Savage Stevens 320 Field Combo 12-gauge Shotgun

March 13, 2026Product review, Shooting hardwarecombo, field grade, model 320, savage, savage stevens, stevenscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Pump shotguns are perhaps the backbone of the shotgun market.They offer reliable function for an affordable price while still taking on nearly every duty a shotgun might be charged with. Today we are taking a look at one of these affordable options, we will be reviewing the Savage Stevens 320 Field Combo. A combination shotgun that comes with both a 28-inch hunting barrel and an 18.5-inch security barrel.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, — the Stevens 320 was a joy to shoot

Savage Arms has a long history with American firearm enthusiasts. A popular brand for affordable firearms, which was further broadened with the purchase of Stevens Firearms some time later. These days it appears that the Stevens name has been brought back by Savage as a discount brand with firearms manufactured overseas. This may or may not be a big selling point for some, but in today’s example it was reason enough for me to purchase this firearm.

the disassembled 320 for cleaning

The Stevens 320

The Stevens 320 action is a rotating-bolt pump-action, the bolt-carrier changes the linear motion of the pump into a rotating action where the bolt engages the breech of the barrel. The gun is fed from a tubular magazine that holds 5-rounds when the plug is removed.

the magazine plug to reduce capacity to hold 2-rounds

While the 28-inch barrel has the traditional rib with a sight-bead at the front, the shorter 18.5-inch barrel has just a simple bead. The aluminum alloy receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting a sight rail to allow additional sight options.

receiver is drilled and tapped for mounting sights

The action is fed from a traditional tube magazine that gives the gun a total capacity of 5-rounds. This particular model is the Field Grade combo, that also includes an 18.5-inch security barrel. This gives you the option for a great 28-inch field gun for hunting upland game and waterfowl, as well as a compact choke-less barrel for investigating bumps-in-the-night.

easy controls make operation simple

The Stevens 320 uses simple and inexpensive polymer furniture, and also includes both a front and rear sling stud should you wish to install one. There is a safety at the front of the trigger-guard, and the bolt-release is just behind the trigger-guard. On top of the receiver, it is drilled and tapped for mounting a sight rail.

Stevens 320 Background

Savage has been around for quite some time in the American firearms market. The Stevens name comes from the late 19th century manufacturer that was later purchased by Savage. After the end of the Great War, Savage and Stevens continued making firearms as independent brands. In more recent times like the current century, Savage brought back the Stevens name, releasing several models branded so. It appears to at least the author that the Stevens name is being used to delineate between American made Savage products and foreign built Stevens models.

The Stevens model 320 copies much of the design from the very popular Winchester model 1300 shotgun. Using the same rotating bolt design and other features of the iconic Winchester who’s demise came a short few years before the Stevens 320 was released. I remember those dark times when Winchester died …

For now, the Stevens 320 shotguns are manufactured in China, and imported to the US by Savage for sale here. It’s a long way from Shandong Province to Westfield Massachusetts, but the popularity of this shotgun would suggest they are doing a good job there.

Into the Field

To give the Steven 320 Field Grade shotgun a good test, we took it for a round of hand-thrown clays. Together with a couple other shotguns for comparison, I figured it would be a great opportunity to get a feel for it.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, security barrel, — the field combo adds great value with two barrels

We brought a couple cases of White Flyer clay targets, as well as an assortment of ammo. I had brought both Remington Gun Club as well as Winchester Target both with 1-1/8 ounce loads. The 320 came with a Modified choke from the factory, and since it uses the Win Choke system (.812″-32 tpi), there are plenty of options you can change it to. With the Modified choke we would be fine for now.

Shooting The Stevens 320

It didn’t take long to get the Stevens 320 warmed up, we would take turns throwing clays for each other and rotate shooters. Loading the tube magazine is straight-forward, and allows 2-rounds with the plug installed. We did notice that at first there was a touch of a challenge to get the shells past the retaining clip. But this went away with some use.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, loading,

The sticky grip of the rubber recoil pad made it stay in place against your shoulder. And I found that I liked the angle of the grip area, giving great position for the trigger finger. The controls were simple and quick to operate, even the novice’s amongst us. Running the pump was smooth and easy, which only got better as the gun broke in a little bit.

Looking down the rib of the barrel to lead the clays reminded me of my early years of shooting my old Remington 870. The broad rib with the bead at the end makes a very familiar and clean sight picture.

Shootability

The Stevens 320 points very well, and I liked the stock angle and grip as mentioned. It shoots just like you would expect a classic pump-gun to shoot. The grip areas have texture and grooves to hold onto, the trigger feels fine, and its light weight make it an easy swing.

The added bonus barrel in the 18.5 Security barrel, gives you another option as well. The short barrel makes the gun even more portable and quick to get on target, both great features for a defense shotgun.

Savage, stevens, savage stevens, 320, model 320, 12 gauge, shotgun, field grade combo, bolt, bolt carrier, breech, bolt lockup, — details of the barrel breech where the bolt locks up

Reliability

We shot nearly half-a-case of ammo through the 320 that first trip. And we’ve shot easily another half through it since. Not once during our testing did the Stevens not function as expected. The simplicity of the pump-action manifests over and over, using a variety of ammunition of both 1-oz and various 1-⅛-oz loads.

Quality

Despite it’s low price, I found the 320 to have little to complain about. Perhaps the finish was a bit lower quality than I’d prefer, but it was fine. There were no obvious tool marks or flaws in the finish. And it was a touch sticky when it came to loading the mag for the first little bit. Not sure if we just figured it out or it broke in. As an entry level shotgun with an MSRP of $329, I was quite happy with the level of quality.

Value

This is where the Stevens 320 absolutely shines. With basically two shotguns in one, for a street price under $300, the Steven is an excellent buy. Despite being very inexpensive, this gun appears to be built just as well as the shotgun I bought 30 years ago. A shotgun that still performs perfectly today. The 320 offers a field shotgun for hunting birds and other game, as well as a home defense type shotgun. It does this with great reliability and comfortable performance.

Pros and Cons

If the great shooting, and economic price weren’t enough, the Stevens 320 also enjoys support from the aftermarket. With various stock configurations, magazine extensions, and other items. I’ve already mentioned it shoots well, and hasn’t malfunctioned a single time yet. It is affordable for even the most economically challenged amongst us, and it comes with some great features like the extra barrel. The drilled and tapped receiver allows you to mount a sight rail like this one from EGW, allowing installation of red dots or other optics. All this makes the 320 an easy choice for an inexpensive shotgun that you can customize to your needs.

As long as you keep in mind that this is an entry-level gun, and remember what you paid for it, I don’t think there will be many complaints. I do wish it came with a couple other chokes, but for those interested they can be had for under $25 on Optics Planet. The impression of an inexpensive shotgun manufactured beyond the reach of the health and safety department are fine with me. I don’t mind a little working around rough edges to save some money.

Pros

Inexpensive
Shoots great
Reliable function
Extra barrel
Drilled and tapped receiver

Cons

Made in China
Only comes with one choke

My Imported 2011: The EAA Witness Girsan 2311 CMXX

March 11, 2026pistols, Product review10mm, 2011, 2311, 45 acp, 9mm, CMX, CMXX, eaa, european american armory, girsan, witnesscoldboremiracle

Prologue

I speak to many folks in the firearms industry on a day to day basis. In one of those conversations somebody brought up Girsan 1911 pistols, and as the discussion continued my interest grew. So, when my opportunity to get one arose, I jumped on it. And that brings us to today’s review, and the model we are looking at is the EAA Girsan 2311 CMXX 9mm pistol. The CMXX is a double-stack 1911 style pistol chambered in 9mm, this style of pistol has colloquially become known as 2011 pistols. After the famed Staccato pistols that popularized the genre.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, zeroing, adjustment, — the Witness 2311 CMXX fitted with a Nightstick Weapon Light, you can read about that one here

European American Armory (EAA) is the company that imports these pistols and distributes them in the US. Girsan manufactures a variety of firearms at their factory in Turkey and has done for over thirty years.

The Girsan 2311 CMXX

I said we often call them 2011 pistols, but it appears Girsan wanted to skip that and called theirs a 2311. There are some reasons I suppose behind that, and the CMXX definitely has some progressive features. Let’s get into this pistol and see what makes it tick.

Specifications

Caliber	9mm, .45ACP or 10mm
Magazine	Standard Double Stack 1911
Action	Single Action
Barrel	Bull Barrel Lock-Up with Compensator
Finish	Cerakote® Black
Optic Ready	RMSc Footprint
Grips	Improved High Texture
Sights	Removable 3-Dot Sights, Fiber Optic Front Sight
Slide	Lightening-Cut Slide
Safety	Auto Firing Pin-Block (No Grip Safety)
Thumb Safety	Ambidextrous Lever
Accessory Rail	Full Accessory Rail

I must start out by stating something obvious. As a happy owner of a Staccato XC, I find the Girsan CMXX to be so similarly styled that its impossible to ignore. So much so that the boys in the office and I have taken to calling the CMXX “the Turkkato”. Obviously I don’t mind, as I like my Staccato very much. Though it would be somewhat unfair to compare the two. That said, keep in mind throughout this review that this is coming from a guy who also shoots a Staccato.

A Different Grip

The Girsan CMXX follows the same pattern as many other 2011 style pistols. Using a polymer grip mated to a steel frame. The grip has an aggressive texture that makes it stick to your hand very well. At the base of the frame, you’ll find a magwell flare to aid in guiding magazines into the magwell. Above the grip area you’ll also find the typical dual safety levers on either side of the grip.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, grip,

Standing out from the crowd of other 2011 pistols, the CMXX does not feature a grip safety. The traditional 1911 feature that is depressed by the hand when you grip the pistol has been swapped for a firing pin block. Much like striker fired pistols, the CMXX firing pin is blocked from protrusion unless the trigger is pulled. When disassembled, you can see the very same features under the slide as you would on a Glock.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, optic, footprint, rmsc, firing pin safety, — here you can see the firing pin block safety that replaces the grip safety common on other 2011 pistols

Slide and Barrel

Moving our attention to the slide, it is more traditional 2011 design. Except for the firing pin block of course. The extractor is internal, and not visible when the slide is locked closed. Up front there is a compensator built into the 4.25-inch barrel, which also features the traditional link to attach to the frame. On the top of the frame there are some simple three-dot sights, the front one being a fiber optic orange.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, rear sight, — I removed the rear sight because I’m a red dot nerd

The rear sight can be removed using a couple center-aligned screws. Underneath you’ll find an optics cut with lugs for the popular RMSc red dot pattern. I would for sure use that very soon, since I’m a sucker for pistols with red dots. In fact, such a sucker that I tried various options. I used the Vortex Defender CCW, and the Enclosed Solar version, as well as the Holosun SCS Carry enclosed red dot.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, red dot, mounting, — installing one of the three red dots tested on the Girsan 2311

Range Preparations

Before I headed to the range with this pistol, I wanted to kit it out to my tastes of course. That would require a few accessories; the Vortex Defender would fit nicely on top for the initial trip, a Surefire X300 light, all tucked neatly into my Safariland ALS holster.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, safariland, als holster, — the Safariland ALS holster is my absolute favorite, and the CMXX fit perfectly

As I removed the rear sight, I found the firing pin block neatly tucked underneath. I had to carefully remove the sight and replace it with my red dot. It would be very easy to lose the pin-safety spring during this process so be careful.

the full picatinny accessory rail allows you to line up your weapon light where you choose

Under the front of the pistol there is a complete picatinny rail, giving you various positions to mount weapon lights. I like this feature as many other pistols don’t have it. I grabbed a few boxes of Magtech, Blaser, and Federal ammo before heading out to shoot the CMXX.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, CCW, enclosed, red dot, holosun, scs carry, magtech, ammunition, — the CMXX worked great with my **Staccato 20-round magazines** too

Shooting the Girsan 2311 CMXX

My very first shots through the CMXX were at an indoor range, weather required me to do my shooting under a roof. This quickly made me aware of the concussion from the compensator of the pistol. Its louder than un-comped pistols, but certainly not a problem. And the reduction in muzzle-rise is well worth the racket.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, muzzle, compensator,

I put several magazines through the 2311, and was quite happy with how it ran. In fact it seemed after just a box or so of shooting, the pistol seemed significantly smoother and softer. Over the course of several weeks, I spent several trips to the range and other places to pump ammo through the CMXX.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, — I ended up keeping the **Vortex Defender CCW Solar Micro red dot** on the gun, more on that later

I used both the 17-round magazines that came with the Girsan 2311, as well as some of the 20-round Staccato magazines. All of them functioned flawlessly, and the CMXX churned through ammo. I even took the liberty of removing the flared magwell, just to see how my reloads went. Perhaps if you were going to carry this gun that would be helpful, but I ended up putting it back.

Reliability

During the course of my shooting, we only experienced one malfunction. One failure to go into battery that I can’t be sure was the fault of the pistol or some of the remanufactured ammo I was shooting that day.

hard to see, but the Holosun SCS Carry red dot was also a great choice and fit

The ejection pattern of the pistol was slightly different than expected. It seemed like most of the time brass would eject more in the up direction than to the side. It would occasionally get scooped forward by the red dot and thrown forward. But it never caused any problems.

Shootability

Standing alone, this pistol shoots great. It is smoother and flatter-shooting than my striker-fired guns. Of course it is very hard not to compare it to my Staccato, being as they are so similar. But that would be an unfair comparison as the Staccato costs four times more.

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, surefire x300, Staccato, staccato XC, holosun, 507comp, — not comparable at all! 😀

The trigger has smoothed up a bit since it came out of the box, but it still has a very slight gritty-ness to it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still nice, just not as nice as it could be. The gun feels fantastic in my hand but for the cross-pin that secures the flared magwell. The texture is very grippy, and the controls are crisp. The safety detent is stiffer than I anticipated, hopefully it wears in.

I love the texture on the slide, it makes for excellent purchase when grabbing the slide. The flat-coil recoil spring is stiffer than I expected too, I wouldn’t mind putting a softer spring in it if I could get it to work.

Shooting with the iron sights was fine, but I prefer using a red dot. Even so, using the red dot’s built-in notch as a rear sight was still perfectly usable with the front sight.

Quality

I’ve handled quite a few 2011 pistols in the last year or so. At SHOT Show alone I grabbed way too many. Generally they feel fantastic, as do their nineteenth-century counterparts. The Witness CMXX feels well built, smooth fitting, and not sloppy. Its a touch stiffer than other 2011 pistols, but it still has that quality feel. For a pistol at this price point I feel its quality is more than adequate.

holosun, scs, carry, holosun red dot, solar, Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, — been using the **Walkers Game Ear Suppressor ear buds** too

Value

As the field of 2011 options continues to deepen, I see this as an excellent modest option. So many options are out there, and this isn’t even the cheapest one of them. But I can say it is certainly worth the price in my opinion. Girsan is no stranger to making 1911 style pistols, so I expect this gun will continue performing well into the future. I’m tempted to buy another in 10mm.

Continue Reading Here

Girsan, witness 2311, 9mm, eaa, 2011, vortex, vortex optics, defender CCW, enclosed, red dot, match x, streamlight, holosun, — also for comparison, the CMXX’s older brother, the **Girsan Match X** (5-inch) wearing a Holosun 407 and **Streamlight**

GPS Pistolero Backpack

March 9, 2026Ancillary gear, Product reviewbackpack, GPS, Pistolero, pistolero backpack, rangebagcoldboremiracle

A Pistolero

While I have wandered the southwest, and meandered on either side of the border, it may be a stretch to consider myself a pistolero. But I do love shooting handguns, and the GPS Pistolero Backpack adds some organization and security to my handgunning. The Pistolero Backpack is designed for a handgun enthusiast headed to the range with a variety of pistols.

GPS, pistolero, backpack, rangebag, pistol, handgun, — fitting handguns into the Pistolero was easy, here you can see my **Ruger RXM**, and the BCA Grizzly 9mm pistols

Inside the Pistolero

Five internal handgun storage cases with magazine storage
4 outside zippered pockets for mags and other accessories
Larger top storage for ammo
Free standing backpack
Visual ID storage system
Waterproof pullout cover
Each side pocket holds 6 mags. Total of 12 mags in both side pockets!
Internal frame for rigidity of the pack
MOLLE webbing system that is triple stitched

Carrying just about everything but your bulk ammo stash, the Pistolero keeps up to five handguns individually cased. While allowing you to keep all your other stuff in there too, with magazines storage pouches on either side, and personal protective equipment. The adjustable shoulder straps allow you to customize the fit while the various zippered pouches allow you to separate equipment. Many of the pouches are labeled if you need help with that, And there is even a pullout rain-fly to cover the pack in poor weather. Various surfaces on the pack also incorporate velcro for adding your favorite accessories (even if they are just goofy patches) as well as molle for attaching other accessories to the pack.

GPS, pistolero, backpack, rangebag, pistol, handgun, ppe, — the ammo storage pouch up top seemed better suited for my **Safariland Liberator headset**

Loading up the Pistolero

With room for up to five pistols, I figured it was worth a trip to the range. Each of the pistol pouches is padded and zippered to keep your guns safe. There is a separator between them to keep each pouch secure and upright. The pouches themselves are pretty simple, but provide ample protection, especially when in the backpack.

Average size handguns fit just fine in the pouches. I can even fit my 5-inch 2011 pistols in them, so anything smaller than that should fit easily. If you run big oversized red dots it might be a tight fit.

The PPE pocket has a spot for ear plugs, and shooting glasses with a fuzzy lined pocket for the latter. I usually wear a headset, which fits nicely in the top pocket. The top pocket is supposedly for ammo, for which it will work I guess. But if I’m bringing five pistols to the range, I would likely have a separate ammo can. As the top pocket would probably fit around 6-7 boxes (50rnd) of 9mm, and thats barely over a box per pistol.

The magazine pouches are nice, giving you room to organize and store up to 12 magazines neatly. Obviously one of those could hold a suppressor instead if you’re that kinda guy.

Pros and Cons

At first I felt the Pistolero was a bit bulky because of its wide base. But after a few range trips, I can see it was made that way to make it a stable base to prevent it from tipping over. You can set it on a table or bench and work out of it much like a tool box. The padded pack is comfortable, and the smooth zippers don’t have that cheap catchy feel. And the material this pack is made of is more robust than expected, not that thin flimsy nylon but sturdy and rigid, giving the pack some structure.

GPS, pistolero, backpack, rangebag, pistol, handgun, magazine,

The pistol bay in the bottom also incorporates a lockable zipper, in case your range is in the hood. Allowing you to put a small lock through the zipper, possibly more for keeping unwanted children away than actual thieves. On the bottom of the pack, you will find a rubberized bottom. This I found to be optimal, not only for resistance to wear. But also to keep dirt, snow or other debris from getting picked up and carried back into your vehicle or home.

My Recommendation

There is really very little to critique about this pack as long as you see it for what it is. The Pistolero is for transporting handguns to the range, it’s not meant for traditional backpack duties. I suppose you could fit a ham sandwich in one of the pistol cases, and it might even keep it cold for a minute. But this pack is meant for serious pistol shooters, or Pistolero’s as my father might have said.

You can pick this pack up at Palmetto or Midway USA for under $120, which makes it pretty accessible for a serious pistolero. I think it is worth that price, and it will certainly be accompanying me on my pistol outings henceforth. You’ve heard the saying about bringing a knife to a gunfight, but bringing a Pistolero like this to gunfight will certainly give you and edge.

-CBM

Looking for a different range bag? Look at this one

Self Defense Handguns While Hunting

March 6, 2026bloghunting, predators, self defensecoldboremiracle

Preface

Do hunters need a self-defense option? I mean, a deer rifle is a pretty good tool to confront a threat. Today we are going to take a look at self defense while hunting, because the act of hunting might involve a bow, or a rimfire hunting weapon. And hunting activities are usually done in wild places, where we are often not the only predator. We’ll take a look at some of the reasons a person might want additional self-defense tools when hunting or even fishing. I know from experience that with noise of a running creek can allow you to unknowingly get dangerously close to some animals.

In the Wild

Perhaps you, like me learned to be prepared as a youth before going into nature. Many of us don’t even leave the bedroom without at least a pocket knife or something more. As hunters, we spend a great deal of time outside, and very often in places that are isolated and remote. The game we pursue tends to be in the wilder parts of our world, and when we enter those area there is some risk involved. Anything from frostbite to bear bites could be a reality. Just like we prepare our equipment for the act of hunting, we should also prepare for our survival. That could be granola bars and a map, but in wild places it can also include tools for defending yourself.

mueller, mueller optics, tachunter, 6-24x50, scope, riflescope, quattro 15, bolt-action, bolt-action AR, 223, suppressed, yhm fat cat, coletac

A Typical CCW

For those of you out there who daily conceal carry, self defense is already something you do on a day-to-day basis. So adding your carry pistol to your hunting routine is an easy transition. If you are hunting in the flooded forests of the south, the danger could come from snakes or alligators. Whereas if you are hunting the alpine peaks of the Rockies, the danger could be from Grizzly bears or mountain lions.
A typical CCW pistol like a Glock 43 or 19, might be perfectly adequate for certain situations. An aggressive cougar for example might be dispatched with a 9mm defensive round. And pistols designed for concealed carry often give you good ammunition capacity.

psa, dagger, 9mm, palmetto state armory, clone, — good Glock clones like this PSA Dagger are also suitable

Running into aggressive cougars whether two or four-legged is likely about all I would use a typical 9mm carry gun for. If I was going into a place with larger predators like bears or big gators, I would want something more.

Big Autos

I carried a Glock 29 for a little bit, a compact 10mm auto that carried quite the punch. I also spent some time behind a Smith and Wesson M&P 9 chambered in 10mm. Guns like these carry more power for defending against larger threats, with some loads often carrying double the energy on target as a typical 9mm. The M&P particularly was very nice to shoot, and carried 17+ rounds, which could ruin most anyone’s day when applied.

For all the 1911 guys out there, this is also your chance to put the .45ACP into use. The heavy bullets of the 45 also offer some additional stopping power. I would look at something like the Sig Sauer 1911 Ultra compact, for easy portability that won’t get in the way. These autos offer an increase in power without giving up autoloaders ammunition capacity.

Revolvers

Americans have a love affair with revolvers, and this is one area where they certainly shine. The only demerit you might give revolvers is their limited capacity when compared to an autoloader. But there is no question that a big revolver is potent medicine for defense against predators of all kinds. When I hunt the extremely remote Kootenai forests, I rarely go without a good pistol. I really like the Smith and Wesson 629 in .44 Magnum, as it provides ample power. As the darkness surrounds you up there, with wolves, Grizzly bears and other hungry predators, the heavy steel against your side feels reassuring.

smith and wesson, S&W, model 629, 44 magnum,

I also am a big fan of Ruger’s Super Redhawk Alaskan. Whether it be in .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, or .480 Ruger, it is bound to put big holes in your target. The Alaskan model while still quite robust, is small enough to easily carry while fishing a river, or hiking through forests.

ruger, super redhawk, alaskan, .454 casull, .44 magnum, alaskan guide creations, revolver, — A pair of Super Redhawks, note fluted cylinder of .44 Mag model

You certainly don’t need to go heavy either. There are plenty of good revolvers that are suitable for self-defense that are light weight and powerful as well. The Ruger SP101 and LCR are much smaller than the large frame pistols I mentioned above. And chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special they still offer some stout energy on target.

Ammunition Application

Depending on the type of country you are in, you should select proper ammunition for your defense. Whether it be shotshells for snakes,hollow-points for your autoloader, or hard-cast lead or solids for your revolver. Ensure that the ammunition you bring along is adequate for your potential assailant.

Continue reading here

Kimber K6S 357 magnum revolver with cartridges — a handsome handful of 357 cartridges, make sure you pick the right ammo for defense

Bear Guns and Cartridges: Do you Have one Already?

March 4, 2026blogbear, bear caliber, bear gun, bear hunting, bear rifles, huntingcoldboremiracle

Introduction

So you’ve decided to try bear hunting, a popular big game hunting option in many states. Archery is a popular option, but we are gun people here, so our focus today will be on some good firearm choices for bears. Today we are going to take a look at bear hunting, and what kind of firearm you might select for your first bear hunt.

Bear Hunting Approaches

Depending on where you live, bear hunting can be done in a variety of ways. Some folks do the traditional spot and stalk, while others use bait stations or pursue them with hounds. My experience is mainly spot and stalk, but we’ll look at all the various options.

Spot and stalk bear hunting can take place in thick wooded forests, or in open mountain canyons. And depending on the type of bruin you are after, you might need some serious firepower. Black bears typically can be hunted with the same rifles and calibers you typically hunt deer with. While brown bears might require a bit more energy and penetration, think like a moose or elk rifle. The distances you anticipate shooting from will also have a great deal to do with cartridge selection.

Baiting bears into a shooting position gives you a much more predictable scenario. Typical shots to a bait station aren’t as far as spot and stalk, which makes cartridge selection a little easier. You also can anticipate the bear’s approach and estimated location for when the shot is taken.

bear, black bear, bear hunting, tree, — If you are lucky, this could be your view when chasing bears

Another very popular form of bear hunting is using hounds. Regardless of terrain, the hounds catch the scent of a bear, and when it’s done right, the bear ends up in a tree. Once the bear is treed, the hounds keep it there until the hunters catch up. Shooting a bear from a tree is usually not a very far shot, and could even be done using a handgun if desired.

hunting, hounds, houndsmen, dogs, bear hunting, cougar hunting,

Pistol Calibers

If you find yourself shooting at a treed bear, rest assured it isn’t a grizzly bear. Taking a Grizzly out of the equation, there are plenty of good options for handguns. A .44 Magnum is always safe bet, it has plenty of power for quickly subduing a black bear. You could also likely use something smaller like a .357 Magnum or my favorite the .41 Remington Magnum. Any of these cartridges I would want loaded with heavy and hard hitting bullets.

.41 remington magnum, smith and wesson, model 57, revolver, pistol

Big hollow-points like 240 grain for the .44, or something like a 210 grain hollow-point for the .41 Mag would be suitable. And the .357 loaded to the gills with something like a 170 or 180 grain bullet would also be adequate. Not only because these bullet selections will work when needed, but also because if you are in bear country it’s nice to have that thang on you. Several of these calibers would do well in one of the Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawks.

ruger, ruger super redhawk, alaskan, 454 casull, 44 magnum, — the **Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan** is a great option in .44 or .454

Another appealing feature of these pistol calibers is they are often chambered in popular lever-action rifles. A quick shooting lever-gun would be handy for taking a bear from a tree with great accuracy. Something like my Winchester 94 375 Winchester would certainly do the trick.

375 Winchester ammunition Winchester model 1894 — big lever guns are great for getting bears out of trees, read more about this one here

Rifles and Bear Bait

When shooting from a ground or tree blind over bait, you are more likely to have the upper hand on the bear. This can allow you some dexterity in cartridge selection. For example, threading a perfect shot on an unsuspecting black bear could be properly done using something small like a .243 Winchester. I know where there is an old Ruger M77 chambered in .243 that would be perfect for this. Whereas if you anticipate shooting through big boned shoulders or brown bears, you will definitely want something bigger.

A 308 Winchester shooting typical big game bullets is plenty of medicine for a black bear, particularly up close. If you plan to shoot something much bigger like a brown bear, you would be much better suited with a magnum. Whether it be a 7mm of sorts, or one of the many thirty-caliber magnums. If I was after a Grizzly I’d perhaps even go bigger just to be safe. Obviously overkill is a bit of a myth, so you could use these on small bears as well. A safe bet for heavy hitting cartridges would be a classic rifle like the Winchester Model 70 Pre-64 in .338 Winchester Magnum.

bear, bear hunting, black bear, desert tech, MDRX, WLVRN, — This bear fell to my **Desert Tech MDRX** in 308 Win

Stalking Bears

Spot and stalking bears is my favorite way of hunting them. The open country of the west were we hunt them can certainly test your patience and stamina. That being the case I like carrying a lighter rifle, especially if I’m going to be on foot for very long. Cartridges with more reach are a good idea in these mountains, I’d like a magnum for this purpose as well. Since I enjoy my 6.5 and 7mm PRC, I’d probably take one of them. A rifle like the Fierce Carbon Rogue would be perfect for something like this.

winchester, model 70, 270wsm, leupold, — My grandfather’s Model 70 270 WSM would be a great rifle for bears

Stalking often gives you the option of approaching from distance, this can give you the option to stay a safe distance away from these toothy creatures. Your favorite magnum might also come in very handy for a long shot like that. A Seekins Havak in a 300 Magnum would also be an excellent choice for this kind of hunting, with both power and precision.

Continue Reading Here

Why the 6.5 Creedmoor?

March 2, 2026blog6.5, 6.5 creedmoor, 6.5cm, creedmoorcoldboremiracle

Preface

When Hornady released the 6.5 Creedmoor over a decade ago, it showed great promise with claims of flat trajectory, superior wind deflection, low recoil and many other positive attributes. All this as compared to the extremely common and widely used 308 Winchester. We have all had a great deal of time and experience now to see how the Creedmoor stands up to its purported goal, and today we are going to dive into it.

PFI, pride fowler industries, evolution, rifle scope, bergara b-14, hmr — This Bergara rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor has worked fantastic for us the last few seasons, taking its share of venison

History

The design of the Creedmoor case was based on a few criteria; small enough to feed from short-actions, fit neatly in magazines and provide enough power to propel high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullets to a reasonable speed. Some of you might ask why when there was already well-established cartridges that did just that. The .260 Remington does about the same things as the Creedmoor, but has long fallen by the wayside compared to the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Cartridge designers based the Creedmoor case off the 30 Thompson Center case, and necked it down to .264 with a 30-degree shoulder. The Creedmoor case is a bit shorter than the .260 Remington and the very popular 308 Winchester. This is by design, as it allows room to seat the longer high BC bullets that make the cartridge perform so well. You can shoot the exact same bullets from the .260 Remington, and often at faster velocity. But you’ll also have a hard time getting them to fit and feed from a box magazine.

Franchi Momentum Elite Varmint, 6.5 Creedmoor, Athlon Optics Helos 2.5-12, Hornady ammunition — this Franchi Momentum rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor shoots very well when fed the **Hornady 140 Match ammo**

Perhaps just as important as the Creedmoors performance, was the huge support of the cartridge by Hornady and others. Excellent bullets and ammunition lines of Creedmoor cartridges ensured that people shot the cartridge and quickly learned of its value in shooting.

Let’s Look at the Numbers

Taking a look at the raw numbers of the 6.5 Creedmoor will help shed some light on its success. The Creedmoor case head uses the same .473 bolt-face as many popular cartridges, this would make it easy to chamber all the popular rifles in 6.5 Creedmoor. The maximum SAAMI overall length for the 6.5 Creedmoor is 2.825 inches, only .015 longer than the 308 Winchester. This would make it compatible with the plethora of magazine systems for precision rifles that were designed around the .308.

Creedmoor cartridges fit nicely in most magazines whether they be AICS pattern for competition or factory hunting rifle magazines like this one from a Mossberg Patriot

The capacity of the Creedmoor is slightly less than the .308 Winchester, holding 52 grains versus the 308’s 56 grains. This is likely due to the shorter case. But the Creedmoor has a trick up its sleeve over the 308. Higher BC bullets like those used in the Creedmoor are more efficient. Two bullets with identical ballistic coefficients fired at the same velocity will perform very similar. But a bullet with a higher BC and fired at a higher velocity will do much better on its way to the target.

Semi-automatic rifles like this **Desert Tech WLVRN** with a 20-inch 6.5 Creedmoor barrel pack an incredible amount of accuracy and firepower in a compact and mobile rifle

The way these numbers actually look from a real world application is like this; Let’s look at two of the most popular precision loads for the 6.5 and 308. The Federal Gold Medal Match 175 grain load has long been the literal gold standard for 308 sharp shooting. And the Hornady Match 140 ELDM is pretty much the equivalent for the Creedmoor. The 308 has a 35 grain weight advantage but it comes with a lower velocity leaving the muzzle at 2600 Feet per second (FPS). The Creedmoor while lighter, starts out a bit faster with a muzzle velocity of 2710FPS. The following graphs show how the 308 has an energy advantage in the first 300 yards, but after that it quickly loses ground to the Creedmoor.

The Creedmoor never loses its velocity advantage, this is due its superior bullet efficiency. And being fired at a higher muzzle velocity, the lighter bullet is easier to get to higher velocities with similar or less powder charges.

The drop of both bullets in inches also shows a clear advantage for the Creedmoor. The 308 requires significantly more corrective elevation at distance. And though I didn’t graph it here, the wind deflection show the same trend. The 6.5 bullets are less affected by wind drift than the larger diameter 308 bullets. And their faster speed and shorter flight time gives the wind less time to affect the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Hint: being at the top of this graph isn’t good

All these numbers are just a fairly broad comparison, and only to the 308 Winchester. If you were to compare the same numbers against a .260 Remington there would be very little difference. The same might be said for the 6.5X55 Swedish Mauser cartridge or the 6.5X47 Lapua. The curves you see here are why some people say the 6.5 Creedmoor gives 300WM ballistics with less recoil than a 308 Win.

Paper Puncher VS. Hunting Cartridge

Many of the 6.5 Creedmoor’s detractors often like to relegate it as a target round only. After looking at the numbers we just went over, it’s laughable when these same folks say something along the lines of “I’d rather hunt with something with more power like the 308.” It would be silly to reduce the Creedmoor to a target round even though it does the job very well. But the same attributes that make it good on the target range make it a good choice for hunters.

both of these elk were taken with 6.5’s, one shot put em on ice

Excellent wind deflection and flat, accurate shooting are just as important for competitive shooters. Feeding from a detachable box magazine is more of a sport function than a hunting one, as many hunters still use the simple two or three round top-load magazines. But the Creedmoor does well from either.

Competition rifles like this one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor from Master Piece Arms do fantastic in precision shooting

We have used the 6.5 Creedmoor many times now for deer and elk hunting. it does a fantastic job putting energy in the right spot. And the excellent bullet selection allows you to choose what you prefer. It might be a bit on the light side for elk hunting, but the Swedes have been using their 6.5 on moose for the last century. And the Creedmoor produces similar if not superior results depending on how they are loaded.

Continue Reading Here

Handy rifles like this CVA Cascade are excellent hunting options when chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor

GOYOJO GRS 225RF Thermal Riflescope with LRF

February 28, 2026Optics, Product reviewgoyojo, grs225rf, thermal, thermal optics, thermal scopecoldboremiracle

Preface

Our US Sporting Optics market has seen a flood of products over the last decade, to the point it would seem completely saturated. As I wandered through SHOT Show 2026 I was surprised with how many new optic suppliers there are, and they all seem to come from Asia. Today I bring you one of those options in the form of a thermal weapon sight. Our subject today is the GOYOJO GRS225RF Thermal Weapon Sight, a 1-8X digital zoom rifle scope with built-in laser rangefinder.

goyojo optics, goyojo GRS225RF, thermal, thermal scope, lrf, laser range finder, krg, bravo, 10/22, custom 10/22, — for starters, I mounted the scope to a my custom 10/22. This setup uses the KRG Bravo chassis, with a Summit precision CF barrel, supported by an MDT CF bipod

The GOYOJO GRS225RF Thermal

Perhaps it’s because I am old fashioned, but I often feel overwhelmed with thermal optics. There seems to be so many features, specs, and menus it can at times make me feel like the first WW2 vet to use an iphone. That being said, I do love thermal sights, and the covert ability they provide.

goyojo optics, goyojo GRS225RF, thermal, thermal scope, lrf, laser range finder,

As I lifted the GRS scope from its box, I found out quite a bit just by looking at it. There is a large control pad on top of the occular eyepiece, from there you can perform rapid functions like power-up, start video or camera operations, and operate the laser rangefinder (LRF). Where you would normal find zeroing turrets, there are two knobs but not for what you’d expect. Where you’d expect a windage turret is actually a battery compartment to install a secondary CR123 lithium cell. The unit also has an internal battery that can be recharged. On top of the scope where an elevation turret would be, there is a free spinning knob that is used to navigate the menus inside the scope. This is done by turning the knob, and pressing down for select.

Specifications

Optical

Objective Lens: 25mm
Eye Relief: 65mm
Optical Zoom: 3.5X
Digital Zoom: 1X – 8X
Field of View (FOV): 7.0° x 5.3°
Diopter Adjustment: -5 to +5 Diopters
Focus Range: 5m to Infinity
Detection Range: 1300m (1.8m x 0.5m target)
Rangefinder: Only CRS225RF – 905nm Infrared, 1000m ±5m

Infrared

Detector Type: Vanadium Oxide Uncooled Focal Plane Array
Resolution: 256 * 192
Die Size: 12μm
Frame Rate: 50Hz
NETD, mK: <35mK @ 25°C, F/1.0

goyojo optics, goyojo GRS225RF, thermal, thermal scope, lrf, laser range finder, screen shot, reticle, menu,

Function	Details
Picture in Picture	Yes
Video	Yes
Photo	Yes
Reticles	Yes
Defective Pixel Correction	Yes
RAV & Wi-Fi	Yes
Bluetooth	Only CRS225RF – Yes
Hot Track	Yes
FFC	Yes
Scene Mode	Yes
Shot Activated Recording	Yes
Thermal One-Shot Zero	Yes
OSD	Yes
Intelligent Ballistic Calculation	Only CRS225RF – Yes
Pseudo Color Modes	White Hot / Black Hot / Red Hot / Iron

goyojo optics, goyojo GRS225RF, thermal, thermal scope, lrf, laser range finder, MDRX, WLVRN, desert tech, — a USB-C charge port is located on the right side of the occular housing, a red LED illuminates when charging

Display

Type: OLED
Dimensions: 0.49 Inches
Resolution: 1440 * 1080

Power & Compatibilities

Battery Type:
Build-In Battery: 18650 Lithium BatteryExternal Battery: CR123 Lithium Battery
Battery Capacities:
Build-In Battery: 3.7V, 3700mAh
External Battery: 3.7V, 450mAh
Operating Time: 7.9 Hours (1x 18650, 2x CR123)
Charging Specifications: 5V / 2A
Tube for rings: 2

Physical

Net Weight (Built-in Battery):
CRS225RF: 57300 g / 5760g (Note: Value appears inconsistent in source)
Dimensions (without eyepiece):
CRS225RF: 288 * 81 * 75mm
CRS225RF: 288 * 85 * 75mm
(Note: Model name is repeated, dimensions differ)
Max. Recoil: 800 g/0.4ms
IP Level: IP67
Operating Temperature: -30°C to 50°C (-25°F to 125°F)
Storage Temperature: -40°C to +60°C (-40°F to 140°F)
SD Card: 32GB
Materials: Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy
Warranty: 1 Year

Included in the box was a few extras, like a battery, lens caps, and even a set of rings to mount the scope. Also included was an irritating amount of black fuzz, the box is lined with some kind of felt fuzz, and it covered everything inside the box. A quick blast of air got rid of it. Admittedly it took some time to figure out everything with this scope, as I said there is a lot going on here.

I also had to download the IR-Tracker V app for my phone, this allows you to view the scope display on your phone. As well as other options. Then it was time to mount the scope, in order to make it easy and inexpensive, I mounted the GRS to my custom 10/22. I figured the inexpensive and accurate shooting rifle would allow me to figure out the scope function and features on a budget before moving it to a larger rifle.

goyojo optics, goyojo GRS225RF, thermal, thermal scope, lrf, laser range finder, image — even before mounting the scope, I played around with it in the house (the dog was not amused)

Zeroing Scope

With the scope mounted in the inexpensive rings, I set to zero the scope. This is usually done using a thermal or reflective type target. But I found it very easy to do by simply using the warm impacts of my previous shot to make an adjustment. The zeroing process is very intuitive, you can use the zeroing menu to freeze the screen right after a shot. Before freezing the screen, you put the reticle on your point of aim. Then you simply select the elevation or windage, and adjust the reticle from where it is, to where the last bullet impacted. In very short time, I had the scope zeroed and we were able to make very accurate shots within the range of the .22LR.

After which, I cycled through the menu using the top-knob. And selected a reticle and color that best fit my purposes. Additionally you can turn on a picture-in-picture (PIP) mode, so you can see a closer image of your center crosshair. You can even select where the PIP is located on the display.

Menus and Menus

There is a main menu as well as other sub-menus. All of them are accessed by the top turret, selecting them by pushing down on the turret. The back feature is always an option on each menu to move back to the previous menu. You can select everything from bluetooth and wifi options to connect to your phone, as well as functional options like the color palette shown on the display. Changing the refresh rate and other options for the thermal sensor can also be done this way.

There might be too much to go over when it comes to all the minutiae of sensory details, and technical data. More information if you are looking for specific information can be found on Goyojo’s website.

goyojo optics, goyojo GRS225RF, thermal, thermal scope, lrf, laser range finder, MDRX, WLVRN, desert tech, suppressed, yhm, turbo suppressor,

Heads Up Display

Using the different menus to select the features you want, changes the data displayed on the heads up display (HUD). The HUD gives you all kinds of external data like compass bearing, angle indication and the cant of your rifle. Date and time are handy for the photos and video recorded by the GRS and they are listed as well as available memory storage.

Information on the scope itself is also displayed. Both the internal battery and the extra battery power level are displayed so you can keep an eye on them. The zoom setting is also listed on the HUD, as is the aiming profile. Aiming profiles essentially being a setup for a particular firearm or barrel.

in this video you can see the shots impacting the target berm

Part of the HUD is your reticle, and you can select the reticle under the same menu as zeroing the scope. There are a variety of reticles to choose from, some very simple and others with various subtension points marked. You can also select a reticle color, which is probably better done after selecting a color palette. The differing color palettes show different terrain better or worse, some things show up better on one vs. another.

Video and Photo Features

With the ability to record videos and snapshots, the Goyojo GRS offers some great viewing. You can take snapshots using the main keypad, or record video. Additionally, the GRS has the option for recoil initiated recording. This ensures you get all your hits on video if that’s what you are after.

in this clip, you can see the Range Finder measuring 332 feet, followed by some changes in color palettes as well as a shot from a different rifle hitting the berm

Capturing images using the button is as simple as pressing it to grab a shot, or push and hold to start or stop a recording. When connected to your phone using the app, there are also photo and video controls that can be commanded from your phone. Some of the display features can also be changed from your phone, like digital zoom, color palettes, reticles etc.

When connected to the scope with your phone, you can download the videos and save them or airdrop them to a laptop. Pictures and videos both are accessed in the Document section of the IR-Tracker V application. I did have some troubles getting videos in a format I could edit and use them, but I expect that is more about me not understanding technology than anything.

On the Range

With the rifle zeroed, we set to shooting with the GRS thermal scope. Picking out targets can be a little more challenging with this scope. Depending on ambient temps and conditions like sunshine can make things hard to identify. I often compare thermal images to ultrasound images. When looking at a thermal image you have to understand what you are seeing and what you aren’t, like a photo negative image. Once you understand this, you can better understand what you are seeing.

Obviously if you are looking at a warm animal moving on the display, it is much easier to identify. But picking out things like a box, or rock that mimics the ambient temperature is a little more challenging at times. But once you do get a good understanding, and can see and identify what you are shooting at it becomes much clearer.

goyojo optics, goyojo GRS225RF, thermal, thermal scope, lrf, laser range finder, screen shot, reticle, — Screenshot

Shooting at small rocks in distant dirt was easy, because the rock was warmed by the sun while the soil was cold and wet from the melting snow. Seeing bullet splash in the cold soil was easy to identify misses, while seeing a white flash on the rock would show you clear hits. After a great deal of practice like this, we swapped the scope to another rifle to repeat the process.

Centerfire Use

I decided to mount the GRS225 thermal scope to my Desert Tech MDRX, which I’d configured to a 20-inch .223. This would be perfect for pursuing coyotes, raccoons or any other pest that needed eradication.

I again followed the zeroing procedure, getting a solid zero at one-hundred yards. And practiced shooting at a variety of distances holding over using the reticle.

Pros and Cons

I expect that many of my issues figuring this scope out are more about me than anything. I’ve had the same experience with other thermal scopes as well. One of the main positive things about this optic is its price. Similar optics in the thermal department at Optics Planet go for three to four-hundred dollars more if not three to four-thousand more. Of course, as we have come to know in life, the cheapest option isn’t always the best one. And when you consider this scope comes from a relatively unknown manufacturer (at least in America), that might make it a bit of a concern as well. For some people, the 中国制造 alone is reason enough to avoid it. Preferring something manufactured domestically, which I can totally understand.

Value Proposition

Considering that the thermal scope market is quickly becoming littered with options, this scope has many competitors. As I mentioned earlier though, many of those competitors cost significantly more than this one for similar if not the same basic features. For the MSRP of $760 this seems like a very affordable option. Though I must say the sensitive nature of electro-optics, especially those that run on software can be a little scary. By that I mean; even if this scope costs half the price of others, $760 is a lot of money to lose if the scope simply shuts off for good. Therefore the durability of products like this one are very important. It has worked great for me so far, but time will tell if its is worth the price. Check back here in the future as I will update this as the product ages and is used.

Concluding Thoughts

It can be challenging and a little intimidating to get into some of these new tech items. But we’ll all have to do it at some point. I have been impressed with all the bells and whistles of this scope, and provided its quality hold up, I expect to use it for many years to come. Chasing varmints and predators in the darkness where they hide.

The Goyojo GRS 225 thermal scope is an affordable option with great features that hunters are going to enjoy. I will continue to update this article as my relationship and use of it develops.

-CBM

Reviewing the Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope

February 26, 2026Optics, Product review1.7-10x40, enjo sports, lpvo, nutrek, nutrek optics, riflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

Foreword

Recently I have felt like a broken record, introducing ever more new and unheard of rifle scopes. But in the interest of both curiosity and a desire to shoot and share, I am here at it again. Today I bring you another fresh review of a previously unknown to me brand and product. Todays scope is from a company called Nutrek Optics, another obvious import from the far east. And the product we are reviewing today is the Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope. A low power variable optic (LPVO) with a non-typical 40mm objective. Unless this is your first time reading, you know I am a sucker for LPVO’s, so I wasted no time to see this one.

The Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40 Riflescope

Nutrek is a brand from a company called Enjo Sports, and they have quite the spread under their brand. Making everything from red dots to spotting scopes and everything in between. Like most optics manufacturers, Nutrek has several lines and the Silvermark line is where we are starting for now.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, — the Nutrek fits nicely on my custom 22, seen here in a **KRG Bravo chassis** and using an **Anechoic suppressor**

The Silvermark 1.7-10 is built on a 30mm tube, which has become the new standard. The relatively compact scope has a 40mm objective, which is bigger than most 1-10 LPVO scopes. It looks like the traditional 3-9×40 hunting rifle scope, but hiding inside is a six power zoom.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, turrets, adjustment, — the uncapped turrets, very clean and easily read and adjusted, and MRAD for a touch of class

Capped windage and elevation turrets keep them from being inadvertently adjusted. But when caps are removed they are easily finger adjusted 1/10th of MIL per click. There is a parallax adjustment on the left side of the erector housing, and stacked on that is an illuminated reticle rheostat control.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, parallax, focus, — adjusting the parallax, also note illumination control left

Inside the scope we find the second focal plane reticle, for those wondering that means; the reticle stays the same regardless of magnification setting. If you have more questions about that, go read this when you’re done here. When illuminated, only the very center of the reticle lights up, like a dot. I do like that the reticle has some holdover and windage subtensions you can use for corrections.

the Nutrek’s reticle, note the illuminated center

In the box you’ll find the typical cheesy flip caps to cover the scope lenses, as well as a nice little screw in throw-lever.

Specifications

Nutrek Optics Silvermark ED 1.7-10X40
Magnification Range	1.7-10X (6X)
Tube Diameter	30mm
Reticle Focal Plane	Second Focal Plane
Reticle	Illuminated Glass etched
Click Value	0.1 MRAD
Field of View	73.7 Feet at 100 Yards
Parallax Setting	Side Focus Adjustable
Length	11-Inches
Weight	23.5 Ounces
Battery	CR2023 coin cell

Initial Impressions

As I lifted the scope from the box, it only took a few moments to find out some things I had serious questions about. First of all was the weight, it was impressively heavy for such a small scope. For comparison, I have several large scopes in the 5-25 range that weigh only a few ounces more. That said; I like heavy things, they are usually valuable.

I then turned my attention to the controls, the magnification and parallax were both quite stiff out of the box but quickly became softer after working some lubrication around inside the scope. The illumination knob was also very stiff, so stiff in fact that I had to carefully adjust the brightness trying not to unscrew the battery compartment.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, KRG, Bravo chassis, throw lever, cattail, installation, — installing the included throw-lever

These concerns were quickly subdued when I lifted the scope to my eye as I peered down the street. I was quite impressed with how good the image was, even at max power. The scope was very bright and clear, I expect this is because of the ED (low dispersion) lenses. Furthermore, adjusting the parallax for various ranges show great focus and parallax removal. Suddenly I was in a hurry to get this scope mounted and on a range.

Mounting and Shooting the Silvermark 1.7-10

My custom 10/22 currently needs a more permanent scope option, so I figured this would be an easy choice. I mounted the scope using a set of Leupold Open Range 30mm Low rings, which made the scope fit so close you’d swear it was touching the base-rail. Not only did it look sharp but it worked great, I screwed in the throw-lever because I still wished the power ring had less resistance. After torquing it all down, I stuck the battery in the scope, and grabbed some ammo.

On the Firing Line

In just a few shots I had the scope and rifle zeroed, a testament to how accurate this little rifle is. It happened so fast that in no time we were blasting every conspicuous point on the range. In a very short time I had figured out the drop holdovers for a hundred yards and further. For the remainder of the morning we kept the little rifle in action.

Since then we’ve made several other trips into the mountains giving the little rifle and scope a work out. Both myself and the kids have had a great time smacking little targets one after another.

Optical Performance

My initial impression of the glass quality hasn’t changed, I still quite like the look through this scope. Shooting the rifle in bright sunny afternoons as well as overcast snowy days gave variety in conditions that make me feel pretty good about this scope.

I love 1-10 LPVO’s, and I suppose I use them differently than most people. This is one of the few LPVO’s that actually has adjustable parallax, which is a big deal for long-range shooting. But who does long-range shooting with a 1-10 you ask? Me, I do, right here. And I quite like having the option of removing parallax from an image. This is a surprising feature for a scope like this, and greatly enhances the optical performance at further distances.

Reliability

I mentioned the controls already, a little stiffer than I’d like. The turrets on the other hand are an absolute joy to function, making easy corrections for zeroing. Both the parallax and mag-ring could use a friction diet in my opinion. And it doesn’t end there, I also seemed to detect a touch of slop in the magnification ring. It feels like the ring turns ever so much before you feel the resistance of the internal zoom. I saw no other flaw as a result, so I suppose no foul inflicted.

I am tempted to mount this scope to a longer range compact rifle. Adding to the recoil impulse will give the scope more of a workout. And using the turrets for corrections at further range will also prove its potential.

Value

At the time of publishing, these optics are only available ordering directly from the manufacturer. And I have heard the MSRP is $529, though it would surprise me if they actually sell for that price on the street.

nutrek optics, silvermark, 1.7-10x40, riflescope, KRG, Bravo chassis,

That price point for this scope is a little steep methinks. I like the scope, but I can come up with other imported Asian scopes that offer more for the same price or less. If this scope showed up in US optics retailers for 200-300 dollars from a well-known manufacturer I think it would be a slam dunk. But without any name behind it, I think it might be a hard sell for that price, especially weighing this much. If it was a little lighter I’d for sure have it on one of my hunting rifles to give it a challenge. As it sits, I’ll probably keep searching for the perfect rifle to add it to.

Final Thoughts

I am not so ignorant to think something is junk just because it comes from China. But I’ve also learned to be skeptical of such things. In the very recent past, I have seen quite a few good products come from overseas. And those things have begun to sway my opinion for the positive. The Nutrek Silvermark scope isn’t perfect, but I still like it more than expected. And depending on what it will cost on the US market it could be a great option for a compact riflescope. With a little refinement, and a diet on both its weight and resistance, this scope would serve many purposes very well. I don’t expect it will be long before I bring you another scope review, but I will continue shooting with this one and update how it goes.