The past few years have spawned an incredible surplus of red sot sights (RDS) and new technologies around them. Red dots offer a parallax free aiming option, meaning you needn’t focus back and forth between the sights and target. I’ve spent a great deal of time using various red dots over the last few years, and today I am bringing you another brand new option. Our subject in today’s review is the US Optics RISE red dot.
The US Optics RISE Red Dot
From US Optics, the Red dot Integrated Sight Enhancer (RISE) is a compact battery operated sight. Built for precise aiming in high-speed situations. The RISE uses a 3 MOA dot, which is big enough to pick up quickly, but small enough to still offer precise shot-placement.
The RISE has 10 brightness settings include 2 for night-vision use. The brightness and other features are easily controlled using the two buttons on either side of the housing. Like most RDS, the RISE is adjusted using a small blade screwdriver to adjust the windage and elevation for zeroing the sight. It also incorporates some really handy features like a sleep mode where it shuts down after two minutes of motionlessness. It instantly resumes the previous brightness setting as soon as the host firearm is moved.
This feature helps maintain battery life, which is anticipated to last some 75,000 hours with a single CR2032 lithium cell. The battery is easily changed through the RISE’s top loading battery lid using common tools or the included tools that come with the optic. Mounting the RISE RDS is easily done using the supplied fasteners, and it is built to fit Delta Point Pro footprints. One of the more common patterns.
Initial testing of the RISE RDS was done on my Sig Sauer P320 X5 Legion 9mm pistol. This was an easy fit as the pistol comes ready for Delta Point optics. Using the supplied screws, I set the RISE in place, and kept it as close to zero as possible while I torqued down the fasteners with a wrench. The fit was perfect, and it looked as though the RISE was made for it. In just a few moments I had adjusted the dot to co-witness with the iron sights. I found that the small notch built into the back of the RISE worked as a rear sight that would work in the event the battery died.
I also mounted the USO RISE RDS to my Shadow Systems DR920. The pre-cut slide makes it an easy host for a variety of optics, and the RISE was a perfect match as well. The lower cut slide of the pistol made it the perfect height for seeing both front and rear sights through the window.
Shooting with the US Optics RISE
I have pretty extensive shooting experience with this pistol (hasn’t gone off by itself yet) so it was a great gun to test it on. I already had the US Optics DRS enhanced red dot on the pistol, but this was definitely an upgrade.
My immediate first impression was the much bigger window, the RISE uses a larger lens than its predecessor. I have become accustomed to these larger windowed red dots, and I like them quite a bit. You can read more about that here. The RISE is a nice compromise, its bigger than many standard RDS windows, but not quite as obtrusive as the XL sized competition sights. It might be a touch large for a CCW pistol, but thats obviously a bit subjective.
I did find the big window great for finding targets quickly, and the 3MOA dot was very precise for putting shots on conspicuous places on the target. The parallax free targeting I mentioned at the top makes for faster shooting, you never have to take your eyes off the target. You simply bring the pistol to bear on the target and the dot comes into your field of view, only slight adjustments are needed before pulling the trigger.
Shootability
The big lens is one of the great features of this dot, but the controls are very nice, and simple as well. I’m not a huge fan of complication, so I like the no-nonsense two button operation. If you don’t like the auto-off feature it can be easily locked into the ON or OFF position using the buttons.
Its a simple system for folks who don’t want to wonder. I leave the dot in the recall mode, that way every time I grab my pistol the dot is on and ready for action. Finding the bright red dot is easy and comforting when you are looking for a target.
Like most RDS, if you have the dot set on a brighter than necessary setting you might find the dot blooming. Or bleeding out across the lens, I found that simply turning it down a bump or two takes care of the issue. The brightest setting was easily seen in full sunlight, so while I found it unnecessary, you can adjust it how you like.
Reliability
During our testing, we had zero issues with the RISE red dot. It never came loose or lost zero, and I never had to make any adjustments other than the brightness settings based on our surrounding conditions.
I like the robust construction of the RISE, it is thicker than the hood on other RDS which makes me think it will stand up to more abuse. Additionally the RISE is rated IP67 for dust and water protection, just incase you drop your CCW into a pool or something. And like all US Optics products, the RISE has a no bullshit warranty covering; function, quality, workmanship and material.
Value Comparison
With an MSRP of $279.99 the US Optics RISE is a great option if you are looking for a bigger windowed RDS. While other sights like the Delta Point Pro, and Vortex XL have a little bit bigger windows they are $75 to $125 more in their street price. The Romeo 3 MAX and the Holosun 507 Comp are two other popular RDS and they too cost about $100 more than the RISE. To be fair some of those sight offer enhanced reticle options as well so keep that in mind.
Conclusion
Like many other US Optics products, I have found the RISE RDS to be a great option for my purposes. If there was one thing I would change about it, I think it would be cool to add some reticle options like some of the other companies have done. But if you like the simplicity of a dot, then you’ll need look no further.
The US Optics RISE red dot is a quality sight for your pistol or carbine. It brings a durable no-nonsense performance with compatibility from a quality brand you can trust. I look forward to shooting more with this sight, perhaps I’ll mount it to my ZRO Delta FKS 9 CCW pistol to see how it performs there.
I am no stranger to Bergara rifles, I’ve been lucky to experience a great deal of shooting with a variety of their rifles. Like other brands I have become familiar with, I have come to expect good things from their products. Today’s subject however, is a little different story. That subject is the Bergara Premier Canyon rifle chambered in 308 Winchester.
ready for anything
The Premier Canyon rifle is built around Bergara’s Premier action. Like their popular B14 action, it is a Remington 700 footprint action which allows for a plethora of aftermarket support. Things like triggers, magazine systems, scope mounting options etc. are mostly compatible with these 700 clones. That alone is one good reason for them, but the Premier goes deeper.
The Bergara Premier Action
The Premier action is a two-lug design, it also uses a floating bolthead. This feature has been popular with some custom actions as it allows even contact with mating surfaces. The bolthead has a sliding extractor built into the right lug and dual plunger ejectors for reliable cartridge cycling. With its conical nosed bolt, the action feeds cartridges smoothly. Behind the bolthead there is a gas shield safety feature as well, for dangerous situations like a case-head separation. The whole assembly has been nitrided for durability and reliable service life.
note: extractor and dual-plunger ejectors
The bolt-body itself is stainless steel, and the bolt-handle threads into the back. A handsomely faceted bolt-shroud at the rear also houses a cocking indicator that can be seen and felt protruding when the rifle is cocked. Additionally the Premier action uses larger 8-40 screws to attach the scope mounting base, these are more robust than the traditional 6-32 screws. The trigger options are unlimited using the Remington pattern, Bergara went with a very safe and popular option by using one of Trigger Tech’s models.
Other Premier Canyon Features
Bergara is famous for their barrels, and this model uses one of their one-in-ten twist barrels finished at 20-inches. In my opinion, this is the optimal use of the 308 Winchester. The barrel is fluted to reduce weight, and threaded to accept the muzzle brake or other devices.
The barreled action is mated to an AG Composites carbon fiber stock. Underneath it features a detachable AICS pattern magazine and comes with a 3-round magazine. All these features make a well balanced rifle that weighs in at 6.2 pounds, making it ideal for rugged hunting country like mine.
Specifications
Caliber
308 Win
Twist
1:10
Weight
6.2 lbs
Overall Length
41 inches
Barrel Length
20 inches
Magazine
AICS 3-round included
Finish
Sniper gray Cerakote
Rifle setup
This rifle was bound for several Rocky Mountain big game hunts. Keeping with its light weight theme I decided to put a scope that doesn’t overload the rifle, but doesn’t give up abilities either. Using a set of Warne rings, I mounted a Lucid Optics MLX 3-18 riflescope. I’ve used this scope extensively, and it performs well and would allow this rifle to be used to its effective envelope.
I also attached the Quake Industries sling that came with the rifle. Its rubber pad would stick to the shoulder while hiking. I also attached a Harris Bipod, because most of our shooting is done supported. A backpack could suffice, but I like the bipod option better.
For ammo, I grabbed a selection of Hornady Precision Hunter, American Whitetail as well as a 175-match selection from DTM. A good spread of 150, 175 and 178 grain bullets would give an idea what the rifle likes.
shooting the Premier in big country was helpful with the Lucid MLX scope
A typical group from the Premier Canyon rifle, I was very impressed with the accuracythe AICS magazine system was flawless
Since the Premier Canyon performed so well for me, I wanted to give it a fair shake in the woods. I let a good friend named Jacob borrow the rifle for a Rocky Mountain elk hunt. We spent some time together practicing with the rifle at various ranges until he felt comfortable shooting and carrying the rifle.
After watching many different elk over several days, Jacob decided to take a shot. Early one morning, he spotted a bull pushing a group of cows through the sagebrush-covered canyon bottom. They worked their way down near an aspen grove.
The bull appeared and gave a shot opportunity while facing away at 460 yards. The downhill angle gave Jacob a clear view of the bull and his back, allowing for a quartering shot. The 175-grain bullet impacted behind the bull’s shoulder and exited the front of his chest. He stumbled into the aspen, where he would lie down in the crunchy yellow leaves for the last time. The little Bergara made a perfect companion for Jake’s hunt.
We also managed to put the Bergara Premier Canyon to use on the deer hunt. This handsome buck took a single shot from the Premier from 150 yards. The mobility of the rifle made it easy to quickly shoulder the rifle and put him down.
Welcome to the good old days folks, as far as suppressors are concerned anyways. We are living through a boon of suppressor activity that could only be improved by a complete repeal of the NFA. With so many new suppressor offerings, it may be a challenge to decide where to start. But today I bring you an easy option; the Silencer Central Banish Buck 30.
The Buck 30 Banish
The “Buck Commander” signature suppressor apparently gets its name from a popular media personality. One I am not familiar with as I avoid television and its influence. But luckily that has no effect on the function of the suppressor.
The Buck 30 is optimized for hunters, with a weight of only 13.8 ounces it wont add a lot to your hunting rifle. And its simple industry compatible hub system will allow you to mount it to the host firearm any way you choose. The suppressor is rated for up to 300 Winchester Magnum, which will cover most of your typical hunting rifles. And according to the manufacturer, the accuracy baffle used in the Buck 30 helps reduce the impact shift when switching between suppressed and unsuppressed.
Specifications
Length: 6.9”
Diameter: 1.54″
Number of Baffles: 8 baffles with 1st being an accuracy baffle
Weight: 13.8oz
Material: Stainless Steel
Thread Pitch: Various Direct Mounts
Brand: BANISH
Self-Service: No
Caliber: 30 caliber
Caliber Range: .17 HMR – .300 Win Mag
Color: Black
Finish: Cerakote
dB Readings: .308 with 18″ barrel: 131 dB to ear; 6.5 CM with 20″ barrel: 132 dB
Mount Style: Industry Standard Hub
Full-Auto Rated: No
Lifetime Warranty: Yes
Shooting the Buck 30 Suppressor
I decided to test the Buck 30 on a variety of firearms, as I imagine many of you might do. I am starting to think of this suppressor as a great first suppressor for some folks. The ability to change out the mounting configuration makes it easy to switch from one host to another.
The first rifle I used the Buck 30 suppressor on was my bolt action 223 Remington. A custom rifle mainly used for varmint hunting and target shooting. The Buck 30 fit perfectly using the provided 5/8-24 direct thread hub. Next up was a Bergara HMR Carbon chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle is also threaded 5/8 -24 so the same thread cap was used and matched up well to the muzzle thread tenon.
On the bolt-action rifles the suppressor was fantastic, keeping the report down to a pleasant ruckus. And it didn’t add much length to the rifles, though I rarely shoot unsuppressed so that could just be my bias. One of the two rifles is particularly heavy, so the weight of the Buck 30 wasn’t even noticeable.
Conventional suppressors are becoming more and more common. And as overall suppressor ownership increases, unique designs continue to come to market. Today we are going to bring you one of these new and unique designs. Silencer Central has been aggressively pursuing the suppressor market with their Banish line of in house suppressors. Though they sell many other brands as well, it is no surprise that the Banish line gets lots of attention and continues to develop with new options. Among those new Banish suppressors you will find today’s subject; the Silencer Central Banish Speed K suppressor.
The Speed K is a duty designed suppressor, developed for the purpose of heavy shooting service carbines. Its design utilizes clipped baffles and finned blast chamber, these features help create turbulence and retard the escape of gas. Additionally, the fourth baffle is vented which help reduce the velocity of exiting gasses. These features coupled with the complete inconel construction make the Speed K both effective and durable.
The Banish Speed K
The Banish Speed K was developed during testing procedures for law enforcement and military use. I suppose you could translate that to mean that it was designed around high volume shooting protocols. According to the manufacturer the Speed K passed multiple courses of heavy duty SOCOM testing, which many suppressors can’t pass once.
This durability is likely due to the inconel construction and ventilated baffle design. I’m no rocket scientist but I imagine the erosion resistant inconel stands up much better than traditional materials. And allowing a portion of gas to bypass probably helps reduce heat building up like a traditional suppressor design might.
Another feature I like about the Speed K is its mounting solutions. With an industry standard hub, the Speed K can use direct thread mounting or one of various manufacturers QD or brake mounted options. For example I used a YHM Phantom QD mount which made it nice to swap between host firearms. That and the compact size of the Speed K make it a great option for guns made to shoot and scoot.
Specifications
Length: 4″
Diameter: 2″
Weight: 14.1 oz
Material: Inconel
Thread Pitch: Various Direct Mounts
Caliber: 5.56
Caliber Range:. 223 to 5.56
Sound Reduction: 20.9 dB
Self-Service: No
Full-Auto Rated: Yes
Color: Black
Finish: Cerakote
Mount Style: Industry Standard Hub Mount
Lifetime Warranty: Yes
Mounting the Banish Speed K
I planned on running the Speed K on a variety of different 5.56 rifles. First was my Desert Tech WLVRN, a twenty-inch barreled bullpup carbine. I used the provided direct thread end cap for this configuration. I don’t do a particularly high volume of shooting with this rifle, its more like a DMR type rifle.
My little Quattro 15 with the Speed K and the Trijicon MRO
I also used the direct thread cap to attach it to my Quattro 15 PDW type rifle. This one is more along the lines of the Speed K, in that it is made to put down lots of shots. With 53-round magazines and a very short barrel, this gun would give the Speed K a workout and push it’s durability.
Additionally I ran the Banish Speed K on a full-size AR rifle using a sixteen-inch barrel. Just for fun I swapped out the mounting solution on that rifle. With the aforementioned YHM ratcheting QD mount I didn’t need to worry about the direct thread coming loose.
Using different end caps from different manufacturers proved to be very compatible. All the threads matched up nicely making it easy to choose different options for different mounting choices.
Few ancillary hunting tools are as valuable as a good pair of binoculars. Whether you are a sport shooter looking for targets, or a dedicated hunter trying to pick out antlers in the trees, you will want a good pair of binos. I’ve used quite a few pairs of binoculars over the years, but today I am bringing you something new to me. The Athlon Midas G2 UHD Pro 12×50 binoculars are ideal for heavy glassing and downrange inspections. Today we’ll take a look at these binoculars, mainly from the perspective of a hunter as that seems to be my focus these days.
The Athlon Midas G2 Pro Binoculars
There are several models of binocular in the Midas G2 line, there are 8×42, 10×42 models. As well as the 10×50 and 12×50 Pro model that we are looking at today. I tend to prefer 10×50 for general glassing, but I love a good 12×50 pair for what I call heavy glassing. Looking over a whole mountain perhaps before even leaving a vehicle, covering large swaths of country.
note controls: left side is to balance optical focus, on the right there is reticle focus and leveling control
The Midas G2 is ideal for that, its bright 50mm objectives pack a very bright image for your observation. Like most binos the Midas uses a center focus knob, coupled with a separate focus for the left barrel. But wait, theres more! In addition, the Midas G2 also features a reticle in the right barrel for use while spotting. The right barrel has two adjustment rings at the rear; one to rotate the reticle inside to match your target, and the other is to focus the reticle.
the adjustable eye-cups were nice when wearing glasses
Additionally, the Midas G2 comes with a typical soft case, neck-strap, and rubber lens covers for both front and back. The eye-cups can be rotated out or in to accommodate your preference.
Midas G2 UHD Pro Specifications
The Midas binoculars are a perfect size in my opinion, they are only slightly larger than my other pairs of binoculars, but fit in my binocular cases and harnesses. Extra power from the Midas is very welcome in a pair of binos only slightly larger than most.
Field Use of Athlon Midas G2 Binoculars
I used the Athlon Midas G2 Pro binos on several hunts this fall. First up was a trip into the thick alpine forests of the Uinta Mountains in Eastern Utah. Looking into the wide open canyons and deep dark woods would be a great way to test the Midas binoculars.
For a week we scoured the mountains, looking at elk, deer, and ever other animal we could get our eyes on. I am very used to using my Sig Sauer Kilo binoculars, they have been my go to for years now. But switching over to the Midas I was quite impressed with how much brighter they were. And having used the Midas 10x binos I don’t think it is just because of the magnification.
The reticle in the Midas Binos is particularly useful when sport shooting. While it can be used for other purposes during a hunt, I don’t think it I would use it much while hunting. Mounting the Midas binoculars on a good tripod however during practice, was very convenient for spotting. 12x is plenty for much of the spotting we do while shooting, and having the reticle in view is great for giving corrections. I also found that the reticle was simple enough to be unobtrusive while glassing. The ability to level the reticle in any position was a paramount feature.
note reticle detail (don’t note lack of focus, its a crappy cell phone picture)
We also used the Midas binoculars during the Mule deer hunt a few weeks later, a different climate and landscape. Once again I found the bright image of the Midas binos to be extremely helpful. We did quite a bit of glassing from great distances, looking from thousands of yards away instead of hundreds. I really appreciated the wide focus control of the Midas, it seems there is a long focal length allowing you to get very precise in your focus. I was downright surprised at how clear and clean an image I could get on deer from several miles away.
Pros and Cons
I’ll be candid here, I used to be very suspicious of inexpensive optics manufactured overseas. But based on my experience with Athlon Optics alone, I am much less so. I’ve had incredible performance from these optics (as I have with others), and with their priced just right motto I simply cannot afford to overlook these. Some folks might have an issue with the product source, preferring something built in America, or Europe. I can totally understand that perspective, but for those who can’t afford such products these are an excellent buy.
my pictures do not do justice to the image quality
I really couldn’t find much else to dislike about the Midas binoculars. Perhaps some subjective things such as the rubber lens covers that some may love or hate. While I did find them a touch stiff to remove, I like that as they are less likely to come off unintentionally.
The optical clarity of the Midas G2 Pro binoculars was fantastic, the controls are easy and smooth, and adjusting them to fit individual eyes was great. Allowing all who used them the ability to customize them for their specific eyeballs. I was pretty impressed with what you get for the MSRP of $562.49.
Last Thoughts
I am extremely satisfied with these binoculars, more so than I expected I would be. There is only one way they could be better in my opinion, and that would be putting a laser rangefinder into them. But for those of you out there who don’t require such features, these binos are a slam-dunk. Whether you are looking for the best binos you can afford, or if you are looking for something a little less expensive to beat around on your ATV or tree-stand, I can confidently recommend the Athlon Midas G2 UHD Pro.
As suppressors continue to increase in popularity and application, you are going to see a lot more of them around here. For those of you who are new to suppressors, today we are going to go over the various suppressor types to help you better understand the subject. Even if you think you don’t want or will never need one, it’s a good topic because your perspective might change sooner than you think. Today we’ll go over everything including materials, manufacturing processes, internal designs, mounting configurations and such. Hopefully by the time you finish reading, you will have a better understanding of your suppressor options.
Suppressors have been called a lot of things; in the movies they call them silencers though it’s a bit misleading because they are hardly silent. A suppressor is like a muffler, but they don’t work the same way. Mufflers simply bounce pressure and sound waves inside a chamber to reduce the noise that comes out the tailpipe. A suppressor is similar but has to overcome the enormous volume and pressure of a gunshot. Most rifle cartridges generate in the ballpark of near 50,000 PSI, your vehicle’s engine generates around a hundred times LESS pressure.
The deafening noise of a rifle going off will make your ears ring, because of the supersonic wave created by all this pressure leaving your muzzle. The job of a suppressor is to slow the expansion of all that gas, so that when it leaves the muzzle of your firearm, it is no longer creating the sonic boom. This is done by slowing the high pressure gas as it exits the muzzle using various chambers, while letting the bullet escape its way to target untouched.
As all this high-pressure gas is slowed within the walls of the suppressor, the energy has to go somewhere. The result is a rapid increase in heat. Essentially all the energy of the expanding gas is turned into heat instead of noise.
Suppressor Construction
For the longest time suppressors were mostly made with the same idea; a sequence of baffled chambers that would capture the expanding gas. Enough of these chambers would be stacked until the exiting gas was slowed enough to be sufficiently quiet for its owner. “K” cans as they are often called are a compromise of putting just enough of these chambers to reduce the report of the gun. Just enough means that they are usually louder than larger suppressor designs.
The baffles between these chambers have a hole just big enough for the bullet to pass through, while trapping much of the gas behind it. Many of these baffles and holes have features to increase turbulence of gas as it passes through. Clipped baffles have offset ports in them, and as gas passes through them it creates turbulence further restricting the straight flow of gas to the muzzle, much like a Tesla valve. Additionally different suppressor designs might vent pressure through just the muzzle, or from multiple points at the front of the can. Some designs even incorporate a muzzle break at the front of the suppressor to help reduce recoil.
Pistol suppressors often use a booster piston assembly, these are necessary to allow many semi-automatic pistols to function. The booster piston allows movement in the barrel/suppressor assembly, this movement is needed for the pistol to unlock the barrel and slide during operation.
Patriot Valley Arms has been manufacturing custom rifles, accessories and other parts for quite some time. More recently moving into additional areas as well such as barrel manufacturing and monolithic bullets. Today we are looking at one of the products they have recently released; the Patriot Valley Arms Modus rifle, this one chambered in 6.5 PRC.
The Modus is advertised to be a production precision hunting rifle. Weighing in under 8 pounds is a great start, and adding the reliable precision PVA is known for takes it up another level. It would get even better when paired with the PVA Cayuga solid bullets, but we’ll get to that later.
the Patriot Valley Arms Modus 6.5 PRC in the Elk woods looking for success
The Patriot Valley Arms Modus
The PVA Modus is built around a custom action from LWR. It uses the popular Remington 700 footprint which makes it easily adaptable and acceptable to most accessories.
Custom Action Features
QPQ (black nitride) treated bolt and receiver
90° Throw 416 Stainless Receiver, black nitride finish interior with cerakote exterior
1-Piece bolt handle with fluted body – black nitride finish
Mini M16 Extractor and Plunger Ejector
Roller Bearing Fire Control w/ bayonet style take down
Double round bridge receiver with rail holes that fit Hawkins Precision scope rings
Action Weight: Standard Configuration 30 oz SA, 32oz LA
bolt-stop/release detail
In addition to the custom action, the rifle uses a variety of top quality components. All of which are optimized to make the rifle as accurate a hunting rifle as one could hope. Some of the other features of the rifle:
Osprey precision barrel works chambered barrel, finished at 24″ long with 5/8-24 muzzle threads
bolt-head detail, M16 style extractor and a single plunger ejector
All of these components are packed together to offer serious hunters a precise hunting tool. And it comes at a great time too, as many big game hunters are looking for quality and performance at this level. A simple glance through the rifle rack at Sportsmans Warehouse shows a broad spectrum of high end hunting rifles similar to this from other big names. While the PVA Modus might not be the least costly rifle when lined up with others, it is far from the most expensive. Even with the ultra-light upgrades.
I was very eager to see how the Modus compared to some of these rifles, several of which I’ve already had experience with.
Initial Impressions
Pulling the Modus rifle from the box, the glistening carbon fiber finish of the stock caught my eye. For an extra fee, you can have the stock custom painted. I’m a bit of a do-it-yourself kind of guy, so the raw stock would do fine for now.
I installed the bolt, to get that first feel. And it felt fantastic, the finish and feel of custom actions is just beautiful. The bolt lift was very smooth due to the cunningly designed roller bearing on the cocking piece. The flutes look sexy, and the robust bolt-stop/release feels very tactile.
the bayonet-style firing pin assembly, note the roller bearing on the caming surface
The Timney Elite Hunter trigger uses a wider than average trigger shoe. Which I like very much, as it gives the feel of an even lighter trigger pull weight by dispersing the pressure over a wider shoe. Everything felt great just the way it came, the only thing I saw fit to adjust or change was to swap out the PVA Jetblast muzzle brake for a suppressor. Most of my shooting is done suppressed, especially hunting.
One of the reasons I like lightweight designs like the Modus, is that it allows you to use different components without going incredibly overweight. Things like suppressors and thick scopes added to the rifle still don’t take the weight over my expectations. I have carried far heavier rifles into these Rocky Mountains, so the Modus was a treat.
Testing the Modus at 9000 feet of elevation gave it extra legs, the US Optics TXH 3-18X50 was a great companion
The 6.5 PRC Chambering
The Modus came to me as a 6.5 PRC, I selected that one over others because it fit well into my current needs. There are several other factory caliber options for the Modus, you can select one that fits your needs:
6mm Creedmoor
6.5mm Creedmoor
6.5mm PRC (SA or LA, same chamber. LA is for folks planning to do a multi caliber rifle)
450 Bushmaster (SA only, not available with ultralight options)
7mm PRC
300 PRC
Optional add-on kits for Smokeless Muzzle Loader in 458 caliber are available as an add on
Hunting with the 6.5 PRC would cover just about everything I needed done, without going too crazy. I mostly hunt small and big game, and this rifle would be for Mule deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Pronghorn Antelope and such. With a 1:7 twist Osprey barrel, the Modus would sling just about any bullet out there. 147’s and 156’s and such would carry a lot of energy to the elk I often hunt. But I went with PVA Cayuga solids, for obvious reasons. The 129 Cayuga has an extremely high BC, and the twenty-four-inch PRC can launch it at over 3100FPS. In the density altitudes I frequent, that equates to under 6 MRAD of elevation drop to 1,000 yds. And supersonic flight beyond 2,000 yards
After getting to know the rifle a bit, I decided to set it up for my hunting season. For a scope I decided to go with something perhaps a little different. I like medium sized variables, so I used the US Optics TXH 3-18X50. The TXH is a hunting crossover scope, meaning it can be used for quite a variety of purposes from tactical shooting and as we used it here a hunting optic. The 34mm scope fit perfect with a set of medium Vortex ringsmounted to the double-pinned aluminum picatinny 20 MOA scope rail.
I also bought a couple magazine options, first was the polymer AICS 6.5 PRC mags from Amend2. The other was an Accurate Mag metal magazine, both options hold three rounds. I did find that they both fit very snug in the magwell, and the release was pretty stiff as well. While this could be a bit of an issue if you were doing lots of rapid reloading, I think I like it for a hunting rifle. As there is no rattle, or wobble in either of the magazine types when installed.
I went simple with a bipod, using a Harris SL model mounted to the front sling stud. The second sling stud attached to my sling, a Quake Industries rubberized sling to keep it on my shoulder. For a suppressor I installed the Banish Buck 30, it was a perfect fit for the rifle’s needs.
test firing the Modus at the rifle range
Range Preparation
I had a few boxes of Hornady 6.5 PRC Match ammo featuring the 147 ELDM’s, but I also wanted to get some Cayugas loaded up since thats what I wanted to hunt with. I started with a modest charge of H4350 and Peterson Brass, primed with Federal 210M primers. In my experience, the Cayugas are very forgiving with seating depth, so I basically seated them 0.020 of the lands and took them to the range.
It wasn’t much of a surprise to me that they shot well, they typically do. After playing with a few shots, I fired a group to see how it looked. The very first groups measured .3-.4 MOA which I was very happy with considering how little time I’d put into it.
After a trip to the range, I took the Modus into the high country in the mountains above my home to stretch it out more and see how it performed at distance. And with all this country to shoot in, it wouldn’t be hard to push the Modus right to the end of its envelope.
The curious Cayugas make a fascinating sound when fired suppressed. I assume they do it unsuppressed as well but you cant hear it. There is a whistling sound as they go downrange, likely due to their open tip. The scorching PRC velocity seemed to condense the cool and moist mountain air as they went downrange.
Shooting the rifle out to 2000 yards show an interesting conundrum. The 129 Cayuga’s stay supersonic at that distance, because of their high BC. They are so good at slipping through the air that they retain velocity better than a feminist does her weight. Even so, at 2000 yards the energy drops to around 600 foot pounds, which doesn’t make for much of a splash. This made impacts harder to spot.
Pros and Cons
After shooting the rifle for several weeks, as well as two separate week-long hunting trips I’ve gotten pretty confident and comfortable with the Modus. And I’ve also been able to form some opinions on what I like and might not like about the rifle. Lets start with the Cons;
I mentioned the tight magazine well, I am unsure if this was just my rifle, or if they are all like this. While it’s not a big deal, I could see somebody who is a big snob on such things might dislike it. I found it simply something to get used to. And later after carrying the rifle for nearly 30 miles over the course of a week, I actually started to appreciate how secure the mag was. I’ve lost AICS mags in the forest before, so that might be why. (PM me if you find any magazines out there)
I also think it would certainly be worth the splurge to upgrade to the Osprey Carbon barrels. While this rifle is lighter than others I’ve hunted with, if you’re going to spend $2,999.00 on the rifle, spend a little more and get the carbon barrel for better balance and less weight. This would make the Modus better in every way compared to similar competitors rifles.
On the Pro side, this thing is built to shoot! The smooth action feeds cartridges great, especially from the polymer magazines. The metal mags have a touch more resistance. Flawless cycling with effortless bolt lift and closing due to the roller bearing. The trigger and other controls are of matching high quality and feel. A rifle priced like this is more appropriate for a seasoned hunter, as beginners and casual hunters might not be able to justify it.
The carbon stock was very rigid and felt great to shoot from, it has that modern feel that Grandpa’s Monte Carlo doesn’t. And a comfy little thumb-shelf for those who like to keep the thumb parallel to their index finger. The dual sling-studs were great, though after 30 miles one of them did come a little loose but I would expect that.
The finish-work on the rifle was as sharp as the accuracy. Which was exactly what you’d expect from a rifle with this heritage. Based on the performance I’d expect the Modus to keep hammering for my grandchildren.
The Hunt
The very first hunt I used the Modus on was an elk hunt in the alpine forests of my home state of Utah. It would be a mostly on foot kind of hunt, with miles of ATV rides mixed in. Despite my best efforts, I never got to point the Modus at a bull elk. Nevertheless it was tested hard on every aspect of a hunting rifle besides the shooting part, in which I was already quite confident. I was however able to take home one little prize with the Modus while searching for elk.
The flat-shooting Modus made it easy to hold nearly dead on POA out to nearly 300 yards
As we stood quietly in the silent forest, the sunlight continued to pierce and illuminate our perspective that morning. I stood quietly listening for the footsteps of my potential prey, but what I heard was not as I’d expected. A great looking coyote came trotting down a trail , the wind and light conditions were in my favor so I decided put to the Modus into action. Lifting the rifle to my shoulder quickly and pressing the trigger right as the coyote paused his step. The incredible speed of the PRC had the coyote shut down instantly, and he settled into a pile of dry Aspen leaves forever.
the unlucky coyote who dare shew himself within sight of me and the Modus, if you like bino cases, read about the Eberlestock Recon harness Here
Deer Hunting
I also brought the Modus along for the mule deer hunt. It’s lightweight and extreme reach would be ideal for these ghostly deer that live in very tough country. Yesterday as a friend, his sons and I were searching for deer. A couple good looking bucks appeared nearly a thousand yards down into a steep canyon. We quickly pursued them closing the distance to 500 yards. With no time to spare, I took the first shot dropping one of the bucks to the ground.
the first buck, anchored immediately with a high shoulder shot
The second buck stood in disbelief I imagine, as one of the boys slid behind the Modus. He fired one shot that drove another Cayuga solid through the buck’s shoulders and he too made it a few feet before expiring. Perfect accuracy and performance from this rifle.
the second buck we took at 500 yards with the Modus
Scorecard
Accuracy (A) Sub-1/2 MOA accuracy was normal, with good ammunition
Reliability (A) No malfunctions of any kind were experienced during testing
Shootability (B+) Flawless cartridge cycling and control, stiff mag condition would be the only catch for some folks
Ergonomics (A-) Great handling, comfortable and easy to operate. Balance would be improved with carbon barrel option
Value (A-) Not inexpensive, but well worth its its price. The quality finish of a custom with the consistency of a production gun
another Mule deer taken with the Modus
Final Thoughts
While I’ve had the Modus for a relatively short time, I feel quite familiar with the rifle having hunted hard for several weeks now. I’ve carried the rifle over my shoulder for miles and miles, for day after day. Riding on ATV’s, in freezing cold and dirty, dusty and even smokey atmosphere. Few things seemed to bother this rifle, it was always ready to deal swift precision and deadly sharpshooting through it all.
There are few things more satisfying than going through a tough patch of hunting, and coming out the other end knowing you and your equipment not only worked but excelled at the task. If you are looking for an exceptional rifle for all your future pursuits, give the Patriot Valley Arms Modus your serious consideration.
I’ve jumped into the red dot world with both feet at this point, and fully embraced optics ready handguns. This has resulted in a wide variety of red dots making their way into my collection, and today I am bringing another one to you. Today’s subject is the new Holosun SCS Carry red dot.
The SCS Carry Red Dot is a compact RMS-C sized red dot that will fit onto compatible footprints. Like other Holosun K optics, this red dot is ideal for compact carry guns. But this little unit has some additional features you’re going to like, as did I.
the Holosun SCS Carry mounted to my Taurus TX 22 Toro
The Holosun SCS Carry Red Dot
The SCS (Solar Charging Sight) uses solar energy to power itself for an indefinite period of time. Perhaps in the dystopian future, in the fight against the machines, someone will find one of my old pistols discovering a curious green glow.
The SCS Carry has an internal rechargeable battery good for over 20,000 hours. And since it is constantly recharged by the solar cell on top of the unit, you can count on it outlasting your ammo supply. In addition to the power cell, the SCS uses multi-directional light sensors to adjust reticle brightness depending on ambient light.
unboxing the SCS Carry, note tools and other fasteners included
Holosun is very popular for their reticle options, and this one is no different. The SCS comes with a 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle around it. I like this pattern and have used it extensively in my Holosun 507 Comp red dot on another gun. This model also features an enclosed emitter for reliability, as well as a notched base to stand-in as a rear sight.
Other traditional Holosun red dot features are also incorporated, things like the 1X magnification, lens coatings, unlimited eye relief, and parallax free viewing.
Holosun SCS Specifications
OPTICAL SPECS
Reticle
2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
Light Wavelength
540nm
Reticle Color
Green
Parallax Free
Yes
Unlimited Eye Relief
Yes
Magnification
1x
Multi-Coatings
Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Window Size
0.90×0.63
Dimension (in)
1.6×0.98×0.95
Weight (oz)
1.05
MECHANICAL SPECS
Housing Material
7075 T6 Aluminum
Surface Finish
Anodize
Adjustment per Click
1.5 MOA
W&E Travel Range
±30 MOA
ENVIRONMENT SPECS
Storage Temperature
-40℃~70℃
Working Temperature
-30℃~60℃
Submersion
IPX8
Vibration
5000G
Assorted Models
Aside from the model shown here today, there are also other models of the SCS Carry. There is a non-enclosed emitter version that is less obtrusive and surely lighter. And there are also firearms specific models as well, with SCS Carry dots made to fit: Smith & Wesson, Walther, Sig Sauer, H&K, and CZ pistols respectively. These custom fitting sights likely reduce your need to use adaptor plates, and other mounting hardware. Both simplifying the install, as well as reducing the weight of your CCW handgun. The SCS family also incorporates Holosun’s Super LED technology, matching visual wavelengths of light best seen by most eyes.
Mounting the Holosun SCS Carry
Mounting the SCS Carry was easy using the provided tools and fasteners. I chose my Taurus TX 22 Toro as a host for the SCS, mainly because it was available and needed a red dot. In addition to that situation, the TX 22 is an incredibly fun gun to shoot, you can read more about it here.
I lined up the reticle as best I could while torqueing down the mounting screws. This would help reduce the adjustment needed to zero the optic, and with a few clicks it co-witnessed perfectly with the iron sights. I could adjust it a little more once on the range. I also appreciated that they kept the base thin enough to still be able to see my iron sights through the optic.
After mounting, I took a moment to go through the operating instructions. Its convenient to not worry about brightness settings, and I was amazed at the instant adjustment of the auto-brightness controls.
Shooting the Holosun SCS Carry red dot
Once in my shooting spot, I started loading magazines to pour a fresh layer of lead on my targets. The bright green reticle of the SCS was easy to see even in the bright mid-day sun. After a couple adjustments, it was dead on. We spent the afternoon burning through ammo, and drawing down on targets.
I also keep that pistol close during hunting season. Its always nice to have a suppressed 22 handy for quietly dispatching pests without scaring away the elk and deer. It also gave me something to do around camp, plugging mice in the dark with a Surefire X300 weapon light attached to the pistol.
Shootability
I like the big-windowed red dots, so it was a little bit more restrictive using the smaller window of the SCS. That is of course to be expected with a smaller optic, it also requires you to be a little bit more judicious when presenting the pistol, making sure it’s lined up. The SCS Carry is ideal for a carry sized pistol, its width is similar to many compact guns, and its edges aren’t snaggy.
The enclosed emitter is nice, as it keeps debris from getting between the lens and the LED. I did notice a tiny bit of blur when shooting, though I’m not sure if it was due to looking through two pieces of glass or something else. I know most of these optics are supposed to be parallax free, but occasionally it feels like maybe they aren’t. Or perhaps my eyes are starting to go…
Either way, the SCS Carry was great for shooting. Always ready, always on.
as pictured, an extremely capable 22 pistol, hunting mice in the dark illuminated by the Surefire X300 light
Reliability
Which brings us to our next point, in all my shooting the SCS was fixed in its place. Never did I have the need to re-zero or adjust anything. Nor did I have any issues with the controls. Its simple, which I have on good authority is good for stupid’s like me.
Being exposed to freezing temps, vibrating for miles and miles on ATV’s didn’t slow down the SCS Carry. The only maintenance needed was to clean the front lens occasionally due to suppressed shooting.
the single button control of the Holosun SCS Carry
Accuracy
As I mentioned already, I never had to readjust the SCS Carry. It maintained zero throughout all this. While the recoil of the TX22 is not as significant as some of your spicy CCW 9mm pistols, it still endured lots of shooting. Maintaining zero is very important for all sights, but particularly for CCW sights.
Also I mentioned window size and my preferences. Training with what you are going to carry and shoot is probably more important than preferences. And shooting accurately with the Holosun SCS Carry was perfectly attainable with proper practice. The reticle details also gives you a few advantages as well.
The MRS from Holosun is a nice customizable feature, the Multiple Reticle System gives you options. You can select just the 2 MOA dot for more precise shooting, or you can use just the circle to bracket targets. Or a combination of the two if you choose.
the enclosed emitter is nice in the weather
Value
There are untold hordes of red dot sights on the market now, making it very competitive. I can appreciate that Holosun’s Optics have maintained a great position of authority in that market. They continually push the boundaries, innovating and bringing new features and options. Basically they seem to be the ones to beat. The Holosun SCS Carry line of red dots are not the most affordable red dots made by Holosun, but I wouldn’t expect a dedicated CCW sight to be so. Sure you can get cheaper red dots, even from Holosun. But the feature-rich and maintenance-free SCS Carry is well worth the extra cheddar in my opinion. If you’re looking for a good sight for your CCW pistol, the street price between $350 and $400 for these is a great choice. It’s no surprise they have a “best rated” tag on Optics Planet.
Pros and Cons
There was very little I could come up with that I didn’t like about the Holosun SCS Carry red dot. I’d mentioned earlier some possible blurriness, though I’m not sure if its me, dirty lenses, or something else. It was certainly not enough for me to worry about.
Everything else about the SCS Carry was great for me. I love the simple operation, never needing to worry if it’s on, or having to adjust the brightness when I go indoors or out. It fits a wide variety of guns, it’s emitter is enclosed for less cleaning and maintenance, and I like the bigger reticle. And it comes with most everything you need to mount and adjust it, adding to my collection of red dot mounting hardware and tools.
Conclusion
If you haven’t gathered by now, I think Holosun has hit the target with this little optic. It gives great performance with no complications. It adds just enough to your CCW pistol to be beneficial and give you the upper hand when aiming. While shopping for your next pistol sight, consider the Holosun SCS Carry as a solid option. I’m not sure if this one will stay on my 22, or if I’ll move it over to my CZ P-10S.
