Category: Gear

Hunting, fishing, and camping gear. Anything that doesn’t fit another category can be found in Gear.

All Seasons 100 lb Hercules Road Feeder

All Seasons Feeders have a reputation for reliability and durability.  We have used them extensively on our deer lease for a number of years and they just run – day after day.  When deciding upon a new road feeder the obvious choice was All Seasons.  We ultimately purchased the 100 lb Hercules over the standard galvanized model because we can be tough on equipment.  The All Seasons Hercules is one solid piece of gear that should last many years. Continue reading “All Seasons 100 lb Hercules Road Feeder”

Staff Trail Camera Review: Uway NT50B

I was looking for an updated camera from my old Moultrie and came across the Uway NT50B. Very nice specs, compact unit, and the preliminary reviews looked promising so I jumped in. Because I bought it after deer season I put in on the stock pond near our farm for testing. The other reason I bought it is for security at the farm – as you can see in one of the photos of the trespasser. The “black flash” was appealing from a security cam standpoint. Continue reading “Staff Trail Camera Review: Uway NT50B”

Staff Sneak Peak: Cooper Firearms custom 25-06

By Staff Writer: Charles Coker

Growing up in South Texas and hunting whitetails down long senderos required aan accurate flat shooting rifle.  22-250, 243, 25-06 were all standards for those old deer camps.  Truth be told, we didn’t use range finders, ranging reticles, etc.. As a young hunter if I saw a deer or hog I wanted, I just aimed and slowly squeezed the trigger and boom, down it went.  “Watch it drop in the scope” was  what we were taught by our dad.   Confidence is everything.  I didn’t really know or care if it was 75 yards or 300, if I thought it was “way out there” I held to the top of the hair.  Of course, those were rifles carefully worked over by my dad, trigger jobs, glass bedded actions and meticulously worked up handloads.  The 25-06 has long held a special place in my heart.  After spending some time looking for the “right” one and not really finding what I was looking for, I contacted Mike Hudgins at Cooper…

Continue reading “Staff Sneak Peak: Cooper Firearms custom 25-06”

Building a youth hunting rifle – Browning X-Bolt Micro Hunter .308

For several years the venerable .243 has been used quite successfully for a youth hunting rifle, and as an adult, I have taken numerous deer and hogs with one.

My oldest son is 13 and has been using my old 1959 Sako that has been cut down to the proper length of pull. He has killed a few deer and hogs with it..

Continue reading “Building a youth hunting rifle – Browning X-Bolt Micro Hunter .308”

Browning X-Bolt Review

TGR is currently conducting a long-term field test of the Browning X-Bolt.  Specifications:

  • .25-06 caliber.
  • 24″ free-floating barrel with a 1 in 10 twist.
  • Satin finish walnut stock – very traditional look.
  • 6 lbs 14 oz.
  • Detachable magazine.
  • Browning’s adjustable Feather Trigger. Continue reading “Browning X-Bolt Review”

Nosler Trophy Grade 280 Ackley Improved Review

The 280 Ackley Improved cartridge has been around for quite some time as a Wildcat. Basically it has the same parent case (30/06) as the 270 Win, 25-06 Rem and of course, the 280 Rem.  Ackely Improved means the shoulders are at a 40 degree angle making it hold a few grains more powder than the 280 and thus a little more velocity.   The Ackley Improved rounds are generally thought of by those that like it as being extremely efficient, those that do not dismiss it as unneeded and a pain to deal with for a few extra FPS.  Well, my take is they are both right. What the 280 AI does is get danged close to a 7mm mag in terms of velocity without the use of a belted case and with less powder, i.e., more efficient, similar trajectory with less recoil.  I like a flat shooting rifle having grown up hunting senderos in deep South Texas, the 25-06, 243, 22-250 all were common around our hunting camps.  As I started shooting more long range and really got the benefits of high BC bullets at extended ranges I started looking around at alternative hunting catridges.  7mm bullets have high BCs which translate into flatter shooting (in all honesty more noticable past 400-500 yards) with less wind drift.  The 140g Nosler Accubond is travelling at 3150 FPS out of a 24″ barrel and out to 500 yards is just as flat as a 25-06 with a 100g bullet and with less wind drift, past 500 (more than I personally would hunt) the higher BC 7mm bullets start to really shine, guys are pushing well beyond 1K with 160 grain bullets. Continue reading “Nosler Trophy Grade 280 Ackley Improved Review”