Deer hunting in Maine’s vast north woods is a wilderness experience our farm country friends find truly exciting and challenging. The area surrounding North Country Lodge provides the best habitat available for monster whitetail bucks. The big ones are here, and they challenge you to the chase.

The Elusive Northern Whitetail Buck

Monster big woods bucks over 200 lb dressed weight are not uncommon. A Maine buck’s antler size can be impressive, but body weight is what Maine bucks are noted for most of all.

Northern whitetail deer are a genetically different buck than you will find at home. Bucks are naturally bred with large bodies to survive cold winters, and typically will reach an older age due to low hunting pressure. Miles and miles of woods, with very few hunters, allows these trophies to reach a maturity not often seen by our southern neighbors.

Big woods bucks often cover a large territory while searching for a hot doe, and even though they favor certain travel areas, you never know where or when you will encounter your prize. You will find hardwood ridges and fir thickets where bucks will be checking for does. Bucks will bed down in a thicket or next to a fallen tree, but just as often they will take a bed on an open slope where they can scan for movements.

Deer Population

Maine’s deer population changes yearly depending on many factors – mostly the length of winter. Northern deer can survive brutally cold temperatures, but winter survival really depends on how early green growth and buds start to appear toward spring.

When populations dipped ten to twenty years ago, we closed our lodge during November. Populations are now rebounding, and we are seeing many more deer than in past years. For this reason, and at the urging of our many hunters who have always enjoyed the lodge and hunting in the “big woods,” we are again opening the lodge for November.

The Hunt

The “woods are lovely, dark and deep” as Robert Frost wrote. Endless miles of unpaved roads and skidder trails provide unlimited access to all manner of terrain. You will be free to roam through our area’s vast spruce-fir-hardwood forest without encountering “no trespassing” signs, paved highways or even another hunter. Or you can stay close, and take a stand in a known deer crossing area.

Hunt on your own, or guides can be provided upon request. We will also provide you with maps of the area and tree stands, set up by our Professional Maine Guides, to aid you in your Whitetail Deer hunt. You are free to head out in early morning and remain out until dark – or come and go as you please. The lodge is always open.

November in Maine can bring cold temperatures, with snow from easy tracking depth to knee deep. When fresh and soft, snowy woods are silent and beautiful – perfect for silently stalking and tracking. Warm and waterproof boots and clothing are suggested. Weather can also bring 40-50 degrees at noon, with lighter clothing and layers being vital.

Cell phone service is available throughout our area, making it easy to keep in touch with your partners or to call for help when needed.

Deer Hunting Season

Maine’s firearm deer season runs for 4 weeks, typically beginning the first Monday in November. Call us for details about each season, and early opportunities for bow hunting.

Shooting time starts 30 minutes before sunrise, and ends 30 minutes after sunset. Exact time is set by the State.

Fantastic Deer Hunting Lodge

Enjoy the warm hospitality at North Country Lodge and the camaraderie of fellow hunters. We believe that comfortable accommodations, relaxation, great meals, and complete service are important parts of an enjoyable hunting experience and vital to enjoying your visit with us.

You will enjoy our beautiful lodge with its rustic atmosphere and modern conveniences such as fireplace, WIFI and maid service.

The Lodge has two large sitting rooms, complete with a large fireplace and adorned with numerous trophy mounts representing past hunts – setting the perfect stage for sharing “tall tales” about your hunts.

The Lodge has full modern conveniences, including:

• Clean attractive private sleeping rooms that accommodate from 1 to 6 persons
• Comfortable beds
• Showers
• Towels and linens
• Daily cleaning service
• Spacious and relaxing lounge areas
• WIFI
• Cell Phone Reception

Women, couples and family groups with youth hunters all find the Lodge very hospitable. Single hunters are very welcome. Call us for more information.

Firearm and archery ranges are located adjacent to the lodge for double checking and fine tuning your sights before and during your hunt.

Delicious Dining

You will enjoy dining in the Lodge’s beautiful dining room. Our kitchen staff serves the finest quality meals – All “home cooked and all you can eat” – served in a beautiful dining room.

Breakfasts are available at 5 am for those wanting to hunt early. Lunch is provided in the dining room or you may take a bag lunch for a day in the woods. Bring your thermos, and we’ll fill it with hot coffee for the trail.

Before you Choose

Be sure to compare North Country Lodge’s quality service and hunting opportunities. Ask questions. Find out why Over 75% of our hunters are return clients.

Don’t settle for less than the best.

We look forward to playing a part in your dream of bagging a “Trophy Maine Big Woods Buck”.

Deer Hunting Package

Deer hunts at North Country Lodge include:

• Deluxe accommodations in a fully equipped modern hunting lodge.
• Six Days of hunting
• Seven Nights of lodging.
• Three complete meals per day-home cooking and all you can eat.
• Daily room cleaning service.

Advice from our licensed Maine guides on where to hunt and methods to use.Registered Maine Guides available upon request

Click here for our rates

Click here to obtain a Maine Hunting License online. Licenses are also available at many locations on your way here.

North Woods Tips

Two articles of hunter orange clothing are required during deer season by Maine law. November in Maine can be very cold (20F or colder). Warm clothing and rugged boots are important. A flashlight, knife, compass, matches and fire starter are also considered a necessity for hunting Whitetail Deer in Maine. Many find their GPS and Cell phones very handy.

About North Country Lodge

When you plan your hunting trips, you expect the best, with “no surprises.” The Goodman family established North Country Lodge in 1985, always making sure that guests enjoy the very best Maine hunting experience.

Location, Location, Location

North Country Lodge is nestled among the pines, spruce and hardwood ridges in Aroostook County of northern Maine. The region comprises the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. We are 11 miles north of Patten Maine, and approximately 25 miles east of Maine’s largest state park (Baxter State Park) and the Maine Woods National Monument.

For well over a century, Aroostook County has offered the finest Black Bear, Whitetail deer, and moose hunting on the North American continent.

This magnificent hunters’ paradise, with hardwood ridges, rolling hills, swamps and bogs, provide the setting for an exciting and memorable experience in the vast North Maine Woods.

Maine Guides

Our staff of hunting guides has a vast knowledge of the region and the game that resides here. All have exemplary reputations earned over the years from serving hunters and the hunting industry. Our guides are active all year, either preparing for your visit, or working diligently with outdoor organizations and wildlife biologists to protect the game and the privilege to hunt.

Have you been practicing your shooting form at home, only to grow weary of chasing stray arrows around? Try putting a backstop behind your target and save yourself the hassle.

A backstop is material placed behind archery targets to catch arrows. Backstops are normally made of a thick, spongey material that absorbs the arrow’s shock. If you released an arrow into a wall, fence or anything else solid, the arrow would break upon impact. Backstops give the arrow something to sink into if it sails past the target. Keep in mind that while backstops will help provide a larger base for the arrows to land, you should always make sure you have a wall behind the target and backstop or plenty of open space.

The most common and inexpensive backstop is a hay bale. The hay is very forgiving, although it won’t last as long as a foam material. The hay bales will still serve their purpose, but you might need to rearrange it regularly and fill in any gaps that come about with use.

You can also use foam play mats – the kind that young children use in classrooms. Or other floor mats work too. No matter the material, always use an arrow puller to remove the arrows from the stop. If an arrow gets stuck, you could break it by trying to yank it out. An arrow puller gives you a good grip so you can pull cleanly without breaks.

Make sure your backstop is wider and higher than your target so you don’t have to run around to collect stray shots that miss their mark. If you need to work on your precision, or you’re practicing with a novice, a backstop will help you avoid losing arrows in the woods or backyard.

Your backstop should also be sturdy – how much so partially depends on the intensity of your draw weight. The higher the draw weight on the bow, the more force behind the arrow. For a lower draw weight, you can probably afford a thinner backstop. As you practice with your backstop, you’ll see how the material absorbs the velocity of the arrows and adjust accordingly. The fix may be as simple as moving the target and backstop further away.

The supply list is fairly minimal. All you need is:

• A horse stall mat, foam play mat or hay bales
• 2x4s or cables

You can build your backstop against your fence, create a frame for your target and backstop, or leave it free-standing. If you build your own stand, hang the backdrop from the same pipes or boards you used for the stands. Hay bales can remain free standing and can be stacked as high or wide as necessary.

Backstops are an often-overlooked part of the archery arsenal, but it’s never too late to start using one. Save yourself broken arrows and broken fences by building your own backstop in just a few hours. Backstops are a time-saver and safety precaution that can benefit every archer.

Missouri is a state with diverse landscapes, rich history, and abundant natural resources. It has over 44 million acres of land, of which about 60% is privately owned. But who are the largest landowners in Missouri, and what do they do with their land? In this article, we will reveal the top 10 landowners in Missouri and explore their backgrounds, interests, and impacts on the state.

Top 10 Landowners in Missouri

1. The State of Missouri

The largest landowner in Missouri is the state itself, which owns over 3 million acres of land. This includes state parks, conservation areas, historic sites, and other public lands. The state manages these lands for various purposes, such as recreation, education, wildlife protection, and natural resource conservation. Some of the most popular state-owned attractions in Missouri are the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, the Mark Twain State Park in Florida, and the Katy Trail State Park that spans across the state.

2. The United States Government

The second-largest landowner in Missouri is the federal government, which owns over 1.4 million acres of land. This includes national forests, wildlife refuges, military bases, and other federal properties. The federal government administers these lands through various agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Park Service. Some of the most notable federal lands in Missouri are the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the Mark Twain National Forest, and the Fort Leonard Wood Military Reservation.

3. Missouri Department of Conservation

The third-largest landowner in Missouri is the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), which owns over 460,000 acres of land. The MDC is a state agency that was established in 1937 to restore and manage the state’s fish, forest, and wildlife resources. The MDC owns and operates conservation areas, nature centers, shooting ranges, fish hatcheries, and other facilities that provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, education, research, and wildlife management. Some of the most visited MDC properties are the Busch Wildlife Area in St. Charles County, the Runge Nature Center in Jefferson City, and the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson.

4. The Ted Turner Reserves

The fourth-largest landowner in Missouri is Ted Turner, a media mogul and philanthropist who owns over 149,000 acres of land in the state. Turner is the founder of CNN, TNT, TBS, and other cable networks. He is also a passionate environmentalist and conservationist who owns more than 2 million acres of land across the U.S., making him the second-largest individual landowner in the country. Turner’s properties in Missouri are part of his Ted Turner Reserves, a collection of luxury eco-tourism destinations that offer guests access to his private ranches and wildlife reserves. Some of his ranches in Missouri are the Bar K Ranch near West Plains, the Flying S Ranch near Salem, and the Osage Hills Ranch near Rolla.

5. The Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The fifth-largest landowner in Missouri is the National Park Service (NPS), which owns over 80,000 acres of land in the state2. The NPS is a federal agency that manages national parks and other natural and cultural heritage sites across the U.S. The NPS’s largest property in Missouri is the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR), which was established in 1964 as America’s first national park to protect a river system. The ONSR encompasses over 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in southern Missouri, along with their surrounding forests, caves, springs, and historic sites. The ONSR attracts over one million visitors annually who enjoy activities such as canoeing, camping, fishing, hiking

6. The Weyerhaeuser Company

The sixth-largest landowner in Missouri is the Weyerhaeuser Company, a timber and forest products company that owns over 75,000 acres of land in the state. Weyerhaeuser is one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, with more than 24 million acres of land in the U.S. and Canada. Weyerhaeuser’s lands in Missouri are mainly located in the southeast region of the state, where it operates several mills and plants that produce lumber, plywood, oriented strand board, and other wood products. Weyerhaeuser also manages its lands for wildlife habitat, recreation, and conservation.

7. The Pioneer Forest

The seventh-largest landowner in Missouri is the Pioneer Forest, a privately owned forest that covers over 65,000 acres of land in the state. The Pioneer Forest is owned by the L-A-D Foundation, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1962 by Leo Drey, a businessman and conservationist who is considered to be the father of sustainable forestry in Missouri. The Pioneer Forest is managed according to the principles of natural forest management, which aim to preserve the ecological integrity, diversity, and productivity of the forest. The Pioneer Forest is open to the public for hiking, hunting, fishing, and other low-impact activities.

8. The Bass Pro Shops

The eighth-largest landowner in Missouri is Johnny Morris, the founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, a retail chain that specializes in outdoor gear and equipment. Morris owns over 50,000 acres of land in Missouri, most of which are part of his Big Cedar Lodge resort near Branson. Big Cedar Lodge is a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of accommodations, amenities, and attractions, such as golf courses, spas, museums, restaurants, and wildlife parks. Morris also owns Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, a 10,000-acre preserve that features trails, waterfalls, caves, and wildlife.

9. The University of Missouri

The ninth-largest landowner in Missouri is the University of Missouri (MU), which owns over 40,000 acres of land in the state. MU is a public research university that was founded in 1839 as the first public institution of higher education west of the Mississippi River. MU’s lands include its four campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, and St. Louis, as well as its research farms, forests

10. The Missouri Botanical Garden

The tenth-largest landowner in Missouri is the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG), which owns over 30,000 acres of land in the state. The MBG is a botanical research and education institution that was founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw, a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. The MBG’s main campus in St. Louis is one of the oldest and most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, featuring a variety of gardens, conservatories, and collections of plants from around the globe. The MBG also owns and manages several other properties in Missouri, such as the Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield, and the Commerce Bank Center for Science Education in St. Louis.

Conclusion

Missouri is a state with many large and influential landowners, who own and manage millions of acres of land for various purposes. Some of these landowners are public entities, such as the state and federal governments, the MDC, and the MU. Some are private individuals or organizations, such as Ted Turner, Johnny Morris, the L-A-D Foundation, and the MBG. Some are corporations or businesses, such as Weyerhaeuser and Bass Pro Shops. All of these landowners have a significant impact on the economy, environment, culture, and history of Missouri.

Most Asked Questions and Answers

Here are some of the most asked questions and answers about the top 10 landowners in Missouri:

Q: Who is the largest individual landowner in Missouri?

A: The largest individual landowner in Missouri is Ted Turner, who owns over 149,000 acres of land in the state.

Q: Who is the largest private landowner in Missouri?

A: The largest private landowner in Missouri is Weyerhaeuser, a timber and forest products company that owns over 75,000 acres of land in the state.

Q: Who is the largest public landowner in Missouri?

A: The largest public landowner in Missouri is the state itself, which owns over 3 million acres of land.

Q: How much land does Missouri have?

A: Missouri has over 44 million acres of land, of which about 60% is privately owned.

Q: How much land does the federal government own in Missouri?

A: The federal government owns over 1.4 million acres of land in Missouri.

Q: How much land does the state government own in Missouri?

A: The state government owns over 3 million acres of land in Missouri.

Q: How much land does the MDC own in Missouri?

A: The MDC owns over 460,000 acres of land in Missouri.

Q: How much land does Ted Turner own in Missouri?

A: Ted Turner owns over 149,000 acres of land in Missouri.

Q: How much land does Johnny Morris own in Missouri?

A: Johnny Morris owns over 50,000 acres of land in Missouri.

Q: How much land does the MBG own in Missouri?

A: The MBG owns over 30,000 acres of land in Missouri.

This month we shall take a closer view of the 270Winchester and how it compares to the 7 Rem Mag and the smaller 308Winchester

The following is a closer ballistic comparison of the 270Winchester, 7Rem Mag and 308Winchester. Together we shall go through their ballistic qualities as well as gauging their relevance in a real world scenario. I augur that this article will make you take a closer look at the cartridge and bullet combination you are using as well as question the way you make use of it.

Wherever I travel to, it seems hunters and shooters alike get into the debate between these 3 popular rifle cartridges. Is the 270Winchester an underestimated long range contender? Is the 7 Rem Mag a superior round? Where does the 308Win stand in this competitive rifle cartridge scenario?

Which cartridge most represents you?

A – 270Winchester (I already have one & it’s worked for so many hunters so why change it)

B – 7rem Mag (I Love 7mms, love the ballistic performance and can take out anything way out there)

C – 308Winchester (Ammo I can find anywhere, It’s killed everything under the sun. good enough to shoot FTR and Palma competitively)

In this series of Cartridge Wars – ballistics by Rifletalks, I shall attempt to dispel some myths as well as shed some factual data in ways which I hope will be easier to understand when comparing rifle cartridges. Keep in mind, here we are speaking of rifle cartridges in their standard CIP factory load format.

Factory loaded 270Winchester VS 7 Rem Mag VS 308Winchester

Each of these cartridges, 270Winchester, 7rem mag and 308Winchester can be handloaded to enhanced specs such as longer over all lengths, increased powder capacity, slower powders, better bullets, longer barrels etc. However, most shooters will acquire a rifle with a barrel length from 22-26 inches as made by most factories. Most of these cartridges, will shoot and burn 100% of their powder charge in a 24inch barrel. Naturally longer barrels provide additional speed as well as added challenges of maneuvering longer heavier barrels so let’s stick to 24inch. Having a few 30inch barrels myself, I’m well aware of this.

In order to find some common base line, I chose the loads as loaded by Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition. I shot this ammo in 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06 and I believe it is outstanding and fairly well priced at around €2.20 a pop.

270Win – A closer look at bullet choice

The bullet choice is largely the most important component which connects you to your target. It cannot be overlooked. High ballistic coefficient hunting bullets are not as easy to find although most manufacturers nowadays like Hornady, Berger, Sierra, RWS, Norma and Lapua have all come up with their own line of high ballistic coefficient hunting bullets.

Some cartridges have seen better traction particularly due to their bullets being widely used in other popular cartridges, hence enjoying a wider selection of bullets. Take the 308Winchester (7.62) for instance, you can shoot anything from 110grain to 240grain bullets (if you have the correct rifle twist rate)

308caliber bullets: Source https://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/bulletguide/

Wherever you are in the world, you will find ready loaded 308Win ammo, bullets as well as powder, primers and rifles chambered for this cartridge. It’s comparable to the Land Rover Defender of rifle cartridges.

The 7 Rem mag also enjoys a huge variety of highly accurate 7mm bullets (.284). 7mm bullets are highly sought after in competition, made popular by cartridges like the 284Win among others as well as being very popular in hunting cartridges like 7×64 brenneke, 280ackley improved, 7×57, 280rem, 7RUM and more recently, the mighty 28 Nosler. Remember, it’s not the cartridge that makes it a hunting round but the bullet it is loaded with and to a large extent the weight of the rifle platform from which it needs to be fired from.

7mm (0.284) Above is an extensive line up of 7mm bullets https://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/bulletguide/

The 270Winchester on the other hand has enjoyed years as a leading hunting rifle cartridge but what is it’s ballistic performance like compared to the 7rem mag and the 308Winchester?

On my last trip I heard a lot of discussion about the 270win, the 7rem mag and the 308win. It seems all hunters and shooters have owned one of these cartridges, either because they inherited a rifle chambered for this cartridge or else it was just the first rifle they bought.

During our latest trip in the Pyrenees, one guy turns to me and asks, Rod should I change my Voere 270win Luxus for a better mountain hunting rifle? My reply, what are you going to gain over your existing chambering? He said, well I’ll get a flatter shooting round. From my target shooting experience, I know this largely depends on the bullet you are shooting rather than the cartridge or rifle. As soon as I got home, I started digging into this.

I know that the Austrian brand Voere lbw luxus 270win makes high quality rifles having shot their 338 Lapua mag version a few times grouping extremely well at 800m with it. In order to be able to guide this fellow shooter, I decided to show you their performance on 2 different levels, Drop in MOA as well as Windage in MOA. You may then decide for yourself.

In my view, Windage is what really influences my choice of that specific bullet & cartridge combination. Why?

Bullet Drop doesn’t bother me, once I laser my target and given I know my actual muzzle velocity, I will dial in that elevation and that will take care of drop. Irrelevant of how fast a cartridge you are shooting, past 400m they are all going to drop considerably that you will have to use a laser range finder before making the shot and you WILL need to know how much it drops exactly. For the scenario below, I am assuming you have dialed in your elevation after you acquired the ballistic solution from the many ballistic applications out there. I prefer Kestrel as it takes into consideration my real time atmospheric conditions as well as the ballistics and it’s spot on once you true your ballistic trajectory.

270Win Vs 7 Rem Mag vs 308Win Ballistics

Below: Notice how close the 270Winchester is to the 7rem Mag to 700m…. Do you still want to change your rifle mate? Why not try changing the bullet first.

270 Win – Windage

Read about the Voere LBW rifle above in 270Win here.

Windage on the other hand is a trickier skill set and comes by practicing sending rounds down range as well as practicing with a wind meter off the range. Most hunters seem not to spend a lot of time on the rifle range, they just zero their rifles at 100m and they set off. If you’re hunting short distance, that approach will be fine. If on the other hand, you’re expecting long shots as in some known regions of the world as is mounting hunting, that’s not going to cut it.

The wind drift table below shows these 3 popular rifle cartridges 270Winchester, 7 Rem Mag and 308Winchester and their wind drift component. I placed a game animal at 500m to give a practical example. The lateral deflection gives you an idea of how much drift you would get due to wind.

Ok so let’s find out the difference between the 270Winchester, 7Rem Mag and 308Winchester using some numbers and real-world case scenarios.

Let’s take the diagram above. We have a plains game ranged at 500m. We have a 10mph wind blowing from 3 o’clock (Full value wind). Below you can see how much each cartridge/bullet combo will drift, both in inches and MOA. For those new to adjusting for wind in MOA, at 500m/546 yards 1MOA = 5.6inches.

So let’s assume you have dialed in windage for this distance or you’re holding off your shot using the reticle hash marks. Now the wind speed drops to 7mph from 10mph but still blowing from 3 o’clock. This happens often and if you do not notice, you will be caught out. By how much?

Below: Here are the wind drift values for a 7mph wind.

When do faster cartridges matter?

Faster Cartridges like the 7rem mag and 270Winchester matter. If you were shooting a 308Winchester and the wind drops to 7mph, you now need:

16 inches of Right wind hold instead of 23 inches for a right wind, that’s 7inch difference.

Your 270Winchester would need 14 inches instead of 20 inches that’s 6 inches difference while your

7 Rem mag would need 12 inches instead of 17 inches, that’s 5 inches less correction.

Depending on which way the animal is looking, if it where looking into the wind, you would probably just miss it or just hit it as you would have over compensated but if it were looking away from the wind, you would miss and hit the animal in its hind legs.

Scenario A

Below you can picture this scenario where you are taking a shot at 500m in a 10mph from 3 o’clock (known as full value wind) We are holding off 4 MOA Right wind to compensate for the wind drift. We are shooting the bullet into the wind so that it will bring it back to where we want it to impact.

Should the wind speed change and the shooter not realize, this is what would happen assuming the wind direction does not change. The effects are further accentuated if the wind direction changes.

• 5mph wind – miss, shot would hit in front of the animal. (over compensate)
• 7mph wind – maybe a miss or barely hit (over compensated)
• 10mph wind – shot impacts exactly as shown below right in the lungs. (correct)
• 15mph wind – gut shot (under compensated)

1. b) Scenario B – 10mph wind from 3 o’clock with an animal facing away from the wind.

In order to hold 4MOA of Right Wind, we are aiming at his hind legs. Again we are pushing the bullet into the wind so that the wind brings it back to where we want it to impact.

• Wind drops to 5mph – Gut shot (over compensate)
• 7mph wind – Gut shot (over compensated)
• 10mph wind – shot impacts exactly as shown above right in the lungs. (correct)
• 15mph wind – Miss (under compensated)

With a 308Winchester, our Right Wind hold is almost the width of the entire animal at 500m.

Holding Off Windage with your 308Winchester

What does holding off look like in real world scenario? While on the range I managed to take this shot. We were not going to shoot the sheep, it’s just to show you what it looks like. The more you hold off, the large the chance for a miss. Here we are holding 6MOA LEFT WIND meaning we are shooting the bullet into the wind so that it would then blow it back on target. Do you want to learn how to develop a perfect load in under 50 rounds?

How do Faster cartridges like the 270Win and 7 rem Mag help us?

They basically narrow down the window that you should hold off as well as diminishing the error bracket. If you ever saw a wind plotting sheet on an Fclass score card, you would see something like this. Dots below the targets plotted to show where the bullet impacted when we dialed a specific wind correction.

Above: Notice the dotted lines that I drew up to show where the bullet impacted the target relative to my wind correction for that shot. It also gives me an idea of how much the wind changed and consequently its effect on my bullet over a 20-shot string at 1000yards. In this scenario we went from 4MOA estimate to 8.25 MOA Left wind call. That’s with a 284win shooting a 180grain VLDs at 2910ft/s, same performance of 7 rem mag!

How do you know how much you have to dial? You can work it out, there is a simple formula to get you there.

(Wind in MOA for 10MPH @3o’clock X by wind speed (mph) X wind direction value (0.5, 0.7, 0.85) = Wind Correction

Then you have to shoot and practice on the range to get proficient at that. A few hundred rounds a year done well will get you there.

Instead of holding all that wind, I prefer dialing in that wind component into my windage turret.

In the picture below, the shooter is dialing in 6 MOA RIGHT WIND. In this case he will not have to hold off his Windage. He will hold dead on target- centre mass. This is a learned skill and you have to practice, dial, adjust, shoot till you gain confidence adjusting the turrets with your eyes closed.

I took this picture through my Swarovski ATS 25-50×65 Spotting scope during Europeans while peeping at some of the windage adjustments during a course of fire. This ukrainian shooter had 6MOA on the very flat shooting 300WSM.

Swarovski z8i long range hunting scope

Swarovski BTF Elevation and Windage turrets enable you to do just that. Simple and fool proof to work with. I genuinely believe these are some of the best made turrets out there. Easy on, Easy Off. Moreover, these high quality windage turrets on the Swarovski Z8i enable you to dial 4 Mrad Left or 4Mrad Right then they stop turning, you can never get caught one full turn out. Read more about this Swarovski z8i scope which we used on a hunt in the Pyrenees.

After reading this article, will you be switching to another cartridge or will you explore how your own rifle/cartridge/bullet combination can provide you better ballistics? Contact Us with any feedback you may have and signup to our newsletter!

Other than shot placement, movement, and camo the only other thing that can ruin a good hunt is wind. Most big game animals have an amazing ability to smell and that can make getting close enough to them to take a shot very difficult. We thought we’d run through the scent control options that we carry here at Archery Country and how to use them so you have the best chance of going undetected while bowhunting.

Ozone Products

How does it work?

Ozone from an ozone generator can be an extremely effective tool to attack and reduce the viruses, bacteria, odors and other contaminants that build up.

Ozone molecules (O3) are inherently volatile and look for every opportunity to return to the natural state of oxygen (O2). When an OZ generator emits a powerful stream of ozone molecules into an environment they seek out and destroy odors, bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and more. Ozone is drawn to these odor compounds and micro-organisms and destroys them through the oxidation process (O3 loses one oxygen molecule and reverts back into O2).

After Ozone oxidizes, the odor compound that was once a nuisance is now broken apart – resulting in a clean and refreshed environment! The oxygen molecules can then be used over and over again in this cycle. This means no refillable cartridges, additional filters, or any other repeat-purchase accessories. Just turn on and refresh time and time again! ScentLok offers a great variety of ozone products for protection during your next hunt.

Our favorite ScentLok Ozone products:

These products are intended to be used prior to hunting.

ScentLok OZ 8K Ozone Rolling Bag & Radial IQ Combo

Storing your hunting clothing in an ozone storage container is a vital step for success in the field. Our products are constantly adsorbing odors and contaminants in the air that surrounds them. Keeping your gear in the OZ 8K Ozone Rolling Bag + Radial IQ Combo allows the new Radial IQ ozone generator to destroy lingering odors and keep them from contaminating your gear.

ScentLok OZ NFuse Ozone Sprayer

The OZ NFuse Ozone Sprayer transforms tap water into a powerful, effective and highly economical means of destroying odor-causing bacteria – deodorizing virtually any surface or area and reducing odor-causing bacteria by up to 99% in minutes!

ScentLok OZ Radial EZ

The OZ Radial EZ is ideal for your odor control needs, a perfect fit for camping, closets, medium-sized rooms, cabins, and more. This portable ozone generator was specifically designed to quietly seek out and destroy odors and bacteria in its path.

Odor Eliminating Enzyme Products

What are enzymes and how do they work?

Enzymes are active proteins found in all living matter, people, animals and plants. They are not living organisms themselves. The only things that are alive are the cells that create or produce the enzymes. Enzymes are crucial to basic life processes. If you could look into a cell, you would find a multitude of enzymes directing traffic or processes to keep that cell alive. Enzymes are nature’s way of processing, kick starting or breaking things down. Dead Down Wind offers several options for odor eliminating enzyme products.

Our favorite odor eliminating enzyme products:

These products are intended to be used before or right before hunting.

Dead Down Wind Laundry Bombs

Laundry Bombs are new easy-to-use, water soluble multi-chamber packs that consist of Dead Down Wind’s proven enzyme-based detergent, now with 50% more enzymes. Place a Dead Down Wind Laundry Bomb into the washing machine drum before adding hunting garments to remove stains, odors and even increase the longevity of your gear.

Dead Down Wind Dryer Sheets

Dead Down Wind’s Dryer Sheets deliver odor elimination coupled with anti-static performance – that’s why they are wet coming out of the package. If you are using a regular dry sheet, then it probably isn’t doing anything for odor elimination. DDW’s Dryer Sheets are the only biodegradable dryer sheet on the market.

Dead Down Wind Antiperspirant

The second phase to the complete scent prevention system is hygiene. This is a crucial step that allows you to stop odor right at the source. The Dead Down Wind™ Antiperspirant focuses on eliminating odor right at the source so you can stay field-ready when it matters most.

In The Field Products

These products are intended for wild game to smell so that their olfactory systems are manipulated. We offer two different kinds of products that do this.

Nose Jammer

Nose Jammer contains Vanillin and other natural aromatic compounds that have the ability to effectively jam an animal’s sense of smell. The compounds used in Nose Jammer are not alarming to game animals because they are found in lignin, a major support structure for all trees, grasses, and shrubs. The key is taking these prolific compounds game animals are conditioned to and delivering them at concentrated levels to overload the olfactory gland found in an animal’s nose.

Our favorite Nose Jammer Products:

Nose Jammer Gear-N-Rear Wipes

Nose Jammer Gear-N-Rear Wipes make cleaning up in the field easy. Our wipes are made with the same secret formula found in all Nose Jammer products. They are formulated to be used on your body as well as your hunting gear. Each package contains 20 – 7″ x 6″ wipes.

Nose Jammer Aerosol Field Spray

Nose Jammer creates a cloud around you which jams big game’s ability to detect and track human odor. Nose Jammer should be sprayed on clothes, boots, tree stands, blinds and brush. When the wind swirls, critters olfactory gets jammed and they stay unalarmed. Works on all critters with a nose!

Scent Thief

Scent Thief is a formula that relaxes the olfactory epithelium of animals and shuts down their ability to smell. The evaporation of Scent Thief into the air is how the formula enters the animals nose. We interviewed Russell Epperson, the inventor of Scent Thief of our podcast and he suggested applying it liberally throughout your hunt for the best results.

Our favorite Scent Thief Products:

Scent Thief Field Spray 24oz

Scent Thief’s revolutionary formula is the first and only hunting scent blocker product to completely eliminate an animal’s sense of threatening odors. Our patented No Smell Technologyrelaxes the olfactory epithelium, temporarily shutting down an animal’s sense of smell. When an animal gets Scent Thief Field Spray in their nose, they won’t be able to smell anything else. Guaranteed. The wind can now act in your favor. All natural, all organic ingredients are safe for skin, clothing and the environment.

Scent Thief Wafer

The Scent Thief Wafer is the next evolution in No Smell Technology™. Use the Wafer in the field by hanging it in a tree, up-wind of where your treestand is located. The wind will help carry the Wafer scent and create a “No Smell Area” around you. Use alongside the other hunting scent blocker products to eliminate an animals ability to smell you.

No matter which scent control options you choose, being prepared for a shift in wind while hunting is always a good idea. Shop all of our scent control products here.

Whitetail deer hunting is a foundational American pastime and a thriving passion among today’s hunters. Good deer hunting can be found across nearly the entire country, so hunters have plenty of places to choose from. But which are the best states for deer hunting?

With so many states that offer legitimate deer hunting opportunities, we’re forced to wonder what criteria makes a state “good” or “bad” destinations during whitetail season. There are certainly many factors to take into consideration, such as total harvest numbers, hunter success rates, measurable hunting pressure, the average age of harvested bucks, and even prevailing weather conditions. Many hunters have strong feelings on the matter, citing personal experiences as the strongest evidence to support an area having a strong, healthy whitetail deer population.

There is plenty of accessible data—from sources such as the National Deer Association, Boone & Crockett Club, and state wildlife agencies—that points to a handful of states having an edge, as well as the timeless word of mouth method of communication that has sustained hunting traditions since its origins. In the end, it’s up to you to decide—but we’re here to help. Here is our list for the 10 best states for deer hunting in the U.S., all of which deserve serious consideration by anyone looking to travel for future whitetail pursuits.

10. Georgia

While its placement on this list may come as a surprise to many, the quality of whitetail hunting in Georgia has increased greatly over the years. You’re certainly less likely to tag a Booner here than in other states on this list, but the overall harvest numbers are simply eye-popping, as Georgia ranked No. 1 in antlerless harvests in 2011 and has stayed consistent, still ranking third in 2020 with 74 per 100 hunters. Meanwhile, it also boasts a high buck density, plenty of public hunting land (over 3 percent of the state), and high hunter satisfaction rates, with over 90 percent of hunters rating their season as satisfactory, good, or excellent. Incorporate a 55-percent hunter success rate and you have a state that is a must-have on a list such as this.

9. South Carolina

South Carolina slides into the back end of this list for many of the same reasons as Georgia, but there are a few exceptions. The Palmetto State Boasted a hunter success rate of nearly 70 percent in 2020, as well as 9.3 deer harvested per square mile—one of the highest rates in the country. However, it also moved up to second place with 65 antlered deer harvested per 100 hunters. While your chances of bagging a monster might not be quite as high as they would be in some of the other states on this list, having a good chance to shoot any buck always makes for a good time!

8. Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes whitetail hunting. Hunters in the Lone Star State kill more bucks than in any other by a huge margin—449,933 in 2020 alone—and 71 percent of those were at least 3 1/2 years old, which means the mature bucks are most definitely there. Only further reinforcing its case for elite whitetail hunting, Texas also ranks first in total antlerless harvest numbers, with 402,515 in 2020, ranked 10th from 2005 to 2010 for most Boone & Crockett entries with 132. Combine these factors with the almost 1.6 million acres of public hunting land available, and it seems as if Texas hunters have a good thing going.

When the time comes to book a Texas hunt, try Ox Ranch, home to some of the best whitetail deer hunting you can find not only in the state, but in the entire country.

7. Mississippi

If any state is a poster child for effective QDM practices, Mississippi takes the cake. Ranking first in the nation for percentage of bucks older than 3.5 years in the harvest at 74 percent, fourth in lowest number of yearling bucks harvested at 9 percent, and first in number of bucks harvested per 100 hunters at 74 percent, the Magnolia State and its hunters are seemingly doing everything right. You might not think of Mississippi, or anywhere in the Deep South as a destination for a successful whitetail deer hunt, but you simply can’t get the same odds of harvesting a quality buck anywhere else in the country.

6. Iowa

For many Midwestern whitetail hunters, the idea of Iowa not finding a place within the top three rankings of any deer hunting list is just ludicrous. However, while it does have a legitimate reputation for being a trophy whitetail hotspot, as only two states had more B&C entries between 2005 and 2010, there are quite a few statistics that knock the state down a few spots.

Unfortunately, though, Iowa presents a little bit of a boom-or-bust hunting opportunity. While it ranks third nationally in 1,330 B&C entries, owning three of the top 20 counties for the most records produced, it doesn’t rank in the top five for any of the NDA’s antlered deer harvest, antlerless deer harvest, or age structure for either. Its lighter harvest numbers could be a product of a number of factors, including painful out-of-state license fees (for a license that restricts nonresidents to certain parts of the state, and the fact only 0.7 percent of the state’s land is open to public hunting (only Hawaii has less). However, with designated Deer Management Zones, you’re pretty much guaranteed to fill a tag, even without the roughly 100,000 bucks harvested each season.

5. Kansas

Kansas is a state that has grown accustomed to being near the top of any “best whitetail destinations” list, and for good reason. Ranking eighth in total Boone & Crockett entries with 867, the Sunflower State offer the third best chances of any state to kill such a buck.

However, hunters run into the same obstacles in Kansas that exist in Iowa. Sure, monster bucks are there, but getting them is no easy feat. Only 420,000 acres—about 0.8 percent of its total area—are open to public hunting (Michigan, for example, has over 7.3 million acres of public hunting land). Also, while the state’s lottery system for deer tags seems to offer a better chance at being drawn than Iowa, the cost of a guided or private land hunt can be out of this world!

While Kansas may be a top destination if your goal is to kill a record-book whitetail, prepare to fork over some serious coin.

4. Illinois

Illinois is a state that isn’t in the top 10 in any of our categories—except trophy production. Ranking second in total B&C entries with 1,445, Illinois is a powerhouse among deer hunting states. Featuring the 10th, 11th, and 12th hottest counties for trophy entries—Pike, Fulton, and Adams— it offers an array of legitimate opportunities to harvest a big-time buck.

While some states on our list scored highly in one or two categories, Illinois did fairly well in several. The anterless harvest is large (well over 87,337 in 2020), the pressure is high but no more so than many other states. And, there’s a lot of public land to hunt, which bodes well for traveling hunters.

3. Missouri

Missouri stands as an up-and-coming star in the outdoor world. Several online and television hunting shows have sprung up from Missouri in the last several years, putting this great state on the radar for many of us. It has the chops to back its newfound popularity, too. The trophy potential is huge, there’s an amazing amount of public land available, the pressure is reasonable, nonresident permits are affordable, and with 29 percent of the buck harvest being 3 1/2 years old or older, the state’s deer heard appears to have a healthy age structure. If you’re planning on hunting the Midwest this year, don’t overlook Missouri.

2. Wisconsin

When you have a state that ranks first in B&C entries by a margin as wide as 377 with a total of 1,882, you have to put it near the top of the list. Wisconsin also ranked fourth in the 2020 antlered buck harvest with a 158,236, behind only Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. It ranked fourth in its antlerless harvest, too, with 181,665, and fifth in antlerless deer harvested per square mile with 3.4. Additionally, Wisconsin has 572,000 acres of public hunting land, a diverse range of habitats, and an affordable nonresident permit

1. Kentucky

For years, Kentucky has been one of the best-kept secrets of the hunting world, but many of the Commonwealth’s hunters fear the secret is out.

The Bluegrass state seems to have it all: long seasons with friendly regulations, reasonable pressure, a large, healthy, and well-balanced herd (in some portions of the state hunters can harvest as many does as they are wiling to buy tags for), and lots of public land with trophy potential. In fact, the deer pictured above scored 246 3/8 inches, and was killed on public hunting land. Kentucky ranks second only to Indiana in likelihood of harvesting a Booner (0.082 percent), and all of these factors combined are enough to earn Kentucky the number one spot on our list of top 10 places to hunt whitetail in the U.S.

READ MORE: Axis Deer: How to Hunt the Invasive Big Game

I’ve always said a shotgun is the best home defense firearm because of its reduced risk of over-penetration, increased stopping power, and accuracy.

However, much depends on the shotshells you load into your gun for personal defense. Various projectiles and brands have different ballistics.

Deciphering all this information is time-consuming and confusing because we’re not constantly comparing apples to apples.

Lucky for you, I have spent many hours researching and testing the best 12 gauge ammo for home defense.

As you keep scrolling, you’ll discover my findings!

Best Shotgun Ammo for Home Defense

Federal LE FliteControl 00 Buck

Specs

Muzzle Velocity: 1,325 fps

Projectile: #00 Buckshot

Shell Length: 2 3/4″

Pros

• Trusted brand
• FliteControl wad
• Designed with law enforcement in mind
• Works in all shotgun types

Cons

• It needs a unique choke tube
• Expensive

Why We Chose It

Federal Premium is an ammunition manufacturer trusted by countless shooters, hunters, and law enforcement agencies.

They’ve gained a positive reputation through years of crafting high-quality ammo and exploring new ammunition technologies.

The FliteControl wad is unlike traditional wads because it acts similarly to a sabot for a slug. The FliteControl wad holds the pattern tighter for longer distances, which increases the rounds effective range.

This shotgun load was designed with law enforcement agencies in mind, which means you can trust it to be very effective in close quarters, as such is the case with home defense situations.

However, there are a couple of drawbacks to this load.

The first is it needs a special choke. Due to the unique wad, it doesn’t perform well with most choke tubes. Luckily, many choke manufacturers, such as Carlson’s and Patternmaster, make the needed choke tube.

The second drawback is the price. These rounds are not cheap, but when protecting my family and myself, the price is the least of my worries.

In my opinion, these drawbacks are minimal when you understand the increased performance you’re gaining from the flight control aspects of the wad and functionality in any type of shotgun.

Honorable Mentions

Rio Ammunition 00 Buck is worth mentioning as a viable buckshot round contender. As a brand, Rio is often less expensive than other brands, which is also the case in this instance.

Yet, just because you’re not paying as much doesn’t mean you’re losing terminal performance or quality, as it reliably works in pump-action and semi-auto shotguns.

The main downsides are these rounds have a rolled crimp, which means they are too long for shell carriers used in 3-gun competitions, and it also cuts down on the magazine capacity.

The other downside is that the wad doesn’t cover the shot, so your barrel will get dirty faster; but if you enjoy cleaning your guns, this isn’t a big deal.

Rio 00 Buckshot is reliable, has a good pattern, and is reasonably priced.

If you’re looking for a buckshot load with a few more pellets, check out Winchester Super-X 3-1/2″ 18 Pellets 00 Buckshot.

The longer shell has more room for the double-aught buckshot pellets and powder, so don’t expect this to be a low recoil 12 gauge ammo for home defense because it will kick much more than the 2 3/4″ shells.

Longer shells are always more expensive, so if you’re trying to be budget-friendly, I wouldn’t recommend choosing 3 1/2″ shells. However, these are worth looking into if you’re needed more knockdown power.

Searching for ammo with more knockdown power? Check out our Winchester 12 Gauge ammo or our Fiocchi 12 Gauge ammo page to get the best match for your needs.

Best Low Recoil 12-Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil Rifled Slug

Specs

Muzzle Velocity: 1,300 fps

Muzzle Energy: 1,642 ft-lbs

Projectile: Rifled Slug

Shell Length: 2 3/4″

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Designed for reduction of recoil
• Multiple uses

Cons

• Expensive

Why We Chose It

Hornady is one of the most trusted brands for self-defense ammo, with choices like the Hornady Critical Defense for handguns. However, they didn’t stop with handgun ammo.

Hornady has successfully ventured into shotgun ammunition. The Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil Rifled Slug is perfect for those who find shotgun slugs uncomfortable to shoot because of all the recoil.

While you will sacrifice a little muzzle energy and velocity for reduced recoil, the slug won’t have any trouble penetrating the vital organs of bad guys.

The Hornady Reduced Recoil Rifled Slug is an excellent defense load, but it can double as a solid hunting slug at close range.

The biggest drawback is the price. Because they’re designed for defense purposes and they’re a reduced recoil load, they are expensive compared to other rifled slugs.

Honorable Mentions

The Federal Tactical Truball Low Recoil 2-3/4″ 1 oz is a cheaper option. Rifled Slug. Its ballistics are identical to the Hornady Reduced Recoil load but at half the price.

However, you must buy in bulk to get this price. The price doesn’t reflect the quality of these rounds, as law enforcement agencies trust these rounds in training and real-world situations daily.

Best One-Ounce Slug for Personal Defense

Federal Power Shok 1 oz. Rifled Slug

Specs

Muzzle Velocity: 1,610 fps

Muzzle Energy: 2,521 ft-lbs

Projectile: Rifled Slug

Shell Length: 2 3/4″

Pros

• Trusted brand
• Fast
• Hard-hitting
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Must buy in bulk to get the best deal
• Will easily penetrate drywall

Why We Chose It

A rifled slug makes an excellent defense round because it is accurate and creates a big hole in the intruder. Pair that with Federal, one of the top ammo manufacturers in the world, and you have a high-quality round at a surprisingly affordable price.

These rifled slugs are more accurate at close and long range because the slug spins as it travels down the smoothbore shotgun barrel.

The one-ounce lead slug is sure to stop any threat; however, it will have a higher risk of over-penetration that you must keep in mind for the safety of your family and neighbors.

When you compare the velocity, muzzle energy, and price, these rounds are tough to beat.

Honorable Mentions

The Winchester Defender 1 oz. Segmented Rifled Slug will help you stop the threat with similar ballistics as the Federal Power Shok shotshells. So if you’re semi-auto or pump-action shotgun cycles Winchester shells better, you have a viable option.

However, these loads are more expensive due to the unique design of the segmenting slug. This slug breaks apart into three pieces once it hits cloth, which causes more wound channels and increased trauma.

Segmenting also reduces the risk of over-penetration.

For a round priced in between the two above, check out the Fiocchi 1 oz. Rifled Slug. The Aero Rifle Slug is designed as a self-defense shotshell for auto-loading shotguns. So if you’re a pump-action lover, this probably isn’t the round for you.

However, if you use a semi-auto shotgun as a defense gun, then the Fiocchi Aero Rifle Slug is one load you should consider.

Choosing the Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

Once you’ve bought your home defense shotgun, it’s time to load it with the best home defense shotgun ammo, but how are you supposed to know which is the best when they all claim to be the best?

There’s no simple answer to the question: “what is the best 12 gauge ammo for home defense?” However, there are several factors to remember when buying ammo that will help you make the best decision possible.

Shotgun

Learning which brands and loads your shotgun likes best will take time and testing. However, if the need ever arises, you’ll be glad you took the time and spent the money to find the rounds that cycle and shoot best out of your shotgun.

Recoil

Self-defense loads are often hotter rounds, meaning they have more kick. I suggest finding a reduced recoil round if you’re sensitive to recoil.

Budget

Defense shotshells are often expensive due to the time and testing needed to perfect these loads before the manufacturers ship them to the public.

Since we’re on the subject of money, don’t miss out on our affordable Remington 12 Gauge Ammunition for more options.

I’m typically tight-fisted with my money; however, when protecting my family and myself, I’m willing to spend more to ensure I buy a high-quality product.

Ammo Types

The beauty of owning a shotgun is the wide variety of ammo types you can shoot from the same gun without changing anything except the shell.

This can also be a drawback because it’s difficult for beginners to understand the various shot sizes and types.

Once you understand the differences between the shotgun ammo types, choosing a self-defense shotshell becomes much more manageable.

Saving Money on the Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo

Shotgun shells used for personal defense are expensive; however, there are several ways to save money.

Buying Bulk 12-Gauge Self-Defense Shotgun Shells

When you buy bulk 12-gauge ammo, sometimes you can save $0.15 per shotshell. This is a significant savings if you practice often and burn through ammo.

The amount of savings will depend on the brand and amount of ammo you purchase. Purchasing 250 rounds will save you more money per round than buying 20 shells at a time. However, buying 1,000 shotshells will give you more significant savings per round.

Reloading Shotshells

Shotgun shells are reloadable, which means there’s an opportunity to save money by reloading instead of buying factory ammo.

This costs more money upfront because you have to purchase the reloading equipment and supplies, but once that initial cost is over, the amount of money you save depends on the speed at which you can pump out shells.

If you can’t find the perfect home-defense round, you might try crafting your own by handloading.

To double up on your savings, try buying shotgun shells in bulk and then reloading them!

Standard 12-Gauge Shotgun Self-Defense Projectiles

As I mentioned earlier, there are various types of projectiles in shotgun shells. There are two primary types I consider home defense rounds and a third that can be used if it’s all you have on hand.

Buckshot

Buckshot is by far the best home defense load because it’s less likely to penetrate, you have multiple projectiles to increase your chances of hitting your target, and it’s reasonably priced.

There are different shot sizes of buckshot. Double aught or 00 Buck is most people’s preference; however, don’t be afraid to go with smaller pellets because there will be more per shell.

Slugs

You might be thinking, what do those little slimy creatures have to do with shotguns?

No? That’s just me?

Well, they don’t have anything to do with shotguns, but a rifled or sabot slug does, and they make good personal defense rounds.

A rifled slug has the rifling on the slug instead of the barrel. The rifling causes the slug to spin, making it more accurate.

The sabot slug has a plastic case or sabot around it that causes it to spin in a smoothbore shotgun; there’s much debate as to which slug is best, but many consider the sabot slug to be technologically superior.

Birdshot

Birdshot is not a recommended load for home defense; however, if it’s all you have, use it, especially if it’s a turkey load.

Birdshot has much smaller pellets than buckshot; therefore, it doesn’t have the same stopping power, but if you have a good choke that keeps a tight pattern, birdshot is deadly, especially at close range.

Shot size selection will be the primary determining factor of the knockdown power of birdshot. The smaller the number, the larger the pellets. For defense purposes, choose the smaller numbers or BB.

Parting Shots

Choosing the best 12-gauge ammo for home defense doesn’t have to be overly complicated. You should make an informed decision, which you’ve made by reading this article, but in the end, you should test out several different brands and projectiles to determine which you like best.

Stay safe!

With Remington’s recent rebirth, we’ve decided to explore one of the kings of American shotguns.

Remington and Mossberg ruled the roost of pump-action shotguns for the longest time now. Remington’s 870 has long been their flagship firearm, and today we are taking more than one for a run.

The Remington 870 Express .410 was my first actual firearm. It was given to me for my 8th birthday, and I remember that evening my dad took me hunting rabbits in the orange groves near our home.

I can still remember toting this lightweight little pump gun as the sunset. It was cold, and while we didn’t get any rabbits that night, it’s still one of my fondest memories.

I’ve clung to that Remington .410 ever since and recently gave it to my own son. I’m certainly a fan of the gun, and I own five different models of the 870, and it’s easily one of my favorite shotguns.

Remington 870 Review at a Glance

Pros

• Slick and smooth action
• Incredibly reliable
• Available in virtually any configuration you could want
• Available in multiple calibers
• Rugged steel receiver

Cons

• Dimpled tubes make mag extensions a pain
• Factory LOPs are often too long

The Bottom Line

The Remington 870 is an incredibly reliable and well-made shotgun designed to fill any role a shotgun can fill. It’s an awesome option for home defense, deer hunting, upland birds, ducks, small game, clay pigeons, etc. Clearly, the Remington 870 is a top-tier choice if you need a pump shotgun.

Specs & Features

Specs

• Caliber: 12 Gauge (.410 and 20 gauge also available)
• Length: 40″
• Barrel Length: 20″ (14 through 28″ also available)
• Weight: 7.5 lbs
• Capacity: 7 Rounds (4 to 6 also available)

Features

• Dual-action bars
• Raised bead sight
• Deep blued finish (Wingmaster models)

The 870’s Background

Remington’s king of pump shotguns came to life in 1950, and at the time, it was rather revolutionary.

You see, Remington had the idea to increase the action bars from one to two and patented the concept of dual-action bars on a pump shotgun. Dual-action bars help prevent binds, increase reliability, and result in a super-smooth action.

Remington designed the 870 to compete with the Winchester Model 12, which was considered the king of shotguns in 1950. The 870 proved to be more modern, reliable, and affordable.

The result was a pump-action, bottom loading, side ejecting, tubular magazine-fed shotgun.

There are hundreds of different configurations of this gun, and in 2009 Remington stated over 11 million 870s had been produced. The various configurations include different calibers, finishes, barrel lengths, furniture, and more.

The most basic models are the Express and Express Tactical. These feature a matte black bead-blasted finish with wood or synthetic furniture and are available in .410, 2- gauge, and 12-gauge.

The Wingmaster represents the company’s premier shotgun, and as the name implies, most Wingmasters are sporting guns. However, I own two tactical variants of the Wingmaster, so they’re not unheard of.

Wingmasters feature a beautiful blued finish and American walnut stocks and are premium-grade guns.

The Fieldmaster represents Remington’s latest line of shotguns and falls in between the Express and Wingmaster models.

The stock is matte black and reportedly more durable than the express finish. The gun also features improved action bars for a silky-smooth action.

Beyond these three designs, we also have the Special Purpose Marine model, the TAC-14 firearms, the SuperMag, the Police Magnum models, and likely a dozen other models between limited configurations, military models, and distributor exclusives.

Who Is It For?

The Remington 870 isn’t like the Glock 19. If I say Glock 19, you picture Gaston’s little polymer frame pistol. If I say Remington 870, you could picture many guns, from the military’s MCS to your grandfather’s bird gun.

There is an 870 for everyone who needs a shotgun. I tend to prefer the tactical models and all but my .410 Express model represents various tactical 870s. I have the ONG military model, a retired Police Wingmaster, and two TAC-14s.

That’s an excellent example of how versatile the 870 platforms can be. My two Wingmasters can be converted to hunting guns with the swap of a barrel, the removal of the magazine extensions, and the addition of a plug.

Shotguns can be swapped between various configurations with ease and put into various roles in half a heartbeat. Proper ammo selection goes a long way, and shotguns certainly give you many different ammo options.

The Remington 870 can be configured for any roll and for nearly everyone. From kids with .410s to breachers with short PGO 870s.

Fit & Feel

I’m a shotgun nerd, and I’ve experienced a variety of different actions — actions from Benelli, Mossberg, Winchester, and more. However, the 870 Wingmaster will always hold a space in my heart.

It has to be the smoothest and slickest action on any pump-action shotgun I’ve handled.

Even the standard Express models are super slick and smooth. You won’t find the grit and slop that shows up in other pump actions. Working a well-honed, well-worn action delivers a tactile experience that’s just plain enjoyable.

It’s so enjoyable that it feels like it should be fattening.

It’s hard to express a tactile feeling through text. It slides like it’s on well-worn and oiled ball bearings. The action is so smooth I can work it by rapidly moving the gun back and forth with just my firing hand.

Heck, maybe that’s why Sarah Connor chose the 870 to fight Terminators.

What I don’t like and never will is the American shotgun maker’s obsession with long lengths of pulls. The first thing you should do for tactical guns is drop the 14.5-inch stock and toss on a Hogue youth or Magpul SGA stock.

If I purchase a Wingmaster or Fieldmaster, I don’t want to remove my American Walnut stock for a polymer one. I’m 6-foot-5-inches, and a 14.5-inch LOP feels ungainly for me. So why is this the standard?

Other than that, I don’t have much to complain about.

Ergonomically the gun is fine. We get a cross-bolt safety that sits at the rear of the trigger, making it a little less intuitive than desirable.

The pump release sits in front of the trigger and is plenty easy to manipulate. Tossing on a pistol grip stock setup or an AR-like adjustable stock doesn’t create ergonomic issues.

How Does It Shoot?

No shotgun gets far without being a solid shooter. Shotgun aficionados have long enjoyed shooting the 870, and it’s easy to see why. I’ve already gushed over the smooth action, but there’s more to it than that.

First, let’s talk all about accuracy. Remington uses either a vent rib or a bead that sits on a platform. This raises the height of the bead and ensures accuracy and a proper point of aim/point of impact.

If the bead sits directly on the barrel, the shotgun will appear to hit high and be difficult to aim in a pinch. A raised bead corrects that issue and makes sure your buckshot hits where your bead sits.

(Rhyme unintentional, but I’ll take it.)

I’ve gotten tight groups with the bead sights with slugs, roughly 2.5 inches at 50 yards with a supported position. They were Federal Vital-Shok and represent what most will hunt with.

Remington offered the famed rifle sights on the barrel, outside of beads, which offer great slug capability. Ghost ring sights are rare on Remington 870s but not unheard of. Sadly, most Remington 870s don’t come optic ready.

Attaching a rail or optic isn’t easy and might require a trip to a gunsmith to properly install.

In regards to recoil, it’s like any other pump-action shotgun. The recoil can be fierce, largely on your load selection. Reduced recoil tactical buckshot won’t leave a bruise, but 1-ounce slugs at 1,600 feet per second might rattle some teeth.

A good push/pull recoil technique can do a fantastic job of mitigating recoil and making the 870 plenty easy to handle. That slick action is more than nice and does make it easy to ensure you can quickly and reliably work the action.

Short stroking shotgun actions happen, but the smoother the action, the less likely you will short stroke the gun.

Regarding total reliability, the 870 eats standard 2.75 and 3-inch shells. It’s not friendly to 1.75-inch mini shells but functions perfectly with 2.5 and 2-inch shells.

What Sets the 870 Apart

If a pump-action shotgun is on your wish list, you should feel good knowing that a quality, basic pump-action shotgun isn’t an expensive weapon.

For less than $450, you can get a good pump-action shotgun, but inside of that realm of affordable pump-action, the Remington reigns supreme.

Remington 870s give you the smoothest action, a steel receiver, a reliable design, a great bead sight, and plenty of modularity. It’s a tough-as-nails gun that can easily last you a lifetime.

By the Numbers

Reliability: 5/5

If you make a pump-action shotgun that can’t cycle, I’m unsure what to tell you. The 870 cycles, fires, ejects without complaint and will do so for decades of trouble-free use.

Ergonomics: 4/5

My main complaint on the 870 is Remington’s love of the 14.5-inch length of pull. It’s the first thing I’d change on my Remington guns. Other than that, the Remington 870 features a solid set of perfectly useable controls.

Accuracy: 5/5

The bead on the Remington 870 is properly set up to ensure the proper point of aim and point of impact. Within the range of a smoothbore shotgun, it’s as accurate as it gets.

Customization: 5/5

The Remington 870 is much like a AR 15 in terms of customization. Do whatever you want to it!

Value: 4/5

The Remington 870 isn’t the cheapest pump-action shotgun or even the cheapest American-made pump-action shotgun, but it still represents a good value.

Overall: 4.5/5

The Remington 870’s ruled the roost as one of the two kings of American pump-action shotguns and will continue to do so for many years to come. Heck, it’s outlasted Remington’s own attempts to release a newer pump-action shotgun.

Must-Have Remington 870 Upgrades

There are a ton of options for Remington 870 upgrades on the market. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Magpul SGA Stock

The Magpul SGA is the best shotgun stock on the planet. It’s adjustable for LOP, has sling points, has an optional riser for optics, and is made to last forever. It’s the stock for modern shotguns.

Streamlight TL Racker

Mounting a light and maintaining control of it can be tough with pump-action shotguns.

The Streamlight TL Racker replaces your pump with an integrated light. You get 1,000 lumens of bright white light for target identification with massive ambi controls and full control over the light and weapon.

Blue Force Gear VCAS Sling

A good sling can take you far, and the Vickers Combat Applications Sling is one of the best.

It comes with numerous attachment mechanisms making it easy to toss onto a shotgun like the 870. The VCAS is a quick-adjust two-point design that makes weapon retention a snap.

Mesa Tactical SureShell Carrier

Shotguns don’t have a lot of ammo in the gun, so keeping some extra ammo on the gun is always smart.

The Mesa Tactical SureShell side saddle is a very well-made design that allows you to keep four spare rounds tied to the gun. Mesa makes high-quality stuff, and they are well known as shotgun people.

Final Verdict

If you have a task requiring a shotgun, then the Remington 870 can get it done in style.

Now that Remington is back up and running, the 870 will likely rise to the top. It’s a stellar option for home defense, hunting, trap shooting, and whatever else you need a shotgun for.

What do you think of the Remington 870? Let us know in the comments below. Want to know whether the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 is right for you? Check out our head-to-head between these two guns.

In the world of air gun shooting, there is much debate surrounding the best way to hold a springer. Many shooters will tell you that there is only one way to do it, but the truth is that there are many different ways to hold a springer that can lead to successful shooting. One method that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the artillery hold. So, what is an artillery hold? Let’s take a closer look.

History of Artillery Hold

The term “artillery hold” was first coined by American airgun writer Tom Gaylord. Gaylord observed that many artillery pieces remain accurate even after recoil, and he began to experiment with different grip techniques to see if he could replicate this success with a Beeman C1 air rifle. After some trial and error, Gaylord found that loosening his grip on the rifle resulted in tighter groups. He dubbed this technique the “artillery hold” and it has since been adopted by many shooters looking for an edge on the competition.

Basically, the artillery hold is just a loose hold. Instead of gripping the forestock, simply lay it in your open palm at the point where the rifle is balanced. Grip the buttstock as lightly as possible and lay your thumb along the top of the stock instead of around it. The buttstock should rest against your cheek and shoulder as gently as possible.

Benefits of Artillery Hold

So, what are the benefits of using an artillery hold? First and foremost, it helps to reduce muzzle rise after each shot. This allows for faster target acquisition and increased accuracy, as you are not having to fight the natural tendency of the rifle to want to move up after each shot. Additionally, an artillery hold can help to keep your shots consistent, as any variability in grip will be negated by the fact that your hand is not tightly gripping the stock.

If you are looking to improve your shooting skills, then we highly recommend giving the artillery hold a try. It may take some practice to get used to, but you’ll be impressed with the results.

(For more on the best break barrel air rifle that hits like a champ, see this post)