First gun show ever, advice?

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by speeder

That’s extremely generous, I’ll take it! Thank you.

Perfect.

It really is a nice rifle...I did clear this exchange with Jack so we are go to go!

The scope is average, but a go starting point.

[Jeff Higgins]

If you are actually planning on hunting in Wisconsin, check the regulations for the area you intend to hunt. Many counties prohibit hunting with rifles due to the close proximity of all of the farms to one another. These "shotgun only" counties allow shotguns with slugs or buckshot, of course, but they also sometimes allow handguns and even "straight cased" rifle rounds.

This latter "straight cased" thing sounds odd to non-riflemen, but there is an easy explanation. "Straight cased" rounds, like the old .45-70 (Gen. Custer's favorite...), .444 Marlin, and such shoot really heavy bullets really slow. A lot like a shotgun slug. So, game departments have deemed them "safe" for use in more crowded areas.

If you are planning on hunting back home in California, there are no limits, no "shotgun only" jurisdictions. The sky's the limit. You've already gotten good advice on what would be appropriate - a simple bolt action in .30-'06. It is the ubiquitous hunting round not only in the U.S., but around the world today.

[Seahawk]

Jeff is of course right.

Here are some pictures I snapped a few minutes ago. Let me know if it works for you.

Case is included.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by speeder

Thanks and you are absolutely right. I was definitely thinking used on the rifle, the problem is that I don’t know how to look at one like I do a used car or chainsaw. I’ll just go and look around, maybe get a deal on some ammo for pistols(?) Can I at least count on that or are the prices just normal?

Winchester model 70's especially the pre 1964's with sn's under 580K...30/06 is the most common and is a good all around cartridge..look down the bore..nice bright and shiny with well defined lands and grooves. Then check the bluing to see if it has been refinished, then the stock for cracks and alterations which includes after market rubber butt plates. You want it to be as close to new as possible..Every spoon tells a story you just have to add up the details to see if it all hangs together.

You can also look at the post 85 win mdl 70's with the Mauser style Claw Extractors.. "G" prefix Sn's..

Scopes on rifles seem to add little value...unless it a Unertl tgt scope then it can be worth more than the rifle itself.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Jeff is of course right.

Here are some pictures I snapped a few minutes ago. Let me know if it works for you.

Case is included.

A sporterized 03A3...

That was a popular thing to do after WW2..turn a military rifle into a Civie sporter..

[tabs]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Sometimes you'll see people walking around selling a gun private party. I've picked up a few bargains that way. I think what you're looking for might be plentiful. Not many people looking for a 30-06, 270 or 30-30 as home protection.

Winchesters are always good as are Ruger and Browning. I've never been much into Remingtons. I think by the end of the show and talking with people you'll get a pretty good idea on your own of what to buy that works for you.

You mean like this...a Molot Vepr in 308 (wt box) wt IOR 4 X24 Scope (Romanian Dragunov) 6 Russian mags and 69 rounds of ammo

[cabmandone]

What's the longest shot you anticipate taking in your hunting area? .308 is a good long range rifle. 30-06 is a good rifle but at longer distances can be problematic according to a good friend that has one. .270 is a good all around shooter. I bought a 450 last year because Ohio has a straight wall cartridge law for rifles during deer season. Solid rifle with good range. Dead nuts at 150 yards with enough "oomf" to do the job at that distance. I was told it has enough knockdown power to go beyond 200 but most of my shots are 50 yards or less.

The other plus for me with the 450 is that my friend has the dies to load .45 so we can build some custom loads to really dial the rifle in. I bought two boxes of Hornady Black to burn through just for the brass but they shoot pretty well. At 100 yards I have really nice 3 shot groups.

[tabs]

or this unusual Swede.. 6.5 X 55 M96..Presentation rifle to Mora Nisse..the famous Olympic Gold Medal Cross Country Skier.. a virtual Swede national hero.

It came with an autographed book..

[RNajarian]

I buy used from friends, new from the base gun store, competitive prices no tax.

Here is a 1943 1911A1 I bought from a friend.

She is stamped “Property US Government” and US Army.

WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. . .

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Denis, I have a "Sporterized" 1903 Springfield I bought from another PP guy many years ago. One of the greats here, btw.

With scope. The rifle, not Dave

Pay for shipping and it is yours.

Do a few searches...30.06.

Originally Posted by speeder

That’s extremely generous, I’ll take it! Thank you.

I have a 1907 vintage of that 30-06. It gives a pretty good kick so you want to put a butt pad on there. YMMV of course. At any rate you will enjoy this very fine rifle.

Good on you Paul!

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Jeff is of course right.

Here are some pictures I snapped a few minutes ago. Let me know if it works for you.

Case is included.

It looks fantastic, Paul. Deer hunting rifle, right? Or for other game? I may just become an outdoorsman yet, up here in the woods. Just need to learn to hunt and fish!

I stopped by the gun show, it was actually yesterday and today so things were sort of wrapping-up. Saw a lot of nice pieces, at least to my eye. I got fixated on one table where the guy had a bunch of nice rifles and was seriously looking at his Merlin .22 rifle w scope for squirrels up here. My stepdad used to shoot them w a 410 shotgun, there are spent shells all over the place. We have a huge veggie garden and every type of bird feeder and bird house known to man up here so squirrels are the enemy. And they’re ubiquitous. I want to shoot them w a .22, slightly more sporting.

So I’m almost ready to buy the Merlin w a cheap scope for $250 when I remember the Pelican advice and google it...Basspros has it brand new for $190!!

Here is the table and gun and the ad for it new, (middle gun in second photo):

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/marlin-model-60-semi-auto-rimfire-rifle

[speeder]

Tabs, you have a nice collection. No surprises there.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

I buy used from friends, new from the base gun store, competitive prices no tax.

Here is a 1943 1911A1 I bought from a friend.

She is stamped “Property US Government” and US Army.

WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. . .

Looks like a reworked Ithaca.





1941 Colt..

[93nav]

For squirrels, I suggest an adult air rifle. Not sure how close your neighbors are, which can make a big difference.

If you want a .22, Ruger's 10/22 can be as stock or customized ($$$) as you want.

Originally Posted by speeder

I stopped by the gun show, it was actually yesterday and today so things were sort of wrapping-up. Saw a lot of nice pieces, at least to my eye. I got fixated on one table where the guy had a bunch of nice rifles and was seriously looking at his Merlin .22 rifle w scope for squirrels up here. My stepdad used to shoot them w a 410 shotgun, there are spent shells all over the place. We have a huge veggie garden and every type of bird feeder and bird house known to man up here so squirrels are the enemy. And they’re ubiquitous. I want to shoot them w a .22, slightly more sporting.

So I’m almost ready to buy the Merlin w a cheap scope for $250 when I remember the Pelican advice and google it...Basspros has it brand new for $190!!

Here is the table and gun and the ad for it new, (middle gun in second photo):

[tabs]

Originally Posted by speeder

Tabs, you have a nice collection. No surprises there.

thx

[Arizona_928]

They are hit or miss. Just like the established swap meet. Come early. Bring cash. Bargain.

[Arizona_928]

I regret not buying a vepr before BarryO banned them. what a dick

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by cabmando

What's the longest shot you anticipate taking in your hunting area? .308 is a good long range rifle. 30-06 is a good rifle but at longer distances can be problematic according to a good friend that has one.

That is an interesting assessment of the .308 and the .30-'06. You are absolutely correct in that the .308 does well at long range (long hunting range, anyway). The same holds true for the old '06, though. I'm kind of curious to hear what "problems" it might have at long range.

They are essentially the same cartridge, ballistically speaking, in their original military loads. The .308 is just a shorter case, taking advantage of developments in propellents in the years between when the '06 was developed and when it was developed in the early '50's. The .308 is just a more efficient round, in its military guise. Plus it feeds better in autoloaders, due to its shorter length.

Taking advantage of those same modern developments in propellents in the .30-'06, we can dramatically increase its performance. It will shoot the same bullets about 200 fps faster than the .308 can shoot them. As such, it has a bit of an edge over the .308 in downrange performance, especially as range increases.

Here they are for comparison:

Originally Posted by cabmando

.270 is a good all around shooter. I bought a 450 last year because Ohio has a straight wall cartridge law for rifles during deer season. Solid rifle with good range. Dead nuts at 150 yards with enough "oomf" to do the job at that distance. I was told it has enough knockdown power to go beyond 200 but most of my shots are 50 yards or less.

The other plus for me with the 450 is that my friend has the dies to load .45 so we can build some custom loads to really dial the rifle in. I bought two boxes of Hornady Black to burn through just for the brass but they shoot pretty well. At 100 yards I have really nice 3 shot groups.

Yes, the .270 is a wonderful all around hunting caliber. Utilizing the .30-'06 case simply necked down to hold .277" diameter bullets, it's one of our all-time classics. Can't go wrong with one of those. If there were ever a classic mule deer round, this would be it.

Your .450 Marlin is likewise a fantastic round. It was Marlin's answer to guys like me hot-rodding our .45-70 loads for use in their 1895 rifle. They liked the ballistics we were achieving, but it scared the hell out of them to offer those hot .45-70 loads - they were afraid one would wind up in an old Trapdoor Springfield, or Ballard single shot, or similarly weak action. One of those loads would blow such a rifle to pieces, likely killing the poor nut behind the butt.

Myself, I have some tricks to ensure my "Marlin loads" only fit in my Marlin, since I do have weak vintage rifles in .45-70 that would be destroyed by one of them. Marlin didn't really have that option, though, so they made sure by putting the belt on it. Good move on their part. It made our monster loads finally available to folks who don't hand load, and it did it safely.

Talk about the perfect rifle and load for these "straight case" zones. Shoots flat enough to not have to worry about trajectory at any range you can realistically see anything at in that kind of cover, and it hits like a ton of bricks. There is a little problem with recoil, though...

[tabs]

Originally Posted by AZ_porschekid

I regret not buying a vepr before BarryO banned them. what a dick

KVAR still has the 308 in stock...

[cabmandone]

Jeff,
I don't recall what my friend's issue was exactly with the 30-06. I just remember him saying for longer shots it would be a bit erratic. He seems to prefer his .308 for longer shots. I don't know what distance he was shooting to be honest and never saw him shoot his 06.