JULY 7, 2025
 
 
 

When most people hear "stress relief," they picture yoga mats, scented candles, or some kind of breathing exercise that feels more like hyperventilating in a room full of houseplants. That's fine for them.

But for folks like us, the ones who feel more at peace in the woods than a meditation studio, stress relief sounds a whole lot more like a rifle report, a wall of recoil, and that satisfying smack of a big ol' bullet bouncing off a steel target (Thanks, Bruce Pendleton).

I'm talking about shooting big-recoiling rifles. The kind that rattles your feelings and fillings, bruises your shoulder, and clears your sinuses better than anything prescribed by your neighborhood pharmacist (Sorry, Jill Jahn). And yeah, I know how that sounds. Most people (Certainly not Phil Massaro) don't look at a .375 H&H or a .45-70 thumper and think, "Ah, sweet, sweet relaxation." But if you've ever put time behind one of those rifles, you get it.

It's something I've fully embraced these days. Call it part of my weekly mental health routine. The home range stays hot, and my collection of "therapists" keeps me honest. My ultralight custom-built Nosler Mountain Carbon 9.3x62mm weighs about as much as a breakfast sandwich, a slick little Smith & Wesson .45-70, and a couple caffeinated .348 Winchesters. Between 'em, they've got more personalities than your ex, six beers deep, when your alimony payments late.

Stress knots your brain up worse than a baitcaster in rookie hands. Worries about work, bills, and family all build up until you're carrying that tension around like an overloaded pack.

But here's the beauty of a hard-kicking rifle: the second you shoulder it, every ounce of your focus slams onto one thing, the shot.

Lining up the sights. Settling your breathing. Bracing for the inevitable.

Then? Boom!

The world shrinks to the crack of the shot, the shove of recoil, and that jolt of adrenaline that hits your system like lightning. Your mind stops spinning. You're locked into the present. That's mindfulness, mountain man style.

Closest thing I've ever felt to it outside of shooting? Playing goalie in ice hockey, I'd tell my team to warm me up in the net by ripping a slapshot straight into my chest protector. Instant clarity.

Big rifles don't just request your attention, they demand it. Lose focus? You'll earn a bruised shoulder, split lip, or worse. It's chaos but controlled chaos, and that's the therapy.

We're not pretending here; recoil hits differently. That sharp crack against your shoulder, the boom shaking your chest, the satisfying energy screaming downrange, burns stress off faster than a treadmill or some overpriced therapist with a clipboard.

Take my sub-six-pound 9.3x62mm Mauser with full loads designed to get your attention. That rifle doesn't "nudge" your shoulder. It reminds you, in no uncertain terms, that you're alive - and whatever was at the other end isn't.

Shooting guns that kick is like punching a heavy bag, except with more muzzle blast. That's why you see guys grin after sending a big magnum downrange. It's not just about the shot group; it's about wringing every ounce of frustration out with each trigger pull.

Forget scrolling your phone or numbing out to music. A few rounds from a 300 PRC, a .340 Weatherby, or, if your day's gone completely sideways, a couple boxes of 12-gauge slugs through a Remington 870 will make you feel different, calmer, centered, and totally unplugged from the nonsense.

Taming a big rifle isn't just about muscle. It's a mental game. You've got to work through the flinch, manage the anticipation, and stick to your fundamentals. But it builds confidence every time you get it right, with a clean break, steady follow-through, and tight groups.

The kind that doesn't just stay at the range.

Office politics, petty stress, or life's curveballs feel much smaller after you've stared down a rifle that can loosen your dental work. It reminds you that you can handle discomfort. You can ride out the nerves. You can focus under pressure.

Most importantly, it proves that if you put in the work, control your breathing, and commit to the process, you've got more control over yourself than you think. That lesson travels everywhere.

Some folks find their peace on a yoga mat. That's cool. I find mine at the bench, behind a rifle that kicks like a mule on espresso. Hard-recoiling rifles might not be everyone's idea of therapy, but for those wired for the outdoors, challenge, and grit, it's as good as it gets. Sometimes, the best way to clear your head is to shake your whole body, one big shot at a time.

Tucker Daubs has more than 100,000 followers on social media. 

Tucker Daubs doesn't need a history book or a television show to remind him of the Old West. He lives it every day. High in the Colorado mountains, on a ranch that's been running cattle since the 1890s, Tucker works the same rugged ground as generations before him, and his rifle of choice hasn't changed much either. You'll soon learn he doesn't carry a lever-action rifle for nostalgia. Tucker carries one because it still works better than anything else for the life he leads, a life where the country's wild, the job's tough, and the rifle under your leg might just save the day.

Here are his thoughts on lever guns:

Are you a lever-action rifle fan? If so, why?

Absolutely. A lever-action is a highly reliable, all-around rifle packed into a thin, lightweight package.

What's your favorite lever-action rifle? Why? 

It's a close race between the Winchester 94 in .30-30 and the Winchester 1895 in .30-06, but the 95 takes the cake.

Do you ever feel handicapped as a hunter with your lever-action rifle? 

I actually feel the opposite. When you use them to their full potential. For me, I'm better off with a lever gun than a fancy modern rifle. You get faster target acquisition and quicker follow-up shots, and staying on target is easier. Sure, with a bolt-action, you can be fast if you're well-practiced, but a lever gun just makes it easier, especially on running shots when paired with a peep sight. I can crawl through the brush with a fast-handling lever gun and still make a 200-yard shot easily, and a 300-yard shot if I've kept my practice sharp.

Tucker Daubs with a mule deer he took with one of his lever-action rifles.

How has the lever gun impacted the hunting community?

A well-built lever-action is a fantastic addition to the hunting industry. As a brush gun, there's nothing better.

Does the lever gun have unique traits that make it the gun of choice for you as a hunter? 

The Winchester 94's thinness makes it the best saddle gun for sitting under your leg for a long ride. It is also reliable in all weather. I've hunted when it was cold enough to freeze my bolt action shut. Although not impossible, I have never had that happen with my lever gun.

Why do you think lever guns have surged in popularity over the past few years?

Mostly from TV shows like Yellowstone. Very few people are really using them to the fullest.

Do you expect that surge to continue?

The popularity will continue to surge up and down in different markets as the years go on.

What are your fondest memories of hunting with your favorite lever-action rifle?

As someone who has taken all the big game species in Colorado (except mountain goat and desert bighorn), many with an open-sighted lever action, the best was a cow moose with a 1895 30-06. Or the time I had problematic bullets while shooting a bear that made for a wild time with a Rossi 1892 in 45 Colt. 

If you could only have one lever action, which one would it be and why?

My favorite lever action is the 1895 30-06. It has easy-to-get ammo and a wide selection of bullets for all jobs.

Tucker’s favorite – the 1895.

What other roles should people consider a lever action for outside of hunting? Are there any that are underrated?

I'm working on a suppressed lever-action idea for predator trouble we have with our cows at night. The truth is the same for any application: no gas pop adding extra noise and fast working. 

Daubs ended his thoughts with: 

"All of this takes into account that I don't run scopes of any lever actions. That completely defeats its purpose as a small, thin saddle rifle. Most people think the cowboy days are over, yes, the plains trail drives are over, but nothing has changed in the mountains since the ranch I work on started in the 1890s. On the open range we run, a horse is still the only way to gather cows that spend the summer free range with no fences holding them in. We are able to use cars on our ranges less than the old timers could 70 years ago. Also, remote, many places are eight hours of travel, mostly on horseback, and into the far reaches of the ranges. If you get into trouble, you're on your own. Hunting or working, a saddle gun is a great tool that's still needed. Not to mention all the other problems that a gun can be used for. The small package of a lever action is ideal for my work and hunting needs! There's also a lot of argument about the build of Marlin vs Winchester in terms of quality and accuracy. The 94 and the 336 are highly produced rifles, with the 94 having over seven million and the 336 over four million. We will have some great examples on each side and poor ones. I don't feel either can be called better, except in weight and size, with width being my determining factor."

Learn more about Tucker Daubs views on lever guns, ranching, and Colorado here.

HUNTING NEWS & INFORMATION

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Savage Arms® announced a Summer Sale offering $250 off Savage branded apparel and merchandise kits for retail partners. This is payable by co-op allowance or as a standard order. 

Team Mathews shot the lights out at the fourth stop of the 2025 ASA Pro/Am tour in Metropolis, IL - winning two pro divisions and claiming seven podiums overall.

DSC announces the formation of the DSC Safari Anyone Chapter based in Eastern Tennessee. According to James, DSC Safari Anyone Chapter is deeply committed to advancing the mission of the DSC, which emphasizes the importance of conservation and sustainable hunting practices.

DSC announces Federal Premium 7mm Backcountry Ammunition as the title sponsor of the Inaugural Summer Expo & Foundation Gala, July 17-19 at the Gaylord Texan Resort, minutes from DFW Airport.

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Kimber Mfg. has announced the promotion of Scott Moore to the position of Chief Operations Officer. 

Celerant Partners with eCheckpoint to Navigate Complex State and Local Shipping Restrictions for FFL Dealers Fulfilling Online Orders

Ani-Logics Outdoors is proud to announce the official launch of its newly redesigned website: www.anilogics.com

Excalibur Crossbow is proud to announce that its 2025 flagship, the Hybrid?X, has earned the title of Most Reliable in Outdoor Life’s 2025 Best Crossbows test, as determined by seasoned gear editor Scott Einsmann (outdoorlife.com).

Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for Hunter Safety Education Week, Aug. 11-17, offering in-person opportunities for more than 2,000 students to obtain a hunter safety education certificate. More than 40 additional class locations statewide will be posted and available for registration starting Monday, July 7.

CSG Member, B&P USA proudly announces the impressive achievements of its Pro Staff members Nicolas Berry and Joseph Pinchin at recent summer NSCA competitions.

Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, known to many as the pioneering couple of outdoor television, are marking a major milestone: 25 years of bringing their hunting adventures and love for the outdoors into millions of homes across the country. Their 25th season officially kicks off on June 30, 2025, something the pair says they never imagined possible when they started their journey.

Nomad Outdoor added to its growing line of popular lifestyle clothing with the release of cotton canvas Rendezvous pants and lightweight nylon Scrape shorts.

NSSF is pleased to announce that Magpul will once again serve as the Platinum Sponsor of the 2025 NSSF Annual Import/Export Conference.

Sabudawn Safaris is continuing as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor, WTU President Jeff Schinkten has announced.

This episode begins airing Monday July 7th @11:30PM (EST). Ralph Cianciarulo and Jess Johnson are chasing elk in Colorado during archery season! They’re on their own property and maybe some dreams will come true..?! This episode is one you’re not going to want to miss! 

The Annual Publication Accurately Delivers On-Target Content for Sportsmen and Women

Kimber Mfg. has released two new models of the highly successful CDS9.  

Magpul is the industry leader in carbine stocks, and we’ve just added the Universal Carbine Stock (UCS) to fit firearms with vertical 1913 Picatinny rails on the rear of a firearm’s receiver.

Introducing the SEVR™ Titanium(Ti) 2.0” 4-Blade Hybrid, an innovative rear-deploy mechanical broadhead designed to add even more lethal cutting to the industry’s most talked-about line of broadheads.

Victory Archery™ released its new HLR, the ultimate arrow built for hunters who demand speed and power without sacrificing durability.

Kimber Mfg. is providing consumers with the chance to win a NEW Next Generation 1911. For four weeks in July, consumers can head to Kimberamerica.com and register for a chance to win a free Next Generation Kimber in the select finish and caliber of their choice.

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. is proud to announce recent signings for the Smith & Wesson Professional Shooting Team.

CSG Member, Fiocchi of America proudly announces the remarkable achievements of its Pro Shooting Team during the initial months of the 2025 competitive season.

WATCHTOWER Firearms is proud to announce a special promotion in celebration of Independence Day. Customers can enjoy $100 OFF and FREE SHIPPING on all American-made double-stack 1911s until July 13th, 2025. 

Bring your own archery equipment and practice at one of MassWildlife's 6 temporary public archery ranges this summer. Get started by signing up for a free range pass.

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NSSF is pleased to announce that Lisa Davis has joined the organization as its new Vice President, Human Resources. She succeeds Deb Kenney, who recently retired after 29 years with NSSF.

Headquartered in Caledonia, Minnesota, Tactacam has several different cameras to meet any hunter’s needs. Their cameras offer various features to hunters depending on what is needed, such as remote sync, slow motion, and weatherproof, among others.

Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks (Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and MyOutdoorTV) gear up for an action-packed Q3 lineup filled with inspiring adventures and educational content.

CZ-USA is proud to unveil the CZ P-10 C PORTED, a recoil-reducing, optics-ready addition to its popular striker-fired handgun lineup.

On this week’s episode of The Bowhunter Podcast, listeners are treated to a conversation with Maribeth Kulynycz, the newly elected president of the Maryland Bowhunters Society. 

 
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