The firearm thread

[Mr Merde]

Today I stumbled across a Tikka T3 270WSM on special (last years stock... terrible that...)... and it's $150 cheaper then this years model and comes with better rings than the current model

So my question is simple. What's the top three most important creature comforts you suggest I put in the dog box if the stay is of a medium to long duration?

The cooker, the TV and the fridge.

Or an even simpler remedy would be to put

THE MISSUS there

[ManDownUnder]

The cooker, the TV and the fridge.

Or an even simpler remedy would be to put

THE MISSUS there

LOL I gues that's why they call it "happy camper". I ain't going to be allowed in the house for a bit.

[ManDownUnder]

Reloading question...

What's the shelf life of reloaded 12g Shotshells? If I stock up on the bits needed and start making them, could I expect ammo made now to reliably fire next Easter (12 months from today).

I'd say so long as storage is dry etc it should be fine... but is there anything else I should keep in mind?

[Mr Merde]

Reloading question...

What's the shelf life of reloaded 12g Shotshells? If I stock up on the bits needed and start making them, could I expect ammo made now to reliably fire next Easter (12 months from today).

I'd say so long as storage is dry etc it should be fine... but is there anything else I should keep in mind?

As long as all care is taken in the making, and they are kept in a dry atmosphere I can see no problem with storage.

I regularly load BP shotgun and keep them for up to 6 months with no adverse problems. BP atracts moisture so after 6 months they are still serviceable then things must be sealed ok

If worried you could seal the folds with some sort of wax. This would be like wearing belt and braces but each to their own

[ManDownUnder]

As long as all care is taken in the making, and they are kept in a dry atmosphere I can see no problem with storage.

Cheers.

Might be worth buying some big airtight boxes and a few of those moisture absorbers then (as a double check). Take it out and freight it when I'm ready...

[Smokin]

I have done a heap of shotshell reloading over the years and had no problems using some old duck loads years later.
Like Mr Merde was saying, Ball powder is hydroscopic and if you can keep it air tight will last for years.
I always used winchester powder and I beleave good quality wads make all the difference to performance and a long shelf life.
Oh yeah, Don't overlook the cases, smooth sided hulls reload a lot better than the ribbed sided hulls.
What sort of press are you using?
I have a couple of powder bushes and charge bars for a "MEC" you are welcome to if they are of use.

[ManDownUnder]

I have a couple of powder bushes and charge bars for a "MEC" you are welcome to if they are of use.

Ta man.

MEC Junior is what I'm looking at buying, stock up on cases from a friend of mine... or two... and Bob's your Aun't best battery powered friend...

Cases from the local skeet club that are up to it, load 'em up and we're away. I figure that they don;t have to be superb quality because on the bunny hunt they get flung left and right (buggered if I want to be scavaging around in the back of Crumpy's ute for the bastards) but then If I could put together some reliable loads it might be a fun intro to reloading - and save some cash at the same time...

My problem is then getting them down there - Air NZ get's scratchy about me carrying more than 5 kilos of ammo. Might need to courier or drive them down

[jrandom]

270WSM on special

You don't want a .270WSM.

Noisier, more recoil, expensive and harder-to-get ammo (have you seen what that shit costs in the shops?), a heavier gun, and all for what, an additional 25 metres of point-blank range?



.270's where it's at, man.

[scumdog]

You don't want a .270WSM.

Noisier, more recoil, expensive and harder-to-get ammo (have you seen what that shit costs in the shops?), a heavier gun, and all for what, an additional 25 metres of point-blank range?



.270's where it's at, man.

I reckon that too.

Often these whiz-bang magnum type crtrdiges fade into obscurity in a decade or so leaving you with (more) expensive ammo to buy.

270
30-06
308
303

all good calibres for NZ and have been around for centiries - and almoast all manufacturers make rifles and bullets in these calibre.

Sure, 25-06 7mm-08 etc are good too - but not what you generally NEED and no real advantage.

[ManDownUnder]

You don't want a .270WSM.

Noisier, more recoil, expensive and harder-to-get ammo (have you seen what that shit costs in the shops?), a heavier gun, and all for what, an additional 25 metres of point-blank range?



.270's where it's at, man.

too late - the deal was done last night. Besides... the recoils not an issue (try doing the bunny shoot sometime... 150 to 200 rounds of 12g ammo turning your sholder a strange shade of "cow poo bruising".)

The recoil doesn't worry me, and the price of ammo's just an excuse to get into reloading. I'm a happy camper!... Next purchase - a scope, some reloading gear and a chest freezer...

Oh and the 270WSM was on special, comes with the better optilock rings (the '08 model has Ali ones apparently - and they're not up to it). Price was good (discounted in fact).

Meh - you get to say I told you so later... hell - I'll even shout you the beer so your mouth won't dry out.

[jrandom]

too late - the deal was done last night.

Oh well.

In that case, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on the choice of your fine new rifle and kiss your arse in the hope of getting a play with it sometime.

[ManDownUnder]

Oh well.

In that case, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on the choice of your fine new rifle and kiss your arse in the hope of getting a play with it sometime.

LOL.... no worries man. I need to find somewhere overrun with Venisons too... I know of a couple already, but somewhere within 2 hours of Akl would be good.

Did I tell you about the 80-90 goats that went "bang/dead" last weekend??? NOICE!

[Smokin]

Ta man.

MEC Junior is what I'm looking at buying, stock up on cases from a friend of mine... or two... and Bob's your Aun't best battery powered friend...

Cases from the local skeet club that are up to it, load 'em up and we're away. I figure that they don;t have to be superb quality because on the bunny hunt they get flung left and right (buggered if I want to be scavaging around in the back of Crumpy's ute for the bastards) but then If I could put together some reliable loads it might be a fun intro to reloading - and save some cash at the same time...

My problem is then getting them down there - Air NZ get's scratchy about me carrying more than 5 kilos of ammo. Might need to courier or drive them down

from memory the ribbed cases didn't have a taper inside and didn't seal well if you had the wrong wads, Things may have changed tho as It must be at least 8 years since I last reloaded.

You could always bring down your gear and reload them all the night before.
Surely 2 kilo's of ball powder wouldn't raise their eyebrows .

Oh and Crumpy has sold the Hilux. He's got a Jeep Wrangler soft top now .

[jrandom]

Did I tell you about the 80-90 goats that went "bang/dead" last weekend???

That's a whole lotta goat curry.

[ManDownUnder]

from memory the ribbed cases didn't have a taper inside and didn't seal well if you had the wrong wads, Things may have changed tho as It must be at least 8 years since I last reloaded.

all the ladies say ribbed is better though...!

You could always bring down your gear and reload them all the night before.

Surely 2 kilo's of ball powder wouldn't raise their eyebrows .

It's not air NZ I'm worried about - imagine doing that on the front lawn at camp mothers in the dark after a few beers...