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copyright 2008 - Stephen Redgwell
ARE YOU A NEW HUNTER OR SHOOTER?
One of the downsides to the Internets is the continual regurgitation of bad or questionable information. I'm thinking
about stuff that someone else posted to your favourite gun board a few minutes ago that they read somewhere else.
According to friends of wildlife biologists that post to the Web, deer have evolved and are harder to kill now. It's a
fact! I read that on a blog or web page somewhere...Anyway, since whitetails and the other ungulates have become tougher,
older cartridges like the 30-30, 303 British, 243 Winchester, 257 Roberts, 6mm Remington and the 35 Remington aren't good
enough anymore. I'm thinking that you might want to avoid the 308 Winchester, 7mm-08 and 270 Winchester as well, just to be
on the safe side.
I know that you're new to hunting, but you must accept that real sportsmen do not use these calibers - despite what well
meaning friends or gun club acquaintances say! And while I'm on the subject, many of the firearms chambered for these cartridges
are referred to as "women's and youth rifles". That means they're soft recoiling, underpowered guns, fit to be used
by the weak and inexperienced only. This is an official term used by many gun writers of note. That should tell you something!
Your father or grandfather may try to convince you that these old, tired cartridges and rifles are fine for deer, but
save yourself a lot of grief; don't listen!! They are yesterday's designs that will wound more game than anything else. You
can read all about it on the Internets! Bless their hearts, your father or grandfather may think they're helping, but their
years of successful deer hunting were done in an age of genetically inferior animals.
It's vitally important to remember that women's or youth rifles like the 243 Winchester are fine as a training aid, but
are only suitable for use at the range, NEVER in the field! They must be abandoned as quickly as possible. Even with the premium
bullets available these days, they just aren't up to the job.
Varmint cartridges like the 22-250 or 223 Remington should be avoided too. They are old news. Look for the WSM/WSSM mark
to ensure quality and sufficient power. On a web page somewhere I read that WSM stands for "Widens Success Margins".
You simply lay out a few hundred dollars extra for that stamp on your rifle and reloading equipment to increase your chances!
Seasoned hunters that post to the Web never recommend any of the older, inferior cartridges OR the rifles that are chambered
for them! This is important to remember. Ancient designs like the lever action Model 94, single shots of any flavour or any
new rifle that retails for less than $500 should never be used. Of the newer firearms, Savage and Stevens rifles come to mind.
I read on the Net somewhere that all the aforementioned actions - whether used or newly made - are weak, springy, use
inferior stocks and aren't particularly accurate.
This is what the smart cyber-hunter recommends: Buy any rifle that costs about $800 or more and is chambered for a new
magnum cartridge. As a minimum, add a Leupold scope - although, Zeiss or Swarovski glass would be better. Don't forget a new,
after market trigger too, and ditch the factory stock!
The new hunter or shooter doesn't understand all the extra equipment that's needed for a successful range or hunting trip,
so thank goodness the cyber-experts are around!
Once the rifle is correctly configured, you've got to start reloading...right away! The longer you put it off, the more
disappointed you will be, as your rifle continues producing so-so groups. That, my friend, is a guarantee! See, most rifles
are capable of printing .25 inch clusters IF you make the alterations I mentioned earlier. But you also have to slave over
a reloading bench for many hours too, in search of the perfect load.
Avoid Lee, RCBS and Lyman products. Redding or Forster competition sets are the only dies you should ever buy. You should
even look at professional equipment made by companies like Wilson or Harrell. They really are the minimum standard, not only
for target shooters but for serious hunters as well.
Scour the Internets for custom, high end benchrest and target shooting websites. Sinclair International is the perfect
place to start. And remember, dies are only the beginning. You need enough accessory equipment to properly trim brass to length,
uniformly cut case necks for concentric thickness and form perfect flash holes.
Proper weigh scales are a must. They should be the kind that connects to a powder dispenser so that your propellant charges
are within 0.0001 of a grain every time. Stay away from old fashioned beam scales or electronic devices that cost less than
$200. It's a well known fact that you must pay significantly more for quality. Don't skimp!
Use only match primers. They are specially chosen for their uniformity. Although they cost more than the standard ones,
your groups cannot be under an inch without them. Don't forget to buy bullets from either a custom bullet maker or, if you're
reloading for hunting, a premium bullet maker. Old fashioned cup and core bullets like the Remington Core Lokt will not shoot
straight from your rifle. Check the hunting forums on the Web. Read and learn. It's all there.
The last thing is brass. Like fine wine, you must only buy imported stuff like the kind made by Norma or Lapua. Remington
and Winchester cases are second rate. Real hunters and competitors do not use them. If they did, you would read about it on
the Internets.
Let's recap. Spend over $800 on your rifle. Three to four times that if it's destined for competition. You'll also have
to get rid of the original barrel and replace it with a custom, after market brand. Plan on $600 or more for that. Your scope
sights and bases must cost at least $800 - preferably more. Replace your trigger and stock. That will cost $500 to $800. Don't
scrimp on reloading equipment or components. Expect to pay at least $1500 for your press, dies and accessories at the minimum!
As you gain experience, you can add more accessories to optimize your rifle/cartridge performance.
You will need to spend approximately ten hours a week at the reloading bench at the beginning. There's a lot to learn.
Additionally, expect to spend at least that amount of time at the range just testing your work. Internet posters all report
that their factory rifles shoot 0.25 inch groups with reloads - even the Savages. If handloads will improve the performance
of a Savage, just imagine what they will do with a real rifle!
Assembling cartridges is all part of the enjoyment. If you're married, dating or simply have friends that you visit on
nights or weekends, tell them not to expect you around as much as before. Sacrifices have to be made. Your social life will
have to be curtailed. No more friends over on game night because there won't be one anymore.
In the past, some people have sold off possessions or got a second job in order to purchase the extras needed by successful
hunters and shooters. That's not necessary. Try walking to work a couple of days a week and eat more macaroni and cheese.
Keep the heat and air conditioning down or turn it off completely. Change your cable or satellite to the basic service. If
you have extra features on your phone like call display or messaging, cancel them. You should also stop using your cell phone.
If you look around the house, there are plenty of ways to come up with the money to pay for your shooting equipment.
If you're a new hunter, don't be discouraged by the thousands of dollars your new hobby will cost. Money is to spend.
Don't be put off by the advice of experienced hunters and shooters. Don't become too depressed about the loss of any free
time. Forget about friends or relationships with others. You know, if people really care for you as a person, they'll let
you go and you can return to them when you're ready.
Just let the Internets experts guide you and you'll be happy.
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