Guns and Shooting.

[Sparky Mark]

Happy New Year to you All!!

I'm just about to invest in a new rifle - belated Christmas Pressie.

I was wondering if any of you in the Wellington region are members of gun clubs or ranges that may be able to take me out for shoot or two before I join a club of myself. I'm looking into Deerstalkers etc but It would also be useful to meet someone with a bit more knowledge than me who can help me with stripping down, cleaning etc.

Please PM me if this applies. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Wolf]

It would also be useful to meet someone with a bit more knowledge than me who can help me with stripping down, cleaning etc.

Well, take your shirt and trousers off, likewise any underwear, turn the tap thingy on the shower and step in, soap is optional and...

Couldn't resist. Nope, not strictly true, could resist, decided not to.

Anyroad, congrats on the weapon. What'd you get yourself?

[scumdog]

So c'mon already, what is the new musket?? Give us some detail, calibre, make, action etc.

[Colapop]

Wanna loan it and shoot at yourself?

[Sniper]

Oooo Oooo, what did ya get?

[Sparky Mark]

Thanks for your comments guys - Wolf, whats that 'shower' thing you mentioned??

Anyway, I've not ordered yet but will do this week. I'm currently trying to decide between two:

308 Saiga Carbine. Based on the ak47 action.

7.62x39 Norinco SKS. I think also based on the ak47.

Both semi auto's, good reliable all rounders apparently, and great as bush guns. I'm leaning toward the 308 at the moment but it doesn't come with a scope which is another $299.

Any advice?

[geoffm]

Thanks for your comments guys - Wolf, whats that 'shower' thing you mentioned??

Anyway, I've not ordered yet but will do this week. I'm currently trying to decide between two:

308 Saiga Carbine. Based on the ak47 action.

7.62x39 Norinco SKS. I think also based on the ak47.

Both semi auto's, good reliable all rounders apparently, and great as bush guns. I'm leaning toward the 308 at the moment but it doesn't come with a scope which is another $299.

Any advice?

/anorak mode on/
The SKS is similar to the AK action, but is a forerunner. Mr Siminov invented it towards the end of WW2. Mr K didn't come along until a few years later. Both solid if not particualry accurate rifles - around 4" at 100m.
/anorak mode off
I prefer bolt action gusn for hunting, but that is me.
I find the SKS stocks to be way short and uncomfortable - i got a Fibreforce stock for mine which was a big improvement. I would go for the Saiga.
Are you sure it is .308 - I thought they were 7.62x39.
The 7.62 round is good to 100m and a bit, but not a great one for much further. The Chinese ammo is cheap. Handloads or quality ammo will tighten the groups a bit
As far as scopes go, the SKS isn't easy to mount a scope on properly. The mounts that replace the dust cover aren't that strong, and the empty cases hammer the hell out of the scope, unless you get a real short one. A good bolt action is more accurate and easier to mount a scope on. Don't cheap out buying a scope - the no-name Chinese ones are rubbish. Some of the Tascos are ok - it is luck of the draw. The Leupold on my.223 is nice - and cost more than the gun.
Geoff

[Hitcher]

If you want to kill something, don't use a 308, particularly anything modelled on an AK47. My preference is bolt-action. My grandad had a wonderful Winchester Model 70 30-06. An absolute dream hunting rifle. I'm also a fan of the Ruger M77, in its .204 form.

[scumdog]

Yeah, don't wish to knock the wind out of your Christmas present sails but I'd go for a reasonable quality bolt-action 308 with a top-notch 4 X 40 scope (or if you're really rich, a 3 to 9 power variable, also of top-notch quality)

I use a Sako 308 lever-action, had it since new and wouldn't part with it ever, faster than a bolt-action, just as accurate and suits my left-handedness
Can't get 'em new anymore which is a shame.

[Velox]

Evidently the Ohariu deerstalkers range is free for visitors on Sundays. I didn't even know there was one out there but that's what the guy up at Collings and Bradey told me.

If you ever want to ping a few goats, me, VaselineWarrior, transformerboy and assorted Wgtnonians head up the back of my place/neighbours places occassionaly. Got six just behind the house yesterday!

[Fatjim]

Shit I'm in, sick of getting rabbits with the bike. I might need that 200 round mag that fits on my ruger. Might miss with the first 199.

[Sniper]

Shit I'm in, sick of getting rabbits with the bike. I might need that 200 round mag that fits on my ruger. Might miss with the first 199.

How the hell do you miss anything with a ruger????

[Beemer]

There is a place called Deadeye Dick's Shooting Supplies in Levin - they could be worth contacting, the number is 06-367-8052 or 025 SKIN IT (754-648).

[Uncle B]

308 as a bush gun!!!!!
Best for the bush I ever used was a 30-30 lever action.

I did shoot a Punga Bear with a 303.....it went SPLAT.

[VasalineWarrior]

Yep heard a lot of good things about that deadeye dicks. Sposed to be a bit of a mission to find the place though.
Nothing strictly wrong with anything based on an ak47 mate, as military rifles tend to have a lot of good characteristics (reliabilty, toughness yadayada) that carry through for hunting. I found with semi autos though that I tend to let my shot placement get sloppy, and end up using more rounds than I have to a lot of the time, but thats more a problem with me than the guns themselves. Shit, if you you can get a good deal on it with a scope id say buy it. And if you miss at least ammo is cheap!