lead in the desert

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

A 2+ hour drive each way, but well worth it. Packed up the car, the boy and the g/f and headed into the CA desert with almost the full arsenal (left the p225 at home for the cats).

Once you get far enough into BLM land, you can do pretty much whatever you want. There are "shotgun-only" areas that are just north of the mountains, but as you get close to Barstow it is ok for rifle and pistol as well. You just can't shoot in the OHV areas.

It was the first day out for the Mini 14 and Remington 870. And the first time I'd shot a shotgun, and many many years since firing any "high power" rifle. After 700+ rounds into the hills, here is the short story:

the Mini 14 ROCKS!!! It was the favorite of all three shooters. Easy to shoot, well controlled, and easy to hit things you pointed at. There was a propane tank that someone had left from a previous session. That proved to be a popular target as you got audible feedback for a hit (was probably 30-40 yards away). It was the first time for everyone on the Mini 14, and the g/f towards the end of the day took 5 shots at the tank and had 5 "pings".

The 870 is a mean little bastard. Kicks like a mule. My shoulder is still sore. But a big bang indeed. I'll have to learn how to properly use it - one of my SMEs offered to teach me the ins and outs of 12 guage shooting and I'll have to take him up on it.

The scope on the 10/22 wasn't zero'd and we weren't really set up to do it. I got it somewhat close but frankly I found it easier to shoot without the scope. It was nice having that magnification though. The boy appreciated the Walther as out here he could empty the magazine in about 2 seconds with no one complaining.

Then it was some fast food in Victorville, and the rest of the drive home. Time to order more .223 and I think an M1 or M1A might have to be added. Or maybe another Mini 14. I certainly need to order up more magazines as the 2nd 5rd one turns out isn't for a Mini14 and couldn't be used. Arrghh. I have a couple 10 rnd Promags coming next week.

Ruger good...

vash · vash's Garage

dude, your son is getting big!

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

dude, your son is getting big!

yeah, I tried not feeding him but he keeps growing...

VINMAN · 03-01-2009, 04:38 PM

I'm jealous!!

Wish we had places around here like that to shoot at.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Used bowling pins.. Can be had dirt cheap and make great targets.

Jeff Higgins · 03-01-2009, 05:29 PM

Very cool. Plinking is just plain old good fun. It's especially cool that you are bringing the kid and g/f.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

If anyone has pointers on how to not have the 12 gauge work as a meat tenderizer on my shoulder, I'm all ears.

The Mini 14 though is awesome. A total delight to shoot, and I'm ordering another 2K rounds. So what is the fun 7.62/30.06 or equivalent? I suppose M1A (pricey) or an old M1 Garand. Any other choices?

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Make sure it is firmly planted and has no room to move.

lowyder993s · lowyder993s's Garage

kick-eez recoil pad... use that on my sporting clays gun, nary a bother.
Another thought...the trash left behind...that's what helps give the anti's ammo...I know you guys are responsible shooters.

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

If anyone has pointers on how to not have the 12 gauge work as a meat tenderizer on my shoulder, I'm all ears.

The Mini 14 though is awesome. A total delight to shoot, and I'm ordering another 2K rounds. So what is the fun 7.62/30.06 or equivalent? I suppose M1A (pricey) or an old M1 Garand. Any other choices?

SKS is a fun 7.62x39 counterpart. an old Russian M44 (or better yet M1891/30) would make a great bolt action, long distance rifle. the 7.62x54r is similar to the .308. you can buy the Mosin Nagant and 440 rounds of surplus ammo for just over $200.

941MXVET · 03-01-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

If anyone has pointers on how to not have the 12 gauge work as a meat tenderizer on my shoulder, I'm all ears.

Gun fit is the number one way to lessen felt recoil. Take your gun to a stock fitter and see what he can do. Or buy a gas operated semi-auto, Beretta, Browning, and Winchester (Virtually the same as Browning) make fine ones.

tabs · 03-01-2009, 07:08 PM

Son of a Betoch...so U were the co(ker sucker that was wizzing bullets past my house today..I had to duck the guy was shooting so wildly.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I didn't know you moved from Vegas to Hodge, CA. I wondered who was in that microwave tower...

Bill Douglas · 03-01-2009, 07:32 PM

As the other guys have said; hold it firmly on the shoulder and a custom fitted fitted recoil pad. A shotgun should be pointed, rather than aimed. So in other words, every time you pull it to your shoulder you are looking straight down the barrel - not a bit left or a bit right. I did a fair bit of skeet/claybird shooting and my recoil pad is offset so everytime I shoot at a claybird I just point the gun and pull the trigger. This would also be good for a self defence tatical situation too where you don't have time to aim. Shotguns are fun once they are sorted

and that 870 should be particuarly good.

charleskieffner · 03-02-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

If anyone has pointers on how to not have the 12 gauge work as a meat tenderizer on my shoulder, I'm all ears.

The Mini 14 though is awesome. A total delight to shoot, and I'm ordering another 2K rounds. So what is the fun 7.62/30.06 or equivalent? I suppose M1A (pricey) or an old M1 Garand. Any other choices?

in regard to the 870 pump. aside from a butt-pad, you can use a shoulder installed pad from various mfg's. or buy a jacket or vest with padding. you didnt say what rounds you were shooting???? 3" magnum double 00 or triple 000 buck would describe the pain. any other is a mere flesh wound with that damn club.

since i have blasted cases of rounds with mine over the years, plinking and bird hunting what i have found in general are that #6 bird shot is about your all around best everythang hunting round aside from giant honking canadian geese honkers or turkey. #6 is fairly easy to feel when chewing down on a nice quail/squirrel/dove and fairly easy to remove from yer mouth upon dining if food prep didnt dislodge or remove pellets. remember lead yer dead..........so it behooves you to either remove all lead shot or go to stainless shot.

when hunting use stainless its better for the environment/top of food chain predators and lord knows where you went shooting is obviously a classic kalifornia "green zone" for shooters eveidenced by all the crap left out there. a real plus for gun owners/off-road racers/jeepers/etc.

federal makes a low shoulder impact anti-personnal round for lil chicks on police depts. check em out they are nice and very easy to use when using weak side(ie.yer wounded on yer strong side and cant shoot) shooting techniques.

vash · vash's Garage

shoot lighter shotgun loads.

i also had a hogue recoil pad installed on mine. it made a diff.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Fun, fun, fun...

On my list of things to do - I've got another Mosin-Nagant and a Steyr M95 that I've not shot yet as well as one other long gun and a shotgun. Hoping to get out there (or maybe to "Place to Shoot" range) one of these days to test them all out. Of course getting a new job and having money to spend on ammo would help too...

Looks like you had a blast though!

VincentVega · 03-02-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Mosin-Nagant

You think the 870 kicks?

I dont shoot it much, but every time I do I have to laugh. It's PITA but oh so fun.

Jim Bremner · 03-02-2009, 07:24 AM

pelican atf day?

Zeke · 03-02-2009, 07:37 AM

No glasses?