Let’s say you are sitting back in the evening thinking about Hunting your favorite Game or Varmint. Doesn’t matter what it is for this question - you pick. And you are thinking about what would/could possibly be “better†than what you are currently using. Or perhaps you have nothing at all adequate for that specific animal. So you are just daydreaming away.

Which do you think of “purchasing†1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. and WHY???

Example only:
1. New Face Mask. - Because my old one has turned white from washing...
2. Specific Hunting Grade Bullet. - I REALLY REALLY want to try this new bullet which is perfect because...
3. Another PBR for more daydreaming. - Just ran out!!!
4. Cartridge - Haven't tried this one, but it would be perfect because...
5. Rifle - HA Nothing could possibly be better than a xxxxxxx, because it is just perfect for my needs...
6. Holster - Old leather one "SQUEEKS" when I move so I'm thinking of a Synthetic because....
7. None of the above(For Cold Bore )

Well, I'm kind of surprised no one was interested. Not a problem, I'll do it for the Beeginners myself.

Back for my 6th Christmas, I got 3 guns. The next Christmas I got a few bullets to use in them "one-at-a-time". The first year I learned how to properly care and clean them. If my attention drifted even slightly, I was sent out of the room where the firearms were located.

But that sparked the interest and "In the Beginning" (so to speak) I was happy to just end up with more firearms. Didn't matter the cartridge or caliber, just get them and see what could be properly hunted with them.

Reloading came early on from some excellent Elders with vast reloading knowledge. I was indeed lucky there.
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Then I got to where I wanted "specific" cartridges. Rifle didn't really matter to me back then because I liked them all. Even had some Wildcats which were interesting, but more effort than I really wanted. Ate into my shooting and hunting time.
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Once I had agood number of rifles chambered for different cartridges, I really enjoyed learning about "Bullets". Accuracy had to be there and then it was interesting to see how the different Bullets performed on-game.

Still enjoy trying "new"(to me) Bullets of all the Manufacturers. Really some outstanding Bullets being made today - when used as they are designed. Speaking for their use on Deer, fragile bullets need to "Enter" in the Ribs if at all possible. As the designs toughen, the shot I prefer is Entering a shoulder. And I do prefer Exits passing through the off-side shoulder when possible.
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So today, I think of the Game and my first thoughts are of what "Bullet" I want to use on it, then the cartridge and then the rifle.

Better than what I have? Naw...never happen!

Different than what I have? Sure...that happens every time some idiot at Remington or Winchester expells gas!

The order in which I pick something "new":

1. A caliber I don't have;
2. The rifle MUST have highly polished blue/black steel;
3. The rifle MUST have satin-finished solid wood stock;
4. There must be reloading dies available for the caliber;
5. Sierra should have a HPBT bullet available for loading;
6. Prefer a firearm built in the United States and totally owned by a United States company.

Ah, I dunno. Got more than I need now, but maybe not as much as I want.
Don't dwell on hunting gear too much. I admit I haven't shot anything when I was nekkid but just about everything else has worked, including flip flops and shorts.

A rifle? Hmm... I'd like something to replace the Contender Carbine...oops, getting it made now. A 'lighterized' SUX rebarreled to .250 Savage. Maybe a C. Sharps in...50-90. Or 45-90. Long range version of course. A Dakota 10 action could go a long way to finish up my gun building desires, mostly cause I'd be broke and probably divorced before it was finished. 7X57 for that one, just to fill the gap between the Bob and the .358 Win. Or is it the Rigby? WTFK?

Before I do that I need to buy some dies to go with what I did last year. 4 sets I need, just to make some ammo for stuff you can't hardly find at Wal-Mart anymore. And Powder. And bullets. And there goes my gun buying budget for the next year or so. Ooops, forgot the scope I need for the WMR. And the bases for the Savage. I am S.O.L.

DD-never shot anything while "nekkid" but does squatting down taking a dump count? Once when I was younger (maybe40-45 years ago), I was squirrel hunting with my trusty Rem Mod 521T and the urge hit me. While I was in the act, I saw a squirrel on the side of a tree about 25 yds away. Reached over for the "twenty-ri-twoful", peeked throught the peep, and brained the squirrel. Finished my business and went on hunting.

Hey Steve, Do you use anything other than the original M77s?

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalDan:
...A rifle? Hmm... I'd like something to replace the Contender Carbine...oops, getting it made now. A 'lighterized' SUX rebarreled to .250 Savage. Maybe a C. Sharps in...50-90. Or 45-90. Long range version of course. ...

Hey DD, I had a Blue and Synthetic Contender Carbine at one time. Had two barrels for it in a 22Hornet and a 44Mag. Never could get "consistent" accuracy with the 22Hornet, but that was before Lil'Gun and that might have been what it needed. Just one of many 22Hornets that I no longer choose to wrestle with.

The 44Mag could be l-o-n-g loaded because of their desire to have long throats. It could SAFELY use a good bit more "2400" than a regular 44Mag and Whopped a bunch of Deer. It always surprised me at how heavy it was. But some of that may have been due to the weight-forward situation with the Synthetic stock on it.
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250Sav? Tell us about it.
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I see the actual "Quigly Down Under" rifle is going as one of the prizes in an NRA rifle drawing. You might want to get in on it.

dustoffer, I'd give you credit for that one. You gotta keep your priorities straight, all the time.

HC, I got one of those Carbine combos, .22 short and .30-30. I never have weighed it but guess the weight with scope near 6-6.5 pounds. Barrel on the rf is 20", the other at 22". It is a rig that I love to hate sometimes. Accuracy with the RF is 1/2" at 50 yards off a rest, CCI HPs or CB Caps. Posted a target from the .30-30 last fall if you recall, it typically shoots factory fodder around .8 to maybe 1.5" from a rest at 100 yards. Problem with it is that T/C reamed it with a very large chamber, sort of an "Almost Improved" cut if you will. Thus reloading for it is problematic. Accuracy is there on the first or second reloading, then the case head separates or cracks. A custom size die would likely cost as much as a new barrel, and after three trips back to T/C I've concluded their warranty is as useless as tits on a boar hog. Before we get started in a Q&A session on my reloading technique, trust me, I've tried everything there is to try, and maybe a few "innovative" approaches as well. Just thinking about it gets my BP up a bit more than I need, so....

The .250 Savage project came about by opportunity. A friend of mine who thinks guns are ruled by voodoo, and that handloaders are insane...and who probably has too much money... Suffice it to say a Remmy 700 in .22-250 fell from grace in his hands one day whilst trying to shoot a 'yote, and subsequently fell into my clutches. He said, "What you gonna do with it?" "Aw, I dunno, maybe use it for a tomato stake."

It is out in Big Sky country as we speak, sporting a Douglas 22" tube and a worked over trigger to complement the bedding. I expect it to come home in about 10 days to meet it's new future as my go to switch hitter for swamp and pasture sniping. 1:10 twist, throated for the 100 gr Partition. I shall be selling off a fair part of my arsenal after it has established its bonafides as a shooter. Somewhere along the way I will shave off the cheek piece and clean up a few odd angles that Rem. put on the wood. A very bland piece of straight grained wood it is too. It will be wearing a steel tube Weaver K2.5 and that will suffice for my walk about still hunting needs I think. Haven't picked out the bases or rings yet, maybe Warne, not sure about that at the moment.

It's not that I don't like the .22-250, I just have the varmint thing pretty much covered like white on rice.

IMO, the primary problem with the Hornet is on one part the quality of firearms produced for it. ON the other hand, the 1:16 twist commonly used on them is mildly insane. Properly built and loaded they are quite capable of sub MOA accuracy, just as any round is. Their size can be a challenge for the ham handed of us, and I'm quite at the head of that class. You ever punch a case mouth into a thumb before?

The other half keeps telling me that I already have enough pistols,revolvers,rifles,reloading toys ect.
I find this type of thinking ludicrous.
I have rifles in most of the common bores,but this is where the word 'most' comes into play.I don't have a .41 magnum.Or a .475 Linebaugh.Or a 700 NE double.
Whats up with that? The woman knows not of which she speaks.

And then theres that lil' .22 long rifle machine gun.

Well I just bougth a brand new set of 222 Rem Mag Dies for $1.50 at a going out of business sale. Need to find something to load with them next. Isn't that the way it's usually done?

I dream about optics...after all is said and done, there always seems to be something better every year. I've given up on the "perfect" varmint rig because they all seem to be built around bench rest guns anyway. I have a Remington VLS in 22-250 w/ 4X14 VXIII that's a great rig, and now you can add a custom mauser in 257 w/ 10X Unertl to that list. I was never unhappy with the 30-06 and 110s/125s, but one couldn't see the bang/splat!
I well remember the first jack I dispatched with the 22-250: did a full reverse gainer w/twist when the crosshairs were placed on its sitbones.

quote:

Originally posted by poletax:
...Or a 700 NE double...

I might just be able to hear the echo from that in the Carolinas. You got some kind of super-bad Wild Boars where you hunt?

quote:

Originally posted by Cossack:
Well I just bougth a brand new set of 222 Rem Mag Dies for $1.50 at a going out of business sale. Need to find something to load with them next. Isn't that the way it's usually done?

You sure whooped my $10 444Mar Die buy (before having the rifle).

Those were some absolutely exceptional shooters in their day and I see no reason that would change today. Are you going to try and locate a "vintage" rifle, or rebarrel something?

quote:

Originally posted by buckshot:
I dream about optics...after all is said and done, there always seems to be something better every year. ...

Well, thanks a lot. I'd FINALLY managed to make it a couple of months WITHOUT thinking about one of those "Illuminated" Leupolds.

What scopes "missing" that you absolutely, positively NEED?(Sounds better that way to me! )

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalDan:
... I got one of those Carbine combos, .22 short and .30-30. ... Problem with it is that T/C reamed it with a very large chamber, sort of an "Almost Improved" cut if you will. Thus reloading for it is problematic. Accuracy is there on the first or second reloading, then the case head separates or cracks. A custom size die would likely cost as much as a new barrel, and after three trips back to T/C I've concluded their warranty is as useless as tits on a boar hog.

The 44Mag barrel I had was made with a "Left Twist". When you cleaned the barrel, it would unscrew the Brush in an "automatic fashon". And the chamber on my 22Hornet was a bit larger than normal now that you mention it.

I called T/C one day and told the Receptionist that I had a question concerning a barrel(about the Left Twist). I ended up speaking with their Production Foreman who gave me the distinct impression he had much better things to do than talk to a Customer. I would say a bit more, but it would sound anti-YANKEE, so I'll keep that to myself since I know they are not ALL like this "fine" individual.

Hung the phone up and walked around the Production floor. No problems out there, so back to the phone. Called a GunShop I frequent and the guy said, "I was just getting ready to call you. Bring whatever Traiding Bait you have (and your checkbook) and stop by."

Obviously a "sign" concerning the Contender. Swapped it with both barrels(and yes a little boot) for my S&S 223Rem M7. My gosh what a difference in accuracy.

quote:

The .250 Savage project came about by opportunity. A friend of mine who thinks guns are ruled by voodoo, and that handloaders are insane...and who probably has too much money... Suffice it to say a Remmy 700 in .22-250 fell from grace in his hands one day whilst trying to shoot a 'yote, and subsequently fell into my clutches. He said, "What you gonna do with it?" "Aw, I dunno, maybe use it for a tomato stake."

Well, it is rusting blue and termite food.

quote:

It is out in Big Sky country as we speak, sporting a Douglas 22" tube and a worked over trigger to complement the bedding. I expect it to come home in about 10 days to meet it's new future as my go to switch hitter for swamp and pasture sniping. 1:10 twist, throated for the 100 gr Partition. I shall be selling off a fair part of my arsenal after it has established its bonafides as a shooter. Somewhere along the way I will shave off the cheek piece and clean up a few odd angles that Rem. put on the wood. A very bland piece of straight grained wood it is too. It will be wearing a steel tube Weaver K2.5 and that will suffice for my walk about still hunting needs I think. Haven't picked out the bases or rings yet, maybe Warne, not sure about that at the moment.

Sounds like a fine rig. It would do for a good bit of what I shoot as well. But that 2.5x would put a crimp on my old eyes. I do still have a 3x K3-C3 Weaver from the El Paso era that still works just fine. I use it on a 444Mar(finally got that rifle) for tuning Loads.

I have it mounted in the old reliable Weaver Rings and 1-piece Base. With the scope removed and the Base still in place, the Iron Sights are visible and can be used. Works great in that application.

quote:

IMO, the primary problem with the Hornet is on one part the quality of firearms produced for it. ON the other hand, the 1:16 twist commonly used on them is mildly insane. Properly built and loaded they are quite capable of sub MOA accuracy, just as any round is. Their size can be a challenge for the ham handed of us, and I'm quite at the head of that class. You ever punch a case mouth into a thumb before?

I don't believe I've "punched" my thumb like that, but now that you mentioned it, I'll watch a bit closer anyhow.

I wrestled with a lot of 22Hornets for 35 years and just wore out fooling with them. That was all Pre - Lil'Gun, so those same rifles may be driving Tacks today.

Best of luck with the 250-3000 and the Thumb Punching!

quote:

Well, it is rusting blue and termite food.

Of course it is! Back when men were steel and ships were wood........... I don't like the contrast of stainless against my cammo in the swamps and bottoms.

Don't know about all of T/C barrels but both of mine are LH twist. Think it's their left handed way of being unique, at least in their mind. Damn shame they do this stuff as the concept is about perfect for a stalking gun. Execution sucks though.

I dunno what the practical limit is for the K2.5 and like powered scopes. I shoot several, and have no problem shooting small groups at reasonable big game ranges, but then I get the same results with a red dot sight too. It's got a 3' dot, go figure. I do know the low powered scopes excel in the quick and dirty department and they near about suck swamp water in regards to glassing horns much beyond 100 yards in twilight. Figure to upgrade with the Rigby and put a K3 on that one.

I use LG in the Hornet myself but had no success with the light weight bullets as velocity spreads were in the 175 fps range with them. 35 or so with the Hornady Hornet bullet though and it shoots 3/4 MOA regular as sunrise. I suspect it shares some of H110s nature in needing a little pressure and heat to get going but am uncertain of that. At any rate it spits 'em out at 3200 fps with 13.0 grains from a #1's 26" barrel. Blew the Nosler 40gr BT out at over 3400 fps but accuracy suffed as I mentioned. One thing I will say about the Hornet is that it is a terrific teaching tool for hand loaders, giving no quarter to inconsistancies. I like to neck size them and weigh the powder charge as .1 grain is close to 1% in charge. Okay, .77% if you want to be anal about it. Still has a noticable influence on things though. Never got anywhere with the small pistol primer thing and use standard rifle primers of any old brand that's handy.

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalDan:
...I don't like the contrast of stainless against my cammo in the swamps and bottoms.

Now that is interesting. The swamps I hunt have a whole lot of "gray" limbs growing on the trees. The brushed Stainless rifles I have really dull down to that level once I get under the canopy of the trees. Just another reason I like it better than the "Gloss Blue". And I still have a Parkerized rifle and a Matte Black Teflon coated rifle that blend in right well.

But, I never really thought about "how well" any of those finishes "go with" camo! You sure the DD isn't for Dapper Dan?

quote:

Don't know about all of T/C barrels but both of mine are LH twist. Think it's their left handed way of being unique, at least in their mind. Damn shame they do this stuff as the concept is about perfect for a stalking gun. Execution sucks though.

The 22Hornet I had was a regular Right Hand twist. Never considered they might make others in Left Hand twist. Interesting, but it won't have any effect on my future purchases since I talked to their Production Foreman. Pitiful!

quote:

I do know the low powered scopes excel in the quick and dirty department and they near about suck swamp water in regards to glassing horns much beyond 100 yards in twilight.

I was doing some cull shooting and the Plantation Owner had mentioned to me a lot of the culls other people were killing had "Buttons". I got the rifle out of my truck and showed him a 6.5-20x VariX-III that he had given me a hard time about in the past. We looked around for something "small". I eventually noticed a hinge on a gate where the Male post bolt stuck up through the Hinge slightly. I asked him if he could see the Male part above the adjoining part. He checked it with his 3-9x and then through the 6.5-20x.

Then the classic, "Yeah, but the 20x shakes tooooooo much." Well, yes it does "if" you are shaking.

It seems to me they all have their place, but nothing beats power when looking for Buttons out there aways.

quote:

... One thing I will say about the Hornet is that it is a terrific teaching tool for hand loaders, giving no quarter to inconsistancies...

Completely agree.

quote:

Are you going to try and locate a "vintage" rifle, or rebarrel something?

Hotcore: Actually I've got my eyes on a long overlooked contender barrel. Now, if I take that 3-9 EER Burris Signature off the 22 WRM Striker - where it's really too much of a good thing - all I have to do is find another scope for the WMR. Problem solved. Let's see $160 barrel, got base and rings, new scope for WMR for @ $200.... See how much I 'saved' on that $1.50 set of dies?! Now for some brass and load data.

HC, I don't do Glossy Blue either. Matte blue or preferably black. Being as you're from the Carolinas it would be appropriate that you have grey limbs in your trees. We don't have any blue ones down here, that's why I prefer black. It blends well with the shadows which would be where I like to hang out.

I've heard rumors that all the blue limbs and bellies are back up nawth by now. You heard that?

quote:

Originally posted by Cossack:
...Actually I've got my eyes on a long overlooked contender barrel. Now, if I take that 3-9 EER Burris Signature off the 22 WRM Striker - where it's really too much of a good thing - all I have to do is find another scope for the WMR. Problem solved. Let's see $160 barrel, got base and rings, new scope for WMR for @ $200.... See how much I 'saved' on that $1.50 set of dies?! Now for some brass and load data.

Hey Cossack, If that Contender barrel is relatively close by, let us know if it has a Left Hand Twist. I know a lot of folks have great luck with the T/C products and I do hope yours shoots well for you. Is your WMR barrel also on the Contender?

How do you like that Burris Signature? I'm not familiar with the "EER",is that an Electro Dot? One of my buddies uses maybe 4-5 Fullfield scopes and they never had a single problem of any kind.

I've got one other "old" El Paso Weaver scope in their 3-9x Range Finder reticle(2 horizontal crosshairs which are 6" apart at 100yds) and all the crosshairs are "thin". Too thin to Deer hunt with during Twilight periods. So, it is on a Marlin 880SS 22LR Bolt Action. When it is adjusted so the top crosshair is on at 25yds, then the bottom crosshair is real close to being on at 100yds, depending on the specific ammo. I enjoy Off-Hand shooting with it at 100yds on soda cans because it really lets me know when my concentration is on or off.

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalDan:
... I've heard rumors that all the blue limbs and bellies are back up nawth by now. You heard that?

Can't speak for the entire area(you know how amiable I am), but I would "guess" that T/C Production Foreman I spoke with has never seen anything but Blue limbs.

Speaking of that, Yankeeeeetown, FL?!?!?!?!

Yankeetown is a well regulated suburb of Crackertown. We keep our blue bellies on a short leash 'round these here parts. Sometimes they need a good spankin'. Specially the wimmen. We call them Blue Bottoms. The Post Office is there 'cause we don't cotton to Big Gubmint in our proud town. And most of the town don't know how to write anyway.

All of the above is historically true. Hysterically true as well.

Sorry for the

actually as much as I like shooting... I have to admit.. I don't dream about firearms...

If I want a firearm or something in a certain caliber... I just get one, or end up having it built....It is not that expensive in life to do so...

so I have no " dream rifle"....

that is like a carpenter having a "dream Hammer!"
if he has one, he needs to get a social life....

just the way i see it..
seafire
cheers!

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
...If I want a firearm or something in a certain caliber... I just get one, or end up having it built...

Hey Seafire, How do you know which "certain caliber" you want?

If you do not daydream or take time to think about it, do you just walk in and say, "Sell me something in a certain caliber. No, don't ask me what caliber or what I'm going to do with it, just sell me one!"?
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I've had Gun Shops call me and tell me to bring my Trading Bait (and checkbook) and come see them, but we had previously discussed what I was looking for. Very interested in your method.

quote:

Originally posted by DigitalDan:
... Sometimes they need a good spankin'. Specially the wimmen. We call them Blue Bottoms. ...

I've learned something right there. I would have expected you all to refer to them as Red Bottoms after the spankin'.
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Pretty near impossible to Hi-jack one of "my" threads. They tend to roam around.... wherever the trail leads. If it gets too dull, we can always discuss "Strain Gauges".

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
...If I want a firearm or something in a certain caliber... I just get one, or end up having it built...

Hey Seafire, How do you know which "certain caliber" you want?

If you do not daydream or take time to think about it, do you just walk in and say, "Sell me something in a certain caliber. No, don't ask me what caliber or what I'm going to do with it, just sell me one!"?
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I've had Gun Shops call me and tell me to bring my Trading Bait (and checkbook) and come see them, but we had previously discussed what I was looking for. Very interested in your method.

If i do anything, it is having a rifle built or making something good out of something shot out...

My current project is having a 1930s Commerical Mauser with a shot out 22.250 barrel on it, being rebarreled... It is going to be a straight tubed 31 inch bull barrel in 6mm Remington.. it has already had the timney trigger installed...

I have a Boyd's Dakota Will Stock that will go on it, that I will refinish....

After that is done I am exploring the world of switch barrels...I am going to have another Bull Barrel built for that rifle also, either in 220 Swift or 257 Roberts...ONe will be first the other caliber will follow....

So Hot Core, guess I don't dream about it, It just gets in my mind and I go and get it done...

Things I dream about are being in the mountains, at Alpine Level, or have Long Blonde hair and big blue eyes, scantily clothed... I am sure you get the picture... My thoughts prefer thinking about that sort of things over day dreaming about a Mauser, not matter how much I love Mausers, Winchesters, etc....

Cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
... It is going to be a straight tubed 31 inch bull barrel in 6mm Remington.. it has already had the timney trigger installed...

I have a Boyd's Dakota Will Stock that will go on it, that I will refinish....

After that is done I am exploring the world of switch barrels...I am going to have another Bull Barrel built for that rifle also, either in 220 Swift or 257 Roberts...ONe will be first the other caliber will follow....

Hey Seafire, Looks like some fine projects.

What's with the 31" barrel on the 6mm?

Do you plan to use barrels that long on the 220 Swift and 22-250?

one a 220 Swift, yeah...

a straight tube and a 31 inch barrel is more for being able to have the barrel set back and rechambered once there is throat erosion... than anything else...

That and maybe someone with short penis complex might be impressed with it and want to buy it for more than its worth down the line.. A Man has to think ahead ya know...

If I miss that prarie dog with that 220 Swift, then I can just poke him with the end of the barrel at that length....

Cheers
seafire

I sure misread about the 257 Roberts, I really thought you had said 22-250.
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Well, 31" should allow you to set it back all you want for a very long time.

Good luck to you.

Gunshows often start it all. Pick up some new-to-me gun and like the way it handles. Notice that it's chambered for some round I don't care about or know I could improve. Next thing is deciding what brand of barrel to buy and what contour. Stainless or blued? What caliber?
Wildcat it or Ackley improve it? Figure out the chamber specs and order a reamer. Dream about the fun I will have once it is ready. Barrel it up and refinish the stock after reshaping it to suit me. Get or machine bases for it that are low and light. Go through the scopes in the safe and pick a suitable one. Wait until the weather cooperates and put the new rifle and ammo in the Jeep and head out into the sagebrush. Find a jack rabbit or sage rat to blast and feel the satisfaction of assembling something just for fun. Got to head back into town in time for the gunshow at the fairgrounds. Cycle starts again.

Gidday Guys,
Well Seafire, I'm glad I don't care about the size of my penis. As I said to my last girlfriend when she said "Who do you think you are going to satisfy with that"

I replied "Me!"

I can see you and I are going to have to get together for a Hunt Mate. We are on the same wave length however I am a bit worried as my current flatmate is a buxom long haired blonde who cooks my dinner and meets me at the door with a glass of wine when I get home from work. Sounds like your sort of Gal and I don't want to lose her.

Happy Hunting

Hamish