As a kid, I often wore two or three pairs of cotton socks topped with a super thick wool sock. It was a very inefficient system and did more harm than good. After many years, miles, and cold sits, I learned just how important good hunting socks are.
Hunting socks may not be a glamorous gear item, but they sure as heck deserve your attention. Between comfort, moisture mitigation, and keeping you warm/cool, socks are key ingredients to happy feet in the woods.
A flimsy and oft-neglected piece of fabric, good socks go unnoticed and are sometimes taken for granted. Bad socks, however, can ruin an outing with bunching, constant slipping, or — worse yet — hunt-ending blisters.
With all of that said, there are a ton of hunting sock options floating around out there. To help sort them all out we at GearJunkie decided to pull our top picks for 2024 together. With any luck, this list will help ease your search and put smiles on your feet come hunting season. Swing down to our Comparison Chart to learn more about picking the right hunting sock, and be sure to check out ourBuyer’s Guide.
Best Overall Hunting Sock: The Darn Tough Midweight Hunting Sock
Best Budget Hunting Sock: Cabela’s Instinct 2.0 Wool Crew
Best Hunting Sock for Women: The Darn Tough Boot Midweight Hunting Sock
Best Late-Season Hunting Sock: First Lite Zero Cold Weather OTC
Beast Early-Season Hunting Sock: Farm to Feet Ely
Most Versatile Hunting Sock: Vortex Game Trail Tick Repellent Hunt Sock
Most Technical Hunting Sock: KUIU Ultra Merino Over the Calf Sock
Best of the Rest
Hunting Socks Comparison Chart
Darn Tough Midweight Hunting Sock$27Cabela’s Instinct 2.0 Wool Crew Quick-drying wool socks are key for snowy, late-season conditions; (photo/Josh Kirchner)
Why You Should Trust Us
Hunting is one of my ultimate passions and I’ve been backpack hunting with a smile on my face for the past 10 years. And the health of my feet is a massive part of that. Trust is a must with socks for me.
Whether I’m making a long double-digit hike into a backcountry camp, or I’m hauling out a mind-bendingly heavy load, my feet are the gateway to the finish line. In other words, I have absolutely zero tolerance for incapable socks.
When testing out a pair of hunting socks, there are a few things on my radar. Fit, comfort, insulation, and breathability. I’m also just paying attention to how my feet feel overall while hiking, whether hot spots are present or if my feet sweating. Success in these areas is critical for pursuing my passions, as a bad pair of socks can cause a bad day in the field.
Of course, with my own experiences, I also took into account the experiences of trusted hunters around me. It provides a different perspective and gets me out of my own head for a bit. And the top-selling hunting socks on the market were also noted at a variety of price points.
All of our feet may be a little bit different, but the hunting socks listed above will cater to a wide range of hunters — whether they’re sitting in a treestand, or packing miles into the backcountry.
How to Choose a Hunting Sock
Up above we’ve laid out quite a few options for hunting socks. And aside from our top picks, there are a ton of options out there for you to choose from. So, how do you go about choosing the right hunting sock for you? We’ve got you covered. Once you’ve dialed in your sock game, consider taking a look at our guide to the top hunting boots.
Time of Year
The first thing that needs to be established is what time of year you’re planning on hunting the most. Choose a sock that fits the demands of most of your hunts. Obviously, the early season is going to be warmer than the late season. Don’t be the guy hunting with a late-season sock when it’s 80 degrees out. That’s a recipe for a bad time.
So, why not just use a midweight sock for everything to hit all of the marks? You can absolutely do that, just know that it’s a give and take. You’ll give up warmth in the late season or you’ll give up breathability in the early season. Of course, there are tricks to get by like airing your feet out often when it’s hot or starting a fire to warm the toes when it’s cold.
The last thing you need on a hunt are blisters or cold feet; (photo/Josh Kirchner)
Style of Hunting
Another factor in choosing the right hunting sock for you is your style of hunting. Some hunters are more active and they prefer to stay mobile. And when you’re more mobile, you’re naturally going to sweat more. At the same time, the more methodical hunter that plays the waiting game more often than not has different needs. They aren’t going to sweat as much and will require more insulation depending on the time of year.
For the active hunter a lightweight hunting sock is going to be best. This is going to not only wick moisture away, but because it’s thinner it will be more breathable and dry faster. Even when it’s cold out, if I’m moving on a regular basis, I don’t need a super thick sock to stay warm. In fact, having too thick of a sock could cause more harm than good because you’ll sweat more. Wet equals cold. You want to keep your feet dry and warm.
For more stationary hunters, sock choice is going to be temperature dependant. In the early season, a lightweight sock will be just fine. However, when it gets cold, this is where the gap increases between the active and stationary hunters. In these cases, lean on the mid-heavyweight side. When you’re not moving as much, you’ll require more insulation simply due to the fact that you’re radiating less heat.
We suggest using wool socks over cotton or synthetic. They are generally more durable and odor resistant, and are worth the extra expense; (photo/Josh Kirchner)
Test Before Your Hunt
This is not a cookie-cutter process. The hunting sock that your buddy loves might not do right by you. I’ve had that happen in the past. Maybe you just don’t like where a certain seam or reinforcement zone is on a sock, thus decreasing the comfort level.
With that said, test your socks before heading out on a hunting trip — even if that’s just wearing them around the house for a day. You won’t know if they’re going to work unless you try. And you don’t want to find out they don’t while out on a hunt.
“Experience the Power of Precision: Unleash your shooting potential with Helium Air Rifles. Combining cutting-edge technology and unmatched accuracy, these rifles redefine the art of marksmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or new to the sport, our helium-powered air rifles offer unparalleled control, consistency, and performance. Elevate your shooting experience and hit your targets with pinpoint precision like never before.”
helium air rifles
Helium air rifles are innovative firearms that utilize compressed helium gas instead of traditional air or CO2 as the propellant. These rifles offer several advantages over their counterparts, making them a popular choice among shooting enthusiasts. The use of helium as a propellant provides consistent and reliable power, resulting in superior accuracy and performance. Additionally, helium is lighter than air or CO2, enabling these rifles to be more compact and easier to handle.
One significant benefit of helium air rifles is their reduced recoil. The low recoil produced by these rifles allows for better control and precision while shooting, particularly for long-range targets. This makes helium air rifles ideal for various applications such as target shooting, pest control, and small game hunting. Furthermore, the absence of vibrations from recoil ensures less strain on the shooter’s shoulder and increases overall comfort during extended shooting sessions.
The use of helium also contributes to a cleaner shooting experience with fewer maintenance requirements. Unlike traditional firearms that generate residue from combustion or CO2 guns that produce condensation inside the barrel, helium air rifles eliminate these issues. This results in less fouling and buildup within the barrel, reducing the frequency of cleaning needed. Moreover, since helium is readily available and environmentally friendly, it offers an economical and sustainable alternative to other propellants.
In conclusion, helium air rifles provide a unique and efficient alternative to traditional firearms. With their lightweight design and impressive accuracy, these rifles offer an enjoyable shooting experience while minimizing recoil and noise. Additionally, the use of helium gas ensures consistent power and longer shots. As more individuals seek eco-friendly options in various fields, helium air rifles emerge as a promising choice for both seasoned shooters and beginners alike.
Muzzleloaders are single-shot firearms that differ from modern weapons in that you have to load each round manually through the barrel. There are no rounds or casings, but you do use primers, powder, a slug, and wadding. The challenge of hunting with a muzzleloader is that you only have one shot, and you best have the skills, accuracy, and tenacity to make that one shot count.
Many states have muzzleloader seasons and those who love the thrill of the muzzleloader hunt. You can target birds, waterfowl, deer – white-tailed deer, antlerless deer, antlered deer, and even a black bear. You are pretty much talking accuracy at less than 100 yards and that means that a muzzleloader deer hunter is going to have to be fairly skilled at getting close to deer. You can check your state’s game agency to see if a muzzleloading hunting season exists for you.
Why not? There is a great challenge in hunting with a muzzleloader. For deer season, you have got to know the target – from antlered bucks to antlerless deer – you will need to get close, and that means growing as a hunter to understand the terrain. You’ll also need to understand the species of deer and improve your ability to stay unrecognized in the natural world. Plus, there is the challenge of being able to make a single shot count. It takes great skill to get close enough to deer to take them down without a modern weapon. Hunting with a muzzleloader includes:
The Traditional and challenging method of hunting – you’ve got to be accurate because you have only one shot. That means you have to know your prey, and the environment where you hunt, and have the skills to make your one shot pay off.They are Quieter and less expensive than modern firearms – Expect most muzzleloaders to fire in the 160-decibel range, which can be quieter than a modern rifle.Early deer hunting season for most states – the muzzleloader season generally starts earlier making it less crowded and the targets are not as aware. Some states, such as California, offer muzzleloader hunters events, and some have seasons where the events are mixed with archery. You still need a hunting license but leave the centerfire rifle at home.Do People Still Hunt with Muzzleloaders?
Muzzleloader hunting is an elite sport. It is a natural progression – in a backward fashion – and a spot for folks who are good at hunting to end up. It is one thing to take down deer or bears with a modern weapon. You can, after all, plink a few rounds off quickly even if you are not toting a semi-automatic. But the thrill of muzzleloading is not in just reaching your bag limit on a single afternoon. It is the challenge of being good enough at hunting to come home with game that you had to work at to get.
Muzzleloader Hunting vs Other Methods
Archery is perhaps the method of hunting that comes closest to muzzleloader hunting. That is purely because you have to be good enough at hunting to get close to your target. It is also a slower reload than other options.
Hunting with a modern rifle or handgun is much easier than hunting with a muzzleloader, simply because the second shot is much faster than with a muzzleloader. Modern rifles also have a longer and more accurate range, meaning that your hunting skills can be subpar, and you will still likely get a shot in even if it is a longer distance.
Make no mistake, skill is required for all of these options, but tracking, setting up stands, and stalking prey are a lot more difficult if you have to get within 100 yards of your target – and truthfully, more like 50-75 yards.
Regulations and Restrictions
Regulations vary by state. Many states offer muzzleloader events or seasons for hunters, especially those hunting deer and elk. Some events are populated drawings, and states like California often have better odds. It is important to check with your local hunting bureau to understand the regulations where you hunt and where you plan to hunt. Regulations also exist based on state and local laws, such as in California where you cannot hunt with lead bullets.
Muzzleloader Accuracy and Range
The distance that a muzzleloader can shoot accurately is a variable. Suffice it to say that with an old version of a muzzleloader, and all the stars aligned, you might hit a target 100 yards away. That’s a big “might.” Some modern inline muzzleloaders extend that range to 200 yards. Still, there is a lot between what can and what will happen.
Factors That Affect Muzzleloader Accuracy
Aiming – Don’t be surprised if part of your local regulations for muzzleloader hunting involves, or rather, restricts the use of modern sights such as scopes. Aiming the muzzleloader is one of the biggest issues with accuracy. You will need to dial in the type of sights (iron sights) on the muzzleloader.
Loads – Being able to pour a consistent load is important. Whether you are using black powder or smokeless powder, getting a consistent load will improve your accuracy. Too much powder, too little powder, not tamping down the bullet accurately, and other factors impact how well the bullet leaves the barrel. Flintlock or percussion cap muzzleloaders – sometimes called percussion cap rifles – will both have improved accuracy when you produce uniform loads and clean the fouling from the barrel.
Fouling – There is a lot of residue left around after you fire a bullet from a muzzleloader. Junior hunters can improve their accuracy by learning how to keep the barrel clean.
Barrel Length – Muzzleloaders come with a variety of lengths for barrels. Keep a consistent barrel length as this is one of the critical factors in rifles of all makes and models.
How to Improve Muzzleloader Accuracy
1. Shoot the gun as often as possible. Understanding its nature is one of the best ways of correcting accuracy issues that involve stress, fear, and other common shooting issues.
2. Practice loading the gun so that each load is as close to even as possible. Hunting with a muzzleloader is not the same as being in a war with one. Accurate loads mean the gun is less likely to foul and drop accuracy. This also means that you can reload faster without loading errors.
3. Cleaning the barrel – Make sure you can quickly and accurately clean the barrel. Being good at field cleaning the gun is essential because a clean barrel means you are back in the hunt.
Shot Placement and Effectiveness
You might be wondering where to aim when shooting a deer with a muzzleloader. When hit behind the front shoulder, your bullet travels across the shoulders, the heart, and the lungs. The angle of that shot will change based on your angle to the deer. Visualize that path and take your aim so that the bullet travels across the heart and lungs.
The best spot to shoot a deer with a muzzleloader is the heart. That is a deadly shot, and it is fairly instant.
How long do you wait after shooting a deer with a muzzleloader before going after it? The general rule of thumb is about half an hour. If you know that you have not mortally wounded the deer, then wait a few minutes. What you want to avoid is dealing with an injured animal that has the fight part of the flight or fight in place.
What are the 3 Types of Muzzleloaders?
Flintlock – A physical flint and steel powder ignition – the flint strikes the frizzen which causes damage to the frizzen and the spark ignites the powder.Percussion Cap – The cap sits over a nipple. When the hammer hits the cap, it causes the mercury-based “powder” to ignite.Inline Modern – the hammer hits either a cap or primer which then ignites the powder in the barrel.
Muzzleloader Maintenance and Safety
Make sure the muzzleloader is unloaded before you begin to clean the gun.
1. Cleaning the barrel is the biggest chore and one that everyone should be able to handle in the field.
2. Home cleaning can be more detailed including cleaning the breach plate or conduit from where the hammer hits and the ignition begins.
3. Use an approved muzzleloader solvent to clean the inside of the barrel. On inline muzzleloaders, you often shoot a copper-jacketed bullet with plastic sabots – those can be tricky to clean because the copper and plastic will cling.
Not all muzzleloaders have a safety. When they do make sure the safety works and then activate the safety before you begin to clean. Keeping your gun clean is one of the best ways to keep accuracy high.
Muzzleloader Bullets from Berry’s
To recap the benefits of hunting with a muzzleloader remember that hunting skills are repaid when every shot matters. Take the time to learn as hunting with a muzzleloader not only gives you more options for special hunts such as those for thinning button bucks, antlerless deer, hunting on public land or private hunting areas, and a field that has fewer hunters.
In the modern world, hunting successfully with a muzzleloader is a rite of passage. It means that you have to pair hunting skills, accuracy, and patience, plus your knowledge of the target, environment, and changing conditions.
Berry’s offers Blue Diamond 50 caliber 250-grain muzzleloader bullets with a polycarbonate tip and proprietary sabot. Expect a tight fit and improved accuracy with the Blue Diamond 50 Caliber, a 250-grain bullet designed for black powder muzzleloaders. The bullet is appropriate for loads designed for deer, and smaller game, such as feral pigs, and even larger game such as a black bear.
Germany has a long tradition of gun manufacturing, dating back to the 1500s. Today, some of the best air rifles in the world are made in Germany. If you’re in the market for a new air rifle, you may want to consider one of these German-made options.
Umarex is a German company that has been making air guns since 1972.
Umarex Sportwaffen GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of air guns (including Umarex air pistols such as the Beretta Elite II), tear-gas and signal pistols, paintball markers under the RAM brand and airsoft guns, based in Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia. The firm was founded in 1972. Its United States subsidiary headquarters is located in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Their rifles are known for their quality and reliability. The Umarex Steel Force is a good choice for those looking for an affordable entry-level air rifle. It’s also a great choice for plinking and target practice.
Check out the Umarex Walther LGV Master Pro for something a little more high-end. This rifle is designed for serious air gun shooters and hunters. It features a precision trigger and ScopeStop, which ensures that your scope stays in place when cocking the gun.
Weirauch
Weirauch is one of the oldest airgun manufacturers in Germany. Their guns are known for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The Weirauch HW100S is a good choice for an accurate and powerful air rifle. It’s also relatively quiet, making it a good choice for hunting.
The Weirauch HW97K is another great option from this manufacturer. It’s designed for target shooting and features a front sling swivel and adjustable trigger pull.
Hammerli
Hammerli is another well-known German airgun manufacturer. Their guns are used by competitive shooters and hunters around the world.
The Hammerli 850 AirMagnum is a good choice for those looking for an affordable yet high-quality air rifle. It’s also one of the most popular guns among beginners and casual shooters.
For something with a little more power, check out the Hammerli AR20 This gun is designed for serious hunters and competitive shooters. It features a bullpup design and comes with a scope rail mounted on top of the barrel.
Walther
Walther is one of the most famous gun manufacturers in Germany. They’ve been making guns since 1886 and their products are used by the military, law enforcement, and civilians around the world.
The Walther LGV Challenger is a great choice for an accurate air rifle. It’s also relatively quiet and has minimal recoil, making it a good choice for beginners and casual shooters alike.
For something with more power, check out the Walther LGV Ultra Master Pro Target Rifle. This gun was designed for competitive shooters and features an ultra-precise trigger system that can be adjusted to your specific needs.
Diana
Diana is another well-known German gun manufacturer with a long history (the company was founded in 1890). Their guns are known for their quality, accuracy, and durability.
The Diana 48 Sidelever Spring Rifle is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an accurate air rifle that’s easy to cock thanks to its sidelever design. This gun also has minimal recoil, making it ideal for beginners or casual shooters who want to avoid being bruised by stronger guns!
Another great option from Diana is the Diana StormRider. This gun packs quite a punch but it’s also surprisingly quiet given its power.
If you’re unsure of the difference between First and Second Focal Plane optics, checkout this podcast to learn more.)
FFP can get you a huge edge in competition, on some hunts, and on the field of battle. It can make you faster at longer distances and give you the ability to transition between targets of varying distance with speed and precision. FFP is freaking awesome. But it’s not always better.
Here are a few reasons to think twice before going FFP, and a few reasons why it might be right for you:
Optics. We love optical quality, so we’ll quickly address this first. When looking at the same scope (same family, same mag range, same everything else) available in SFP or FFP, there will be no discernable difference in optical quality between the SFP and FFP model. None.
Cost. Again, all else similar and only looking at SFP vs FFP in the same scope, the SFP version will always be less expensive. If cost is one of your major concerns, an SFP may be the way to go.
The manufacturing process behind getting the FFP reticle—which is almost always going to be glass-etched—in its position on the front of the erector unit, which sits way down inside the scope, and aligning it properly is far more involved than the process of installing an SFP reticle. A tougher scope to make means a more expensive scope in the end.
Tons of people don’t need it. This is the big one. FFP allows a shooter to engage targets and use all the hashmarks and/or grids of their technical reticle at any magnification. This is primarily useful when you find yourself on the clock in the heat of competition, or perhaps in combat. In these settings, you don’t necessarily have the time to dial your turrets (which would allow you to just shoot using the center crosshair on any magnification) or you don’t have time to make sure you are on a calibrated magnification to use those features, like you would in an SFP scope.
Most people we work with head to the range, sit down—not being timed on a clock or shot at—dial their shot into their turrets, and shoot off the center reticle all day. This is the perfect case for an SFP scope. Should someone want to use their reticle for spotting a friend, they can just dial up their image to the scope’s calibrated magnification level and use the hashmarks in the reticle to call shots. (This is usually the highest magnification, where the reticle and image are at the same scale.)
Many hunters don’t need FFP. There are some cases where FFP may help hunters. For example, when in hilly or mountainous country where you may come over a crest or a ridge to find your quarry suddenly right there in front of you, ready for the taking. You probably don’t have the time to dial a shot or change your magnification, so the FFP scope would allow you to make a quick holdover and execute the shot without any trouble.
That said, FFP has one big flaw for low-light hunters that might be hunting in thick timber or brush: The reticle on the lowest magnification in an FFP scope (which is also the magnification that provides best low-light performance) is often so tiny you can hardly see it. Unless the scope is illuminated, the chances of you picking out that tiny little thing and making a good shot in those conditions are low. Many people prefer the SFP scope because, even when they have it on the lowest magnification, the reticle remains its normal size, more visible in the brush or timber, especially in low light.
Where having an FFP is handy. You can do it, but you’ll likely be frustrated if you head to a PRS match with an SFP scope and try to compete at the level of some of the top competitors. Any other similar situation where you may find yourself executing shots at varying distances and in short order, the FFP riflescope is the way to go. Imagine shooting a target at 100 yards, then finding and engaging a 500-yard target, then an 800-yard target, then back to 300. The person with FFP will choose a magnification—almost never the highest mag, and probably somewhere down in the lower half of the mag range—and just sit there with it, taking full advantage of the larger field of view for finding and transitioning between targets, and engage all the targets quickly without having to touch the mag ring.
They may use the turrets, but they’ll likely use their reticle to hold over, or to make quick follow up shots and corrections after spotting their own misses. Meanwhile, the person with SFP is either dialing all over the place, or cranking their mag ring up to use their reticle, then cranking it back down after engaging the target to zoom out and find the next target…
You can often get the same exact scope more affordably if you just want to shoot at the range and dial your turrets to shoot off the center crosshair. Most casual shooters almost never use FFP to its fullest. Hunters in low light, thick timber, or heavy brush that utilize the lowest mag on their riflescope a lot usually don’t like how tiny the FFP reticle appears when the scope is on the lowest mag and prefer SFP.
But, if you shoot competition, trust your life to your optic, or hunt in the right places, FFP can give you a huge edge.
If you want to take a deep dive into riflescopes to help figure out which one is right for you, check out this podcast covering everything you ever wanted to know about riflescopes.
Looking to learn more about long-range optic selection? Check out this 10-minute talk.
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I’ve exhaustively tested ALL the best turkey mouth calls on the market. In fact, I tested everything, including: construction, sound quality, and so much more.
By the end of this guide, you’ll find the perfect mouth call.
If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best turkey mouth calls:
Woodhaven Red Wasp Diaphragm: Best Overall Turkey Mouth Call
HS Strut Premium Flex Combo: Best Turkey Mouth Call for Beginners
Primos Hunting Upper Cut: Best for the Budget
Primos Hunting Hook Hunter: Best Primos Turkey Mouth Call
1. Woodhaven Red Wasp Diaphragm: Best Overall Turkey Mouth Call
The Woodhaven Red Wasp Diaphragm is a well-known and well-loved turkey mouth call, and for with good reason.
Beginners and seasoned hunters alike go for this budget-friendly and solidly constructed piece of hunting equipment.
This is going to seem like I have nothing critical to say about the Red Wasp, but the truth is that there just isn’t that much for me to complain about.
I have some minor gripes about airflow, but that’s really about it.
Construction
The Woodhaven Red Wasp is a three reed V-Cut mouth call made with a red latex top reed and two straight prophylactic bottom reeds.
Its shape is that of almost every single other turkey mouth diaphragm; a horseshoe. The outer half-ring is made from a premium tape, a lined locking frame with adhesive, and “only the best latex material”
This call feels obviously high quality even looking it, but more so after holding and using it. Everything feels, firm, solid, and I’d even go as far as to say hand-made. You know you’re working with some quality build as soon as you use it.
The construction is as good as I’ve seen with “premium” turkey calls. It sure isn’t lacking in this department.
Sound Quality
All of these other factors like reliability, construction, and build quality are meaningless if there’s not a good sound coming out of the call its self, and the Red Wasp Diaphragm has this in spades.
This call is going to produce a nice, soft, raspy call, just like you’d expect from an old hen. Yelps and clucks sound top-notch. You’ll be certain to attract a few birds to your spot.
The sound quality is truly great, but as with any and every mouth call, the sound is largely dependant on the user. Don’t lose hope yet beginners! You should still consider picking this mouth call up.
While you’ll see many veteran hunters using this call like an orchestral instrument, the Red Wasp is designed in such a way that even newbies can use the call fairly easily, with a little practice of course.
Newer hunters and seasoned trackers both will enjoy the sound quality of this call. It’s easy to learn on and better yet, some hunters never want to let it go.
Durability
Bad build quality is always a deal-breaker for me, but the smartly designed and caringly constructed Red Wasp passed my torture test with flying colors.
Many hunters take meticulous care when handling, using, and storing their calls. Their calls can last them for an almost absurd amount of time, I’m talking months upon months, even a couple of years (gross).
I, however, am the very opposite of that. I treat my numerous mouth calls almost like absolute garbage. Aside from losing several, I toss them in my pockets with my keys, near my phone, and my utility knife. I have shredded up many a turkey calls in my life.
For this particular diaphragm, I was actively doing my best to treat it with the bare minimum care to find out if it could survive even me.
It absolutely defeated my torture and mistreatment. The build quality and durability shines brightly in this instance.
I am typically worried about the reed latex ripping or peeling because of the frequent contact with borderline sharp objects like my keys, but I couldn’t see any visible damage or hear any difference in the sound quality.
I know that the Woodhaven Red Wasp is cheap and I wouldn’t be losing out on much if it got destroyed, but it’s great to have a call that can survive almost anything within reasonable limits.
Even though I can afford to buy a brand new call whenever mine fails, not everyone can. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend or are just a frugal type, rest assured that you won’t be wasting your money.
You’ll likely end up squeezing out every nickel and dime it’s worth before it breaks, fails, or otherwise gets retired.
Price
The Woodhaven Red Wasp Diaphragm is only gonna cost you $11.99 almost everywhere.
While turkey mouth calls are not a particularly expensive item, this is still an amazing deal since you’re going to be bagging birds left and right while you’re using this mouth call.
Is the Woodhaven Red Wasp Diaphragm worth it?
There’s no question about it, yes. Here’s why:
Popular – Although inexpensive, the Red Wasp is an ultra-high-quality product. You might be doing yourself a disservice if you skip out on this call just because it’s a popular call. There’s a reason (or more like several reasons) this is a popular call.
Durable – The built quality and construction are incredible. It put my worries about durability to rest very quickly. It bordered on invincible, even for me. No bends, breaks, peeling, or tearing here.
Reliable – This mouth call is reliable and is in it for the long-haul. It’s a big deal considering this is tied with sound quality for most important aspects of a good turkey mouth call.
Great sound – The sound is superb and easy to produce for beginners. The sound is raspy and soft, just what you’d be looking for in an old hen. Many more experienced hunters could play this thing like a darn instrument. You will not be disappointed when you hear the Red Wasp for the first time.
You really can’t go wrong with the Woodhaven Red Wisp Diaphragm. There’s a reason why some veteran hunters won’t use anything else.
2. HS Strut Premium Flex Combo: Best Turkey Mouth Call for Beginners
Using turkey calls can seem pretty daunting at first, as can turkey hunting in general.
Seeing some pros doing almost identical calls seems discouraging, but it doesn’t take perfect pitch for a perfect hunt.
Start out with the HS Strut Premium Flex Combo, a pack designed with beginners in mind.
Construction
The Flex Combo comes with four different types of calls: The Lil’ Strut, Smoking Gun, Triple Trauma, and Sickle Cutter.
All of them are built in the classic horseshoe shape.
The calls are built with a “premium flex frame” that is supposed to be comfortable for the user, and resistant to bending to ensure a good seal is kept during use and to retain its shape for a more consistent sound.
Of course for many new beginners (or those with a sensitive gag-reflex), a turkey call isn’t going to be the most comfortable thing in the world to get used to. Trimming the call down a little bit might be a reasonable path to take when you’re first starting out.
The reeds are made of a material called Infinity Latex, which requires less air pressure to produce a good sound.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is decent for such a low-cost pack of reeds. This is perfect for beginners who are getting into turkey hunting or who just want to practice their calls while driving around.
Someone described the turkey call as a musical instrument, and that holds true; it takes, patience, practice, and time to learn how to use one. It’s important to keep this in mind when judging the sonic merit of a call, but the sound quality is good overall and is certain to help bag some turkeys (if you practice).
While it can’t quite compete with some slightly more expensive calls, it still does what it’s aiming for; to call turkeys.
This call is not just for beginners either, the sound quality is good enough for intermediate hunters to pick these guys up as well.
Longevity and Build Quality
While the HS Strut Premium Flex Combo boasts good quality build for the calls, I didn’t quite get that impression from my time with them.
If you’re the type of person to take meticulous care of every piece of hunting gear you have, you can expect between 6 months and a year of use from these calls, but if you’re like me, the lifespan on the HS Strut calls is significantly less than what you’re expecting.
I didn’t expect much from these calls in terms of durability, but I was still disappointed with the minuscule amount of time it took for these calls to start falling apart.
I should preface this by saying that I did the absolute minimum when it came to taking care of and protecting the HS Struts. At most, I slipped them into a ziplock bag and stuffed that in my pocket, at worst I tossed them in my jacket pocket with my keys, in my back pocket with my wallet, and in my passenger seat.
The first one fell apart in my pocket with the latex peeling from the rest of the body. The second wasn’t as bad, but I was able to feel shallow rips in the material while I was on the hunt. The other two are fine, likely from a lack of use. I quickly chose favorites, but that’s more of a personal thing.
The ruggedness of these calls leaves something to be desired, but basic caretaking should have these calls lasting you a few months up to a year. Throw them away after that, they get rather nasty after that amount of time.
Price
The HS Strut Premium Flex Combo is only going to cost you $12.95. That’s a really great deal even for beginner turkey calls. If you find that you like using mouth calls, you can upgrade to a higher quality and slightly more expensive turkey call like the Primos Hunting Hook Hunter Turkey Mouth Call at $21.95 for two.
Is the HS Strut Premium Flex worth it?
For beginners, this product is a great starting point.
While the build quality isn’t amazing, the price, variety of products, and sound quality are all pretty good for calls that are only about $3.50 a piece.
Even if you decide mouth calls or turkey hunting isn’t for you, you’re only out 13 dollars. These are a steal if you just need something to practice with or even a back-up. They can even last you a while if you’re gentle with them.
If you’re well versed in turkey hunting and mouth calls, you probably won’t be too disappointed with these, but I think you’d be doing yourself a favor by dropping a little extra cash on a higher quality product.
The HS Strut Premium Flex Combo doesn’t bring anything to the table that you haven’t seen before, but if you’re looking for something to gift to a child or new hunters, these would be a solid buy.
3. Primos Hunting Upper Cut: Best for the Budget
The Primos Hook Hunter Upper Cut diaphragm call is the best turkey call for anyone on a budget.
It’s loud, sounds true to nature, and is expertly engineered.
How does this call measure up to others on the market?
Let’s find out!
Design
The Primos Hunting Upper Cut diaphragm call is made with three premium-grade latex reeds. It’s crafted to perfection, and creates raspy pitches accurate enough to fool even the wisest turkeys!
This is thanks to Primos’ precise, expert engineering. Their Hook Hunter line is one of the leading lines of diaphragm calls, combining over 100 years of experience from seasoned, professional turkey hunters.
The handmade cuts, fly-downs, and upper-cut design produce unique pitches, giving some of the best yelps I’ve ever heard.
The experts at Primos have crafted this call with durability and performance in mind.
Sound
Thanks to the precision cuts, this call makes the exact sounds hens use to summon males from a long distance.
It’s a loud, crisp, raspy sound that’s very true to nature, great for cuts and yelps. If you direct your airflow to the right, you can even get those “keekees” and tree calls!
The sound quality of this diaphragm call is truly unmatched. I’d even go as far as to say it’s my go-to turkey call!
Use
The Upper Cut is a very loud, versatile call, so it’s great for both close and long-range use. It fits well in your mouth and is easy to blow, as long as you know how to use it.
It’s definitely not for beginners. Diaphragms can be a bit difficult to get used to, and you’ll need a lot of practice before you understand how to properly use it.
You must become familiar with the natural tones of turkeys to use it effectively. You also may need to pair it with another call if you’re looking to get any non-raspy tones.
Once you get used to it, it’s very simple to use and the airflow is great. Just put it in your mouth, give it a single blow, and watch the turkeys come flocking!
Price
You can find this turkey call at most online retailers for around $11.
At first, this might seem a little expensive for the average hobby turkey hunter.
But, Primos is an elite brand that has been delivering quality products for decades. It’s a great value for what could very well be the best turkey diaphragm call on the market.
It blows nicely, and Primos is a tried-and-true, time-tested manufacturer with over 100 years of experience in the turkey call game.
Is the Primos Hunting Upper Cut Worth it?
This is one of my all-time favorite diaphragm calls.
It’s versatile, gives you a loud, crisp sound that works every time, and comes from one of the best manufacturers out there.
I cannot recommend the Primo Hunting Upper Cut enough. This is one purchase you certainly will not regret.
4. Primos Hunting Hook Hunter: Best Primos Turkey Mouth Call
Primos game calls are top-notch, and without a doubt the Hook Hunter is the best Primos Turkey caller.
The Hook Hunter is actually a two-pack item. A blue call and a green call come together when you buy.
Being a moderately priced pack of callers, is it worth the extra expense?
Range
The Hook Hunter comes with two calls for a reason. Primos is making sure you are covered for long and short range calling.
My favorite of the two Hook Hunters is the blue long range call. Working with it is a slower paced run of sound.
The green short range is also great and easy to use. The clicks and purrs are easy to control and have a raspy sound.
The ghost cut gives me a good seal in the back of my mouth. I can really get after the long calls and kee kee sounds.
Use
The calls are easy to learn with and easy to use.
The packaging comes with helpful instructions and tips on using the mouth caller.
There is something to be said for practice with a mouth call, and the longer I’ve used the Hook Hunter, the better.
When out in the field, both will fit in the pocket on my hunting vest to protect them and keep them handy.
So, practice, practice, practice.
Your family may not appreciate that suggestion, but you can blame me now and thank me later.
Durability
The Hook Hunter is more durable than the cheaper options out there.
With mouth callers, many are only intended to be used for a short season. The Hook Hunters are well built and able to last for years if I’m careful with them.
They are also easy to keep clean.
I just soak mine in dish-soapy lukewarm water for a few minutes, then give it a quick rinse before laying it out on a paper towel.
I take the time to keep the reeds separate with a reed separator when I store them to get the most for my money.
Effective
The Hook Hunter calls are incredibly effective.
The consistent sounds make it easy to use, and to not have to guess at what sounds will come out of my mouth in the field.
The calls both give me more realistic sounds than the cheaper counterparts I’ve tried.
I can call a gobbler with his hens in without decoys, and that’s not a result I’d get with a cheap disposable caller.
Price
The Hook Hunter call is a 2-pack duo that is priced well.
They do come with a case, and that’s nice to have for storage.
The feel of the calls in the hand or in use is quality. No flimsy body or low-quality reeds here. This is a well built call that is worth the price.
Choose to cheap out and you’ll sound like a kid with a kazoo compared to this caller.
Is the Primo Hook Hunter Turkey Mouth Call worth it?
Without hesitation the answer is yes! These are mouth callers I have used for several years now.
The Primos Hook Hunter is a top notch duo with a quality sound and remarkably realistic calls.
Primo makes the best, and the best is the only way to buy.
Now It’s Your Turn
I hope you enjoyed my best turkey mouth call guide.
So as a recap:
If you’re looking for the best overall turkey mouth call, get the Woodhaven Red Wasp Diaphragm.
What about for beginners? Then opt-in for the HS Strut Premium Flex Combo.
On a budget? Then the Primos Hunting Upper Cut is for you.
Lastly, if you simply want the best primos call, I’d recommend the Primos Hunting Hook Hunter.
Now I want to turn it over to you:
Which turkey mouth call will you pick?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.
In this Penn Conflict II Spinning Reel Review, we’re presenting one of the lightest weight spinning reels ever to hit the market from Penn.
This reel was released in 2017, and it is available in the 1000-5000 range. The Conflict II is ideal for lightweight anglers looking for a high performing freeshwater reel. This is the lightest reel in the Penn family, and when you stack it up against some of the previous reels from Penn, there is no comparison.
If you enjoyed the Conflict spinning reels before, you’d love this one because of it’s lightweight and durable design. The reel looks great, and it features a super smooth and strong HT-100 drag system. Along with that, they pair in a wide assortment of other features that are unique to this reel, and we’re going to dish them out for you.
A solid choice in the medium priced spinning reel category
Proven HT-100 carbon fiber drag system
Solid reel that is not to heavy
Very durable anodized body
The Penn Conflict II is a solid choice and is available HERE.
The Penn Conflict II has a smooth HT-100 carbon fiber drag system that has been proven in many other Penn models such as the famous Penn Battle II and the much more expensive Penn Clash
The Conflict II is the lightest reel from Penn to this day, and there are a few different reasons for that.
First, you have the RR30 Rigid Resin body and rotor that make up a majority of the weight. This material is incredibly lightweight and durable. It’s even 20% lighter than the original Conflict. If you felt that the first-generation was a little bulky or too heavy, you’ll love the weight and feel of the newer Penn Conflict II.
If we take you inside the reel, you’ll find Penn’s CNC gears using a 7+1 stainless steel ball-bearing system with an aluminum pinion and main gear. These reels offer the ultimate in lightweight inshore fishing while still providing resistance to saltwater.
You also get the Conflict Superline Spool which takes mono backing out of the equation due to a rubber gasket that keeps the line from slipping on the spool. In many reels you will need to use mono to go from the spool to the braid line as braid has a tendency to slip on the spool, this solves this problem.
Something else that really separates the Conflict II from the original model and most other reels for that matter is the lightweight braid Leveline System. The reel provides a slow oscillation system which ensures that your line lays evenly on the spool.
This feature also prevents friction on the line, and the result is one of the longest casting spinning reels on the market today. With this feature, they recommend using a lightweight braided line only for the Conflict II.
Features
Rigid Resin RR30 Techno-balanced rotor – Penn is able to dramatically reduce the weight of this reel compared to the original Conflict primarily due to the design of the body. Using their RR30 Rigid Resin, they lower the overall weight of the reel by 20% which makes this the lightest Penn reel on the market today. Along with weight reduction, the Rigid Resin is also durable and long-lasting.
CNC Gear Technology – They continue to impress with their CNC crafted aluminum pinion and main gear found on the 1000-4000 sizes. The Penn Conflict II 5000 features a brass pinion and aluminum CNC machined main gears.
These are durable and paired alongside high-quality stainless steel ball bearings. Put it all together, and you have a great inshore reel worthy of large trout, redfish, and even sea bass.
HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers – The carbon fiber drag system is the epitome of smooth even when battling larger fish. Having the HT-100 Versa drag washers in the spool allows Penn to use both sides of each washer providing the angler with higher max drags, improved range, and smoother start-ups when stacked up against the original Penn. These washers receive a coating of Penns proprietary grease for longevity.
Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire – The thick aluminum bail wire is durable and long-lasting. It perfectly rounds out an already strong reel.
Superline spool – Another feature that is unique to the Conflict II is the Superline Spool. This design eliminates the need for backing because of the rubber gasket that keeps your line from slipping on the spool. The end result is improved line capacity and a smooth retrieval and cast.
Leveline system – In addition to the superline spool, you also get the Leveline system. The feature differs from the original model by providing anglers with a slower oscillation to improve the way your line lays on the spool. The line creates less friction this way and provides you with a longer cast. Penn states that the Conflict II is the longest casting spinning reel on the market.
Features at a Glance
Rigid Resin RR30 Techno-balanced rotor
CNC Gear Technology
HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers
Heavy-duty aluminum bail wire
Superline spool
Line capacity rings
The Penn Conflict II comes in six different sizes starting with the 1000 series and working it’s way up to a 5000 series. They don’t have a 6000 or anything higher, and that is why they primarily recommend this reel for inshore fishing only.
For the 1000 model, you get a max drag of 9 pounds and a gear ratio of 5.2:1. The reel weighs in at a measly 6.3 ounces, and it has a braided cap of 160/6, 130/8, and 110/10. You’d want to pair this reel with an ultralight rod like the St. Croix Trout Freshwater spinning rod or the St. Croix Mojo Inshore for inshore fishing.
Next, we have a 2000 model which has a max drag of 10 pounds, and it weighs in around 7.4 ounces. You’ll get a braided cap of 210/8, 180/10, and 165/15. For this reel, it comes with a gear ratio of 6.2:1. You’ll still want to pair this reel up with a lightweight, fast action rod to give you the most pop and the greatest level of sensitivity.
For the 2500 model, you have a max drag of 12 pounds, a gear ratio of 6.2:1, and a reel that weighs just below 8 ounces at 7.9. With a 10 pound braid, you’ll get 240 yards of line, and I’ve had much success pairing this reel with the St. Croix Mojo Inshore.
Something incredibly impressive and it speaks volumes for this reel is stacking the previous Conflict up against the Conflict II. The same 2500 model that offers the same max drag and line capacity weighs two ounces more. The Conflict I 2500 weighs 9.8 ounces. As you get up in the models into the 4000 range, the weight of the reel becomes significant but not with the Conflict II.
Even at the 4000 mark for the Conflict II the reel still weighs less than the Conflict 2500. When they say that they took steps to reduce the weight of their premium reels, they were not kidding.
For those of you who want all the details I have provided the chart below.
Over the years, I’ve leaned more and more about my lighter tackle gear. I’ve had a lot of success with reels like the Shimano NASCI 1000 and the Daiwa Fuego LT. I was incredibly excited when I saw that Penn was going to design a reel to replicate the original but at a fraction of the weight.
When I think of Penn reels I think “heavy” and now there is a model that I do not have to feel that way about.
For inshore fishing, I prefer to fish for trout, redfish and flounder. I’m somewhat young, but even I have fond memories of fishing trips with rods and reels that looked like my dad dug them out of a cave man’s chest. With the incredible growth in technology, manufacturers are able to make reels much lighter while actually making them stronger as well.
The Penn Conflict II is a reel that maximizes the amount of strength and durability it provides. It doesn’t compromise your comfort and enjoyment with a big bulky and uncomfortable reel that feels like you have been fishing it all day even though you just got on the water.
I favor a 10 to 15 pound braided Berkley Fireline with whatever live bait I can get my hands on. It might be more of a pain, but it pays off in the long run for me: the trout and redfish hammer finger mullet and eels like crazy around the waterways of South Carolina.
Pros
20% lighter than the previous Conflict
One of the bestter inshore reels on the market
Leveline system maximizes casting distance
Proven HT-100 drag system
Cons
Bland appearance; nothing flashy
Not the lightest in its class for the price
Alternatives
If you’re still looking for some different options, we’ve got them. Sticking with Penn, we’ll look at the Penn Battle II. This reel is going to save you some money, but you’re going to pay for it in the weight of the reel. Each reel model weighs about two ounces more with the Penn Battle II. Read the complete Penn Battle II Review HERE.
Next, we have the Penn Clash. If we were comparing the Clash with the original Penn Conflict, we’d have to give it to the Clash. The whole theme of this review is weight, and even though the Penn Clash is more expensive than the Conflict II, it still weighs more by about an ounce.
With the Clash, you might see a slight improvement in smoothness during the retrieval due to an extra bearing, and you also get the leveline oscillation system and CNC gear technology. Read the complete Penn Clash Review HERE.
If you’re looking to go more affordable with your reel, you could opt for the Daiwa Fuego LT. You can get this reel for under $100, and the weight is even less that the Conlict II. The Daiwa Fuego LT is smooth and offers plenty of corrosion resistance and waterproofing features such as the Mag sealing making it one of our favorite reels. Read the full Daiwa Fuego LT review HERE.
Rolling along we’re going to hit you with a reel that is as light as the Penn Conflict II, and it’s more affordable. So what’s the catch? It’s an Okuma. The Okuma Helios SX is a good quality lightweight reel with a carbon fiber drag, eight corrosion-resistant bearings, and a lightweight carbon frame.
For the price, it’s hard to go wrong, but it doesn’t have the durability and presence of a Penn reel. For the complete Okuma Helios SX, review CLICK HERE.
The last comparison we have is the Shimano Stradic FK. This spinning reel is one of the best inshore reels priced below $200, and it competes with the Penn Conflict II in the weight department. It cost a little more than the Penn Conflict II but for you Shimano fan biys and fan girls its a great reel. For the complete Shimano Stradic FK, review CLICK HERE.
In Conclusion
Overall, the Penn Conflict II is a serious step up from the previous reel. They’ve taken all of their best models and combined it into one to make this reel. While doing that they’ve also incorporated a lot of new technology and features that make this one of the best inshore spinning reels available on the market today in this medium price point.
Alaskan guide Rudy Martin is an expert at both hunting and trapping.
This is my main page for survival hunting and trapping. These are links to proven ways you can hunt, trap and snare animals in a survival situation.
Please understand that I hate killing things. I do it because if I don’t kill and eat something, I die. And I kinda like staying alive. So, I kill things. But I do it with as much respect to the animal as I can.
Here’s a list of things that I follow as closely as possible when it comes to hunting and trapping. And these apply to survival situations as well as for sport.
Make a Clean Kill
First of all, make a clean kill. The faster the animal dies and the less suffering, the better. Learn where the kill zones are when hunting.
If you’re trapping, set traps that kill right away, either on impact or by drowning the animal quickly. Use leg holds and traps that constrict an animal’s movement only when nothing else will work. I can tell you from experience that it’s pretty sickening to find a leg and nothing else in a trap. Learn from my mistakes.
Drowning traps for muskrats keep the animal from suffering and ensures it doesn’t escape.
Same thing with snares. Set them so they kill the animal right away. You don’t want to be responsible for maiming an animal and make it suffer. This is especially true when setting survival snares with primitive gear. You don’t want to assume that what works with a wire snare will work with twisted fiber, it often doesn’t.
Use the Animal Wisely
Use as much as you can from any animal you kill. You’ll certainly want to take all the meat and edible internal organs. You can also cook the bones, eat the meat off them, and grind them into a nutritious paste. Take anything else you can use like the stomach, tendons and esophagus.
But… and this is where I disagree with well-intentioned laws in some areas, sometimes you want to leave a little food behind for the natural predators in an area. That’s especially true if you aren’t in a survival situation.
You are taking the food source of the coyotes, badgers, foxes, hawks, owls and mountain lions. All those predators will scavenge anything you leave behind, providing them with at least some of a meal they might have gotten all of if it wasn’t for you.
Traditional bowhunter Clay Hayes turkey hunting with his Osage orange selfbow.
Don’t Hunt or Trap Unless You Have Water
Also, remember that if you don’t have plenty of water, you don’t want to eat anything at all, especially meat. It takes a lot of water to digest protein. If you are eating meat but aren’t drinking enough water, your body will suck the water right out of your cells to digest the meat. And that will dehydrate you even more.
In some of the instruction here I use modern ways to acquire game. In other cases it’s pure primitive where you are going out with nothing but a knife.
Wherever I can, I make videos to go along with the articles and pictures. It takes a tremendous amount of work, but I know you guys appreciate it.
Survival Hunting And Trapping Links
Survival snaring with modern snares Here are the topics that are coming in this section on survival hunting and trapping: Survival hunting – making an atlatl Survival hunting – throwing sticks traditional archery and how to make a selfbow. Survival trapping with modern traps Survival trapping with primitive traps Survival snaring with primitive snares
The Hydrocynus Goliath, more commonly known as the goliath tigerfish, or giant tigerfish, is a vicious predatory fish found lurking in the waters of large rivers and lakes in central Africa.
They are found predominantly in the Congo River basin and Lake Tanganyika. This giant predator is one of the largest of the order of characids, which also include tetras, and piranhas.
They are thought to be one of, if not the most dangerous freshwater fish in the world.
Goliath Tigerfish Facts Overview
Habitat: Large rivers and lakes in central Africa Location: The Congo River basin, Lake Tanganyika Lifespan: Up to 10-15 years in captivity Size: 5 ft (1.5m) Weight: 50 kg (110 lb) Color: Pale grey/olive with black stripes, red or orange fins, grey dorsal fin Diet: Fish Predators: Crocodiles, humans Top Speed: 40 kph (25 mph) No. of Species: 1 Conservation Status: Least concern
Goliath tigerfish belong to the genus Hydrocynus, which is native to sub-Saharan Africa. There are five recognised species of the Hydrocynus, including the Hydrocynus Vittatus and Hydrocynus Brevis. 1 The Latin word hydrocynus means ‘water dog’, and the term ‘goliath’ speaks to the size of this monster – referring to the biblical giant of the same name.
Adult goliath tigerfish can reach up to 5 feet in length and can weigh up to 110lbs. They have a mouth full of vicious, razor sharp teeth. The teeth interlock when the jaw is closed and protrude outward slightly from the jaw, giving a fearsome appearance. Goliath tigerfish are feared for a reason: they are the only freshwater fish in Africa with documented attacks on humans.
They are usually an olive brown moving to a pale grey in color; with red or orange fins and a black dorsal fin. The name tigerfish refers to the black stripes that are often found running the length of the creature’s sides, as well as to its ferocious nature.
Hydrocynus Goliath depend heavily on highly oxygenated and fast-flowing waters. They therefore inhabit deep river channels and open lakes. They are not found in headwaters or marshy areas.
They are extremely strong swimmers due to their preference for fast moving waters, and are therefore able to snatch their prey even in the most turbulent of water. They are piscivores, and known to prey on fish up to 40% of their body length in size.
They have few known predators, due to their size and ferocity. Their only real threat is the crocodile. However, they are a widely-prized game fish and are therefore hunted by humans.
Interesting Goliath Tigerfish Facts
1. They get their name from their appearance, demeanor and size
The name tigerfish is a reference to the black stripes that are often found running down the flanks of these huge fish, as well as their fierce, sharp teeth and rapacious nature; while the word ‘goliath’ refers to their giant size.
However, the nickname tigerfish is used to refer to a number of vicious, predatory African river fish.
Jeremy Wade with a goliath tigerfish. Image Credit: DCL | Discovery.
2. Goliath tigerfish have up to 32 razor-sharp teeth
The upper jaw contains 12-20 teeth, while the lower jaw 8-14. The teeth interlock into matching indents onto the opposite jawline, and protrude slightly from the mouth.
The teeth are slightly conical in shape and can be up to 2.5cm (1 inch) in length. To put this into perspective, they are a similar size to a great white shark.
Goliath tigerfish have been known to snap their prey in half with a single bite. 2
3. They have replaceable teeth
Although relatively little study has been carried out on these elusive creatures, a study by Gagiano et al (1996) observed that captive tigerfish would replace all their teeth simultaneously within a period of 5 days, with no replacement having been observed previously!
4. They have a double hinged jaw
This means they are able to open their jaws a lot wider than other fish, and as a result its teeth point further forward when it strikes prey, allowing it to take chunks from their flesh.
5. They can grow to the size of a small adult
Although they grow slowly, the juvenile goliath tigerfish will only grow on average four to six inches per year. It can therefore take up to 10 years for the fish to reach its full size.
Jeremy Wade with a goliath tigerfish. Image Credit: DCL | Discovery.
6. They hunt alone
Tigerfish are solitary and have generally been observed alone, rather than hunting in schools or groups like their smaller cousin the piranha.
However, the females will migrate together to breed.
7. Females can lay up to 750,000 eggs
Female goliath tigerfish choose riverbanks or lakeshores to lay their eggs. Eggs are laid in underwater vegetation to protect them from predators as the young are not cared for by the parent fish.
The females lay a large number of eggs in order to increase the chances that some will survive to adulthood. Females can lay literally thousands of eggs – sometimes up to as many as 750,000. The fact that the nests of eggs are hidden in vegetation suggests a vulnerability in the juvenile goliath tigerfish.
8. Goliath tigerfish are predators from birth
These fish are piscivores, meaning that they feed only on fish. The infant goliath tigerfish go through a larval stage during which they feed on animal plankton.
They gradually migrate to larger fish as they grow in size and strength. They have been known to attack large animals.
9. Goliath tigerfish can turn to cannibalism
Goliath tigerfish are willing to ‘take chunks out’ of other large fish, large animals, and even each other in order to survive, although generally they only turn to cannibalism if food sources are scarce.
10. Goliath tigerfish need highly-oxygenated waters
The Hydrocynus species have a dependence on well-oxygenated and/or warm, fast-flowing freshwater, confining them to large rivers and open lakes.
This is in contrast to many other species, which can tolerate a wider range of ecological conditions.
11. They are known by natives as ‘M’Benga’
The goliath tigerfish is an elusive creature, and there is a lack of scientific knowledge about this beast.
However, it has long been a feature of myth and legend in its native Africa; earning itself the nickname ‘M’Benga’, which means ‘dangerous fish’ in Swahili dialect.
M’Benga is believed to be an evil spirit, and it has been said that it is very bad luck to spot one at the start of your journey. However, they are prized if ever caught.
12. They are the “greatest freshwater gamefish in the world”
At least, according to Bill Hansford-Steele in his ‘African Fly-Fishing Handbook’, as well as extreme angler Andy Coetzee.
Due to its size – and fearsome reputation – the goliath tigerfish has lured many a fisherman to attempt to catch the elusive beast.
A successful catch could feed many hungry mouths, especially in the rural parts of Africa where they live. The flesh of a tigerfish is said to be somewhat similar to Tilapia. 3
13. They have been reported to attack crocodiles, and humans
It is the only freshwater fish in Africa that is claimed to take lumps out of crocodiles that consider pursuing them, and even humans.
Although they are elusive, and attacks on humans are therefore rare, there are reports of natives on the Congo being bitten by these mysterious fish, and even a limited number of deaths reported.
A person on the show River Monsters reported that a goliath tigerfish was responsible for jumping out of the water and biting a man on his neck, killing him instantly.
Goliath Tigerfish Fact-File Summary
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Characiformes Family: Alestidae Genus: Hydrocynus Species Name: Hydrocynus Goliath
Fenton Peter David Cotterill (2009), “How many tigerfish species? Genetic insights into the evolution of Africa’s Tigerfish and the taxonomic status of Tanzanian Hydrocynus“, Research Gate.
Barry Berkovitz, Peter Shellis (2017), “The tigerfishes (Hydrocynus spp.) are voracious hunters, of which the giant tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath: Fig. 4.30A) is the largest“, The Teeth of Non-Mammalian Vertebrates.
Bill Hansford-Steele (2013), “African Fly-fishing Handbook A Guide to Freshwater and Saltwater Fly-fishing in Africa“, Google Books.
Many people use the hard hitting and flat shooting 7mm Rem Mag for hunting elk, deer and many other species of game with excellent results. Here are a few great 7mm Rem Mag ammo options that will serve you very well on your next hunt.
The 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge made a giant splash when first introduced in the 1960s along with the legendary Model 700 bolt action rifle. The cartridge quickly became a favorite of North American hunters. Indeed, the 7mm Rem Mag is an incredibly effective and versatile hunting cartridge when using high quality ammunition loaded with premium bullets. Not surprisingly, the 7mm Remington Magnum remains one of the most popular centerfire rifle cartridges in the world today.
For that reason, just about every big ammunition manufacturer like Barnes, Black Hills, Browning, Fiocchi, Federal Premium, Hornady, HSM, Norma, Nosler, Prvi Partizan (PPU), Remington, Sierra, Swift, and Winchester produces several different variants of 7mm Rem Mag ammo for hunting elk, deer, moose, bear, and many other big game animals.
Known for being relatively flat shooting, being really accurate, and for retaining lots of kinetic energy at extended range, versatility is the name of the game with the 7mm Rem Mag. The cartridge is well suited for hunting a wide range of big game at short, medium, and even long range.
However, different situations (like deer or pronghorn at long range vs moose at short range) necessitate the use of different kinds of 7mm Rem Mag ammo for best performance.
Using the wrong kind of 7mm Mag ammunition can lead to disastrous results.
For example, the 7mm Remington Magnum developed a reputation among elk hunters as a “wounder” a few years after Remington released the cartridge.
This was primarily because 7mm Mag factory ammo initially used bullets poorly suited to the high velocities produced by the cartridge. Those lightweight, thin jacketed bullets performed very well at slower 7mm Mauser velocities, but would expand far too rapidly, sometimes explosively, upon impact when fired at 7mm Rem Mag velocities (about 400-500fps faster).
Bullet penetration was terrible in those cases. Sometimes the bullet would “grenade” upon impact and fail to reach the vitals when striking a bone or a heavily muscled shoulder of a big bull elk. The result was some horrific flesh wounds that were often not immediately fatal to the elk.
Fortunately, that problem has since been fixed and hunters now have access to a great selection of controlled expansion 7mm bullets that perform very well on really big game like elk and moose.
Lightweight 139 or 140 grain bullets are great for deer hunting, but hunters who use those lighter bullets on larger game may still experience issues with poor penetration, especially on steeply quartering shots. However, the 7mm Remington Magnum is absolutely deadly on really big game like moose and elk when using premium quality 160-175 grain bullets.
Keep this in mind when you select 7mm Rem Mag ammo for an upcoming hunt.
Additionally, while they are very accurate and are certainly capable of killing big game animals, I don’t recommend using bullets designed for target shooting like the Sierra MatchKing hollow point boat tail (HPBT) or Hornady ELD Match for hunting. The same goes for open tip match (OTM) or boat tail hollow point (BTHP) bullets in general.
This is because target or match bullets usually aren’t designed for optimum terminal performance on big game animals and you may run into issues like I described earlier with poor penetration.
Instead, it’s best to stick with 7mm Remington Magnum ammo specifically designed for hunting that uses soft point, jacketed hollow point, or similar bullets.
Fortunately, there is a wide variety of 7mm Rem Mag Mag factory loads specifically designed for just almost any big game hunting situation from Colorado to New Zealand. So, regardless of whether you’re using a bolt action Remington Model 700, a Ruger Hawkeye, a Savage 110, a Weatherby Vanguard, a Winchester Model 70, or some other hunting rifle, there is pretty much guaranteed to be something for everyone on the list below of the best 7mm Rem Mag ammunition for hunting.
In this article, I’m going to show you the best 7mm Rem Mag ammo for hunting elk, moose, feral hogs, deer, pronghorn, black bear and all sorts of other big game. I’ll also go over the pros and cons of each individual load and help you select the right ammunition for your specific hunting situation.
Note: some of the links below are affiliate links. This means I will earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase of rifle, handgun, rimfire, or shotgun ammunition through those links. 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.
Hornady Precision Hunter
The 7mm Remington Magnum is an excellent long range cartridge and Hornady’s Precision Hunter line contains an outstanding 7mm Rem Mag ammo option for hunters looking to squeeze every bit of long range performance out of the cartridge. Loaded with the extremely aerodynamic Extremely Low Drag eXpanding (ELD-X) bullet, this ammo is perfect for western hunters going after game like elk, mule deer, or pronghorn who need the very best 7mm Rem Mag ammo for a long range hunting situation.
Hornady advertises that the ELD-X bullet has the best-in-class ballistic coefficients over their entire trajectory and that their Precision Hunter ammunition also offers match grade accuracy (usually sub-MOA).
Though the ELD-X does not have a bonded core like the Hornady InterBond, the ELD-X does feature a thicker jacket and an InterLock ring to help control expansion, increase weight retention, and minimize the chances of core-jacket separation. For this reason, the ELD-X is still devastating on deer and pronghorn sized game, but it’s also a much better choice than their SST bullet used in the Hornady Superformance line for use on larger game.
Add it up and you have some 7mm Remington Magnum ammunition that’s capable of delivering great terminal performance on a wide range of big game for shots at 400+ yards.
Bullet Type: Hornady Extremely Low Drag eXpanding
Bullet Weight: 162 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .631
Muzzle Velocity: 2,940 feet per second
GET PRECISION HUNTER 7mm REM MAG AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Cabela’s, Lucky Gunner, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Ochocos Outdoors, Optics Planet, and Palmetto State Armory, Sportsman’s Warehouse
Nosler Partition
Federal Premium and Nosler both produce 7mm Remington Magnum ammunition featuring the legendary Nosler Partition, which will very likely fit the bill for those looking for some seriously heavy hitting 7mm Rem Mag ammo for elk, moose, or bear hunting. Loaded with a 160 grain Nosler Partition bullet, this load is perfect for hunting really big game where it’s really important to use a heavy, well constructed bullet.
If this ammo shoots accurately in your rifle, then it’s hard to go wrong with a 160 grain Nosler Partition for elk hunting.
With that in mind, this is also perfect 7mm Rem Mag ammunition for an African safari where really large or tough game like kudu, blue wildebeest, or eland are on the menu. This ammunition is not limited to really big, tough game either. Indeed, it’s also great for game like whitetail and mule deer.
While this load doesn’t have the flattest trajectory out there, it still retains energy very well and is absolutely deadly on all manner of game at typical hunting ranges. So this is some outstanding 7mm Rem Mag ammo for shots out to several hundred yards.
The Nosler Partition is a very old bullet design, but it remains one of the best hunting bullets around and has a proven track record over the course of many decades and won’t let you down at the moment of truth. There’s a reason why it’s so darn popular with those who prefer to use handloaded ammunition as well as factory loads.
With proper shot placement, this ammunition will deliver excellent performance if it hits bone or soft tissue at short range as well as at several hundred yards. Just aim for the vitals, do your part as a shooter, and the bullet will do the rest.
Bullet Type: Nosler Partition
Bullet Weight: 160 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .475
Muzzle Velocity: 2,950 feet per second
GET FEDERAL 7mm REM MAG PARTITION AMMO HERE
GET NOSLER 7mm REM MAG PARTITION AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Lucky Gunner, MidwayUSA, Optics Planet, & Palmetto State Armory
Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond
Nosler Trophy Grade line of ammo will fit the bill for those looking for some 7mm Rem Mag ammo for deer, elk, bear or moose hunting, but who also want a little bit better performance at longer range than the 160gr Nosler Partition discussed earlier.
This ammunition uses either a 140 grain or a 160 grain AccuBond bullet. It’s not quite as robustly constructed as the Nosler Partition, but the lead core is chemically bonded to the jacket, so you don’t have to worry about the bullet “grenading” or expanding too rapidly upon impact. This makes the AccuBond a much better choice for an elk hunt than other tipped bullet options from Nosler, like the Nosler Ballistic Tip.
At the same time, AccuBond bullets are much more aerodynamic than the Partition and will reliably expand at lower impact velocities. So, this ammunition provides delivers nice extended range performance without being too fragile for close range shots on big game.
I’d recommend using the 140 grain AccuBond bullet for game like deer and pronghorn. The 160 grain AccuBond will also work great on deer sized game (to include antelope), but is also a really good choice for larger and tougher game like black bear and elk.
Bullet Type: Nosler AccuBond
Bullet Weight: 160 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .531
Muzzle Velocity: 2,925 feet per second
GET NOSLER TROPHY GRADE 7mm REM MAG AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Cabela’s, MidwayUSA, Optics Planet, and Sportsman’s Warehouse
Nosler Trophy Grade ammo 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
Barnes VOR-TX
Fans of Barnes bullets are in luck because Barnes produces some great 7mm Rem Mag ammo as part of their VOR-TX line. Featuring their legendary copper Triple Shock X (TSX) and Tipped Triple Shock X (TTSX) bullets, this ammunition is designed for rapid expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration. Available using 140 grain, 150 grain, or 160 grain 7mm bullets, Barnes offers three outstanding choices for hunters regardless of what they’re after.
The 160 grain load is an excellent choice of 7mm Rem Mag ammo for elk, deer, bear, and moose hunting. While it’s not designed for longer range performance, it’s great for shots at typical hunting ranges and retains over 1,500ft-lbs of energy out past 400 yards.
The load featuring a 150 grain Barnes TTSX will also work for larger game like elk, but it’s perfect for bigger deer, bear, and pronghorn. That high velocity 140 grain load is great 7mm Rem Mag ammo for deer and pronghorn hunting, especially for hunters who want a couple hundred extra fps and a really flat trajectory to minimize their holdover for a longer shot.
All three loads are also 100% copper, which makes them an ideal choice of 7mm Rem Mag hunting ammunition for use in states like California that that don’t permit the use of lead bullets.
I’m a big fan of the Barnes VOR-TX line and I’ve used this ammunition with a lot of success on both deer and pronghorn over the past few years. This ammo is also a favorite among many North America, New Zealand, and Africa hunting outfitters.
Muzzle Velocity: 3,100 feet per second (140gr), 3,060 feet per second (150gr), or 2,950 feet per second (160gr)
GET 7mm REM MAG BARNES AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Brownells, Lucky Gunner, and Optics Planet, and Sportsman’s Warehouse
Remington Core-Lokt
If you’re a “meat and potatoes” kind of hunter who wants some reasonably priced and dependable 7mm Rem Mag ammo for hunting deer, elk, feral hogs, and black bear, then Remington’s 175 grain Core-Lokt soft point will probably work really well for you. It’s also available with either a 140 grain or a 150 grain bullet, both of which are great for deer hunting.
It’s not the latest and greatest stuff by any means. Heavier bullets with a higher sectional density (like the load with a 175 grain bullet), tend to penetrate pretty well, even if they don’t have a cutting edge design. This 7mm Rem Mag ammunition has been around for a long time and countless hunters have successfully used Core-Lokt ammo to take just about every species of big game in North America.
One of those bullets through the vitals of a black bear, elk, deer, or pronghorn will make for a very short tracking job. They don’t call it the “deadliest mushroom in the woods” for nothing.
That said, this would not be my first choice for use on bigger game like elk or moose. However, it will absolutely work in that role and lots of elk and moose hunters use this ammunition successfully each year, especially on cow elk or immature bulls.
However, this ammunition is very reasonably priced and has one of the lowest costs per round out of all the 7mm Rem Mag ammo on this list. If you’re on a strict budget and can’t afford premium ammunition, then I’d suggest using the 175 grain Remington Core-Lokt load above any of the other “budget” 7mm Rem Mag ammo options.
Bullet Type: Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSP)
Bullet Weight: 175 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .427
Muzzle Velocity: 2,860 feet per second
GET 7mm REM MAG CORE LOKT AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Brownells, Cabela’s, Lucky Gunner, Palmetto State Armory, and Sportsman’s Warehouse
Federal Premium Terminal Ascent
Federal includes the 7mm Remington Magnum in to their Terminal Ascent line, which is great news as it’s another good option of 7mm Rem Mag hunting ammo for hunters looking for really good extended range performance using a tougher bullet. This ammunition uses the new Terminal Ascent Bullet, which is are also extremely aerodynamic and accurate high performance bullets. It’s not quite as aerodynamic as the Hornady ELD-X, but it still has a relatively high BC and is also much more robustly constructed.
With those things in mind, I personally tend to lean more towards the Terminal Ascent over the ELD-X for hunting bigger game like elk with the 7mm Rem Mag. This ammo is another great option for hunters going after game out west like mule deer or pronghorn who need excellent 7mm Rem Mag ammo for a long-range hunting situation.
If this ammunition shoots accurately in your rifle, this is another good option (along with the 150gr Hornady CX) for hunters who need good 7mm Rem Mag ammo for elk hunting because it’s such a tough bullet that can be counted on for devastating performance on all manner of game at virtually any reasonable range.
Bullet Type: Terminal Ascent
Bullet Weight: 155 grains
Muzzle Velocity: 3,000 feet per second (3,097 ft-lbs of muzzle energy)
GET TERMINAL ASCENT 7mm REM MAG AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Cabela’s, Lucky Gunner, Optics Planet and Sportsman’s Warehouse
Federal Fusion
It’s far from the latest and greatest stuff, but this Federal Fusion loading with either a 150gr or a 175gr bullet is really good 7mm Rem Mag ammo for deer hunting.
Fusion bullets have a bonded lead core to help with weight retention. Combined with a skived tip to help initiate expansion, Federal Fusion 7mm Rem Mag ammo delivers a really good balance of controlled expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration that make it absolutely deadly on deer-sized game.
While Federal Fusion 7mm Rem Mag ammo is primarily intended for deer hunting, it will work on bigger and/or tougher game like black bear and elk under the right conditions. I don’t think this is the best 7mm Rem Mag ammo for elk hunting, but it will definitely work if you can’t find anything better (keep reading for what I think are better options for elk).
All things considered, this is outstanding ammunition for deer hunting though. It will also work great on similar sized game like mule deer, pronghorn, and feral hogs. In addition to being very effective in that role, this ammunition is also somewhat reasonably priced and has been one of the easier to find 7mm Rem Mag ammo options recently. It also has a reputation for being pretty darn accurate.
Bullet Type: Fusion Soft Point
Bullet Weight: 150 grains or 175 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .509 (150gr) or .537 (175gr)
Muzzle Velocity: 3,050 feet per second (150gr) or 2,760 feet per second (175gr)
GET FUSION 7mm MAG AMMO HERE
Also Available At: Cabela’s, Optics Planet and Sportsman’s Warehouse
Federal Premium Berger Hybrid
Berger bullets have long been favorites with handloaders. Fortunately, Federal Premium also offers 7mm Remington Magnum hunting ammunition loaded with the Berger Hybrid Hunter bullet as a factory load, so they’re not limited to those who use handloads. These bullets are known for exceptional accuracy and for being extremely aerodynamic. In fact, this is the most accurate 7mm Rem Mag ammo for many hunters and the Hybrid Hunter is less sensitive to seating depth than the Berger VLD.
Though they do quite often deliver match grade accuracy, the Berger Hybrid Hunter is not a run of the mill match bullet. Instead, it’s designed to provide devastating terminal performance on big game.
While most hunting bullets start to expand immediately upon impact, Berger bullets are designed to penetrate several inches before expanding. Then, according to Berger, the bullet will shed 40-90% of its weight (depending on impact velocity) and send countless tiny fragments off into surrounding tissue.
This produces a massive wound cavity and dumps most, if not all, of the bullet’s energy into the animal.
Those features make this load an excellent choice of 7mm Rem Mag ammo for longer range hunting situations, especially if you’re a proponent of the “energy dump” school of thought when it comes to selecting a hunting bullet.
Bullet Type: Berger Hybrid Hunter
Bullet Weight: 168 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .566
Muzzle Velocity: 2,870 feet per second
GET 7mm REM MAG BERGER AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Brownell’s, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Optics Planet, and Palmetto State Armory
Hornady Superformance
Hornady advertises that their Superformance line of ammunition will safely deliver an additional 100-200 fps of muzzle velocity over than comparable loads. That extra velocity translates into a flatter trajectory, more resistance to wind drift, and devastating terminal effects on game. Since it uses a lighter bullet, it also has less recoil than many other 7mm Mag loads.
This ammunition is loaded with Hornady’s SST bullet, which has a reputation for great accuracy. Especially at the high velocities the ammunition is known for, that bullet will expand very rapidly, often at the expense of penetration. It will deliver devastating results on impact, but don’t expect exit wounds (even on a broadside shot), especially on bigger bodied animals.
With all that in mind, this is great 7mm Rem Mag deer hunting ammo. It is also an excellent choice for pronghorn, but I DON’T recommend using it on bigger game like elk.
Bullet Type: SST
Bullet Weight: 139 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .486
Muzzle Velocity: 3,240 feet per second
GET 7mm REM MAG HORNADY SST AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Brownells, Optics Planet, Natchez Shooter Supplies, and Sportsman’s Warehouse
Barnes VOR-TX LR
Barnes also offers a loading for the 7mm Remington Magnum as part of their VOR-TX Long Range line. This ammunition is very similar to their regular VOR-TX line, but is intended to provide an accurate, flat-shooting bullet that will reliably expand out to 700 yards without sacrificing close range performance.
They were largely successful in that goal and this ammunition is another great choice for hunters who want good 7mm Rem Mag ammo for hunting at longer range.
The Barnes LRX Boat Tail bullets used in this line do expand at lower impact velocities than the standard TTSX or TSX bullets, but they’re still robustly constructed and won’t come apart at high impact velocities. So, you can use this ammunition with confidence on game from point blank range all the way out to 700 yards.
Barnes VOR-TX LR ammunition is also 100% copper, which makes it another good choice of 7mm Rem Mag hunting ammunition for use in states like California that that don’t permit the use of lead bullets.
Bullet Type: LRX Boat Tail (LRX BT)
Bullet Weight: 139 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .470
Muzzle Velocity: 3,210 feet per second
GET BARNES VOR-TX LR 7mm REM MAG AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Brownell’s, MidwayUSA, Natchez Shooters Supplies, Palmetto State Armory, & Sportsman’s Warehouse
Hornady Outfitter
Hornady introduced their Outfitter line of ammunition a couple years ago. Just like you’d think from the name, this stuff is marketed for those going on serious hunting adventures in really tough environments like a moose hunt in Canada, elk in the Rocky Mountains, or a kudu hunt in South Africa. That said, this is also great 7mm Rem Mag ammo to use on a whitetail deer hunt in the back 40 or on feral hogs in the Georgia swamps.
This ammunition is loaded with an extremely tough 150 grain CX bullet that’s designed for controlled expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration on large, heavy boned animals like elk and moose. The CX replaced the old GMX bullet with the primary difference being that the CX has a higher BC. This ammunition also uses nickel-plated case for reliable feeding and corrosion resistance under the most demanding conditions.
With all those things in mind, it’s easy to see why Hornady advertises their Outfitter 7mm Rem Mag ammo for use on a big hunt that’s the culmination of years of saving and planning. After all, when the chips are down on the hunt of a lifetime, the absolute last thing you need is for your ammo to fail at the moment of truth.
The CX bullet used in Hornady Outfitter ammunition is lead free, which makes this ammo another good choice for use in states like California.
Bullet Type: CX
Bullet Weight: 150 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .455
Muzzle Velocity: 3,000 feet per second
GET HORNADY OUTFITTER 7mm REM MAG AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Cabela’s, MidwayUSA, & Optics Planet
Winchester Deer Season XP
Winchester’s Deer Season XP line of ammunition is another good option if you’re planning on taking your 7mm Rem Mag deer hunting. The Extreme Point bullet this rifle ammo uses is similar to Winchester’s Power Point bullet, but the Extreme Point has a large diameter polymer tip that’s specifically designed to produce a gigantic wound channel along with massive impact trauma.
This normally results in a very short tracking job and a very easy to follow blood trail. Even so, Deer Season XP ammo is designed specifically to compete with popular whitetail deer hunting ammo like the Hornady American Whitetail, Winchester Super-X, Federal Fusion, and Federal Power-Shok in terms of accuracy, reliability, and terminal performance.
The Winchester Deer Season XP line is also competitively priced and has one of the lowest costs per round out of all the 7mm RM ammo on this list.
So, not only is this some very reasonably priced 7mm Rem Mag ammo, but it also has a very good reputation for producing a giant wound channel and minimizing the distance deer run after being hit. In fact, this Winchester ammo is one of my top recommended brands of 7mm Rem Mag ammo for whitetail deer hunting.
That being said, I would NOT recommend using it for bigger game like elk or moose. If you need a budget option for ammo suitable for hunting really big game, go with the 175 grain Remington Core Lokt I previously recommended.
Note: Winchester also makes a lead free version of their Deer Season XP line using copper bullets for hunters in areas where lead free bullets are required.
Bullet Type: Extreme Point
Bullet Weight: 140 grains
Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .484
Muzzle Velocity: 3,100 feet per second
GET DEER SEASON XP 7mm REM MAG AMMO HERE
Also Available at: Brownell’s and Optics Planet
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The Lyman 50th Edition (p214-216), and Hornady 10th Edition (p406-411) reloading manuals were used as references for this article.
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