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Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

Title:The Hunting Notesfile
Notice:Registry #7, For Sale #15, Success #270
Moderator:SALEM::PAPPALARDO
Created:Wed Sep 02 1987
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1561
Total number of notes:17784

577.0. "help needed on rifle selection" by LESNET::JUCH () Wed Dec 13 1989 17:38

    I want to acquire my first rifle.  I am going to use it primarily
    for shooting crows, woodchucks and other varmints in the summer
    here in N.H..  I have more
    or less decided on the caliber, .223 Rem., with the .243 or 6mm
    Rem. a second choice.  However,  I am not sure what brand of rifle
    to purchase, and in which configuration, but I am sure it will be
    a bolt (or possibly a single shot.)  I am also leaning towards a
    heavy barrel with a synthetic stock.  I also need some information
    on scopes: brands, variable or fixed, etc.
    
    What amazes me, as someone who owns shotguns, is the high quality that
    one can purchase, from companies like Ruger, Remington, and USRA
    (Winchester), at an entry price of about $400 (less scope.)  However,
    there is little information available about which of these rifles
    is the most accurate out of the box, and how to "tune" the rifle.
     I am also surprised that there is no information given about the
    ammunition the rifle is designed with.  I would think that a Rem.
    700 would be rated to give 1 moa accuracy with a standard Rem 223
    55 g PSP load, and that the headspacing, etc. would be designed
    and regulated with this in mind.  I'd think the same for Ruger with
    perhaps Federal ammo, Winchester with Olin, etc.
    Is this information available?
    I only see it in test reports with handloads.... 
                                                              
    Any info that people can give me to start, as well as names of books
    I can read (I'm reading Jack O'Connor's book now) about tuning,
    would be appreciated.  Do I need to bed an action in a synthetic
    stock?  Are there any rifles that are bedded and free floating right
    from the factory?  I'd like to buy American if I can, but I hear
    the Weatherby and Browning rifles are advanced....  Should I expect
    my dealer to do the bedding and tuning?  Are there any dealers who
    are knowledgeable and who I should consider buying from?
                                        
    Thanks for your help,
     
    Wm.
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577.1COMET::ALBERTUShang on, Sloopy, Sloopy hang onWed Dec 13 1989 23:1830
>   decided on the caliber, .223 Rem., with the .243 or 6mm
>   Rem. a second choice.  

	Nothing wrong with a .223 (or .22/250 or ... ) but the
	6MMs (.243, 6mm, 25/06 ... ) will buck the wind a bit
	better.  It may be a factor in your choice if you live
	in a windy area.

	For a strictly varmit gun a heavy barrel may be prefered.
	Sometimes you get to carry your gun a long ways over
	somewhat difficult terrain ... a heavy barrel is, well,
	heavy.  A sling helps.

	Tailored handloads will invariably give you the best accuracy 
	for your firearm because they are custom made for that weapon
	only.

	I can't comment on synthetic stocks or factory bedding, etc.

	Properly glassbedding a wood stocked rifle adds to its
	consistancy - shot to shot.  Free floating should be
	done at the same time.  Do all the stock work, etc. before
	seriously working up  a handload as otherwise you change the
	rifle's characteristics and get to do it again.

	A good scope is better than a bad scope.  20X is fun.

	More technical advise can be found in LOSER::FIREARMS

	AA
577.2define your needs closelySPMFG1::CHARBONNDMail SPMFG1::CHARBONNDThu Dec 14 1989 09:5219
    First, I agree with the suggestion to ask in Firearms.
    
    Second, I recommend defining your needs as closely as
    possible. eg. varmints *only*, varmints and coyote,
    varmints & deer. What maximum range do you anticipate ?
    200 yds ? 300 ? 400 ?
    
    How much money $$$ do you intend to spend for the gun & scope
    combo ? $600 ? $1000 ? Unlimited ?
    How much shooting will you do in a session ? 10 shots ? 100 ?
    (It makes a difference, some of the super rounds will destroy
    a barrel from overheating.)    
    Do you handload, or will you be shooting factory only ?
    
    Dana
    
    PS there are lots of good guns out there, both moderately
    priced (eg, Savage 110-V) or expensive (eg. Sako 22PPC).
    
577.3.22-.250?MAIL::HENSONThu Dec 14 1989 10:516
    Just curious about your caliber selection.  Have you considered
    a .22-.250?  From everything I hear, they're super varmint
    cartridges, and several manufacturers offer this caliber with
    a bull barrel.
    
    Jerry
577.4.223 for crows - must be BIG ones...POLAR::PERCYThu Dec 14 1989 12:1616
    RE .0
    > for shooting crows, woodchucks, and other varmints in the summer
    > in N.H..  I have more
    > or less decided on the caliber, .223 Rem., with the .243 or 6mm
    
    
    one question - why would you want a high power cartridge for birds,
                   with an effective killing distance of >1 mile, when
                   a shot gun (even with slugs) would be considerably
                   safer  ?
    Just curious,
    
    
    Tom
    
    
577.5SIMCAD::LAFOSSEThu Dec 14 1989 14:0821
    If it's strictly small varmints i'd say go with a .22-250, .223, .220
    Swift....  if your planning on a little heavier game; coyote, fox...
    i'd say go with the .243/6mm, 25-06... these can serve double duty 
    on deer also...
    
    As for glassbedding... a freefloating barrel isn't necessarily the way
    to go... for one rifle it may be perfect, for another it may not...
    bedding the action and the 1st 3-4 inches of the barrel are a
    necessity... freefloating isn't...
    
    My .270 started out with a freefloating barrel but ended up shooting
    better with a full glass bedded barrel.  Remington beds just the last 
    inch of the barrel, like a hump... rifles are like women, no 2 alike.
    
    Theres a very good article in this months Guns and Ammo magazine about
    glass bedding/accuracy...  check it out...
    
    as for a good glass... 4-12 leupold is hard to beat, especially with a 
    post/crosshair...
    
    good luck,  Fra
577.6Scopes and suchMAIL::HENSONThu Dec 14 1989 15:4811
    If we're going to talk scope reticles, I have to cast a
    vote for the duplex, or dual x, reticle.  They work well in
    both good and poor light, and, if you know what you're doing,
    serve double duty as a range finder.
    
    As far as variable power scopes vs. fixed power scopes, I
    opt for the variable.  The only real advantage of fixed power
    scope that I can think of is weight.  If you're considering
    a bull barrel, I don't think that weight is a major consideration.
                           
    Jerry
577.7SAC::PHILPOTT_ICol I F 'Tsingtao Dhum' PhilpottFri Dec 15 1989 08:5911
How about a Valmet 412S in 12-gauge over 243?

(ie it is a double, comes with interchangeable barrel sets, either both rifle
(such as 30-06 for deer, or 9.3x74R for Elk), or various over-under 12 gauge 
combos, or one 12 gauge over a rifle tube (.243, or 308, or ...))

Not cheap, but you could start with the combo for your present needs and add
a double rifle for New England deer, and a double shotgun for waterfowl, later
 - it is possibly cheaper than three seperate field grade guns.

/. Ian .\
577.8be carefulISLNDS::ROBERTSThe NRA defends our Heritage!Fri Dec 15 1989 14:3510
    
    	      Re .0
    
    			If you use it for crows, I take it to
       		mean when they are on the ground and you are
    		sure of your backstop.
    			.22 cals fly far beyond a crows mass.
		
                		Gary
    			
577.9definitions, pleaseCSCOA3::HUFFSTETLERFri Dec 15 1989 15:069
Can you guys give some definitions to a novice?  What's 
glassbedding, freefloating etc.?

All I know is when I put the crosshairs of my .35 Marlin on 
something I drop it ;^).

Thanks,

Scott
577.10fyiLESNET::JUCHThu Dec 21 1989 18:4614
    re: .4
    
    It would be foolish to shoot any rifle at a crow in the air or in
    a tree with a bullet or a slug.  Besides, calling them in flying
    and shooting them with a shotgun is FUN. 
    
    The ones I'd shoot at are the ones you see feeding in a field on
    the GROUND.
    
    *****
    Advice so far is good! Thanks!
    
    wm.
    
577.11couldn't spell "rick-o-shay" for the life o' meCOMET::ALBERTUShang on, Sloopy, Sloopy hang onSat Dec 23 1989 11:2313
	re .4 ...

>                   a shot gun (even with slugs) would be considerably
>                  safer  ?
 
	No flames but I don't think a slug would be safer at all.  Slugs
	would tend to bounce around while a properly constructed high
	velocity rifle bullet should just about detonate on impact.

	I agree that shooting at _anything_ without a proper backstop
	is irresponsible.

	AA