Field Test: Browning's Hell's Canyon Lineup

posted on November 1, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hells_canyon_olmsted_f.jpg

Editor's Note: J. Scott Olmsted had the opportunity to put all of this gear to use on a Wyoming whitetail hunt. You can catch up on that story here.

The X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon Speed bolt-action rifle is built for rough country not unlike Wyoming. For starters, it weighs only 6 pounds 5 ounces in short-action calibers. Its composite stock has textured gripping surfaces and is covered in A-TACs Arid/Urban camo, and its metalwork is coated in Cerakote bronze. It’s a combination of versatile concealment and protection from the elements.

The barrel is glass-bedded, free-floated and fluted, and features a threaded muzzle brake (a thread protector is included); the Feather trigger is adjustable; the safety lies on the tang. One feature I appreciated in Wyoming: the detachable rotary magazine. Many guided affairs find hunters climbing in and out of trucks all day; it’s nice to unload one’s rifle quickly when doing so. It’s available in some of my favorite calibers including .243 Win., .270 Win. and .30-06, and even .26 Nosler and .300 Win. Mag., among others.

Another piece of Hell’s Canyon gear I appreciated was the company’s 4-in-1 Primaloft Parka. It’s waterproof, breathable and quiet with a reversible liner, detachable hood and articulated patterning on a regular cut. That last feature is important. A regular cut, along with mesh lining in the upper body and taffeta in the lower body and sleeves, and lightweight insulation ensures the coat won’t bunch up when you’re on the move. Check out the matching Primaloft Bib, which also features articulated patterning with a regular cut, along with an elasticized waist and suspenders for fabulous freedom of movement.

For more information, go to Browning.com.

Latest

Lededove Stratified S3 Steel 12 Gauge
Lededove Stratified S3 Steel 12 Gauge

First Look: Apex Ammunition Dove Stratified Loads

Apex Ammunition has introduced dove loads in its Stratified line of shotshells. Featuring layered shot sizes of either L3 high-antimony lead or S3 steel pellets, the Dove Stratified series is designed to perform at variable ranges, with dense close- and mid-range patterns and increased terminal energy at longer distance.

Lightweight AR-10: Building a Hunt-Focused Backcountry Rifle (Part 2)

Welcome to Part 2 of the quest to build the lightest AR-10 possible. This section focuses on the upper (Part 1 featured the lower; Part 3 will focus on tuning the gun). No need to keep you waiting; if you want to see the premise or any qualifiers, check out Part 1. Let’s start the upper build.

First Look: Bear Ops Nekama II

Bear Ops has released the Nekama II, a purpose-built everyday carry knife.

Braves Defy Hunting & Fishing Night Scarcity in MLB

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Atlanta Braves held a Hunting & Fishing Night in Truist Park. It’s back by popular demand for 2026, sponsored by RealTree, and takes place on Aug. 29, with ticket sales are helping fund conservation efforts in the state.

Behind the Bullet: The .250-3000 Savage

Curious about a chambering seemingly made for, and certainly popularized by the mythical Savage 99? Let's delve into the history of the .250-3000 Savage, a revolutionary cartridge for its time, that will still bring home the bacon today.

Sierra Presents 3 New Rifle Bullets

Sierra Bullets has announced three new rifle bullet offerings, including the .25-caliber 135-grain Tipped MatchKing, 7mm 185-grain Tipped MatchKing and .22-caliber 77-grain MatchKing X, developed in response to continued demand for high-ballistic-coefficient, heavy-for-caliber offerings.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.