Do hunters need a self-defense option? I mean, a deer rifle is a pretty good tool to confront a threat. Today we are going to take a look at self defense while hunting, because the act of hunting might involve a bow, or a rimfire hunting weapon. And hunting activities are usually done in wild places, where we are often not the only predator. We’ll take a look at some of the reasons a person might want additional self-defense tools when hunting or even fishing. I know from experience that with noise of a running creek can allow you to unknowingly get dangerously close to some animals.
In the Wild
Perhaps you, like me learned to be prepared as a youth before going into nature. Many of us don’t even leave the bedroom without at least a pocket knife or something more. As hunters, we spend a great deal of time outside, and very often in places that are isolated and remote. The game we pursue tends to be in the wilder parts of our world, and when we enter those area there is some risk involved. Anything from frostbite to bear bites could be a reality. Just like we prepare our equipment for the act of hunting, we should also prepare for our survival. That could be granola bars and a map, but in wild places it can also include tools for defending yourself.
A Typical CCW
For those of you out there who daily conceal carry, self defense is already something you do on a day-to-day basis. So adding your carry pistol to your hunting routine is an easy transition. If you are hunting in the flooded forests of the south, the danger could come from snakes or alligators. Whereas if you are hunting the alpine peaks of the Rockies, the danger could be from Grizzly bears or mountain lions. A typical CCW pistol like a Glock 43 or 19, might be perfectly adequate for certain situations. An aggressive cougar for example might be dispatched with a 9mm defensive round. And pistols designed for concealed carry often give you good ammunition capacity.
good Glock clones like this PSA Dagger are also suitable
Running into aggressive cougars whether two or four-legged is likely about all I would use a typical 9mm carry gun for. If I was going into a place with larger predators like bears or big gators, I would want something more.
Big Autos
I carried a Glock 29 for a little bit, a compact 10mm auto that carried quite the punch. I also spent some time behind a Smith and Wesson M&P 9 chambered in 10mm. Guns like these carry more power for defending against larger threats, with some loads often carrying double the energy on target as a typical 9mm. The M&P particularly was very nice to shoot, and carried 17+ rounds, which could ruin most anyone’s day when applied.
For all the 1911 guys out there, this is also your chance to put the .45ACP into use. The heavy bullets of the 45 also offer some additional stopping power. I would look at something like the Sig Sauer 1911 Ultra compact, for easy portability that won’t get in the way. These autos offer an increase in power without giving up autoloaders ammunition capacity.
Revolvers
Americans have a love affair with revolvers, and this is one area where they certainly shine. The only demerit you might give revolvers is their limited capacity when compared to an autoloader. But there is no question that a big revolver is potent medicine for defense against predators of all kinds. When I hunt the extremely remote Kootenai forests, I rarely go without a good pistol. I really like the Smith and Wesson 629 in .44 Magnum, as it provides ample power. As the darkness surrounds you up there, with wolves, Grizzly bears and other hungry predators, the heavy steel against your side feels reassuring.
I also am a big fan of Ruger’s Super Redhawk Alaskan. Whether it be in .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, or .480 Ruger, it is bound to put big holes in your target. The Alaskan model while still quite robust, is small enough to easily carry while fishing a river, or hiking through forests.
A pair of Super Redhawks, note fluted cylinder of .44 Mag model
You certainly don’t need to go heavy either. There are plenty of good revolvers that are suitable for self-defense that are light weight and powerful as well. The Ruger SP101 and LCR are much smaller than the large frame pistols I mentioned above. And chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special they still offer some stout energy on target.
Ammunition Application
Depending on the type of country you are in, you should select proper ammunition for your defense. Whether it be shotshells for snakes,hollow-points for your autoloader, or hard-cast lead or solids for your revolver. Ensure that the ammunition you bring along is adequate for your potential assailant.
So you’ve decided to try bear hunting, a popular big game hunting option in many states. Archery is a popular option, but we are gun people here, so our focus today will be on some good firearm choices for bears. Today we are going to take a look at bear hunting, and what kind of firearm you might select for your first bear hunt.
Bear Hunting Approaches
Depending on where you live, bear hunting can be done in a variety of ways. Some folks do the traditional spot and stalk, while others use bait stations or pursue them with hounds. My experience is mainly spot and stalk, but we’ll look at all the various options.
Spot and stalk bear hunting can take place in thick wooded forests, or in open mountain canyons. And depending on the type of bruin you are after, you might need some serious firepower. Black bears typically can be hunted with the same rifles and calibers you typically hunt deer with. While brown bears might require a bit more energy and penetration, think like a moose or elk rifle. The distances you anticipate shooting from will also have a great deal to do with cartridge selection.
Baiting bears into a shooting position gives you a much more predictable scenario. Typical shots to a bait station aren’t as far as spot and stalk, which makes cartridge selection a little easier. You also can anticipate the bear’s approach and estimated location for when the shot is taken.
If you are lucky, this could be your view when chasing bears
Another very popular form of bear hunting is using hounds. Regardless of terrain, the hounds catch the scent of a bear, and when it’s done right, the bear ends up in a tree. Once the bear is treed, the hounds keep it there until the hunters catch up. Shooting a bear from a tree is usually not a very far shot, and could even be done using a handgun if desired.
Pistol Calibers
If you find yourself shooting at a treed bear, rest assured it isn’t a grizzly bear. Taking a Grizzly out of the equation, there are plenty of good options for handguns. A .44 Magnum is always safe bet, it has plenty of power for quickly subduing a black bear. You could also likely use something smaller like a .357 Magnum or my favorite the .41 Remington Magnum. Any of these cartridges I would want loaded with heavy and hard hitting bullets.
Big hollow-points like 240 grain for the .44, or something like a 210 grain hollow-point for the .41 Mag would be suitable. And the .357 loaded to the gills with something like a 170 or 180 grain bullet would also be adequate. Not only because these bullet selections will work when needed, but also because if you are in bear country it’s nice to have that thang on you. Several of these calibers would do well in one of the Ruger Redhawk or Super Redhawks.
Another appealing feature of these pistol calibers is they are often chambered in popular lever-action rifles. A quick shooting lever-gun would be handy for taking a bear from a tree with great accuracy. Something like my Winchester 94 375 Winchester would certainly do the trick.
When shooting from a ground or tree blind over bait, you are more likely to have the upper hand on the bear. This can allow you some dexterity in cartridge selection. For example, threading a perfect shot on an unsuspecting black bear could be properly done using something small like a .243 Winchester. I know where there is an old Ruger M77 chambered in .243 that would be perfect for this. Whereas if you anticipate shooting through big boned shoulders or brown bears, you will definitely want something bigger.
A 308 Winchester shooting typical big game bullets is plenty of medicine for a black bear, particularly up close. If you plan to shoot something much bigger like a brown bear, you would be much better suited with a magnum. Whether it be a 7mm of sorts, or one of the many thirty-caliber magnums. If I was after a Grizzly I’d perhaps even go bigger just to be safe. Obviously overkill is a bit of a myth, so you could use these on small bears as well. A safe bet for heavy hitting cartridges would be a classic rifle like the Winchester Model 70 Pre-64 in .338 Winchester Magnum.
Spot and stalking bears is my favorite way of hunting them. The open country of the west were we hunt them can certainly test your patience and stamina. That being the case I like carrying a lighter rifle, especially if I’m going to be on foot for very long. Cartridges with more reach are a good idea in these mountains, I’d like a magnum for this purpose as well. Since I enjoy my 6.5 and 7mm PRC, I’d probably take one of them. A rifle like the Fierce Carbon Rogue would be perfect for something like this.
Stalking often gives you the option of approaching from distance, this can give you the option to stay a safe distance away from these toothy creatures. Your favorite magnum might also come in very handy for a long shot like that. A Seekins Havak in a 300 Magnum would also be an excellent choice for this kind of hunting, with both power and precision.
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.
Few things are more satisfying than watching your children grow up. As a hunter, the same thing can be said about watching your children grow into successful hunters. Some of you might have followed me long enough to have seen my son grow into a successful hunter. But today’s story is about both his latest and our youngest boy’s first deer hunting experience. Today’s exciting adventure is in jest; a junior Mule Deer pro-am.
The Pro
My Ridley has been hunting since he reached our state’s legal hunting age of 12. His very first year he managed to shoot both a Mule Deer and a cow elk using his little custom Remington 700 that I built for him that year. He must’ve inherited some shooting skill, because this kid has been a dead ringer from the start. His first deer was taken with a clean single shot at 490 yards, and his first elk from a touch further. He has repeatedly made some impressive shots over the years shooting nothing but that short little rifle. Whether it be shooting supported off a backpack at extremely high angles, or shooting an escaping deer bounding off through brush.
His rifle has always craved the same load, a simple one using PRVI 120 grain BTHP match bullets. Nestled over a load of Benchmark powder producing just shy of 2800FPS, this load has put a LOT of deer and elk meat in our freezer.
And his first elk 2016
The rifle has always used a small LPVO, which I have found easier for inexperienced marksmen to find targets. It currently has a US Optics 1-8 power scope on it, but it may be time for something with a little more magnification as Junior is inexperienced no longer.
The Amateur
Santiago on the other hand, is in his rookie year of big game hunting. He has shown even more interest in shooting and hunting than his older siblings. Add to that having grown up watching everybody else have success, his excitement and desire to hunt himself are at an all-time high as hunting season began this year.
He’s always enjoyed shooting sports
He’s spent a lot of time behind a riflescope, accompanying me on countless shooting and hunting expeditions. Everything involving outdoors, guns and hunting seem to appeal to this young man. And with his first Mule Deer hunt approaching, he asked for extra opportunities to practice and sharpen his own shooting skills. And to be candid I have been impressed with both his passion and skill when it comes to shooting well.
hunting varmints has been good practice
For his rookie season, we chose the Browning X-Bolt 2. I typically start young shooters off with something a little lighter on recoil, but Santiago also drew a cow elk tag for later this winter. I wanted him to have and become proficient with a rifle that would do well for both elk and deer. This ruled out using some of the typically smaller caliber rifles we had in inventory. The 308 Winchester X-Bolt uses a Vector Optics 2-12×44 riflescope, tipped with a Banish Backcountry suppressor to keep things tolerable. He had spent a great deal of time learning how to use this combination, hoping to be ready when the time came.
Earlier this summer hard at practice
Sunrise
With the first signs of light peeking in the east, we found ourselves at the top of a Rocky Mountain ridge near 8500 feet above sea level. It had snowed up here a day or so prior, which still lingers in the high altitude freezing air temps. The hard frozen snow crunched under boots as we endured a strong wind cresting over the ridge.
one of the two bucks we were after
We spotted a group of deer on a distant ridge below us, I was hoping to find something much closer based on historical experience. But after spending more time than I’d of liked looking, there were almost no other deer that were out braving the freezing wind with us. So in perhaps a hasty decision, I told the kids to grab their packs and gear so we could go after them. Besides the two boys, my Daughter Bria also came along. We decided to leave her rifle behind as we’d only seen two bucks in the group, and even if we’d seen more she could shoot one of the boy’s rifles. The rugged and steep pursuit demanded taking as little gear as possible.
The Stalk
Once we were dedicated to the stalk, we moved quickly. I knew we were making a descent that would be unpleasant to return from. But the sooner we got a deer on the ground it would be that much less ground we’d have to ascend on our return. Keeping the ridge between us and the group of deer, we moved fast and into the wind that still blew uphill into our faces.
We closed the distance to 470 yards, where our cover ran out. Moving closer would have severely compromised our surreptitious approach, and the deer would have easily spotted us moving across the open sagebrush. We picked out a high perch, with room for both boys to setup their rifles. An added benefit to our approach was the sun rising directly behind us, which made it even harder for the deer to see us.
As Ridley looked through his riflescope, I ranged the deer again, trying to see where the buck stood among them. Ridley spotted him first, as I helped Santiago get in place. Ridley pronounced he was ready, and Santiago prepared to back him up should the deer try and escape.
Time to Kill
Ridley initially held 3 MRAD over the buck’s shoulder, who was quartering away to the left. His initial shot went right over the buck, who didn’t react. So he fired a second this time holding 2.5 MRAD, this shot landed perfectly hitting at the back of the buck’s ribcage and traversed the vital zone stopping just under the right shoulder. The buck jumped as he was hit, and bounded a few times before he piled up and slid down the steep hill.
The four of us celebrated in our triumph. But there was still another buck, who stepped out after the commotion of the first deer. The boys both quickly returned to their scopes, as we identified which of the deer was the remaining buck. After Santiago had found the buck, and identified him to both Ridley and I, the rookie was cleared hot for his first real kill shot.
The young buck stood broadside nearly five-hundred yards downhill from us, looking our way. With his rifle doped for the distance, and steady behind the rifle, Santiago announced he was ready and we all watched. The shot broke, and the buck jumped as though he had been hit. He lept uphill running across a flat area, my initial thought was he moved like an uninjured deer. But after about forty or so yards, he slowed and turned, before doing a faceplant into the snow. There he scrambled around for a moment trying to get back up, but he slid into a bed under the brush for one last time. Once again, we cheered and excitedly exchanged hugs and high-fives.
Double Recovery
All four of us found our way down the ridge, where we searched a moment for the second buck. He had fallen in some tall brush which made him harder to find. Once we’d found him, Santiago got to put hands on his first deer. Watching kids soak up the experience is great for a dad too.
We took a few pictures as the boys recounted what had happened, and discussed what they’d each seen as the events unfolded earlier. Santiago’s shot was placed perfectly, the broadside shot had hit the deer just behind his right shoulder, and came through the left shoulder. The 175 Sierra Match King X left an exit wound around three-inches in diameter, with bits of bone fragments coming out. We did some quick forensic analysis, then we hurried over to the edge of the ridge to find the first deer that Ridley had shot.
We had left the first deer for last, mainly because we knew he was dead as could be and had not moved since the shot. As we approached, we let Ridley make first connection. He was a handsome little buck, a 2×3 with some good eye-guards for a small deer. His antlers were heavier than we’d expected, so as you can imagine we were all happy as could be. After the initial inspection Ridley asked for a moment of quiet while we gave the handsome animal the respect he was due.
Again we took a variety of photos, as the rest of the family hiked down to us to help. My brother and his daughter were a great addition, giving both help and praise. It was right about this point that the fun part ended, and the hard part began.
Happy kids enjoying an adventure together
The trip back up the ridge to our vehicle would have been impossible without cutting up the deer. So we quartered them up, and pulled as much meat off of the carcass as possible, leaving it attached to the quarters to avoid contamination. These kids love deer burgers so I wanted to maximize the meat haul. All the kids would help as we cut large portions of meat off, they would lay the meat on clean patches of snow. After which they covered the meat with more snow to quickly cool the meat and keep it clean.
my brother giving the boys instruction on field butchering
Everybody pitched in and helped with butchering both deer, as well as packing them back up the mountain. To this dad’s surprise, not a single complaint was heard hiking back up. Of course we were all tired, and everybody hurt, but nobody was whining and asking for someone else to carry their weight.
Conclusion
It’s a beautiful life that we get to share as a hunting family, and its not absent from my thoughts that I once dreamed of having the life I now get to live every day. Sharing great experiences like this one with my children are the crown jewel of my own adventures, and I cannot wait to do it again.
As the old saying goes; might makes right. Meaning that those with power can enforce their will. This doctrine has long been used when it comes to hunting cartridges. With hunting season right around the corner we figured it was worth the discussion to evaluate the premise. Does a magnum’s might make right when it comes to hunting? Does the heavy energy load of magnum cartridges make them the best choice for your hunt? Let’s get to the bottom of it.
I load my own with these RCBS dies, this allows me the ability to customize the energy applied
What Makes a Magnum?
Magnum cartridges are simply larger than typical cartridges of comparable bore. For example, the 30-06 Springfield is a common 30-caliber cartridge. The 300 Winchester Magnum is a larger 30-caliber cartridge, with more powder capacity. This allows the 300 to push bullets much faster all else being equal.
the 30-06 Springfield has been and will continue to take nearly any NA big game animal. This Winchester model 70 is a classic example of an American hunting rifle
The whole premise of magnum cartridges is to bring higher velocities and energy. When you shoot larger bullets and faster velocities the energy imposed on the target goes up. This can be very important when it comes to hunting animals, as energy is key to quickly incapacitating our prey.
Ballistic Performance
Another reason magnum cartridges are popular is because of their ballistic performance. The same attributes that make them effective for hunting, also make them effective for long-range shooting. Being able to shoot bigger bullets at faster velocities, or standard bullets at even faster velocities makes them a better choice for shooting further. Heavier bullets and faster bullets hold onto their energy longer, which pushes out the envelope of their effectiveness. You can imagine how this would be helpful to both a hunter, and a long-range shooter.
Magnums like this 300 PRC do well for long-range shooting and hunting
Newer and better bullets are constantly hitting the market, which is making the ballistic performance grow ever better. The 180 grain bullets your grandpa shot weren’t as efficient as the latest and greatest 180 grain bullets we have today. But does that matter for many of us?
Real World Applications
As I peruse hunting and shooting forums, social media groups, and even the slums of reddit, you can get an idea of most hunting practices. It seems that the majority of hunters typically engage big game like deer at distances between 50 and 400 yards when hunting with firearms. Obviously that depends greatly on location and the animal they are after.
deer sized animals can easily be taken with smaller calibers like this 6mm GT in my Desert Tech SRSM2
If you are stalking a fifty-pound Roe deer on the green fields of Great Britain, you will probably use different tackle than a hog hunter in Georgia, or a Stone Sheep hunter in the Yukon. The size of your prey, and the environment you pursue them in has much to do with your cartridge selection.
Even large animals like a Rocky Mountain Elk are easily taken with short action cartridges like a .243 or a 30-30. So why do most people use heavy magnums for hunting them? Mainly because Rocky Mountain Elk live in places you don’t want to take your .243.
The Landscape
Western hunts often take place in big open country, where shots could be much further than average. Furthermore, a wounded animal might go for miles through the steepest miserable country you can imagine. So it makes sense to use a rifle with more power and heavy bullets. In many of these hunts, it is also important to drop the animal right where it stands to avoid strenuous extraction.
when hunting in the deep forest, you often want to secure your prey where it stands to make it easier to get out
Conversely, if you are hunting one of the gulf states you probably aren’t going to be making many 400 yard shots. And your chances of finding an elk down there are likely limited to exotic ranches. Consideration to location could have a lot to do with whether or not you really need a magnum.
in the thick woods where I took this bear, having a smaller rifle with lower recoil was beneficial
Biology
It is also very important to understand the body structure of the animals we intend to hunt. Some animals are tougher than others, and require a little more energy to quickly and cleanly put them down. Using an appropriately proportioned cartridge for the animal not only ensures a clean kill, but also reduces waste. I like to eat what I hunt, so blowing a deer in half with a super magnum is not on my list.
Hitting an animal in the right spot is more important than what you hit them with, read more about that here
Using a magnum on a small animal particularly at short distance is likely to cause more damage than necessary. This could cause meat to be lost and discarded. Shooting a 90-grain bullet from a 6mm Creedmoor might be perfect for hunting a Pronghorn antelope inside 400 yards. You could use a 300 Winchester for the same job, but you might have a few pounds less to take home for the freezer.
In our ever changing world there is some solace in knowing that we are spoiled for choice when it comes to sporting arms. Being a part of the firearm industry certainly offers me additional privileges and access, and today I intend to share with you another one the countless rifles I’ve been able to examine. Today we are taking a close look at the Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 rifle chambered in 308 Winchester.
The Waypoint 2020 is marketed as a lightweight precision rifle with a definite nod towards the hunting crowd. The Waypoint is a bolt-action rifle patterned after the extremely popular Remington 700 footprint. There is a variety of models but all of them feature a carbon fiber stock, and detachable box-magazines. Different color camo patterns can be selected, as well as other features like carbon-wrapped barrels and radial muzzle brakes. Let’s get into it.
The Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020
2020 Action
The foundation of the Waypoint rifle is the 2020 action, a two-lug ninety-degree bolt action much like the Remington 700 it closely resembles. I say closely because it greatly improves over it’s predecessor. The 2020 action uses a one-piece fluted bolt-body with a removable bolt-handle. At the front of the bolt you’ll find the sliding extractor and spring-plunger ejector. The sear is tripped by a Trigger Tech Field trigger, which in my experience is fantastic.
At the back of the action you’ll find the bolt-stop/release. This is the stronger and superior design, making the bolt quick to remove and firmly stopped when it reaches the aft stroke. The Waypoint 2020 action comes with a scope base-rail installed, using both screws and dowel pins for security.
Carbon Fiber Stock
Rigid and lightweight are the first things that come to mind when feeling the Waypoint stock. At the back there is a soft rubber recoil pad as well as some flush mounted QD-cups for attaching a sling. The vertical grip is very modern and comfortable, allowing easy placement of your thumb at the proper angle. The Aluminum trigger-guard is also very well done, and features the mag-release in the front of the trigger area. And using AICS pattern magazines is a sure way to gain points with most shooters.
The front of the stock also features a QD-cup for sling attachment, as well as M-Lok slots on the bottom to attach a bipod. I found the stock to be very comfortable and very serviceable.
Carbon Wrapped Barrel
The twenty-inch barrel is carbon fiber wrapped, for weight reduction. At the muzzle it was threaded 5/8-24 with a radial muzzle brake installed to tame the rifle. Chambered in 308 Winchester the barrel features a 1:10 twist which allows for a great deal of bullet compatibility.
Specifications
Springfield Armory Waypoint 2020 308 Winchester
Weight
6 Pounds 9 Ounces
Length
41.5 Inches
Barrel
20-inch 1:10 twist Carbon Fiber
Trigger Adjustment
2.5-5 Lbs
Muzzle Device
Radial Blast Brake ⅝-24 threads
Magazine
AICS compatible 5-round
Optics Mounting
Picatinny Rail 6-48 Screws
Receiver
Stainless Steel 2020
Color
Evergreen Camo/Green Cerakote
MSRP
$2599
Range Preparations
In order to properly test the Waypoint, I would add a few things and bring along others. First off was a good scope, for that I decided to go with one of my favorites. The US Optics TXH 3-18 is a perfect scope for a precision hunting rifle, with a set of 34mm rings it dropped perfectly into place on the Waypoint. I’d also add a Harris bipod for supported shooting, using the M-Lok slots I attached a pic-rail section to make my bipod easy to install and remove.
For ammunition I brought a nice spread as well. First off were a couple selections from Hornady, the American Whitetail 150 grain ammo, and the Precision Hunter 178 ELDX. I also brought along some Barnes Vor-TX 130 grain ammunition as well as a box of DTM 308 Match 175 grain.
And just for good measure I also threw in my Silencer Central Banish Backcountry suppressor, which would make a perfect lightweight companion to this rifle.
My first foray with the Waypoint was at a public range, not something I enjoy but worth the time. It took no time to zero the rifle with just a couple shots after I boresighted it. After which I shot a few different groups to see if the rifle preferred one ammo type over another. It came as no surprise that the DTM 175 match seemed to shoot the best, with a Barnes 130 grain in a very close second place. Velocities from those two were 2560fps and 3020fps respectively. After some accuracy testing, I continued shooting to see how the rifle functioned and fed.
You could say I’m a bit of a fan of the Meateater show, I do my fair share of hunting and eating. I never would have expected the brand would have made it into my daily use. But that’s the subject for today; I bring you a review of the Banish Meateater Suppressor from Silencer Central.
Banish suppressors have been everywhere lately, and I have been pretty impressed with their lineup. The Meateater Suppressor is a more recent development, and based on the name alone I suspect it is targeting the hunting public.
The Banish Meateater Suppressor
As I dug into the Banish Meateater, I could see that its hunting focus was more than just in the name. The titanium construction made the suppressor quite lightweight, which is a paramount feature for hunters.
Part of the reason the can is so light is because of its simple design. A traditional baffle stack held in by two threaded end caps. On the breech side you have the industry standard 1.375 x 24 threaded hub, which allows you to change the mount to whatever best fits your needs. The suppressor comes with a 5/8-24 threaded cap, but you could easily swap it out for a different one should you need to. This is a nice feature vs. having to have your barrel re-threaded.
the Meateater made my multi-caliber Desert Tech SRS M2 even more pleasant to shoot
Innovative Design
At the front end of the Meateater is where this can gets interesting. The threaded end cap houses some very cunning features; the muzzle can be interchanged between thirty-caliber and 6.5mm. These two inserts allow users to optimize the suppressor for most every popular hunting caliber thirty or less. Reducing the muzzle cap to 6.5mm will optimize its performance for 22, 6mm, 25 and 6.5mm cartridges. While the thirty-caliber cap keeps it tight for .270, 7mm, and 30 caliber options.
here you can see the two different muzzle ports, the black one for smaller calibers, and the grey one for 30 caliber
Using the optimal muzzle cap in the Meateater is important because there is another innovative feature in the muzzle of this can. The endcap keeps back pressure to help force more of the pressure out through the radial brake that is incorporated to the front of the suppressor. Its purpose is to help reduce recoil felt by the shooter.
here you can see the on/off feature of the Meateater brake
The suppressed report of my rifles sounded very good, not quite as sharp as other suppressors. Almost as if the bleeding off of pressure through the brake vents made it sound better. It was an impressive suppression performance from a can that is neither heavy nor bulky.
Today I once again find myself going down the baffled rabbit hole of suppressors, our subject for today is the Banish Backcountry suppressor by Silencer Central. This rugged and lightweight suppressor is built for backcountry hunters who demand performance with as little weight as possible. My purpose is to put this suppressor to the test so inquiring minds like yours can decide if it fits into your list of needs.
When the Banish Backcountry showed up, I was surprised by few things. As I lifted it from the foam-lined box it became very clear what the engineers had in mind with the Backcountry can. If I had to describe the Backcountry with one word I suppose it would be simplicity.
A look in the breech end of the Backcountry suppressor
The Banish Backcountry uses a traditional baffle design welded together made from titanium. The slight departure from tradition is that the Backcountry uses the Banish line’s industry standard mounting hub. This allows the user to swap out the mounting situation to whatever best suits their needs. The 1.375 x 24 threads are nearly universal even among other manufacturers, allowing incredible variety in how you attach this suppressor to the host firearm.
the mounting hub of the Banish Backcountry
Banish Backcountry Specifications
Length
5.5 in
Diameter
1.6 in
Weight
7.8 oz
Material
Titanium
Thread Pitch
⅝-24 (included)
User Serviceable
No
Caliber
.300
Maximum Caliber
300 RUM
Color Options
Black or OD Green
Finish
Gun Kote
Sound Reduction
30 dB
Mounting Style
Direct thread universal mounting hub
Full-Auto Rated
No
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
The Banish backcountry came to me with a handsome black finish, I am a big fan of the OD Green though. I was extremely impressed at its lightweight, coming in under eight ounces is outstanding. Additionally the under six-inches wouldn’t add much to my hunting rifles.
The lightweight of this suppressor is in part the titanium construction, as well as the simple design. I was curious how well it would do at suppressing the noise with its smaller configuration, it wouldn’t take long to find out.
I would also shoot the Backcountry suppressor on my Bergara Crest Carbon 308 rifle, another lightweight hunting rifle that is optimal for the Banish Backcountry suppressor. And also for some serious testing I would mount the Backcountry to my Desert Tech SRS M2, a rifle I shoot very frequently, which would allow me to evaluate the Banish characteristics based on known performance.
My PVA Modus rifle worked great using the Backcountry suppressor
my Desert Tech SRS M2 with the 308 barrel installed, the Backcountry can was a perfect fitthe SRS M2 with the Backcountry suppressor and Apex Rival riflescope
