There are a lot of pros to running big bore rifles. Not only are they fantastic for long-range precision but they can be quite effective for hunting applications. And, they’re fun to shoot. The Dillon Rifle Company TAC 501 is one such rifle, and it’s designed to perform. From its stock to its muzzle, every detail of this gun is meant to improve your shooting experience, and all in 50 BMG.

The Dillon Rifle Company states that The Beast TAC 501 is a purpose-built long-range weapon system made for superior overall performance. It’s chambered in 50 BMG, which is a great caliber for long-range use, but also simply enjoyable to shoot in general. The TAC 501 is built on renowned McMillan TAC 50 legacy, which is noteworthy due to its holding the record for the longest engagement by a Canadian special operations team. If you want a platform made to withstand serious use, this just might be the 50 BMG for you.

This rifle system features a heavy 416 SS barrel with cut rifling. The weight of the barrel is ideal for large bores like 50 BMG and it’s made to be durable and long-lasting. The 27.5-inch barrel is made from match-grade stainless steel and has a 1-in-15 twist. As for the barreled action, it has a black Cerakote finish or natural stainless finish with a clear coat and nickel finish for resistance to wear and tear. The Beast TAC 501 has a Remington 700 style trigger with a factory-set pull weight of 4.5 lbs. and a bottom safety. It also has a manually operated, detachable box magazine and a 5 +1 capacity.

Thanks to the rifle being fitted with a custom-built Grayboe carbon fiber stock, it has improved strength and impressive durability. Other features include a spacer system, a Limbsaver recoil pad, and an adjustable cheek rest. It also has a rear rake side baffle muzzle brake, which helps manage recoil, increase shooter comfort during live fire, and improve accuracy. A B&T heavy-duty Atlas bipod is included.

According to the Dillon Rifle Company, The Beast TAC 501 rifle is capable of sub-MOA accuracy. You bring the skills and the rifle will do the rest.

Features include:

• 50 BMG chambering.
• 5 +1 capacity with detachable box magazine.
• Overall empty weight of 28 pounds, without a scope, meaning it has the necessary bulk to offset felt recoil.
• Overall length of 55 inches.
• 27.5-inch 416 SS barrel with a 1-in-15 twist rate to stabilize heavy 50 BMG bullets.
• Natural Stainless or Black Cerakote finish barreled action so the shooter can choose according to personal preferences.
• 30 MOA rail.
• Proprietary nickel-plated bolt with large teardrop bolt knob for smoother bolt manipulation.
• Remington 700 style 4.5lb trigger for a clean break, short re-set, and good follow-through.
• 1.0-inch adjustable cheek rest so the gun can be fit to the shooter.
• Length of pull between 13.5 and 14.25 inches using the included 0.25-inch spacers so it can be adjusted to the shooter.
• 3, 6, & 9 position MLok rails for the addition of aftermarket accessories.
• Atlas Bipod has tilt and pan to give shooters options during live fire.
• Integrated thumb hook & thumb shelf for greater accuracy.
• Sling studs on the rear of the stock in case the shooter chooses to add a sling.
• Stock is available in three colors (Deep Blue, DRC Green, & Basic Black).
• Ships in an SKB lockable case to keep the rifle protected from damage.
• Includes J Dewey cleaning rod, jag, and nylon brush so shooters have what they need on hand for basic maintenance.

MSRP for the Dillion Rifle Company The Beast TAC 501 is set at $10,500.00.

Imagine my surprise when a press release regarding the Avidity Arms PD-10 crossed my desk. By desk, I mean Gmail since this isn’t 1997. I popped it open and was surprised to find that Avidity Arms was shipping the PD-10 this year. Avidity Arms and Rob Pincus have been developing the PD-10 for going on eight or so years now. The PD-10 predates a lot of the micro-compact 9mms we see today.

The idea was originally pitched well before guns like the Glock 48. I remember a common phrase being used to describe the PD-10 was a ‘single stack Glock 19.” The idea is simple, build an ergonomic platform that is easy to conceal with modern carry methods. It’s big enough to fill your hand, but slim at one inch, making it easy to conceal in an IWB configuration.

Rob Pincus directly tied himself to this gun and tied it to his reputation. How can you be a firearms instructor who teaches defensive shooting and release a gun that pulls a Remington R51 at the range? Building new guns is also hard, this isn’t a Glock Gen 3 clone like every other company is putting out, it’s something new and different. The design was tied to several principles.

Principles of Design

Ergonomics

The gun was designed to fill hands both big and small. The more hand you have on the gun the easier it will be to keep on target.

Carryability

Small guns are easy to carry. Big guns are easy to shoot. To find the right size you have to find the right compromise. The PD-10 is designed to be thin, only an inch at its widest. However, it’s not a pocket pistol. The grip fills the hand and the gun has a four-inch barrel. Modern handgun ammunition is really designed around duty-sized guns and to achieve the best effect from a barrel between four and five inches.

Shootability

I fired an early version of the PD-10 at SHOT years ago it had an odd and interesting trigger. It’s called the Smooth Strike Trigger and is crisp and consistent throughout its pull. It breaks at 90 degrees and is quite nice, and features the famed safety dingus from Glock pistols.

Each PD-10 will ship with Ameriglo Claw Sights. These are sights designed by Rob Pincus a decade or so ago. They are very easy to see, and have a high visibility front sight backed by a blacked-out rear. They get the claw name because the sights grip and allow the gun to be charged with one hand.

Oh, and the gun will come optics-cut to accommodate anything with the Shield RMSc footprint, like the Holosun 507K.

Avidity Arms PD-10 Specifications

• Caliber: 9mm
• Action: Semi-automatic/striker-fired
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel Length: 4″
• Frame: Gray Polymer
• Sights: Steel, wide rear notch w/ front square
• Safety: Integrated trigger, firing pin block
• Overall Length: 6.94″
• Width at widest: 1″
• Overall Weight: 18.8 oz.
• ISONITE QPQ Coating
• MSRP: $624: PD10-OC $599: PD10

Features:

• Deep Tang
• Aggressive Grip Pattern
• Accessory Rail
• Safety Index Point
• Contoured Slide Stop
• Aggressive Slide Serrations
• Loaded Chamber Indicator
• Captured Recoil Spring
• Magazine Extraction Relief Cut
• Flared Magazine Well
• Undercut Trigger Guard
• Oversized Magazine Release
• Steel Trigger-Tab Safety
• Striker Blocking Drop Safety
• Low Variance Trigger with Short Reset.
• Slide Cut for Red Dot Sight (PD10-OC Model Only)

Avidity Arms is making the pistol in the United States. They’ve teamed up with several holster makers including G-Code, Tacrig, and JM4 to ensure holsters would be ready at launch.

You can check out the PD-10 At SHOT 2023 at the Davidson’s Booth. Visit AvidityArms.com for more information about the pistol and Avidity Arms, LLC, or email [email protected].

Liberty Ammunition, the Florida-based ammunition company, has announced its new OverWatch line, made at the request of a government agency. According to Liberty, the OverWatch line will include law enforcement/Government agency calibers as well as personal defense calibers.

At the request of the unnamed government agency, the bullet design has a key feature: Open Cavity Design with Maximum Organ Displacement. The Open Cavity Design (OCD) gives the bullet a delayed rupture that allows for the Maximum Organ Displacement, or MOD, according to Liberty Ammunition.

Liberty Ammunition reports that the .45 ACP option will have a bullet weight of 105gr and a velocity of 1600 FPS. No word on the ballistic information for the other coming rounds but more information will be released at the upcoming SHOT Show.

“We are extremely proud of this new design; it is the ultimate in self-defense ammunition. OverWatch provides terminal performance through hydrostatic shock and deep penetration. The President referenced this terminality in a speech and OverWatch delivers superior terminal performance for self-defense.” said Gary Ramey, CEO of Liberty Ammunition.

Ramey added “OverWatch will have all calibers for law enforcement/government agencies and core self-defense calibers for the civilian market. OverWatch will be available through our distributor network and begin shipping immediately after SHOT Show…”

Liberty Ammunition states that they are committed to being the leader in the self-defense ammunition realm. Their goal is to provide ammunition that has higher terminal velocity, travels at higher speeds to create hydrostatic shock (also known as terminal performance), and is lighter to carry than other brands.

The OverWatch line, as with all Liberty Ammunition, exceeds barrier penetration requirements and still ruptures as designed in soft tissue. No word on pricing for the different caliber options for the OverWatch line from Liberty Ammunition.

Colt, a name synonymous with quality rifles through the years, has done it again. Colt has upgraded its rifle offerings to include the CBX Precision Rifle, a bolt-action chassis rifle with features the company says are ideal for the competitive shooter.

The CBX Precision Rifle from Colt is compatible with a lot of aftermarket accessories like optic mounts, weights, AICS magazines, and even suppressors. The rifle can be completely customized to match the fit needs of the end user, including a choice of caliber.

“Our engineers excelled in the design of the CBX Rifle,” remarked Jessica Treglia, Colt Manufacturing, Director of Commercial Products. “We’ve created a premium precision rifle worthy of the Colt name.”

Available in both .308 Win and 6.5 Creedmoor, the rifle’s modular aluminum chassis features a 15-inch extended forend with an ARCA rail and M-LOK for mounting accessories. Additionally, the CBX features a user-adjustable length-of-pull and cheek weld so the end user can custom-fit their CBX Precision rifle.

Those features aren’t the only things that the end user can customize. The Colt CBX also has an adjustable trigger, so the end user can adjust it from a 2.5-lb pull up to a 5-lb pull weight. As a bonus for the shooting experience is a flat-bottom receiver that reduces flex and improves accuracy, according to Colt.

The CBX rifle has a black nitride-finished barrel that protects it from corrosion with a 5.8-24 threaded muzzle and thread protector. Speaking of the barrel, which is 24” for the .308 Win and 26” for the 6.5 Creedmoor, it is a carbon steel, button-rifled barrel that has been ballistically optimized for length and twist, according to Colt.

For a solid shooting platform, the CBX has what Colt refers to as an aggressive barricade stop. The CBX also features an ergonomic two-position safety and a 60° bolt throw that allows for faster cyclic rates and increased optic compatibility.

To round out the features of the CBX Precision rifle is an angled pistol grip, built-in thumb shelf, QD cups, and an ambidextrous magazine release. “We are proud of the CBX rifle platform and know shooters will love how it performs,” added Treglia.

Colt CBX Precision Rifle Specifications:

• Barrel Length: 24” .308Win; 26” 6.5 Creedmoor
• Weight: 10.75lbs (unloaded)
• Capacity: 5+1
• Twist Rate: 1:10RH 6 GR .308 Win; 1:8RH 6 GR 6.5 Creedmoor
• OAL: 47” .308 Win; 49” 6.5 Creedmoor
• Trigger Pull: 2.5-5 lb (user-adjustable)
• MSRP: $1,899

The CBX rifle weighs a little under 11 pounds unloaded and has an overall length of 47” for the .308 Win and 49” OAL for the 6.5 Creedmoor. The Colt CBX Precision Rifle has a price tag of $1,899.

Cadex Defense, a Canadian company known for some of the best long-range rifles, has updated its CDX-R7 CPS rifle platform to a shorter-barreled version named the CDX-SS Seven STARS Covert. The company has a long list of clients including the US Department of Defense, Canadian and French Armed Forces, RCMP, and International Law Enforcement Agencies, with any one of those agencies benefitting from the updated rifle. The updated CDX-SS rifle platform is available in four calibers: .223 Rem, .300 BLK, .308 Win, and 6.5 Creedmoor.

While all rifles are available with a 16.5” barrel, the .223 Rem and .300 BLK rifles are also available with an ultra-short barrel. The shorter rifle features an 11-inch fluted barrel with a Covert Slim titanium suppressor that is small enough to fit inside the M-LOK fore-end. Cadex Defense offers the 16.5” barreled rifle in order to comply with countries that have an overall length minimum requirement of 26 inches.

The M-LOK fore-end tube is shorter than on other Cadex Defense rifles, but the company states that it is a fully functional 19-inch Picatinny top rail for accessories such as optics, lights, and night vision device mounting. The platform comes standard with a folding buttstock of the Strike PRO chassis that lets the shooter quickly adjust the stock without tools. With the folding stock, the rifle has an overall length folded of around 26.8 inches and an overall length of just under 36 inches when the stock isn’t folded.

The Cadex Defense CDX-SS Seven STARS Covert rifle comes with a 10-round magazine and weighs just under 11.5 pounds. There are plenty of Cerakote color options, including standard colors or what the company calls Hybrid Battle Worn color schemes.

There are no specific details available on projected pricing or the suppressors, but the company’s current catalog shows two different titanium suppressor models, one for the Covert 16.5” and the Covert 11” rifles.

Speer and CCI, both of which are owned by Vista Outdoor, are front-runners in the ammunition industry. Both brands are well known for producing quality products, whether for self-defense purposes, hunting, or plinking, and they constantly come out with innovative products. Two excellent examples of their dedication to quality are the CCI Clean-22 22 LR RN (round nose) and Speer Gold Dot G2 Carbine 9mm HP (hollow point). Although the two loads serve different purposes, they each perform well and deliver as promised.

According to Speer, Gold Dot Carbine produces ideal velocities and is specially designed to deliver that performance out of carbine-length barrels. The ammo maker also states the rounds cycle flawlessly, which is a vital feature of defensive ammunition. This ammunition is made using the company’s G2-style, elastomer-filled bullet nose which is carefully tuned for effective penetration and reliable expansion, even when passing through common barriers. The 9mm load utilizes 135-grain hollow point bullets.

With the proliferation of carbines being used for home defense, as truck guns, or for hunting small predators and varmints, Speer Gold Dot G2 Carbine makes good sense. Having the right ammo in your gun for the task at hand is a must, and Speer’s Gold Dot line has proven itself for years on multiple fronts.

Jesse Whiteside, CCI and Speer’s Product Management Senior Director, said:

We are extremely proud of these two new product introductions. For the first time ever, defenders can get Speer Gold Dot’s legendary accuracy and terminal performance in ammunition built specifically for carbine platforms. Also, CCI rimfire shooters can now get all the benefits of Clean-22 technology with the flat trajectories and power of an extreme velocity load.

If you’re a fan of 22 LR, CCI Clean-22 is a great addition to your ammo stockpile. These 31-grain rounds have purple polymer coatings on the bullets to prevent lead fouling and keep your gun cleaner, longer. Standard 22 LR tends to be incredibly dirty, so it’s nice to have a round made for the specific purpose of remaining clean. And, of course, these are CCI’s Hyper Velocity rounds, so they perform well, too. Whether you’re plinking cans or teaching a new shooter, CCI Clean-22 handles it well. In fact, these rounds work especially well in suppressed rimfires.

According to CCI, the Clean-22 22 LR with purple polymer produces an average velocity of 1550 fps (feet per second). As for Speer Gold Dot, the line is known for delivering solid ballistics and producing significant wound cavities on impact. Odds are you have at least one gun that could benefit from one of these loads.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

MSRP for the two loads is not known at this time.

Zev, the Washington-state-based manufacturer of aftermarket parts, accessories, and complete weapons, has updated its offerings for Glock and OZ9 slides to include the updated Hellbender slide. The Hellbender slide is compatible with Gen 3 and Gen 5 Glock 17 and Glock 19 pistols as well as Zev’s own OZ9 pistols.

The Hellbender sports coffin-shaped cuts on the top of the slide and three side windows per side. The cuts are there to help cut down on the overall weight of the slide and help reduce the recoil impulse of the pistol. The Hellbender is manufactured from single billet 17-4 stainless steel to incredibly tight tolerances that factory slides. Zev states that this increases consistency in barrel lockup for improved performance and accuracy of the weapon.

Additionally, the Hellbender features deep serrations on both the rear and the front of the slide. This creates a more aggressive grip for betting handling and manipulations of the slide. The Hellbender gives durability and accuracy when it matters most, according to Zev.

Like all other Zev slides, the Hellbender has the patented optic cut with threaded mounting posts machined in the slide for a more stable and secure optic mounting platform. Since the optic cuts are so deep, it allows the red dot sight to sit lower in the slide making it so the shooter is able to co-witness with even standard iron sights.

Zev Hellbender slides have DCL or PVD coatings that have a Rockwell hardness rating above that of factory slides, according to Zev. Also, using a Hellbender slide will reduce the reciprocating weight, reduce shooter fatigue, and increase the speed of follow-up shots. This is thanks to it weighing less than factory slides, with the Z17 weighing 9.3 ounces and the Z19 weighing 8.2 ounces.

The RMR plate is included from Zev for the Hellbender and the slides are available in black or gray for all models. The Zev Hellbender Z17 and Z19 have a price tag of $455.

Hunting in the mountains isn’t for the faint of heart. Not only does it involve incredible physical exertion but it puts your rifle through a lot of wear and tear. Not only does your mountain hunting rifle get bumped and banged on trees and rocks but it’s exposed to all manner of elements and potentially drastic temperature changes. Mounting hunting requires a certain type of rifle, and that is something the team at Bergara understands. The Bergara B-14 Squared Crest Rifle is made to accompany hunters on their most strenuous, challenging hunts, and to do it with style.

Bergara states the B-14 Squared Crest rifle is designed to meet the high standards of mountain hunting adventures. This rifle is an ultralight high-performance platform made to meet the needs and demands of dedicated hunters. The B-14 Squared concept is anchored by a 100% carbon fiber monocoque stock, making it both ultra-lightweight and incredibly durable. Bergara also included a carbon fiber spine throughout the stock for superior rigidity and strength, all of which lends itself to a stellar performance.

This stock design, combined with the classic, proven B-14 action and barrels, blends the many advantages of the B-14 series into what the gun maker says is something special.

The Crest has a fluted 4140 CrMo steel barrel available in either 20 or 22 inches, depending on the caliber. Available calibers include 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .308 Win., and .300 Win Mag. The muzzle is threaded 5/8-24 and topped by a Bergara Omni muzzle brake, but since it’s threaded hunters do have the option of adding a suppressor, should they so desire.

Other features include a 90-degree bolt throw, cone-shaped bolt nose ejector, a sliding extractor, and an AICS compatible detachable magazine. This rifle has a Sniper Grey Cerakote finish which is both aesthetically pleasing and functional for blending in to rugged terrain. The standard trigger is an adjustable Bergara Performance Trigger. A two-position safety allows the rifle to be unloaded while in the safe, which is a fantastic safety feature. The rifle’s empty weight is a mere 6.9 pounds. Bergara says this gun is built for accuracy and guarantees sub-MOA precision (you bring the shooting skills).

Features of the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest include:

MSRP for the Bergara B-14 Squared Crest starts at $1999.00.

CMMG, the purveyor of quality AR rifles and parts, has expanded its offerings to include a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) in the Mk57 Dissent firearm. CMMG has given 5.7 caliber lovers a solid option for a dedicated PDW.

The conversation around the optimum PDW round has been ongoing for years, with one of the major discussions centering around if 5.7×28 is the best round for it. The 5.7 round was originally designed to be small and lightweight while traveling flatter, similar to rifle rounds, across 5.7 platforms.

The Mk57 Dissent has both the CMMG Radial Delayed Blowback operating system and the patent-pending Compact Action along with the Mk57 forged platform lower for a solid package. In addition to those features, the Mk57 Dissent also has the TriggerTech AR-D 2-Stage trigger with a 4 lb. pull weight and light break. CMMG has a word of caution in that they do not guarantee Dissent functionality with other aftermarket or Mil-spec triggers so the end user needs to be aware of that.

Every Dissent comes with a threaded 6.5” barrel inside the proprietary 5.5” M-LOK style handguard. A 1913 Picatinny rail is at the butt of the MK57 to attach the end user’s desired stock or pistol brace. That being said, certain NFA rules may apply but that’s up to the end user to follow all rules.

Both the upper and lower receiver are manufactured from forged 7075 T6 aluminum for a lightweight system, weighing under five pounds total. The Mk57 Dissent has a CMMG Zeroed pistol grip and a left-side Dissent side charging handle.

The MK57 Dissent from CMMG is the pinnacle of versatility in that it accepts FN 5.7 pattern pistol magazines in addition to the two 20-round ProMags it ships with. It is available in six Cerakote colors: Black, Charcoal Green, Coyote Brown, Midnight Bronze, Sniper Grey, and Titanium.

The CMMG Mk57 Dissent PDW, like all other CMMG products, are backed by the company’s Lifetime Quality Guarantee against material and workmanship defects. The Mk57 Dissent has a price tag of $2,199.95