Hammer extension for Henry lever action rimfire rifles

I just ordered a hammer extension for the Hoo1T Henry 22 because the scope makes it impossible to reach the hammer with gloves on. They are somewhat difficult to locate, so here's where I found it: Brownells Model 2450 SKU #:593-245-000 SPECS: Steel, matte black finish. 1 ¼" (3cm) long, 3/8" (9.3) diameter. 2450 fits Win. 94 and Big Bore, Ithaca X-Caliber, and Henry lever action rimfire rifles. LINK The price is $9.95 plus $5.25 shipping.

Hello out there!.....

As of 8/23/09 I have 91,533 hits on this Shooting Journal, yet I have no idea who's out there reading it. It would be encouraging to get an email from you with as little as your name and state, letting me know that you're out there. This info will help me improve the blog, and I assure you I am not collecting email addresses and no one but me will see your letter. I've set up a special email box at brshooting@sbcglobal.net, so please take a minute to say 'Hello'.

Thanks! ~Bob

It's Here! The North American Arms Mini-Master 22 Magnum

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LATEST ON THIS HANDGUN BY VISITING MY NAA MINI-MASTER JOURNAL.

I am really glad that I have the opportunity to introduce you to the very cool Mini-Master revolver by North American Arms. It has a 4" barrel that is oversize for most handguns in this class. Although I often carry a S&W 38 Special Airweight, I've been looking for something a bit smaller as a backup or to carry when I want to travel lighter. This gun definitely fills the bill, as well as being a blast to shoot. When I shoot 22mags or 17HMR's through my SingleSix's, it's about as exciting as shooting a 22 because there's almost no recoil. I like a gun that bites back a bit. Heck, if I don't get at least a little recoil, I might as well shoot AirSoft. I also like the impressive blast and sound of a 22 mag fired from a revolver. This gun makes rimfires fun to shoot again, and I had fun letting my 16 year old son Jamie get a crack at it last weekend at the range. Check the 2009 Range Report and my New Mini-Master Journal for that story and more. This is going to be a fun season at the range, and that's what shooting is all about.

You can contact North American Arms at:

North American Arms
2150 South 950 East Provo, UT 84606
http://www.naaminis.com/

800-821-5783 - Toll free in the United States
801-374-9990 - International or Local Calls

Mini-Master Specifications:

Caliber: .22 Magnum or .22 Long Rifle

Capacity: 5

Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel

Barrel Length: 4"

Overall Length: 7 7/8"

Overall Height: 3 5/8"

Width: 7/8"

Weight: 10.7 oz. unloaded

SRP w/Fixed Sights: $284.00

SRP w/Adjustable Sights: $314.00

Part Number: See Table Below

The Mini-Master Mini-Revolvers evolved from NAA's popular .22 Magnum frame series and include the time tested design characteristics that are incorporated in all NAA Mini-Revolvers.
The result is enhanced stability and accuracy for the shooter. The Mini-Master has a Heavy Vent Barrel, a Bull Cylinder, Oversized Black Rubber Grips and comes with either adjustable Millet Sights for elevation or fixed Low Profile Sights, also by Millet.

As with every NAA Mini-Revolver, the hammer need not rest on an empty chamber. Using the original half-way notch cylinder, the hammer may rest safely and securely without chance of accidental discharge. .22 Magnum versions of the Mini-Master can be used with all popular .22 Magnum ammunition,
including .22 Magnum shot shells (called Snake Shot by some manufacturers).

Crimson Trace Laser Grips

I installed my first set of Crimson Trace LaserGrips last week and had my first opportunity to shoot my S&W 38 Special with laser installed yesterday afternoon. This was the 38's last chance to redeem itself after a year of frustration. This gun is not just bad. It's REALLY bad, or I'm just really bad with this gun. Whatever the problem, no matter what I did to improve things, I couldn't get it to shoot a group, never mind a tight group. In fact, I would have been happy with ANYTHING that resembled a group.

I'm not going to tell you the whole story here, but let me just say that after getting laser roughly zeroed in, my jaw dropped and as my 16 year old son (who doesn't shoot all that often) put all 5 rounds in the black of a small target around 50 feet away. I must have shot nearly a thousand rounds through this little revolver and I have NEVER shot a group even close to this. All I could spit out was, "It's a Miracle!" and laugh. Absolutely amazing. For the rest of the story and more, go to my Wheelgun Journal page.

Here's the Crimson Trace website for more info on their LG-405.

• Installing the LaserGrips. CLICK HERE
  "...When I got home and picked up the box, she wasn't exaggerating. It shipped in a 7" x 9" x 3" box that was so light it appeared to be empty. I opened it and packed in peanuts was a beautiful back box that looked like it held a fine piece of jewelery. Enclosed in the box were the tiny J-frame grips, a beautiful black storage bag with a logo printed on it, a small bag of parts (including batteries) and the manual. Now it was time to swap out the grips..." MORE
  
  
• My first shoot with Crimson Trace LaserGrips. "It's a Miracle!" CLICK HERE
  "...I was able to nail the target with nearly every round using the laser. You can imagine my surprise when I shot 5 rounds, landing every one in the black. Then handing the gun to my son, he had matching results! We honestly never though the gun was capable of such accuracy ..." MORE
  

MAGnet GUN CADDY

When I stumbled across this very practical little device, the first thing I thought was, "Damn, why didn't I think of that?!" It's called a MAGnet GUN CADDY. How many times have you tried to find a spot on your truck to lean your firearm or fishing rod against while you're taking your vest off or putting your pack on? The MAGnet GUN CADDY is a very strong magnet with a foam slot that acts as a mini temporary gun rack. It's small enough to keep in your pocket and it weighs basically nothing. Pop this baby onto your door or fender and you now have a safe place to rest your gun or rod without fear of it hitting the ground. The magnet is strong enough to remain on your vehicle while driving, though I prefer to remove it to keep it safe and clean.

I've found that they come in handy when I'm cleaning my guns in the house. I keep one on the outside of my gun locker as a safe place to lean my rifle while I'm trying to make room for the rifle in the locker. It even fits the large octagon barrel of my 44 Magnum. It may seem odd to keep one on the refrigerator, but it makes life easier when I'm getting ready for an early morning hunt and I need to run down to the basement to get my gun case. I'm sure you'll quickly think of dozens of uses.

Make sure your rifle is unloaded before using caddy. It has a very strong magnet, but you can't be too careful with a loaded firearm. Remember that in many states it's illegal to even touch a loaded firearm to a vehicle, so again, unload your rifle or shotgun before using.

At about $10 each, I'm sure once you try one you'll want to have at least one everywhere you handle your firearms. If you're in sales, they even have custom imprinting available so you can hand out personalized caddies to your favorite customers! That's one freebie I know they won't throw away.

Check out their website at
http://www.magnetguncaddy.com

Triple-K Cheyenne Holster and Wyoming Drop Belt

I just received a Triple K Cheyenne Holster and Wyoming Drop Belt from the manufacturer so I can test it out with my Ruger Single Six. The craftsmanship is beautiful and it has 25 loops for 22 ammo (they don't make one for 17HMR). I asked them to send it anyway because the case diameter isn't all that much bigger. I'm happy to report that the cartridges slid smoothly into the loops and it looks really sharp. I'm looking forward to this weekend's hunt so I can wear the new holster and carry my Varmint Express. Last weekend I waited out a squirrel hole that was so close that my rifle scope would have had a parallax problem. I was expecting to have to aim a couple inches over my target to hit it. I was thinking that it would have been a perfect occasion to have my revolver on my hip with iron sights. I started wearing it in my 12/13/08 Hunting Journal post.

Here's the info that's on the packages:
CHEYENNE HOLSTER Style 114
Walnut oil - plain, GRP 16-6.6
Fits Ruger Single Six and similar, #21066612
From their web site:
"Our most popular western holster! Made from a single layer of heavy 11 to 12 oz. saddle leather. It features two heavy-duty snaps which allow the holster to be used on a straight or drop belt. We suggest that the "Cheyenne" Holster be used with our #110 "Wyoming" belt or #111 "Conquistador" belt."

WYOMING DROP BELT Style 110
Walnut oil - plain, 22 cal loops, #21067006
From their web site:
"Our most popular drop-loop belt, 2-1/4" wide, it is made from a single piece of 11 to 12 oz. saddle skirting leather. The belt comes with 25 loops for .22, .32, .38, or .45 caliber cartridges. It is designed to be used with our #114, #116, #610 or #710 holsters."

Triple K Manufacturing Co.
2222 Commercial Street San Diego, CA 92113
Voice: 619.232.2066 Fax: 619.232.7675 sales@triplek.com

TECH-SIGHTS

A March 21, 2009 update:
I've been using TechSIGHTS on my 10/22 since October, and I give the sight a very high rating. Target acquisition is amazingly fast, and when I lay the front sight on a target, it's dead. I'm used to hunting with standard iron sights, and the big difference is that I no longer have to think about the rear sight. Look through the hole, lay the front post on something and fire. The only thing I'd like to see is the front sight painted white so I can better pick it up in low light.

WITH CAMO TAPE APPLIED

My focus this year has been on the 17HMR with its flat-shooting performance. Since the September 1st opening of squirrel season I've been hunting with my 17HMR Henry Varmint Express. Last month I traded my SingleSix 22 in for the 17HMR version. Both of these guns are very accurate but somewhat slow at target acquisition. Both have scopes mounted; the rifle is a lever action and the revolver is single action. I now feel the need to fill in the gap with a fast acquisition semi auto with iron sights.

When I removed my scope and scope mount from the 10/22, I discovered that the LockTite ate the paint and made a real mess of the receiver. The 10/22 has a painted aluminum receiver, so you have to be very careful with any type of solvent used on them. When I tried to remove the LockTite, it took the paint with it. I ended up sanding it off and trying to repaint it with various high temperature paints, but everything lifted with an application of gun solvents. At the moment I don't have the time or inclination to spend $30 to order a big spray can of gun paint to paint one tiny receiver, so I simply took some paint stripper and within an hour I had a nice, clean aluminum receiver. Maybe sometime during the season I'll paint it, for for now this looks good and should work fine for squirrels and rabbit.

When I attempted to reinstall my iron sights, I was surprised to discover that my rear sight had somehow snapped. Now I had another problem: replacing the sight. I Googled it and the most interesting sight system I came across was manufactured by a company called Tech-SIGHTS. The front sight looks much like the sight on an AR and the rear is a very adjustable peep sight. The system took me less than 10 minutes to install and it really looks sharp. Target acquisition should be very quick, but I think I'll paint the front post to make it pop out during my early morning hunts. I put my green LaserLyte bore laser in the barrel and the rifle only appeared to be 2 clicks off. Saturday I'm taking it to the range and will get it sighted in for hunting season which opens in a couple of weeks. Below is some info of this excellent sight system and I'll be posting photos as I shoot with it on the range and in the field.

Tech-SIGHTS Precision Shooting Accessories

http://www.tech-sights.com/

Model TSR200
FEATURES:

* 8" Longer Sighting Radius
* Rear Sight Base mounts solidly to the rear of the receiver utilizing the existing tapped scope base holes.
* TSR100 comes standard with dual apertures (.062) and is compatible with M16/AR15 apertures.
* TSR200 allows for additional elevation adjustment at the rear sight.
* Uses incremental windage adjustment with rugged detent locking.
* Front sight tower comes standard with an incremental detent adjustable AR15 type post designed for the AR15. This gives the shooter a wide variety of post designs.

2242 18-3/4 Ave., Rice Lake, WI 54868
Contact Larry Nesseth: sales@tech-sights.com

B-Square Scope Mount for Ruger Single Six

B-Square surprised me today with a package containing their scope mount for the Ruger 17HMR Single Six. This is without a doubt the nicest design I have yet to see in a scope mount for this revolver, and it requires no gunsmithing. It literally took me less than 10 minutes to install, and if you've previously disassembled your rear sight, it will likely only take you five.

IT DOESN'T GET NICER THAN THIS.

As you can see from these photo, the mount runs from the rear of the gun to the muzzle. The dovetail base fits the gun so perfectly that people will think it's part of the gun instead of an add-on. To install the mount, simply remove 2 screws; one holds the front and the other the rear sight. The screws on my Ruger came right out without a bit of force. If you look closely at the rear sight, there's a tiny pin that the sight swivels up and down on. I took an ice pick and it pushed right out. After that the sight simply lifts off. Be careful not to loose the tiny spring and that small pin. I keep a bunch of tiny plastic bags that people store stamps in for such items.

Once the stock sights are removed, the mount simply drops into place. It comes with 2 screws and an Allen wrench. Note that the screws are slightly different in size. The smaller screw goes in the rear hole. Partially screw in both screws, then tighten them up. I added a bit of LockTite to the treads prior to tightening the screws down. That's it! When I first attempted to remove the rear sight, I didn't see that tiny pin, so I took out the manual and looked at the exploded view. There was the pin. If I knew enough to remove it, the installation would have taken 5 minutes. It really couldn't be easier in my opinion.

I think you'll agree that the photos I took tonight show that the mount looks awesome on this wheelgun. My next step is to shop for a scope. I'm really looking forward to trying this 17HMR out on some squirrels! From what I've read, with a scope attached this revolver shoots like a rifle. Check back for info on mounting the scope, using a LaserLyte bore sighter to get it on paper and the final sighting in at the range.

FEATURES:

• Uses existing front and rear sight screw holes
• No gunsmithing required
• Fits all 6.5" barrels
• Standard dovetail base
• Black matte or stainless finish

To order, call 1-800-433-2909 8:30am - 4:30pm CST or anytime at www.b-square.com.

VISIT MY WHEELGUN JOURNAL FOR COMPLETE DETAILS AND MORE PHOTOS

NEW FOR 2008: The Laserlyte LBS Kryptonyte Green Laser

Tomorrow is the day that we've all been waiting for; opening day of squirrel season. To get ready for tomorrow morning, my son and I headed out to the range to fine tune our rifles. Jamie will be hunting with my Ruger 10/22 and I'll be carrying my new Henry 17HMR Varmint Express. LaserLyte sent me a fantastic green laser to try out and it just worked great. This laser is called the LBS Kryptonyte laser (for obvious reasons) and unlike the red lasers that I've been using, this laser can be seen in daylight without the need for a reflector. I tested it out in the Ruger since the smallest caliber the LBS can fit is 22. I would have really liked to try this on my new Henry 17, but the rod that fits the barrel has such a small diameter in the 17 version that the unit becomes fragile and doesn't lend itself to the larger calibers which this unit can fit. I screwed the fitting into the end of the laser before we left for the range with the tiny allen wrench which is provided in the kit, so all Jamie needed to do was to slide it into the barrel and rotate it clockwise to snug it in. Then it's just a matter of aiming at a target and adjusting your scope to center the green dot in the crosshairs. It literally took only seconds. After removing the laser, it took Jamie about 10 rounds to get the Ruger shooting dead nuts. Gone are the days of shooting box after box of ammo to get our rifles sighted in. These units pay for themselves very quickly considering the rising price of ammo. The green laser is a bit more expensive than the red, but I think it is well worth it. The unit itself is somewhat bigger and more solid looking than the red laser unit, so I think it will stay accurate longer.
Last week I used my LaserLyte red laser to sight in my Henry 17HMR Varmint Express. It did the job nicely, but I need to convince LaserLyte to make a Kryptonyte unit in the 17HMR size.

Click HERE to see a good movie on the laser.

WARNING! Be sure to remove the laser before firing your rifle. It may sound ridiculous, but people have been known to forget and really have done damage to themselves and their firearms.

ATSKO U-V Killing Products

Last week I was listening to Mike Adams at the Up North Journal and he was talking about having gone to an outdoor show and having seen an interesting product called U-V-Killer. My coyote hunting partner Arne told me recently that before we start coyote hunting this year, I should treat my clothing with a U-V killing product. I had no idea where to pick something like that up, so I Googled 'UV killer' and came up with Atsko. I shot them a letter and asked requested that they look at the blaze hooded jacket that I've been wearing on this sight. Before I knew it, I had received a bottle of U-V-Killer, a bottle of Sportwash, a DVD and a UV Glow Detection Kit. My blaze jacket is hanging up in my dark basement, so I shined the tiny pen-light Glow Detector at it. The room remained pitch black but the jacket lit up like a lightbulb as it reflected the U-V light! According the their studies, this is what deer and other animals see when we try to hide ourselves wearing our camo, especially blaze orange. If that's true, then I'm busted hundreds of yards away! To make a long story short, this week I'll be testing the product on my camo. I'll first wash everything in Sportwash to help the U-V-Killer bond to the material. I'll then spray the clothes down one time with the U-V-Killer to stop the U-V glow. From then on they instruct us to wash our camo in a cap full of the Sportwash so the U-V continues to be eliminated. There's no need to re-apply the U-V-Killer. As I test the product in the field while hunting, I'll report the results on this PRODUCT page. Check back for the entire story. This seems like one heck of an exciting product!

Before I washed my jackets, I ran this test to show you the problem. The top photo is my blaze jacket under normal lights in my basement. The lower photo was taken with the lights off, with the Glow Detection Light pointed at it. Notice that just about everything else absorbs the black light (U-V) and the jacket reflects it as if it were in daylight. If the animals see something like that, we've got a real problem. It's my understanding that animals basically see in monochrome yellow, and they see U-V in blues. That would make us stand out even more.

I just did a load of camo laundry with SportWash. That will prep the fabric to accept the U-V-Killer. I hung everything out to dry, and tomorrow I begin treating the fabric with U-V-Killer. I'm hoping to have one outfit ready to go for Saturday. I'll let you know how the treatment works as I apply it, and I'll be testing it with the light as it is sprayed.

THURSDAY

My hunting clothing has dried overnight so I decided to treat it tonight to be sure it's good and dry for Saturday morning's hunt. I was able to coat 2 hooded jackets, a blaze hunting vest, a pair of pants, 2 hats and a pair of gloves with one spray bottle of U-V-Killer. I strongly suggest that you do this outside or lay a drop-cloth on your floor before spraying. I didn't and when I looked down, I realized that my basement floor was covered with what appeared to be a puddle of thinned down Elmer's glue. I'm a professional artist and I coat acrylic paintings with thinned down Gesso, which is a type of white acrylic that dries clear. This spray looks and smells very similar, so it's possible that some kind of acrylic is in the carrier. If the spray doesn't completely soak in, some will roll off onto your floor. I'm wondering if laying the clothing down and spraying it flat would have been better? The lightest areas on the clothing are the most difficult to cover, though my standard camo has lost most of its glow. The blaze still reflects some U-V, though much less that it had at the start. I'm going to try to get another bottle so I can give the blaze orange a second treatment. You won't make a mess if you lay a drop-cloth down under your clothes. I think this product is going to really help to give me cover as sneak into a hunting area. It should be interesting to see if I can detect a change in reaction to my presence from the game. With only a couple of weeks left of squirrel season, I wish I discovered this product 2 months ago! Another test will be my upcoming coyote hunts. Check my hunting 2008 page in early March to see how we make out. I'm going to ask everyone I hunt with to buy and use this product so I don't have to hunt next to a lightbulb!

PRO EARS PREDATOR PLUS

The World's Most Advanced Line of Electronic Hearing Protection / Amplification Systems.

PREDATOR PLUS
(P-300P)

PRO EARS

http://www.pro-ears.com/

SmartCarry

The original and only snag-free, sweat-proof concealed gun holster available!

This is the SmartCarry concealed carry holster that I've heard so much about on GunTalk Radio, and it's a carry method that actually works. If you watch this video, you'll be amazed at how the pistols disappear in the crotch of his pants. How to carry during the summer is a real problem, but this is a solution I can live with. The video comes off the SmartCarry web site from a guy who posted it on YouTube. You'll find it very informative. If May West knew about this product, she might have said, "is that a SmartCarry in your pants or are you just happy to see me?", or maybe not. I really doubt she would have any idea that we were pack'n. This is one heck of an excellent product that I'm sure has solved my concealed carry problems. In fact, this product works so well that my wife has no idea what I have it or that I'm often pack'n when I'm with her. Buy one. ~BR

Click HERE for SmartCarry's brochure in .pdf format.

Wet Molded Belt Slide Holster from Triple K

I just received this beautiful holster from Triple K for my Ruger SP101 357 magnum revolver. When I put the holster on I was amazed at how well the gun's weight was distributed. I hate anything tugging at my waist, but this felt like there was nothing on my belt. It's wet molded to hold the Ruger firmly in place and there's an easy thumb release safety strap that fits over the hammer for added security. After running into that mountain lion last fall, I'm checking with the local DEP to see if it's legal to pack this revolver in a concealed manner when I'm out coyote hunting. If so, this holster will be perfect.

Check out their web site to see their entire line of top quality, American made leather products, including their extensive line of hard to find magazines. Here's how you can order one: Go to www.triplek.com or click HERE to go directly to the item. It's called: Secret Agent Holster #420. Call 1-800-521-5062 for left hand rigs.
Price: 38.00

Triple K
2222 Commercial Street, San Diego, CA 92113

By the way, I didn't file the serial numbers off my gun, I painted them out ;)

Galazan - Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co.

I'm very pleased to announce that Connecticut Shotgun, is now a 'FRIEND OF THIS BLOG'. I am absolutely amazed at the quality of this company's workmanship. It is rare that anyone in the world still designs and crafts with this kind of quality. These guns not only look beautiful on the outside, they are also internally crafted to make them last for generations. They are truly works of art. Most of my readers can only dream of owning a gun in this price range, but CT Shotgun also sells a full line a affordable and useful accessories for the rimfire hunter, and that is what I will be featuring. I suggest emailing Connecticut Shotgun for one of their beautiful catalogs.
GameKeeper Butt Carrier
When I small game hunt, I often find myself walking for 6-8 hours and that Golden Boy gets very heavy after awhile. I've attempted to hook the butt plate in my belt at times to take the weight off of my shoulder and arm. Here's a better solution; the GameKeeper Butt Carrier, which is made of the finest burgundy leather available. I used it today while squirrel hunting and it fits the Henry, even with the leather sling attached. This is $30 well spent.

Shotgun Pen

This beautiful platinum plated double barrel shotgun pen would make wonderful gift for anyone who loves guns. The package is a work of art with engraving on the shotgun and 'Connecticut shotgun' engraved on the band. The pen is solid with the feel of a very hi-quality fountain pen, but this is a roller ball filled with German writing ink. The black slipcase is marked with a beautiful 'Galazan C.S.M.' gold seal. If you need a gift for someone who's hard to buy for, this is it. $34.95

Gun Cleaning Pad and Gunmaker Polishing Cloth

This is a 16" x 54" waterproof and stain resistant vinyl backed pad with the 'Galazan' company logo printed in white. I previously had a Remington pad which I purchased at Dicks. It was too small and my rifles would end up on the wood table while I was running a rod through. This pad covers my table and unlike the Remington pad, it lays flat. $15.00

The 14" x 14" polishing cloth is silicone treated and similar to those used by fine gunmakers at the turn of the century. If you have a high grade gun, you should have one. $15.00

Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co.
100 Burritt St., New Britain CT 06053
galazan@msn.com www.connecticutshotgun.com

NOTE: I am not a dealer for Connecticut Shotgun or any other company on this page and web site. Contact the individual company or their suppliers for the latest specifications and prices.

LaserLyte Bore Sighter

This morning it was 26F, sunny with a deep blue sky. My goal today was to get my Henry Golden Boy 17HMR's iron sights sighted in. A few weeks ago I removed the scope and cantalever mount in order to reduce the weight of this rifle. I do a lot of walking when squirrel hunting; often for 6 hours or more, and the lighter I can make this rifle, the better. I always have a hard time adjusting iron sights, but this time around I decided to start off with a bore laser. More specifically, a LaserLyte unit made specifically for a 17HMR and a 22 cal. A box of 50 rounds goes for around $14, and it isn't unusual to blow through 3-4 boxes before I start getting some good hits. I was hoping this laser would make the entire procedure faster, especially when range time is going for $18/hr.

At 9am I set out my target frame at 50 yards which included a small reflective target that came with the laser. As you can see from my range photo, I could barely see the little target, which was positioned in the lower center of the target frame. What immediately came to mind was that I would be unable to see the tiny dot on a target 50 yards away looking through iron sights. Looking through a 9X scope, there isn't a problem, but a 53 year old looking through bifocals with no magnification? That's another story. At this point I was ready to pass up sighting in this rifle today. At Blue Trail Range, 50 yards is as close as I'm allowed to set out my target. I thought I might be able to see the dot at 25 yards, but no way at 50.

Putting the laser on was a cinch. I had screwed the little adapter in position the night before so all I needed to do was to stick the laser into the barrel and turn it on. I began moving the barrel from side to side, up and down, but I thought this was an exercise in futility. I couldn't see a dot anywhere. Then all of a sudden I saw a bright red flash. "You've got to be kidding!" I moved the barrel a bit more and there it was. A bright red dot on that tiny reflective target. Amazing!

I then adjusted by rear sight ramp a few clicks, tapped it to the left and the sight was right on the red dot. Next I removed the laser, loaded the rifle and took five shots at a regular target. I was within 5" or so of the bullseye. My usual procedure is to shoot, then look and look to figure out where I was hitting. Never have I been on paper from the start. Within 10 minutes and 20-30 rounds I was dead on. At $18/hr and $14/box of ammo, this laser will pay for itself very quickly. The bottom line is that instead of sitting there freezing for an extra 2 hours, I was on the road to my favorite hunting spot and it wasn't even noon. LaserLyte has a great product at a very affordable price. I highly recommend it and I'm kicking myself for not getting it sooner. I also plan to carry this unit in my backpack in case I should knock my sight or scope out of position while on the road.

LASER SCOPE LEVELER ADAPTER

LaserLyte has an excellent add-on to the laser bore sighter that's used to correctly set up your scope prior to sighting in your rifle. It's a little unit with a level attached. This is basically how it works: First you slide it into your Weaver-style scope mount.
Put your rifle in a gun stand or use sandbags to level your rifle by centering the bubble in the level. Once level, remove the unit and screw it onto the end of the bore laser. Turn the laser on and point it at a wall. Instead of seeing a dot, you'll see a red line. Rotate the unit on the laser until the line becomes its sharpest. Now put the laser into the muzzle of your leveled rifle and rotate the laser until the bubble is centered. Now you have the rifle and the laser centered. Look through your scope and rotate the scope until your horizontal cross hairs line up with the projected red laser line. Tighten the scope down and your scope is now mounted correctly. Remove the leveler from the laser. You can now proceed to bore sight your rifle.

For more information, you can contact me or better yet, Aaron Moore, Vice President of LaserLyte. He's a good guy and I'm sure will be happy to answer any of your questions.

A Good Looking and Inexpensive Sling Solution

There are times when you're in the field where you can't lay your rifle down, yet you need the use of both hands (crossing a stream, log bridge, etc.). The Golden Boy doesn't come with swivels, and drilling holes lessens the value of the rifle. I've seen these slings before, but I haven't been able to locate one. Thanks Bill for finding this one for me. $19.99 from Cabela's XW-21-0183. Made by Triple K. Mfg. Co., San Diego, CA.

If he was wearing Pro-Ears, he would have heard every word.

The Predator Bomb

I just picked up some cans of Predator Bomb and Arne and I can't wait to try them! These cans come in 3 luscious aromas; fawn, fox, and coyote urine. I have a feeling that the coyotes are going to come out of the woodwork when I cut loose with this stuff. I'll give you a full report on the HUNTING page the next time we hit the woods. The one question I have is how do they get the coyotes to pee in the can? Here's some info from Predator Bomb's web site:

The makers of The Buck Bomb introduce The Predator Bomb for 2006; 2 oz. of pure urine in an aerosol can that can be dispersed in short bursts or locked down to fog out the entire contents. Essentially, the scent is turned into a gas cloud that provides incredible downwind range and broadcast area that cannot be duplicated with liquid scents.

The Predator Bomb is available in Fawn Urine, Fox Urine, and Coyote Urine to give the hunter incredible attraction and cover scent. By completely covering up the downwind side of their position, the predator hunter has an effective new tool for success in 2006.

Experts believe that many hunters never see the predators coming to their calls because they pick up their scent from too great a distance. The predator bomb greatly reduces the chance that human scent will be detected before a shot opportunity presents itself.

As coyote populations around the country continue to grow, predator hunting is gaining more momentum. Many hunters may not realize that coyotes are prevalent in their area because, unlike deer, it is rare to see coyotes in the woods or along roads after they have been hit by a car. Coyotes are smart and have incredibly tuned senses that allow them to thrive without having much direct human contact.

Most studies have focused on the livestock loss, but coyotes and other predators also can severely damage deer, elk, and antelope populations. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders and will eat what is available. If small prey like rabbits, quail, and mice are not available, coyotes will take fawns or hunt in packs to take adult animals.

Cougar populations in TX and AZ have been on the rise resulting in a serious decline in Mule Deer, Elk, and Coues deer. A conservative estimate is that cougars take one deer per week and one study found that cougars were averaging a deer kill every 1.8 days!

The upside to growing predator populations is expanded hunting opportunities for sportsmen. Many states have year-round seasons. This is a great way for hunters to fill in the traditional non-hunting months on the calendar with an exciting new shooting sport.

Also, farmers and landowners may welcome the offer to hunt predators on their land. This is an excellent opportunity to establish positive relationships that could lead to further hunting opportunities for elk, deer, turkey, etc.

Hunting experts say that coyotes can smell human scent over ½ mile away!! The Predator Bomb’s fine mist blows downwind, attaching to leaves, trees, and brush as it goes. This large scent cone will last for several hours and scent particles can drift over ¼ mile enabling predators to pick it up from great distances without picking up the hunter’s scent. There is no simpler, more effective way to get scent to the animal and cover human scent than The Predator Bomb.

The Predator Bomb
http://www.buckbomb.com/

Part II: Scent Confusion (By Rich Higgins)

...I had been spraying my “Magic Mist,” a combination of several different animal urines, downwind since I first set up and before I began calling five minutes earlier. Now the mist had settled and the “hot” scents of bobcats, foxes, coyotes, and rabbits were emanating from every twig, rock and blade of grass in the vicinity. The coyote quickly arrived straight downwind. His head snapped upright and the fierce, intent and alert look in his amber eyes immediately switched to the baffled “WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?” expression that a mixture of confusion and alarm causes when the mist combines with human odor and reaches the coyote’s nose. Rather than disappearing into the brush, however, this coyote remained 10 yards straight downwind, posing for a photo as he attempted to process all of the information that his eyes, ears and nose were simultaneously dumping into his little brain. He was thoroughly confounded by an overload of the “Three Ss:” sight, scent and sound...
READ THE REST at PredatorXtreme