The Range Reviews: RedRam Merino Thermal Underwear

 RedRam Merino Wool Thermal Underwear Review!
© 2012 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.

Superlative Merino Wool Products for the Outdoorsman!

Wool, as you know, is an outdoorsman's best friend. Though it is capable of absorbing and holding one third its weight in water, its structure allows it to retain your body heat. I was invited to test a set of RedRam Merino Wool Thermal underwear, which I gladly took with me to Afghanistan for the winter.

But first, lets talk a little about RedRam, Icebreaker their parent company, and sustainability. RedRam is part of the Icebreaker family. It was in 1994, that Icebreaker pioneered the merino outdoor clothing category when its founder, Jeremy Moon, saw the opportunity to make natural performance garments when everything else around was made from synthetic fibers. Icebreaker designed and invented the world’s first merino layering system, and it was the first outdoor apparel company to source merino directly and ethically from the growers.

Sustainability has been a huge issue with me and something that I have been studying for some time. If we don't change our behavior, attitude, and our desire to desire, we will see an end to those things that we take for granted, but that are the most important things in our lives.

Luckily many companies, like Icebreaker, are taking these matters seriously and to heart.

My first impression of the RedRam Merino Wool Thermal Underwear was that it was really soft, not like my old Woolrich MacGregor tartan blanket that accompanies me everywhere. It is fine wool fiber with a softness that compares favorable to any nice fleece material.

Here is the information and specifications from their website.

• Breathable: I want you to be perfectly warm, not hot and sweaty. That's where RedRam shines. Merino thermal underwear stays drier because it naturally absorbs perspiration from your skin and releases it into the air.
• Natural Fibre: I like people warming, not global warming. So RedRam couldn't be more natural. The ingredients are grass, water and sunshine. I grow it and it's woven into your thermals. Unlike polyprop underwear which is made from petrochemicals.
• Stinkiness: You can ski, hike, or fish all day, or run up and down the sideline, whatever the weather. No matter how active you get in your RedRam, it won't get smelly. Synthetic fibres stink to high heaven but Merino is far more efficient than other fibres at releasing sweat and moisture.
• Comfort: Put on a silky smooth, super light merino garment and you'll enjoy the warmth of a heavy sweater. But you'll have none of the bulk. That's because of merino's finely crimped fibres, which create millions of air pockets to capture your body heat.
• Sustainable: No use making men's and women's thermal underwear if there's not going to be a world left to wear it in. Fortunately RedRam merino wool is renewable and biodegradable. We merino are shorn each year, then we return to the mountains to grow more underwear. Merino is biodegradable and unlike cotton and synthetics it uses very low-energy production processes.
• Pure Merino Wool: I am pure merino. And we merino spend our days roaming high in the spacious Southern Alps of New Zealand. Our coats are designed to naturally handle all extremes of weather. And that can mean -20 degrees Celcius in winter. 

Let me comment on the preceding. Breathability is an inherent characteristic of wool and is what makes wool such a wonderful insulator. Natural fibers, sustainable, and pure Merino wool, are all great aspects of the material and production ethics of Icebreaker and RedRam. Comfort is as comfort does, and these are comfortable. They run true to size, at least on me they did, and they are soft and warm. As to stinkiness, I didn't allow myself the privilege of testing that particular aspect of the RedRam Merino Thermals... having said that, the official socks of The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, Darn Tough Vermont Boot Socks, are also made of Merino Wool, and are advertised as stink repellant.

Speaking of which, washing you wool garments require a bit of care if you want to make them last longer and retain their best characteristics. Use a soap product, not detergent. Use cold water. Wash them by hand or in a gentle cycle. Line dry them, do not use a drier! I of course broke every one of those rules while on base. Except the cold water rule. My socks and the RedRams have survived through it all.

Ok now for the nuts and bolts.

They are comfortable and they keep you warm. Temperatures varied between the high teens and low forties, with rain, sleet, snow, and bitingly cold clear days. My body and legs were comfortable; I never noticed the cold bothering me there. So that tells me they work, and work well. In the end, a tool that works well, is one you don't notice until its absence!

I rate the RedRam Marino Wool Thermal Underwear a definite buy.

RedRam Marino Wool Thermal Underwear
Retail prices:
Long sleeve shirt $57.99
Short sleeve $47.99
Long pants for $57.99
Boxers for $29.99.

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member:  Lakewood Ranch Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...

Though he spends most of his time writing and keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained Capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.

Fish Creek Spinners: New for 2012

New spinner baits from John Delaney and Fish Creek Spinners!
© 2012 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™

My good friend John Delaney at Fish Creek Spinner sent me some exciting news on an expansion to his already phenomenally successful line of spinner baits. He has plenty of new fishing stuff to look at, and i would like to share the news with you my readers. Also see the contest for spinners at the end of this post!

First off he has expanded the Armadillo line, filling in some weight gaps and creating a larger metal skirted version that is sure to be a huge hit with lunker Largemouth bass.
Here are the specs:

• 1oz in weight - biggest one yet
• 7 inches in length with skirt - skirt is removable and can be changed out!
• .051 inch heavy stainless wire - this wire is tough
• All Nickel body beads and friction discs - Noisy ring on this one.
• Baked Powder coat in 14 colors -
• Double Super Willow blades on a single clevis for added Noise
• 53 strand 8 inch Silicon Starflash Skirts - 20 varieties to choose from
• Duolock clasp attached #1/0 brass treble hook - Quickly switch hooks or change skirts

This is a tough duty spinner for all big fish. Here are a few pictures

For you crazy Ice Fishing fanatics, John has put together a new glow-in-the-dark spinner, the Depth Charge!

These will undoubtedly be a go-to item in every ice fisherman's box.

This weight will create quite a churn as they're dropped. The larger propeller causes the metal head and eyes to spin in the opposite direction (maybe they should be called Regan's - remember the Exorcist?). As you can surmise, while being jigged, they'll spin, in addition to clacking at the bottom of your stroke. Notice the eye silhouettes against the glow background at rest. Nice target for a trout under ice.

Six glow colors available in the Ice Fishing section of the Fish Creek Spinner Web Store Stay tuned for Assortment pricing.

Happy Birthday 'Noise on the Line' Blog! - Free Spinner Drawing

It's time to launch the Fish Creek Spinners monthly Spinner giveaway drawing for 2012 and celebrate the Blog's first birthday! Drawing to be held 2/11/12 on the anniversary of the first FCS post! Just go to: Free Spinner Drawing and put in a comment!

Fish Creek Spinners, an American company making American products, creates some of the best new spinner designs for fishing in the nation. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, they have the "fishy" qualities that make them catch fish where others fail, and his service, attitude, can do attitude, and reasonable costs make him the "go to" guy when it's time to buy gifts for your fishing friends. He has with out a doubt, the best quality, American made, spinner lures on the market! I highly recommend him and will continue to purchase from him.

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Best Boar Hunting Rifle Calibers: Part I

The Range Reviews: SOG Twitch I

The Range reviews the SOG Twitch I; Best Undercover Self Defense Folder!
© 2012 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™

SOG Twitch I: Swift, Sexy and Subtle!

The SOG Twitch I
Photo Courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives

Though I don’t usually bring it up, I have a more than passing interest in self defense and offense. Being prepared for any eventuality is ingrained in me, and I rarely get dressed without a basic set of tools on me. I've been fortunate to never have to resort to them, but I sure have been glad to have something with me several times!

When stepping out of the house, my primary defensive arm is the SOG Twitch I. (Model number TWI-7.) When SOG decided to upgrade the classic lockback pocket knife, they did it with engineering, technology, and style. From the lightweight construction to the high tech cryogenic treatment on the blade, the Twitch I oozes sexy, covert, special ops –

for the average, every day, 9 to 5 guy.

Sharp accessories.

The handles are hard-anodized aluminum in a very discreet graphite color. The hard anodization is exactly that: hard. After a year of constant use the aluminum shows no sign of scratches, scuffs, or scrapes.

Lightweight and subtle, two things I'm not.

The Twitch weighs 2 ounces exactly; it’s very light. That means that it won’t wrinkle your slack’s pocket nor drag it down. The pocket clip which can also be used as a money clip, is unobtrusive and finished in a matte silver finish.

It sports a two inch long, stainless steel, cryogenically treated, drop point blade. The SOG Cryogenic Treatment process brings the blade down in temperature to less than 300°F and then reverses the process and lets it return to room temperature in a controlled fashion. This freezing and warming, stress relieves the stainless steel on an atomic level. The process increases overall strength, toughness and in addition, increases edge retention. In other words, your knife stays sharper longer with significantly less micro-fracturing and edge-chipping. The Twitch is razor sharp out of the box, and if touched up regularly, stays that way.

The drop point is an excellent choice for defensive knives. It is an effective stabbing profile, but is also very good on the slashing attack.

The split lockback: Pass Through Lockbar

When SOG updated the lockback, they did it with panache. The Twitch features a pass-through lockbar (patent pending). This allows the kicker tab to stick out. One push with the forefinger, and the blade deploys to fully open in a flash. The SOG Assisted Technology is responsible for the lightning fast blade action. Two springs coiled inside the assist assembly propel the blade to fully open once the user has initiated the opening.

SAT Springs in the Assist
Photo Courtesy of SOG Specialty Knives

There is a safety that allows the blade to be locked in both the open and closed position. Mine has a little piece from a bamboo toothpick jammed in it. I don't want there to be a failure to deploy if I ever need it. I'm not concerned with the blade closing on my fingers either. The lock is very secure and sturdy, and for my intended purposes, it should only be in use for moments.

All in all, I find the SOG Twitch I a solid buy. Perfect for discreet wear, it has sufficient style that it would not raise an eyebrow if someone saw it on your office desk. The blade is short enough to pass in most concealed weapons districts. (Check your laws very carefully!)


The price is very affordable; most street prices range from $32.00 to $39.00.

SOG
SOG Twitch I
MSRP: $60.00


Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member: Lakewood Ranch Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...

Though he spends most of his time writing and keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.

Scott Croner Albert A Rasch Albert “Afghanus” Rasch Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting Scott Croner, Merriam's Turkey Hunting Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Albert A Rasch Albert “Afghanus” Rasch Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting Scott Croner Merriam's Turkey Hunting Albert A RaschAlbert A Rasch So, you want to be a contractor. Handfeeding a Baby Mockingbird Clean and Repair your Ruger 10 22 Magazine

The Range Reviews: SeigeWorks Creations American Longbow Pt II

Accurate Forgiving Longbow at an Exceptionally Reasonable Price
© 2009- 2011 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.

SeigeWorks Creation "American" Longbow;
Shooting the American

 

As you may recall, in my initial post on the SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow, I promised I would be back soon with my impressions on shooting it.
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.
OK I'm back, and I am impressed.

Remember, it has been thirty years since I seriously drew a bow last. I shot a Ben Pearson recurve for five or six years, and then the Browning Cobra for a few more. After that it was occasional stump shooting when the mood struck me.

As I mentioned previously in our first installment, I had decided that it was time I got back into bowhunting, and I really wanted to go traditional. Fortunately I bumped into Dave at SiegeWork Creations who has been making very reasonably priced bows since 2001. Having looked over his selection of bows, I couldn't help but be impressed by his bows.

After some advise from Dave and deliberation on my part, I settled on the SWC "American" Longbow.

The first thing I noticed was how light the physical weight of the bow was. The draw was smooth and the increase in poundage progressive. I draw between 29 inches and 30 depending on the bow, and with the American I haven't settled in yet. Until the old muscles build up again, their will be some, uhmm, variation in my draw. Don't worry I'll get them dialed in.

Speaking of the draw, when at full draw, there is no stacking. As a matter of fact, the American can be drawn to 31 inches without any worry. It helps that it is a longbow, but even longbows can stack if the limb geometry is wrong. Dave has this one right. The limbs have the right combination of width, depth, and taper to produce a fast response and and excellent accuracy.

The bow is fast, real fast as far as I can tell. Without a chronograph, I have to rely on visual perception and empirical evidence. Visually the arrows look like they're moving much faster than they do out of the compound. The empirical evidence is about 2 inches of deeper penetration using the same arrow.

Hand shock, the vibration that transmits through the bow and into the hand, is almost non-existent. At least I can't tell or feel it while shooting. Of course anything vibrating is going to make some kind of noise. I did not distinguish any excessive or uncharacteristic noise coming from the bow. A bow that vibrates less is going to be quieter, and more efficient. If it isn't still in the hand when the arrow departs, then that energy isn't going to the arrow which is where it needs to be.

One thing I did distinguish, and real fast, is string slap. I got lazy and didn't hold my arm the right way; call it overconfidence. The bow quickly reminded me what a Flemish string traveling at super fast speed will do to the tender parts of the inside of my arm.

Nice one Albert!

Now all that's left is for me to become one with the bow. I like to shoot instinctively, and to be effective you have to shoot, and shoot a lot. My goal is to work my way up to 75 - 80#. When I get there I would like Dave to make me a bamboo laminate American. With good heavy arrows, I should be good for any big game in America.

And just in case y'all are wondering how I'm doing...

Outside to outside, a little over an inch.

After about a week's worth of practice I pulled this one out first thing yesterday morning. First three shots at fifteen yards.

I quit for the day while I was still ahead.

She still doesn't have a name.

The SWC American Longbow
Base Price: $189.00

Post of Interest:

The SWC American is Here!
The Range Reviews: SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow Part I
The Range Reviews: SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow Part II


Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member: Shindand Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...

The Range Reviews: American Whitetail King Broadhead Target

The Best Broadhead Target Available Today!
© 2009- 2011 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.

The King Broadhead Target

As part of my reeducation in archery in general and bowhunting in specific, I decided I needed a new target to shoot at. A cardboard box full of newspaper and more cardboard just wasn't going to cut it any more; it's too easy to ruin expensive shafts that way, and I'm trying to run a professional operation here anyway. It was high time I got something appropriate for the job at hand.
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.
There are many types of targets available, from styrene blocks with plastic wrap that are barely adequate for kids' bows with target points, to very expensive and realistic game targets that will help refine your technique and eye; they even have one that looks like a velociraptor.

But for those of us stuck in an urban or suburban environment, a big square target is far more practical, and stores easier. What I wanted was the toughest and longest lasting broadhead target on the market. Practicing with what you are going to use is the key to success, and I intend to bring it to the hogs down here. And for that I needed to bend some bow limbs and shoot some arrows.

Make that a lot of arrows.

First date... She's built...

The beauty of Al Gore's Internet is that almost everything is on it. You want to know something, it is probably on the Net. Bowhunting targets are no different. After doing my research, I narrowed in on the King Broadhead Target by Whitetail Deer Inc. I needed something that could withstand repeated strikes with a broadhead and not disintegrate. It needs to absorb all the shooting I intend to do until such time as I get back in shooting shape.

"I will not trade a penny of profit for a customer's satisfaction. Our broadhead targets will out perform any open layer target when shot with broadheads...period."

Ralph @ American Whitetail Inc

That's the kind of thing I like to see. Performance and customer satisfaction before profits.

The King series is designed around a "Multi Layer Density" system. The target is built up from different density layers of foam to create a variable ratio of friction through the target.

The first layer consists of a layer of low density foam on the front. The soft foam is chosen for superior healing properties. The second layer is a medium density layer chosen for its ability to soak up energy and slow the rate of the arrows travel. Both of those layers back up to a layer of high density foam. As the broadhead penetrates and drives through the low and medium density foam, the arrow's energy is absorbed, resulting in far less penetration of the high density foam which ultimately stops the arrow. This results in a very durable target and easier arrow removal.

Whitetail Deer Inc wanted to"build a target that would stop any broadhead shot out of any bow, have unbelievable durability and smooth, easy broadhead arrow removal." I think they have done an exemplary job in putting together a target for bowhunters that performs exceptionally well at a very reasonable price. The King Broadhead Target is less than $40.00 at any of the venues I found; how's that for a bargain!

I used both the Browning Cobra which draws 45# and my new SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow that draws #50 on the King. I'm using my new Muzzy Phantom MX broadheads which, by the way, I'll be reporting on in the near future.

I found that, as expected, field points where substantially more difficult to remove. Broadheads came out with considerably less effort. Having only shot about sixty arrows in a half dozen days at the target, I haven't had an opportunity to see how the long term effects of shooting broadheads at the target will be, but I am keeping a log for future comments.

Pulling field points with care!

If you plan on shooting field points, then you will have to get an arrow lube like PSE Scorpion Venom Arrow Release Fluid. It is formulated to allow the easy removal of arrows from targets. I have not tried it, but the commentaries I have read are positive. I think it was originally developed for 3D targets. Think about it; that arrow shaft must be building up quite a bit of heat as it slows down in the target material. The lube helps defeat the grip of the material on the arrow.

Overall, the target performed as I had hoped it would. It stopped the arrows and something some folks might think very important, it doesn't leave a mess as you draw the arrows out. Some targets leave bits and pieces of themselves every time you pull an arrow. I've pounded the middle left aiming point now, and I have yet to have anything come out.



I only had one thing go wrong, and that was the fabric handle. This is not an important issue for the target. I was lugging the target from point a to b, and the nylon strap let the screw head work its way through. Later on the other side let loose too. Easy fix, two small washers or even a couple of pennies. Back the screw out, lay the strap back down drive the screw through the penny and that is the end of the problem. That will have to wait until I get back home. Again it's my fault it tore out, I sure don't baby anything I own.

I can fix that lickety split.

Register for the
American Whitetail
FREE target give away!

There is one more thing. The good folks at American Whitetail Inc. have a weekly drawing for one of their targets, all you have to do is register.

That's right! Every week, American Whitetail Targets will give away a broadhead target. The give away is open to all US residents. To register, simply fill out the form at their website (Here) with your information. (In the notes section you could put down that you saw it here at The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles...)

So enter, it's free, and give it a shot!

King Broadhead Target
MSRP: $36.95

American Whitetail Inc.
Box 299
Ferdinand, Indiana
47532
Ph. 1-888-233-1976
Fax 1-812-937-4157
Email: Tammy@archerytargets.com


There is a pretty good video on YouTube on the King Broadhead Target

As you can see, the King Target takes a licking and keeps on stopping arrows.

"I can wholeheartedly recommend the Whitetail Inc King Broadhead Target without reservation. It is a well made target, made of quality materials, here in the USA, by bowhunters, for bowhunters. The price is very reasonable and it works as advertised. That my friends, is a good American deal!"

Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member: Shindand Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...

Though he spends most of his time writing and keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.

Scott Croner Albert A Rasch Albert “Afghanus” Rasch Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting Scott Croner, Merriam's Turkey Hunting Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Albert A Rasch Albert “Afghanus” Rasch Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting Scott Croner Merriam's Turkey Hunting Albert A RaschAlbert A Rasch So, you want to be a contractor. Handfeeding a Baby Mockingbird Clean and Repair your Ruger 10 22 Magazine

The Range Reviews: Muzzy Phantom MX Broadhead

Best Broadheads for Wild Hog Hunters
© 2011 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.

Muzzy Phantom MX Broadheads

Having cut my teeth on Fred Bear Razorheads, I'm partial to broadheads that don't have any moving parts. Now, I don't have anything against mechanical broadheads, if it works, I'm all for it! But my personal preference is for a traditional broadhead; I know they work.

Then again, I also like flatbows, longbows, and anything with a sinew back to it.
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.
New for 2009 and revamped for 2011, Muzzy's Phantom MX broadhead was designed for the bowhunter that desires a traditional style but also wants superior penetration, strength, and performance. These are critical concerns for me. Hogs are difficult quarry, both in terms of killing, and their physical structure. Muddy, pitch ridden hair, covering a thick almost impenetrable hide add up to one tough hombre. Throw in hard-as-oak bones, and Mr Boar Hog is a walking armored pig.

The new Phantom-MX offers a compact profile for superior flight. With a main-blade thickness of .040-inch, it has unbeatable strength and excellent flight characteristics, even at compound bow speeds.

The primary blade cuts on impact to drive deep through thick hides and bone, and the "bleeder blades" at .036" thickness creates a wide wound channel. Blood loss is substancial and immediate; tracking should be a simple affair. The two blades on the Phantom-MX are a wide 1 1/8" x 1" cutting diameter. By the way, the Muzzy Phantom-MX bleeder blades are not your typical, thin, spring steel add-on blades; these bleeders are built to the same tough standards that the main blade is. That means it will take a hit and won't sheer off. They are also easily sharpened, though they are a little bit more difficult to disassemble than the regular broadheads.

According to Muzzy, "Consistently deadly in even the most extreme conditions, the 100-grain, 4-blade Phantom-MX will easily take down some of the heaviest big-game species, such as elk and moose, with unparalleled accuracy."

I hope to put it to the test later, after the Afghan Adventure, with a series of hog hunts, should the gods favor me, and Armageddon doesn't hit first!

Ok, a few hints. When you open the packaging, cut off the two tabs in the back with a sharp knife, razor, or chisel. It makes your life a lot easier. Open it face down so you don't lose the shim washers.

See the shim between the shaft and head?

They are sharp out of the box, so be careful. I must admit I feel it is necessary to touch up the edges on any broadhead, before I would use them on game. A sharp broadhead is the tool of the ethical bowhunter. Use which ever system you like, I used my Sterling Sharpener.

I carefully aligned all the broadheads to the arrows' nocks. In other words, the main blade on the Phantom MX, when nocked, are vertical, that is, on the same plane as the string. All you need to do is carefully screw the broadhead in tight, and the warm the last couple of inches of the shaft until the ferule loosens. Then just straighten your broadhead. If everything is always in the same relative place, you will be more consistent.

I took one, and I am using it as the "Practice head." On my new Kings Broadhead Target from Whitetail Deer Inc, it penetrates about two inches deeper than some old Anderson broadheads that I've had since the eighties, using the same bow. This speaks well of the design.

Muzzy Backround

I was able to get a little background on Muzzy, and the family that runs it. I always find it interesting how good, solid, American folks get started and become a household name.

"In 1984, after retiring from a successful restaurant business, 65-year-old John Musacchia, Sr. decided it was time to pursue a dream that evolved after a particularly intense African bow hunt for Cape buffalo in the 1970s. John was shooting the best broadheads available, yet, after repeated hits with penetration problems, the buffalo remained on his feet. Full of fury, the buffalo charged. John grabbed a rifle and downed the animal just in time. Before he even left Africa, the still shaken hunter began thinking about how to design a better broadhead.

Several years later, John developed the right-angle, locking-blade base that would eventually define the Muzzy broadhead line. The locking-blade system improved the head's dependability by reinforcing the ferrule, creating an almost solid interior column of stainless steel. John then added another incredible design element - the extended trocar-shaped tip.

John first introduced the blade-locking system and Trocar Tip to the public in 1984, and it was an instant hit among bowhunters. He then decided to produce and market the broadheads himself with the help of his son Johnny and daughter Michele. The company grew slowly but surely. By 1988, Michele and Johnny had basically taken over the operations and John moved into an oversight role. He eventually passed away in 1996 after a long battle with cancer.

Michele took over as CEO of Muzzy Products Corporation and saw to it that Muzzy upheld the principles instilled by her father, such as working hard, persevering, constantly improving and treating people fairly."

"My father was a great mentor and taught us that to be successful, you have to work hard, give your customers the best products and treat people fairly," Michele says. "For 25 years these principles have been what guides us at Muzzy Products and always will."


Muzzy Phantom MX

Muzzy
110 Beasley Road, Cartersville, Ga. 30120
1-866-387-9307

MSRP: $29.95 per package of three

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member: Shindand Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...

Though he spends most of his time writing and keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.

Scott Croner Albert A Rasch Albert “Afghanus” Rasch Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting Scott Croner, Merriam's Turkey Hunting Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Albert A Rasch Albert “Afghanus” Rasch Albert A Rasch Scott Croner Nebraska Hunting Scott Croner Merriam's Turkey Hunting Albert A RaschAlbert A Rasch So, you want to be a contractor. Handfeeding a Baby Mockingbird Clean and Repair your Ruger 10 22 Magazine

The Range Reviews: SiegeWork Creations Longbow Pt I

Fast and Hard Hitting! Best Bow for the Money!
© 2009- 2011 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™
$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.

The SWC American Longbow

She doesn't have a name...yet.

$g&m f9bd 45kd q!?5.
I have had a traditional hunting bow since I was thirteen years old. It's a Ben Pearson Flame Hunter recurve take-down, drawing 50lbs at 28". I shot that bow religiously throughout my teen years until I was a senior in high school when I bought a Browning Compound Cobra. Try as I might, I never had the opportunity to hunt deer in all those years.

Every so often, I pull those bows down off the shelf, and after looking them over and dusting them off, draw them a few times, and maybe shoot a few arrows and then unceremoniously put them away to gather dust again.

I really have been meaning to get around to shooting the bow again, specifically traditional archery, but it seems that there is never enough time. Figuring that I would be long gone, dead and buried before I ever "got around" to it, I decided that I was going to make time and rekindle my love affair with the bow. Remember, unlike my Ruger 458WM #1, a traditional bow is quiet, relatively non-threatening, and I can practice with it anytime I have fifteen yards of space available to me.

I looked around Al Gore's Internet and found dozens of traditional bow makers of all shapes and sizes, strewn throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and some places even I didn't know existed.

Dave the Scythian

Digging in a little deeper, I narrowed in on a great little company out of Texas. Named SiegeWork Creations, in reference to their medieval roots, they still handcraft traditional wood bows for the hunter and target shooter.

A few things attracted me to them. First and foremost it's an American company using American materials wherever possible. Secondly, the bows are handmade one at a time. Some machine work is done of course, but it is done by hand. Third, the prices are very reasonable. You could save your lunch money and spare change for a few weeks and get a full set up. To top it all off Dave, the owner of SiegeWork Creations, rides a horse and shoots with his bows. That's just too cool in my book!

SiegeWork Creations is owned by Dave Ruff and his wife Sara Ahlers. SWC actually originated from Dave and Sara's medieval faire vendor business. Selling bows to re-enactors and fans of the medieval era, they did pretty well, but Dave, having shot bows since he was a young man, wanted something more.

During the winter of 2000 Dave started building bows, and after six months of “practice” (also known as making kindling), he was carving out some pretty good bows. Before long he was selling them locally and garnering a reputation for a good dependable bow, at a reasonable price.

So light, she floats!
“Our mission is to provide a good and dependable bow without the high dollar cost that they seem to bring.” Dave said over the phone. “Let’s face it; the cost of materials is equal in a $700 custom laminate bow that has a big name and a $300 custom laminate bow that has a small time maker’s name.”

Dave continued, “No need to spend hundreds of dollars more on a custom bow, when our bows are custom made using the same materials that the higher priced bows are made of, using the same methods of construction, but are 30 to 50% less in price.” He paused, “And why is that? We don't believe in over-charging our customers for them to get into a great all round bow.”

I was intrigued. I’ve coveted a long bow for as long as I have been using a bow, and in particular I’ve wanted a Howard Hill laminate long bow. I remember watching Howard Hill when I was a little kid, and being mesmerized by his abilities. I mentioned it in passing to Dave.

“Albert, we also make the SWC Long Bow in a wood and bamboo laminate. We have a wood supplier here locally that runs a mill, and we have access to well over 3000 board foot of lumber that we crawl through every month looking for bow wood. I can guarantee you a bow as good as anything coming from any manufacturer without the high price tag for the signature. And they are all handcrafted, one at a time by our master bowyer.”

Well, I really wanted to try one now! So after consultation with Dave and some deliberation I decided on the SWC American Long Bow… Just a plain Jane standard model to start with. In a few months I may decide on something a little more extravagant and with more weight.

Fast forward a couple of weeks. From the vantage point of the "office" window, I saw the postman drive up, and I could also see a long narrow package on the dash of his vehicle. You know what that was! Heedless of dog, cat, and prostate children, I rushed down the stairs taking the steps in bounds of two and three. Seeing me coming up fast, the postman quickly stuck the long, narrow box out the driver’s window, knowing full and well that I was quite capable of climbing in and claiming what was mine.

Eagerly opening the end of the box and sliding out my new bow, I carefully unwrapping it from the packing material. I was immediately taken by the well crafted string nocks. As I peeled the paper back from the limbs, I noted the smooth satiny finish, the even laminations, the color contrast, and the weight - boy was it light. Even my jaded postman was impressed.

I noted the writing on the lower limb. 51# @ 28. I have a slightly longer draw length just shy of 30”, and Dave has assured me that I can draw it to 31” without any problem. That should put it at about 53# to 55# at my draw length. And that my friends, is more than adequate for any pig that crosses my path.

Grip and Arrow Shelf

Let’s take a closer look at the bow itself, before we go shoot it.

Grip to Riser

The SWC American is 70.75 inches overall unstrung, and weighs about 16 ounces. Dave suggests a minimum brace height of 6.5 inches and up to 7.5. Strung to 7.0 inches the overall length is 67 3/4th inches.

The grip transitions smoothly to the risers, and they in turn transition into the limbs with no abrupt change in geometry.

The grip and riser length is 18 and 1/4 inches from the point it narrows at each limb. The grip is made of walnut with three laminates of maple on the outside. A layer of black e-glass goes over all, and at the grip there is a walnut addition of finger grooves. Above and below the grip there are an additional two layers of maple for the limbs plus the belly layer of e-glass. The total depth of the grip is 2 and 1/16th inches, and it is what I would describe as straight. The sight window is 3 and 1/2 inches, and the arrow shelf is 7/16th of an inch in depth. Dave includes a calf hair pad on the shelf and side plate.

The limbs are 26 1/4 inches long from the riser’s end to the tip. As it is a long bow, the limbs are perfectly straight. The draw weight is, as I mentioned, 51# at 28 inches, and it will draw to 31”. The limbs have a rectangular cross-section, and are 1 and 5/16th inches at their widest. The bow nocks are made of walnut, and are handsomely carved out of the tips.

Walnut and Maple Laminations

The string is a standard 3-ply Flemish in brown and green, and is as good a looking piece of woven string as any I’ve seen.

The draw is smooth with a constant increase in poundage.

There is no hint of stacking at the end of the draw. Stacking is when you hit a point where the bow is not going to bend any further. The fibers on the back of the bow are as stretched out as they will go and the ones on the inside are at maximum compression. The American is smooth all the way back, with room to spare for those of you that are longer reached.

I also draw with three fingers, no mechanicals for Albert. As it is a long bow, the string angle is great enough to make finger pinch a none issue. For shorter bows a release might be necessary, or a different gripping method such as a thumb ring.

Those are the physical attributes of the SWC American Long Bow. I am really impressed by the fit and finish, the quality of the materials; for the money you cannot go wrong!

In the next couple of days, I’ll delve into my impressions from the initial shoot, and what I am going to need to work on.


SiegeWork Creations is open from 10am to 4pm M-F and closed weekends. On the off chance that they can not answer the phone, Dave and Sara do return ALL phone messages left. Call them at 903-285-4347.


Base Price: $189.00
E-Mail: office@siegeworkcreations.com

Post of Interest:

The SWC American is Here!
The Range Reviews: SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow Part I
The Range Reviews: SiegeWorks Creations American Longbow Part II