It was great to be back at O’Dell Range Day after having to miss last year’s event due to work obligations. Unlike me, O’Dell hasn’t missed a beat, putting these events on for 9 years straight even during the “tough” times of COVID and ridiculous regulations.

As I wrote in my previous review, the intention of this “invitation only” (2 reps per retailer) is to “arm” retailers with first hand product experience to better respond to customer inquiries and match them with the right firearm.

As is customary, O’Dell invites other distributors/manufacturers to share in the event. I was happy to see Wolverine back in attendance along with Crusader Arms!

I arrived quite early as they were still setting up

Love this year’s tshirt, great design!

As with past events, we started off with a safety briefing but this time were also treated with some new product introductions!

These included the folding Enforcer 2 with 30-round drum!!!

Trap gun

The Recon 2

A new SxS shotgun with beautiful case hardening

The Arctic (homage to the BAR)

Here are all four new guns

After the briefing we were split into two groups and once again I headed to the rifle range first…in style!

Last time I wanted to concentrate on taking pics but since Tom was here co-photographing, I fully intended to shoot this time around 😊

A quick look at what was on the line

Canuck FD12 (the most popular gun at the 2021 event)

Flanked by the Canuck Operator and Enforcer

Derya TM22

Bergara

Crusader Arms, including the Templar and new CRUX in .308

And courtesy of Wolverine, a bunch of B&T!! The APC, GHM9, and SPC9

And the amazing APR! I just saw one of these at FOC in .338 Lapua…for a cool $13,000!! I was so excited to shoot this one (in .308)!

Accuracy International

Daniel Defense

Ok now let’s get shootin! Let’s start with the guns of our host, O’Dell Engineering and this Derya TM22

Dave Tree showing us how it is done

FOC crew shooting the Canuck Operator

Bergara rep (technically he fired the first shot of the day lol)

Dave Tree with his personal competition Bergara

Fred from FOC shoots a Bergara

I think he liked it!

The Bergaras were quite popular

Tiny from Club de Tir Ville St. Pierre (CDTVSP) liked the Bergara as well

Moving on to other brands of precision rifles, Tiny on the B&T APR

And finally my turn! Two shots, two dings on the steel plates…how can you miss with this thing?

The Accuracy International was pretty sweet too!

You need good optics like Vortex for the distances these guns can cover

Ok on to black guns! I have seen Crusader Arms at Big Bang and TACCOM, now I get to shoot one 🙂 But first, Corie from Code of Arms gives us a demo

Tiny

Sorry I didn’t catch her name

My turn with the Templar..it’s heavy but that is good for recoil mitigation

Next the B&Ts, including the APC

The GHM9, which I was most looking forward to shooting in this short-barrel configuration

But I actually shot better with the brand new SPC9!

Now a quick break for an amazing lunch! Actually, I discovered Lancaster Smokehouse through their food truck at the last O’Dell Day I attended. Since that time, i visited their smokehouse and not only was it the best ribs and brisket i have ever had, it may very well have been the best MEAL!!! That is saying A LOT considering how often i eat out, and at high end places. i went back a couple of weeks ago and came to the SAME CONCLUSION! I just dont understand how they make it so good! This time I had the brisket sandwich and it was just as stellar!

What better way to wash that down than with some home made ice cream?

Lunch break was great time to catch up with Phil O’Dell, Ian and other industry folk

Have we changed since 2021?

Great to see the crew from FOC and Corie from Code of Arms/Crusader…can’t wait for TACCOM!

Phil O’Dell with Dean from Select Shooting Supplies/Range 519

And the rest of the crew from Select Shooting Supplies/Range 519

Jarlath representing the CSSA

In all the way from Edmonton, the crew from Tundra

Canuck prostaffer Dave Tree with Tracey Wilson

Tactical Teacher and Dave Tree

The crew from Wolverine Supplies

Back to shooting, this time the skeet range where Tom was killing it with the Canuck shotguns

I like the renovations The Sportsmens Club Galt did to their five stand

All done shooting it was time for closing remarks and prizes, including rifles from Bergara, Canuck, Crusader, and Wolverine! But first we sing Happy Birthday for Phil O’Dell

I didn’t attend the afterparty this year so that’s a wrap on my review. Thank you once again to O’Dell Engineering, Bergara North America, Crusader Arms, Wolverine Supplies, The Sportsmens Club Galt, and Tom for your pics. Great swag bag too!

RL

It was great to stop in at Shooters Choice for their 30 year anniversary Annual Hunting And Target Sports Show on my way to the Great Lakes Custom Knife show.

There were tons of sales going and reps from several companies including these fine gents from Stoeger

Adam of course

Given my limited time, I was on a mission so didn’t spend too much time checking out all the sales. First I wanted to check out the Pedersoli Lever Action Boarbuster in “HV-1 Camo”. I don’t know much about Pedersoli but I can say the gun was high quality. The stock and grip had an interesting rubber-like coating and the scout style sights (with fiber optics) were pretty cool.

Despite my love of knives and the deep discount, I passed on this Boker lol

I did pick up a Hornady mug and got two swag caps, thanks for those!

Next I headed upstairs for part two of my mission, to see the Excalibur TwinStrike. I was pleased to run into the Excalibur rep who I had met at the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show. He gave me a detailed rundown on the TwinStrike and I even got to shoot it!

an over-under crossbow, how cool is that!

this nifty hand crank draws the bows (yes BOWS in plural lol)

cocked, locked, and ready to rock

keep in mind this is my second time ever shooting a crossbow

and I was very pleased with the result!

I absolutely love this thing and will get definitely get one…as soon as I recover from the Great Lakes Custom Knife Show and TACCOM lol

Thanks to Shooters Choice for the great event! I was super happy to talk to the rep and to shoot the TwinStrike!

Now, before y’all ask, I ate at Lancaster Smokehouse. The last time I went there, I said it was not only the best ribs/brisket I have ever had, but possibly the best meal. I came to the same conclusion this time around! I can’t understand how they make it so good!

RL