If you have a smoker or grill at home, you may wonder what the best fish to smoke are. While salmon and tuna are often the most popular options for smoking, home chefs will be pleased to know that dozens of fish make for delicious smoked meals.

Learn all there is to know about choosing the right fish for smoking and how to get the perfect cook.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Fish for SmokingWhen choosing a fish for smoking, consider these factors:

• Texture: The texture of the fish is crucial when smoking. Choose fish with firm, dense flesh that can withstand smoking without falling apart. Delicate fish may not hold up well during smoking.
• Flavor profile: Consider the fish’s natural flavor. Do you prefer something potent or light? The flavor should complement the smoky notes from the smoking process. For example, milder fish may absorb smoky flavors more readily, while stronger-flavored fish may provide a bolder smoky taste.
• Oil content: Fish with higher oil content tend to produce a richer and more flavorful result when smoked. However, you can still smoke leaner fish with proper preparation and smoking techniques.
• Size and thickness: Thin pieces may cook too quickly and become dry, while very thick pieces might take too long to smoke evenly. Choose fish portions that are of consistent thickness for even smoking.

Best Fish for Smoking

While personal preference plays a significant role in determining the “best” fish to smoke, these fish are welcome staples in many culinary settings:

1. Salmon

Salmon has a high oil content, particularly in the form of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which not only imparts a rich and buttery flavor but also helps the fish absorb and carry the smoky aroma effectively.

In addition, salmon has firm flesh, making it resilient during the smoking process, resulting in a moist and flaky texture when done correctly.

As all salmon lovers know, this delicious and buttery fish is versatile, especially when smoked.

Whatever the case, salmon has long been a favorite in backyard barbecues for many reasons. Learn the best way to smoke salmon at home in our guide.

2. Trout

Trout has a delicate and mild flavor that quickly absorbs the smoky nuances of the smoking process, resulting in a well-balanced and flavorful product.

It also has firm, flaky flesh that holds up well during smoking. Compared to other fish, trout is relatively small, allowing it to smoke quickly.

Trout is a popular choice among anglers, making it readily available in many regions and a favorite for home smoking enthusiasts looking to enjoy the process from catch to table.

3. Mackerel

Mackerel has a robust and distinctive flavor that produces a flavorful and bold smoked fish.

It’s also naturally rich in healthy oils, helping absorb and retain the smoky aroma effectively.

Additionally, mackerel’s dense flesh holds up remarkably well during smoking, staying moist and flaky.

Smoked mackerel often appears in the form of pate, rice bowls, salads, and even sushi.

4. Bluefish

While not a popular tablefish, bluefish is an excellent choice for smoking due to its strong and distinctive flavor. This bold flavor profile stands up well to the smoking process, resulting in a rich, smoky taste.

Bluefish’s higher oil content enhances its ability to absorb and carry smoky flavors. Its firm texture remains intact during smoking, ensuring a moist and flaky dish.

5. Haddock

Haddock has that signature mild and slightly sweet flavor you look for when smoking fish.

This mildness allows the smoky flavors to shine without overwhelming the palate.

Plus, its firm and flaky texture doesn’t fall apart upon smoking.

It’s versatile and an excellent star for dishes like chowders and fish pies, whose smoked flavor imparts depth and complexity.

6. Whitefish

Whitefish, such as lake whitefish or whitefish from the Great Lakes region, is an excellent choice for smoking because of its clean and mild flavor profile. The smoke doesn’t easily overpower it.

It holds up well during smoking and is perfect for salads, spreads, or simply enjoying as a standalone smoked fillet.

You can smoke whitefish into a seafood paella, various salads, and tacos.

7. Swordfish

Swordfish is a unique and excellent choice for smoking, thanks to its dense and meaty texture.

Smoked swordfish tastes almost beefy and is often more savory than tuna, perch, or trout. Thus, it makes the perfect protein for tacos or even on crackers.

8. Halibut

Halibut is among the most versatile fish for smoking, making an excellent addition to dishes like risotto, tacos, or as a standalone fillet.

The leanness and firmness of the flesh allow for a delectable burst of smoky flavor, especially when marinated.

In addition, frozen halibut is available year-round, making it a popular choice for family barbecues.

Kyle’s Tips for Smoking Fish

When done correctly, smoking fish can be a rewarding culinary experience. Here are some tips for first-time smokers:

• Start with fresh fish: Use the freshest fish available. Freshness is critical to achieving the best flavor and texture in smoked fish.
• Prep the fish: Clean and fillet the fish properly, removing any bones, scales, and entrails. Rinse the fish and pat it dry with paper towels.
• Brine for flavor and moisture: Brine the fish for a few hours before smoking. Brining enhances flavor, helps the fish retain moisture, and adds a layer of protection against over-smoking. You can experiment with different brine recipes to customize the flavor.
• Air dry: Allow the fish to air dry for an hour or more after brining. The fish will form a pellicle or tacky surface layer that helps the smoke adhere.
• Select the appropriate wood: Popular wood chips and pellets include alder, hickory, apple, cherry, and oak. The wood you select will influence the flavor of the smoked fish.
• Control the temperature: Maintain a consistent smoking temperature, ideally between 180°F to 225°F (82°C to 107°C). Use a reliable smoker thermometer to monitor the temperature.
• Smoke the fish low and slow: Slow smoking allows the fish to absorb the smoky flavor gradually while retaining moisture and tenderness.
• Use a drip pan: Place a drip pan underneath the fish to catch any drippings, prevent flare-ups, and keep the smoker clean.
• Avoid over-smoking: Over-smoking can lead to a bitter or acrid taste. Smoke the fish until it reaches the desired level of smokiness, typically 1 to 3 hours, depending on the size and thickness of the fish.
• Moisture maintenance: Use a water pan inside the smoker to maintain moisture levels and help prevent the fish from drying.
• Check for doneness: Test for doneness by using a meat thermometer. The fish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). It should be opaque and flake easily with a fork when done.

Remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to smoking fish. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t flawless; learning the nuances of your specific smoker and your palate’s preferences may take some time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke frozen fish?

You can smoke frozen fish, but thawing it thoroughly before smoking will yield better results.

Smoking frozen fish may result in uneven cooking and potentially unsafe conditions, as the outer layers may reach the desired temperature while the inner portions remain frozen.

Thawing the fish in the refrigerator or using a cold-water method ensures even cooking and better flavor absorption during the smoking process.

Can I use a regular grill for smoking fish?

You can use a regular grill for smoking fish through “indirect grilling.”

To do this, create a two-zone fire by heating one side of the grill and leaving the other unlit.

Place soaked wood chips or pellets in a foil packet on the lit side, then place the fish on the unlit side.

Close the grill lid, maintain the desired smoking temperature, and monitor the process carefully to achieve a smoky flavor while cooking the fish indirectly.

How do I store smoked fish, and how long does it stay fresh?

To store smoked fish, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to minimize exposure to air.

Then, place it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator at temperatures below 40°F (4°C).

Smoked fish stays fresh in the refrigerator for about 5 to 7 days.

For extended storage, you can freeze smoked fish for 2-3 months, ensuring it’s well-wrapped and airtight to prevent freezer burn.

Summary

Fish is a highly underrated player in the barbecue game. If you have a grill at home, you’ll be surprised what you can do with the humblest of fillets.

For novice smokers, our wild Alaskan sockeye salmon is the ideal place to start. Learn the differences between lox, smoked salmon, and nova for the best results.

Chene Gear is a young waterfowling gear company out of Memphis, Tennessee, that began with waders: the base of every hardcore waterfowler’s gear list. This summer, the company is celebrating its one-year anniversary.

As part of that celebration, Chene launched a new collection of performance apparel in July to accompany their leak-free guarantee waders. The company has also doubled down on its conservation support while giving back to its customers.

Chene is buying and giving a federal duck stamp to every customer who purchases their flagship waders in 2022.

Federal duck stamps are conservation revenue stamps bought primarily by waterfowl hunters who require them to hunt waterfowl legally once they turn 16. They’re also bought and collected by a small but important percentage of the non-hunting public, so anyone can contribute to conservation efforts by buying them.

Plus, duck stamps also serve as a free pass into any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee. Nearly all the proceeds go toward conserving habitat for birds and other wildlife, so a fair share of birders, photographers, and other outdoorsy folks buy Duck Stamps, too.

According to Ducks Unlimited, about 1.5 million federal duck stamps are sold annually. Since 1934, duck stamp sales have raised more than $1 billion for wetlands conservation. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 98 cents of every dollar spent on each $25 stamp goes directly into acquiring vital habitats and has contributed to more than 6 million acres being acquired since the program’s start.

Chene Gear is both giving back to conservation and saying thank you to their customers with the Duck Stamp purchases.

“Quality habitat is the foundation to a healthy waterfowl population, and the duck stamp program has a stellar record of protecting the wetlands vital to ducks, geese, and countless other species of wildlife,” said Jeff Jones in a release; he’s Chene’s co-founder and chief product officer.

“We want to support this crucial mission by giving a portion of every wader we sell back to these special animals,” he added.

Not only is Chene purchasing federal waterfowl stamps for customers who purchase their waders, but they’re also encouraging them to purchase a stamp for someone else to bolster the pay-it-forward spirit and continue to support the conservation of the birds they love to hunt.

RELATED – Bear Attacks, Bear Hunting, Bear Brats, we’ve got it all right here!

Chene Gear’s Mission: A Wader That Doesn’t Leak, Plain and Simple

Chene Gear was created based on the idea of subverting the premise that “all waders leak” and it was founded by diehard waterfowlers who were tired of spending their hard-earned money on waders that did not perform their basic function, keeping them dry. The Chene founders are not what you’d call casual duck hunters. These men live in their waders. When they aren’t hunting, they spend the offseason improving habitat and participating in conservation efforts. In the fall, they’re still in their waders, reaping the fruits of their labor both on their home turf and across North America.

Chēne is the French word for Oak. The name was chosen to pay homage to their hunting roots and the famed waterfowl hunting history of Arkansas’ flooded oak bottoms.

“We wanted the brand’s name to represent our roots, and Arkansas’ rich waterfowl hunting heritage since our experience in this special part of the country is what drove us to start the company,” Jones said.

After years of product testing, Chene officially opened its doors with the launch of the Chene Gear Wader, their flagship product, in July 2021 (MSRP: $1,100).

After only a year, the company has some pretty heavy hitters in the waterfowling world giving testimonials as to the quality of their product. You’ll see names like Rob Kinney, a professional photographer who specializes in waterfowl, Spencer Halford, owner of Rolling Thunder Game Calls, and many others in Chene’s Behind The Waders video series.

But the waders were just the start for this up-and-coming waterfowl gear company. The folks at Chene are taking their desire to make better waterfowl gear to the next level. In July 2022, Chene Gear announced the launch of some pretty sweet-looking items, including The Sixty Series 1/2 Zip Hoodie, a Scout Vest, the Chene Over-And Under-Jacket, and more. But let’s take a look at the product that started it all, the Chene Waders:

In an effort to build a better wader, Chene completely reimagined how waders are made. The process began with the selection of a premium waterproof 4-layer nylon fabric instead of polyester. Waders are most commonly made from a three-layer polyester or neoprene fabric.

Nylon has proven to be more durable than polyester, but when you’re talking about breathable waders, there’s never a way to make them bulletproof. The seams are usually one of the first things to fail on any piece of clothing, and waders are no different. Many waders have stitched-and-taped seams, and stitching means making thousands of tiny holes in the fabric, and holes, no matter how tiny, aren’t good for waterproofing.

Chene Gear uses a stitchless process called mechanical bonding to make its waders. The process forms a waterproof seal, and then the seams are taped to serve as a secondary waterproofing measure.

Chene’s waders also feature a front YKK Aquaseal zipper for easy donning and doffing, adjustable shoulder straps, and a custom boot design with an EVA midsole for comfort. According to their website, Chene, of course, can’t guarantee its product will never fail — over time, softgoods degrade — but they do guarantee a superior customer service experience if you need to reach out to them about any product issues. The gear is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

If you’re looking at upgrading some of your gear for 2022, Chene Gear is worth considering.

READ NEXT – Gun and Ammo Sales Bring In $300M for Wildlife Conservation

Dual purpose chickens are bred for both egg production and meat. It may sound perfect but there is a trade off.

If you’re new to chickens and you’ve been perusing the catalogs planning your new chick order you might have come across the term ‘dual-purpose chicken’ and been confused or intrigued.

We all know chickens have more than two purposes but we’re going to ignore the lawn ornaments and exhibition breeds.

Egg Laying Chickens

All hens will lay eggs if they stay out of the freezer long enough but there are certain chickens bred specifically for laying eggs.

Egg laying breeds tend to have a slighter build, they put most of their energy into laying eggs, not bulking up. They are also less likely to go broody, when hens sit on eggs they stop laying and won’t start back up until they are done with their chicks.

The best layers in terms of numbers are going to the be hybrid layers. The egg-laying hybrid chicken breeds include Golden Comets and Cinnamon Queens. Both breeds can lay up to 320 eggs in their first year laying.

I have raised a few hybrid layers years ago and they were nice enough birds but they tend to burn out quickly and they were the only birds I’ve ever lost to ascites or waterbelly.

Some people keep the hybrid layers for a few years and then when they stop laying they cull them all and turn them into broth and soup. They don’t have a lot of meat but they still have that chicken-y flavor.

Easter Eggers, or the chickens that lay blue and green eggs, are hybrids but unlike the other birds I mentioned they weren’t developed for extreme egg production.

They are on the slight side and probably wouldn’t be worth dragging out the scalding pot. They can lay 200-280 eggs a year.

If you’d prefer to skip the hybrids you’ll be happy to know there are some common chicken breeds that will lay almost as many eggs as the hybrid ladies. White & Brown Leghorns can lay up to 300 white eggs per year and Rhode Island Reds can lay up to 280 brown eggs (these guys are dual purpose by the way!).

Popular Egg Laying breeds include:

• White & Brown Leghorn (220-300 white eggs/year)
• Easter Egger (200-280 blue/green eggs/year)
• Red Jungle Fowl (250-300 cream eggs/year)
• Cream Legbar (180-200 blue eggs/year)
• Appenzeller Spitzhauben (150 white eggs/year)

Meat Chickens

If eggs aren’t your thing and you just want some birds for the table meat birds are for you. Just like with the egg layers, if you want to maximize the return on your investment you want to look for Cornish Crosses.

Cornish cross are hybrid meat chickens that reach butchering size at 6 weeks. You need to be on your game with them too, you don’t want to keep these birds alive much longer than 10 weeks.

When I was growing up my grandparents raised Cornish crosses and compared to the laying flock they had it was like dealing with two different species.

Cornish crosses will eat themselves to death, grow so large they break their own legs, and drop dead from heart attacks. It probably goes without saying that Cornish Cross are not the birds you want if you’re looking for a flock of layers.

When I raised meat chickens I skipped over the Cornish crosses and went with Freedom Rangers. They grow slightly slower than the CC but still faster than the dual-purpose types.

Freedom Rangers are meat birds but they were developed to be heartier than the CC and will do better on a range or pasture.

Popular Meat breeds include:

• Jumbo Cornish Cross
• Freedom Ranger
• Dark Cornish

Dual Purpose Chickens

So you’ve got super layers and quick-growing meat birds, and right in the middle you’ve got the dual-purpose chickens. They lay more eggs than a meat bird (a lot more) and carry more weight than a layer.

It probably won’t surprise you to know that most of the classic barnyard chicken breeds like Buff Orpingtons and Barred Rocks are dual-purpose.

They are popular for a reason. Dual purpose birds are the classic farm bird that does everything, they do well free ranging, they are good at foraging, they lay lots of eggs and they hold enough meat on their bones to make it worth butchering.

A lot of the heritage breeds are considered dual purpose. These birds tend to be thiccc and hardy. They carry quite a bit more weight than a layer and tend to be good winter layers.

If you’re looking for a self-sustaining flock a dual purpose breed is a good choice. Broodiness has been bred out of many of the production layers but dual purpose hens tend to retain that habit.

Popular Dual Purpose breeds include:

• Barred & White Rock (200-280 brown eggs/year)
• Black Australorp (200-280 brown eggs/year)
• Buff Orpington (200-280 brown eggs/year)
• Buckeye (180-260 brown eggs/year)
• Dominique (180-260 brown eggs/year)
• Jersey Giant (180-260 brown eggs/year)
• Wyandottes (180-260 brown eggs/year)
• Light Brahma (180-240 brown eggs/year)
• Speckled Sussex (180-240 light brown eggs/year)
• Marans (180+ dark brown eggs/year)
• Standard Cochin (110-160 brown eggs/year)

Raising Dual Purpose Chickens for Eggs

When they aren’t going broody dual purpose chickens can be really good layers. They lay less frequently that the hybrid layers but they also lay for a longer time.

Rhode Island Reds/White and Barred Rocks will lay up to 280 eggs/year, Jersey Giants, Wyandottes and Buckeyes will lay up to 260 eggs/year, and Marans and Barnavelders will lay up to 200 eggs/year.

Dual purpose chickens are also known for being good winter layers. Bigger birds handle the cold weather easier and are able to put more energy into laying versus just surviving.

I keep lights in my coop so my poor New York birds don’t spend 18 hours a day in darkness but I still notice when the days start to get longer in January and February just based on my egg basket.

Most of my birds lay light brown eggs but during the coldest months I notice a larger proportion of dark brown eggs (coming from my Marans & Welsummers) and green eggs from my olive eggers. None of my white egg layers are dual purpose and I rarely get a white egg in the winter!

Read more about Picking Chickens for Rainbow Eggs

Raising Dual Purpose Chickens for Meat

You can buy or hatch out a batch of chicks and keep the hens for eggs and process the roosters after 6-9 months. Most hatcheries will sell male chicks for a low price just to get rid of them.

If you have the space to run a few dozen cockerels on pasture for a few months it’s not a bad way to fill the freezer. Dual purpose roosters will usually reach 6 pounds around 4.5 months.

Do you Need a Rooster in Your Flock? Find out

You will have plenty of time to get them processed before the hormones kick in and they turn into jerks. Deadlines aren’t as much of an issue with these guys because they grow so much slower than the Cornish Crosses.

Some dual purpose chicken breeds will get pretty big, like my favorites, the Brahmas. Brahma cockerels (male chickens less than one-year-old) can reach up to ten pounds and the roosters can hit 12 pounds.

Dual purpose breeds will look different on the table than the standard chickens you’re used to. One of the biggest differences is lack of giant breast meat, they will have large frames (more bones for stock!) and less meat over all. They also have more flavor and the meat won’t be quite as tender.

Crock pots are a great way to cook dual purpose birds, the slow cooking help relax and tenderize the meat. And don’t forget Coq Au Vin! The braised chicken dish is traditionally made with an old rooster.

Looking for more info? Check out my Chicken Keeping page or start here:

iv>

Check out this video to learn how to manage your small track of land to bag your trophy buck.

ACCESS OPTION 1

Public land is certainly an option and there have been numerous trophy bucks taken off public land in Kentucky. One place to consider is Rockcastle River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) because the KDFWR just acquired it in 2016. Prior to that, it was private land and had developed a fairly abundant deer population because the former owners, and perhaps even adjacent property owners, either did not allow it to be hunted at all or permitted only “light” hunting. So, in theory at least, there could still be an older-than-average antlered bucks on the site. Also, since much of the area is reclaimed surface-mined coal land and because at least one or more adjacent landowners grow wildlife food plots on their property, the supply of herbaceous or early successional deer forage in the area should be quite high.

Other options include Daniel Boone National Forest property in Pulaski County, some of which adjoins Rockcastle River WMA, and portions of Lake Cumberland WMA that lie in Pulaski and Wayne counties.

Yancy suggested, “Those interested in deer hunting on Lake Cumberland WMA should consider using a boat to get on portions of the area that are not accessible via public roads; just be sure to inquire in advance with the Army Corps of Engineers’ Lake Manager’s Office in Somerset, Kentucky to determine whether potential hunting locations will be boat-accessible at winter pool lake levels.”

ACCESS OPTION 2

Leasing has dramatically changed the landscape of hunting across the country. Although personally, I wish it had never come to the point it is now, the reality is that if one wants to hunt quality private land, the options are limited. It typically must be owned either by the hunter, a relative or close friend or it must be leased. The days of knocking on a stranger’s door and getting permission to hunt are, for the most part, a thing of the past.

There are lots of options for finding a lease, however. Individuals with property to lease often advertise in local want ad papers, on Facebook or sometimes Craigslist. Hunt clubs do the same thing.

Hunt clubs are generally comprised of several members who divide the cost of leasing land, thereby making it more affordable to rent large tracts of quality property. When a member drops out, these clubs often advertise to find a replacement. If you to decide to join a hunt club, be prepared to adhere to a set of custom hunt rules for the club.

Many realtors are now offering property for lease. Some of these are listed as Whitetail Properties or Mossy Oak Properties, while others are simply run under the realtor name. Many specialized hunt leasing companies are also out there, and a simple search on the Internet will pop up many results.

ACCESS OPTION 3

A third option is to employ the services of an outfitter. This is often a bit pricey, but if a hunter wants to access a certain section of the state and to have an opportunity to harvest a mature whitetail, it may well be worth shelling out a few bucks. And with all the popularity of trophy hunting in Kentucky, more and more outfitters are springing up around the state every year.

Searching for an outfitter actually servicing the three counties spotlighted here only resulted in one hit, although there may be others this writer did not find. Whitetail Heaven Outfitters hunts Pulaski County and is owned by Tevis McCauley. They also hunt other Kentucky counties as well as in Ohio and Indiana.

Whitetail Heaven has been hunting trophy bucks for many years and their properties are managed extensively. Along with prime natural habitats, they use food plots, minerals and supplemental feedings to enhance the quality of the deer population. The average harvested buck with their service is right at 150 inches and the average size typically goes up each year.

Guided whitetail hunts there and at most other Kentucky outfitters typically start at about $2,000 and goes up from there. There is a 130-inch minimum harvest size at Whitetail Heaven and some farms have a 140- or 150-inch minimum. Contact them at (800) 689-6619 or (859) 509-2704, or go to whitetailheavenoutfitters.com.

By Al Raychard

I’ve said this several times over the years but I’ll say it again in case you missed it the second, third or at some time in the past. Of the states down the spine of the Rocky Mountains Idaho is my favorite destination when it comes to hunting bears. This does not mean to suggest states to the east, west and south do not have their special attributes that make them special in their own right, they certainly do, but for me there’s simply no place like Idaho, especially when it comes to bear hunting opportunities.

Based on my own personal experiences there are a number of reasons why hunting Idaho holds such a dear place in my heart. There’s the memories of successful hunts, of friends made, of riding mules into the backcountry and of camping in those remote places under ebony skies speckled with stars so bright it seems you can reach out and grab them, of the scent of spruce and fir and wood smoke on a chilled night at high elevation, of those remote places where bears grow old and big and have seen few humans. But, from the perspective of a hunter planning a bear hunt there are other reasons why Idaho is, as its nickname states, such a “gem.”

LOTS OF BEARS

According to most sources Idaho is home to between 20,000 and 30,000 black bears, but that’s just and estimate. Whatever the case Idaho is home to one of the largest black bear populations in the western United States if not the Lower 48. The population is healthy and increasing and bears are now being reported in areas of the state where sightings were considered rare just a few years ago. The highest concentration of black bears is found in the forested northern two-thirds of the state, in particular the mountain ranges, subalpine ridges, associated foothills and riparian areas along the lengthy Bitterroots along the border with Montana and Salmon River Mountains and Sawtooth Range in the central region. The remote Selkirk Mountains in the northern Panhandle, the vast Selway Region and designated wilderness areas to the south are home to some of the highest bear densities in the state. To the south, bears are also found in the Caribou Range in the southeast corner east of Pocatello and Owyhee Range in the southwest south of Boise.

LOTS OF ROOM TO HUNT/LOTS OF OUTFITTERS

More than sixty-percent of Idaho is owned by the federal government, some thirty-three million acres. More than twenty million acre of that is in the form of seven national forests. That’s about forty-percent of the state’s land area. Needless to say there is plenty of public land to hunt bears.

All my Idaho hunts have been with an outfitter in the St. Joe or Clearwater National Forests and unless the hunter has a great deal of experience in remote, do-it-yourself hunts an outfitter is recommended. This is big, rugged country and hunting with an outfitter is the easiest, safety and typically most successful way to plan and experience an Idaho bear hunt. Highly qualified and knowledgeable outfitters operate in each of the national forests offering a variety of accommodations, services and hunting packages.

A list of licensed outfitters is available from the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association.

These same national forests are also popular among do-it- yourself hunters but careful planning is a must including where to hunt, obtaining maps, weather conditions and necessary equipment and where to camps, among other. Campgrounds are available throughout each national forest but open and closing dates, fees if any, whether reservations are needed or not, availability of drinking water and other services vary. Specific and helpful information can be obtained on each national forest as well as campgrounds can be obtained from each national forest supervisor’s office.

COLOR PHASE BEARS & HIGH SUCCESS

Color-phase bears are found throughout the western United States and parts of western Canada but Idaho offers as good a chance to kill one as any place. In general brown or chocolate-phase bears are most common in northern Idaho with cinnamon and blonde less so, although the farther south you go the percentage of lighter bears increases.

Colored bears can and are taken throughout Idaho. In some cases success boils down to being in the right place at the right time but hunting the right habitat greatly increases the odds. Colored bears are taken in the dense timber but areas that offer a combination of timber bordering open, south-facing slopes, wide-open river valleys, open brakes and canyons are general hotspots. These areas are generally warmer and it is believed the lighter hair color helps bears stay cooler. Whether hunting with an outfitter or doing it on your own the St. Joe and Clearwater National Forests, the Selway, the Salmon River country and Frank Church Wilderness and national forests in the southeast and southwest, to name but a few all offer this time of mixed habitat.

A word of note here. Hunters specifically wanting an opportunity at a colored bear should let their outfitter know of their desires when booking a hunt. Many outfitters utilize trail cameras on their baits or are familiar with the bears in their area. There’s no guarantees here but informing your outfitter beforehand can help achieve success.

HUNTING OPTIONS

Idaho offers a lengthy spring bear season but open and closing dates vary. In the Panhandle the season open as early as April and generally in May elsewhere. Closing dates are in June or July. Fall season dates also vary. Most open August 30 and some close as late as November 30, depending on the unit. Falls hunts can also be combined with hunts for elk and deer. Depending upon the unit and season hunters can hunt over bait and with dogs, in some units both are prohibited so hunters should be sure to check when booking or planning a hunt. Spot-and-stalk is legal in all units.

AFFORDABLE LICENSES

Compared to some other western states bear hunting Idaho is one of the best deals available when it comes to over the-counter hunting license and bear tag availability and fees (see Particulars below). Another bonus is resident and non-resident hunters can purchase vastly discounted bear tags in at least seventeen units and portions of two others. These same units also offer the opportunity to take two bears with discounted tags, something increasingly rather in the west. Hunters also have the option of applying for one of the controlled black hunts, although application deadline dates apply.

IDAHO PARTICULARS

Estimated Bear Population: 25,000-30,000 +/-

Legal Limit: Two (2) in some units, one (1) in some units.

Hunting Area: Black bears are basically legal game statewide except some state parks, wildlife preserves and developed areas.

Spring Hunts/Dates: Yes. Varies by unit. April 1-June 30 or late July depending upon unit.

Fall Hunts: Yes. August 30-end of November in most units.

Popular Hunting Methods: Baiting and dogs are allowed in most units. Spot-and-stalk. License Available/Fees: License are available by phone, on-line and venders statewide. Non-resident reduced/second bear license-$41.75. Non-resident full price bear license-$231.00. Non-resident hunting license-$185.00. Non-resident Junior Hunting License (ages 10-17) $91.75.

Legal Weapons-Rifles and handguns except those that take rim fire ammo;

.50 caliber and larger muzzleloaders; bows with 40 pound pull and higher; crossbows 150 pound minimum draw.

Contacts: Idaho Fish and Game, 1 (208) 334-3700; www.fishandgame.idaho.gov.

Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association, 1 (208) 327-7380; www.ioga.org.

What is the best long range muzzleloader for you in 2024?

Muzzleloaders have come a long way from the more primitive flintlock and percussion cap traditional muzzleloaders carried by most hunters in the 18th and 19th centuries. Indeed, the most advanced long range muzzleloaders available today offer capability that rivals the performance delivered by traditional centerfire rifles.

However, the situation can be pretty confusing at times. The big manufacturers are constantly introducing new muzzleloading rifle models each year, but they’re not always legal to use where you plan on hunting. Additionally, it’s also sometimes really tough get past the hype and media promotion that surrounds all new products in the outdoor industry.

From one hunter to another, trust me when I say that I’ve experienced a lot of that same frustration myself.

While there are some outstanding long range muzzleloader choices these days, they’re not all the same and some are much better choices for certain hunters than others. At the same time, some are legal to use in certain states, but not others.

Things are constantly changing on that front. Additionally, as you’ll learn here soon, the big manufactures have specifically designed some of their long range muzzleloaders to be legal for use during the muzzleloader seasons in many states.

So with all that in mind, I’m sharing my picks of the best long range muzzleloaders for hunters in 2024 so you can make an informed decision and choose the best long range muzzleloader for you.

Remember: rules and regulations regarding hunting with a muzzleloader can vary quite a bit from state to state. Certain muzzleloaders may be legal to hunt with in one state, but illegal to use during muzzleloader season during a neighboring state. It’s up to you to check local regulations in order to verify that you’re using legal equipment.

Before we get started, here’s a disclaimer: some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

This commission comes at no extra cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content that’s useful to hunters like yourself. Thanks for your support.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get started.

CVA Accura LR-X

Basically, CVA designed the Accura LR-X muzzleloader to incorporate many of the great features of the CVA Paramount, but still use a standard 209 ignition with a regular magnum (instead of super magnum) powder charge.

So, the CVA Accura LR-X uses the new CVA X-Treme stock with an adjustable comb height to fit any shooter and optic selection. This is a great feature to help hunters obtain a proper cheek weld regardless of whether they’re using open sights or a scope. This is especially important for a long shot.

Like the Paramount line of long range muzzleloaders, the 30″ long barrel for the Accura LR-X is free-floated and has a threaded muzzle to accept the new Paramount Muzzle Brake. As you can imagine, these rifles have excellent accuracy potential and are great options for hunters who want great extended range performance without stepping up to the heavier and much more expensive CVA Paramount.

Additionally, the Accura LR-X is available in either .45 or .50 caliber. The .45 caliber version uses a fast 1:22″ rifling twist and the .50 caliber version uses a 1:28″ rifling twist. However, the really cool thing about these muzzleloaders is they can use the .45 or .50 caliber PowerBelt ELR bullets.

Especially with the .50 caliber LR-X, it’s important to use a full magnum charge (120gr of Blackhorn 209 or 3x 50gr 777 pellets) to get best accuracy with the PowerBelt ELR. That 1:28″ rifling twist will properly stabilize the longer PowerBelt ELR bullets and they’ll still reliably expand on impact, but only at higher velocities.

The upside is that these muzzleloaders will also shoot standard .45 or .50 caliber bullets (both full bore and saboted bullets) very well too.

In fact, CVA even offers a full money back guarantee for their Accura rifles if they aren’t the most accurate muzzleloaders you’ve ever shot.

Additionally, the CVA Accura LR-X comes with a Bergara barrel featuring a Nitride AND CeraKote finish on the exterior for even better corrosion resistance than a typical stainless steel barrel. Though it’s not totally corrosion proof, this Nitride and CeraKote finish is still extremely durable and resistant to corrosion, which is especially nice for hunters who live in wet climates.

The CVA Accura LR-X also has a lot of the same features of the standard CVA Wolf, Optima, Accura muzzleloaders like their Quick-Release Breech Plug, fully ambidextrous stock, and simple break open action.

Like I said, the CVA Accura LR-X is a less expensive and lighter alternative to the CVA Paramount that still has higher end features like a free floated barrel, adjustable stock, and the ability to use the more aerodynamic PowerBelt ELR bullets.

It uses a standard magnum powder charge, so muzzle velocities won’t be quite as high as with the Paramount, but the Accura won’t have quite as much recoil either. The Accura LR-X also uses 209 primers (instead of variflame ignition), but you can buy a conversion kit if you’d like.

All things considered, this is one of the best long range muzzleloaders CVA currently produces for those who want a little bit more reach without spending a lot of money, quite as much recoil, or as much weight. It’s also still a very flexible muzzleloader that will work really well with standard bullets at closer range if so desired.

For those reasons, this is a very flexible muzzleloader that will work great for deer hunting east of the Mississippi as well as game like mule deer, elk, and pronghorn out west where ranges can be a little longer.

• Overall Length: 45″
• Barrel Length: 30″
• Weight: 8.1lbs
• Sighting System: Iron Sights & Drilled/Tapped For Scope Mount or With Mounted Scope
• Caliber: .45 or .50 Caliber Magnum
• Ignition System: 209 Primers

BUY A CVA ACCURA LR-X HERE

Remington 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader

Since first hitting the market nearly a decade ago, the Remington 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader (UML) was the only real option for hunters wanting a good factory production long range muzzleloader (the Gunwerks muzzleloader and many of the various smokeless muzzleloaders are a custom job that’s significantly more expensive). Indeed, it was the best long-range muzzleloader in mass production for many years by the simple fact that it was the only real option for hunters who didn’t want a custom muzzleloader.

Remington has gone through a lot of turmoil in recent years, but they’re back in business now and producing the Remington 700 UML again (along with many of their other popular firearms).

Don’t let the fact that the Remington 700 UML is an older design (compared to the other muzzleloaders on this list) keep you from purchasing one either. It is still one of the best long range muzzleloaders money can buy.

What makes the Remington UML special?

Instead of a musket cap or a standard 209 primer, the Remington UML uses a special brass magnum rifle casing and a standard magnum rifle primer. This ignition system allows the muzzleloader to safely use up to 200 grains of black powder substitute, which is significantly more than most other muzzleloaders.

That’s even more propellant than the much newer CVA Paramount normally uses.

The Remington Model 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader was designed to use 250 grain Barnes Premier muzzleloader bullets that have a special sabot designed to handle those exceptionally large powder charges.

This bullet doesn’t have a very high BC like the PowerBelt ELR bullets used by the Paramount, but the Remington 700 UML can shoot those bullets at a very high velocity since it can use such a large powder charge.

While the Paramount might have an edge at longer range, the Remington 700 UML is no slouch either. Indeed, the Remington 700 is a very accurate muzzleloader, has a great barrel, uses the Remington adjustable X-Mark Pro trigger.

The fact that the Remington Ultimate muzzleloader is designed to use Barnes bullets is a definite plus for some hunters who like the terminal performance delivered by those bullets. The same goes for those hunters who want (or are required) to hunt with lead free bullets.

All things considered, it’s highly regarded among muzzleloader hunters and is still a very capable tool for hunting situations out to approximately 300 yards, maybe a little farther depending on conditions. For all those reasons, the Remington Model 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader is another good choice if you’re looking at long range muzzleloaders.

• Overall Length: 47″
• Barrel Length: 26″
• Weight: 8.5lbs
• Sighting System: Iron Sights & Drilled/Tapped For Scope Mount or With Mounted Leupold/Vortex Scope
• Caliber: .50 Caliber Magnum
• Ignition System: Remington UML Ignition

BUY A REMINGTON 700 ULTIMATE MUZZLELOADER HERE

Traditions Vortek Strikerfire VAPR LDR

Traditions decided to go a slightly different direction from most of the competition with their Strikerfire line of long range muzzleloaders. Instead of using a traditional external hammer for ignition, the Traditions Vortek Strikerfire LDR incorporates an internal striker for ignition.

Similar to the firing pin system used by many modern firearms, this Strikerfire ignition system results in noticeably faster lock times and also allows hunters to mount their scope closer to the bore.

Additionally, Traditions also recently introduced their new VAPR barrels with a faster rifling twist. Instead of the 1:28″ twist that’s common with typical modern inline muzzleloaders, the Traditions VAPR barrels use a faster 1:24″ rifling twist. This allows hunters to use heavier and more aerodynamic bullets like the .50 caliber PowerBelt ELR.

Don’t worry, the Traditions Vortek Strikerfire LDR VAPR will still work great with lighter bullets, especially at shorter range. However, this does give that added capability at greater distances for hunters who want and/or need it.

It’s not quite as good at longer ranges as the CVA Paramount and Remington 700 UML. However, Traditions Vortek Strikerfire VAPR LDR with its 30-inch barrel is still a capable long range muzzleloader that’s available at a much lower price than those other muzzleloaders.

Additionally, this muzzleloader has a great, adjustable two-stage trigger that comes from the factory set at two pounds. It also has a Cerakote finish for corrosion resistance. The whole rifle weighs in at 6.8 pounds, which makes it by far the lightest rifle on this list of long range muzzleloaders.

All things considered, these features make the Traditions Vortek Strikerfire LDR VAPR one of the best long range muzzleloaders for hunters on a more strict budget.

So, if you want something with a little bit more reach than a typical modern inline muzzleloader without making the jump all the way up to the Paramount or even the Accura LRX, then the Traditions Vortek Strikerfire LDR VAPR is the long range muzzleloader for you.

• Overall Length: 46″
• Barrel Length: 30″
• Weight: 6.8lbs
• Sighting System: Drilled/Tapped For Scope Mounts or With Mounted Leupold/Vortex Scope
• Caliber: .50 Caliber Magnum
• Ignition System: 209 Primers

BUY A TRADITIONS VORTEK STRIKERFIRE VAPR LDR HERE

Note: CVA temporarily suspended production of all Paramount models during 2024 due to an ongoing lack of components (Blackhorn 209 and large rifle primers) for the end user. These are fantastic long range muzzleloaders, but their utility is severely hampered by the lack of availability of primers and powder right now. Be certain you can source appropriate components before purchasing one!

CVA Paramount

The Remington 700 Ultimate Muzzleloader (UML) was the best option for a long range muzzleloader for many years. However, that changed in 2019 with the introduction of the bolt-action CVA Paramount muzzleloader.

Not only did the Paramount likely dethrone the UML as the best long range muzzleloader, but the CVA Paramount was so successful that CVA introduced two new CVA Paramount models in recent years as well: the Paramount HTR and Paramount Pro.

We’ll talk about the CVA Paramount HTR and CVA Paramount Pro in more detail in a minute.

So, what makes the CVA Paramount line of long range muzzleloaders special?

CVA markets the Paramount line as capable of taking big game at ranges over 300 yards due to their outstanding accuracy, relatively flat trajectories, and really good resistance to wind drift.

The designers at CVA did this through a few important design principles.

First, the base model Paramount is a .45 caliber muzzleloader designed to use a “super magnum” charge of up to 160 grains of loose powder. This is significantly more than the 120 grain maximum charge of Blackhorn 209 other muzzleloaders typically use.

Second, the muzzleloader uses special adapters originally developed by Cecil Epps that permit the use of large rifle primers for hotter, more consistent, and faster ignition than with standard 209 primers.

Third, unlike most muzzleloaders, the CVA Paramount has a 26″ free-floating stainless steel Bergara barrel with a very fast rifling twist rate to stabilize the long, high BC bullets designed for use with these rifles. While most modern muzzleloaders have a 1:28″ twist rate, the Paramount has a 1:22″ twist rate.

Since the barrel is free-floated for better accuracy, the Paramount uses a collapsible ramrod that fits in an included pouch for use afield instead of storing the ramrod under the barrel.

Finally, CVA teamed up with PowerBelt to develop a line of new, extremely aerodynamic muzzleloader bullets specifically for the Paramount: the PowerBelt Extended Long Range (ELR). Each version of the PowerBelt ELR has a very high ballistic coefficient, so they retain energy and resist wind deflection exceptionally well.

The base model Paramount uses a .45 caliber 285gr PowerBelt ELR bullet.

Combined with the very high velocities that can be obtained by using super magnum charges of powder, this results in a very flat bullet trajectory for a muzzleloader that rivals the trajectory of some centerfire rifle cartridges.

The standard Paramount has a Bergara HMR stock that has adjustments for length of pull and cheek height and an internal aluminum chassis for rigidity. It also has an outstanding trigger and is just very easy to shoot accurately. Current production Paramounts also have a threaded muzzle and can use a muzzle brake to reduce felt recoil.

The end result is a long range muzzleloader that’s capable of incredible accuracy, has much less bullet drop at extended range than a typical muzzleloader load, and retains enough energy for impressive terminal performance on a wide range of game out past 300 yards.

CVA claims sub-MOA accuracy at 300 yards is very achievable with the Paramount and this has been my experience with this muzzleloader at the range.

All things considered, the CVA Paramount was a massive step forward in long range muzzleloader development and has been extremely well received by the hunting community. If you want an outstanding long range muzzleloader, then you really need to consider the CVA Paramount.

• Barrel Length: 26″
• Weight: 9.8lbs
• Sighting System: Accepts Remington 700 Pattern Scope Mount or With Mounted Leupold/Vortex Scope
• Caliber: .45 Caliber Magnum
• Ignition System: Vari-Flame Ignition

BUY A CVA PARAMOUNT HERE

CVA Paramount Pro

CVA introduced the Paramount Pro muzzleloader in 2020 as an upgrade to the original Paramount. While the CVA Paramount is an outstanding long range muzzleloader, the Paramount Pro is even better.

Here’s why.

Hunters had three primary complaints about the original CVA Paramount.

First, recoil is pretty stout, especially with maximum powder charges. Next, the original Paramount was pretty heavy. Finally, the .45 caliber Paramount was not legal to use for hunting all game in all states.

So, designers at CVA worked to address those issues with the CVA Paramount Pro.

Additionally, they also made a few other changes to improve the already impressive ballistic performance of the original CVA Paramount and make it an even better all-around long range muzzleloader.

First, the CVA Paramount Pro has an upgraded Greyboe Terrain Stock. This stock is quite a bit lighter than the original Paramount stock and is better for hunting applications, especially in rougher terrain.

Tipping the scales at 8.2 pounds, the CVA Paramount Pro weighs about a pound and a half less than the 9.8 pound CVA Paramount.

The stock isn’t adjustable like the original CVA Paramount stock (which is more akin to a stock for a target shooting rifle than a hunting rifle), but Paramount Pro models designed for use with a scope do have a raised cheek for proper alignment with an optic.

Next, the Paramount Pro was designed from the start with a threaded muzzle to accommodate a muzzle brake to reduce felt recoil. This has been a welcome feature for Paramount shooters and has been so well received that current production Paramount models also have a threaded muzzle.

With regards to ballistics and legality in certain states, the CVA Paramount Pro is available in .40 caliber, .45 caliber, and .50 caliber versions.

The .40 caliber version of the Paramount Pro fires the .40 caliber 225gr PowerBelt Extended Long Range (ELR) bullet, the .45 caliber version fires the same 285gr PowerBelt ELR as the regular Paramount, and the .50 caliber version fires a 330gr PowerBelt ELR.

Capable of firing up to a 150gr charge of Blackhorn 209, the .40 caliber Paramount Pro has the flattest trajectory of any mass produced muzzleloader available today.

Indeed, CVA advertises that maximum loads for the .40 caliber Paramount Pro are approaching .300 Win Mag trajectories inside 400 yards!

That is some incredible performance that surpasses the already impressive ballistics of the .45 caliber Paramount. This is because the .40 caliber has an even higher BC than the .45 caliber PowerBelt ELR and can be fired at a faster muzzle velocity.

For comparison, the .40 caliber ELR has a BC of .360 and the .45 caliber ELR has a BC of .333. A 150gr charge of Blackhorn 209 (by volume) will propel the .40 caliber ELR at 2,740fps and the .45 caliber ELR at 2,300fps.

This is incredible performance for a muzzleloader with both bullets, but especially so for the .40 caliber ELR and the Paramount Pro.

Unfortunately, some states require larger caliber muzzleloaders for certain types of hunting. At the same time, a few states also prohibit the use of telescopic sights during muzzleloader season.

In particular, Colorado is an especially popular state for muzzleloader hunters that has a .50 caliber minimum for elk hunting and also prohibits scopes during muzzleloader season.

Well, CVA designed versions of the Paramount Pro to address those issues as well.

The Pro version is available in .50 caliber (which is legal for hunting deer, pronghorn, bear, elk, and moose all over North America). While some models are drilled and tapped for a scope, the Paramount Pro is also available with the outstanding Williams Western Precision Sight Set, which is the best mass produced muzzleloader sight available these days.

In addition to all of that, the CVA Paramount Pro uses a fully adjustable Trigger Tech trigger. The trigger on the Paramount is very good, but it doesn’t get much better than a Trigger Tech trigger, which allows for rapid adjustments by ounce between 1.5 and 3.5 pounds.

The Paramount Pro also has a 26” Nitride treated Bergara barrel with a Flat Dark Earth CeraKote finish for corrosion resistance. The .40 caliber versions have a 1:20″ rifling twist while the .45 caliber and .50 caliber versions use a 1:22″ rifling twist rate.

Aside from those changes I just discussed, the CVA Paramount Pro still incorporates a lot of the same features and design principles as the original Paramount.

This includes a free floated barrel, the VariFlame ignition system, and the ability to use “super magnum” powder charges (though only 150gr instead of 160gr of Blackhorn 209 by volume with the original Paramount).

With all that in mind, the CVA Paramount Pro is certainly one of the best (if not the best) of the long range muzzleloaders currently available for hunters with a variety of needs and desires.

For instance, a hunter looking for the best long range muzzleloader for use in states like Colorado that require a .50 caliber muzzleloader for hunting certain animals and/or prohibit the use of a scope should buy a .50 caliber CVA Paramount Pro.

Likewise, a hunter that’s not restricted by a .45 or a .50 caliber minimum that wants the absolute best long range muzzleloader with the absolute flattest trajectory, then go with a .40 caliber CVA Paramount Pro.

Finally, the .45 caliber CVA Paramount Pro is a good choice for those who are required to use a .45 caliber muzzleloader at a minimum, but want a lighter and generally nicer muzzleloader than the original Paramount.

• Barrel Length: 26″
• Weight: 8.2lbs
• Sighting System: Williams Western Precision Sights, Accepts Remington 700 Pattern Scope Mount, or With Mounted Leupold/Vortex Scope
• Caliber: .40, .45, or .50 Caliber Magnum
• Ignition System: Vari-Flame Ignition

BUY A CVA PARAMOUNT PRO HERE

CVA Paramount HTR

Introduced in 2021, the CVA Paramount HTR is a new muzzleloader that’s the newest model of the Paramount and occupies something of a middle ground between the original Paramount and the Paramount Pro.

The most significant change with the Paramount HTR is that it’s equipped with a hunting (as opposed to a target) oriented adjustable stock with a Realtree Hillside camouflage pattern. It has the same 8.2 pound weight as the Paramount Pro, but that adjustable stock is a very nice feature.

Available in either .40 or .45 caliber, the Paramount HTR also uses a 26″ fluted and Nitride treated Bergara barrel that’s threaded for a muzzle brake and the same trigger as the original Paramount. It also uses the same .40 and .45 caliber PowerBelt ELR bullets as Paramount and Paramount Pro muzzleloaders of the same caliber.

Of course, it still has a trajectory approaching what can be obtained with many center-fire rifles, especially in .40 caliber.

Since it is the latest iteration of the Paramount series, the CVA Paramount HTR also has many of the same features as the other Paramount models like a free floated barrel, the VariFlame ignition system providing that more consistent large rifle primer ignition, the ability to use “super magnum” powder charges, and is threaded for a muzzle brake.

Not surprisingly, the CVA Paramount HTR is a little more expensive than the original CVA Paramount, but is less expensive than the CVA Paramount Pro.

This makes sense because it has a few advantages over the original Paramount, but lacks a few features of the Paramount Pro.

With all that said, the CVA Paramount HTR is another outstanding long range muzzleloader. The .40 caliber version in particular is another great choice for a hunter wanting a really flat trajectory, while the .45 caliber version is excellent for hunters who want a lighter muzzleloader than the original Paramount that doesn’t cost as much as the Paramount Pro.

• Barrel Length: 26″
• Weight: 8.2lbs
• Sighting System: Accepts Remington 700 Pattern Scope Mount or With Mounted Leupold/Vortex Scope
• Caliber: .40 or .45 Caliber Magnum
• Ignition System: Vari-Flame Ignition

BUY A CVA PARAMOUNT HTR HERE

The CVA Paramount long range muzzleloaders also made cut for my holiday gift recommendations. To see what other stuff is on the list, check out the following article:

101 Best Gifts For Hunters

While this post covers the right long range muzzleloaders, that’s only a single part of the equation when hunting with a muzzleloader. For more detailed information on choosing the right primer, propellant, bullets, sights, and scopes, check out these other articles:

15 Of The Best Muzzleloader Primers For Igniting Your Powder

Blackhorn 209 vs 777 vs Goex Black Powder: Which One Should You Use In Your Muzzleloader?

These Are The Best Brands Of Black Powder and Black Powder Substitutes You Should Be Using In Your Muzzleloader

13 Of The Best Muzzleloader Bullets For Hunters

Best Muzzleloaders For Hunters In 2024

9 Best Muzzleloader Scopes For Hunters

These Are The Best 9 Best Muzzleloader Sights For Hunters

5 Best Traditional Muzzleloaders For Hunters

Essential Muzzleloader Supplies Every Hunter Needs

How To Hunt With A Muzzleloader

Enjoy this article on the best long range muzzleloaders for hunters in 2024? Please share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Make sure you subscribe to The Big Game Hunting Podcast and follow The Big Game Hunting Blog on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

NEXT: HOW 11 BEST HUNTING EAR PROTECTION OPTIONS FOR HUNTERS

These days, the availability of multiple types of scope configurations, focal planes, and features is a testament to how far telescopic sights have come over the years.

To those just getting into rifle scopes, it’s now a quandary to choose between FFP or SFP scopes.

How do you choose the best focal plane for your rifle or for the job?

The shooter must determine what the rifle will be used for 80-90% of the time. The intended application can help determine specific shooter needs that includes whether the benefits of FFP or SFP scopes are right for common approaches such as hunting, long range, or the AR-15.

More approaches to consider include combat, the LPVO, target shooting, and competition use. But before we get ahead of ourselves, what is FFP and SFP?

Let’s find out.

What is the Difference Between FFP and SFP Scopes?

Overall, the difference between FFP and SFP scopes is how the reticle performs in relation to magnification. FFP reticles will grow or decrease in size while SFP reticles will remain the same regardless of power changes. This is a direct result of where the reticle is placed in the scope.

Since both first and second focal plane rifle scopes look the same on the outside, you can’t tell them apart from appearance alone. Here is a rundown on FFP and SFP scopes to understand what they are, how they work, and their advantages.

What does FFP Mean on a Rifle Scope?

FFP means First Focal Plane but is also known as Front Focal Plane. What is FFP? It is the position of the reticle. It lies in front of the magnifying lens within the scope erector tube. The reticle increases in size as magnification increases and decreases in size as magnification decreases.

First Focal Plane Explained

Explaining first focal plane reticles must include discussion of subtension. FFP scopes have constant subtension. The measured amount of space/area the reticle covers up on a target remains the same regardless of magnification.

Subtension is the measurement of how much of a target or area is covered by the reticle at a specific distance. Because the reticle and magnification are in parallel, reticle crosshairs will always take up the same amount of space on a target whether you’re in low power or high.

What are the Advantages of a FFP Scope?

The first focal plane position of the reticle provides two primary advantages. First, constant subtension that allows for accurate ballistic holdovers at any magnification setting. Secondly, the magnified reticle at high magnification improves visibility of holdover points.

The best FFP scopes typically have a tactical or competition approach, but as hunters are demanding long range performance, FFP scopes can be used for hunting too.

FFP Pros & Cons

What does SFP Mean on a Rifle Scope?

SFP means Second Focal Plane but is also known as Rear Focal Plane. What is SFP? It is the position of the reticle. It lies behind the magnifying lens but in front of the eyepiece in a rifle scope. The reticle remains the same size (static) throughout the entire magnification range.

Second Focal Plane Explained

Explaining second focal plane reticles is cause for a discussion on subtension. Subtension is the measured amount of space or area on a target that crosshairs cover up at a specific distance. SFP reticles are important to understand as subtension is constantly changing as magnification changes.

The amount of space that the crosshairs cover up on a target at any distance will change as you increase or decrease magnification. As you increase power, the crosshairs will take up less ‘space’ on the target as the target gets larger in size. As you decrease power, the crosshairs will take up more ‘space’ on the target as the target gets smaller in size.

What are the Advantages of a SFP Scope?

Second focal plane advantages are many. With a reticle that doesn’t change size, it can provide better crosshair visibility for shooting in low magnifications. On the high end, it can improve visibility of small targets at max magnification. SFP scopes are common and more affordable than FFP scopes.

SFP Pros & Cons

FFP VS SFP: How to Choose?

Choosing between a FFP or SFP scope requires more insight than leaving it to personal preference alone. Other considerations such as magnification requirements and how the scope will be used most of the time must be factors that have weight in the final decision.

Hunting

What focal plane is best for hunting? Two factors must be considered: magnification and terrain. FFP scopes are compatible for high power and open country, mountainous terrain like Western big game hunting. SFP scopes can be great for low magnification and timber, brush, or Mid-West deer hunting.

Generally, 3-9x and 4-16x are great configurations for many hunting conditions and game as they can cover plenty of ground. The visibility of a reticle that doesn’t change size at low powers in lowlight conditions gives the SFP scope an edge that FFP cannot provide.

Normal reticle visibility of a SFP is also preferred for those in heavy brush and thick timber environments. With FFP reticles, the crosshairs can get too small and are difficult to see as they appear ‘lost’ against the terrain.

So, is FFP any good for hunting? FFP allows for accurate holdovers at any magnification, and it can be maximized to its full potential if you’re consistently hunting with magnifications of more than 12x. This is great for long-range, open country, and unpredictable, mountainous terrain. Dialing in or messing with magnification to get to the calibrated power to use the right holdover point on a SFP scope is less than ideal.

Ultimately, the last 30 minutes of last legal light is often the golden hour of filling a tag. Clarity, resolution, and brightness is best achieved in the lower powers, and since FFP scopes have a hard time with reticle visibility in low light and low power, the SFP remains the favorite focal plane scope for deer hunters.

Winner: SFP

Long Range

Long range shooting often means high magnification and a lot of dialing in or heavy dependence on the reticle. Whether it’s hunting or competitive shooting, long range performance is best done with a FFP scope.

FFP reticles are clearly the best scopes for long range shooting. The first benefit is that you can maximize use out of a complex reticle. With multiple elevation and windage holdovers that will always be accurate regardless of magnification, it makes for fast and straightforward decisions. This benefit also boosts confidence in reducing POI shifts when you do adjust the power.

Secondly, the reticle becomes larger in size as you crank up power. This makes it easier to see the crosshairs, hashmarks, and/or dots. The catch-22 is that on very small targets, FFP reticle subtension can obscure significant areas making it harder for exacting shots.

Is FFP or SFP better for long range shooting? SFP scopes will work for bench shooters who aren’t on the clock and content shooting from max power. Quality glass and turrets are essential. You’ll always have an easy to see reticle regardless of magnification. However, FFP is better suited to the job.

Winner: FFP

AR15

The AR-15 is a favorite and popular rifle used for everything from target shooting to hunting, law enforcement and competitions. FFP or SFP scopes can be mounted to a MSR to fit your requirements and intended applications.

Choosing between FFP or SFP scopes for an AR15 or any type of MSR comes down to intended applications and the range of magnification you will be using 80-90% of the time.

SFP is suitable for many applications especially when magnification is less than 12x. SFP scopes are very user-friendly on the low power end versus FFP scopes. Having a max of 12x or even pushing it to 14x with SFP is suitable for some long-range performance, and at that point, you can rely on holdover points onboard the reticle.

FFP will really shine for long range shooting, competition, and some hunting styles. Being able to increase the power but not max out and still have accurate holdovers is critical for these applications.

Since you can do a lot of various things with an AR, the type of focal plane scope you opt for should be suited to what you will be doing with it.

Winner: Tie

Combat

The LPVO or a high-powered scope used for combat, tactical, or home defense situations will have a reticle placed either in the first or second focal planes. For most professional scenarios, CQB performance is paramount.

The SFP reticle is constant, easy to see, and well suited to CQB combat. Even when you change magnification within 250 yards, there shouldn’t be any need to hold, at least on a man size target. A lot of law enforcement (LE) combat engagements are extremely close, and LE sniper scenarios may be closer than most people think.

You can opt for either FFP or SFP scopes for tactical use, but with a 50 to 100-yard zero, SFP will serve its purpose for close to mid ranges.

FFP reticles certainly have their place and can be extremely beneficial on magnified optics when holding over or for fast corrections and follow-up shots at a distance. It may come down to the type of combat and distance or speed requirements you anticipate needing.

Do snipers use FFP or SFP? It may depend on who you talk to. It’s been said that veteran snipers preferred the fixed 10x power scope. It may also depend on if it’s military or local police. Oftentimes, the budget is the determining factor versus the preference over reticle focal planes.

Winner: Tie

LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic)

LPVO scopes are close to mid-range optics and are great on tactical carbines. The 1x magnification and red dot capability are must-have features, but the low variable magnification makes it a versatile optic. SFP is appropriate for most scenarios, but FFP can provide distance advantages.

FFP reticles on a LPVO would be best suited to those who know they will be engaging targets at multiple and varied distances. This would be appropriate for competition shooters and military men and women on the front line. The use of a FFP LPVO will also ensure fast and accurate shots using holdovers.

It is worth mentioning that quality LPVO scopes with FFP reticles should be visible and fast to use in the low powers. FFP reticles are more common to find in 1-8x or 1-10x LPVO scopes.

In most circumstances, the SFP remains attractive to the LPVO user and is the most common type of focal plane available in 1-4x and 1-6x scopes. Even if you’re shooting over 300 yards, outside of specialized circumstances, you’ll likely have the time needed to dial in or max out the power for accurate holdovers. With a LPVO for an AR, there’s not much to complain about when it comes to using max power.

Winner: SFP

Target Shooting

There are many forms of target shooting from plinking, rimfire fun, and 100-yard shooting to testing out long-range skills and scope ability. For most purposes other than long range, the SFP reticle is the perfect scope for these scenarios.

A lot of people don’t need FFP scopes and target shooters generally fall into that category. Many target shooters are at the bench or in prone positions and aren’t racing against the clock. They have the time to dial in adjustments and shoot from the center point at their pace and will do fine with a SFP scope.

FFP may be desired for long range target shooting or perhaps for those who want a scope for aging eyes that allows them to see a larger reticle. More magnification doesn’t make you a better shooter, but it does allow you to see better.

The same can be said if you’re considering FFP or SFP for 22LR rimfires. Take into consideration what you’re using it for 80% of the time, the targets you’re shooting, and the distances. FFP would be great for target shooting practice for PRS matches but can obscure F-class smallbore targets. For most recreational purposes without holds, SFP does it.

Winner: SFP

3-Gun/Competition

Speed and accuracy are just two factors that are must-have features from a rifle scope for 3-Gun and many types of shooting competition matches. FFP is the way to go for varied distances and on-the-clock shots.

Precision marksmen almost always prefer FFP scopes. The ability to use accurate holdovers at any magnification makes for fast shots. You lose time with constantly dialing in on an SFP scope, decreasing magnification for wide FOVs to find the next target and then cranking it up to make a shot, or always being stuck max power.

The top scopes for competition shooting usually have a very wide magnification range allowing for adjustable FOVs for the widely varied target distances. The downside to the FFP is that the reticle can get small at lower power making it harder to see that center dot. Illumination can help to alleviate the problem. Nonetheless, the SFP has an advantage in that it always stays at its normal, visible size and is usually thin enough to see F-class smallbore targets.

Pro Tip: Some shooters in competitions that allow for more than one optic will use an FFP scope and red dot sight combo with a 45-degree offset mount.

Winner: FFP

SFP VS FFP: Which is Best for You?

The right scope will be the one that is best suited to the intended application. If it’s about cost alone, the SFP is cheaper as FFP reticles are nearly always glass-etched and precision alignment is imperative. Beyond the budget, choose the scope that offers the most advantages for the application.

In general, FFP is great for long range, high magnification, competition, and some professional tactical and hunting applications.

SFP is very good for most target shooting, hunting, and CQB performance. If you’re not holding over often, prefer consistent visibility of the reticle, or shoot small targets often, SFP is the way to go.

Keep in mind that experienced shooters find ways to help mitigate some of the problems inherent in each focal plane and work with it. Don’t let complex math, budget, or existing biases get in the way of choosing the right type of scope for you and for the job.

Further Reading

• How to Measure Scope Ring Height (With Pics & Calculations)
• How to Adjust a Rifle Scope: 6 Scope Adjustments Explained!
• How to Level a Scope on a Rifle [Step-by-Step With Pics]
• What is a Rifle Scope Ruler (Mildot Master) & How to Use It?
• How to Lap Scope Rings (& Is Lapping Really Necessary?)

1:9, 1:8, or a 1:7?

When it comes to AR-15 barrels…you may be noticing different rifle twists in their specs.

Does it really matter that much?

Will the wrong weight bullet for your twist rate make it fly off into the sunset?

It does matter, but I’m here to make your decision easy and help you understand what it all means.

Bullet Weight Does Not Dictate Barrel Twist

The first thing that needs to be understood is that bullet weight does not directly have anything to do with what rifle twist you should be using in your AR15 barrel chambered in 5.56 NATO or .223 Wylde.

Now before some people start pounding their table, and grabbing pitchforks, let me explain.

Bullet length is what ultimately dictates your barrel rifling twist. If you do a quick google image search, you will find a few different charts or graphs that specifically show bullet weight and which rifle twist you “need”.

While it is a general rule of thumb with weight, in reality, the longer a bullet is, the heavier it becomes.

With newer types of bullets on the market and lead-free designs, some bullets made of copper and zinc are very light but require extra length to achieve the same weight compared to a lead core projectile.

So, the longer the bullet you shoot, generally speaking, the faster the rifling twist needs to be to properly stabilize the bullet in flight. With great stability comes great accuracy. But what does the barrel twist mean?

A Cliff Notes History Lesson

In the early years of the AR15’s development, the rifling twist that was adopted was a 1:14 rifle twist.

The easiest way to explain what that means is that the rifling makes a complete twist 1 time every 14″. Most loads shot through these barrels were a very short, lightweight bullet in the 40-55 grain category.

You can read a more complete history of the M16, but for now, let’s fast forward to the present.

After the adoption of the M16A2, the military started using a 1:7 rifle twist, which was faster. The rifling made a complete revolution within 7″ now instead of 14.” We are talking twice as fast.

The military also adopted a longer, heavier projectile with the SS109 steel core projectiles loaded in the M855 cartridge.

Capitalism at Its Finest

So why are there multiple rifle twists on the civilian market with the 1:9, 1:8, and the 1:7 as stated before?

Short answer: Capitalism.

If you are a red-blooded American, you enjoy the perks of capitalism.

The one drawback of capitalism though is that the market breeds more choices and more decisions. A lot of barrel manufacturers sell all of the top three rifle twists in their barrels, and it can be a little daunting when you are trying to figure out which one to get.

We covered the fact that you need to properly stabilize a bullet, and we have covered a quick history of different rifle twists. Stick with me here, because I am going to make this a very easy decision for you.

A Lot of Bad Info

Out in the unnatural world of the interwebs, you can run into a lot of bad information regarding practically anything. Rifle twist and bullet choice are no different.

When it comes to slower rifle twist, i.e. 1:14, 1:12, 1:9, you really shouldn’t be shooting bullet weights over 65 grains or the equivalent length for a 65-grain bullet. It won’t damage your rifle, but you will have very poor accuracy.

It is absolutely true that heavier, longer bullets in the 69-85 grain flavors like faster rifle twists of 1:8, or 1:7. When someone tells you, “if you want to shoot some operator level Mk262 77 grain OTM ammo, you need a 1:7 twist”, believe that they have your best interest at heart.

But what about an all-purpose twist you may ask?

Maybe you are just like me, and you want a barrel twist that can excel with the heavier 77 grain or 85-grain loads, BUT at the same time you want to get out and smoke some woodchucks or prairie dogs, and you would like a 40-grain bullet to shoot accurately?

Can you “over-stabilize” a lighter bullet with too fast of a rifling twist?

Shoot, Switch Ammo, Repeat

I decided to run through a little experiment with multiple loads of .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO. Ten different loads to be exact. And to make this even more scientific, I did it with two different rifles that both have a 1:7 rifle twist.

The first rifle that I tested is a home-rolled rifle that utilizes a Radical Barrels, LLC 20″ 416R stainless barrel. Rick Hoffmeyer of Radical Barrels, LLC made it for me, and it’s a fantastic barrel.

The optic on this rifle is an ACME Machine 6-24x50mm FFP TR-MOA. For the price, it is hard to beat for a first-focal-plane optic.

The second rifle is a factory Bushmaster Minimalist that Remington had me use on a hog hunt down in Texas at the Spike Box Ranch. (If you ever get offered a chance to go there, don’t think about it. DO IT.) The only thing I added to this rifle was an ACME Machine 1-8x28mm FFP low-powered variable optic.

Glass clarity on this scope is impressive, to say the least. Both rifles used scope mounts from Green Blob Outdoors, and for the price, are exceptionally solid scope mounts that lock down tight.

From the lightest grain bullet to heaviest shot was:

• Hornady 40 Grain V-Max
• Winchester 45 Grain JHP
• Federal 50 Grain JHP (Varming & Predator)
• Remington UMC 50 Grain JHP
• Tul-Ammo 55 grain FMJ (Just for the hell of it.)
• Barnes 55 Grain TSX
• Remington 55 Grain PSP
• Barnes 62 Grain TSX
• IMI 77 Grain OTM Razorcore
• Barnes 85 Grain OTM

Moment of Truth

With ten different loads, all varying from the lightest/shortest to the heaviest/longest projectile that will fit inside the mag well of an AR15, I went about firing 3 round groups with each load at 100 yards to test how well each bullet would do.

I fully understand that some purists may be wringing their hands in the air because I did not do 5 shot groups. I get it. When I really test accuracy for a specific load, I fire 5-10 round groups to really see its potential.

The reality of the situation is that I have kids to feed, and a wife that will literally stab me to death in my sleep if I drain my bank account for ammo. She showed me the knife…

While this isn’t a comprehensive accuracy test for each load, this test shows a good representation of the accuracy potential for each load out of a 1:7 rifle twist barrel.

As you can see from the included photos, there was absolutely no loss of accuracy from an “over-stabilized” lighter/shorter bullet.

Both rifles tend to shoot roughly the same point of impact, varying across the whole spectrum of bullet lengths and weights at 100 yards.

Some conventional “wisdom” would dictate that my accuracy should have suffered greatly with the shorter/lighter bullets with a faster 1:7 rifle twist or worst case scenario tumble through the air and keyhole the target. This just isn’t the case.

Within the normal ranges that most shooters fire their rifles, bullet length and twist should not be a concern if you have a faster 1:7 rifle twist.

What should be a concern though, is feeding your rifle quality ammunition, and making sure your barrel is of good quality if you are striving for accuracy. Ultimately, that is the deciding factor of accuracy when using a 1:7 rifle twist.

Decisions, decisions…

So its time to pay the piper, and make a decision on the rifling twist that will best suit your needs as a shooter. My vote is a 1:7, hands down. With a 1:7 rifle twist, shooting quality ammo, you can go as light as you would like with commercially available ammunition.

A case could be made that “over-stabilization” can bring about issues at extended ranges, but why would you honestly shoot a 40-grain projectile past 300 yards? If you are actually trying for accuracy at extended ranges of 300-700 yards, a 69-85 grain bullet is much better suited for the task at hand.

For up-close shooting drills, or within 300 yards, bulk 55 grain M193 will do just fine as well out of a quality barrel when you are on a budget.

Obviously, your mileage may vary, but generally speaking, if a load shoots like a dumpster fire, more than likely, your barrel just doesn’t like that specific mixture of powder weight and bullet style.

In my opinion, it just makes sense to stick with a 1:7 rifle twist! And now that you know how twist rates affect you, you’ll want to know what the Best AR-15 Ammo: Home Defense & Range is for you and your rifle.

What twist rate is your barrel in? What is your favorite ammo? Let us know in the comments!

The following ammunition cartridge ballistics information and chart can be used to approximately compare .30-30 Winchester vs .308 Winchester ammo rounds. Please note, the following information reflects the estimated average ballistics for each caliber and does not pertain to a particular manufacturer, bullet weight, or jacketing type. As such, the following is for comparative information purposes only and should not be used to make precise predictions of the trajectory, performance, or true ballistics of any particular .30-30 Winchester or .308 Winchester rounds for hunting, target shooting, plinking, or any other usage. The decision for which round is better for a given application should be made with complete information, and this article simply serves as a comparative guide, not the final say. For more detailed ballistics information please refer to the exact round in question or contact the manufacturer for the pertinent information. True .30-30 Winchester and .308 Winchester ballistics information can vary widely from the displayed information, and it is important to understand that the particular characteristics of a given round can make a substantive difference in its true performance.

Caliber Type Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) .30-30 Winchester Rifle 2370 1890 .308 Winchester Rifle 2680 2620

Velocity

As illustrated in the chart, .30-30 Winchester rounds – on average – achieve a velocity of about 2370 feet per second (fps) while .308 Winchester rounds travel at a velocity of 2680 fps. To put this into perspective, a Boeing 737 commercial airliner travels at a cruising speed of 600 mph, or 880 fps. That is to say, .30-30 Winchester bullets travel 2.7 times the speed of a 737 airplane at cruising speed, while .308 Winchester bullets travel 3 times that same speed.

Various calibers

Energy

Furthermore, the muzzle energy of a .30-30 Winchester round averages out to 1890 ft-lb, while a .308 Winchester round averages out to about 2620 ft-lb. One way to think about this is as such: a foot-pound is a unit of energy equal to the amount of energy required to raise a weight of one pound a distance of one foot. So a .30-30 Winchester round exits the barrel with kinetic energy equal to the energy required for linear vertical displacement of 1890 pounds through a one foot distance, while a .308 Winchester round exiting the barrel has energy equal to the amount required to displace 2620 pounds over the same one foot distance. As a rule of thumb, when it comes to hunting, muzzle energy is what many hunters look at when deciding on what caliber of firearm / ammunition to select. Generally speaking, the higher the muzzle energy, the higher the stopping power. Again, the above is for comparative information purposes only, and you should consult the exact ballistics for the particular .30-30 Winchester or .308 Winchester cartridge you’re looking at purchasing.

Please click the above links to take a look at all of the .30-30 Winchester and .308 Winchester ammo we have in stock and ready to ship, and let us know any parting thoughts in the comment section below.

Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.

We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.

We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings.

Even if you are not a milsurp guy or gal, you’re gonna like this one.

It’s the one 20th century rifle that everyone should at least consider owning: the Swiss K31.

From watches to rifles, Swiss machining is legendary for quality, precision, and beauty.

The K31 exemplifies all of these!

We’ll cover our usual review topics of accuracy, shootability, reliability and more. PLUS some tips on how to get the best K31 for your money.

And wooh, we got a full video review too from our YouTube Channel:

Popularity

The Swiss K31 has surged in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. They’re unique, fun to shoot, and stupid accurate.

Folks love these rifles and I think you are going to see why.

I’m going to give you an easy overview, get three K31s out to the range, and at the end, I’ll have a quick buyer’s guide for you.

Different

Adding some lumber to your firearm collection is a nice reprieve from black plastic guns. And the K31 is different even from other milsurp rifles.

Known for the straight-pull bolt, the beer keg charging handle, and that gorgeous Swiss shield, the Karabiner 31 or K31 is desirable for both shooters and collectors.

Plus they are not for collecting dust, they’re for taking to the range.

Shortest History Lesson Ever

Before the K31, there were multiple variations of the Swiss straight-pull bolt rifle. But these were too long and too heavy.

The Swiss military did a rifle redesign in 1931, and the Karabiner Model 1931 was born. It was issued from 1933 to 1958 with total production of about half a million.

Cool thing is that after Swiss soldiers finished their mandatory service, they could purchase their issued rifles. So there are loads of these guns which have been kept and maintained for a lifetime.

And often these guns reach the US surplus market in fantastic shape.

Accurate

The K31 has a reputation for excellent machining and craftsmanship which yields legendary accuracy.

Keep in mind that the technology in this gun is a century old, but the gun even today feels like a precision machine.

And working that straight-pull bolt is a fantastic experience at the range.

The Stocks

The stocks in the earlier models are all walnut, and from 1945 forward the stocks are all beechwood.

So an easy eye test is light stocks are newer, and dark stocks are older.

Ammo

The K31 fires the 7.5 x 55mm Swiss round, also referred to as G11, but most just call it “7.5 Swiss”. Ammo is readily available, and the rifle can fire modern production ammunition.

The box magazine is self-locking and holds six rounds. Waxed cardboard clips are available for faster loading, but I usually eject the mag and load by hand.

At the Range

After 75 years of field testing, the accuracy of this rifle is not up for debate. Rounds will go where you send them, and you’ll see guys on YouTube take the K31 out to 1,000 yards with iron sights.

So for this test, I didn’t do a test at all. I just took a ton of ammo and enjoyed getting shots on target with something that’s not black and plastic. I shot from my shoulder at 75 yards with iron sights.

I fired PPU 174-grain ammo and was able to ping torso steel no sweat.

All three rifles I tested ran perfectly. Absolutely zero problems. These guns run.

The Pain

Lot of military rifles are murder on your shoulder, but the felt recoil on the K31 ain’t bad. I’ll call it medium. It’s certainly manageable.

The Sights

The rear sights have a leaf spring that is adjustable at 100 yard intervals. And the front sight is adjustable for windage with a nifty sliding design.

Other sight options are available, including the desirable diopter sights, but for anything other than standard iron sights, you’re gonna pay a hefty price.

The Trigger

The two-stage trigger is super easy to get used to. The first stage is ultra-light, and when you hit the second stage there is a clear wall.

Pull comes in between 3 and 4 pounds and the break is clean and overall I like the trigger.

The Downside

Not many negatives with this rifle. You’ll hear guys say that there is no positive extraction in the design, or that at 9 pounds it’s heavy, but for me I take those things in stride.

Worst I can say is that the ammo is expensive.

Troop Tags

This is where Swiss guns just get doggone cool.

On the day that these rifles were issued, the soldier’s name, birth year, and location of issue were written down on a small white tag and placed under the buttstock cap.

These troop tags are the Holy Grail of Swiss rifle collection.

Maintenance

Because most rifles of this age have worn bluing and exposed steel, I am a little more mindful of how I maintain my K31s compared to a modern black rifle.

I clean and oil after every range trip, and I don’t handle the rifle without a quick wipe down.

A complete teardown and deep clean can be done in half an hour.

K31 Buyer’s Guide

Shopping for a K31 is easy peasy. 7 quick steps!

1. Identification

There are lots of different Swiss military rifles, but to identify the K31, look for the Swiss shield on the receiver, and the aluminum beer keg charging handle.

Lots of other Swiss rifles have beer keg handles, but they are all reddish bakelite. Again, look for the aluminum.

2. Overall Condition

Look for the condition of the bluing and how much steel is exposed on the barrel and receiver. Look for rust. Look for cracks in the stock. Put a light in the barrel and look at the lands and grooves.

If you are shopping online, all good dealers will give you solid descriptions with photos.

3. Serial Numbers

The most desirable rifles have matching serial numbers on all the major parts including barrel, receiver, bolt, stock, handguard, and magazine.

4. Production Year

Because the Swiss did not participate in WWII, there is no pressure to get War-era rifles. K31s from the 1950s are just as desirable as earlier models.

Basically, the production year doesn’t matter.

5. Extras

I tested three standard run-of-the-mill K31s. But like all military collectibles, you can get lost in the weeds. There are rifles with diopter sights, sniper models with scopes, and guns with decades of provenance.

And you’ll pay more for extra features. But the good news is, if you are new to K31s, you can get a standard rifle in good shape without paying extra for rarer models.

Any K31 in good shape is going to be a winner!

6. Troop Tags

If you find a numbers-matching rifle in good shape with a troop tag, buy it. Just do it, period!

7. Price

For the K31 goes up and down, but right now a numbers-matching K31 in solid condition is $500-800. Double that price for rifles with diopter sights.

By The Numbers

Reliability: 5/5

Keep it clean and this gun will run for another 100 years.

Ergonomics: 4/5

To be fair you’re holding a giant piece of lumber. But the pistol grip feels good and grabbing that beer keg handle is addicting.

Accuracy: 5/5

The free float barrel, precision engineering, and Swiss clockwork trigger combine for legendary accuracy. If you miss, it’s on you.

Customization: 0/5

If you even think about drilling the receiver for a scope mount, you need to sit in the corner and think about your decisions. Don’t change anything, Bubba.

Value: 4/5

True you can get other milsurp rifles for half the price of a K31, but you won’t get the precision or shootability. A lot of value for the price.

These are almost always available on GunBroker and sometimes on Guns.com!

If you’re unfamiliar with either, take a look at our reviews for both GunBroker and Guns.com.

Overall: 4/5

There’s not much to dislike about the K31. It’s easy to use and maintain, fun to show friends, and performance on the range is stellar.

Conclusion

The K31 is a fun to shoot, fun to show off, and even fun to disassemble milsurp gun that is accurate and a good bang-for-the-buck, but it’s heavy and ammo can get expensive.

I had a blast with this project. Even if you are not a milsurp guy, it’s great to get at least one gun into your collection that isn’t black and plastic.

And the artwork on the receiver is a big plus.

One more time…our video review!!

Love some more milsurp? Check out our Best Milsurp Rifles You Can Still Buy.