Quantcast

Hunting season is upon us

Westy

the teste
Nov 22, 2002
54,225
20,003
Sleazattle
No, was that an endangered box?

I can assure you it was no trophy hunt. That box was used as a source of empty calories for my lazy overweight ass.
 

blindboxx2334

Turbo Monkey
Mar 19, 2013
1,340
101
Wets Coast
Cool! I would like to try hunting some time, but I dont have anyone to take me, and there is no way in hell I am going alone (i wouldn't know what to do anyways).

Specs on rifle? I want to build a bolt gun in 6.5CM and get into long range shooting. I ask some locals for some help from time to time and they just write me off.. I guess this is going to be another 'learning experience'. :D
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Simple
Cool! I would like to try hunting some time, but I dont have anyone to take me, and there is no way in hell I am going alone (i wouldn't know what to do anyways).

Specs on rifle? I want to build a bolt gun in 6.5CM and get into long range shooting. I ask some locals for some help from time to time and they just write me off.. I guess this is going to be another 'learning experience'. :D
30 06 howa game king. Shooting custom loads 150 grain hornady sst's loaded to max length and max load. Can drill a hole at 400 yards with ease.


My biggest suggestion if you are wanting to get into precision long range shooting... Learn to load, load custom per rifle, and for Gods sake stay away from oddball calibers like a 6.5... Stick with something that has common components and a caliber that is regulated by saami.


What kind of ranges are you looking at shooting? 200, 300, 700 plus????
 

blindboxx2334

Turbo Monkey
Mar 19, 2013
1,340
101
Wets Coast
I have only heard good things about the 30 06. I have one on my keychain as well. :)

Loading is something I have wanted to get into for a while, but alas, the one person who is willing to show me does it during the week while I am working; I need to get with him on a date and time.

I have been told that 6.5CM is (somewhat of) an easy caliber to load, from what I can tell, it looks like a round that is gaining popularity. Although, I am sure you know much more about it than I do.

Not sure about range. I shot at 100 yards this last weekend for the first time and it was okay (just a cheap ar with some 556). I would like to do 400+ if possible; what range would you recommend I start at?
 

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
and for Gods sake stay away from oddball calibers like a 6.5... Stick with something that has common components and a caliber that is regulated by saami.
wha??? all of the components for 6.5cm are readily available and it is regulated by saami.
and if you dont want to reload 6.5cm, match ammo can be found cheaper than a lot of 308win rounds

http://www.gunsandammo.com/reloading/reloading-the-6-5-creedmoor/
http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc_drawings/Rifle/6_5 Creedmoor.pdf
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
wha??? all of the components for 6.5cm are readily available and it is regulated by saami.
and if you dont want to reload 6.5cm, match ammo can be found cheaper than a lot of 308win rounds

http://www.gunsandammo.com/reloading/reloading-the-6-5-creedmoor/
http://www.saami.org/pubresources/cc_drawings/Rifle/6_5 Creedmoor.pdf
Depends on where you are. Although I must admit, the 6.5cm is gaining in popularity fast... You can get projectiles here, but good luck on brass... Think I came across wrong with what I was saying a little, was not trying to say the cm was not regulated by saami, just to watch out for calibers that are not. Like my 8mm... You can find three different action sizes, and four different barrel diameters....
 

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
Depends on where you are. Although I must admit, the 6.5cm is gaining in popularity fast... You can get projectiles here, but good luck on brass... Think I came across wrong with what I was saying a little, was not trying to say the cm was not regulated by saami, just to watch out for calibers that are not. Like my 8mm... You can find three different action sizes, and four different barrel diameters....
finding reloading components here is no problem for nearly every caliber but youll pay a ton more to buy local. my FiL and I really only buy primers and powder local since there is usually such a high haz-mat fee for shipping it. a 6.5cm rifle is my next purchase and finding brass and bullets online hasnt been an issue.
new reloaders should stay away from wildcat cartridges until they learn moar IMO. and if you really want to k.i.s.s., go with a 308
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
I have only heard good things about the 30 06. I have one on my keychain as well. :)

Loading is something I have wanted to get into for a while, but alas, the one person who is willing to show me does it during the week while I am working; I need to get with him on a date and time.

I have been told that 6.5CM is (somewhat of) an easy caliber to load, from what I can tell, it looks like a round that is gaining popularity. Although, I am sure you know much more about it than I do.

Not sure about range. I shot at 100 yards this last weekend for the first time and it was okay (just a cheap ar with some 556). I would like to do 400+ if possible; what range would you recommend I start at?
Any rifle round is easy to load, and as far as learning, get two or three reloading books, read them over and over, it is not a hard task to accomplish.

As for ranges... Start short, get the basics down, use something with limited recoil and get your trigger control down.

I would start with a .223 bolt action, like the Ruger American, or the Howa like I have. Low recoil and cheap to shoot, a great way to get a solid basic and proper technique down. Easy to reload, just watch out for crimped brass. Should be able to get out to 300 and stay accurate with off the shelf ammo.

The real trick with reloading, is knowing what you are using it for. If you are at the 500 and under range, then full length sizing and standard loading is just fine. If you are hunting, then full length sizing, standard oal is great in case things get a little dirty it still functions fine

If you are bendch rest shooting at 500 plus yards, then neck sizing a fire formed case, and measuring out that specific rifles max overall length and funding that rifles best max load and favorite projectile really starts to make a difference


My hunting stuff is full length sized, loaded to max pressure, and a longer than standard oal, not maxxed oal, but a length that really gave me a great reliable grouping at 500 yards and everything in between.
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
finding reloading components here is no problem for nearly every caliber but youll pay a ton more to buy local. my FiL and I really only buy primers and powder local since there is usually such a high haz-mat fee for shipping it. a 6.5cm rifle is my next purchase and finding brass and bullets online hasnt been an issue.
new reloaders should stay away from wildcat cartridges until they learn moar IMO. and if you really want to k.i.s.s., go with a 308
Wish I could find my 8mm brass instead of cutting down 30 06 and 270 brass.

I agree, for a beginner k.I.s.sI like .223 .308
And 30.06 for simplicity.

I really like the .308 and 30.06 due to being able to stop at the local gas station and buy decent ammo at good prices if I should need it with confidence that it will be there
 

blindboxx2334

Turbo Monkey
Mar 19, 2013
1,340
101
Wets Coast
very nice! my buddy just told me that my local club/range has a left handed savage 111 in 30 06 well under the MSRP. Being a lefty and wanting to get into shooting long range, I am going to take a look at this this weekend and possibly buy my first bolt gun.

I know the 111s are not the highest in terms of quality. But, I think it would serve me well for my first bolt firearm and wanting to get into long range shooting.

For a lefty, is a left handed bolt an absolute must? I figured it wouldn't be that bad with a right hand bolt (as I could manipulate the bolt with my free hand).

What say ye @DirtyMike ?
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Two pieces of advice... First off about left or right handed... That's up to you, I know a lot of lefty shooters that use standard rifles and can shoot just as fast as anyone. The common complaint I will here is brass efejtion. Some right handed rifles will like to send that brass into your forehead in ejection. My pops is a lefty and shoots a standard rifle just fine.

As far as a used rifle goes, there are some things in this world I just do not buy used, guns are one of them unless I know the previous owner. You just don't know how well they did or did not take care of it. I mean saving some cash is great, but you may find the barrel is worn out, or the chamber is damaged, or stock is cracked... Either way, if you do go used, make sure to have a gunsmith check it out before money changes hands.

Personally, I believe it is safer to rack the gun with your firing hand, this makes you take your finger away from the trigger and reduces the possibility of a negligent discharge. On the range it will probably never happen, but hunting... Things happen.

Again, you have to look at what you really want to do with the rifle.
 

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Yeah drought affected us here as well, bunch of big bodied animals with small horns. FIL got himself a mulee buck on the last day, about 110 hanging. No elk yet for me, but the season for elk has been extended till February 15th in some regions here. Got almost 300 pounds in the freezer of venison and antelope. Would like love elk though. Going to go back out in a few weeks after they settle down