I love hunting with and shooting muzzleloaders. There is virtue to be found in the slower pace, the process of load development, and the added skills required to place a bullet on target. But I, along with most muzzleloader fans, HATE cleaning them. This is especially true of old-school percussion cap and flintlock models. That is not to imply that modern in-lines are fun and enjoyable to clean. Both platforms demand their own considerations when it comes to muzzleloader maintenance.

In this article, we want to shine the light on what it takes to deep-clean both in-line and closed-breech muzzleloaders.

We’ll begin with contemporary muzzleloaders because they are the easiest to clean and to maintain. Nearly all incorporate a removeable breech plug that simply screws into the back of the barrel. The Traditions NitroFire we’re using here does not have a breech plug due to its use of the Federal Premium FireStick technology, but the cleaning process is like that of standard in-line muzzleloaders.

The thing to keep in mind regarding in-line muzzleloaders is that nearly all are used with copper-jacketed bullets and plastic sabots. This is a big difference compared to traditional muzzleloaders that propel lead balls or slugs, because you’re not so much dealing with lead and powder fouling in the bore, but copper and plastic. Both materials cling to rifling and any surface imperfections along the barrel’s lands and grooves. This means that your average muzzleloader bore solvent and cotton patches are not going to do a great job of eliminating this fouling.

In-Line Muzzleloader Cleaning

Proper barrel cleaning of centerfire rifles and handguns demands a quality solvent and liberal application of a bore brush to remove built-up fouling that can be detrimental to barrel life and accuracy. It is no different with muzzleloaders that shoot copper-clad sabot bullets. In the minds of many shooters who may come from a traditional muzzleloader background, the idea of cleaning a barrel with a bore lubricant and a patch still lingers. Just because the in-line is a “muzzleloader” does not mean it holds to the same cleaning processes as closed-breech sidelock or flintlock muzzleloaders.

Treat your in-line muzzleloader as you would any conventional firearm. After removing the breech plug, run a patch saturated with a good solvent, such as Hoppe’s #9, down the bore to remove the gross fouling. Next, saturate a caliber-specific bore brush with the solvent and make around 10 passes back and forth in the barrel. Allow the solvent to do its work for 10-15 minutes.

Sidelock Muzzleloader Cleaning — the Deep Dive

If I were to venture a guess, I’d reckon that relatively few commercially manufactured sidelock muzzleloaders owned by the occasional muzzleloader shooter or hunter ever receive a thorough cleaning. For many, the sidelock rifle is unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory. Most only receive the cursory cleaning by running a bore lubricant down the barrel a few times before calling it “done.” Fewer still, ever attempt to remove the sidelock to lubricate the mechanism and remove built-up fouling and debris.

Well, the good news is that deep cleaning a sidelock muzzleloader is a simple task. It’s not fun and it is messy, but it is not difficult.

We’re going to show you how to disassemble a sidelock for cleaning. This is a Kentucky-style rifle made from a Traditions DIY kit six or seven years ago and it has never been taken apart since it was built. High time it was, and since most percussion cap and flintlock muzzleloaders are similarly built, it is a good representation of what you’ll find in most sidelock rifles.

Everyone seems to have their own preference when it comes to cleaning a closed-breech rifle barrel. Some feel a cotton patch and bore lubricant is sufficient (it’s not). Others favor solvent and a nylon brush followed by a patch and bore lube. [NOTE: Never use a copper brush in a closed-breech muzzleloader barrel because it will get STUCK!]

My preferred method is the one used by experienced blackpowder shooters — hot, soapy water. After removing the gross fouling with a couple patches and lube, followed by a patch or two saturated with solvent, my barrel gets a bath. Near-boiling water is funneled into the barrel and allowed to drain into a bucket. The breech end of the barrel is then placed in a bucket with hot, soapy water (dish liquid works well). There needs to be enough water to cover the bolster. Next, I screw a mop onto the end of the ramrod and go to town. Raising the wet mop up and down will hydraulically lift the water up the bore. I will scrub up and down like this for several minutes, change the dirty soapy water with fresh, and repeat until the water is clear.

We mentioned earlier that it’s best not to remove the barrel from rifles that use small tenon pins. We only did this here to show you how it is done. Normally, you would keep the barrel on the rifle assembly when cleaning long rifles, such as the Kentucky- or Pennsylvania-style muzzleloaders. You can still use the hot water method, but instead of removing and placing the end of the barrel in hot water, a tube is secured over a special O-ring nipple and the opposite end placed in hot, soapy water. The tube allows the water to be sucked up into the barrel by the mop to effectively clean the barrel without having to remove it from the stock.

Ask any five deer hunters what the best 308 ammo is for deer and you’ll likely get five different answers. The truth is, there are a lot of excellent deer hunting factory loads for 308 Winchester (308 Win for short) as the round is flat shooting, has amazing stopping power, and you have a wide variety of different bullet profiles to choose from.

However, if you want to ensure that you’re baking Bambi’s backstraps at deer camp instead of tracking blood trails for hours on end…Then you’ve found the right article!

Below you’ll find our top six favorite 308 Win deer hunting loads on the market for 2024. Although this is not a comprehensive list, these selections have proven time and time again to put the venison on your plate instead of bounding into the brush.

If you simply can’t wait, our favorite deer hunting round is Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr Extreme Point. However, if you want the full list keep on scrolling or if you want to understand what makes for an amazing deer hunting cartridge, then check out our Buyer’s Guide HERE.

Quick Administrative Note: I know you’re ready for the top 6 list and it’s right below. This article is wholly focused on deer hunting, but if you’re looking for the best overall 308 Winchester ammo for hunting and target shooting, then check out this article: The Best 308 Ammo for Hunting and Target Shooting.

The Best 308 Ammo for Deer Hunting Top Picks

1. Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr Extreme Point
2. Hornady Custom 150 gr SST
3. Black Hills Gold 168 gr TSX
4. Federal Premium 175 gr Terminal Ascent
5. Hornady Precision Hunter 178 gr ELD-X
6. Remington Core-Lokt 180 gr PSP

The Best .308 Ammo for Deer Hunting Overall

Winchester Deer Season XP 150 gr Extreme Point

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Extreme Point
• Bullet Weight: 150 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,820 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 2,648 FT-LBS

Pros

• Optimized polymer tip for ideal penetration and expansion
• Affordable
• Built specifically for deer hunting

Cons

• Results vary depending on the rifle

Why We Chose It

If you’re looking for a premium deer hunting round that has the terminal performance to stop a trophy whitetail or mule deer dead in its tracks, then look no further than Winchester Deer Season XP.

Winchester designed the Deer Season XP line of ammunition with the specific needs of deer hunters in mind. Descended from the legendary Winchester Power Point bullet, the Extreme Point 150-grain bullet offers deep penetration combined with wicked expansion to really quickly and ethically put down any trophy buck that wanders near your tree stand.

The secret to the Extreme Point’s effectiveness is tied to its aerodynamic polymer tip. Not only does it protect the oversized hollow point during chambering, but the tip also initiates expansion immediately when it encounters soft tissue.

This puts down deer fast so long as your shot placement is on point, and with its low price point you’ll have more than enough opportunity to get out to the range and practice those long-range hunting shots.

When you combine all of these qualities together, the result is more venison in your freezer, an amazing rack of antlers on your wall, and a story to tell your hunting buddies that you’ll never forget. And if you want that, then make sure your bolt-action deer hunting rifle is loaded with Winchester Deer Season XP 150 Extreme Point ammo this fall!

Hornady Custom 150 gr SST

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Super Shock Tip
• Bullet Weight: 150 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,820 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 2,648 FT-LBS

Pros

• Loaded with Hornady’s reputation for quality
• Excellent weight retention and terminal performance
• Availability

Cons

• More expensive than Winchester

Why We Chose It

If you plan on hunting medium-sized game and want a round with a flat trajectory and devastating terminal performance, then Hornady Custom 150 gr SST ammo is what you need for your next hunt.

The Hornady SST combines everything hunters love from Hornady’s groundbreaking Interlock Soft Point design and integrates it into a hollow point projectile with a polymer tip to initiate expansion. Upon impact the tip is forced into the hollow point to initiate expansion. delivering tremendous shock to a whitetail and creating a massive wound channel that can put a deer down fast.

The SST bullet utilizes an aerodynamic secant ogive bullet profile for a flatter trajectory, tapered jacket for deep penetration, and the patented Hornady Interlock ring that locks the lead core to the jacket and thereby increasing weight retention.

All in all, the Hornady Custom 150 gr SST is an incredibly close runner-up to our top pick and is only supplanted due to a slightly higher price point. However, given Hornady’s outstanding reputation for loading incredibly accurate and deadly ammo, a slightly higher price is easily justified when you want to make sure that trophy buck ends up on your wall.

Black Hills Gold 168gr TSX

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Triple-Shock X
• Bullet Weight: 168 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,650 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 2,619 FT-LBS

Pros

• Great quality and reputation
• High velocity for its weight
• Triple-Shock X bullet offers excellent expansion and penetration

Cons

• It’s pricey, but it’s also spicy

Why We Chose It

When shooters talk about Black Hills ammo, phrases like “incredibly accurate”, “extremely consistent”, and “excellent terminal ballistics” are commonplace. The Black Hills Gold 168 gr TSX holds true to this legacy and is unquestionably a deer hunting round that should be on your short list to pickup this fall.

Although this offering from Black Hills is firing a heavier bullet than our first two selections, it still maintains a high muzzle velocity and flat trajectory desired for those long range shots.

The Barnes TSX bullet is the heart of this Black Hills Gold factory load, providing unparalleled stopping power and accuracy that is stops whitetail, black bears, feral hogs, and any other 4-legged varmint dead in their tracks.

Machined from a solid piece of copper, Triple-Shock X bullets utilize a traditional hollow point bullet that offers exceptional penetration and expansion that’s needed when taking on big game animals. And as the bullet is lead-free to boot, which means it’s legal for use in states like California.

If you’re familiar with Barnes Bullets and the TSX, you’ll know that it is the big brother to their newer model, the TTSX (Tipped Trippe-Shock X) bullets. Both are excellent hunting bullets, but Black Hills opted to go with the classic model and who can blame them?

We know a lot of people talk about the price of the Black Hills Gold TSX, but when you consider you’re getting an average of 60 pounds of meat for $3, and you don’t have to spend hours tracking an injured Cervidae, it’s more than worth it!

Federal Premium 175 gr Terminal Ascent

Specs

• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Bullet Type: Terminal Acent
• Bullet Weight: 175gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,600 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 2,627 FT-LBS

Pros

• Bonded construction for high weight retention
• High ballistic coefficient for long range shots
• Designed for excellent expansion at high and low velocity

Cons

• You pay for performance

Why We Chose It

The Federal Terminal Ascent is not only one of the heavier bullets on our list, but it’s an exquisitely designed, polymer-tipped, and high-quality round that feeds well. The nickel-plated brass makes for smooth chambering, and the bonded lead core helps the projectile retain its weight on impact.

Federal designed the Terminal Ascent with its patented Slipstream polymer tip to give the bullet a flatter trajectory (because accuracy is important), but it also helps with low-velocity expansion.

Capable of taking big game animals like elk and caribou, the Federal Premium 175 gr Terminal Ascent is more than capable of taking down any whitetail or mule deer that crosses your path.

This Federal Premium hunting ammo is one deer hunting round that you don’t want to miss when it’s in stock even though it’s a little pricey. But as Federal says on their website regarding Terminal Ascent, “Any hunt. Any range.” And that is performance most hunters are willing to shuck out a few extra shekels for!

Hornady Precision Hunter 178 gr ELD-X

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Extremely Low Drag – Expanding
• Bullet Weight: 178 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,600 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 2,672 FT-LBS

Pros

• Match-grade accuracy and reliability
• Backed by Hornady’s reputation and consistency
• High ballistic coefficient for long-range shots

Cons

• Heavier bullet weight
• Heavier price tag

Why We Chose It

Any competitive shooter will tell you that match ammo is excellent for long range precision shooting, but any hunter will also tell you that match-grade ammo isn’t ethical for hunting deer (or any game, for that matter). Hornady solved this issue by taking the best qualities of their match ammo and combined it with an expanding bullet to create one of the most deadly hunting bullets ever made.

The Hornady ELD-X is one of the top long-range hunting bullets on the market, walking in the same circles as long-time standbys like the Accubond Long Range or Berger VLD.

The Hornady ELD-X integrates many of the same qualities as the SST, which was our #2 pick earlier in this article. It utilizes the Interlock system to keep the lead core and jacket of the bullet intact during expansion as well as a smooth, sleek design with a high ballistic coefficient for long-range accuracy.

Hornady combined their highly concentric AMP bullet jacket technology with their equally impressive Heat Shield tip to create a bullet that is not only streamlined but also extremely deadly.

Although Hornady Precision Hunter ammo is extremely accurate and effective against large game animals, it also carries a price tag to match that performance. However, as most hunters aren’t spending the weekend plinking with their hunting rifle and only need a few boxes of ammo per year, that price tag is well worth the added performance Hornady Precision Hunter 178 gr ELD-X offers.

Remington Core-Lokt 180 gr PSP

Specs

• Casing: Brass
• Bullet Type: Pointed Soft Point (PSP)
• Bullet Weight: 180 gr
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,743 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 2,620 FT-LBS

Pros

• Affordable and Effective
• Easy to find
• Trusted by generations to bring home the venison

Cons

• Not as accurate as some premium rounds

Why We Chose It

The Remington Core-Lokt 180 gr PSP is the closest thing you’ll get to your Grandpa’s favorite hunting rounds. You don’t get a lot of bells and whistles with these hunting cartridges, but they hit hard and simply get the job done.

Remington designed the Core-Lokt in the late 1930s and has been one of the flagship hunting cartridges for the company ever since. Although it may not be as sleek or accurate as an ELD-X, but the Core-Lokt simply slaps and can easily fell a deer with one bullet with good shot placement.

Combine all this with a price tag every hunter can afford, there’s no way that we couldn’t include this classic big game hunting round.

Parting Shots

The 308 Win has a long and storied history of being an extremely accurate and effective deer hunting round. Picking the best 308 ammo for deer is always something that is a little bit subjective, but if you pick any of the rounds on our top 6 list, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

No matter your preference, do keep in mind that ammo goes fast especially when the leaves start to change colors. When you see a few boxes available, grab them up and put them away for deer season.

You can click HERE to go back to the top of our list or scroll down to our buyer’s guide to learn more about choosing .308 ammo for hunting.

The Best 308 Ammo For Deer Buyer’s Guide

Welcome to our .308 Winchester for deer hunting buyer’s guide! In this section, we’ll review some tips to help you pick out your next favorite deer-hunting bullet. We also have tips to help you pick your next favorite .308 ammo for other hunting and shooting activities.

.308 Winchester Deer Hunting Bullet Types Explained

Finding good deer hunting ammo is pretty easy when you know what to look for. When I first started buying deer hunting ammo (many years ago), I picked up whatever box was cheap and had a picture of a deer on it (let’s be honest, that’s great marketing). Now, as an avid hunter, one of the first things I look at is the bullet type and design.

Bullets react with their targets in different ways depending on their composite and design (this is called terminal ballistics). For example, you’ve probably heard of FMJs (Full Metal Jackets). These rounds have a soft lead core covered with a thin jacket (typically copper), and they’re most useful for target shooting and plinking because they are inexpensive.

FMJ ammo is great for a fund day at the range, but they don’t expand on impact when they impact soft tissue. Despite the muzzle velocity, trajectory, and ballistic coefficient, these bullets aren’t going to create a wound channel sufficient enough to ethically take down large to medium sized game like whitetail deer or feral hogs.

Now you might think that hollow point bullets are the way to go for deer hunting, but this is also a misconception. Although jacketed hollow points are excellent for self-defense handgun ammo, they simply aren’t great for deer hunting. Most hollow point rifle bullets are match-grade (like the Sierra Matchking) and designed for long range shooting and accuracy.

Accuracy is definitely important when you line up your sights on a trophy buck. But since match ammo doesn’t offer any advantages in terminal ballistics over FMJ ammo, they simply aren’t appropriate for deer hunting.

So, the only suitable hunting ammo types are bullets that reliably expand when they encounter a big game animal. These bullets types include Soft Points, Polymer Tips, SSTs (Super Shock Tip), ballistic tips, PSP (pointed soft point), or something like the Nosler Partition.

.308 Deer Hunting Rifle and Ammo Tips

Rifle selection is an important part of deer hunting, as you need to make sure that your rifle can deliver your hunting bullets to where they need to go.

You don’t need the hottest hunting rifle on the market to put down big game, regardless of what the kind salesperson behind the gun counter tells you. Your great uncle’s Ruger Hawkeye bolt-action rifle, Granddad’s sketchy Henry 30-30 lever action rifle (speaking from experience here), or the hottest semi-automatics can all equally put deer on your kitchen table.

No matter your rifle preference, there are some things that you should know about finding the perfect cartridge to drop a mule deer on the spot.

As mentioned previously, you’ll want to get out to the range before deer season. Most factory loads (and even hand loads) perform differently depending on the rifle. These variations are further exacerbated by varying twist rates and casings.

If you love to hunt, you should love to go target shooting too. Shot placement is just as important as terminal ballistics, so pick up a few boxes of .308 ammo from different manufacturers, and get out to the range to find out which ones are most accurate in your chosen hunting rifle.

Naturally, you’ll also want to keep your rifle clean and in good working order. A rifle you don’t take care of will not take care of you (or any wild game hunting). This tip also includes taking great care of your scope (hence, also getting out to the range).

Another thing to consider when using the .308 Winchester for deer hunting is distance. The options listed above tend to perform well within 400 yards. But before you take those long-range shots, ensure your rifle and ammo will perform adequately.

Different cartridges will have different effective ranges when it comes to deer hunting. Rounds like the 30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor have different trajectories and terminal performance compared to the 308 Win, so it’s important to understand your rifle, cartridge, and their capabilities before you ever set foot in the woods.

Frequently Asked Questions

There’s a lot that goes into hunting, ammo, and your rifle. If we didn’t cover all of your burning questions above, hang out with us for a few more minutes, and we’ll answer your most frequently asked questions.

Is this .308 ammo good for bears too?

The .308 Winchester is an excellent cartridge for black bear and is more effective than handguns for bear defense. There are multiple rounds that are effective against black bear like the Barnes VOR-TX or Nosler’s Accubond that are perfectly suited if you actively choose to pick a fight with Baloo.

Is there a difference between the .308 Norma Magnum and the .308 Winchester?

Yes, the .308 Norma Magnum uses a 338 Win Mag case necked down to fire a .30 caliber projectile. Essentially, the 308 Norma Magnum has a larger case and is more powerful than the .308 Winchester.

What does a boat tail do?

A boat tail helps a bullet reduce drag, giving it a flatter trajectory and making it less susceptible to wind deflection. This makes the bullet more aerodynamic and increases the ballistic coefficient.

Can I use the 5.56 NATO or .223 for deer hunting?

Many states prohibit the use of 5.56 NATO or 223 Remington for deer hunting. However, the bullets like a Federal Fusion or Trophy Bonded can be effective against deer when fired from a 223.

Can I buy .308 Winchester deer hunting ammo in bulk?

Absolutely! If you want to stock up, we have a lot of bulk .308 Winchester ammo available. Look for the Soft Point, PSP, or Winchester Power Point.

Back to the Best .308 Deer Hunting Ammo

Now that you have a better understanding of the .308 Winchester and the best deer-hunting ammo click HERE to go back to our favorite 308 deer hunting cartridges!

This elk sausage recipe is a great way to enjoy a healthy, protein-packed and delicious meal. Whether you are an experienced or new hunter – or if you bought elk at the store: you’ve come to the right place to find a recipe for elk breakfast sausage patties!

Making elk sausages is easy with this recipe because they are in patty form. This means you don’t have to buy hog casings or have fancy sausage stuffing equipment!

Elk are one of the largest types of deer, making it a wild game meat that is similar to venison.

This meat is growing in popularity because it is nutritious and lean. The first time I tried elk I bought it as ground meat and cooked it for tacos; I loved how it wasn’t as greasy as ground beef and it had such a mild, clean and almost a sweet taste!

You can substitute elk with ground venison or even ground beef in this recipe, but the cooking process will be a bit different because of the amount of fat. We suggest carefully monitoring the sausage patties on the stove with whichever meat you decide to cook.

Health Benefits of Elk Meat:

Compared to regular beef, elk has about half the fat and more protein. It is high in B vitamins, zinc and healthy types of fat. Most farm raised elk are able to free range and have a varied diet including many different types of plant material. Make sure to look up the company and ensure they are a good farm if you are purchasing meat from the store, confirming you are buying a high-quality product.

While we don’t think many types of animal fats are bad for you (if you are eating grass-fed, grass-finished red meat and organic, pasture-raised poultry), we do think it is easy to have too much fat when eating a diet that includes animal products. For example, we include butter and cream in our diet, so we often get plenty of fat from dairy products. Having a lean meat option is a nice way to help balance the appropriate amounts of fats, carbohydrates and proteins in a meal.

Elk hunted from the wild:

As we are not hunting professionals, we don’t have instructions for how to properly skin or butcher wild game. There are many resources for this online! This recipe calls for ground meat which means you will need a good meat grinder or hand grinder if you haven’t bought it pre-ground. Once you have your ground meat, you can follow this easy recipe!

Storage:

• You can freeze the prepared raw meat mixture in a non- BPA freezer bag or reusable silicone bag for up to 4 months. Make sure to seal the meat air tight to prevent freezer burn. Only keep the raw meat mixture in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in an airtight container or it will begin to spoil.

• You can refrigerate the cooked sausage patties for up to 3 days by allowing them to cool to room temperature and sealing them in an airtight container or in a dish covered tightly with plastic wrap.

• You can freeze cooked sausage patties by allowing them to cool to room temperature and sealing in a non-BPA freezer bag or reusable silicone bag for up to 4 months (again, sealing airtight to prevent freezer burn.)

Tips for Best results when cooking elk sausage:

• Combine the dry spices in a small or medium bowl before adding the seasoning mixture to however many pounds of meat you are preparing. This will ensure your sausage seasonings will be uniform throughout your meat.

• Fresh herbs can be used in place of dry by multiplying the quantity by 3. For example, instead of adding 1 teaspoon of dry thyme you can add 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme. We made this recipe in the winter so we only had dry herbs – but can’t wait to try this recipe with herbs from the garden in spring and summer!

• Preheat the stove to medium heat and add butter until it begins to bubble before adding the sausage patties. This will allow better browning and less sticking.
• You will want to turn the heat up to medium-high for proper browning but monitor the heat to ensure the sausages are not burning .

• Carefully monitor the sausages when cooking: you don’t want to overcook these because the low amount of fat can cause the sausage to be quite dry if overly well-done.
• We do not recommend using most “non-stick” pans as most have a coating made with toxic chemicals that can leach into your food. We suggest sticking with stainless steal or cast iron for cooking.

What to eat with Elk Breakfast sausage patties:

Enjoy these patties with the same sides you would normally eat with breakfast sausage. Sourdough flatbread, sourdough crepes or pancakes, crispy hash browns, sourdough bread toast with apple butter…

One of our favorite healthy side dishes for this recipe is sauteed apples in butter and maple syrup, topped with sour cream and a little cinnamon and nutmeg. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

*This is not medical advice

*None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA

Gamo is a Spanish company that has been manufacturing air rifles since 1961. The company is best known for its high-powered, high-velocity rifles. In recent years, Gamo has been advertising the Magnum as being the fastest pellet gun on the market. So, is it?

Gamo Magnum FPS

The Gamo Magnum boasts an impressive FPS of 1,650 in .177 caliber and 1,300 in .22 caliber. To put that into perspective, most pellet guns have an FPS of around 700-900. So, there’s no doubt that the Gamo Magnum is a powerful air rifle. But is it the fastest?
The Gamo Magnum is capable of reaching speeds up to 1650 fps and 1300 fps with PBA Platinum ammo, making it ideal for taking down rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and crows. The fixed fiber optic front sight and fully adjustable fiber optic rear sight help you keep your target in sight, while the 11mm scope rail with scope stop provides a stable platform for mounting your favorite optics. The rifled steel barrel and SWA (Shock Wave Absorber) recoil pad work together to deliver precise shots with reduced felt recoil, while the all-weather ambidextrous thumbhole stock ensures a comfortable grip in any conditions

Other features of Gamo Magnum

In addition to its high velocity, the Gamo Magnum also features a precision rifled barrel, fiber optic sights, and a shockwave absorber recoil pad. These features make the Gamo Magnum a great choice for both beginners and experienced shooters alike.

Other Product features:

• 11mm scope rail with scope stop
• Rifled steel barrel
• SWA (Shock Wave Absorber) recoil pad reduces felt recoil by up to 74%
• All-weather ambidextrous thumbhole stock with black rubber inserts on grip, forearm and cheekpiece
• Custom Action Trigger (CAT) independently adjustable 1st and 2nd stage, allows you to tailor you trigger
• Automatic cocking safety system
• Manual safety
• Recoil Reducing Rail maximizes scope lifespan with 99.9% recoil compensation
• Includes 3-9×40 adjustable objective scope and mount

Optics Features

• 3-9x magnification
• 40mm adjustable objective lens
• 1″ tube
• 30/30 reticle with fine crosshairs, perfect for target acquisition
• 40 ft to 12 ft field of view
• 3.5″ eye relief
• 21.6 oz
• 13.5″ long
• Fogproof
• Shockproof
• Wateproof
• Includes lens caps

Conclusion

So, is the Gamo Magnum the fastest air rifle on the market? Based on its advertised FPS, it certainly appears to be. However, there are other factors to consider when choosing an air rifle, such as power, accuracy, and user-friendliness. If you’re in the market for a new air rifle, be sure to do your research and choose the one that’s right for you.

For more on the best air rifles on the market, see this post

Today I’m going to show you the best light for coyote hunting on the market today.

In fact:

I’ve hand-tested over 10 hunting lights alone for this review.

The best part?

I’ve sorted them by use. So whether you’re on a budget or looking for the most premium light, you’ll find it here.

Let’s get started!

The 4 Best Light for Coyote Hunting

If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best coyote hunting lights:

1. Orion M30C: Best Coyote Hunting Light
2. Ulako Zoomable Green Light: Best for the Budget
3. Wicked Lights W403IC RED: Best Red Coyote Light
4. Predator Tactics Coyote Reaper: Best for Predator Hunting

1. Orion M30C: Best Coyote Hunting Light

The Orion M30C is one of the best lights for coyote hunting on the market today.

Orion is one brand that has never disappointed me, so I was very excited to try this light!

How did it measure up to their other products?

Let’s find out.

Build

The Orion M30C is available in either red or green light. It offers 100% pure light, with no filtering at all.

It’s constructed with aviation-grade aluminum and is scratch and impact-resistant. It’s very durable, waterproof, and heat/cold resistant.

The M30C is made with 3 Cree XP-E2 LED lights, with three different brightness levels including 700 lumens, 400 lumens, and 75 lumens.

This is the brightest hunting light I’ve ever used. I’ve had many good experiences using Orion’s hunting gear, and this light was no different. It’s bright, clear in any environment, and easily portable.

To set the brightness, you turn the bezel at the top of the light. It’s a bit awkward to reach up and turn at first, but it’s easy to get used to and remembers your last brightness setting, even after you turn it off and back on again.

If you purchase the whole light kit, it comes with an AC and car power adapter, two high-quality batteries, and all the mounting gear you could need.

The brightness level you use determines how long you can expect the battery to last. At 75 lumens (the lowest brightness setting), it’ll last 22 hours. At 400 lumens, expect 4.5 hours of use. And at the highest setting of 700 lumens, it’ll last 1.8 hours.

The batteries are rechargeable up to 500 times, and since it comes with a car charger, it’s easy to charge no matter where you are. Plus, you don’t have to worry about overcharging, because it’ll automatically stop once the battery is full.

Use

Orion claims you can see up to 377 yards with this light, but I’ve seen the reflection of eyes from 500+ yards away!

I’d say it takes until you’re around 200 yards away before you can get a good shot, which is still incredibly far.

Coyotes never notice this light. Even from 5 yards away, on the brightest setting, they don’t suspect a thing.

The M30C comes with a tactical mount and all the attachments you need to mount it on virtually any gun’s scope, rail, or barrel.

One of the only downsides of this light is that the beam is not adjustable. It’s not a huge problem, just something that takes a little getting used to.

On some guns, the head may be a bit too large for the barrel connection piece. Again, not a huge issue, it might just rub against the barrel.

Size

This light is relatively small and compact.

The head is 2.5” in diameter, and the tail is 1”. Overall, it’s 6” long.

It’s also pretty lightweight, weighing only 7.6 oz. This is ideal, as it won’t add a lot of weight to your gun.

Price

You can choose to purchase the entire kit, including two batteries; the chargers; and the mounts, or you can purchase just the light.

The kit is available for around $170, while the light itself goes for about $120. In my opinion, it’s worth the extra $50 for the whole kit!

This is a light that’s absolutely worth the money you’ll spend. It’s guaranteed to be one of the best varmint hunting lights you’ll ever use.

Is the Orion M30C Worth it?

If you’re a seasoned coyote hunter, you know that lights are an indispensable part of any hunting trip.

Like turkey hunters need turkey calls, coyote hunters need coyote lights.

Coyotes are nocturnal animals, so you need the right equipment to be able to see through the pitch-black of night.

If you’re a newbie coyote hunter looking for the perfect accessories, the Orion M30C is the best, brightest light I’ve ever owned. It makes coyote hunting completely effortless.

2. Ulako Zoomable Green Light: Best for the Budget

If you’re looking for an affordable hunting light, look no further than the Ulako Zoomable Green Light.

Every nighttime hunter needs a light, and green lights are great because you can see your game, but your game can’t see you.

Many top hunting lights retail for $100+, but the Ulako will run you less than $30!

Does the company sacrifice quality in their pursuit of an affordable green light?

Let’s find out.

Build

The Ulako Green Light is made with a convex lens, powered by an included rechargeable battery. In a pinch, it’ll also run on 3 AAA batteries.

It’s made of very durable aluminum alloy, and it’s both waterproof and shockproof. I’ve had mine for over a year, hunted in just about every environmental condition you can imagine (sometimes multiple times per week!), and never had a single issue with it.

The Ulako also features dual switches. The tactical on/off switch is located on the tail cap, and the toggle pressure, momentary on-switch is located near the pressure pad. The dual switches give the user versatility and offer easy operation.

Overall, it’s a very simple yet rugged green light. The bright green light gives you long-distance visibility without alerting game to your presence.

Use

Ulako claims this light can extend to a maximum distance of 300 meters. In my experience, this seems to be true. However, you get the best visibility up to about 150 meters.

It projects a crisp, bright, and steady beam at long and short distances. Visibility is great, even in fog and rain. You can easily get a clean shot at any nocturnal pests, big or small, and they won’t be spooked by the green light.

One great thing about this light is that the zoom is adjustable. With the zoom fully extended, you get a small, concentrated, square-shaped beam. When you slide the focus inward, it changes to a less concentrated, medium to large, round beam.

The zoom is smooth, precise, and easy to adjust.

The battery is specifically designed for high-powered hunting flashlights, and you can expect a run time of 4+ hours on a full charge. The charging indicator light changes from red to green once the battery is fully charged, so there’s no need to worry about over or undercharging.

The Ulako fits tubes sized 25-30mm and mounts/unmounts easily.

Size

At just 14.4 oz, this is a relatively lightweight light that’ll fit nicely on any gun without weighing it down.

It’s 5.3” long (6’3” when fully extended) and 1.4” wide.

Price

The entire Zoomable Green Light kit is available for just $25.95.

This kit includes the light, quick release mount, Picatinny mount, pressure switch, rechargeable battery, and charger.

The rechargeable battery is especially useful, especially if you regularly hunt at night. It’ll save you countless pennies on replacement battery after replacement battery.

You may be wary of this light because its price is almost too good to be true! However, you can be assured that Ulako provides great quality at an even better price.

Is the Ulako Zoomable Green Light Worth it?

The Ulako Zoomable Green Light is the best option for the money by far.

Ulako offers a very dependable light that lets you get the best shot in the worst conditions.

It’s great for newbie nighttime hunters, as it functions simply and is very easy to operate.

If you’re a hunter on a budget searching for predator hunting lights reviews online, you might be discouraged by the high price of a lot of the top options. However, this is a fantastic light that won’t break the bank.

I would recommend it to any nighttime hunter who needs a good, affordable green light.

3. Wicked Lights W403IC RED: Best Red Coyote Light

The Wicked Lights W403IC RED is one of the best red coyote hunting lights available.

It’s purpose-built, durably engineered, and incredibly bright.

How does the W403IC measure up to competitors?

Let’s find out!

Build

The W403IC is precision-made with T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, with type III hard anodization. The entire assembly is produced by a certified LED manufacturer, ensuring consistent color and quality.

It comes with the Intensity Control Rheostat tail cap, which doubles as a push on/off switch. This allows you to set the light intensity level before you even turn the light on, and gives you infinite control of the brightness in order to spook fewer animals.

The zoom focus uses Wicked Lights’ Scan & Kill technology. While many other lights have a series of grooves, forcing the user to turn the knob numerous times to change the focus from flood to zoom, the W403IC has a single, deep groove for quick adjustments.

It features a built-in halo shield, eliminating any possibility of light spills, and has a taller lens than other similar lights for greater magnification.

The fully adjustable mounting hardware and Picatinny scope mount fits 1” and 30mm tubes. The light is o-ring sealed for water resistance, and it’s operable in temperatures ranging from -30 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use

Wicked Lights claims you can get 400 yards of visibility with this light. From what I’ve seen, this seems to be accurate! I’ve even seen eyes reflecting from 500+ yards away. You can expect to get a good shot from about 300 yards.

This light is very bright, durable, and operates as advertised. My battery lasts an average of 2.5 hours on a full charge, but this depends on the level of intensity you choose to use.

The Intensity Control tail cap is one of the best features of this light. You can set it low at first, then gradually brighten it as you need. This helps condition the animal to the light, as they won’t notice a low light that gradually gets brighter as much as a sudden bright light!

You adjust the zoom focus with a bezel, which allows you to easily and quickly switch from spot to flood with one simple twist.

Another great feature is the two-piece, adjustable mount design. You can quickly attach the light to your gun and zero in on your target.

Size

At the scope mount, the body diameter is 1”. Overall, the light is 7.28” long when not extended, and 7.72” when fully extended.

With the battery installed, it’s a relatively lightweight 15.6 oz.

Price

The entire W403IC kit MSRPs for $189.95.

This includes the light, 2-position battery charger with AC/DC adapters, 2 Lithium-ion batteries, the adjustable windage and elevation mount kit, and a plastic case.

For added peace of mind, this price includes a three-year limited warranty on the light itself and a one-year limited warranty on the accessories.

Is the Wicked Lights W403IC Worth it?

The Wicked Lights W403IC RED light is one of the brightest, best hunting lights on the market. It’s a must-have for anyone who regularly goes hunting at night.

Specifically designed to target coyotes; hogs; foxes; and even smaller game, including raccoons, this light will not let you down.

4. Predator Tactics Coyote Reaper: Best for Predator Hunting

The Predator Tactics Coyote Reaper XXL is the best predator hunting light of its kind.

The beam throw is unmatched and the adjustable focus gives you a clear picture, no matter how zoomed in you are!

How does it compare to similar lights?

Let’s find out!

Build

The Coyote Reaper is made with aluminum alloy and comes in a sleek, matte black finish. It’s waterproof and functional in temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use it in a variety of environmental conditions.

It runs on a single rechargeable battery, but Predator Tactics also sells a battery extension tube that holds two batteries for a longer runtime. The battery extension tube does add a little weight, so keep that in mind if you’re considering adding one.

For added concealment, the Coyote Reaper includes a rubber halo shield.

One downside of this light is that the included universal mount is a bit difficult to adjust. I’d recommend considering a Predator Tactics windage elevation adjustable rail mount, which is easy to install and lets you aim much more easily.

Overall, the Coyote Reaper is a solid choice. Predator Tactics designs and manufactures high-quality hunting gear, and this light is no exception.

Use

Predator Tactics claims that the Coyote Reaper gives up to 700 yards of beam throw. Speaking from personal experience, this light seems to work precisely as advertised.

I haven’t tried using it from exactly 700 yards yet, but from 500+ yards, you can easily see and identify different animals in pitch-black conditions. The picture is very clear, regardless of the zoom settings.

The Coyote Reaper comes with an adjustable focus, good for varying range. The light quality is great, and it’s bright enough to zoom in without any pixelation or graininess.

Controlling the focus is a bit difficult to understand at first, so it’s best to become familiar with the controls before using it for any serious hunting.

The intensity control dial on the tail cap doubles as a remote on/off switch and can be easily and silently controlled without ever moving your hands from a shooting position.

However, it’s also easy to bump the switch and turn the light on accidentally – and you won’t notice, since it’s in IR, until you go to turn it on and see you have a dead battery!

To prevent this, I always make sure to just loosen the tail cap one extra turn.

The average battery runtime can vary greatly based on the brightness you use. In fact, I’ve hunted two nights in a row on one battery charge before!

Overall, I’d say the average total runtime is around 4 hours.

Size

The Coyote Reaper is 8.5” long.

It’s relatively lightweight, weighing around 17 oz, so you don’t have to worry about it weighing you down while you’re running through the woods!

Price

The entire XXL Rifle kit sells for $189.95. It includes green and red LED lights, a universal scope mount to attach it to a rifle scope or Picatinny rail, a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, a charger, and a plastic carry case.

It’s not a cheap light, but it’s a pretty great value for one of the best predator hunting lights.

Even better, this price includes a lifetime light shell warranty; two-year LED bulb module and tail cap circuitry warranty; one-year remote switch, mount, and charger warranty; and a 30-day battery warranty!

Is the Coyote Reaper Worth it?

The Predator Tactics Coyote Reaper XXL is one of the best performing lights of its kind.

It’s ideal for nighttime predator, hog, and coyote hunting, helping you see better for more positive target acquisition.

I would 100% recommend this light to any nighttime hunter.

Now It’s Your Turn

I hope you enjoyed my best light for coyote hunting guide.

So as a recap:

If you’re looking for the best coyote hunting light, get the Orion M30C.

If you’re on a budget, I’d recommend getting the Ulako Zoomable Green Light. It’s affordable and dependable.

The Wicked Lights W403IC RED is the best red coyote light. It is durable and incredibly bright.

Lastly, if you’re looking for the best for predator hunting, then the Predator Tactics Coyote Reaper is what you are looking for.

Now I want to turn it over to you:

Which hunting light will you pick?

Let me know by leaving a quick comment

Bob Humphrey

Varying your calling through the season could earn you a successful date with a big gobbler this spring.

Turkey behavior, including how they call and how they respond to calls has a certain chronology to it. While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to turkeys, there are some generalities that seem to hold true more often than not.

How to Call to Early-Season Turkeys

The earliest hunting seasons begin sometime between when winter flocks break-up and toms start gathering their harems. It’s a confusing time for turkeys and turkey hunters, but one thing that usually holds true is the birds are very vocal; and you should be too. One good tactic, which may come in handy later as well, is to aggravate the boss hen. If you get her mouthing off, it will fire up all the males within hearing, especially those naive two-year-olds that can be downright suicidal. Match her note for note, especially if you notice her call getting louder and more aggressive. And enjoy this while it lasts because once the toms have a hen or two in their hand, they’ll quickly lose interest in the other birds in the bush. Fighting purrs work well at this, too, as there’s still a lot of jousting for dominance.

How to Call to Mid-Season Turkeys

Unless they travel, most folks don’t get to enjoy the very early season because most turkey hunting seasons begin after most of the hens have bred. By then, toms have become accustomed to hens coming to them rather than the other way around. Dominant birds at least have what they want and can be tougher to call. Still, some subtler calling will sometimes work, especially on subordinate or satellite toms.

But again, be subtle. Those sub-dominant toms are interested in hens but also wary of getting their butts kicked by a more dominant bird. Another generality that will get stronger as the season progresses is that your calling may be more effective later in the morning and later in the day. Early morning is a hustle and bustle of harems, but as the hens gradually peel off to breed, lonely longbeards become more vulnerable. Birds venture farther from the roost and so should you. Troll along, calling loudly every so often until you get a response. Then park your carcass and tone down your calling, leaving longer periods between calling bouts to build the suspense.

How to Call to Late-Season Turkeys

As hunting and breeding seasons wind down hunters have to literally step up their game. You may have to walk for miles trying to locate a late season gobbler. Once you do, it’s time to go “old school” with your calling. The old adage that says, “yelp three times on a box call, then wait an hour,” is not too far off, though I prefer a slate, and can only wait about 20-30 minutes before calling or moving again. Some old males have all but lost interest in hens and about the only way to trick them is to lie in ambush around feeding areas or trying a little guy talk in the form of deep, raspy gobbler yelps.

Any Time

Regardless of what stage of the season you’re in, it’s still crucial to “taking a turkey’s temperature before serenading your quarry.” Give a few calls and see how a gobbler reacts. If he booms back and cuts you off you can really pour it on; be aggressive. If he responds but seems tentative, play it cool and aloof. And if he packs up and moves away you should do so as well. go find another turkey to hunt and leave the uncooperative one for a later hour or another day. Always remember, be patient when hunting turkeys.

Which polymer-framed pistols have reigned supreme since the 1980s?

I don’t have to tell you; it’s Glock.

Over 60% of the American police force carry Glocks. SOCOM carries Glocks, and numerous international police and military forces all choose Glocks.

They are also extremely popular in the hands of concealed carriers, home defenders, and competition shooters.

But as Glocks grew in popularity, so did their aftermarket.

Recently that same aftermarket has become so big and expansive that these same companies are now producing Glock clones.

Yep, the design has spread like wildfire, and Gaston’s plastic fantastics are no longer just made by Glock.

So, of course, we had to dive further into the clone phenomena.

We’ll run you through why you might want a Glock clone (or not) and also give you some recommendations on which ones are best if you’re in the mood to buy.

Keep reading to learn more.

THE QUICK LIST

Why a Glock Clone?

Glock clearly makes excellent pistols, so why would you ever want a clone?

Well, Glock is a behemoth of a company. And like behemoths, they are slow to move and adapt.

We saw the aftermarket continuously upgrade the Glock platform, pushing the design — from high-end race guns to perfected defensive firearms.

A Glock clone allows you to buy the Glock-style pistol with the features you want.

Instead of buying a Glock and then spending double the money to cut the slide for an optic, add suppressor height sights and a threaded barrel, drop in a nice trigger, tweak the magwell, etc., you can just…buy it the way you want.

Honestly, it’s cheaper to buy a fully customized Glock than to customize a stock Glock piece by piece.

When you start looking at clones, you’ll realize some people might not want a Glock but want the reliability, simplicity, and parts availability associated with the build.

As such, the Glock clone market gives you a not a Glock with Glock compatibility.

Clones allow for upgrades that Glock fans want that the company refuses to release.

A Glock Clone can give me a dedicated optic footprint not reliant on the less-than-stellar Glock MOS system.

Also, maybe you want a better grip angle, an undercut trigger guard, an enhanced beavertail, and the like…well, then a Glock clone is the only way to do that.

Cons

But nothing is without a downside, clones included. The biggest issue with a Glock clone is that it doesn’t have the factory support a standard Glock does.

If your OEM pistol breaks, Glock can easily fix the problem and ship it back.

With a clone, you’re at the mercy of smaller/boutique companies that can’t always match Glock’s lead times.

That and clones are often a generation or even two generations behind Glock OEM pistols.

This leads to Glock clones lacking the stock OEM features of the current Glock generation.

Best Glock Clones

1. PSA Dagger

Palmetto State Armory entered the world of Glock clones in 2020 with the Dagger.

Essentially, it’s a Glock G19 Gen 3 but heavily modified and upgraded from the standard Glock format.

A compact build, it’s well-suited for both concealed carry and home defense.

The frame features a heavy-duty grip texture that’s beyond aggressive in its stippling, while the slide offers melted corners for more comfortable concealment.

It also sports front and rear slide serrations.

PSA improved the ergonomics of the Glock by including an undercut under the trigger guard, a more aggressive beavertail, and a massive magazine release.

They did all of this on a pistol they sell for a mere $300!

PSA’s Dagger provides an affordable Glock option full of features for a very low price point.

The biggest downside is that PSA seems continually sold out of these pistols – so it’s going to take some time before they are easy to find.

Want more info on the Dagger? Check out our full review.

2. Shadow Systems MR920

Gucci Glocks have become one of the most common Glock configurations, and the Shadow Systems MR920 embraces that.

Shadow Systems’ MR920 ships with all the features and add-ons you could ever want. These pistols are Glock 19-sized and come factory ready for gettin’ Gucci.

First, they offer an optics cut compatible with most major optic brands without the need for plates.

The optics cut is optional, but if you step into 2021, you can rock a Holosun, Trijicon, Vortex, or Leupold optics.

Its frame is built around user control with an aggressive beavertail, a dynamic trigger undercut, and a very aggressive grip texture.

Not to mention, the slide features its own serrations for easy racking and press checks.

Obviously, Glock’s crappy plastic sights are tossed — these guns wear Ameriglo sights instead.

The MR920 takes Glock mags, and to make shoving those mags faster into the gun Shadow Systems includes a massive magwell for speed reloads.

From top to bottom, the Shadow Systems MR920 comes complete with all the Gucci features most Glock owners want, making it one of the best out-of-the-box Glock clones on the market.

If the standard MR920 isn’t your style, Shadow Systems has a plethora of other flavors that might work better. So check out our reviews on the MR920L, XR920, and DR920.

3. Lone Wolf LTD19 V2

Lone Wolf was one of the O.G.s of Glock aftermarket parts and pieces. So, it makes sense they would dive into Glock clones eventually.

The LTD19 V2 predictably uses the oh-so-famous Glock 19 frame and slide size to create a compact pistol.

Lone Wolf’s design goal was to make the pistol extremely lightweight and ergonomic, and the LTD19 V2 shaves off almost 5 ounces of Glock baggage. This ultimately creates a lighter, thinner pistol.

Does the Timberwolf frame look a little odd at first? That’s because it’s noticeably thinner than the original Glock 19 frame.

This reduction in bulk makes the pistol more ergonomic and is especially notable for those with smaller hands.

Don’t worry; the Lone Wolf LTD19 V2 features a generous undercut for a nice high grip to accommodate XL-sized hands and increase control.

An extended beavertail lets you choke up and not get slide bite. As a guy with big hands, Glocks also take a bite out of me.

The Lone Wolf LTD19 V2 comes with a low-profile magwell, an enlarged magazine release, and an enlarged slide stop.

It’s an ergonomic powerhouse from one of the oldest Glocksmiths.

If you want another option, check out our review of the previous generation — the LTD 19 V1.

4. Polymer80 PFS9/PFC9

Polymer80 made its bones in the 80% lower market and turned heads with its Glock 80% frames.

And the company spun that into a successful line of complete pistols utilizing the famed P80 Glock frames.

The PFS9 and PFC9 represent the full-size and compactvariants, respectively.

Both opt for a P80 frame, notable for being more ergonomic than the stock Glock frame.

Its grip features a massive undercut in the trigger guard and aggressive beavertail to maximize control and improve comfort.

Also, the grip texture feels extremely aggressive with a scalloped magazine release for easier activation.

The frame also follows the same grip angle as a 1911 with a bit straighter frame design.

It’s personal preference, but many folks prefer that more ‘American’ angle on their pistols. (I’m one of them.)

The PFS9 and PFC9 also feature an actual Picatinny rail in spec and not Glock’s own weird OEM rail.

Internals are Gen 3 parts, and most are compatible with aftermarket Glock goodness. However, there isn’t much I’d change.

The flat-faced trigger is very nice, as are the steel rounded sights. At a relatively affordable price point of $550, the Polymer 80 pistols make a budget-friendly alternative to Gaston’s Glock.

Read our review of the PFC9 here!

5. Alpha Foxtrot AF-C Forged Pistol

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Glock wasn’t the first polymer frame pistol, but they were the first successful polymer frame pistol.

Somewhere along the way, people decided to hell with that and designed a metal frame Glock clone.

The Alpha Foxtrot AF-C Forged Pistol utilizes Alpha Foxtrot forged frame with their custom slide to create one interesting Glock design.

Alpha Foxtrot makes 1911s, and you can tell that by the styling of the AF-C.

The grip angle looks almost identical to a 1911, with an improved extended beavertail and retro-future vibe.

Its frame also features gas pedals to reduce recoil and improve control.

Unlike a polymer frame, these gas pedals are more than just cuts but rather forged pedals allowing for more pressure and, therefore, more control.

On the outside, this is clearly a custom Glock. But, unlike other custom Glocks, it’s a bit more practical in its design.

No crazy lightening cuts, massive holes in the slide, or similar slots, notches, or tabs. It’s perfect for defensive use and more than capable in that role.

Adopting a Glock 19 size, it’s carry-friendly. However, expect more weight with the metal frame than the classic polymer frame.

Lots of people still like metal-framed pistols, but they want Glock reliability and parts compatibility.

If this sounds like you, then the Alpha Foxtrot AF-C might work for you.

6. Faxon FX-19 HellFire Compact Pistol

Faxon is well known — mostly for the ARAK 21, awesome barrels – but go ahead and add the FX-19 to that list.

As you’d expect, the FX-19 is a Glock 19-sized clone, but it’s built from the ground up to embrace the Gucci Glock theme.

The frame is a collaboration between Faxon and Polymer80 — a custom rig using a special PF940C frame.

Its grip texture feels aggressive, and the high undercut trigger guard allows for a high grip. All the while, the beavertail continues to reinforce that nice high grip.

You still get a Picatinny rail, making light and laser additions a bit easier.

The FX-19 HellFire Compact Pistol comes with a heavily customized slide featuring lightening cuts. These cuts reduce weight and recoil via mass reduction.

Optics cuts come standard, and the mount fits the Trijicon RMR and similar optics.

To back that optic up, you get a set of suppressor height sights for easy co-witnessing.

Don’t forget the threaded barrel for compensators or cans. Rounding out the features, the Overwatch Precision trigger gives a light and smooth pull.

When you want a plug-and-play customized Glock clone, the FX-19 fills that gap.

No need to gather parts and play amateur gunsmith when Faxon can do it for you.

Check out our review of the Faxon FX-19 Hellfire here, or give it a rating below!

7. ZRO Delta One

What if you wanted a Glock for every occasion but also only wanted it to be one pistol?

Well, then the ZRO Delta One has you covered.

This engineering marvel starts as a compact Glock clone but can transform via ‘conversions’ to a Glock of any size and design.

Like the Sig Sauer P320, the ZRO Delta One uses a fire control unit that acts as the firearm portion.

Shooters then customize their modulus to whatever they want it…and I mean whatever.

It’s not just swapping slides but swapping dustcovers, backstraps, magwells, and more.

The frame can grow from a Glock 19 to Glock 17 with a specific magwell or go full gamer with a massive magwell for the faster funnel of reloads.

You can even move from a Glock 19 size to Glock 34!

We get all the necessary upgrades, including an optics cut, an undercut trigger guard, a beavertail, steel sights, and so on.

Oh, did I mention the frame is also made from metal?

That said, this is a very expensive gun…a nice gun, but an expensive one.

While it’s not for everyone, it’s a truly beautiful and functional feat of engineering.

8. 80% Arms GST-9

If you really want something custom built for you…by you…then you might want to pick up the 80% Arms GST-9.

This is an 80% Glock build, meaning it’s not a fully functioning firearm, but with some know-how and some time, you actually build the gun yourself.

80% Arms offers lots of features and customizations, so you can fine-tune it how you want.

It might seem intimidating to DIY, but 80% Arms includes everything you need in the pistol build kit. We promise, it’s not as scary as it seems!

We’re sure you’re wondering…is this legal? In most parts of the U.S., it is, but definitely check your local laws before buying.

Also worth noting, the ATF cracked down on these kits and no longer allows the jig — the part that helps you finish the gun — to be sold with the frame. So you will have to buy them in separate transactions.

Our very own Johnny B put one together and really enjoyed his time with it. You can read his review here!

Final Thoughts

Glock Clones are almost a dime a dozen these days. Every year it seems like more and more companies introduce new clones.

Let’s face it; Glock is clearly on the way to becoming the AR-15 of the handgun world, and why not?

They are reliable with a modern design, extremely simple to use, and easy to work on or fix. It’s unlikely we’ll see the world of Glock clones slow down anytime soon.

So, what’s your favorite Glock clone? Let us know below! If a clone won’t do and you need the real deal, check out our recommendations of the Best Glocks or customize your Glock with the Best Glock Upgrades.

Whether you are a fan of striker-fired guns or not, they are what’s hot, what’s hip, and they are here to stay.

But what has all that popularity gotten us? Well, a lot of black polymer pistols that look really similar.

There is a dizzying amount of striker-fired pistols on the market today, and it can be tough to figure out what sets them apart from the competition and, more importantly, which one might be right for you.

With that in mind, we filmed a video and compiled a list of our favorite striker-fired pistols (in no particular order) and why we think they rock.

Keep reading to see what we recommend!

THE QUICK LIST

Best Striker Fired Handguns

But first…if you aren’t familiar with the differences between striker-fired and hammer-fired pistols, we have you covered with our complete breakdown here!

Now, onto our faves!

1. Sig Sauer P365 X-Macro

The X-Macro is Sig’s latest evolution of their ultra-popular micro-compact P365, and we have to say…it delivers.

Even though it is only 1.1 inches wide and 5.2 inches tall, the X-Macro has a mind-boggling capacity of 17 rounds of 9mm.

No other manufacturer has managed to stuff this many rounds in a gun this size.

Features include an optics-ready slide that lets you keep the rear sight when a red dot is installed, X-Ray night sights, a full 1913 accessory rail, extended beavertail, and an integrated compensator.

Additionally, Sig was able to retain the full frame, slide, and fire control unit compatibility with previous versions of the P365.

Overall, the solid ergonomics, a good trigger, and the compensator make the X-Macro far easier to shoot than you might expect, making it an excellent choice for those wanting to maximize capacity without getting a full-size pistol.

Don’t forget to check out our review of the P365 X-Macro in the video below or read up on the deets in our full review!

2. CZ P-10C

Sometimes guns punch above their weight class, and we definitely feel that way about the CZ P-10C.

It may look like another Glock 19-type clone, but in the end, you are getting more for your money.

For starters, users will find a surprisingly nice striker-fired trigger on the P-10C. Secondly, CZ worked their ergonomic magic to produce a gun that avoids that blocky 2×4 feeling of some other polymer pistols.

Aggressive grip texturing and slide serrations, a deep beavertail, and mild palm swells help this pistol feel like it ”locks in” to your hand.

Metal sights are also a nice upgrade over much of the competition, and optics-ready versions are also available. Metal 15-round magazines are also standard.

The result? A super flat shooting, comfortable pistol with great features that comes in under $500.

Want to know more? Head on over to see our full review of the CZ P-10C!

3. Glock 19

You knew it was coming. We knew it was coming. What list isn’t complete without a Glock 19?

Many designs have come and gone, but the Glock 19 has remained and is widely considered the gold standard of striker-fired pistols.

Why is that? One word — reliability.

With decades of military and law enforcement use under its belt, the Glock 19 is the most time-tested handgun on this list, in addition to being the most popular handgun in the world (with the biggest aftermarket).

Its 15+1 capacity and 4-inch barrel have become the industry standard size for compact pistols.

The trigger isn’t the best and is pretty spongy by today’s standards, and the ergonomics are a bit blocky for our taste. However, these guns still point well, shoot well, and their simplicity and ease of use can’t be understated.

Those who put a premium on reliability, flexibility, and simplicity will be hard-pressed to find a gun that does those better.

Don’t forget to take a peek at our 3,500-round review of the Gen 5 Glock 19!

4. HK VP9

I know it sounds like heresy, but HK’s best gun just might be their cheapest one — the VP9.

Why is that, you say? Well, they finally made a handgun to compete for civilian sales rather than trying to lock down military and agency contracts.

Taking aim at other striker-fired guns on the market, the VP9 set out to do a lot of things better, and it did.

For starters, the VP9 has one of the better striker-fired triggers on the market. It is relatively crisp, with a predictable break and a fairly short reset.

Old models used 15-round magazines, while newer models have a 17-round capacity.

Where this gun truly shines is ergonomics. Not only are the backstraps interchangeable, but the side panels are too. This allows left or right-handed users to adjust the palm swell to fit them perfectly.

Standard VP9s sport an ambidextrous paddle magazine release. It can take some getting used to, but it is quick and intuitive after the switch is made. For those that prefer a traditional button release, HK also produces a VP9-B variant.

Additionally, you get good slide serrations, as well as rear cocking wings that make racking the slide a breeze. It is capped off with a sizeable ambi slide release, making this one of the most lefty-friendly guns out there.

These guns are accurate, comfortable, and still deliver the famed quality and reliability that HK is known for.

Wondering if this is the gun for you? Take a look at the video review below or read up on it in our full review of the VP9!

5. Walther PDP

Last but definitely not least is the Walther PDP, and boy, does it have us in a lather. To be honest, we love these guns, but for a good reason.

Walther’s Performance Duty Trigger has a little bit of take-up to a defined well, then a very clean break right at around 4-4.5 pounds, and a very short reset.

This is one of the best striker-fired triggers on the market, only matched by guns like the Canik Rival (a Walther clone).

All PDPs come with optics-ready slides, but the downside is that you have to submit a request to Walther to have them mail you the adapter plate for your specific red dot.

As usual, Walther implemented excellent ergonomics in the form of good grip texture and chunky Super Terrain slide serrations.

Users with small to medium-sized hands will also appreciate the extended, easy-to-reach ambidextrous slide release.

The PDP is also available in various barrel lengths and also with full-size (18+1 capacity) and compact (15+1 capacity) grip sizes.

Additionally, Walther has recently introduced the PDP-F, which features a reduced grip to trigger reach and an easier to rack slide.

Accuracy and reliability are hallmarks of all Walther duty guns; the PDP has that in spades.

Still not sold? Check out our 10,000-round review video of the PDP below and our written review!

Honorable Mentions

Narrowing it down to just five pistols was challenging; unfortunately, not everything could make the cut. With that in mind, we snuck in two pistols in the video that didn’t quite make our best of but that we still like.

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal

Life is better with a bit of heavy metal, right?

Smith and Wesson took their venerable M&P and glammed it up with an all-metal frame and an improved trigger to create the M&P 2.0 Metal.

With good looks in tow, it also has a jaw-dropping performance to match. These guns are extremely accurate, fast shooting, and soft-recoiling.

They are a bit heavy for duty use for some and are on the slightly spendier side for a striker pistol, but they run.

You can see our video on the M&P 2.0 Metal below or take a look at our full written review!

Grand Power Q1S

The Grand Power Q1S is by far the strangest inclusion on the list, but hey, some of us are strange people.

Much like the Beretta PX4, the Q1S features a rotating barrel design that helps reduce muzzle flip. With a smaller 3.6-inch barrel, the recoil reduction is both noticeable and welcome.

Additionally, the gun has a shockingly good 3.5-4lb trigger that breaks cleanly at 90 degrees.

Consider the fact that you get metal sights, fully ambidextrous controls, and three 12-round magazines for around $400, and you have a real sleeper on your hands.

Final Thoughts

Striker-fired pistols have improved so much in the last 15 years that it is hard to pick just five and keep the list manageable.

If you didn’t see a specific gun here, be sure to check out our other articles, as we might just have what you are looking for.

What’s your favorite striker-fired handgun? Sound off in the comments below. Want to dive into the world of pistols even more? We got you. Check out our recommendations for the Best Beginner & Home Defense Pistols and Best Concealed Carry Guns.

I started my big bore airgunning journey back in 2002 with a .308 semi-custom rifle built for me by the father of the modern big bore airgun, Dennis Quackenbush. Then, later that year, he built another rifle in .50 caliber for me to hunt hogs and exotics down in Texas. Over the years, Dennis produced another dozen rifles for me in a range of calibers—including the .457 caliber used on most of my airgun hunts in South Africa. At that time, if you wanted the most powerful airgun for hunting, Quakenbush was the only show in town. And even though this was a niche market, and arguably it still is, there was enough business to keep his order book filled with a long list of potential buyers just waiting to give him their money. The Quackenbush rifles were uncomplicated, solidly built, and extremely shootable hunting air rifles that were truly made for the field.

As the demand for guns grew, along with the waiting time for a Quackenbush rifle, other small-scale manufacturers came to market with rifles of varying quality. This situation persisted for a few years as the market continued to grow.

Then, a couple of important events occurred over a few short years. The American airgun manufacturing giant Crosman and later the smaller, more experienced PCP air rifle manufacturer AirForce Airguns, released true big-bore air rifles. Concurrent with this, other manufacturing companies started to gain traction, some small-scale startups such as Professional Big Bore Airguns (PBBA), and other large-scale manufacturers such as Hatsan Airguns, offered a large and evolving lineup of powerful big bore rifles.

The benchmark for the most powerful air rifles is power output, which makes sense, even though I firmly believe that accuracy trumps this and field handling is close on its heels. But all things considered, once you have achieved a level of accuracy and come up with a design that works for shooters, more power is usually better. So, with this in mind, I will present a few of the most powerful airguns available today. It’s not possible to cover all the calibers and configurations, but I’ll pluck out a few of my favorite hunting rifles.

• The Most Powerful Air Rifle: AEA Zeus
• Best Budget: Umarex Hammer .50 caliber
• Best for Accuracy and Power: FX Impact .30 caliber
• Hatsan PileDriver
• AirForce Texan
• Airguns of Arizona Bushbuck

Evaluating Air Rifle Power for Hunting

Every manufacturer wants to be known as having the most powerful air rifle in the world, and until recently, this was a fluid state between a couple of the companies. The “correct” answer of who made the most powerful rifle was a bit difficult to assess because shooters were modifying their guns to up the power. So, to provide context, I always look at peak power in an out-of-the-box configuration.

It is worth noting that in the world of airguns, ammunition (slugs, bullets) and calibers are decoupled from the power produced by the gun. As an example, two .457 rifles with 26-inch barrels of different designs using the same projectile, can deliver vastly different power outputs. I have two .50 caliber rifles from different manufacturers, one generates 220 ft-lbs and the other 700 ft-lbs using the same slug. The power output is a function of barrel length and the valve design and setup, the fill pressure, and the airflow through the transfer port. Of course, it is possible to get more power by going to a larger caliber, optimizing the valve, and driving it at higher pressures. Still, caliber alone is not the primary factor.

With that said, let’s look at my list of the most powerful air rifles available today, which all have power in common, but they represent a mixed bag of features and styles.

Want to learn the basics of PCP airguns? Check out PCP Air Rifles 101 to learn more.

Most Powerful Air Rifles: Reviews and Recommendations

The Most Powerful Air Rifle: AEA Zeus

Key Features

• Available in .58 and .72 caliber
• Barrel Lengths: 16, 24, and 32 inches
• Up to 1500 ft-lbs for .72 cal.
• Weight: 12 pounds
• Sidelever action
• Hardwood sporter style stock
• Threaded for DONNYFL moderator

Pros

• Very powerful
• Wide range of configurations (calibers and barrel lengths)
• Compact in shorter barrel lengths
• Purpose-designed moderator available

Cons

• Heavy (very heavy in long barrel versions)
• Loud (Unless suppressed)

For years the airgun companies have all claimed to manufacture the most powerful air rifle, and in fairness, this has been open to debate as they were close in performance. However, the AEA Zeus in .72 put that argument to rest, as it is clearly the most powerful. Do you need all that power? In most cases, probably not, but the intrinsic energy produced by this power plant allowed AEA to design short rifle and carbine versions of the .72 and add the .58 while maintaining a high-power output.

The AEA Zeus is a traditionally styled big-bore air rifle with a hardwood sporter-style stock. The wood and metal work on these rifles is solid to the point of being over engineered, not a bad thing in a gun generating power output up to 1500 ft-lbs. The added weight helps to dampen the recoil generated by a 500-grain slug traveling down the barrel at 1025 fps. I’ve used this gun to take a couple of massive Texan boar, and the terminal performance is outstanding. In my experience, the Zeus is a solid big game gun for the largest quarry.

Read our full AEA Zeus review to learn more.

Best Budget: Umarex Hammer

Key Features

• .50 caliber
• Weight: 8.5 pounds
• Delivers approximately 700 ft-lbs of energy
• Up to 5 shots per fill
• Incorporates a 2-shot shuttle magazine
• Utilizes Umarex Lightspeed valve

Pros

• Accurate
• Shot-to-shot consistency for three full power shots
• Lightweight and ergonomic

Cons

• The barrel is longer than I prefer (Carbine version to be released soon)
• Loud

I’ve hunted deer, hogs, and javelina with this rifle, and the overall performance has been impressive. This gun is fairly lightweight for a big-bore air rifle and carries well for long slogs through rough terrain. The accuracy is spot on in the 50 to 80-yard range I typically prefer, but it can reach out farther when called on to do so. The Hammer lives up to its name regarding terminal performance, and I’ve seen the proprietary Umarex 510 grain slug cleanly anchor some big hogs.

The Umarex Hammer is a .50 caliber rifle designed to accelerate a greater mass faster using proprietary technology from the company’s Lightspeed valve. The design of this air management system, coupled with a .510 caliber, 550-grain lead slug, is capable of generating over 700 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. The cocking action of the Hammer is very light and requires about 2 pounds of effort to operate. This short, effortless action actuates a two-shot shuttle magazine for fast follow-up shots when required.

Best for Accuracy and Power: FX Impact M3

Key Features

• Max Velocity: 850 fps
• Weight 6.85 pounds
• Muzzle Energy (65.5 grain): 128 ft-lbs
• Shot Capacity: 21
• Max Shots Per Fill: 85
• Sideliver

Pros

• Very accurate (Used to win RMAC many times)
• Customizable
• High shot count
• Excellent for coyote and small game hunting

Cons

• Not meant for big game hunting

My top pick for a crossover rifle that performs well for both small-game and predator hunting is the FX Impact air rifle. This bullpup design has a lot going for it, and the frame is rugged and lightweight, with an adjustable stock that accepts standard AR pistol grips. The air storage is a 480cc removable carbon fiber (other options available) tank that can be charged to 3600 psi, and the design allows extra bottles to be packed and changed in the field.

The sidelever action is one of the quickest, most tactile, and smoothest cycling that I have used, and reliably indexes the magazines every time. What really seals the deal for me though, is that the modular design lets the shooter swap out barrels, magazines, and probes to optimize the gun for different types of hunting. The hunter can use the .22 barrel for a rabbit hunt, then swap to a .25 barrel that has a liner optimized for slugs to do a long-range prairie dog shoot, then swap again for the .30 caliber barrel to hunt predators.

Hatsan PileDriver

Key Features

• Available in .457, .50, and .62 caliber
• Adjustable synthetic thumbhole stock
• Sidelever cocking action
• Easy access loading port accepts longer projectiles
• Several Picatinny rails for mounting accessories

Pros

• Accurate and powerful
• Rugged construction, reliable
• Generates six full power shots per fill

Cons

• Big and heavy
• Single shot (though loads rapidly)

I’ve been shooting the Hatsan Piledriver in the .457 and .50 caliber versions for a few years now, and have used it to take several deer, hogs, javelina, and exotics. This year Hatsan added the .62 caliber version to the lineup, generating over 750 ft-lbs with a 650-grain hollow point slug. This gun is a great performer with respect to accuracy, power, and reliability.

The PileDriver .62 is a bullpup configuration, but it is still a big gun. However, the .62 caliber clipped 4 inches off the 33-inch standard barrel bringing the overall length to 42 inches, and reducing the weight to a tad over 9.5 pounds. The synthetic thumbhole stock has an adjustable length of pull and cheekpiece. It uses a 480 cc carbon fiber tank to deliver up to five shots. The single-action gun cycles with a smooth side lever action, and loads quickly through easy access to the loading port. It also has Hatsan’s two-stage Quatro trigger, which is crisp, with a medium pull out of the box, and can be adjusted.

Read Next: The Best PCP Air Rifle Compressors of 2023

Honorable Mentions

AirForce Texan

The AirForce Texan big bore air rifles have become the most popular of the big bores over the last few years, and there are several reasons for this. The bottle for a buttstock design and inline valving are well proven in the field. The guns are adjustable and lend themselves to customization and personalization. They are also very well made and available in several calibers, including .257, .308, .357, .457, and .50. The performance of the Texan, with respect to both accuracy and power, is rock solid. I’ve used mine to take several species of North American big game. The most powerful version of this gun out of the box is the Texan LSS .50-CF, which is a .50 caliber gun generating over 800 ft-lb. The rifle features a 490 cc and 250 BAR tank that delivers three to four shots per fill. That’s moving a 620-grain slug at 620 fps for about 805 ft-lb. I find that the Texan’s excellent trigger helps wring the most accuracy out of the Lothar Walther barrel and the rifle as a whole.

Airguns of Arizona Bushbuck

Airguns of Arizona is a major U.S. retailer that is especially well known as an importer of high-end European guns. But a few years ago, they began manufacturing a big bore rifle called the Bushbuck. To my eye, this is the best looking big bore rifle on the market. It is a bolt action sporter style rifle in .452 that is dressed in a laminate stock with stippling on the forestock and grip, with an adjustable cheekpiece. This rifle is solidly built and weighs in at 10.2 pounds with an overall length of 49.5 inches and a 30-inch barrel. My Bushbuck is the compact version. It is 43.5 inches long with a 22.5-inch barrel. After a point, I am usually willing to trade off some power for a more compact gun. The 285 cc air reservoir fills to 4500 psi using an unobtrusive under-barrel tube that helps maintain the rifle’s sleek lines, while providing two to four shots per fill. The single-shot Bushbuck has two power settings and generates over 600 ft-lb in the high setting. I’ve carried and used this gun on both North American and South African hunts, and it is a capable rifle for any non-dangerous game.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Most Powerful Air Rifles

The most powerful air rifles are quite different, but there are similarities connecting them all. I would be happy using any one of them when out after deer or hogs, though my preference would change based on the specific situations and conditions. All of these rifles are accurate, generate more than sufficient power, and have an acceptable shot count for big game hunting. But air usage, number of shots, sound level, anticipated range, and size and weight of the gun are variables each hunter needs to assess based on their own needs and preferences.

Other factors to consider are, how will you keep the gun filled? Will you get a compressor or refill tanks at a local paintball or dive shop? Can, or will, the local shop in your area charge the tank up to over 4500 psi? It’s a lot easier to keep a gun charged at 3600 psi than 4500. Can you reduce the power if hunting in an area where limited range is advantageous, or so as to reduce air usage? Is noise an issue, and do you need to have the lowest possible sound signature? Will most hunting be from a blind or a stand, or will you spend hours covering large tracts of land on foot?

Each shooter needs to weigh the importance of these variables to find what suits them best. I can honestly say that — my own personal preferences and biases aside — any of these rifles could be a perfect big game rifle depending on what you like and what’s important for you and your intended uses.