BIG-BORE LEVERAGE

THE NEW HENRY X MODEL IN .45-70 ADDS TACTICAL TOUCHES TO A TRADITIONAL HUNTING RIFLE.

- STEVEN PAUL BARLOW

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that things, even in a comparatively prosperous country such as ours, can deteriorate quickly. As a result, many people are rethinking their preparedness strategies.

Naturally, when it comes to firearms, you want the right tool for the job. But, in times of crisis, you can never be certain what that job might be. A survival scenario might entail you needing to procure food or defending yourself against animals that want to procure you as food. Survival might also mean defending your property and critical supplies when the lights go out on civilized society and we’re thrust back into to the “Dark Ages” and everyone must fend for themselves.

So, when it comes to choosing a long gun, I want something that’s versatile, fast-handling, reliable and chambered for a hard-hitting cartridge. In addition to its being effective for hunting large game, I want to be able to accessorize it to make it work in a tactical situation without being concerned if I have to cross into jurisdictions that criminalize the possession of “scary assault weapons.”