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The Crimson Trace MVF-515:  A well thought out, useful and high quality AR-15 accessory.  Tired of trying to find the right combination of rail mounted grips, flashlight mounts, laser mounts and keeping up with all the wires and switches?  If you hunt during the day or night, have night vision or just your naked eye; the MVF-515 may be just what you need.  When it comes to night hunting or self-defense, this is one you have to try.  

Every now and then I run across somebody doing something extraordinary. Someone serving others without being asked, and at personnel expense in time, energy, money, or all of the above. This is a story of sacrifice. First and foremost, those that shoot and hunt with Black Dagger have given much. They are veterans. Most have been wounded in combat. Many of them have been wounded severely. Dave Winters founded Black Dagger Military Hunt Club (MHC). Dave is himself a 20-year Air Force veteran and is currently a government civilian. Dave’s son-in-law was a wounded in combat and now assists others with PTSD. As you can see, Mr Winters has good reasons to care about those who have paid a high price for freedom. 

Read on...

There’s always some new piece of gear or gadget that can make our tactical hunting just a little - or even a lot - better.  There must be literally countless ideas for gear and gadgets that materialize online or in stores every year. Some are worth owning. Some are not. Some come with much fanfare and hype. Others quietly sneak onto the market. Years of experience have taught me that the right piece of non-essential gear can make the difference between a miserable hunt, and a great hunt - effective shots on target aside. It's like the difference between 211 degrees and 212. 211 is hot, but 212 makes water boil, and that's a whole different game. Here are some pieces of gear that I've actually field tested, and would highly recommend, that might be the one degree that makes the difference in your next hunting experience.

It's built like a tank, maximizes accuracy, is modular, uniquely mitigates recoil, and if looks could kill there'd be no need for a barreled action in it. It is the Cadex Defense Strike Dual chassis. Yes, I know, it sounds like propaganda. But seriously, when we set out to transform Grandpa's Gun into a tactical long range precision rifle capable shooting wild hogs and other game at 1000+ yards, we asked "What does it take to do it right, to take this project as far as we can go with it?"

We chose parts that we think you'd want to use, and went from there. Starting with Part 1 of this Grandpa’s Gun Reborn project, you've already read about our selection of a Timney Trigger and Nighforce Scope. Now it's time explore the Strike Dual Chassis from Cadex Defense.

Here in the south where most wild hogs live, it’s getting warmer. The high today at my home is predicted to be 87 degrees. Soon, hunting feral hogs in daylight will be futile in many places. As tactical hog hunters, we will be forced to operate in darkness. We will become like the shadowy figures that names like SHWAT™ conjure up. We were recently introduced to the Nitehunt line of flashlights. Brandon Moore is the founder of Nighthunt Lights and gave us the run down when we met at the World Predator and Wild Hog Show in Waco, Texas. Now that I have one in hand, I’ll give you the low down on the light and my opinion of whether or not it’s worth the $149.99 price. Read on...

So you couldn’t go the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s SHOT Show because you aren’t an industry insider? Every major gun maker attended along with many gear manufactures and guides. Even Texas Governor, Rick Perry took the time to show up. Want to get your hands on the latest gun you’re looking to buy but can’t find at the local gun store? Chances are it’s at the NRA Show. SHWAT™ was there too. The NRA Show is an experience. The atmosphere is electric. Who all did we see and what awesome products did we get to see and handle? There is too much to put in an article, but I’ll touch on some that may be most meaningful to you. Read on!

Read this with a big echoing reverberation in your mind: the World Predator and Wild Hog Expo (expo… expo…) Ten days ago, along with fellow SHWAT™ Founder Jonathan Owen, I attended the World Predator and Wild Hog Expo in Waco, Texas.  This is not a big show by trade show standards but it is definitely a quality show and open to the public.  Some of the biggest and best names in tactical hog hunting and predator hunting were there.   Innovative products were displayed side-by-side with some not-so-new but still impressive products. Unfortunately, you didn’t make it, but that’s why you count on us. So, read on, and you’ll learn something new.

What a difference! If you've been following our Tactical Long Range Precision build - Grandpa's Gun Reborn - you know we've selected the Nightforce 3.5-15×50 NXS with MOAR reticle and Zero Stop as the optic of choice. Why? Well, it was originally designed for military small arms, just the kind of thing Special Hog Weapons and Tactics™ types generally prefer to hunt with. We needed an optic that was equal to the rest of the build in quality and support. We connected with Nightforce at SHOT Show 2013, and they were just as excited as you and I about the opportunity and they fit the criteria. 

You'll find some great info here on reticles and range finding. I'll simplify the issue of reticle focal planes. You'll get answers to a couple of build quality questions, and see the results of a couple of hog hunts. All that and some serious pictures too. So, that's a high bar for one article, read on to see if I really hit it.

SHWAT™ is about more than just cool guns.  We bring you the knowledge you need to be successful in your hunt.  In this case we are bringing you information that could potentially save your life or a friend’s. 

According to data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), there were approximately 8,122 hunting related injuries in 2010.  Over 6,600 of these were associated with tree stands.  If you think it couldn’t happen to you, just ask Vice President Dick Cheney’s hunting buddy or former pro cyclist Greg Lemond.  They both were accidentally shot while hunting.

Knowing what to do when things go sideways is always a good idea.  It’s especially a good idea when you are engaged in an activity that takes you to places where emergency medical services may take a long time to arrive.  In this article on tactical first aid, we will address one of the latest tools to employ when the animals aren’t the ones bleeding. 

SHWAT™ arrived at the Wild Hog Roundup in Center, Texas, on Saturday, April 6 in the form of long-time Special Hog Weapons and Tactics™ writer Dr. John Woods and me, Brian McCombie, SHWAT™ contributor and NRA Field Editor.  So far, we’ve hunted two solid days, and the score stands at Hogs 2, SHWAT™ 0. In the spirit of understatement, we’re holding out for a come from behind win, like Louisville did over Michigan a couple of nights ago at the NCAA Basketball National Championship.

Wulf Outdoors Sports, the premier outdoors retailer in East Texas with stores in Center and Athens, sponsors the Wild Hog Roundup.  To really bring out the hunters, Wulf and it’s sponsors have again put together $28,000 in cash prizes to hunters (tactical and old school!), dog hunters, and trappers, all with the goal of knocking back a booming—and destructive—wild hog population.  The Roundup started the evening of April 5 and runs through April 13. 

About that $28,000... Keep reading to find out what you should know about it. The hunt isn't over yet, and if you can't make this one, maybe the next...