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.
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.
From left: 6.5×55 Swede, .260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua. You can see why the Creedmoor and X47 cases do well when feeding from box magazines, their shorter cases allow bullets to be seated much further out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
adding the backup rechargeable battery
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.
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.
once you figure out all the features, its pretty easy to customize this scope
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.
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.
a .22 outfitted with a thermal can be great fun around camp, especially when suppressed by SilencerCo
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.
Screenshot
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When I first saw the Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10, it was in that sexy marketing video you probably saw too. If I remember right, it was mounted on a precision carbine, kind of like a DMR rifle. Thus was born a quest for a perfect little DMR rifle wearing the 1-10 LPVO for a sight. This scope has moved down a chair as the new AMG 1-10 LPVO has recently been released. I’ll get to that one as soon as I can, but for today lets take a look at the Gen 3 version.
Part of the allure for me of the Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10 is that its not just a low power variable optic (LPVO). With a maximum power of 10X, this scope can be used for reasonably distant engagements. Shooting even out to a kilometer can be done well with 10X. So having a medium carbine rifle that can engage targets at fifty-yards and as far as a thousand sounds enticing.
The Razor’s 34mm tube gives it a great deal of internal movement as well, making corrective travel of the erector pretty broad. The turrets are capped, but are easily adjusted should you wish to dial corrections for distant shots.
Illumination on the reticle is solely on the circle around the center. This translates to a bright red dot when the scope is at 1X, as much of the reticle detail is to fine to see at that power. But when the scope is zoomed into 10X, there is a great deal of reticle detail. This allows you to use holdover and wind corrections should you wish.
Aside from the scope itself, the Razor comes with a sunshade, battery, tools and manuals. All in a very nice package. Also, this scope came with Vortex’s Switchview throw lever.
Specifications
Magnification
1-10x
Objective Lens Diameter
24 mm
Focal Plane
First Focal Plane
Reticle
EBR-9 BDC (MOA)
Eye Relief
3.6″
Field of View
116.0′ – 11.7′ @100 yds
Turret Style
Capped
Tube Size
34mm
Adjustment Graduation
1/4 MOA
Travel Per Rotation
25 MOA
Max Elevation Adjustment
120 MOA
Max Windage Adjustment
120 MOA
Parallax Setting
150 yds.
Length
10.1″
Weight
21.5 oz
Mounting The Razor
I used a Zro Delta cantilever 34mm mount to install the Razor HD on top of my Desert Tech WLVRN. This allowed perfect eye relief and use of the picatinny sight rail on the receiver. Setting the throw-lever to the right spot was helpful to avoid it colliding with anything on the rifle.
After torquing everything down, opened up the rifle so I could do a little boresight job on it. This was quick and dirty as I knew I could easily correct it at the range.
On the Range
I’ve shot quite a bit with my WLVRN, so once I got the Razor zeroed it was a simple matter of seeing how everything else matched up. I zeroed the scope at 100-hundred yards on 10X, before shooting a couple groups to confirm.
I love throw-levers on LPVO’s
A couple of my first immediate notations were how clean the image was through this scope. The optical clarity is fantastic, adding some definition to everything I looked at. The Switchview throw-lever was incredibly handy, dare I say a must have. I wish I had it on the 1-6 Razor I recently reviewed. I spent quite a bit of time changing magnification between different targets.
We also did a little bit of long-range shooting out in the desert, I say long-range but it was only with 5.56 55-grain ammo so really I wasn’t shooting much past four or five-hundred yards. It was certainly enough that I needed to make corrections and for that the Razor’s turrets were incredibly handy. I did notice though how much I would have preferred adjustable parallax.
Switching Host Rifles
The Razor HD might be a little much scope for a 22, but I don’t care. I figured it would give additional opportunity and perspective to shoot with the scope. So I mounted it to a Desert Tech Trek 22 rifle, a bullpup clone of the Ruger 10/22 outfitted with an Anechoic Anechox 22 suppressor.
The rimfire routine gave much opportunity to use the scope at closer distances obviously. The sharp imagery of the Razor HD made picking apart targets quite fun, and the detail of the reticle came in handy for holding corrections at distances you normally wouldn’t.
I found that with the illumination on at 1X the scope was essentially like a red dot. With only the center circle illuminated at 1X the rest of the reticle is practically invisible. But when you zoom into the higher magnification all those details of the EBR-9 reticle become sharp and handy.
Here you can see the EBR-9 reticle at around 5X and 10X, you can even see Delta Airlines in the background. DISCLAIMER: images through the scope almost always look better than the camera can show.
Optical Performance
I already mentioned the optics on this scope are great. Even as the daylight wain, I was surprised how good the picture was through this scope. The larger lenses and 34mm tube surely have something to do with good light transmission. This came as no surprise really, as Vortex Razors are well known for their quality glass and robust durability. People far harder on them than I and they are still kicking.
Usability
There is very little to mark against this scope when it comes to useability. In fact there is only one thing I would change, and that is adjustable parallax. Maybe I’m the only one who likes engaging far targets with LPVO’s, but it feels like a crime for this scope to not have adjustable parallax. I felt like I could easily engage targets at some pretty significant distances, I even did. But I really like the ability to refine the focus and parallax at those distances. Other than that, the controls on the Gen III Razor HD are fantastic. The perfect amount of resistance on the control surfaces and the throw lever was the icing on the cake. I like the locking illumination control, preventing unwanted shifting of the knob. And the turrets are of course both classy and compact.
Value
The MSRP for this scope is not for the faint of heart, coming in at $4000.00. Luckily Vortex’s exorbitant prices are greatly tempered by retailers. It can be had at places like Optics Planet for $2190 which is much more reasonable. Which is within a hundred bucks of other great options like the Eotech Vudu 1-10. Obviously how much you want to pay depends on you and your budget, but you often get what you pay for in the optics market.
both the turrets and illumination control are very precise and high quality
Closing Thoughts
As I expected, the Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen III is a 1-10 that I could run indefinitely. It has outstanding clarity and definition, a great history of robust service, and service from a company that cares for its customers. Little things like an included sunshade are also very nice. All in all the features on this scope make for an excellent weapon sight for anyone looking to to be accurate from close to medium ranges. It would be a great scope for an accurized carbine, or what all the kids call a DMR or RECCE rifle. It fits right into my collection of excellent LPVO options, maybe it will fit into yours?
Long-range hunting like it or not has become big business, and growing in popularity. Everybody seems to have a coarse opinion on the subject, but we aren’t going to debate that subject here. Today we are going to discuss some good rifle and cartridge combinations for getting effective results in long-range hunting.
Cartridges like the 7 SAUM loaded with heavy bullets are devastating on game animals
Purpose
When most people think of long-range hunting, they think of shooting a big bull elk from across a canyon. While that is certainly a likely scenario, people often overlook other long-range hunting activities. I for example spend the spring months in the melting Rocky Mountains chasing groundhogs from great distances. So whether you are after coyotes or whitetail deer, we’ll go over a few options that will help you be successful at long-range hunting.
Long-range cartridges typically employ heavy for caliber bullets. An easy example of heavy for caliber would be a .223 Remington with a 75 grain or heavier bullet. Most .223 ammunition uses bullets in the 55-grain class. Another easy example would be a 308 Winchester, which typically uses 150 to 180 grain bullets. Both of these cartridges do much better at further distances when they are loaded on the heavier side. Heavier bullets typically have better ballistic coefficients (BC) which makes them more efficient. More efficient bullets retain their velocity and energy, for less drop and wind deflection.
even small cartridges like the .223 Remington can be used for long-range service when loaded right
Good long-range cartridges are also often magnum cartridges. A 308 might do well at 500-yards, but a 300 Winchester Magnum will do much better using the same bullet. Especially when loaded heavy. The large capacity of magnum cartridges gives them the horsepower to push bullets faster.
big magnums like the 300NM and 338LM have excellent long-range performance
Retaining speed and energy are key to long-range hunting. Because even a good hit on an animal might not be sufficient if the bullet has slowed down enough to be ineffective.
Big Game Cartridges
There is no lack of options for big game cartridges suitable for long-range hunting. Though it might be just as important to ensure the barrel twist is adequate for the bullet you’d like to shoot. A 300 Winchester Magnum with a 1:10 twist is pretty common, and will likely do what you need for taking down deer and elk sized animals at longer ranges.
Some of the more recent cartridges already account for this trend in long-range. The PRC family from Hornady specify fast twist-rates for high BC bullets. And whether you choose the 6.5mm, the 7mm or 300 PRC, they can be used very successfully for long-range big game hunting.
The further out you want to push your limits, the bigger the cartridge you’ll want to use. We have used the 338 Lapua Magnum and the 300 Norma Magnum very effectively on the largest of the deer family out to ranges like seven and eight-hundred yards.
this cow elk fell to a single impact at 700 yards from a 300 Norma Magnum, you can tell Iain is happy with it
Small Game Cartridges
Selecting an effective long-range cartridge for hunting smaller animals can be much easier. Because often it can be the same rifle and cartridge as your big game rifle. But also because there are so many good options, especially if they are set up to shoot high BC bullets.
One of the first ones that comes to mind is a fast twist 220 Swift like the one I built for my Dad. It pushes 75 grain ELDM bullets over 3300 FPS and will split a groundhog in twain from half a mile away. Another option would be the 6mm Creedmoor, Hornady’s 108grain ELDM match ammunition carries over a thousand pounds of energy beyond 500 yards. More than enough to take down a coyote or other pests.
long-range varmint rifles might still be your deer rifle, this coyote fell to my 6.5PRC PVA Modus
There are other fantastic choices typically in the .224 and .243 bore size. The 22 ARC is another good option, it has the horsepower to keep high BC bullets like the 88-grain ELDM above 2000FPS even at 500 yards.
Picking a Long-Range Rifle
Since most manufacturers today offer both short and long-action rifles in the same series, its pretty easy to recommend one. For example, I like the Ruger American Gen 2 as an entry level rifle that most folks can justify. The rifle offers good accuracy and customization which long-range shooters thrive on. And it can be had in most any popular caliber from 22 ARC up to 7 PRC.
A step up in both quality and price would be the Tikka CTR. Also available in a variety of good long-range calibers like the .243 Winchester, and with an upgraded 1:8 barrel twist. Or you could go with the 6.5 PRC option for more range and power. Tikka’s have excellent aftermarket support for those looking to customize their long-range hunting rifle.
I love Tikkas, and they are a step up in quality. And they make an excellent choice for precision shooting. You can read more about my custom Tikka here
Another step toward the pinnacle would be the Seekins Havak PH3 series of rifles. With exceptional quality and guaranteed accuracy, as well as long-range heritage these rifles offer a great value. Built by folks who know what long-range hunters are after, you can buy the rifles in any number of great long-range calibers. And select different barrel lengths to optimize your experience.
Its a word I hadn’t heard since maybe the 1980’s I think, so when I heard it in a conversation about suppressors my ears perked. Rimfire suppressors take .22 caliber firearms to the next level, and the Anechoic Pipsqueek 22 suppressor is the smallest and lightest suppressor I’ve ever seen or touched. A compact version of the company’s Anechox 22 suppressor, giving maximum compact suppression. Today we’ll take a short look into this tiny suppressor, and see how it performs.
The Pipsqueek is made from both titanium and aluminum, making it very lightweight. Its handsome faceted design is sure to catch the eye of any suppressor fanatic. With such a small size I was genuinely worried about losing this suppressor at some point. I can imagine my wife finding it in the laundry after having left it in my pants pocket.
At just three and a half inches long, I was also a bit concerned if the Pipsqueek had enough volume to capture enough gas to be effective. My plan was to shoot it across a variety of rimfire guns and compare it to my inventory of other rimfire suppressors.
Specifications
Anechoic Pipsqueek .22LR Suppressor
Suppressor Weight
1.5 Ounces
Dimensions
3.5 × 1.1in
Suppressor material
7075-T6/Titanium Construction
Mounting Threads
½-28 TPI
Cartridge Compatibility
17 HMR, 22 LR, or 22 Mag
Color Options
Blackout, Flat Dark Earth, Olive Drab, Raw Aluminum
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
Like other Anechoic suppressors, the Pipsqueek comes in a nice foam lined box. Also included with the tiny suppressor is a tool that can be used for various purposes. The tool has a very unique design that allows you to grip the base hub of the suppressor. This gives a great deal of torque for removing a sticky suppressor should you need it.
The other end of the wrench features two pins that allows you engage the front-cap of the suppressor. With this interesting design you can get great purchase on both the front and rear caps of the suppressor.
The packaging, tool and the of course the suppressor itself all look very high quality. And I couldn’t wait to get this can on the range, and within an hour or so, I was.
Shooting the Anechoic Pipsqueek
My first range experience with the little can would be using a Desert Tech Trek 22 rifle (a Ruger 10/22 variant). Not only did I bring the Pipsqueek, but we brought a couple other suppressors as well to compare it to. With three identical rifles each with a suppressor installed and shooting the same ammunition, we shot each one in sequence.
I expected the Pipsqueek to be significantly louder than the other cans, based simply on its size. But to everyone’s surprise, it was barely a noticeable difference on these rifles. In fact, we agreed that if you were shooting outside and not paying attention you might not even notice the disparity. This was great news to me, I love compact cans that work.
Switching it up to handguns, I mounted the Pipsqueek on my Taurus TX 22 Toro. It was here that I did notice some difference in sounds and flash as well. I expect it has something to do with the short barrel and perhaps some unburnt powder residing. But there was definitely a louder report on my pistol compared to what I am used to. The full-size Anechox 22 suppressor was much quieter, which came as no surprise.
shooting the TX22 with the Pipsqueek was very fun and accurate
Sound
In general the Pipsqueek sounds fine, even when I used it on handguns where the report was louder I didn’t feel compelled to wear ear protection. On the rifles it was perfectly adequate for general 22 plinking. Especially when shooting subsonic ammunition. The quietest configuration was of course on a bolt action rifle.
There was significantly lower back pressure when I used the Pipsqueek. While shooting with it, I did notice some gas in the face but when I compared it to other full size suppressors it was night and day. This was particularly handy when shooting the bullpup Trek 22’s as the action is right next to your face. Excessive gas is always a problem for bullpup people, like trolls under a bridge.
Cleanliness
The tools provided with the Pipsqueek made it easy to disassemble the suppressor. I usually clean my cans in an ultrasonic cleaner which makes it an easy process. To be perfectly honest, the Pipsqueek is so petite and thin, I’m not sure I’d like to disassemble it very often and risk damaging it.
Pros and Cons
Unbelievably lightweight is probably one of the biggest takeaways here. The Anechoic Pipsqueek is so small and light that you might forget you even had it. It brings a level of pleasure to shooting your rimfire firearms, and without adding excessive blowback gas and debris. It is very well made and coated in your choice of Cerakote colors.
Last Words
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that this is my shortest suppressor review ever. The Pipsqueek is for sure the smallest can I’ve ever touched, and I was very impressed with how well it took the edge off my 22’s. I for sure prefer it on my rifles for best suppression results, but it can be effective on a whole family of rimfires.
I remember once as a child, my brother and I sending Morse code messages through our walkie talkies. We thought we were quite funny until my father who was listening called us out. Long gone are the days of cheap two-way radios, at least for me anyways. In today’s market there are many great two-way radio options and today I bring you a new one. In the interests of a hunting tool in remote country, I wanted a quality radio set we could use in the big country of the Rocky Mountains. Something we could use during road trips, fishing trips and such where immediate communication coincides with little to no phone service. Today’s subject is the Midland GXT67 GMRS 5-Watt 2-Way Radios.
Specifications
5 Watts of Power: Maximize two-way Midland radio range
Repeater Capable: Communicate across further distances with 8 repeater-capable GMRS channels.
Heavy Duty: IP67 waterproof and dustproof to withstand all the elements like rain and dust.
Long Lasting: 16-hour battery life with up to 4 days in standby and rapid radios 4-hour rapid charge with included desktop charger, AC wall adapter, 6ft USB-C charging cable, and snap-on DC vehicle charger.
NOAA Weather Alert Radio: Prioritize safety with the latest weather radio information straight from the National Weather Service.
each radio comes in a nice zippered soft case with all these accessories
Features
Repeater capable
5 Watts
IP67 waterproof and dustproof
4-hour rapid charge
Up to 4-day battery life
Intuitive menu interface
Up to 99 GMRS/FRS channels
22 standard GMRS/FRS channels
8 GMRS repeater channels and split tones
28 preset privacy code channels
Up to 49 user-defined channels
142 privacy codes and group mode
38 CTCSS (Continuous Tone-Coded Squelch System)
104 DCS (Digital Coded Squelch)
10 groups, 143 group codes
Microphone Automatic Noise Canceling (ANC)
NOAA Weather Alert Radio
Channel scan and Dual Watch Pro scan
Optional interface customization with AVP34 cable
Soft-shell carrying case
Narrow and wideband operation
VOX hands free (4 levels)
10 call alerts
Vibrate alert
SOS siren
Silent operation
Whisper talk
Keypad lock
Headphone jack
3-year warranty
Controls and Menus
By far my favorite feature off these radios is to turn off all the sounds. One thing I always hated about other walkie talkies is the inability to mute the call sounds. Nothing worse when you are trying to sneak through the forest undetected and hear someone key the mic for a startling sound.
Aside from turning off noises you can also customize functions with vibration notifications and changing colors of the display. You can select Dual Watch function to monitor multiple channels if needed, and you can also select a whisper mode which should come in handy in the fall.
here you can attach a remote microphone, you can see the robust cover even has a rubber gasket to keep out water
While charging the screen turns red, and shows a battery icon and charge status. Once the battery is fully charged, the screen changes to green, making it very quick to determine if a radio is ready for action.
Accessories
The radios come with a belt-clip you can snap into the back, this will keep the radio in place when you are on the move. The Midland shoulder mic is another handy accessory you can attach to the GXT67 radios.
the red screen indicates it is charging, the screen turns green when fully charged
In the Field
Whether you plan on using these in an urban environment or in the wild country outdoors, there is something for you. While using the GTX67 radios in the city, I found it didn’t take long to find somebody on my same channel. Luckily it wasn’t hard to find the privacy features and set a privacy code.
I was hoping they would reach a little further up front. I was in a thick city environment, flat ground, with nothing but buildings and such. It turned out to give me around 1.5 miles before losing contact. This was on the medium power setting, with the high power setting they would reach further to around 2-3 miles. The battery power was great lasting easily through an 8 hour work day speaking occasionally. Keeping them charged was easy using either the 120v charging station, or the 12v charger that plugs into your cigarette lighter.
in the city, it seemed like 1.5 miles was the furthest we could reach
While visiting more remote parts of the country, I found there was much less radio traffic. And in the wide open spaces of the desert we could speak to each other as far as 4 miles away. I found the NOAA weather report by accident while pushing buttons. This turned out to be a happy accident, and we sat and listened to the weather report.
Hiking around through backcountry we were able to keep in touch easily. To be honest I wouldn’t want to be much further away from the rest of my party than these radios will reach. They don’t weigh much which is nice, especially if you are going deep into the mountains. And the repeater function allows a greater distance connections among a group. Midland also sells a repeater module you can mount in the area of use, for better communication.
the radios were great for communicating in the backcountry
Conclusion
These are definitely a step up from the inexpensive radios you’d buy your kids for a camping trip. They bring professional features and durable batteries and construction for those who need it. They are definitely good enough for my purposes, keeping in touch with those in my hunting party in these big mountains.
Cartridge families have been a thing since shortly after the first cartridges were made. A family refers to a group of cartridges based on the same parent cartridge, and it’s how some of our best cartridges came into being. A well-known family would be the 30-06 Springfield clan, with the .270 Winchester and the 25-06 Remington being some of its popular kin. Today we are taking a look at the Creedmoor Family Tree, on their ascent to being one of the great dynasties in the cartridge world.
Creedmoor cartridges enjoy flawless function from various magazine systems
6.5 Creedmoor History
Back in the early 2000’s, the Creedmoor was developed by a group of folks looking to design a perfect cartridge. Their goal was a flat-shooting, low-recoil cartridge with high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullets that would feed well from a magazine. They based the cartridge from the 30 Thompson Center, another cartridge looking for fame. The case was shouldered at thirty-degrees and necked down to .264 and the Creedmoor was born.
Since then, the cartridge has been adopted widely by nearly every corner of the shooting market. Much to the chagrin of Creedmoor haters, whose sophomoric insults are blind to the obvious performance of the cartridge.
PRS rifles like these are very often chambered in 6.5CM, though these days they are switching to 6mm cartridges.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has also spawned a whole family of descendants that have become well-known titans in their own bore-size. There is no free lunch however, so the advantages of each come with their liabilities as well. Today we’ll look at some of them and evaluate their attributes and how they might best fit into your next rifle purchase.
22 Creedmoor
Barrel Life Estimate: 800-1100 rounds
Bullet Weights: 50-80 grains
Max Effective Supersonic Range Estimate: Approximately 1500yds
Let’s start at the bottom of the pile, with the 22 Creedmoor. Necking is the process of narrowing the case mouth of a cartridge to hold a different caliber bullet. The 22 Creedmoor is the result of necking the 6.5 down to .224 caliber, I understand there is some thinning of the neck during this process as well to make it work.
The result is a hot-rod overbore 22 centerfire cartridge, similar to the extremely popular 22-250. The 22 Creedmoor has done very well in the hunting and target shooting arenas. Mainly because it has large displacement and the horsepower to push even the large .224 caliber bullets fast. Typically made with a 1:8 twist, the 22CM can push big 75 and 80 grain bullets well over 3200 FPS. This leaves cartridges like the 22-250 and 220 Swift in the dust. And makes the 22CM an obvious choice for varmint hunting and long-range target shooting.
Feeding the 22CM is easily done from popular magazine systems, and it cycles well from all the popular actions. Handloading is fairly easily done with support from companies like Hornady and Redding. You can buy ammunition and components from Hornady, Alpha Munitions and others. The scorching performance of the 22CM come at a cost, as it has an appetite for barrel throats. Making this cartridge a choice for the bold shooters out there.
6mm Creedmoor
Barrel Life Estimate: 1500-2200 rounds
Bullet Weights: 58-115 grains
Max Effective Supersonic Range Estimate: Approximately 1700yds
The next step up in the necking process is the 6 Creedmoor. Very comparable to the venerable .243 Winchester, the 6CM offers high speed 6mm/.243 bullets for either sport or hunting. The 6CM uses a faster twist than the older .243 design, typically 1:7 to 1:8 twist. This gives the 6CM the ability to shoot more modern bullets, many of which were basically designed for this cartridge. The longer high BC bullets of today won’t fly from the 1:10 or 1:9 twist rates of decades passed. This gives the 6CM a leg up over cartridges like the .243 and 6mm Remington.
The 6CM offers the same performance as those older cartridges when shooting comparable bullets. And its optimal for use in the same types of hunting situations, arguably better due to efficiency. Getting similar velocities from the Creedmoor with less powder and bore erosion than the other cartridges mentioned. It would be an excellent choice for a light big game hunting cartridge, or as a competition cartridge as it has been used extensively over the years.
6 Creedmoor fits into rifles and other common accessories like this Cole-TAC ammo novel
Whether you wish to shoot 58-grain bullets at coyotes or 115 grain match bullets in a PRS match the 6mm Creedmoor has a diverse hand of talents. It has been pushed aside somewhat by smaller 6mm cartridges in the competition circuit, due to its lower barrel life and recoil. But still has quite a following of dedicated loaders and shooters, thanks to the support from the companies I mentioned above.
25 Creedmoor
Barrel Life Estimate: 2000-3000 rounds
Bullet Weights: 86-135 grains
Max Effective Supersonic Range Estimate: Approximately 1900yds
Coming out of nowhere, the 25 Creedmoor is one of my favorites, likely because I was part of it’s renaissance. The 25CM came about because of new bullet designs that made the 25 caliber a better option than the original 6.5CM. Bullets with higher BC and lower weight meant that the 25CM could shoot faster than the 6.5, and enjoy flatter-still trajectories and more energy on target.
All of the Creedmoor family have excellent components available
This made the 25CM an outstanding choice for many shooters. Hunters and competition shooters alike have adopted the 25CM, and once again the aftermarket has stepped in to support it as well. Hornady only recently legitimized the 25CM, but Alpha Munitions and Petersen Cartridge Company have been making brass for it for some time. This is one Creedmoor that has actually gotten more love from companies besides Hornady, at least till now. With excellent components available from Sierra and Berger.
Using the 25CM in competition like the NRL Hunter matches has become very popular due to its power and low recoil. It might be one of my favorite hunting cartridges as well, the incredible consistency has allowed me to make many one-shot kills on deer and elk. Some of which were so far out that it’s better to leave unsaid.
6.5 Creedmoor
Barrel Life Estimate: 3000-4000 rounds
Bullet Weights: 90-150 grains
Max Effective Supersonic Range Estimate: Approximately 1800yds
Component Suppliers: Hornady, Alpha Munitions, Petersen, Lapua, Nosler, Everyone at this point
The OG Creedmoor, a cartridge that stormed the precision rifle shooting circuit when it came out. At the time (2006-ish maybe) there were three 6.5 cartridges fighting for dominance. Besides the Creedmoor, the 6.5×47 Lapua and .260 Remington were all extremely popular. But likely due to support from Big Red and others, the 6.5 Creedmoor quickly became the dominant 6.5.
Still an excellent choice for many competitors, the 6.5CM might be the only cartridge today that has a shot at taking the place of the 308 Winchester in popularity. The 6.5CM does everything the 308 does, and it often does it better. The narrow 6.5 bullets have a higher ballistic performance and speed than the old Winchester, making it an excellent successor. The 6.5CM is the easy-button of sharpshooting, and because of that it enjoys support from nearly every corner of the shooting world. Whether you are looking for semi-auto rifles or bolt-action there is a great option in 6.5CM. And ammunition options are as deep and diverse as any other cartridge.
