Tag Archives: hunting

Hunting Down the Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12x42mm

September 21, 2026Optics, Product review2-12x42mm, H6Xi, hunting, steiner, steiner opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Steiner has been manufacturing high quality optics since shortly after the most recent world war. Built in Germany for decades, Steiner has become well known for their high quality binoculars and in more recent times their rifle scopes. After some modern partnerships, Steiner has also started manufacturing some of their products here in the US. I have always been happy with the Steiner products I’ve used, which led me to our topic today; the Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12x42mm riflescope. The H6Xi line is focused on hunters, particularly those that take their shooting very seriously.

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Besides the 2-12 we are looking at today, Steiner also makes a 3-18 and 5-30 version of the H6Xi line. Which gives hunters an excellent option to chose regardless of their magnification preference.

The Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12×42

As it is built for the hunting public, it comes as no surprise that the Steiner H6Xi comes on a 30mm tube. This tube size has become basically the standard, and its ideal for hunters as it offers great size for internal travel and lens structures. And it does this without weighing as much as 34mm scopes likely would.

With its 42mm objective, the little Steiner can be kept closer to the barrel. And again the weight of a 42mm objective will be lower than a 50mm. Some of the more interesting features are the first focal plane reticle, and a single rotation elevation turret. It definitely gives the vibes of a scope meant for hard and heavy hunting while keeping things simple as possible at the same time.

Steiner, steiner optics, steiner optik, h6xi, 2-12x42, H6, hunting, hunter, ffp, rifle scope, riflescope, turrets, capped, caps, swapping elevation turret, interchangeable elevation turret, — Here you can see the smaller elevation turret has replaced the larger exposed only turret, and the cap that covers it

Additionally, the turrets of the Steiner H6Xi are configurable. The windage turret come with a cap, but obviously could be left open if you like. It also came with an extra undersized elevation turret that can replace the standard one, as well as a cap that will cover the smaller elevation turret. So you can run this scope completely exposed turrets, or completely covered. Another handy included accessory is a throw lever that you can install for faster magnification adjustment. The H6Xi can be had in either MRAD or MOA, with associated reticles.

Specifications


Magnification	2-12x
Objective Lens	42mm
Tube Diameter	30mm
Focal Plane	First Focal Plane (FFP)
Reticle	STR MIL
Illumination	Rotary dial
Illumination Levels	11 brightness levels with off positions
Field of View	55–8.5 ft. @ 100 yards
Eye Relief	3.85–3.52 in.
Exit Pupil	9.8–3.8mm
Diopter Adjustment	+2 to -3
Parallax Adjustment	Side focus
Parallax Range	25 yards to infinity
Click Value — MHR	0.25 MOA
Elevation Range — MHR	70 MOA
Windage Range — MHR	70 MOA
Click Value — STR MIL	0.1 MRAD
Elevation Range — STR MIL	20 MRAD
Windage Range — STR MIL	20 MRAD
Light Transmission	92%
Glass	HD glass
Construction	6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminum
Waterproof / Fogproof	Yes
Shockproof	Yes
Nitrogen Filled	Yes
Operating Temperature	-13°F to +145°F
Battery	CR2032
Length	11.8 in.
Weight	23.2 oz.
Country of Assembly	USA
Warranty	Steiner Heritage™ Warranty

Unboxing and Mounting the H6Xi

As usual with Steiner products, the H6Xi came in a nice white box with a few accessories. Quality packaging always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing the product got here in one piece.

I lifted the scope from the box, and inventoried its contents. The extra turret and cap I mentioned, as well as the throw lever. There was also a set of flip caps to protect the lenses, as well as a battery and some documentation.

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I’d also gotten some of Steiner’s H-Series 30mm rings, which would be perfect for mounting the scope on its first host rifle; the Seekins Havak PH3. The rings fit perfectly onto the 20 MOA canted picatinny rails on the rifles receiver. It was then time to level the scope and torque down the rings carefully. One thing I did notice is that the front portion of the tube between the erector and the objective is pretty small. This made it a touch sensitive to where the rings could go, but for this rifle it was perfect.

steiner, scope rings, steiner optics, steiner optik, H-series, 30mm, mounting, — **Steiner’s H-Series rings** were made for the H6Xi

Initial Impressions

With the scope mounted, I spent a good deal of time just looking through it and getting a fell for it. Low magnification scopes like this usually look pretty good, as the magnification doesn’t show off flaws as much. But the Steiner H6Xi with its HD lenses looks particularly good. According to Steiner, the scope has a 92% light transmission which makes the image quite bright.

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I quickly found several things about the scope that I quite like. Among those was the locking ring for the diopter at the back. I really dislike it when you put a scope up to find it slightly out of focus, because the diopter got rubbed against a pack or something causing it to turn slightly. The locking ring on the H6Xi prevents that from happening. The low profile of the turrets is also nice, to help avoid snagging on hunting gear. And the whole thing has that Steiner quality feel to it.

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Shooting in the Field

Our first trip out with the Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12 was to a rifle range, to get a solid zero and check some tracking performance. Bore sighting the scope was easy, and in no time we were on paper shooting groups. The 7mm PRC Havak shoots quite well, which made it a good host to test the functions of the Steiner.

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Later we would take the rifle into the high country of the Rocky Mountains to evaluate its performance in the exact kind of places where it would be used for hunting. Looking across deep canyons and valleys, picking out small details and targets is a great way to get comfortable with a scope.

Optical Clarity

The HD lenses of the Steiner H6Xi make a great looking image through the scope. Across various scenarios we inspected all kinds of things through the scope. Full sunshine, rainy and cloudy days, as well as early morning during sunrise. I found the Steiner to provide a great image of my targets, and clear presentation of the area around the target as well.

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Reliability

With it simplistic function, the H6Xi doesn’t have a lot to go wrong. The ability to run both turrets either exposed or capped can remove the possibility of inadvertent turret movement if thats a concern for you. And its single turn elevation will prevent you from ever getting lost in the turns. The 180 degree throw of the magnification ring requires only one motion to adjust. And the throw lever makes it fast and easy to do as well. I also mentioned the lock ring for the diopter to prevent that from being turned accidentally which I wish other scopes of mine had.

The only thing I was a bit concerned with was the reticle illumination. The knob to change the brightness settings of the reticle has lower friction than I would like. I could see it possibly getting turned accidentally, resulting in a dead battery.

Accuracy

Again I’ll mention the simplicity of the H6Xi, a single turn elevation turret means there are fewer things to go wrong. And with 12MRAD of elevation on the single turn, you’ve got enough to cover most shots that hunters will make. For example at my density altitude; The 7 PRC test rifle we used for this review only needs about 8 MRAD to reach a 1,000 yards.

The repeatability of this little scope made it an excellent candidate for a precision hunting rifle. It always returned properly to its zero setting, and it tracks true to its indicated reading.

Seekins Precision, Seekins, Havak, PH3, havak ph3, 7 PRC, 7mm PRC, hunting, precision rifle, steiner, h6xi, silencerco, omega 36m, — the open country of the Rockies looks beautiful through the Steiner lenses

Value

The Steiner H6Xi is not an entry level scope for sure. Its MSRP is just over sixteen-hundred dollars, which might scare some folks off. The street price for this scope is usually between $1100 and $1300 depending on where you look. While that is better than sixteen-hundred, it is still enough to cause some to think hard about the scope. Steiner optics come with not just a warranty, they come with some rugged prestige as well.

You can find other 2-12 power scopes, probably some that are even comparable to this one for less. But we all have our tastes, and preferences. And if my choice is between German parts assembled in Colorado and something made in Asia, I’ll take the Steiner every time. “Nothing escapes you” is their slogan, and one many people trust in.

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Pros and Cons

Great Image Quality- HD lenses	Low Friction Illumination Control- easy on
Robust Construction- built like a Steiner	Smaller Mounting Real Estate on Tube
Simple Design- fewer things to go wrong
Configurable Turrets- capped or not, your choice
Throw-Lever Included- for enhanced control
Locking Controls- stay where you want them
First Focal Plane- for fast shots and corrections
Not Particularly Heavy
Great Parallax Adjustment- fine tuned focus
American Made- the assembly part anyways

Conclusion

I have quickly grown quite fond of this little Steiner, it packs a lot of quality into a compact scope without weighing a ton. Its excellent for its purpose which is a precision hunting scope, giving hunters a sharp image with clean parallax adjustment. And simple hold-over operations that will allow for perfect shot placement at extended shooting ranges.

-CBM

Check out other Steiner optic reviews here

Withering Desert Pronghorn

September 14, 2026huntingantelope, desert, hunting, pronghorncoldboremiracle

Preface

I have mentioned many times my affinity for hunting American Pronghorn. Today I bring you another story of my family-based hunting exploits in the west, and again this one is a story of an antelope hunt. We take every opportunity given to hunt, both in my own state of Utah and elsewhere. This year my wife drew a single tag, for a buck Pronghorn. And this is the story.

Background

Like most women who end up married to a hunting addict, my sweet wife often gets opportunities to hunt herself. She seems to have enjoyed her own success, I say seems because it could just be she enjoys spending time together in such beautiful places.

Though not from a hunting background herself, she has freely embraced the life I like to consider one of successful hunters. Becoming accustomed to the taste of venison and the challenging elements to obtain it, has come surprisingly natural to her.

remington700 pronghorn antelope — Another Pronghorn hunt from years passed

Our adventures together have taken us all over the west, chasing various animal quarries. Most of her experience has been after Mule deer and hunting Pronghorn antelope. Its an interesting phenomenon to see how she calmly takes her time to make sure she gets every shot right.

The Withered Desert

Our summer has been overwhelmingly hot and dry, with fires burning and sun parching what the fires missed. It seems that the wildlife has also been heavily affected, with a noticeably smaller population compared to normal. Spending time in these places observing the landscape has shown far fewer Pronghorn than in years past.

But she had drawn the tag, and we were going to make an honest try. Despite some recent taxing life experiences of her own, my wife was bright eyed and optimistic about the hunt. And as the sun began to climb that morning, we watched the desert come alive with light.

antelope, pronghorn, desert, — from another time, when the desert wasn’t so inhospitable

We spotted a few pairs of does here and there, and even put an honest stalk on a decent buck that seemingly had somewhere to be. But after nearly two hours of shooting light, we had seen surprisingly few animals. But as the the sun light grew stronger, we found ourselves closer to the success we were after.

We spotted a pair of bucks, feeding and wandering near a single doe. The larger of the two was the better of the bucks we had seen, and to be honest I wasn’t sure we’d find anything better in the time we had. Our target buck had to be one that she could physically get to, and make a shot. This buck met those criteria, so we decided to make an effort on him.

grayboe, umc, stock, chassis, universal mini chassis, aluminum, bedding block, action, flagstaff, cole tac, suppressor cover, us optics, lrx, cva cascade, cva, cascade long-range hunter, — the rifle we used: **CVA Cascade Long Range Hunter**, chambered in 25 Creedmoor, with a **US Optics** LXR 4-24 scope, and under the **Cole-TAC Python suppressor cover** you will find a **Banish Backcountry Ti suppressor**

The Approach

We decided to approach him from the opposite side of a series of hills, hoping to get into a position we could shoot. As we snuck quietly through one of the low spots cresting the edge, we kept peeking over the crispy dry vegetation that concealed us. The dry and soft clay underfoot made staying quiet easy, but also could put up visible dust signatures in the gentle breeze.

We kept tabs on the buck as we closed the distance, but I was nervous as the younger buck was seen significantly further away than we expected, and moving further still. The larger buck on the other hand seemed to be working directly towards us, which was also a problem, as it presented the possibility of him cresting a high point before us, giving him the better perspective. We hustled quickly to the highest point we had between us, and suddenly the doe popped up on another directly infront of us. We held still, and prepared the rifle for possible imminent action.

A Change in Plans

The doe had appeared much closer than we expected, almost too close. I was hoping to keep distances far enough that we could whisper comfortably, and make small movements with impunity. But with the doe just over a hundred yards away, we froze to avoid busting her.

Laying behind the rifle, my wife prepared for a potential shot. Loading the rifle quietly and getting a sight picture. Almost as if on queue, the buck we were after climbed up the small hill. Clearly he wanted to shew her in another direction, but he was unaware that his guiding desire had been mislead.

you can read more about the rifle itself here

As he walked next to the doe, and pushed her downhill and away from us, he made his last mistake; giving us a perfect broadside view of his side. My wife and I had spent the previous evening discussing the perfect white line that God had painted down the side of the Pronghorn. It was a perfect reference point for a double lung shot, and as he stopped and looked back at us, the crosshairs settled on his.

Knowing that he was likely a second or so from bolting, I whispered out the call. And she pressed the trigger. The suppressed report of the rifle was the first significant sound we had heard all morning in this arid and desolate landscape. Before the buck could even flinch it seemed, I saw a puff of gray dust in the distance behind him. He bolted down after the doe, disappearing in less than a second.
The two of them circled around the bottom of the hill they’d just climbed, and came back up a few dozen yards to our right. I was grinding through thoughts, did she miss? Is he hit? Why is he moving as though he hadn’t been touched?

My eyes recaptured his movement as he popped up again the few seconds later to our right. And as soon as I saw him, I felt a warm feeling of security. He appeared to be confused, as if he was having an internal dialogue. But just that fast, he began stumbling backwards and tumbled back down the way he came.

Aftermath

Having seen the same thing as me through the scope, my wife was unsure about the dust impact in the distance. But the shot had hit exactly where she had aimed, just behind his left shoulder. After watching the buck go down, I smiled and told her he was down. Relived and excited, we grabbed our gear, and made our way to the downed buck.

The 131 Sierra Match King had perfectly perforated the buck, turning his lungs into a useless red paste. When we came upon him, he lay with his head downhill in a puddle of blood. The incredibly bright red contrast in the dry desert soil as the most vibrant color for miles.

pronghorn, antelope, buck, hunting, kill, blood,

We admired the buck, and took a moment to render him his due respect. After which we cleaned him up for the trip home. As we usually do, he was immediately skinned and washed out with fresh cool water. Before going into the cleaned cooler on ice to chill for a few days.

Just like all the others, this Pronghorn buck will be turned into various delicious meals for our family. Particularly a large batch of spicy Italian sausages to be enjoyed throughout the year. Until the next time we get the opportunity to go again.

I hope that mother nature brings more water and life back to these heat withered plains, just as this experience has brought vitality back into our hearts.

pronghorn, antelope, buck, hunting, grip and grin, cva, cascade LRH, grayboe, us optics, lxr, — you can see the bullet hole in his side along the bisecting white line

-CBM

venison, meat, meat processing, sausage, — this antelope has already joined our dinner table, very delicious. If you think antelope tastes poorly, you are doing it wrong

Check out some of our other Pronghorn Antelope hunts here

Learning to Hunt: Turning a Novice into a Seasoned Veteran

September 7, 2026blog, huntinghunting, learning to huntcoldboremiracle

Preface

Getting into the hunting lifestyle might be a daunting task if you were not raised in a hunting family. The wild calls us however, and whether or not you were brought up hunting, you might find yourself drawn to it. Maybe your father or other family members were either too old or unavailable to teach you when when the time came. Regardless of the reasons why, today I want to share how I recommend you begin down the path of becoming a venerable hunter. Not just for the results, but for the experience and to satisfy the natural drive of participating in the circle of life. Learning to hunt is about going from the novice in the group, to the mentor of one.

hunting, elk hunting, cow elk, elk, snow, winter,

Why We Hunt

Hunting is not just about killing, nor is it only about food. Hunting is a natural activity that mankind has taken part in for thousands of years, and part of what put us to the top of the food chain. Despite much of our society not understanding or even needing to participate in obtaining their own food, it remains at the top of our important survival instincts. And those that keep that edge will be better off when it matters.

venison, meat, food, t-bone, — Eating the spoils of a hunt double the pleasure

For most hunters in the western world, hunting is less of a need and more of a hobby. But that does not make it any less valuable a skill. Drawing a carbon arrow tipped with razor sharp steel from a treestand, you share some of the same values and skills as our ancestors drawing a handmade wooden arrow tipped by bone in a jungle. And I expect that the practice can be understood between distinct peoples despite all other misunderstanding.

elk, elk hunting, bull elk, family, — a combination of family and friends makes an excellent team

Some hunt for sport, some hunt just for the meat. While others simply hunt for the prestigious bones to hang on the wall. Whatever your reason, make it a good one based on principle. For more on that topic, I went into detail here.

Find Your Passion

Some people are drawn to primitive weapons, while others like myself prefer using cutting edge equipment. As long as it is legal where you live I suppose your chosen tool matters only to you. So whether you like rifle hunting, muzzleloaders, archery or even a spear, pick a practice that intrigues you.

deer hunting, archery, mule deer, dad, father, — I learned much of hunting from my Father, who enjoyed both archery and rifle tackle, but was also passionate for waterfowl and bird hunting as well, read more about that here

If you are just getting started in hunting, it might be best to stay a little bit mainstream. You can always move towards different hunting methods later. Most hunters will either end up using either firearms or archery, both are well established and respectable practices. And both have huge industries with large support networks to learn about both equipment and skills. Varmint hunting is an easy way to dip your toe in the hunting world, you can see more about how here.

Join a Team

The best thing I can recommend at that point, is to find a group of friends or family that shares your passion. If you are young, I would recommend finding a group of good ‘ol boys that hunt in a way you would like to emulate. Long time hunters have a set of skills and wisdom that has been learned and passed down for generations. There is a value in this wisdom that cannot be quantified.

hunting, brothers, — my brothers have always been part of my hunting group, its incredible how we once were incredibly unsuccessful, and how that has changed over the years

Understanding the habits of local wildlife and ways to encounter them are far better learned from these folks than any published information ever could. Those of us who spent countless days hunting on our own without the help of others only to come up empty-handed know what I speak of. Even a little guidance from those who have been doing it long-term is incredibly valuable.

elk, bull elk, elk hunting, children, kids, elk, — I would consider it wrong to not make your own kids part of your team

It always surprises me during hunting season as so few people find success on the same mountains where we are always so successful. I think it is because of our groups intimate familiarity with these mountains and the animals that live there. That and our consistent presence every year learning more about herd migrations and activity.

Put in the Work

You might be surprised how quickly you find yourself adopted to a group by simply offering an open backpack and a willing set of legs. Old guys love having young helpers to pack out meat. Even if all you have to offer is that physical effort, there are plenty of folks who would be willing to help you become successful.

hunting, deer hunting, mule deer, gutting, deer, family,

Some of my best hunting partners began just that way. Finding each other deep in the back of some snowy cold canyon, and helping pack out hundreds of pounds of elk meat. And years later we remain great friends. I have a whole list of friends that are almost strictly hunting friends, people who I might communicate with once or twice a year. Until hunting season starts, where we communicate almost daily, sharing information on animals and where we might help each other. Often the information we share is the most valuable tips of all when it comes to each of us being successful.

deer hunting, mule deer, hunting, deer, backpack, packing out,

I love hunting, and I love getting what we are after. Being successful in a hunt is often more important to me than getting some kind of trophy animal. Sharing exploits of our hunts is often a great source of camaraderie, if six of us go hunting, and only four are successful, everybody goes home with something. All of us are rewarded with experience, meat, and stories that will bring us back next season.

elk, elk hunting, snow, cow elk, winter hunting, desert tech, srs, — some of my very favorite hunts have been helping new hunters learn the practice

A good group of hunters will help you learn what it takes to be successful. And will also try to ensure you walk away with at minimum enough reward to try it again. And once you find yourself becoming one of the mentors of a group, its important for you to do the same. Pass along what you know, and help those coming up around you to be successful too. Not every trophy gained during a hunt goes home in a cooler, its often lessons and memories.

Last Thoughts

If you made it this far, I expect you genuinely wish to learn more. I hope some of what I’ve said is helpful for you, and can help you move towards your goal. I’ve tried to put a great deal of information together that will also help you here on this website, follow the links listed here to a few additional topics that I hope you will find valuable.

-CBM

For more on hunting, check out some of these topics

Self Defense Handguns While Hunting

March 6, 2026bloghunting, predators, self defensecoldboremiracle

Preface

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

In the Wild

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

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A Typical CCW

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

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

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

Big Autos

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

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

Revolvers

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

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

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

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

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

Ammunition Application

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

Continue reading here

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

Bear Guns and Cartridges: Do you Have one Already?

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

Introduction

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

Bear Hunting Approaches

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pistol Calibers

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rifles and Bear Bait

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

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

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

Stalking Bears

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

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

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

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Rifles and Cartridges for Long-Range Hunting

February 23, 2026blogcaliber, cartridge, cartridges, hunting, long-range, long-range hunting, Rifle, riflescoldboremiracle

Preface

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.

long-range, hunting, long-range hunting, rifles, cartridges, caliber, choosing, selection, — 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.

my Father took this bull from around 500-yards shooting his .264 Winchester Magnum

What Makes a Long-range Cartridge?

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.

my Dad’s 220 Swift, you can see more about that one here

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.

the **Ruger American Gen 2** is a great place to start long-range practice

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.

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A Junior Mule Deer Pro-Am

October 21, 2025huntingbrothers, Deer, deer hunting, hunting, mule deercoldboremiracle

Preface

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.

Junior first elk, ridley, elk, cow elk, — 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 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.

howa, mini, 22 ARC, lucid optics, MLX, silencerco, omega 36m, suppressor, — 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.

Browning, x-bolt, x-bolt 2, x-bolt speed, 308 win, vector optics, continental, 2-12x44, banish backcountry suppresor, — 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.

mule deer, deer hunting, — 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.

deer hunting, mule deer, eberlestock, — shameless plug for my **Eberlestock Just One pack**, that made packing out a lot of deer comfortable

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.

deer hunting, mule deer, kids, children, browning, x bolt 2, 308 win, vector optics 2-12x44, banish backcountry suppressor, — Santiago was shooting the **X-Bolt 2** chambered in 308 Winchester, shooting **Sierra 175 grain Match King X bullets**. Suppressed by a **Banish Backcountry titanium suppressor**

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.

ridley, mule deer, deer, deer hunting, remington 700, .260 remington, cole tac, suppressed, — another notch in the stock for ‘ol meat-in-the-pot. A .260 Remington cut at 16″ with the **USO 1-8 scope**, and **YHM suppressor** covered by the **Cole-TAC Python suppressor cover**

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.

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.

mule deer, deer, deer hunting, butcher, quartering, — 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.

-CBM

deer hunting, mule deer, deer, browning, x bolt 2, — Santiago with his Mom

junior, ridley, mule deer, deer hunting,

Hunting with Magnums: Does a Magnum’s Might Make Right?

September 5, 2025blogdeer hunting, elk hunting, hunting, magnumcoldboremiracle

Introduction

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.