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HuntStand 2020 Opening Day Gear Guide


Some jaw-dropping guns. Killer optics and must-see accessories. Are you ready for the best day of the year?

by Mark Melotik

HuntStand Pro Contributor MORE FROM Mark

Some jaw-dropping guns. Killer optics and must-see accessories. Are you ready for the best day of the year?

TC CompassII 900Thompson/Center Compass II. Are you confident your deer rifle is dependably accurate? A new rifle in today’s market should shoot under an inch at 100 yards, and you shouldn’t settle for less. Improvements to barrel manufacturing and factory triggers, like the new Generation II trigger on the all-new Compass II bolt-action, have made minute-of-angle accuracy a reality for most hunters at an affordable price point. Indeed, the Compass II ($405, eight calibers including 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm Rem Mag) is a feature-rich rifle that is packed with value. Great examples include a Threaded Muzzle for use with compensators, muzzle brakes and suppressors, a three-position safety that provides visible and tactile feedback, maximum scope clearance between bolt handle and mounted scope for fast cycling, and a Flush Fit Rotary Magazine for easy carrying and no snags.KimberOpenRangeOC 900KimberOpenRangeGranite 900Kimber Open Range Pro Carbon. New for 2020, the Open Range Pro Carbon rifle line ($3,099) was designed to offer the perfect balance of style and hunting performance. AG Composites, an industry leader in stock technology, provides a reliable platform that is ultralightweight, supremely stiff, and impervious to the elements. At the pinnacle of modern barrel science, Proof Research’s stainless steel, carbon fiber wrapped barrels offer superior stiffness, reduced harmonic vibration, life-extending heat dissipation and 12 ounces of weight reduction. Single point cut rifling limits barrel stress and is preferred by many target shooters for its uniformity and close tolerances. Currently available in .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor, in Open Country and Granite, the Open Range Pro Carbon rifles are true tack drivers for the most demanding hunter; the Open Range is also available with the same two finishes and calibers with a KimPro II stainless steel barrel ($2,269).Model2020 Laydown 900Model 2020 Ridgeline 900Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint. Springfield Armory has a storied history of building fine firearms for defense and competition. And now hunters everywhere can also benefit, with the all-new Model 2020 family of premium American-made bolt-action hunting rifles. The first in this new family of rifles is the Model 2020 Waypoint shown above ($1,699 to $2,399). Made in the USA and built around the ground-breaking Model 2020 action, the Waypoint features a premium, hand-painted, carbon fiber stock and the option of a steel or carbon fiber barrel—each boasting a .75 MOA accuracy guarantee. More options include two stock configurations, two finishes (Ridgeline & Evergreen, shown above) and four of today’s best-performing hunting calibers. Available in 6mm CM, 6.5 CM, .308 Win. and 6.5 PRC, each Model 2020 Waypoint is built to deliver the accuracy and performance you should demand from a custom-grade rifle. Savage110Ultralite 900_edited-1Savage Arms 110 Ultralite. The weight of your deer rifle shouldn’t limit how far you can roam in pursuit of your next trophy. Savage engineers have refined the classic bolt-action to its most-essential elements and built them into a rifle that comes in just under six pounds. From its spiral-fluted bolt and skeletonized receiver, to the carbon fiber wrapped barrel from PROOF Research, the 110 Ultralite ($1,499)  is the ideal rifle for those who hike long distances to take the perfect shot. The carbon fiber wrapped stainless steel barrel and Melonite skeletonized receiver reduce weight, but are equally protective. The polymer stock is built with Savage’s AccuFit technology, which allows for easy adjustments to length-of-pull and comb height to provide hunters with optimum fit and performance. The user-adjustable AccuTrigger allows crisp, clean shots to close out successful hunts.BurrisSigHD3x15x44 900Burris Signature HD 3-15×44 Riflescope. Your local bucks better start running now. Built on a legacy of reliability and confidence when it matters most, the new Burris Signature HD Series riflescopes ($359-$729) are designed to offer shooters bright clear optics and rugged dependability. Ideal for targeting deer, the versatility of the Signature HD 3-15×44 (starting at $503) shines for shooters needing bright, clear view sat a wide range of distances. The choice of either the Ballistic E3 Illuminated or Plex reticle delivers accurate shots both near and far. Precise side parallax focus, push/pull and zero-stop locking turrets give shooters complete control. Signature HD riflescopes are waterproof, shockproof and fog proof and come with the Burris Forever Warranty.TrijiconHR1040 900Trijicon Huron Riflescopes. The new Huron series was designed specifically for the North American deer hunter. Built with the same military-grade construction and premium glass that has earned Trijicon a world-class reputation, the nicely affordable Huron series features a sleek satin finish and four different variable power options. They include 1-4×24, 2.5-10×40, 3-9×40, and 3-12×40 models ($650 to $699), each of which is engineered for extreme durability and proven precision in every season and light condition. Ranging from 15.9 to 18.2 ounces and offering up to 100 MOA of adjustment from either a 30mm or 1-inch main tube, the Huron line gives deer hunters plenty of optical power in a lightweight package. Huron models are available with a Standard Duplex, German #4, and the new BDC Hunter Holds reticle, giving hunters fast, intuitive options that excel in low-light shooting scenarios.LeupoldBX-2Alpine900Leupold BX-2 Alpine Binoculars. A long-awaited target buck sneaking past your stand at dusk. A rutty 10-point trailing a cornfield-edge doe at 200 yards. Whatever and wherever you hunt, your glass needs to give you a bright image, feel comfortable in your hands, and be able to take a beating. The BX-2 Alpine binoculars check all these boxes and more. With Leupold’s Twilight Max Light Management System, this set of binoculars is designed to out-perform everything in its class when it comes to seeing more in less light; testing has shown they can add up to 20 extra minutes of shooting light. Even better? They’re waterproof/fogproof and backed by a Full Lifetime Guarantee. Steady your view for hours-long glassing sessions with included, easy-mounting 1/4-20 threaded tripod adapter. Available in 8×42 ($299.99), 10×42 ($324.99), 10×52 ($354.99), and 12×52 ($379.99).LitewaveH3Compsight900HIVIZ LiteWave H3 CompSight. Outfit your favorite slug gun with a bead that really stands out. The CompSight has been the standard sight for shotgun-toting hunters at the highest level for years, and it just got better. HIVIZ has combined tritium elements with its legendary LitePipe technology to create the HIVIZ LiteWave H3 CompSight ($55) with 24-hour illumination to light your way to success. These all-steel-constructed sights are rugged, durable, and designed for the roughest use and may be easily picked up by your peripheral vision in any lighting condition so you can get on target faster. The LiteWave H3 CompSight comes with a Green LitePipe and fits most vent-ribbed shotguns with removable front bead. The sight includes five screws in varying thread sizes to fit nearly any shotgun: 3-56/2.5mm x .45mm; 5-40; 6-48; 3mm x .5; 3mm x .6. FederalHammerDown 900Federal Premium HammerDown. Make your lever gun run like never before with the industry’s only ammunition truly designed for optimal cycling and overall performance from the time-tested rifle platform. Velocities of all-new Federal Premium HammerDown loads ($19.99 to $43.99, available in seven of the most popular lever-action cartridges including 357 Magnum, 327 Federal, 44 Rem. Magnum, and 45 Colt) are customized to produce superior ballistics and terminal performance through lever-action barrel lengths. The construction of the molecularly bonded soft point bullets has also been adjusted for the best accuracy and expansion at those velocities. The geometry of each round’s case, bullet and cartridge ensures flawless cycling through tubular magazine and typical lever-action feeding systems.NoslerBT-AMMO308Win 900Nosler Ballistic Tip Ammunition Adds 308 Win. New for 2020 and available now, Nosler has added the 308 Winchester 150 gr. Ballistic Tip load to its popular line of deer-focused Ballistic Tip Ammunition. Designed specifically for hunting America’s most popular game, Ballistic Tip ammunition is designed to provide pinpoint accuracy, and reliable, rapid expansion to drop deer in their tracks. Whether the goal is a wall-hanger you’ve been scouting all year long, or simply filling the freezer with prime fresh venison, this deer-focused ammo can help.BrowningBXR350 900Browning FMJ & BXR Deer Loads In 350 Legend. The versatile and powerful, yet low-recoil 350 Legend caliber was born in 2019, and for 2020, Browning has jumped on board with two new options for 350 Legend fans: The FMJ and BXR Deer Load. The FMJ weighs in at only 124 grains and will be the fastest straight wall cartridge in the world, at a blazing muzzle velocity of 2,500 fps (when fired from a 20-inch barrel). The newly developed 350 Legend BXR Deer bullet (above) is a 155-grain rapid-expansion design that maximizes energy transfer on impact for quick and effective terminal performance. Is it time to jump on board? This versatile caliber is uniquely suited for use across multiple firearm platforms; from traditional bolt-action rifles, modern sporting rifles and even single-shot pistols and revolvers.Yam21WolverineRMAX2XTR 900Yamaha Wolverine RMAX2 1000 XT-R.  Get ready for opening day with this feature-packed next-gen 2021 side-by-side (starting at $21,999) that offers weighty advantages for deer hunters everywhere. It all starts with a powerful 999cc parallel twin engine that delivers class-leading power and smooth performance, and legendary Yamaha durability. You’ll also find aggressive front end styling and rugged tires, and all-new stealthy front LED headlights and “evil eye” marker lights that give this new generation a distinctive look on the trail. The all-new advanced and heavy-duty suspension is designed to provide maximum articulation in low speed situations, a balanced ride feeling when trail riding, and the highest level of bottoming resistance with a higher speed damping feel when maneuvering. The new FOX 2.0 QS3 shocks can be easily switched, without tools, between three custom positions to enhance comfort during relaxed driving, increase damping for normal trail riding and maximize damping during sport driving.Aerohead 900LaCrosse AeroHead Sport. Looking to up your deer hunting game? It might be time to try a boot that’s proven to be warmer, lighter, more durable and engineered with greater cushioning than any other rubber hunting boot in the field. The AeroHead Sport ($180 to $200) completely changes what a rubber hunting boot can be by replacing the rubber shell with one made of extremely durable, lightweight and insulating polyurethane. Designed for optimal fit and flexibility, the waterproof AeroHead Sport is built for ultimate comfort and designed to keep you light on your feet. Its Brush Tuff material stands up to unforgiving brush and briers while an abrasion-resistant shin guard offers extra protection without added bulk. It’s available in 3.5mm and 7mm insulation, in solid brown and a variety of Realtree, Mossy Oak, and Optifade camo patterns.RazorBone 900

Outdoor Edge RazorBone. Field dress, skin, debone and prepare big game cuts, all with one knife? That’s the beauty of the new RazorBone replaceable blade knife ($64.95). Included are three different blades: a 3.5-inch drop-point blade, a 5-inch boning/fillet blade and a new gutting blade, to offer the ultimate solution to processing big game from start to finish, with a single knife that never needs sharpening. The patented RazorSafe exchange blade system means the perfect blade for the job is merely a button push away. Included are three 3.5-inch drop point blades, two 5-inch boning/fillet blades, one gutting blade, a nylon belt sheath and polymer blade box to store the spare blades. The RazorBone is available in blaze orange or gray (shown).WorkSharpBenchstone 900Work Sharp Benchstone Knife Sharpener. Make sure all your knives are ready for the season. This handy design ($44.95) offers coarse and medium diamond abrasives that make quick work of dull blades, and a fine ceramic stone that hones knives and maintains a razor edge on working blades. Angle guides are included and offer 20- and 25-degree ramps for angle consistency when sharpening. The Tri-brasive stone can be secured to the base with a locking lever or released, allowing the stone to pivot and follow the curve of the blade. No oil or water is required, keeping set up and clean up time short.

 

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