18 4:47 AM
AMERICAN PIONEER
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AMERICAN PIONEER
85
DOMINATE
THE HUNT
The Fiddleback Bush Hermit Proves its Versatility
By Kevin Estela
R
ecently, Fiddleback Forge released a new model, around the hunting camp. Regardless of what grip I used, the
the Bush Hermit, to their popular custom and Bush Hermit was comfortable and produced no hot spots.
mid-tech knife lineup. Already popular with out- What is necessary to mention is the absence of a ferro-rod
doorsmen with interests in camping and bushcraft, sharp spine found on many survival knives. Long before the
the Bush Hermit is designed to be an all-purpose field knife recent “survival craze,” knives with spines like this were con-
with a belly designed for slicing. Its overall configuration sidered unfinished. Andy Roy purposely rounds his spines to
makes it well-suited for use as a hunting knife, as well as eliminate any stress points, as well as making the knife more
an heirloom-quality blade, worthy to be passed down for comfortable when pinched by the blade near the tip. If the
generations to come. outdoorsman can carry a ferro rod, he can carry a scraper. In
I recently had an opportunity to test one of these blades a real bind—even though it will dull the edge slightly and isn’t
and was not going to miss out on the chance to put it advised as the primary method—the outdoorsman could use
through the ringer and evaluate how it would or wouldn’t the edge of the blade as a ferro rod scraper.
work as a hunting knife.
The Sheath
Comfort in Hand A hunting knife should be carried in a manner that protects
Fiddleback Forge has earned a reputation in the knife the user from the edge and the knife from the elements. Just
community as producing some of the most aesthetically as easily as the blade can process animal flesh, it can serve up
pleasing blades, with trademark “bullseye” lanyard tubes a nasty cut to the user if he isn’t careful. Considering hunting
and “as-forged” blade finishes. You might think Fiddleback is an activity usually done in the early hours of the day and in
Forge blades were designed to be visually appealing before less-than-favorable conditions, a secure sheath should not be
they were designed to be hard working, but that assumption an afterthought, but a priority.
couldn’t be more inaccurate. Fiddleback Forge owner, Andy My Bush Hermit was provided with a deep pouch sheath
Roy, doesn’t favor form over function, and his priority is from Diomedes Industries. The sheath could be worn on the
comfort in the hand. belt as is, or with the drop-leg attachment that has an integral
The comfort is achieved through a combination of tapering firesteel loop. This is my preferred method of carrying a
of the tang, rounding the squared edges and finishing the blade deep into the bush. I suggest adding some Loc-Tite
handle with progressively finer abrasive and polishing belts. to the drop-leg attachment screw as it would be a shame,
I used the Bush Hermit in a variety of tasks found in and possibly a life-threatening error, to lose your blade because
AP-1832-BLADE.indd 85 6/20/18 7:54 AM

 01
01. BLADE LENGTH
4 INCHES
02. OVERALL LENGTH 04 

8.75 INCHES
03. BLADE THICKNESS

“At 1.25 inches
0.125 INCH
at the widest part
04. BLADE STEEL
A2
07  of the blade, the
Bush Hermit was not
unwieldy working
05. HANDLE MATERIAL
VARIES KNIFE TO
around bones and

KNIFE
03 
06. WEIGHT
6.4 OUNCES joints.”
07. SHEATH
TOP-GRAIN
LEATHER FROM 08  the screw walked out.
DIOMEDES With only a small segment of the handle exposed, I opted
INDUSTRIES to attach a small length of blaze-orange paracord to help with
drawing it from the sheath. The extra length of cord not only
08. MSRP
$365
helps with retrieving the blade, but also can be tucked behind
my belt to provide a secondary form of retention.
 05 In Use
I received my sample Bush Hermit during the peak of fish-
ing season when no game could be legally hunted. While this
CONTACTS stopped me from poaching, it didn’t stop me from testing it
FIDDLEBACK FORGE in a manner similar to game processing.
FIDDLEBACKFORGE.COM
06  I proceeded to my local meat market and purchased some
DIOMEDES INDUSTRIES bone-in meats. I proceeded to de-bone them and trim away
DIOMEDESINDUSTRIES.COM
the excess fat, without removing too much, since we all know
if you kill the fat, you kill the flavor.
02 
IN HIS At 1.25 inches at the widest part of the blade, the Bush Her-
mit was not unwieldy working around bones and joints. Even
OWN WORDS with greasy hands, I had no trouble achieving a good purchase
on the Bush Hermit. Without any gaps in the handle material,
KI Andy Roy, with over 90 models in your lineup, liners, and steel, I didn’t have to worry about leaving any bac-
what makes the Bush Hermit stand out?
teria behind that couldn’t be wiped and washed away.
AR I think the Bush Hermit stands out because the curves
on the bottom of the handle accommodate large hands very well.
I used my Bush Hermit to process a London Broil steak
This open-handle design on the underside can accept more into strips of jerky. By putting the steak in a cold refrigerator
fingers when you’re gripping on it. It won’t spin in your hand. for a while, I not only made it firmer for slicing, I was able to
KI What attributes make your blades suitable for the hunter?
see how using the Bush Hermit would feel with cold hands
AR I think the convex grind excels at hunting and game prep tasks. In ad- from handling the meat I sliced up. Thanks to the generous
dition to this, my knives feature ergonomic handles. This means a hunter size and wooden handle material, I experienced no dexterity
can index the knife in hand and always know the location of the edge. issues while working the blade.
KI Hunting can be hard on a blade, what should the user Cutting hide and hair can quickly destroy and edge, espe-
avoid doing with your knives that isn’t normal “wear and tear”? cially when that hide and hair is covered in caked-on mud, as
AR A knife is not a pry bar, and my knives are is usually the case with wild hogs. Since I didn’t have access to
not throwing tools. While I don’t consider batoning abuse, it can easily any freshly-killed game, I resorted to cutting through various
break a blade when done incorrectly. thicknesses of leather while doing some leatherwork. The belly
KI Pick two other blades to complement the Bush Hermit, GO! of the Bush Hermit allows the user plenty of finger clearance
AR I sell a lot of larger and smaller knives to complement the Bush Hermit. when slicing with the blade, and the depth of the cut is very
To make a Nessmuk trio from Fiddleback, try using our 12-inch machete controllable. I worked the blade of the Bush Hermit against
(best machetes in the world) and a handyman. With those three knives, the leather to thin it out, a process called skiving and usually
there is little a smart woodsman couldn’t accomplish.
left for dedicated leather-working knives.
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AMERICAN PIONEER
87
The Bush Hermit

worked great for
slicing up London
Broil for the food
dehydrator.
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AMERICAN PIONEER
88
01.The Fiddleback Forge

Bush Hermit features signa-
ture “as finished” markings
on the blade.
02. Andy Roy is able to

achieve a lightweight feel
in the Bush Hermit, due in
large part to the tapered
tang.
03.The self-guard of the

Bush Hermit protects the
user from riding up on the
blade when hands are slick.
“It is just the right size

to serve in multiple
roles, allowing you
to focus more on the
hunt…”
The Bush Hermit had no trouble making clean cuts in the

leather in a similar format to skinning, where controlling
the blade is essential to preserving the integrity of the hide.
Without having an actual carcass to work with, the leather
shop provided me with what I needed to evaluate how it
would work on various game.
I also used my Bush Hermit in a variety of tasks I normally
encounter in a hunting camp and in the field. Starting with
the activities of the early morning, I prepared my breakfast
with it, slicing onions and pressing garlic to go with my steak
and eggs. As with other carbon steels, repeated use in the
kitchen lets a nice patina develop on the exposed steel.
Over the course of the field test, I used my Bush Hermit
to trim branches out of the way while plinking, cut cordage
of various materials and thicknesses and for fire prep to
make lunch out in the field.
When the blade became noticeably dull, sharpening was
expedited by using a combination of diamond stones and
ceramic rods. Since the knife would continue to be used on
possible food items and in the kitchen, I coated it with a thin
layer of olive oil each time. This preventative maintenance
was all that was necessary to ward off any surface rust. In
fact, the only place rust was slightly visible was the 1-inch of
tang exposed when the knife was inserted into the sheath.
Plan for Success

A smart hunter plans from success backwards, and if you
anticipate needing a knife for game processing, camp chores
and general fieldcraft, the Bush Hermit is a great selection. It
is just the right size to serve in multiple roles, allowing you
to focus more on the hunt and less on the cutting tools you
wish you had. Strap one onto your belt the next time you
go into the woods and perhaps you’ll be fortunate to have a
good harvest and get to test it out for yourself.
AP-1832-BLADE.indd 88 6/20/18 7:54 AM

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AMERICAN PIONEER
90
BEST
GRILLING
TIPS
The tools and knowhow needed to turn
out great-tasting grilled meats.
By Darron McDougal
A
s I turned the chunks of wild-turkey breast over,
grill marks etched into the meat indicated a terrific
meal was in the making. A few minutes later, the
second side matched the first; time to test the fruit
of my labors. I stabbed one of the juicy but cooked pieces of
white meat with a fork, then let my canines tear a tiny nibble
off the flaming-hot meat. Succulent.
Every good griller knows that trying a piece of meat prior to
serving it to family or guests is standard practice. But, let’s not
get too carried away. Perhaps you’re completely new to meat
grilling.
If that’s you, let’s explore different types of grills, tools and tech-
niques involved so you can embark on your own grilling hobby.
Charcoal
Old, weathered Weber charcoal grills are as American as
apple pie. They seem to withstand the tests of time, use and
weather. Weber charcoal grills adorn many backyards across
America, each one representing many fine-cooked meals.
Charcoal-fueled grills, used correctly, bring incredible flavor
to steaks, poultry, burgers and other meats. Cooking well with
a charcoal grill does, however, involve a learning curve. Since
you’re “manually” setting the temperature by how much fuel
AP-1832-GRILL.indd 90 6/20/18 8:00 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
91
AP-1832-GRILL.indd 91 6/20/18 8:00 AM

» DONENESS
CHART
This chart was obtained via the USDA Food Safety and Inspec-
tion Service website. Commercial, farm-raised and wild-game “I stabbed one of the
meat can become contaminated by harmful, even deadly, bacte-
ria during butchering, so it’s crucial to cook meat to at least the
juicy but cooked pieces
minimum temperatures listed in the chart below. of white meat with a fork,
MINIMUM INTERNAL TEMPERATURE
then let my canines tear a
PRODUCT TYPE
& REST TIME
tiny nibble off the flam-
BEEF, PORK, VEAL
& LAMB
145 °F (62.8 °C) and allow to rest for at
least 3 minutes ing-hot meat.”
Steaks, Chops, Roasts
GROUND MEATS 160 °F (71.1 °C)

(charcoal) you add and how much oxygen you allow through the
HAM 145 °F (62.8 °C) and allow to rest for at
vents, it takes time and practice to master it. Still, a charcoal grill’s
Fresh Or Smoked (Uncooked) least 3 minutes
lack of mechanical workings means it will likely outlast any other
Reheat cooked hams packaged in
FULLY COOKED HAM USDA-inspected plants to 140 °F (60 type of grill—a definite plus.
(To Reheat) °C) and all others to 165 °F (73.9 °C)
To light, charcoal normally requires either an accelerant or an
ALL POULTRY electric charcoal starter. With the first option, you must liberally
Breasts, Whole Bird, Legs, Thighs,
and Wings, Ground Poultry, and
165 °F (73.9 °C)
soak each charcoal brick with the accelerant, also known as light-
Stuffing er fluid. Allow the fluid to soak into the bricks for a few moments
FISH & SHELLFISH 145 °F (62.8 °C) before lighting so you don’t create an explosive burst of flames when
you light the bricks. Use utmost care and caution when lighting char-
coal doused with lighter fluid to avoid serious injuries. An electric
charcoal starter eliminates most of this fuss.
Once you light charcoal doused with lighter fluid, you must allow
it to burn for a few minutes before placing the grill lid back on, al-
lowing sufficient oxygen into the grill until the charcoal bricks begin
to turn white on the edges. Further, you also must allow the charcoal
to burn for at least 15 minutes so that all traces of the lighter fluid
are burned away, otherwise your meat will assume a repulsive light-
er-fluid flavor. Believe me, you don’t want this.
Gas
Gas grills, fueled by propane, are quite handy. Most are equipped
with an ignitor button, thus eliminating the need to light with a
match or lighter. However, I’ve found the ignitor button, which cre-
ates a spark and lights the gas burners, usually fails over time, espe-
cially if the grill is exposed to weather for extended periods of time.
» WHISKEY
CHICKEN
CHARCOAL
A gas grill can produce far more consistent results than a charcoal
grill. A dial regulates each burner’s heat setting, and once you learn the
01INGREDIENTS
AND TOOLS
• 2 boneless/skinless chicken • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
dial’s sweet spot, the learning curve virtually ends. Plus, gas grills sim-
plify life—no need to fuss with charcoal and lighter fluid or wait for
breasts • ½ teaspoon salt lighter fluid to completely evaporate before placing meat on the racks.
• ¼ cup whiskey • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder But, you won’t get the earthy charcoal flavor, so that’s the tradeoff.
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (may substitute fresh Another downside is that gas grills have more mechanical work-
• ½ cup apple juice crushed garlic for greater ings and are more prone to failure over time. Of course, a general
• Dash of pepper potency)
rule is that the more you spend, the better grill quality you’ll get. Be
sure to visit your local grilling store to overview several models be-
02GRILLING
THE MEAT
Combine ingredients, except chicken, in zippered quart bag to
fore you buy. Also, spend time online reading reviews. It’s time well
spent prior to making the investment.
create marinade. Add chicken breasts to marinade. Gently shake
and place in refrigerator. Allow to marinate for 10-24 hours, Wood Pellet
turning the bag over every 4 hours. Newer wood-pellet grills bring a fresh perspective to the grilling
Heat charcoal grill to approximately 400°F. Sear both sides of scene. They’re equipped with automatic-feeding pellet hoppers. These
chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes or until they reach an internal types of grills allow you to set a dial to the desired temperature and
temperature of 165°F. duration—a real benefit if you’re juggling
Let rest for 1-2 minutes and enjoy!
AP-1832-GRILL.indd 92 6/20/18 8:01 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
93
other dishes for a large feast.

Pellet grills are versatile in that you can grill, barbecue
or smoke meats. Grilling cooks the fastest, barbecuing cooks
somewhat fast while adding some smoke, and smoking, of of a wood-pellet grill makes one worth the money, if you
course, is a slow process that gives lots of smoke flavor. can afford it.
The downside to pellet grills is that the wood pellets are
somewhat expensive. I’ve seen 25-pound bags marked at Grilling Techniques
$19 apiece. Most charcoal bags of equivalent weight are only Once you land a grill, you’ll need some tools to accompa-
$10 or less. But, the versatility, consistency and convenience ny it (see sidebar). Additionally, you’ll need a basic under-
AP-1832-GRILL.indd 93 6/20/18 8:01 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
94
"I’ve choked down

too many lightly salted and peppered deer steaks
in my younger years, and unless you can stomach
“gamey” meat—I can’t—seasonings are a vital
component”
AP-1832-GRILL.indd 94 6/20/18 8:01 AM

standing of how to grill in order to achieve edible results. » CAMPMAID OUTDOOR
COOKING SYSTEM
For the best results, you must apply meat to the grill once it’s at
a sufficient temperature for searing. The goal is to sear the outside
edges of the meat, locking in the juices and keeping the meat moist 01 »
inside. In contrast, adding the meat before the grill is hot will slowly
draw out the juices since the outside surfaces aren’t being seared, and
you’ll end up with a drier piece of meat.
I’ll bet the most common grilling mistake is overcooking/burning.
It’s easy to do, and I did it often in my early grilling days. The sim-
plest way to avoid it is to use a meat thermometer and keep a chart
handy that correlates certain temperatures with meat doneness.
Aside from that, you can learn to identify doneness through
experience. The more you grill, the better your eye will become at « 02
recognizing the proper time to remove meat from the heat. You must
understand that hot meat will continue cooking for a time even after
being removed from the heat. Thus, I typically remove meat from
the grill one doneness stage prior to the one I desire. For example, if When a large outdoor grill is out of reach, turn to a portable sys-
I want the meat well done, I’ll remove it at medium well, and it will tem with many functions. CampMaid Solutions came up with a
continue cooking since it’s so hot, reaching well done in a few more muti-use system to cook on the go. Grill your favorite meats and
minutes. veggies or use it with a Dutch oven for endless possibilities.
Another common mistake is to place well-done meat on a rack What originated to take Dutch oven cooking to the next level, be-
in the grill that sits above the grilling rack/grate. This is OK for a came a compact cooking tool with many functions . The innova-
minute, but the longer the meat is inside the grill after being cooked, tive patented line of multi-use, compact, portable outdoor cooking
the drier it will become. A better option it to have a crockpot hot and tools are great for any situation, including camping and hunting.
ready with some cooked meat juices in the bottom. The crockpot will The CampMaid outdoor cooking system allows for tools to be used
in different ways to create a griddle, smoker, grill, steamer, pizza
keep the meat hot, and the juices will keep it juicy/moist.
oven, frying pan, baking pot, and more.
Spice It Up The Lidholder unfolds to allow you to easily remove the lid of your
A mistake most beginner grillers make is failing to season meat. Dutch oven and place it aside, without it touching the ground. You
can then use it as a stand to place your Dutch oven atop of for easy
I’ve choked down too many lightly salted and peppered deer steaks
serving. However you may find its best use once it is flipped over
in my younger years, and unless you can stomach “gamey” meat—I and the Charcoal Holder and Flip Grill are added (shown above).
can’t—seasonings are a vital component to great-tasting grilled meat. Adjust the Charcoal Holder as needed to grill up your favorite
On the other hand, over-seasoning will also yield less-than-ideal game or, even better, add some wood chips to the charcoals, cover
results. Find a happy medium that works for you. the grill with the Dutch Oven and you have a portable smoker. For
You might question what seasonings go with various types of breakfast time, remove the grill and use the top of your Dutch oven
meats. A quick search online can yield a seasoning chart to navigate lid as a griddle. Or create a pizza oven by placing the Dutch oven
on top as a lid and the Dutch oven lid surface for the pizza.
your way. Commercial seasoning mixes are created to further sim-
plify the seasoning equation. But, always read labels if you’re health Don't forget to include the Camp Maid Charcoal Chimney to your
conscious. Unnatural fillers are often added. arsenal of cooking gear. It is a unique twist on the traditional
types that help quickly heat your charcoal for outdoor cooking. In
Marinating and injecting are other methods to season meat. In-
approximately 7-10 minutes you will have hot coals ready to cook
jecting can be done immediately prior to grilling, where marinating
your desired meal. It can also be used on its own as a cook stove.
takes several hours to a day to deliver its full effect. Personally, I pre- The Chimney is extremely portable and compact for easy storage.
fer these methods over shaker seasonings. Marinades and injections It folds down into one flat piece and fits neatly in a carry sack to
penetrate and reach the center of the meat, where shaker seasonings store inside a 12-inch Dutch oven. While it can heat up to 45 bri-
merely coat the surfaces. quettes at one time with no assembly required, it also cools down
Basting is also a viable option. With a brush, simply apply the quick for timely clean up.
baste to the meat before and while grilling. If your baste has a The real attraction to the CampMaid tools is the ability for each
sugary base, perhaps BBQ sauce, the meat surface will generally piece to fold down and fit inside a 12-inch or larger Dutch oven.
become slightly charred while grilling, but could burn if you grill It not only makes cooking with the Dutch oven easier, but also
for too long. brings portability to something that was once too cumbersome.
Whether you need the perfect complement to your Dutch oven
or an easy to assemble grill, the different tools by CampMaid will
No Time Like Grill Time
bring your camp side meals to a whole new level. Be sure to check
Whether you’re a single carnivore or looking to entertain guests, out their website to watch videos of its many uses.
one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an evening or weekend out-
doors is to light up a grill and cook some meat. The sizzles and scents
create a captivating atmosphere, for nothing in the world smells like 01. MSRP: $81.99 / 3-PIECE TOOL PACK
02. MSRP: $34.99 / CHARCOAL CHIMNEY
delicious grilled meat. And, when you sink your teeth into a juicy
piece of grilled meat, I believe you won’t look back. CAMPMAID.COM
AP-1832-GRILL.indd 95 6/20/18 8:01 AM

AMERICAN PIONEER
96
If there is an unofficial offseason for hunting it’s summer, with less

options for game and longer, hotter days. It is, however, the perfect
season for being outdoors, bbqing, and beer drinking. Take this time
to get your ducks in a row for the upcoming fall season and to hunt
down some summer seasonal brews.
01 HELL OR HIGH WATERMELON

21ST AMENDMENT BREWERY
San Francisco, California, Wheat Beer, ABV 4.9% IBU 17
1 2
The 21st amendment brewery, named after the amendment to
end prohibition, uses over one million pounds of watermelon in
the making of Hell or High Watermelon each year. This water-
melon wheat beer is crisp, dry and refreshing with a pleasant aro-
ma and taste of watermelon, which pairs well with BBQ. Seasonal.
21st-Amendment.com
____
02 RASPBERRY HEFEWEIZEN
SCHLAFLY
St Louis, Missouri, Hefeweizen, ABV 4.1% IBU 16
Schlafly is the largest locally-owned independent craft brewery
in Missouri—which also happens to be home to the world’s
largest brewer, Anheuser Busch. An unfiltered wheat ale brewed
with real raspberry that is low alcohol, easy to drink, fruity and
tart with a smooth wheat finish. Pairs well with a charcuterie
board. Seasonal.
Schlafly.com
___
03 ALOHA TRAVELER
THE TRAVELER BEER CO.
Burlington, Vermont, Pineapple Shandy, ABV 4.4% IBU 7
A shandy is beer mixed with soda or juice and is a summer
tradition for many. This version is an American craft wheat
ale made with real pineapple that is bright and light with juicy
pineapple and citrus. Pairs well with pork or spicy food.
Seasonal.
TravelerBeer.com
___
04 SUMMERFEST
SIERRA NEVADA
Chico, California, Lager, ABV 5.0% IBU 28
The quintessential summer beer is lager and Summerfest is
one of the best. Crisp, clean, classic Czech-style lager that is
crushable, and the perfect reward after a long day of work under
the hot summer sun. Serve well-chilled. Pairs with just about
everything in the summertime. Seasonal.
SierraNevada.com
____
05 PIVO HOPPY PILS

FIRESTONE WALKER
Paso Robles, California, Pilsner, ABV 5.3% IBU 40
Is craft beer from the heart of California wine country any good?
No, it is superb! Pivo hoppy pils won the Gold medal at the
Great American Beer Festival in 2013, 2014, and 2015. A classic
pilsner with a west coast dry hopping that adds floral notes and
a hoppy bitter finish—uncommon for that style. Clean, crisp,
and drinkable, which are three traits of a fantastic summer beer.
Pairs well with salmon, tuna, trout, and fried food. Available
year round.
FirestoneBeer.com
____
AP-1832-BEER.indd 96 6/20/18 8:06 AM

The Beer Hunter:
summer suds
By J. Miller
3 4 5
AP-1832-BEER.indd 97 6/20/18 8:06 AM

TRD-1709-Tail Gater Tire Table 7/12/17 7:53 AM Page 1
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SUMMER ISSUE
VOLUME 1, 2018
Advertiser Page Advertiser Page

Baja Designs 19 Overwatch Optics 3
Battlbox LLC 9 Ready Made
Resources 7
Bradford USA 69
Step 22 69
Four Wheel
Pop-Up Campers 61 Tail Gater Tire Table 98
Jantz Supply 35 TOPS Knives 99
Kershaw Knives 100 Wheel Pros 24-25
Midland Radio 2 World Gone Silent 45
AP-1832-ADINDEX.indd 98 6/25/18 2:29 AM

AP_SUM18_C3 6/22/18 6:48 AM Page C3
AP_SUM18_C4 6/20/18 5:17 AM Page C4
WHAT ARE YOU

CARRYING?
Carry the one that gives you plenty of
bang for every hard-earned buck, on
every budget; the one that feels good
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American Pioneer - Vol 1, Summer 2018

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American Pioneer - Vol 1, Summer 2018

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Summer Issue

AP-1832-CVR.indd 1 6/22/18 9:24 AM

52 The .358 Taylor

72 Rifle Buyer’s Guide

84 Dominate The Hunt

90 Best Grilling Tips

AP-1832-TOC.indd 5 6/21/18 4:01 AM

ADVERTISING CUSTOMER SERVICE

THIS MAGAZINE IS PURCHASED BY THE BUYER WITH THE

AP-1832-MAST.indd 10 6/21/18 4:05 AM

AP-1832-EDIT.indd 8 6/25/18 2:05 AM

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 11 6/20/18 5:42 AM

"Hunting was an honor

discomforts. The end result was the satisfaction, sadness and

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 12 6/20/18 5:42 AM

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 13 6/20/18 5:42 AM

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 14 6/20/18 5:42 AM

"Hunting is the summation of indescribable

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 15 6/20/18 5:42 AM

"Only one person should set the standard

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 16 6/20/18 5:42 AM

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 17 6/20/18 5:42 AM

"..our attitude toward

AP-1832-THEORY.indd 18 6/20/18 5:42 AM

THE SCIENTISTS OF LIGHTING

SEE WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING AT

THE SCIENTISTS OF LIGHTING I BAJADESIGNS.COM I 800.422.5292

AP_SUM18_19.indd 19 6/20/18 4:43 AM

01. NAME TITLE

01 SOG Baton Q3 02 Spyderco 03 Esbit Pocket 04 Ben’s Insect

AP-1832-PRODS_CX1.indd 20 6/27/18 12:24 AM

GOT TIME TO KILL? LOOK UP THESE EDITOR’S PICKS FOR

06 SUPERFEET 07 Gerber Big 08Brunton ADC 09 Battletac 40L

AP-1832-PRODS_CX1.indd 21 6/27/18 12:25 AM

01 KUIU/Chugach NX 02 KUIU/Chugach NX 03 KUIU/Guide

AP-1832-DRESS_CX1.indd 22 6/26/18 2:17 AM

AP-1832-DRESS_CX1.indd 23 6/26/18 2:17 AM

MATTE BRONZE MATTE BLACK MACHINED

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 26 6/26/18 2:11 AM

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 27 6/26/18 2:11 AM

Adjustable to a pull weight of 4 to 2 The rifle has a smooth-cycling, spi-

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 28 6/26/18 2:11 AM

“as I unboxed the new

The polymer stock provides a firm

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 29 6/26/18 2:12 AM

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 30 6/26/18 2:12 AM

“some rifles purely love copper

action with the safety in either position.

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 31 6/26/18 2:12 AM

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 32 6/26/18 2:13 AM

“One thing that

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 33 6/26/18 2:13 AM

“The rifle has

AP-1832-FRANCHI_CX1.indd 34 6/26/18 2:14 AM

AP-1832-LOST.indd 36 6/20/18 6:02 AM

AP-1832-LOST.indd 37 6/20/18 6:03 AM

AP-1832-LOST.indd 38 6/20/18 6:03 AM

“Although you might have

the nearby wilderness. If you do make it up safely, look for

Eyes on the Water

AP-1832-LOST.indd 39 6/20/18 6:03 AM

01 GPS Device: Without a doubt, this is

02 Signal Flares and Smoke Canisters:

03 Signal Mirror: Sometimes simple