What Kind of Guns Do You Own?

[Old SAR pilot]

I'd bet anyone who shoots large guns regularly has ear damage.

Bill, I know quite a number of folks that have competed in high power rifle competitions for years, and none have any hearing loss. Of course, they used proper hearing protection all the while!

Boots, that's a 20X vintage Unertl sitting on top of a 40X in 300 Win Mag. You're welcome to come on down anytime and give it a try!

[Ztex]

And occasionally I'll get a result like this (80.4 mm group at 300 meters)

Yeah...using glass and a bench...cheater!

I only wish I could shoot a clean at 300...(Prone or Sitting)

[Old SAR pilot]

Zane,

..as regards ta usin' "glass"......us OBF's (Old Blind Farts) gotta use what works! (Particcalary at 600, 800, an' 1000!)

[Pat]

Bob-

I'd like to try shooting at 600-1000 yards (or meters); I'm thinking of ordering a Savage 110 FP chambered in .300 WinMag...could you recommend a good scope in the $700 or less price range?

Thanks, Pat

[Bill Greenwood]

Old Sar, maybe there are ear protectors good enough to take the risk out of that much noise, and maybe your friends don't have any loss. Or just maybe they don't think they have hearing loss because they haven't actually had it checked.

[Old SAR pilot]

Pat,

As regards a scope, I'd advise to check around different shops, or the Internet. I'm currently using that Unertl plus a Spindler 8x32x56 ($498 or so), a Leupold 6.5x20, and a Leupold Mark 4 16x. Some of the guys who shoot up here only use a 10x and seem quite happy with that (cuts down on the mirage at long range). Highly recommend a one-piece base, and (depending on your scope) shimmed in the rear - otherwise you may run out of elevation clicks! (I did on the Leupold 6.5x20)

Also, for long range, a new favorite seems to be the 6.5x284, as opposed to the 300WM.

The range I'm using is at:
http://www.spindlerarms.com/

Bill, they have their hearing checked annually, and have no noticeable high frequency loss. Two of them KNOW about good hearing protection - they're diesel mechanics.

[bugazon]

Since I love the history behind the guns, as well as the shootin good times, I have a fairly good collection under my belt now.

Brno 98/22 mauser
German k98 mauser
91/30 mosin nagant
remington mosin nagant
swiss k31
enfield no4 mk1
Italian carcano (1090 off the one that shot Kennedy)
Russian SVT40
German K43
1942 Garand
Czech VZ52
Yugo SKS
Romanian PSL
Ruger 10/22
Stag AR15 2HT
Winchester .22
Colt Woodsman .22
Czech CZ52
Walther P99
Mossberg Security Shotty

Guns are cool...

[Pat]

Pat,

As regards a scope, I'd advise to check around different shops, or the Internet. I'm currently using that Unertl plus a Spindler 8x32x56 ($498 or so), a Leupold 6.5x20, and a Leupold Mark 4 16x. Some of the guys who shoot up here only use a 10x and seem quite happy with that (cuts down on the mirage at long range). Highly recommend a one-piece base, and (depending on your scope) shimmed in the rear - otherwise you may run out of elevation clicks! (I did on the Leupold 6.5x20)

Also, for long range, a new favorite seems to be the 6.5x284, as opposed to the 300WM.

Thanks for the info, Bob!

I'm not familiar with the 6.5x284 round; I'm sure most of you guys hand load for the longer distances, but I'd like to be able to buy ammo (a "common" caliber, like .300 Win Mag) at WalMart if I were in a pinch on a hunting trip. I'd like to someday make a road trip to the range you mentioned, unless you know of a similar one a little closer to Dallas?

Thanks, Pat

[Old SAR pilot]

Pat,

As for the range, it's the only one like it (far as I know) in Texas. We have a couple of guys from the DFW area that come down every now and again to shoot in some of Wilhelm's competitions (All In Fun competitions!) as well as some guys from San Antonio.

Yup, most everyone that shoots there reloads. WAY, WAY cheaper!! 300 Win Mag, at least the good stuff, runs around $55.00/20 (or more)! I'm loading for it at $57.00/100...Also load for .308 Win, .223, .220 Swift, etc.

[Pat M]

Kimber Gold Match .45
Springfield 1911 .45
Glock 17 9mm
S&W 686 .357
Colt Trooper .357
Colt Diamondback .22
Ruger Mk II .22
Ithaca 37 12ga
Rem 870 12ga
Rem 1100 12ga
Mossberg 20ga
Ruger 10/22
Browning BL22
Mossberg LS122
Ithaca 49 .22
Armalite M15A4
Springfield M1A
Garand
M1 Carbine
greasy Greek M1903
M1903A3

wish list: Krag, M1917, US Firearms SAA, and a National Match Upper for my AR.

I used to shoot once-a-week when I was single, once-a-month after I got married, and I think once-a-year after the kids were born. And when I had spare time (which is never now) I'd crank out thousands of rounds from the reloading bench. I need to get back to the range