Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
< Previous08 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 09 In just four years of existence, one American company has done more to revolutionize crossbow technology than anyone else—warring empires included—since this weapon’s inception dating back well before Christ: That company is Ravin. And while this Superior, WI, firm’s R29X crossbow isn’t even its most cutting-edge model to date, it may be its best all-around unit for hunters considering its size-to-power ratio. In essence, Ravin’s R29X is a more powerful upgrade to the company’s standard R29. The X indicates it launches a 400-grain arrow at 450 fps for 180 ft.-lbs. of bone-shattering kinetic energy. Yet the 29X retains the original’s lithe 6.75-lb. (bare) weight and its nine-inch maximum overall width, so you don’t need a war horse to carry it. Fact is, speed sells bows in the stores, but accuracy and ease of use—or huntability—kills game in the field. Huntability TODAY’S TECH MASSIVELY IMPROVES WEAPONS LONG THOUGHT OF AS CLOSE RANGE, LESS RELIABLE, AND LESS ACCURATE. GEAR Welcome to the Future of Primitive Hunting SPECS: velocity: 450 fps w/403 gr. arrow riser: machined aluminum stock: polymer trigger: 2 lbs. 11 ozs. dimensions: Length: 29”, axle-to-axle width cocked: 6”, power stroke: 12.5” weight: 6.75 lbs. accessories: 6 arrows, crank, quiver, illuminated scope msrp: $2,624.99 Ravincrossbows.com Spread Your Wings and Soar The Ravin R29X Crossbow takes it to a new level. review by jeff johnston refers to a combination of a crossbow’s size so it can be maneuvered easily in a blind and features that make it intuitive to shoot when the pressure’s on. Ravin’s 29 series crossbows have been stripped of most gimmicky cosmetics and left with a skeletonized, bridge- style riser design machined from solid aluminum. Only the non-stress-bearing parts of the body, such as the fore end, pistol grip are made of injection-molded polymer and overmolded with grippy rubber to save weight and make the bow comfortable in the hands. The fact that the R29X is among the most powerful available but also among the lightest— yet still shoots accurately—is an indicator of the Ravin’s top-notch engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The 29X’s incredible power is owed to a combination of features, including Ravin’s patented HeliCoil eccentrics system that’s as simple as it is efficient. Its cams are yoked to the inside of the axles so its bus cables coil around the axles as the string is drawn. This applies pressure evenly to the cams’ tops and bottoms, thereby reducing cam cant and increasing accuracy potential. The cams and thick, stubby limbs combine for a draw weight of 300 beastly pounds, delivered to the arrow via a 12.5-inch powerstroke. The design omits a traditional barrel that the arrow typically rides upon as it’s launched. Rather, the Ravin uses a dual roller arrow rest through which the vanes pass untouched. This system drastically reduces friction and therefore increases arrow speed, although it’s not entirely “free-floating” as some literature suggests. While I’ve had one of these roller guides break in the past, it is 99.9 percent reliable and quantifiably accurate. Ravin has also upgraded its Versa Draw cocking system by making it silent, a huge deal if you like to kill deer. Plus, if you decide to stop cocking at any point and let go of the handle, it’ll stay in place rather than busting you in the chops. The R29X utilizes the company’s patented sled-like fire- control system that cocks the bow, contains the anti-dry fire device, and engages the trigger sear and safety. It’s called Trac-Trigger. With a tested pull weight of two pounds, 10 ounces, it’s nothing short of spectacular. If I could change one thing about it however, I’d make the safety lever larger and more tactile so using it without looking or with gloves was more intuitive. ON THE BENCH My test unit averaged exactly what the company claims— 450 fps—to produce an incredible 181 ft.-lbs of kinetic energy. It averaged 1¼-inch groups at 30 yards. It was fairly loud at 108 decibels compared to other (often slower) crossbows, but when I experimented with heavier arrowheads a transformation occurred: With 150-grain points, kinetic energy increased to a silly 194 ft.-lbs! Groups shrunk to 1-inch; decibels decreased to 105. I suspect bow life will greatly increase as well. If this bow were mine, I’d also upgrade the R29X’s Chinese-made scope for one of higher quality. For a bow costing a little more than $2,500, what’s another few Benjamins? (Or, if you desire the most advanced crossbow scope ever, see sidebar, Garmin Zero X1i.) FIELD OBSERVATIONS In addition to the eye-popping performance of the R29X, its diminutive size and huntability is what I like best. Most 450 FPS crossbows are heavy and a b-word to lug through the woods. But not this light and narrow xbow. Details like its half-moon-shaped fore end that make it easy to rest on anything speak to its huntability; an integral handle in the buttstock facilitates carry; it’s 100-percent ambidextrous; I could go on. Simply put, the R29X is a pure hunting crossbow that also features top-notch performance. I believe it’s among the top two or three crossbows made during, oh, about the last 2,600 years. Garmin Xero X1i Optic Garmin has revolutionized crossbow scopes much like Ravin has crossbows. The tech giant’s Xero X1i optic is a 3.5-magnification digital telescope featuring an integrated laser rangefinder and reticle system that automatically displays the appropriate hold- over dot for any given range out to around 80 yards. In real-world terms, the shooter must simply range a target, hold the illuminated dot on the bullseye, and pull the trigger. It’s like an F-18’s heads-up missile lock system for crossbow hunters. While this computer-controlled optic has more features than I can list, one of the most noteworthy is its set-up wizard that makes it easier than other digital optics to zero, thanks to three buttons and on-screen instructions. Still, if you’re a hunter who isn’t handy with a cell phone, it may not be for you. Some additional features include a digital compass, angle compensation, digital level, mul- tiple profiles for toggling between various arrow selections, and a shot counter. The aluminum-framed, waterproof unit is built well to house high-quality coated optics, an oversized master/ranging button and a remote button routed to the shooter’s fingertips. Its down- sides? It requires three AAA lithium batteries that don’t last as long as Garmin claims. Secondly, it’s bulky at 1.9 lbs. And then there’s its price of $1,799. But if you demand the most modern crossbow technology, the Xero X1i is it. Garmin.com, MSRP: $1799.99 Welcome to the Future of Primitive Hunting08 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 09 In just four years of existence, one American company has done more to revolutionize crossbow technology than anyone else—warring empires included—since this weapon’s inception dating back well before Christ: That company is Ravin. And while this Superior, WI, firm’s R29X crossbow isn’t even its most cutting-edge model to date, it may be its best all-around unit for hunters considering its size-to-power ratio. In essence, Ravin’s R29X is a more powerful upgrade to the company’s standard R29. The X indicates it launches a 400-grain arrow at 450 fps for 180 ft.-lbs. of bone-shattering kinetic energy. Yet the 29X retains the original’s lithe 6.75-lb. (bare) weight and its nine-inch maximum overall width, so you don’t need a war horse to carry it. Fact is, speed sells bows in the stores, but accuracy and ease of use—or huntability—kills game in the field. Huntability TODAY’S TECH MASSIVELY IMPROVES WEAPONS LONG THOUGHT OF AS CLOSE RANGE, LESS RELIABLE, AND LESS ACCURATE. GEAR Welcome to the Future of Primitive Hunting SPECS: velocity: 450 fps w/403 gr. arrow riser: machined aluminum stock: polymer trigger: 2 lbs. 11 ozs. dimensions: Length: 29”, axle-to-axle width cocked: 6”, power stroke: 12.5” weight: 6.75 lbs. accessories: 6 arrows, crank, quiver, illuminated scope msrp: $2,624.99 Ravincrossbows.com Spread Your Wings and Soar The Ravin R29X Crossbow takes it to a new level. review by jeff johnston refers to a combination of a crossbow’s size so it can be maneuvered easily in a blind and features that make it intuitive to shoot when the pressure’s on. Ravin’s 29 series crossbows have been stripped of most gimmicky cosmetics and left with a skeletonized, bridge- style riser design machined from solid aluminum. Only the non-stress-bearing parts of the body, such as the fore end, pistol grip are made of injection-molded polymer and overmolded with grippy rubber to save weight and make the bow comfortable in the hands. The fact that the R29X is among the most powerful available but also among the lightest— yet still shoots accurately—is an indicator of the Ravin’s top-notch engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The 29X’s incredible power is owed to a combination of features, including Ravin’s patented HeliCoil eccentrics system that’s as simple as it is efficient. Its cams are yoked to the inside of the axles so its bus cables coil around the axles as the string is drawn. This applies pressure evenly to the cams’ tops and bottoms, thereby reducing cam cant and increasing accuracy potential. The cams and thick, stubby limbs combine for a draw weight of 300 beastly pounds, delivered to the arrow via a 12.5-inch powerstroke. The design omits a traditional barrel that the arrow typically rides upon as it’s launched. Rather, the Ravin uses a dual roller arrow rest through which the vanes pass untouched. This system drastically reduces friction and therefore increases arrow speed, although it’s not entirely “free-floating” as some literature suggests. While I’ve had one of these roller guides break in the past, it is 99.9 percent reliable and quantifiably accurate. Ravin has also upgraded its Versa Draw cocking system by making it silent, a huge deal if you like to kill deer. Plus, if you decide to stop cocking at any point and let go of the handle, it’ll stay in place rather than busting you in the chops. The R29X utilizes the company’s patented sled-like fire- control system that cocks the bow, contains the anti-dry fire device, and engages the trigger sear and safety. It’s called Trac-Trigger. With a tested pull weight of two pounds, 10 ounces, it’s nothing short of spectacular. If I could change one thing about it however, I’d make the safety lever larger and more tactile so using it without looking or with gloves was more intuitive. ON THE BENCH My test unit averaged exactly what the company claims— 450 fps—to produce an incredible 181 ft.-lbs of kinetic energy. It averaged 1¼-inch groups at 30 yards. It was fairly loud at 108 decibels compared to other (often slower) crossbows, but when I experimented with heavier arrowheads a transformation occurred: With 150-grain points, kinetic energy increased to a silly 194 ft.-lbs! Groups shrunk to 1-inch; decibels decreased to 105. I suspect bow life will greatly increase as well. If this bow were mine, I’d also upgrade the R29X’s Chinese-made scope for one of higher quality. For a bow costing a little more than $2,500, what’s another few Benjamins? (Or, if you desire the most advanced crossbow scope ever, see sidebar, Garmin Zero X1i.) FIELD OBSERVATIONS In addition to the eye-popping performance of the R29X, its diminutive size and huntability is what I like best. Most 450 FPS crossbows are heavy and a b-word to lug through the woods. But not this light and narrow xbow. Details like its half-moon-shaped fore end that make it easy to rest on anything speak to its huntability; an integral handle in the buttstock facilitates carry; it’s 100-percent ambidextrous; I could go on. Simply put, the R29X is a pure hunting crossbow that also features top-notch performance. I believe it’s among the top two or three crossbows made during, oh, about the last 2,600 years. Garmin Xero X1i Optic Garmin has revolutionized crossbow scopes much like Ravin has crossbows. The tech giant’s Xero X1i optic is a 3.5-magnification digital telescope featuring an integrated laser rangefinder and reticle system that automatically displays the appropriate hold- over dot for any given range out to around 80 yards. In real-world terms, the shooter must simply range a target, hold the illuminated dot on the bullseye, and pull the trigger. It’s like an F-18’s heads-up missile lock system for crossbow hunters. While this computer-controlled optic has more features than I can list, one of the most noteworthy is its set-up wizard that makes it easier than other digital optics to zero, thanks to three buttons and on-screen instructions. Still, if you’re a hunter who isn’t handy with a cell phone, it may not be for you. Some additional features include a digital compass, angle compensation, digital level, mul- tiple profiles for toggling between various arrow selections, and a shot counter. The aluminum-framed, waterproof unit is built well to house high-quality coated optics, an oversized master/ranging button and a remote button routed to the shooter’s fingertips. Its down- sides? It requires three AAA lithium batteries that don’t last as long as Garmin claims. Secondly, it’s bulky at 1.9 lbs. And then there’s its price of $1,799. But if you demand the most modern crossbow technology, the Xero X1i is it. Garmin.com, MSRP: $1799.99 Welcome to the Future of Primitive Hunting10 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 11 My Kilo 2020 BDX rangefinder, from Sig Sauer, put the deer 272.3 yards away. Not a record-distance shot by any means, but I wasn’t shooting from a nice, solid table, either. My butt was on the ground, a backpack under my right arm for support, with my rifle resting on shooting sticks. Still, I had two advantages: my Sig Sauer Sierra3 BDX 4.5x14 rifle scope, a digital and Bluetooth masterpiece that “talked” to my Kilo rangefinder to provide the exact holdover point needed for the deer; and, my rifle, the new Paramount HTR .40 caliber muzzleloader from CVA—AKA Connecticut Valley Arms. I shot, five times in all, with four of my shots placing in the deer’s vitals. Actually, my deer was an imposter, a Pre-Game Splattering Target of a whitetail buck from Birchwood Casey. And the target’s vital zone was roughly only two-thirds the size of that of a real deer. I was satisfied—and impressed with the rifle and optical system. I’d first used the Paramount HTR six weeks previous at a media event hosted by CVA. There, shooting from a table, I’d hit a steel target four times in a row placing those shots within five inches of each other. The target sat 400 yards away. I kept thinking this performance was a fluke, but person after person replicated my shooting with the HTR. Could this really be a 400-yard muzzleloader? A month and a half after the Texas event, a Paramount HTR arrived at my house for me to use and decide. I’ve always considered the muzzleloader a fairly primitive firearm, mostly because, well, it is! Comparatively speaking, the range and power of the muzzleloaders I’ve used over the last decade didn’t come close to a standard bolt-action deer rifle. Sure, at 75 to 100 yards, that big, slow moving muzzle- loader bullet could knock down a deer or elk. But how much further was it ethical to shoot a black powder rifle if you were hunting? GEAR SPECS: .40 Caliber (as tested) Free-Floating Barrel 26" Barrel, Stainless Steel, Nitride Treated Twist Rate: 1:20 Nitride® Treated Stainless Steel VariFlame® Breech Plug Adjustable Cheek Rest Internal Aluminum Chassis Carbon Fiber Collapsible Loading Rod One-Piece Solid Aluminum Range Rod Molle Pouch to store CF Loading Rod Includes VariFlames and Priming Kit Quake® CLAW® Flush Cup Sling included 44” Total Length 9.6 lbs. Total Weight Scope Not Included MSRP, $1,255 cva.com Primitive No Longer! CVA takes the muzzleloader to high-tech heights with the Paramount HTR. CVA has been making muzzleloaders for a half century, and several years ago CVA engineers and product managers began working to create a truly long-range muzzleloader. They began with caliber selection. Whereas most muzzleloaders were .50 or .45 caliber, CVA staff figured a smaller diameter bullet, pushed at much higher speeds, could make 400-yard shots. They settled on .40 caliber. Of course, they needed a stout breech and receiver to handle a full-charge load of black powder. That was relatively easy to manufacture. But a consistent and complete ignition system was required, too. CVA settled on their VariFlame igniter, a small, metal cylinder holding a large rifle primer that is inserted into the rear of the breech. To hold this all in place, a bolt-action was created. Once the VariFlame is in place, the HTR’s bolt is then pushed forward and rotated, sealing the VariFlame into the primer pocket. In its testing, CVA determined that Blackhorn 209 powder provided the most consistent power and was also the cleanest powder. Meanwhile, the staff at sister company PowerBelt designed a very aerodynamic .40 caliber bullet, made of copper and sporting a poly tip, the PowerBelt ELR .40 caliber. It has an unbelievably high-ballistic coefficient (for a black powder bullet) of .360. When loaded with 105-grains, by weight, of Blackhorn 209, the Paramount HTR launches the 225-grain PowerBelt ELR at approximately 2,700 feet per second. Centerfire speed. CVA added a 26-inch, stainless-steel barrel made by Bergara of Spain, rifled at fast twist rate (for black powder) of 1:20. CVA free- floated the barrel so that no unnecessary vibrations would affect accuracy, especially at distances. CVA also built the HTR’s fully adjustable stock with an internal, aluminum chassis for rigidity and to aid in free floating the barrel. First launched in 2018, the Sig Optics BDX (Ballistic Date Xchange) system employs an iPhone or android app that bonds a SIG range- finder with a Sig scope using Bluetooth technology. The app also allows the shooter to configure a ballistic profile for specific rounds. Preset ballistic groups are pre-loaded onto all BDX products covering the vast majority of calibers on the market, and the shooter can also load the specific data on their unique load. Once the BDX system is set up, the shooter simply ranges the target, and the app illuminates the exact holdover point needed on the scope’s reticle. I downloaded the app onto my iPhone and synced the scope and rangefinder, then added the ballistics of my HTR load. At my home range, I zeroed my Paramount HTR and the Sierra3, starting the process at 50 yards. My third shot was near enough to the bullseye to stretch out things to 100 yards. A few shots later, I had the rifle zeroed. I began shooting for accuracy and discovered that I had a muzzle- loader capable of MOA or better. My best group: four rounds into a .75-inch cluster at 100 yards. At which point I got nervous and pulled shot number five an inch wide. But that was on the shooter, not the rifle. I also consider the 5.5-inch group I shot from my improvised position at the deer target pretty decent. Not great, but with more practice it would likely shrink by one-third the size or more. An annoying reality of an in-line muzzleloader is that they must be cleaned after every two shots or so. And not just the barrel—the breech plug has to be removed and cleaned, greased, and re-inserted. At the CVA Texas event, the Paramount HTR was fired nearly two dozen times in a row without a single cleaning, with the rifle as accurate and functional on the last shot as it was on the first. In my testing, I put over 30 shots through my HTR without a cleaning and without a problem. At some point, I am sure a good scrubbing would be in order for a Paramount HTR. But I wouldn’t worry until at least 50 rounds and maybe many more. By the way, the HTR’s trigger snapped off crisply at one pound, eight ounces of pull. I’ve used many centerfire rifles that didn’t have a trigger half this crisp and precise. Downsides to the HTR? It’s not light at 9.6 pounds unloaded. This isn’t the rifle to carry on a mountain goat hunt. And the recoil is significant. Think a bit more than a .308 Win recoil but not all the way to a 30-06. CVA’s Paramount Series also includes the Paramount Pro, featuring a hand-painted Grayboe camo stock, in either .40 or .45 caliber, and the Paramount in .45 caliber. My Paramount HTR was technically a pre-production model as the plan (disrupted by the Covid pandemic) was to sell the HTR with a stock hydro-dipped in the Realtree Hillside camo pattern. My stock was a simple forest green, though in every other aspect it was and is the HTR. Which means it’s long-distance accurate and miles beyond its flintlock and even its in-line cousins! Sig Sauer SIERRA3 BDX Rifle Scope, $599.99–$799.99, basspro.com review by brian mccombie10 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 11 My Kilo 2020 BDX rangefinder, from Sig Sauer, put the deer 272.3 yards away. Not a record-distance shot by any means, but I wasn’t shooting from a nice, solid table, either. My butt was on the ground, a backpack under my right arm for support, with my rifle resting on shooting sticks. Still, I had two advantages: my Sig Sauer Sierra3 BDX 4.5x14 rifle scope, a digital and Bluetooth masterpiece that “talked” to my Kilo rangefinder to provide the exact holdover point needed for the deer; and, my rifle, the new Paramount HTR .40 caliber muzzleloader from CVA—AKA Connecticut Valley Arms. I shot, five times in all, with four of my shots placing in the deer’s vitals. Actually, my deer was an imposter, a Pre-Game Splattering Target of a whitetail buck from Birchwood Casey. And the target’s vital zone was roughly only two-thirds the size of that of a real deer. I was satisfied—and impressed with the rifle and optical system. I’d first used the Paramount HTR six weeks previous at a media event hosted by CVA. There, shooting from a table, I’d hit a steel target four times in a row placing those shots within five inches of each other. The target sat 400 yards away. I kept thinking this performance was a fluke, but person after person replicated my shooting with the HTR. Could this really be a 400-yard muzzleloader? A month and a half after the Texas event, a Paramount HTR arrived at my house for me to use and decide. I’ve always considered the muzzleloader a fairly primitive firearm, mostly because, well, it is! Comparatively speaking, the range and power of the muzzleloaders I’ve used over the last decade didn’t come close to a standard bolt-action deer rifle. Sure, at 75 to 100 yards, that big, slow moving muzzle- loader bullet could knock down a deer or elk. But how much further was it ethical to shoot a black powder rifle if you were hunting? GEAR SPECS: .40 Caliber (as tested) Free-Floating Barrel 26" Barrel, Stainless Steel, Nitride Treated Twist Rate: 1:20 Nitride® Treated Stainless Steel VariFlame® Breech Plug Adjustable Cheek Rest Internal Aluminum Chassis Carbon Fiber Collapsible Loading Rod One-Piece Solid Aluminum Range Rod Molle Pouch to store CF Loading Rod Includes VariFlames and Priming Kit Quake® CLAW® Flush Cup Sling included 44” Total Length 9.6 lbs. Total Weight Scope Not Included MSRP, $1,255 cva.com Primitive No Longer! CVA takes the muzzleloader to high-tech heights with the Paramount HTR. CVA has been making muzzleloaders for a half century, and several years ago CVA engineers and product managers began working to create a truly long-range muzzleloader. They began with caliber selection. Whereas most muzzleloaders were .50 or .45 caliber, CVA staff figured a smaller diameter bullet, pushed at much higher speeds, could make 400-yard shots. They settled on .40 caliber. Of course, they needed a stout breech and receiver to handle a full-charge load of black powder. That was relatively easy to manufacture. But a consistent and complete ignition system was required, too. CVA settled on their VariFlame igniter, a small, metal cylinder holding a large rifle primer that is inserted into the rear of the breech. To hold this all in place, a bolt-action was created. Once the VariFlame is in place, the HTR’s bolt is then pushed forward and rotated, sealing the VariFlame into the primer pocket. In its testing, CVA determined that Blackhorn 209 powder provided the most consistent power and was also the cleanest powder. Meanwhile, the staff at sister company PowerBelt designed a very aerodynamic .40 caliber bullet, made of copper and sporting a poly tip, the PowerBelt ELR .40 caliber. It has an unbelievably high-ballistic coefficient (for a black powder bullet) of .360. When loaded with 105-grains, by weight, of Blackhorn 209, the Paramount HTR launches the 225-grain PowerBelt ELR at approximately 2,700 feet per second. Centerfire speed. CVA added a 26-inch, stainless-steel barrel made by Bergara of Spain, rifled at fast twist rate (for black powder) of 1:20. CVA free- floated the barrel so that no unnecessary vibrations would affect accuracy, especially at distances. CVA also built the HTR’s fully adjustable stock with an internal, aluminum chassis for rigidity and to aid in free floating the barrel. First launched in 2018, the Sig Optics BDX (Ballistic Date Xchange) system employs an iPhone or android app that bonds a SIG range- finder with a Sig scope using Bluetooth technology. The app also allows the shooter to configure a ballistic profile for specific rounds. Preset ballistic groups are pre-loaded onto all BDX products covering the vast majority of calibers on the market, and the shooter can also load the specific data on their unique load. Once the BDX system is set up, the shooter simply ranges the target, and the app illuminates the exact holdover point needed on the scope’s reticle. I downloaded the app onto my iPhone and synced the scope and rangefinder, then added the ballistics of my HTR load. At my home range, I zeroed my Paramount HTR and the Sierra3, starting the process at 50 yards. My third shot was near enough to the bullseye to stretch out things to 100 yards. A few shots later, I had the rifle zeroed. I began shooting for accuracy and discovered that I had a muzzle- loader capable of MOA or better. My best group: four rounds into a .75-inch cluster at 100 yards. At which point I got nervous and pulled shot number five an inch wide. But that was on the shooter, not the rifle. I also consider the 5.5-inch group I shot from my improvised position at the deer target pretty decent. Not great, but with more practice it would likely shrink by one-third the size or more. An annoying reality of an in-line muzzleloader is that they must be cleaned after every two shots or so. And not just the barrel—the breech plug has to be removed and cleaned, greased, and re-inserted. At the CVA Texas event, the Paramount HTR was fired nearly two dozen times in a row without a single cleaning, with the rifle as accurate and functional on the last shot as it was on the first. In my testing, I put over 30 shots through my HTR without a cleaning and without a problem. At some point, I am sure a good scrubbing would be in order for a Paramount HTR. But I wouldn’t worry until at least 50 rounds and maybe many more. By the way, the HTR’s trigger snapped off crisply at one pound, eight ounces of pull. I’ve used many centerfire rifles that didn’t have a trigger half this crisp and precise. Downsides to the HTR? It’s not light at 9.6 pounds unloaded. This isn’t the rifle to carry on a mountain goat hunt. And the recoil is significant. Think a bit more than a .308 Win recoil but not all the way to a 30-06. CVA’s Paramount Series also includes the Paramount Pro, featuring a hand-painted Grayboe camo stock, in either .40 or .45 caliber, and the Paramount in .45 caliber. My Paramount HTR was technically a pre-production model as the plan (disrupted by the Covid pandemic) was to sell the HTR with a stock hydro-dipped in the Realtree Hillside camo pattern. My stock was a simple forest green, though in every other aspect it was and is the HTR. Which means it’s long-distance accurate and miles beyond its flintlock and even its in-line cousins! Sig Sauer SIERRA3 BDX Rifle Scope, $599.99–$799.99, basspro.com review by brian mccombie12 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 13 Trekking across unfamiliar ground in the dead of night is no small task; of course, my knack for picking out the loudest twigs and leaves on which to step during the walk to my stand doesn’t help either. I was always at risk of getting caught. Honestly, the familiar sounds of does blowing or feral hogs barking and groaning over those many years never ceased. Making my exit often was another consideration, especially if I planned to return after a quick break or the next morning. To complicate trekking and hunting, many of the areas I hunt are rife with heavily wooded stands of trees and tangled webs of thick underbrush. As a bowhunter, I am most often in tighter spots with less visibility, and trying to detect movement in the impenetrable layer of shadows darkening the woods around me is an exercise in futility. It is important to watch everything around you but equally important to move as little as possible. What could be worse than getting busted on the way to your hunting setup? Getting caught while you are there. After the shot, recovery has always made me anxious and hoping for a short, easy tracking job. Recalling the precise location of an animal when it has been shot can be difficult, especially when descending from a treestand. Things have a strange way of looking differently at ground level. Even so, picking up the first sign of blood is often the easiest part of recovery. As it relates to ethics, recovery is often the most critical component of hunting, and employing whatever means necessary (and legal) is an acceptable measure. That said, as hunters, we live in great times! We have help in the form of thermal imaging. Through decades of walks, waits, and, hopefully, recoveries, technology has improved dramatically. Thermal imaging is now at our fingertips and affordable! Pricing for devices like the Pulsar Axion begin at about $1,200, and heat signature detection are between 900 to 1,800 yards. The LRF model even includes a laser To say SPYPOINT is one of the world’s most trusted cellular game cameras is an understatement. In October 2020, the company set a milestone both for itself and the industry with over 15,000,000 photos transferred in a single day. But that wasn’t the first time the company made history. With its debut of the LINK-MICRO, SPYPOINT became the first cellular trail camera available on the market under $200, and it was roughly half the size of most other cellular trail cams. To top that off, SPYPOINT is the only company to offer a free photo transmission plan—no activation fees, no monthly minimum—you can buy a SPYPOINT camera and get 100 photos sent to you free every month. Of course, you are going to want to upgrade that for more images, but for a sample, that is a great perk. They had my interest, but it wasn’t the size of the LINK-MICRO or the free pics that I cared about. What did it was the SPYPOINT app. It’s clean, easy to use, and even sorts images by species. Unlike other cumbersome systems, this app makes getting my daily hunting fix seamless. Set up push notifications, and you’ll become a trail cam junkie. The two units I field tested were the LINK-MICRO-S (Solar) and the CELL-LINK. The size of the MICRO was certainly smaller than any other game camera I have ever used. For most hunters, myself included, the size didn’t matter (uh, well…). I digress. GEAR Bowhunting with Thermal: Problem-Solving Technology Pulsar’s Axion is a hunter’s before-during-after problem solver. The Spy Who Loved Me Direct messages from the woods. range-finder, accurate up to 1,000 yards, +/- 1 yard, in zero light. Given improved affordability and the technological benefits for hunters, thermal imaging deserves space in every hunter’s pack. Keep in mind this technology routinely cost $10,000-$20,000 just a decade ago, and the quality of imaging left much to be desired. Axion thermal imagers are available in Key and XQ models. All Axions include full-color displays—960x720 LCOS for Key models and 1024x760 HD AMOLED for the Axion XQ—with eight color imaging themes and magnification ranging by model from 2x to 24x. The XQ38 (non-LRF) also include onboard video.. IPX7 waterproof-rated Axion thermal monoculars are powered by rechargeable eight-pack lithium batteries (up to four hours) and protected by a rubber-armored housing. To learn more about Pulsar Axion thermal imaging monoculars, visit PulsarNV.com. MSRP: $3,079.99 What did matter to me was the space it took up in my pack as I hiked it into my favorite spot. Boasting an impressive 10-megapixel camera, four power LEDs, and an infrared flash range of up to 80 feet, this little guy packs some serious punch. The addition of the solar panel, which charges an included lithium battery pack, makes this unit a no brainer. The point of a cell camera is to limit the potential of spooking a big buck with your presence. Why have to change batteries then? Go solar. Next, my favorite new piece of tech turns your old trail cam into a cellular game camera. The CELL-LINK enables cellular communication for virtually any non-cell trail cam. Simply insert the CELL-LINK’s SD plug into your camera's SD card slot, and it will wirelessly transmit images to the SPYPOINT smartphone app. I found this item particularly interesting due to its price. Many higher-end cams top $200 per unit, and the thought of rendering them obsolete just hurts my frugal mind, so at under 60 bucks, this solution has just upped the ante without breaking the bank. Finally, as most know, deer hang out in areas that city folk tend to avoid—that generally means poor cell service. No need to worry—the SPYPOINT Long Range Cellular Antenna solves that issue. To be clear, it does not work miracles, so if there is no service, there is simply no service. But if there is a chance, the antenna will pull through. With a 15-foot extension cable topped with an omnidirectional antenna, this accessory is a must if there is any doubt on coverage. pro tip: In areas of low signal, set your cameras to transmit 12 times a day. The way SPYPOINT cameras work is they search for signal each time they are set to transmit. Meaning, if you have it set to one time a day, it searches one time, and if it doesn’t find signal, it waits for another 24 hours. As we all know, cell signal seems to ebb and flow almost by the wind. There are so many factors to what really makes it move around, but we aren’t here to get into that. Bottom line is, because we are using a solar rechargeable battery unit, give the camera as many chances to detect signal as possible. review by kevin reese review by john j. radzwilla LINK-MICRO SOLAR, $119.97, basspro.com CELL-LINK, $49.97, basspro.com LONG-RANGE CELLULAR ANTENNA, $59.99, basspro.com12 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 13 Trekking across unfamiliar ground in the dead of night is no small task; of course, my knack for picking out the loudest twigs and leaves on which to step during the walk to my stand doesn’t help either. I was always at risk of getting caught. Honestly, the familiar sounds of does blowing or feral hogs barking and groaning over those many years never ceased. Making my exit often was another consideration, especially if I planned to return after a quick break or the next morning. To complicate trekking and hunting, many of the areas I hunt are rife with heavily wooded stands of trees and tangled webs of thick underbrush. As a bowhunter, I am most often in tighter spots with less visibility, and trying to detect movement in the impenetrable layer of shadows darkening the woods around me is an exercise in futility. It is important to watch everything around you but equally important to move as little as possible. What could be worse than getting busted on the way to your hunting setup? Getting caught while you are there. After the shot, recovery has always made me anxious and hoping for a short, easy tracking job. Recalling the precise location of an animal when it has been shot can be difficult, especially when descending from a treestand. Things have a strange way of looking differently at ground level. Even so, picking up the first sign of blood is often the easiest part of recovery. As it relates to ethics, recovery is often the most critical component of hunting, and employing whatever means necessary (and legal) is an acceptable measure. That said, as hunters, we live in great times! We have help in the form of thermal imaging. Through decades of walks, waits, and, hopefully, recoveries, technology has improved dramatically. Thermal imaging is now at our fingertips and affordable! Pricing for devices like the Pulsar Axion begin at about $1,200, and heat signature detection are between 900 to 1,800 yards. The LRF model even includes a laser To say SPYPOINT is one of the world’s most trusted cellular game cameras is an understatement. In October 2020, the company set a milestone both for itself and the industry with over 15,000,000 photos transferred in a single day. But that wasn’t the first time the company made history. With its debut of the LINK-MICRO, SPYPOINT became the first cellular trail camera available on the market under $200, and it was roughly half the size of most other cellular trail cams. To top that off, SPYPOINT is the only company to offer a free photo transmission plan—no activation fees, no monthly minimum—you can buy a SPYPOINT camera and get 100 photos sent to you free every month. Of course, you are going to want to upgrade that for more images, but for a sample, that is a great perk. They had my interest, but it wasn’t the size of the LINK-MICRO or the free pics that I cared about. What did it was the SPYPOINT app. It’s clean, easy to use, and even sorts images by species. Unlike other cumbersome systems, this app makes getting my daily hunting fix seamless. Set up push notifications, and you’ll become a trail cam junkie. The two units I field tested were the LINK-MICRO-S (Solar) and the CELL-LINK. The size of the MICRO was certainly smaller than any other game camera I have ever used. For most hunters, myself included, the size didn’t matter (uh, well…). I digress. GEAR Bowhunting with Thermal: Problem-Solving Technology Pulsar’s Axion is a hunter’s before-during-after problem solver. The Spy Who Loved Me Direct messages from the woods. range-finder, accurate up to 1,000 yards, +/- 1 yard, in zero light. Given improved affordability and the technological benefits for hunters, thermal imaging deserves space in every hunter’s pack. Keep in mind this technology routinely cost $10,000-$20,000 just a decade ago, and the quality of imaging left much to be desired. Axion thermal imagers are available in Key and XQ models. All Axions include full-color displays—960x720 LCOS for Key models and 1024x760 HD AMOLED for the Axion XQ—with eight color imaging themes and magnification ranging by model from 2x to 24x. The XQ38 (non-LRF) also include onboard video.. IPX7 waterproof-rated Axion thermal monoculars are powered by rechargeable eight-pack lithium batteries (up to four hours) and protected by a rubber-armored housing. To learn more about Pulsar Axion thermal imaging monoculars, visit PulsarNV.com. MSRP: $3,079.99 What did matter to me was the space it took up in my pack as I hiked it into my favorite spot. Boasting an impressive 10-megapixel camera, four power LEDs, and an infrared flash range of up to 80 feet, this little guy packs some serious punch. The addition of the solar panel, which charges an included lithium battery pack, makes this unit a no brainer. The point of a cell camera is to limit the potential of spooking a big buck with your presence. Why have to change batteries then? Go solar. Next, my favorite new piece of tech turns your old trail cam into a cellular game camera. The CELL-LINK enables cellular communication for virtually any non-cell trail cam. Simply insert the CELL-LINK’s SD plug into your camera's SD card slot, and it will wirelessly transmit images to the SPYPOINT smartphone app. I found this item particularly interesting due to its price. Many higher-end cams top $200 per unit, and the thought of rendering them obsolete just hurts my frugal mind, so at under 60 bucks, this solution has just upped the ante without breaking the bank. Finally, as most know, deer hang out in areas that city folk tend to avoid—that generally means poor cell service. No need to worry—the SPYPOINT Long Range Cellular Antenna solves that issue. To be clear, it does not work miracles, so if there is no service, there is simply no service. But if there is a chance, the antenna will pull through. With a 15-foot extension cable topped with an omnidirectional antenna, this accessory is a must if there is any doubt on coverage. pro tip: In areas of low signal, set your cameras to transmit 12 times a day. The way SPYPOINT cameras work is they search for signal each time they are set to transmit. Meaning, if you have it set to one time a day, it searches one time, and if it doesn’t find signal, it waits for another 24 hours. As we all know, cell signal seems to ebb and flow almost by the wind. There are so many factors to what really makes it move around, but we aren’t here to get into that. Bottom line is, because we are using a solar rechargeable battery unit, give the camera as many chances to detect signal as possible. review by kevin reese review by john j. radzwilla LINK-MICRO SOLAR, $119.97, basspro.com CELL-LINK, $49.97, basspro.com LONG-RANGE CELLULAR ANTENNA, $59.99, basspro.comHOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 15 A WHISKEY BUSINESS: Third-generation Kentuckian Cummins uses bourbon mash for his all-natural deer feed. His sweet-smelling blend contains the corn that deer crave and is rich in protein and minerals. Kentucky’s famous export is alluring, even to deer. Big Bucks from Bourbon story by jim hannaford ong associated with bluegrass music and champion race- horses, Kentucky has an even bigger claim to fame as the undisputed Bourbon Capital of the World. It’s also the place that George Cummins calls home. He is from Lawrenceburg, a quaint town whose green rolling hills form the literal epicenter of what’s become a multibillion-dollar global industry. “Ninety-eight percent of the world’s bourbon is made within an hour of where I live,” says Cummins. The Wild Turkey and Four Roses distilleries are right there in town, and Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace are just a 20-minute drive away along what’s called the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. As a result of these liquor-making operations that are central to life in central Kentucky, Cummins is carving his own niche as a successful entrepreneur. So far, his success has come not from the bourbon whiskey itself but from what’s left over after production. L CHEERS The distilleries regularly have tons of fermented grain to discard, and enterprising farmers have used it for decades to feed their livestock. It turns out that deer have a taste for it, too—not for the whiskey itself but for the so-called mash that’s a byproduct of the distillation process. After years of guiding hunters onto deer at his Salt River Outfitters, Cummins has a growing range of products aimed at hunters. Buck Bourbon 110 Proof is a protein-heavy sweet feed that’s made from the used grains from distilleries. “Most attractants on the market aren’t really that great for the deer,” Cummins says. “We’ve created something that deer love and that’s really good for them. It has protein, minerals, carbs, and fat—everything they need.” He says it took about three years to come up with the winning formula. Naturally, he’s a bit protective about what exactly goes into it besides the dried grains, but he does shoot down a AD © 2021 Olin Winchester, LLC WHERE CAN I BUY WINCHESTER AMMUNITION? Visit Winchester.com to fi nd a dealer near you! Winchester® celebrates 100 years of the Super-X® brand with this limited edition series of time-proven cartridges. Generations of hunters and sport shooters from around the world have put their trust in Super-X, a brand of ammunition products built on legendary performance. 100 Years of Legendary Excellence Since 1921HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 15 A WHISKEY BUSINESS: Third-generation Kentuckian Cummins uses bourbon mash for his all-natural deer feed. His sweet-smelling blend contains the corn that deer crave and is rich in protein and minerals. Kentucky’s famous export is alluring, even to deer. Big Bucks from Bourbon story by jim hannaford ong associated with bluegrass music and champion race- horses, Kentucky has an even bigger claim to fame as the undisputed Bourbon Capital of the World. It’s also the place that George Cummins calls home. He is from Lawrenceburg, a quaint town whose green rolling hills form the literal epicenter of what’s become a multibillion-dollar global industry. “Ninety-eight percent of the world’s bourbon is made within an hour of where I live,” says Cummins. The Wild Turkey and Four Roses distilleries are right there in town, and Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace are just a 20-minute drive away along what’s called the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. As a result of these liquor-making operations that are central to life in central Kentucky, Cummins is carving his own niche as a successful entrepreneur. So far, his success has come not from the bourbon whiskey itself but from what’s left over after production. L CHEERS The distilleries regularly have tons of fermented grain to discard, and enterprising farmers have used it for decades to feed their livestock. It turns out that deer have a taste for it, too—not for the whiskey itself but for the so-called mash that’s a byproduct of the distillation process. After years of guiding hunters onto deer at his Salt River Outfitters, Cummins has a growing range of products aimed at hunters. Buck Bourbon 110 Proof is a protein-heavy sweet feed that’s made from the used grains from distilleries. “Most attractants on the market aren’t really that great for the deer,” Cummins says. “We’ve created something that deer love and that’s really good for them. It has protein, minerals, carbs, and fat—everything they need.” He says it took about three years to come up with the winning formula. Naturally, he’s a bit protective about what exactly goes into it besides the dried grains, but he does shoot down a AD16 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 17 CHEERS common misconception: “Everybody thinks we put molasses in it, but we don’t.” And, to be clear, it doesn’t share all of the qualities that make his homeland’s spirits so enchanting. “There’s no bourbon smell to it or bourbon flavor,” he says, and deer won’t stagger off if they’ve had too much. “There’s no alcohol in it at all, but it does have an intoxicating aroma that brings them in from a long ways off.” WHAT MAKES IT BOURBON? All bourbon is whiskey, as they like to say in Kentucky, but not all whiskey is bourbon. There’s a basic formula that has been followed since it was first made in colonial America in the late 1700s. The short list of ingredients includes yeast and some grains such as barley, rye, or wheat. But it’s mostly corn—at least 51 percent by regulation—and that’s where the sweetness comes from. The coveted smoky and spicy characteristics are the result of aging in white oak barrels that have been freshly charred—not reused, in other words. How long the whiskey stays in those barrels before being bottled also influences its aroma and color. Another defining factor for bourbon is the liquid that goes into it. The water in that part of the country is naturally filtered through limestone, a process that adds calcium while removing iron. Also, for it to be called true Kentucky bourbon there is no artificial flavoring or coloring. SIGHTS ON SUCCESS Cummins’ idea for a better deer feed was personal at first. He wanted to attract desirable bucks to his 9,000 acres of hunting grounds. “For me, deer were a natural resource,” he says. “I made my living by selling these deer hunts, so I wanted them to be as healthy as possible and to replenish as quickly as possible.” The early images from his trail cameras didn’t lie. The mixture that came to be called Buck Bourbon was an instant hit, and friends and fellow hunters wanted some for themselves. Realizing he had stumbled onto something good, Cummins decided to market it locally. It took off beyond any scope he’d imagined after he got a phone call from someone offering to help set up a meeting with a buyer for Tractor Supply in Brentwood, Tennessee. The rep loved the product and its name and logo but hated the shiny black coffee pouch it came in. Cummins did some careful research and created new packaging he hoped would stand out from all the other attractants on the shelves. “I went back to Tractor Supply, and when I set that down on his desk the buyer looked at me immediately and smiled from ear to ear and said, ‘You’ve hit a home run.’” Going into this deer season, his Buck Bourbon products are in nearly 4,000 stores in the United States, including nearly 1,800 Tractor Supply outlets, around 2,000 WalMarts, and all 40 Buc-ee’s locations. Time in a barrel helps to give bourbon its distinctive and sought-after traits. That’s where the amber color comes from, too—not from caramel coloring. “Most attractants on the market aren’t really that great for the deer. We’ve created something that deer love and that’s really good for them. It has protein, minerals, carbs, and fat—everything they need.” –george cummins He expanded his Buck Bourbon line to include more products to enhance the lifestyle he and so many others enjoy. These include coffee, seasonings and marinades, and cigars, but how else to celebrate a successful day outdoors than by capping it off with a taste of that special elixir? After all, where he comes from, enjoying a glass (or more) of bourbon is a cherished, almost ceremonial, part of the overall experience. NEXT UP: BBD BOURBON So he’s creating his own bourbon, and it will be for people to drink, not deer. Growing up in the heart of Bourbon Country, he’s sampled most of the world’s best over the years, and he’s settled on a particular style. “I like bourbon with a strong, smoky oak flavor,” he says. Instead of targeting high-end aficionados, he wants it to appeal to like-minded folks such as the ones who visit his hunting lodge season after season. “We’re going to call it BBD Bourbon because, abbreviated, that is ‘big buck down.’ That’s what all the hunters say when they kill a deer—that’s the first thing they text their buddy—BBD.” As his own bourbon-based business builds, it’s not lost on Cummins that he’s found a satisfying livelihood in his own back- yard, and it’s one that many outsiders would envy. He considers himself blessed and wonders aloud whether he’s had some guidance from above. “I think it’s a picture-perfect example of how the American Dream should work,” he says. “It’s just having the guts to go after it, put it all out there, and swing for the fence and actually connect. I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel like doors have opened for me that shouldn’t have.” Cummins knows he is fortunate to make a living doing what he loves to do. Pallets of Buck Bourbon await shipment nationwide.16 @HOOKANDBARRELMAG | HOOKANDBARREL.COM HOOKANDBARREL.COM | @HOOKANDBARRELMAG 17 CHEERS common misconception: “Everybody thinks we put molasses in it, but we don’t.” And, to be clear, it doesn’t share all of the qualities that make his homeland’s spirits so enchanting. “There’s no bourbon smell to it or bourbon flavor,” he says, and deer won’t stagger off if they’ve had too much. “There’s no alcohol in it at all, but it does have an intoxicating aroma that brings them in from a long ways off.” WHAT MAKES IT BOURBON? All bourbon is whiskey, as they like to say in Kentucky, but not all whiskey is bourbon. There’s a basic formula that has been followed since it was first made in colonial America in the late 1700s. The short list of ingredients includes yeast and some grains such as barley, rye, or wheat. But it’s mostly corn—at least 51 percent by regulation—and that’s where the sweetness comes from. The coveted smoky and spicy characteristics are the result of aging in white oak barrels that have been freshly charred—not reused, in other words. How long the whiskey stays in those barrels before being bottled also influences its aroma and color. Another defining factor for bourbon is the liquid that goes into it. The water in that part of the country is naturally filtered through limestone, a process that adds calcium while removing iron. Also, for it to be called true Kentucky bourbon there is no artificial flavoring or coloring. SIGHTS ON SUCCESS Cummins’ idea for a better deer feed was personal at first. He wanted to attract desirable bucks to his 9,000 acres of hunting grounds. “For me, deer were a natural resource,” he says. “I made my living by selling these deer hunts, so I wanted them to be as healthy as possible and to replenish as quickly as possible.” The early images from his trail cameras didn’t lie. The mixture that came to be called Buck Bourbon was an instant hit, and friends and fellow hunters wanted some for themselves. Realizing he had stumbled onto something good, Cummins decided to market it locally. It took off beyond any scope he’d imagined after he got a phone call from someone offering to help set up a meeting with a buyer for Tractor Supply in Brentwood, Tennessee. The rep loved the product and its name and logo but hated the shiny black coffee pouch it came in. Cummins did some careful research and created new packaging he hoped would stand out from all the other attractants on the shelves. “I went back to Tractor Supply, and when I set that down on his desk the buyer looked at me immediately and smiled from ear to ear and said, ‘You’ve hit a home run.’” Going into this deer season, his Buck Bourbon products are in nearly 4,000 stores in the United States, including nearly 1,800 Tractor Supply outlets, around 2,000 WalMarts, and all 40 Buc-ee’s locations. Time in a barrel helps to give bourbon its distinctive and sought-after traits. That’s where the amber color comes from, too—not from caramel coloring. “Most attractants on the market aren’t really that great for the deer. We’ve created something that deer love and that’s really good for them. It has protein, minerals, carbs, and fat—everything they need.” –george cummins He expanded his Buck Bourbon line to include more products to enhance the lifestyle he and so many others enjoy. These include coffee, seasonings and marinades, and cigars, but how else to celebrate a successful day outdoors than by capping it off with a taste of that special elixir? After all, where he comes from, enjoying a glass (or more) of bourbon is a cherished, almost ceremonial, part of the overall experience. NEXT UP: BBD BOURBON So he’s creating his own bourbon, and it will be for people to drink, not deer. Growing up in the heart of Bourbon Country, he’s sampled most of the world’s best over the years, and he’s settled on a particular style. “I like bourbon with a strong, smoky oak flavor,” he says. Instead of targeting high-end aficionados, he wants it to appeal to like-minded folks such as the ones who visit his hunting lodge season after season. “We’re going to call it BBD Bourbon because, abbreviated, that is ‘big buck down.’ That’s what all the hunters say when they kill a deer—that’s the first thing they text their buddy—BBD.” As his own bourbon-based business builds, it’s not lost on Cummins that he’s found a satisfying livelihood in his own back- yard, and it’s one that many outsiders would envy. He considers himself blessed and wonders aloud whether he’s had some guidance from above. “I think it’s a picture-perfect example of how the American Dream should work,” he says. “It’s just having the guts to go after it, put it all out there, and swing for the fence and actually connect. I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel like doors have opened for me that shouldn’t have.” Cummins knows he is fortunate to make a living doing what he loves to do. Pallets of Buck Bourbon await shipment nationwide.Next >