Other than an errant evening I spent with a mechanical bull, I’ve spent most of my time at SHOT Show searching for new predator and varmint hunting products. Hopefully you read my blog post featuring some gear highlights from the first few days of this chaotic event. Here are a five more items that caught my eye.
Savage Firearms
Savage had the only rifle I saw chambered for the new .17 Winchester Super Magnum. They call it the B.MAG and it has a rotary magazine, synthetic stock and the usual AccuTrigger for an MSRP of just $349. You can learn more about this hot rimfire rifle from Melissa Bachman right here.
The Savage B.Mag rifle chambered in .17 Win. Super Mag.
Nosler Ammunition
Nosler is being good to varmint hunters this year. They’ve announced a number of new products, including new offerings in the Varmageddon line of bullets. There’s a 35-grain slug for the .22 Hornet, a 62-grain .22 cal. HP with cannelure for AR shooters, a 70-grain 6mm, and a 110-grain .30 cal. bullet. There’s also more bulk (250-round) options coming—something I’d like to see more of from all manufacturers.
Nosler Varmageddon 70-grain 6mm.
Hunter's Specialties
Pat Muffler of Hunter’s Specialities told me about their new diaphragm call kit, the Expert Edge Predator Combo Pack. Included are three calls, one each of single-, double- and triple-reed design. The sound changes from high pitch to mellow and raspy/guttural as more reeds are added. They’ve even included a thoughtful bump on the frame of the call, so you can always orient it properly in the dark. An instructional DVD is included. I like diaphragm calls and look forward to trying these out.
H.S. Expert Edge Predator Combo Pack.
Mossberg Firearms
I applaud the concept of Mossberg’s MVP Rifle and its ability to use AR magazines; apparently so do a lot of other people because it’s been a great seller for the company. They have now added the MVP FLEX Rifle, which uses Mossberg's FLEX System that was introduced last year for Model 500 shotguns. It will make this rifle even more versatile than it already is. There’s word the rifle will be made in .204 Ruger as well as the usual .223 Rem., but likely only in the “bench gun” design. You can get a closer look at the rifle in this video with Luke Hartle.
Mossberg MVP FLEX Rifle.
Cooper Firearms
I drooled over a new rifle from Cooper Firearms of Montana. It's called the Model 51—a bolt-action repeater chambered in .223 Rem. The signature Cooper detachable magazine is standard. This will be a great varmint and predator rifle in a trim design. It comes with the usual Cooper quality and will be available in a full line of finishes and stock materials with prices starting around the $2,000 mark. It's a Cooper, so it will likely shoot as good as it looks. Sorry, I wasn't able to snap a picture of this one, but I saw it and it’s the prettiest girl at this dance.
Like Vegas, SHOT never stops. When the trade show floor is closed there are parties, dinners and get-togethers everywhere. If a person could go all week without sleep, you could likely keep busy 24/7. More to come.