Here's a roundup of hunting gear tested on a big-game expedition with Tower Lodge Outfitting in Saskatchewan: 

Muzzleloader

Any rifle barrel is susceptible to rust and pitting, with muzzleloaders especially vulnerable due to the propellants used and the stringent cleaning requirements. That’s why I was stoked to try out the CVA Accura V2 on a spring bear hunt in northern Saskatchewan. This rifle isn’t entirely new. It’s been the flagship line for CVA muzzleloaders for a couple of years now but last year saw a revolutionary improvement in terms of ensuring the rifle can last a lifetime. That’s when CVA began offering, at the recommendation of retired Marine Master Sgt. Dan Hanus, nitride finishes with the already high-quality Bergara barrels used in the guns. Hanus, whom we wrote about in 2014Military Times (www.militarytimes.com/story/veterans/careers/civilian/get-hired/2014/11/15/marine-transition-civilia...) ​is Bergara/BPI Outdoors’s production manager and custom rifle builder. CVA is a sister brand.

The proper name for the treatment, which is widely used in making the manufacture of ​military weapons, is "ferritic nitrocarburizing." The "nitriding" process turns the 416-grade stainless steel a rich matte black color and hardens the outer layers of the steel, making it more corrosion resistant and durable than standard stainless or blued carbon steels. The beauty of this treatment is that it well-transcends cosmetic. Some barrels have coatings that provide limited protection on the outside, but nitriding treats the inside of the barrel as well, protecting against corrosion and damage, not only from propellants but also minor scratches.

This technology is available in the Accura MR and Accura V2 Thumbhole models. CVA guarantees the treated barrels for life against rust pitting. Any permanent bore damage due to corrosion will get you a free replacement barrel. The rifle typically sells for $500-$600. It comes with DuraSight Dead-on Scope Mounts and a Quake Claw Sling, among other accessories. This nonslip sling is one of my hunting favorites.

Expect other muzzleloader brands to follow suit with nitride-finished barrels.

How did it perform?

Well, we hunted from elevated stands at Tower Lodge

(towerlodgeoutitting.com)

​. Shots were close. The rifles were loaded with 100 grains of Triple Seven propellant and 405-grain Powerbelt Aerotip copper-plated muzzleloader bullets. The biggest bear, estimated at 350 pounds, went down only about 35 yards after the well-placed shot. www.cva.comScope

Our rifles sported Konuspro 3-9x40 I.R.muzzleloader scopes that featured the 275 Ballistic Reticle with Illuminated Center Dot (shooter’s choice of blue or red dot with adjustable brightness levels). This reticle is etched into the glass, preventing shifts that can occur through repeated recoil. The reticle has aiming points from 75 yards to 275 yards in 25-yard increments. This particular scope is made specifically to be paired with CVA muzzleloaders as part of combo packages. Konus has a similar scope available for individual sale in a 3-10x44 configuration.

The illuminated reticle was great for bear hunting. Many bears don’t show themselves until the edge of darkness. Having that dot focus your aim point against the black fur of a bear helps with precise shots; because, let’s face it, tracking a wounded bear isn’t a desirable outcome.

The scope weighs 14.1 ounces. It is waterproof and fogproof and comes with a lifetime replacement warranty. The MSRP is $179.99, but typical street retail is $99.99-$119.99. CVA offers the Konus scopes on some

of their

​muzzleloader combo packages.

How did it perform?

Most rifles were fully zeroed within a few shots. The scope has 1/4 MOA adjustments with audible clicks. The 3 inches of eye relief was fine for muzzleloader recoil. I passed on a bear but had ample opportunity to mount the rifle to my shoulder and examine the bear through the crosshairs. The illuminated reticle did offer improved aiming. Had I chosen to shoot as total darkness was falling, I would have had high confidence in shot placement. www.konuspro.comThermacell

Black flies and mosquitoes can be intense in Canada’s boreal forests in springtime. To keep bugs at bay, we used hand-held Thermacellunits. Thermacell products all work basically the same way. A small mat, a couple of inches square, is saturated with the repellent allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural repellent found in chrysanthemum plants. You insert the mat over a metal grill, which is then heated by a small butane canister inserted into the unit. Within seconds, the heat begins releasing the repellent into the air.

Thermacell touts a 15- by 15-foot zone of protection, but that’s obviously on windless days. On windy days, the unit often isn’t needed since a stiff breeze also deters gnats, skeeters and other light-bodied winged pests.

How did it perform?

Great! It was interesting to watch how the bugs reacted to the repellent. They wanted away in a hurry. The odor was not unpleasant, and the bears didn’t seem to mind, if they caught any whiff. Every stand used them on an almost daily basis. One mat lasted about 4 hours.

Our units ($29.95) were stylishly camo’d in a Realtree Xtra Green pattern. A similarly-patterned holster ($15.99) that featured side pockets we loaded with spare butane canisters and repellent mats was a useful accessory. The water-resistant holster can clip to a belt or pack.

Share:
In Other News
Load More