Posted on 09/27/2005 5:35:15 AM PDT by beaureguard
Thanks for your following letter, Matt, which I received this afternoon:
Do you think at some point you could write a column on some of the basics of getting into the world of firearms? Specifically, I'm looking for tips on acquiring weapons for home defense and hunting. While I'm not a survivalist weirdo, I have no intention of waiting for any level of government to ride to the rescue, should bad times come along.
Since I have been hit with numerous requests (mostly post-Katrina) from people looking for that first firearm, I am pleased to respond with a column on the topic. Since you used the word “weapons” (plural) and spoke of “getting into the world of firearms” (again plural) I have a number of recommendations for you. And here they are:
Marlin .22 Magnum, Model 25 MN. We are going to start you off with an inexpensive gun you can easily pick up at WalMart. I bought my Model 25 five years ago for just $150, although they cost about $170 now. Take your new .22 magnum out to the country and fire a few shots at a paper plate taped on the side of a tree stump. Start out at 25 yards. When you get confident, you can put an inexpensive Simmons scope on it for those 50-yard raccoon shots. I have a big back yard and, for me, a part of home defense is getting rid of those raccoons that tear up everything in sight. Your varmint problems will soon be a thing of the past with this little bolt action rifle. It will also teach you patience and shot discipline better than a .22 semi-automatic. Remember, Matt, every shot counts so don’t waste ammo. In fact, make sure that you always buy more than you just shot after a day at the range. Some people call that stockpiling. I call it an investment in your future.
Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum, Model 686. I usually recommend a four-inch barrel but I want you to get a six-inch stainless model. This will help you in the realm of hunting and self-defense. For example, a 145-grain Winchester silver tip will stop that coyote you run into while deer hunting. It will also help stop any intruder (it will even stop his pit bull, for that matter). Keep this gun under your bed and loaded at all times.
Also, this is a great revolver for your wife (assuming you are married, which is another choice I recommend) to get used to shooting. Put some light 110-grain .38 Special rounds in it and see how she likes it. With a big six-inch barrel, it will be easy to handle with hardly any recoil.
Benelli Nova 12-gauge. I have a couple of Remington 870 pump shotguns. But, recently, I bought a 24-inch barrel Nova with Advantage Timber camouflage. I will use mine – a super magnum that takes 3 ½-inch loads – to hunt a turkey this Thanksgiving. You can use yours for varmint hunting, quail hunting, and a number of other purposes with the right 2 3/4 –inch load. Some light buckshot will also make this a good home defense weapon, provided you are in an open space (the barrel is a little long for this particular function).
Stoeger Double-barreled 20-gauge Supreme Coach Gun. If you really want your wife to get into this (to make it a family affair), she needs her own shotgun. I recommend the nickel-plated version because it’s so darned pretty. Let her keep it under her side of the bed and, please, stay on her good side. For more details, see this link: http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/coach-supreme.tpl.
Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. A lot of people who saw what recently happened in New Orleans have concluded that every man needs an assault rifle. I came to that conclusion years ago. Go to WalMart and get this nice .223 semi-automatic for around $500 (I got mine when they were $375). Then get a scope (the rings are included with this model). I would also recommend several 30-round magazines by Thurmold. I have fired hundreds of rounds through mine without a single jam – even when firing as rapidly as possible. You might also want a flash suppressor, which will keep the muzzle low while you fire away. This is a fun gun that helps explain why I never picked up golf.
Browning A-bolt .270. And, of course, you will need a long-range bolt action rifle when you start bagging deer. My 30.06 Browning A-Bolt Medallion is probably my favorite weapon. Deer, black bear, and boar like it much less. I recommend the .270 to the novice because it has less recoil and will still get the job done. Winchester Power Point rounds (130-grain bullets) are very cheap and more than adequate. Mail me later for venison recipes.
Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull. I have no business recommending this gun to you, Matt. Nonetheless, buy it anyway. This gun takes Colt 45 rounds that are great for home defense. When, somewhere down the road, you feel like handling a very powerful handgun, this will provide some great entertainment with the .454 Casull rounds. Get the model with the 9 ½-inch barrel and kill a wild boar. Then kill a black bear. Then put a scope on it (the scope rings are included) and kill a deer at 100 yards. After you are done with your assignments, call me and let me know whether I have given you good advice.
Thanks for writing, Matt. And welcome to my world.
IIRC The Ruger Mini-30 is chambered for the 7.62x39.
which caliber is better?
As to which caliber is "better"...
First, you should know that I'm a bit biased. I own four rifles chambered for the 7.62x39 cartridge - 2 SKS rifles, a WASR-10, and an Interarms Mark X (a bolt-action "mini" mauser - my deer rifle).
I own zero rifles chambered for the .223 Remington/5.56 Nato.
Which is "better" is also relative, and depends on what the rifle will be used for.
The .223 Remington has a higher muzzle velocity (and less bullet weight) than the 7.62x39, so it will have a flatter trajectory.
However, the 7.62x39 will deliver more foot-pounds of energy to the target.
If you want to compare the ballistics of the 7.62x39 & .223 cartridges, there are two ballistic programs I recommend (assuming you aren't already familiar with these):
The first is free: Remington Shoot! (Limited to Remington ammunition.)
The second is shareware (30 day evaluation): Shoot! v3.0
Shoot! v3 includes data from most (if not all) ammunition manufacturers. You can compare any three cartridges (any caliber, bullet weight, etc.)
You may also enter your own load data, if you wish.
(She's also a 5th kyu in Aikido. The boys treat her with respect.)
But my hubby (6'6" and about 240#) looks 'em in the eye and gives them a very firm handshake when they come over. It's "Yessir" and "Nossir". A Good Thing.
thanks.
So the mini-30 is better for closser stopping power, which would be good for a "city" environment.
Hey, that's what the .455 Webley is for! Truly a Blunt Instrument in every sense of the word.
But anybody who hunts dangerous game with anything smaller than a .348 Winchester or .375 Holland & Holland is not much brighter than that idiot who tried to talk to the grizzly bears and got eaten for his pains.
Ok everyone is bragging on their kids. This is my daughter and Mother of two of my grandchildren. She was named teacher of the year for her entire district last year.
We were shooting on my parents property in N. Fla. It was really cold that day too.
More than ten actually. I didn't want to give an exact number but, what the hell. Seventeen seems to be the number if I counted correctly. Ten should be a nice round starting point for any home arsenal.
Benelli makes some fantastic shotguns. The nova is among the worst of them. Not terrible by any stretch but not one I would recommend.
Bump for later perusal
If you're going to go 7.62x39, you can get a SKS or an AK clone for less money. The MSRP for a mini-30 is $809, you can get a Yugoslavian SKS for $179, or a Hungarian or Romanian AK for around $4-500. I'm not an AK guy, so look around for better info.
Personally, in a city environment, I'd choose a 12 gauge pump shotgun. Less worry about over-penetration.
In fact, I just picked up some Winchester "Super Speed Xtra" shot shells. More muzzle velocity (IIRC 55 fps) than their standard shot shells, and "hard shot for improved patterns" and "improved knockdown power".
With that being said, if I had only the .223 and 7.62x39 to choose from, I'd buy something chambered for the 7.62x39, and load it with soft-point hunting ammo. (Or 7.62x39 hollow-points.)
But I don't live in the city.
At one point, when for some reason I like the idea of ridiculous amounts of recoil in a handgun, I was going to get myself a T/C Contender. This is years ago... At the time, I was either going to get it in .444 Marlin, 45-70, or (what was considered the world's most powerful handgun cartridge at that time), the .375JDJ. I just wanted to be sure that I'd never be bothered by varmints like cape buffalo in my back yard. You never know, one might show up! And just in case, it always pays to be prepared! I had the chance to meet a guy who happened to have a T/C in .444 Marlin, and one shot from that helped me decide that while interesting, I really didn't need to submit myself to that sort of abuse on a regular basis!
Still, the .375JDJ has been used to take all big game in North America, as well as Africa! Although I can't imagine shooting an elephant or cape buffalo with a bullet or 270 or 300 grains. Anything less than 500 grains just seems "weak."
Mark
Absolutely.
Look into a (Romanian) WASR-10 (semi-auto AK-47 knock-off). Chrome lined, and very reliable. Mine was $350.
SKS rifles (should) run less.
Personally, I'd avoid the Yugoslavian SKS rifles. They're not chrome lined.
You can find a bunch of info on both the SKS and AK/AKM here: http://www.surplusrifle.com/index.asp
Amen to that.
Explain, please, the difference between the two.
I wonder if a scout axe is the same as the Hudson Bay Axe. I have one and it is about half way between an axe and a hatchet. I like it but actually think a hatchet is better for most jobs and a full sized axe for others.
What I've seen across the net, and this just seems to make the most sense to me anyway...
.357 wheel gun with matching .357 carbine...
Smith & Wesson Models 620 .357 Magnum / Model 94 Ranger Compact .357 Magnum
Check out the Ruger forum. Lots of good advice and info on the sp 101 and other Rugers.
http://www.rugerforum.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/rugerforum/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro
You couldn't go wrong with the Ruger Mark II or Mark III. I've had a Ruger for 30 years and it's still dependable and accurate. Of course, ergonomics are important and if the Walther feels good in your hand, all things being equal that would be a good choice.
In my younger days I dropped a few deer with a .22 mag. It's a good gun but not for learning. .22 LR ammo is so cheap it's the logical choice for a newbie.
Just a note on your remark about jams with you first few rounds. You might try running a dry swab through the barrel before you start shooting to clean out the oil residue. That may help.
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