I find new and different products really exciting. I actually get a lot of enjoyment from the products we get to use during hunting and/or to get us ready. While there are lots and lots of products available for the hunter, there are some that provide a higher level of enjoyment, some that give us an edge and then some that provide safety. Wayne’s Wicked Enterprise has actually produced products for all three!
I wrote previously about the really cool product Magic Dust. Magic Dust gives us two of the three…it can provide a lot of fun in deer hunting AND it can give us an edge. Wayne’s two other products, Barrel Bumper and Rifle Reel cover the safety category. I recently was able to get my hands on the Barrel Bumper and learn more about it. Wait until you hear this…
At first glance, the Wayne’s Wicked Enterprise Barrel Bumper is an interesting creation. It is 4“long and about around as a regular flashlight. It is bright yellow and has two large wing-type handles. The inside has cushioning for anywhere it contacts the firearms barrel. Now, what do you do with it? This is where it gets really good. The Barrel Bumper actually has several uses. One is the safety feature it can provide while walking in and out of your hunting area. First of all, it actually GLOWS when activated by light (such as taking your flashlight and shining it on the Bumper Barrel for a short period of time, maybe 20-30 seconds.) So, just before walking in to your stand for example, simply activate the Bumper Barrel that is on the end of your gun and you will basically have a beacon of safety as you are going in that allows other hunters to clearly see you. Do the same as you walk out in the evening, too. With the fluorescent yellow color, the Barrel Bumper also provides indication of a hunter during daylight hours. So, now you have a really easy way to give yourself an extra level of safety while moving to and from the stand. But, the Barrel Bumper is not done.
A common need tree stand hunters have is protection for the open end of our guns barrel as we raise and lower it in the stand. Since we do this with muzzle pointed down, the gun is exposed to mud, dirt and other debris in the barrel. The Barrel Bumper is enclosed on the end that goes over the end of the barrel and therefore keeps anything from getting in. This is perfect…we will already have it on when we are going to the stand and will be putting it on as we head back, so there is not really any extra steps to take or more gear to pack, the Barrel Bumper will already be there! Of course, it will also protect the barrel opening in the event you fall or the gun goes muzzle down into mud, etc. Now for another use of this product and a tip from Wayne that may keep you from a hunting disaster.
Anyone that uses a muzzleloader knows the importance of keeping it clean. Using a muzzleloader is a lot of fun and a privilege. It gives us a chance to deer hunt early and with a weapon, especially the modern versions, which are very accurate and more than capable of putting that deer on the ground. Muzzleloaders are also inherently dirty since the powder is not enclosed in a cartridge as it is in centerfire ammunition. The powder gets everywhere, and I do mean everywhere. So, we scrub and scrub and use our solvents to get that corrosive powder off after shooting. Then, we use oils and grease to help protect the gun from future shots. Wayne reminds us that those same products we rely on to protect our muzzleloader and keep it reliable can actually contribute to a muzzleloaders worst moment…failure to ignite the powder when we pull the trigger. And it probably won’t happen when you are attempting to fill your doe tag. No, it will be when the mossy-horned monster finally spends a few minutes during daylight hours in your area!
After thoroughly cleaning our muzzleloaders, we usually keep them loaded (a muzzleloader is not considered “officially” loaded unless the firing cap is inserted on the nipple) during the season. And how do we typically store the gun? Muzzle up, right? That provides a recipe for disaster. If there is oil residue left in the barrel after cleaning, it will make its way down to the powder and we all know what that means. Also, if we are out hunting on a rainy, drizzly, or even foggy day, moisture can collect on the inside of the barrel and it will also makes its way down to the powder…especially if we store the muzzleloader muzzle up. The Barrel Bumper provides another benefit as it allows the muzzleloader to easily be stored muzzle down because the end is flat and will give the gun a great platform to rest on.
With a suggested resale price of only $8.95, the Barrel Bumper is a definite addition to our guns, especially muzzleloaders. You can see more at Wayne’s Wicked Enterprise’ website, http://wayneswicked.com/index.html. In addition to product information, Wayne has several instructional videos LOADED with good stuff.
Rory Tipton
www.ArkansasLifeHunting.com
rtipton@arkansaslifehunting.com
Arkansas Life Hunting is the place for the Arkansas outdoorsman. It contains information and resources from people based right here in our state. From expert advice and tips from biologists to duck guides, along with new product information and reviews, you will find it here.
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