Winchester Ammo "R&D" Outing in North Texas

NRA Staff

posted on January 3, 2014

News, Guns & Gear, Ammo, Game, Whitetails

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Editorial Director John Zent and Development Manager Tom Rickwalder were in Canadian, Texas, with Winchester Ammo last month for a "R&D" outing, testing a new load that's still in the development process. Early indications are that the developmental load—due for release in January, 2015—will be great shakes for deer hunters. Mt. Hide Outfitters did a fine job putting the hunters on deer on this north Texas ranch.

Gallery

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Comfortable Setting

Set up by Mt. Hide Outfitters, the single-person blinds provided perfect cover and were ideal locations to take pictures and record video during the hunt.

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Scouting Reports

As the sun rose, so did the deer in front of the blind. After seeing this trail camera picture the night before, choosing the 10-point among the 20 or so deer at 120 to 150 yards away was easy.

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Camera Ready

The setup in the blind was good, but the game performed like it was Hollywood!

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1 for 1

NRA E-Media's Tom Rickwalder used a Model 70 topped with a Nikon ProStaff optic to tag this nice 10-point buck, dropping it in its tracks at 130 yards.

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Renaissance Man

When he isn't putting hunters in the perfect spot, processing a deer or just making you laugh, guide Jason Hensley dabbles in taxidermy.

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An Unforgettable View

The view from the tripod stand proved to be remarkable. Deer, turkey, hogs, coyote, and a bobcat all ventured within 250 yards. A hog and a coyote were taken from this location during the week.

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The First Hog

E-Media's Tom Rickwalder dropped this porker at 75 yards with a Winchester Model 70 chambered in .308.

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More Scouting Reports

Well-studied trail camera photos proved instrumental to the guides, who worked to put their hunters in just the right spots.

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2 for 2

On day four of the outing, Editorial Director John Zent nailed this wide-framed 9-point. Early indications are that the developmental load—due for release in January 2015—will be great shakes for deer hunters.

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On the Spot

Brooks Crawford (left) of Mt. Hide Outfitters, put NRA Publications Editorial Director John Zent (right), in the perfect spot on the final day of the hunt.

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3 for 3

Greg Kosteck, director of marketing for Winchester Ammunition, took this tall 8-point at 100 yards, dropping him in his tracks with the new load.

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Turkey by the Dozens

Turkey wasn't on the menu during the the hunt, but they were very much present at the large parcel outside Canadian, Texas.

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The First Coyote

The ammo wasn't designed with predators in mind, but worked just fine when this critter dashed across the field at 180 yards.

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The Tested Ammo

Not available until January 2015, Winchester's currently unnamed ammunition works exactly as it was designed. Three deer, one hog and one coyote were taken during the trip.