Rambling Review: Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat 

Why:

As much as I love hunting and fishing, there’s something wonderful about coming home, seeing my family, and planning the next adventure. Typically there’s a fair bit of cleanup involved after a hunting trip – unloading the truck, sorting and storing gear, and possibly taking care of meat if I was successful. When the season is all over, the last item to get cleaned and stored is the firearm. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as stripping down a gun, cleaning it thoroughly, and storing it safe and sound for the next hunt. Sage and Braker has vaulted onto the scene as one of the premier players in the firearm cleaning arena. I’ve used a bunch of their products before and they are all exceptional, but I was finally able to get my hands on their Sage and Braker Shotgun and Rifle Gun Cleaning Mat. It’s a beauty.

First impressions:

The Materials – The Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat is made of a thick 12 oz waxed canvas, trimmed in crazy horse leather, and the gun cleaning side boasts a heavy wool face.

Pockets – There are four spacious pockets with snap closures that allow all of your gun cleaning supplies to be kept on hand.

Roll Design – The whole gun mat rolls up and is secured with heavy duty brass buckles, keeping all your gun cleaning items and surfaces neat and tidy. Perfect to toss in the back of the truck and not worry about.

Field Use:

For many years, I had an old pink towel that served as my gun cleaning mat. I don’t know where it came from, I just knew it wasn’t one of the good towels, and my wife wouldn’t mind it getting gun oil all over it. The Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat is a huge step up from that raggedly piece of cloth. The quilted wool face offers a large cleaning surface with plenty of room to layout and break down a firearm. Wool has the ability to naturally repel liquids, keeping solvents from absorbing into the gun cleaning mat. Whether it’s on a tailgate or the kitchen table at home, it is extremely convenient to unroll the mat and access all the items in the pockets.

The Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat has an extremely rugged yet classic feel about it. The combination of waxed canvas, leather, wool and brass buckles gives gives a great look to a utilitarian piece of gear that will see years of use and someday get passed down to the next generation.

Pros:

• Made with quality components and attention to detail
• Pockets for plenty of storage
• Rugged roll design
• Extremely functional

Cons:

• Price – but when you consider this mat will last a lifetime, it’s a fair price.

Prognosis:  I cannot say enough good things about the Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat. This is the perfect gift for the outdoorsman or firearms enthusiast in your life.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

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Rambling Review – Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves

Why:

I’ve burned through several pairs of cheap leather gloves while hunting and working in the harsh elements of the Southwest. Between hunting, camp chores, and yard work, most of my gloves don’t have a long life expectancy. The Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves are the answer.

First impressions:

Full Grain Buffalo Leather – The Maroon Bell gloves are made of full grain buffalo leather. This leather feels durable, soft, and of the highest quality. There are no words to describe the beautiful leather smell from these gloves.

Fit – The Maroon Bell website has a pretty detailed fitting guide for these gloves. Out of the box, the gloves were very tight, but was advised that they would stretch a fair bit. I kept the gloves in my truck and every morning on the way to work, I’d put them on and form a fist and flex the leather. By week two, these gloves fit perfectly like a second layer of skin.

Field Use:

The number one reason I wanted these gloves was for Arizona quail season. Our quail season runs from early October through early February. The first part of the season is a bit too hot to run the dog, and I’m usually chasing deer in November. By the time we hit the ground looking for birds in December, having a quality pair of leather gloves is so important to keep your hands warm on a cold morning or for general protection from everything sharp in the desert. The Maroon Bell gloves have a “gunfighter” fit with a short cuff and the tight fit through the fingers is ideal for handling a shotgun without sacrificing grip or feel.

While hunting, I am constantly interacting with my phone and GPS to look at maps and mark where I find coveys. With my old pair of leather gloves, I was constantly removing them so that I could manipulate the screen. The Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves have an integrated finger pad that is touchscreen compatible, so I never have to remove them while accessing my electronics.

While I used them extensively during this quail hunting season, I found myself still reaching for them when I spent time in the field over some of my other hunting gloves. I also beat them up in the backyard and while working around the house. The Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves are extremely durable and tough, but also become softer and more comfortable the longer I own them.

Pros:

• High quality buffalo leather
• Touchscreen compatible
• Extremely durable and protective
• Gunfighter fit
• Get better with age

Cons:

• Cost – these are going to cost a bit more than your local hardware store leather gloves, but worth every penny.

Prognosis:  I am a huge fan of the Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves. If you are in search of a high quality pair of gloves, check them out.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review – Maroon Bell Buffalo Leather Ranching Gloves appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review 

Why:

Hiking miles in uneven terrain with a heavy pack and a weapon requires a high quality, sturdy, and yet comfortable pair of boots. I’ve had quite a few pairs of Lowas over the years, but the new Lowa Camino GTX boots check all the boxes.

First impressions:

The weight – At 1550 grams (52 ounces) for the pair, this heavy duty boot is lighter than my other favorite pair of Lowas. The Lowa Tibets come in at 1900 grams

GORE-TEX – The Camino GTX boots have a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX membrane which was originally “created to help thru-hikers, alpinists, mountaineers, ice climbers, and hunters keep their feet dry and warm in high elevations and coldest conditions.”

Vibram – The Camino GTX boots come standard with the Vibram AppTrail sole. Lowa states that the AppTrail sole provides increased contact area with a self-cleaning tread for excellent grip on all surfaces as well as a pronounced front heel edge for good traction downhill.

LOWA Flex Lacing – The Flex lacing system allows the laces to easily pull through the ball bearing lace loops that are set on free moving tabs which reduces overall pressure against the foot. This turned out to be one of the absolute game changers for me.

Manufactured – Lowa Boots have been handcrafted in Europe since 1923 under the world’s most stringent manufacturing, environmental and labor regulations.

Field Use:

The first chance I had to wear the Lowa Camino GTX boots in the field was during Mearns quail season. I spent many days in Southern Arizona following Sunshine dog up every draw and canyon looking for birds. Even through the long days in the field carrying a shotgun and a heavy vest over uneven ground, the Camino boots were extremely comfortable, even right out of the box.

I wore them again during turkey season and on multiple hikes through spring and summer. Even as the temperatures climbed, the GORE-TEX lining were quite breathable and comfortable.

The real test for the Lowa Camino GTX boots came this fall. I spent a week in Idaho hunting mule deer and a couple days in Arizona after coues deer. Between the two hunts, I logged over 80 hard miles with lots of vertical hiking under heavy load as well as wet weather. I packed two deer out of the backcountry. Through it all, the Camino boots were supportive, dry, breathable, and most of all comfortable.

Pros:

Little to no break-in time

Vibram AppTrail soles

Heinen Terracare Nubuck Leather Uppers

GORE-TEX Lining

LOWA Flex Lacing

Cons:

Cost – good boots are not cheap

PROGNOSIS: I love the Lowa Camino GTX boots. Extremely comfortable and absolute workhorse boots.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review – Lowa Camino GTX appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review 

Why: Most western hunters carry a pair of binoculars on their chest while scouting and hunting. Between harnesses and pouches, there is a plethora of options on the market right now. They all serve the same general purpose, but the well thought out design of the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack shines in comparison.

First impressions:

Flip forward opening: Both the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack and the Rangefinder pouch’s lids fold forward and can be secured with one hand out of the way. The lids of both the bino harness and the range finder are fastened with high quality magnetics for a solid closure.

Made in the USA: All Marsupial Gear products are handmade right here in Phoenix, Arizona.

Field Use:

I’ve been running the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack and Rangefinder Pouch for the past year and absolutely love this combo. The first thing that stands out is the overall layout of the binocular pack. The streamlined exterior does not have any hard corners for gear to get snagged on. The front of the pouch has one zipper pocket which is perfect for a tag/license or a couple extra rifle rounds. Two stretchy side pockets sit on either side of the Binocular Pack which hold a wind indicator bottle perfectly. The interior of of the Binocular Pack is lined with a high quality fleece making for soft protection for optics and quiet access to them when needed.

The second reason that I really like these Marsupial Gear products is the front opening lid. It’s an extremely smooth one-handed movement to open and access my binoculars. A bottom magnetic closure allows the front opening lid to be secured open. In comparison, some of the other harnesses on the market fold back (and into the chin/face of the user) and can be obtrusive when trying to quickly and quietly access binoculars. Marsupial Gear has a well thought out lid design.

Lastly, the suspension system of the binocular harness might be the most important aspect to consider. I’ve worn the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack on multiple javelina hunts, turkey hunts, an elk hunt, a coues deer hunt and multiple scouting trips, and it has proven to be an extremely comfortable harness. Personally, I like the bino pouch to ride higher on my chest and the fully adjustable harness allows the user to find the perfect position for the their personal preference.

Pros:

Sleek and well thought out design

Comfortable and adjustable harness

Made in the Phoenix, AZ

Multiple sizes and color/camo options

Cons:

I’ve got nothing bad to say about this piece of gear

Prognosis:  I’m all in on the Marsupial Gear Binocular Pack and Rangefinder Pouch. If you are looking for high quality, well designed, Arizona-made gear for your optics, check out all that Marsupial gear has to offer.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review: Marsupial Gear appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review: Zenbivy Light Bed

Why: I’m always working on my sleep system for hunting, fishing, and camping trips. The truth is that the temperature ranges so drastically in Arizona that it can easily be 100 degrees in the summer on a fishing trip and single digits on a winter hunt. I’ve experimented with different bags, quilts, and pads, and all of them have an application. However, the Zenbivy Light Bed is a unique product that provides a versatile sleep system. (This review is based on the 25 degree system)

First impressions:

The system – The Zenbivy Light Bed system is a two part bag system that attaches right to your sleeping bag.

• Zenbivy Light Sheet – A fitted sheet that attaches securely to the sleeping pad
• Zenbivy Light Quilt – A down overquilt that attaches to the fitted sheet using a series of hooks.

Lightweight – The Zen Bivy Fitted Sheet and Quilt weigh in at 2.3 pounds.

Field Use:

To be honest, it took me an evening of messing around with the Zenbivy light bed to completely understand all of the ins and outs of this system. Bottom line, it’s extremely versatile and designed to set up the quilt into three different modes.

• Mummy mode – The quilt is able to be cinched in mummy mode which allows the bottom to be secured all together for maximum warmth.
• Rectangle mode – Using the hook system, the quilt is secured to the fitted sheet to give a tucked in feel like your bed at home.
• Quilt mode – If you’re saving ounces, you can leave the fitted sheet at home and sleep directly on the pad with the quilt on top.

Between turkey season, a family camping trip, and an overnight fishing trip, I’ve spent several nights in the Zenbivy Light Bed. I personally sleep really hot. I have a 3/4 zip mummy bag I’ve used forever and I always wake up on fire in it, but never can find the sweet spot to be comfortable. From my experience with the Zenbivy Light Bed, I really liked running the rectangle mode. In the night as I develop hot zones, I was able to take a hook or two out and kick my leg out without the whole sleep system rolling with me. The 25 degree quilt worked extremely well for my summer trips.

Pros:

• Versatile use in multiple climates
• Fitted sheet can be used on different sleeping pads
• No slipping off you’re sleeping pad in the night
• Lightweight and packable

Cons:

• Cost – any sleep system worth its salt costs money

Prognosis:  I really dig what Zenbivy has developed with their Zenbivy Light Bed system. It is a great lightweight addition to my backcountry setup.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

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Rambling Review – Seahorse 1530F Rifle Case

Why: I was blessed to add a rugged Owens Armory built 6.5 Creedmoor to my arsenal. It quickly became apparent that this was not a firearm I wanted bouncing around in a soft sided case. There are several options for bombproof hardcases, but after a bit of searching I decided on the Seahorse 1530F Rifle Case.

First impressions:

The Case: The Seahorse 1530F Rifle Case is a rock solid impact resistant case. The lid of the capsule has a heavy duty O-ring which keeps the entire case watertight, and is also equipped with an automatic pressure equalization system. The standard safety latches are beefy and the padlock holes ensure this case to be airline approved.

The Foam: The Seahorse 1530F Rifle Case comes with Accufoam (pick and pluck) which makes for great customization.

Made in the USA: All Seahorse cases are made in America.

Lifetime Guarantee: Seahorse Cases are guaranteed against defects in materials and craftsmanship for the life of the case. 

Field Use:

I was extremely excited to arrange my rifle case and lay everything out. It took me a few minutes to lay everything out how I liked it, but once I had a plan, it was very easy. The pull and pluck foam came out quick and easy with no issue. After about 15 minutes, I had my rifle, ammunition and accessories stowed securely in the case.

I’ve been to the range a couple of times since, and have to say that I really do like everything about this case. Knowing the gun is secure and protected gives a real peace of mind. The Seahorse 1530F Rifle Case also has 6 spots for heavy duty Master locks making it perfect for air travel. This rifle case scales out at 19.6 lbs.

Pros:

• Great price
• American Made
• Rock Solid Design
• Air/watertight
• Perfect for airplane travel

Cons:

• Pull and Pluck foam only – The pull and pluck works great, but it’d be nice to have the option to buy a hard closed cell polyethylene foam replacement for this case.

Prognosis:  I love the Seahorse 1530F Rifle Case and think it’s an excellent option for a high quality travel gun case.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

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Rambling Review: The Redington Vice Rod and the Redington i.D Reel

Why:

After one of the windiest Pyramid Lake fishing trips last year, I found myself in the market for a little bit stiffer action rod for throwing a sinking line. I was fortunate to get my hands on a Redington Vice Rod paired with a Redington i.D reel and a Rio Outbound Short full sinking line a few weeks before the trip, and what a setup this turned out to be.

First impressions:

The Redington Vice Rod – Out of the tube, the emerald green carbon fiber blank looked really sharp paired with the black snack guides and black aluminum reel seat. The rod itself is a no frills workhorse that is completely saltwater ready.

The Redington i.D Reel – The flat black cast aluminum large arbor reel looked pretty sweet as is.  Turns out that Redington has a whole line of decals that can be added to the solid side of the reel. I saw a few KC Badger prints in the mix, but went with a low profile digital camo.

Lifetime warranties – Both the rod and the reel are covered under Redington’s lifetime warranties.

Field Use:

If you read the report from the trip, you’ll note that the fishing was on the slower side. All that means is that I did quite a bit of casting and stripping for 3 days. You can get to know your equipment pretty intimately in a setting like Pyramid Lake that throws wind from all directions, rain, snow, and sub-freezing temperatures. I feel like it’s the perfect place to put gear to the test.

Let’s start with the rod. To be honest, I loved the Vice rod. Very smooth while casting a heavy sinking line, with enough backbone to punch through a snow squall in your face. Prior to the trip, I had bought another rod from another manufacturer in the same weight. Long story short, I liked the Vice so much I’m selling the other rod and keeping the Vice. This rod is a solid addition to my quiver and I plan on continuing to push it’s limits for years to come.

When I first saw the i.D reel I couldn’t really see past the sticker. It seemed kind of gimmicky to me and went into the field testing with a bit of a bias. The first night I hooked into a real nice fish about 10 feet from my ladder with about 70 feet of running line in my stripping basket. The large arbor reel gobbled up the loose line and the rulon disc drag did the rest. For a $100 reel, I was impressed.

Lastly the line. I’ve had my fair share of experience with Rio line, but had never used the Outbound Short. Although I’m sure the Vice rod had something to do with it, the Rio Outbound Short was a treat to cast. It loaded the rod well, flew threw the guides, and turned over heavy jig flies with ease. It was easy to see why these lines are so well regarded.

Pros:

Lifetime guarantee on Redington gear

Great price on a quality rod and reel

Personalization decals for i.D reel

Cons:

Drag not sealed on the i.D reel

Prognosis:  If you’re looking for a nice Pyramid Lake setup with out breaking the bank, check out the Redington Vice Rod paired with a Redington i.D reel spooled with Rio Outbound Short full sinking line.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review – Redington Vice Rod and Redington i.D Reel appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review – Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener

Why:

Last week we talked about how I love the motorized window shades orange county ca. Now I want to talk about something new. It is no secret, I’ve always struggled to get a hair-popping edge on my blades and broadheads. I’ve been fortunate to check out a couple of Work Sharps sharpening products and share my thoughts on them here and here. As a leader in the sharpening world, Work Sharp is dedicated to creating quality tools with quality components and continually fine tune their lineup of sharpeners. I’ve had the pleasure of using the Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener over the past year and I’ve been really impressed with this tool.

First impressions:

Simplicity – All Work Sharp products are engineered for ease of use and the Combo Knife Sharpener is no exception. It is an electronic unit that rotates a flexible abrasive belt. There are angled grooves to guide the knife across the rotating belt which makes for an idiot proof edge. The built in ceramic honing rod has angle guides as well to finish off the sharpening process.

Made in the USA – All Work Sharp products are manufactured in Souther Oregon

Field Use:

I unboxed the Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener the night it arrived. After flipping through the directions, I plugged it in, and was sharpening the kitchen knives. Five passes per side and then straight to the ceramic honing rod, and the knives were as sharp as the day we got them. The Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener is very intuitive and exceptionally easy to use. It takes no time at all for me to work through the block of kitchen knives, my everyday carry, and hunting knives. Fixed blade broadheads were no a problem for the Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener either.

The Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener retails for $60.00 and replacement abrasive belts are 3 for $8.00.

Pros:

American made

Ease of use

Reasonable Cost 

Cons:

Fixed guides are perfect for beginners like me. More experienced guys may want the option to vary the edge angle.

https://vimeo.com/177745787

Prognosis:  The Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener is a winner. If you struggle putting an edge on a blade like me, the Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener is the sharpener for you.

* Disclaimer:

the review at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

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Rambling Review – GSI Outdoors 10″ Hard Anodized Dutch Oven

Why:

There’s nothing quite like eating food cooked over an open fire while watching movies from Las Vegas outdoor video display screens and I was looking to round out my cookware with a dutch oven. I have had great success with other GSI Outdoors products, so naturally went with the GSI Outdoors 10″ Hard Anodized Dutch Oven. It has not disappointed.

First impressions:

Construction – Made of high-performance, heavy gauge cast aluminum.

Lightweight – Lightweight is a relative term. The GSI Outdoors Hard Anodized Dutch oven weighs in at 3 lbs. 11 oz, roughly 66% lighter than a traditional Dutch Oven.

Field Use:

Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the opportunity to get GSI Outdoors Dutch Oven plenty dirty which I had from online business from this site web. Before I could take it into the field, I worked up one of my favorite dishes on the stove, javelina chili. When I finally did get the dutch oven out on several camping trips it made cooking over an open fire pretty simple. Overall it was a great addition to my camp cooking set up.

Pros:

Classic Dutch oven design with lid lip for holding coals while cooking

Heavy gauge cast aluminum

Perfect for truck camping

Super easy to clean

Cons:

Prognosis:  I’m still a Dutch oven novice, but my experience so far with the GSI Outdoors 10″ Hard Anodized Dutch Oven has been fantastic. Can’t wait to get back in the woods and try out another recipe.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

The post Rambling Review – GSI Outdoors Dutch Oven appeared first on Arizona Wanderings.

Rambling Review – Carlson Choke Tubes

Why:

Spring time has quickly become one of my favorite times of the year for one simple reason – turkey season. Each year, around the first of the year, I start thinking about getting into the woods, looking for turkey sign, and straining my ears for the sound of a gobble. Last year, I was fortunate enough to bag my first Merriams gobbler after multiple seasons of trying to get it done, and as I reflected on my time in the field and the gear that I carried, I started researching on how to improve my efficiency with a shotgun. It wasn’t long before I was able to get my hands on a couple of chokes from Carlson, and after some time on the range and in the field, I was a firm believer in Carlson Choke Tubes.

First impressions:

Options – Carlson offers choke tubes for every situation a shotgunner will need. For the purpose of this review, Carlson provided a Remington Long Beard Choke Tube with a diameter of .660 and one of their Remington Extended Choke Tubes with a diameter of .675. If you take any time to peruse the Carlson website, you’ll quickly see that they have chokes of every shape, color, and size for all the major brands of shotguns, for any type of hunting or shooting scenario.

Lifetime Warranty – All Carlson choke tubes are backed by a lifetime warranty.

Made in the USA – All Carlson choke tubes are made in the USA.

Construction – Carlson’s Choke Tubes are made from the finest corrosion-resistant 17-4 PH stainless steel available.

Field Use:

To be perfectly clear, I am not a shotgun expert. I own a couple of shotguns. I shoot them often. But when it comes to the nuances of patterning them, I always went out, shot a couple of shells at different yardages to figure out what my max range could be, and called it good. With the Carlson chokes in hand, I took a Saturday morning to run out in the desert and see how these chokes patterned.  My good hunting partner Austin and I both shoot Remingtons which was advantageous when it came time to seeing how the different chokes performed through two different shotguns. I shoot a Remington 870 Express chambered up to a 3″ shell, and Austin shoots a Remington 1100 chambered up to a 3 1/2″ shell. 

We both had always just stuck with the factory standard Remington full choke (diameter of .691) that came with the shotgun for turkey season, so I started with shooting at 40 yards with the full choke. I switched chokes out and immediately was overwhelmed by how much denser the pattern was at 40 yards. I spent the next hour shooting different shells, swapping chokes between guns, and varying my distance from the target. To be clear, I’m not going to get super technical on patterning, but there was a significant increase in pattern density. After the smoke cleared, my 870 Express really liked the Long Beard XR choke with a .660 diameter shooting 3″ Winchester Long Beard XR loads.  Austin’s 1100 partnered the Carlson Extended Turkey Choke with a .675 diameter and a 3-1/2″ shell. After a morning of shotgun patterning, I had a sore shoulder and confidence in what my shotgun was capable of.

Our season unfolded with plenty of turkey hunting. Austin spent a couple days in Texas and scratched out 2 Rios. I went to Missouri with my buddy Hunter and had some success decoying in a mature 3 year old. After that, Austin and I hunted here in Arizona which resulted in a Austin shooting a beautiful Merriam’s gobbler and I followed up with a jake. Our shots during these hunts ranged from 30-55 yards.  Having success with this many turkeys and giving all the credit to choke tubes is a bit much.  But, I will say, I’ve never been more confident pulling the trigger during a hunt, then after I spent time patterning my gun and knowing how much better it performed with the Carlson choke versus the factory choke.

Pros:

Made in the USA

Lifetime Warranty

Constructed of high grade stainless steel

Cons:

There really is no con for getting an aftermarket choke tube. The only con I could possibly see for tightening up your choke for turkey hunting is if you hunting in a thick area and most of your shots are closer than 15 yards. At that range, a more open choke would be appropriate for the situation. I can’t stress enough. Pattern your shotgun and have confidence in what it does at different yardages. 

Prognosis:  I was extremely pleased with the quality and performance of the Carlson Choke Tubes and would highly recommend them to any of my hunting buddies. Check them out.

* Disclaimer:

The reviews at Arizona Wanderings are my honest opinion. These choke tubes were provided for the purpose of this review by Carlson Choke Tubes. Arizona Wanderings is not sponsored by or associated with any of the stated companies and is accepting no compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this review.  My independent status may change in the future but, as of the date of publication, no relationship other than described above has been pursued or established.

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