A shotgun and other gun questions. [vanity]

July 6, 2010

[bjorn14]

I have come to realize that FReepers know more about guns than any group of people on the planet. So here goes.

Do you I need a special kind of shotgun that will take slugs (i.e. rifle-bore)?

Any recommendations for a .22LR semi-auto rifle for varmints and small game (14+1 or better)

Thanks you guys are the best.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

I love these threads.

[cgchief]

For the shotgun, I’ve used the Remington 870 for close to 40 years. It’s an extremely reliable design that’s been around for many years, plus it’s a very simple design and quite easy to maintain.

For the .22, I’d go with the AR-15 for a few reason. First it will satisfy your need for a varmint rifle and it is also satisfactory handling two legged varmints as well.

[Holen1]

Thank you.

[ASOC]

Yes. I have seen the Chinese copy of the 870 being sold for 139 USD locally. Very solid.

THe AR-15 can be converted to the 22LR, tho the device is expensive.

Just thought I would point out a low cost option.

Thanks for reading my post.

[deoetdoctrinae]

"Simmons 3x9 32MM about $50."

I got one of these last week at Gander Mountain. $50.00, less a $12.50 mail-in rebate. I took it to my indoor range to check it out and to do some initial zeroing (max 25 yard at the range).

After re-tightening the mounting rings (couldn't figure out why my shots were all over the place) it seemed to do just fine. I will make it to an outdoor range next week, and try to zero it for good groups at 50 yards.

BTW, I have it mounted on a Marlin Model 795 .22 semi-auto.

[Holen1]

Would that Simmons scope be the .22 Mag model by any chance?

[deoetdoctrinae]

Yes, that is the exact one.

[Holen1]

Cool. Just found a place nearby that carries it.

This FR place and internet thingy can be a real time saver. :-)

[deoetdoctrinae]

Hey Tarpon.

If I fire slugs in my Mossberg 500, should the choke tube be removed first? If not, does it make any difference which tube is in place when firing slugs?

Thanks for your advice.

[Tarpon]

My current “slug gun” is a full choke. If given the choice, I think you would probably want just a cylinder choke, but most chokes should be OK. The removable choke guns are now the fashion and should always be used with a choke tube. So I would follow the gun manufacturers recommendation.

The new Sabot-ed slugs have compressible Sabots around them, I have fired plenty of standard lead slugs with no noticeable effects. All went through a full choke 100 year old gun.

But to be safe, consult the gun manufacturers recommendation. You will probably want a set for whatever gun you buy anyway.

[Bender2]

Well... I recommend---

and American 180... as a neat varmit plunker.

About 10 grand here!

And the .22 ammo is so... cheap!

If there is a Red X go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American-180

[Bender2]

Gadzooks! Wrong... cut and paste!

About 10 grand at http://www.impactguns.com/store/MGT-B01010.html

[big'ol_freeper]

I recommend one of these personally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-inB65exXFU

[B4Ranch]

>>Shooting at such a target through the scope is dangerous;<<

Please expand on “WHY” is this dangerous.

[Bender2]

Yeah, but a box of 100 eight inch (203 mm) rounds for your Self-Propelled Howitzer M110... cost how much?

BTW 10 days 'til Cowboy's Training Camp starts... so have a cold one on me!

If red X above go to http://www.military-today.com/artillery/m110.jpg

[big'ol_freeper]

To a gun grape the cost is no obstacle....

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I like Marlin tube fed for rim fire instead of magazine fed.

Marlin Model 60SNWS Semi-Auto Rimfire Rifle, 22 LR, 19”, Synthetic Stock, Blue Finish, Scope Included, 14+1 Rds

Click to enlarge Stock # [60SNWS]
Our Low Price: $168.18

MARLIN FIREARMS CO
Marlin 14 + 1 22LR Semi-Automatic w/Scope & Synthetic Stock

After over eleven million 22 rifles made no one in the world sells more than Marlin. Their simple, fast actions are known far and wide for uncompromising reliability, and their ability to stand up under the wide range of conditions you'll encounter when shooting and hunting.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: 60SNWS
Category: FIREARMS - RIFLES
Action :Semi-Automatic
Caliber :22 Long Rifle
Barrel Length :19”
Capacity :14+1
Trigger :Single Stage
Safety :Cross Bolt
Length :37 1/2”
Weight :5 lbs
Stock :Synthetic
Finish :Blue

UPC: 026495074913

[Greysard]

>>Shooting at such a target through the scope is dangerous;<<

Please expand on “WHY” is this dangerous.

A typical varminter's scope is set to a high zoom factor for a shot at 100+ yards (and that's a pretty typical distance.) Mine is usually set for x20 during the shot. As result, you have a narrow field of view. If you are trying to follow the target looking through such a scope you can't see anything to the side, and if you just for a moment glance over the scope you probably will not be able to reacquire the target.

Needless to say, if you don't see what happens a few degrees to the left or to the right of your line of fire it may happen that you shoot and your bullet flies just a few yards away from a rancher. I'm sure that would be the last time ever he lets you to hunt there.

It is also possible that a truck or another vehicle may be moving across your line of fire. Your aim is not visible to anyone, so the worker would be oblivious to your actions until you shoot. You, wearing earplugs or earmuffs, may not hear the vehicle's engine. I use only electronic earmuffs, they let me hear everything and then some. But electronic earmuffs are not required by any law.

Or as you keep turning, aiming a bit ahead of the running animal and squeezing the trigger you might suddenly see a huge cow emerging in your scope. You may not be able to stop the trigger pull in time.

This is why I said that open sights don't have this problem - you see the entire field and have enough awareness to hunt safely. But a high zoom scope takes that away. And besides, that animal is running for its life, pretty fast, you just don't have time to look around, consider the backstop, the soil, dwellings and roads... and those are things you need to be aware of.

Also note that when I said "open sights don't have this problem" it's only half-true. Following a duck with a shotgun beyond your assigned sector of fire is a known cause of accidents in a shared blind.

I'm sure there are situations when, for example, you are comfortably sitting at the table in the middle of an empty field and are certain that your entire zone of fire is safe. Then you can shoot non-stop at anything that moves, if that's what you want :-) I went to such fields, they exist. But it's more common that you also have buildings, equipment, machinery, roads, cattle and people somewhere around you. This is why I mentioned that shooting at a fast moving target viewed through the scope is dangerous. You start with that assumption, and then make your own exceptions as circumstances allow.

There is also an ethical side, not related to safety. A hunter is expected to take an animal using his best and most accurate shot to cause an instant kill. It is not trivial to do even when your distant target is sunning on top of his mound and isn't yet interested in you. It is nearly impossible to do when the animal is running across the field, often making random turns.

I personally do the following. If I miss the target and it runs away, I let it run away. Varminting is rarely short of targets; it's not the last PD or squirrel that you see today. Besides, this very animal may drop into its burrow, but you can be absolutely sure that in five minutes it will be back above the ground, watching you, and then you will have another chance. Just take it easy, it's not a job :-)

[Dayman]

I’ve got more .22’s then you can swing a dead cat at and my absolute favorite one has always been a Henry lever action rifle. It shoots well and is just plain fun.

A ruger 10/22 is a good choice, but if you get one I’d really suggest spending an extra $30 on cheap modifications for a quick-release bolt release (you just pull the bolt back and let it go to undo the bolt hold open), and an extended magazine release. They make shooting the 10/22 a lot more pleasurable.

For a shotgun I’d get something common due to availability of parts. A Remington 870 would be ideal. Mossberg 500’s are good.

[Dayman]

This is my favorite .22 in the world.