Rifles and pistols and shotguns oh my!

[Bruce]

Get them some TNT and the will REALLY have a blast!

 

[Latestarter]

Well, can't get TNT, but can get tannerite... next best thing.

 

[NH homesteader]

Good stuff, tannerite.

 

[CntryBoy777]

The price is why I like the .22 so much, and shoot so often. But, I need a little bit bigger multi purpose with a bigger punch. The biggest predator around here would be coyote or bobcat, mainly coons and possums. I have a pistol, but I prefer a rifle...that's why I was thinking about the 30-30. Anybody have any Pros and Cons about it? Never shot one, so not familiar with it.

 

[soarwitheagles]

I couldn't agree more. Lots of practice on your part make you better than a 'generic' police officer because you have more practice than they do, at least once they graduate the academy. There is primarily one reason top biathletes can ski-stop-shoot repeatedly and rarely miss. Practice practice and more practice.

If he put 10 rounds through the same hole, how do you know he wasn't shooting blanks after the first? JK of course.

Bruce, I was thinking the same exact thing the first time I saw him shoot. Know what I did? I re-positioned myself so I could see if the rounds were hitting the berm behind the target...yes, every round was kicking up dust. I also positioned myself directly behind him a couple of times to make sure he was truly aiming at the target. He was. To be honest with you, the first few times I saw him shoot I was shocked. I never realized that type of consistent accuracy was even possible.

 

[soarwitheagles]

My favorite .22's are the Ruger 10/22, the Ruger SR22, and the Smith and Western 22A. We were fortunate because we purchased over 20,000 rounds when it was still 1-2 cents per round. Really do not shoot a lot of .22 so we still have quite a few. Sure wish the prices would come back down!

 

[greybeard]

Good stuff, tannerite.

Especially since they have the rimfire version (a .22 will detonate it--so will 20 ga #1 buckshot)

 

[Latestarter]

I have a Marlin 30.30 and it's a great "brush gun". It's shorter than a normal rifle, a lever action carbine, so it's easier to get it up fast in heavy brush. It's similar to the famous Winchester model 94. When I bought it, it was heavier than the Win and I felt, more solidly built. It packs a pretty good wallop out to 100 yards as you said, but after that the bullet trajectory drops off like a brick. I shoot over open sights with it and it's not a tight shooting rifle (for me) I get maybe 4" groups out to 70-80 yards. I also shoot a .243 that's a very accurate & flat shooter and can reach out farther. While the 30.30 is a 150-180 grain bullet typically, the .243 is 80-100 grain. a lot less recoil than the 30.30 as well. Either will easily take down a coyote. The ammo costs about the same with the .243 maybe being slightly higher. http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...in-sp-core-lokt-170-grain-20-rounds?a=1593686 @$15.67/box or http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...3-winchester-100-grain-sp-20-rounds?a=1800263 @$18.99/box. There is slightly cheaper off brand name ammo available for both.

If you compare the ballistics, they have about the same energy at muzzle and out to 100 yards, but after that the .243 has a much higher energy due to its faster velocity even though a smaller bullet. http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/ballistic-chart/remington_charts/3030wbal.htm http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/ballistic-chart/remington_charts/243winbal.htm
http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/ballistic-chart/remington_charts/243winbal.htm
The lowest price I can find available for .22 ammo right now is ~9 cents a round. Sportsman's guide advertises bulk .22 at ~4-5 cents a round, but it's never in stock. I've submitted to be notified when it is in stock but after 30-45 days I get an Email that says it's been discontinued (but for some reason it's still being advertised).

 

[Bruce]

I don't guess a guy could use tannerite to blow up a rock or ledge in a hole.

 

[greybeard]

I've used it to uproot stumps--no rock here.