The firearm thread

[Drunken Monkey]

I'm surprised this discussion hasn't moved the the weekend just passed; did no-one else here go to the Auckland gun fair?

A lot of .303's and similar vintage rifles. Some WWII paraphernalia and stuff. Not a lot of stuff really, didn't take long to eyeball the wares. My mate is after one of those new issue replica FG-42's to complement his new collection. I just wanted to loose off some rounds from the M1 Garand to see if the clip really does sound like the noise on the movies...

[The Pastor]

Need to get permission for that?

for doc land? yeah need a permit, just the case of a quick phonecall to the doc office and u'll get one - they are free

[jono035]

I'm surprised this discussion hasn't moved the the weekend just passed; did no-one else here go to the Auckland gun fair?

A lot of .303's and similar vintage rifles. Some WWII paraphernalia and stuff. Not a lot of stuff really, didn't take long to eyeball the wares. My mate is after one of those new issue replica FG-42's to complement his new collection. I just wanted to loose off some rounds from the M1 Garand to see if the clip really does sound like the noise on the movies...

Yeah, Indy mentioned on saturday night that the gun show was on this weekend, meant to check it out on sunday but completely forgot... Bit of a piss-off, really.

[Swoop]

Slightly larger than a firearm... but interesting stuff.

For an idea of what range and accuracy we are talking about here, imagine setting up one of these artillery pieces at the base of the Auckland skytower. A round is fired and can hit the Miranda fish & chip shop... with pinpoint accuracy!



The U.S. Marines, like the U.S. Army, has been putting their artillery units through intensive training, so that they can get back to using their 155mm howitzers again. For some veteran artillerymen, they are firing their 155mm guns for the first time in four or five years, now that they are being sent to Afghanistan instead of Iraq. The marines are putting over 4,000 artillerymen through the training, and sending several of their 43 firing batteries (each with six M777 155mm towed artillery pieces) to Afghanistan.

In 2004, when the counter-terrorism campaign began in Iraq, it was quickly realized that artillery units were not needed much. Smart bombs were far more accurate and effective. There was a GPS guided artillery shell in the works (Excalibur) but it did not show up until 2007. So in the meantime, most army and marine artillery units were temporarily converted to light infantry, and performed security and counter-terrorism tasks. At the same time, many Cold War era artillery units back in the United States were disbanded, made obsolete with the arrival of GPS guided shells and MLRS rockets.

While the Excalibur proved useful in Iraq, it didn't increase the workload of the few 155mm howitzers that were being used there. But Afghanistan was a different story, with the troops spread over a much larger area. This was the kind of situation that the new M777 towed 155mm howitzer was made for. So the army and marine artillery battalions attached to combat brigades are again training on their howitzers, and preparing to operate as artillerymen again, in Afghanistan.

Four years ago, Canada brought six M777 155mm towed artillery pieces to Afghanistan when they realized that the older 105mm guns were not up to the task. The older 105mm howitzers lacked the accuracy and firepower needed. The 105mm shells weighed 33 pounds, versus the 90 pound 155mm ones. The M777s were needed in a hurry, so Canada got them from the U.S. Marine Corps, which has used the weapon for nearly a decade. Canada also got the new GPS guided 155mm Excalibur shell two years ago. Excalibur makes 155mm shells as accurate as smart bombs, and is considered necessary when artillery is used in proximity to civilians. Excalibur also reduces the number of shells used. The Excalibur also doubles the M777 range, to 40 kilometers, without losing any accuracy.

The M777 is a British design and, at four tons, is the lightest 155mm towed howitzer ever fielded. A lightweight 105mm howitzer weighs about two tons. M777 Fire control is handled by computerized system that allows faster response time and more accurate shooting. The Canadians have found the M777 accurate and reliable. In addition to hitting enemy troops, the Canadians have also found the M777 an effective negotiating tool. When discussing relationships with local tribal leaders, Canadian commanders have sometimes had an M777 put a shell in a nearby field or hill side, on command, to demonstrate what the Canadians have at their disposal. Afghans understand that sort of thing.

[no_8wire]

What calibre do people most commonly use for a deer rifle?

I have always had a thing for wooded 303's, but what do other people recommend for a good alround gun?

[Mr Merde]

What calibre do people most commonly use for a deer rifle?

I have always had a thing for wooded 303's, but what do other people recommend for a good alround gun?

How long is a piece of string?

You will get a myriad of answers as like all shooters we all have our favourites.

.243
7mm-08
.270
.308
.303
25-06
6.5 x 55

Take your pick. They are all good.

[wbks]

Why do target shooters (only short range I'm assuming) use those funky iron sights?

[JDK]

ummm i know the sights i used to have on my .22 indoor rifle could shoot 1 hole groups eazy even on my 45/70 they work OK think also alot work on your eye will find center so putting a ring arouns a black dot is kinda simple as long as the eye is getting the right amount of light and the sights are set to suit how your eye can center the pic it suppriseing how well they work ..
but keep in mind the distance is the same all the time and the pic ya see dose not change during a stage of shooting

try keeping a cross hair on a dot cutting it in to 1/4's it's a tad harder than just keeping a ring around a dot

scopes clearer pic of what ya shooting at some of the times i think covering up eye probs i know my own eyes some iron sights will give a fuzzy pic where as my scopes a crisp and clear pic ..

[Mr Merde]

Why do target shooters (only short range I'm assuming) use those funky iron sights?

When looking at an object through a hole it is instinctive for your brain to centre that object in the centre of the circle. So provided you do not change the position of your eye inh relation to the circle then you will be aligning the picture the same with every shot.

Check out the Soule type rear sights. A cup with a hole in it travels vertically up and down a pole. With these sights it is possible to get MOA at 1000 yards +.

Also you will find that the smaller the hole the crisper the foresight will be when observing it through the eye cup. Something to do with extraneous light. I am not an optical engineer so I cant really explain it.

Chris

[Mr Merde]

On another note.

It is with great regret that I have to inform some of you that the other half and I have decided it is time to sell up and move on.

After 3 years at the homestead we are finding it more and more a bind to travel too and from work.

That and my worsening health situation we feel that it is time we moved back into a town or at least the burbs.

So Pukekohe here we come.

It is going to take a few months before this all goes through so there will un doubtablky be plenty of time for quite a few more shoots at the Onewhero range,

Chris

[The Pastor]

Bit of shame, you have to move chirs, but thats life eh. Your place certainly has seen alot of shooting & good times.

If you need a hand with the move im sure myself and indy would be more than happy to help! - just in december when i get my licence bacK!

[The Pastor]

the north shore is a real nice place to live btw

[jono035]

That's a pity Chris, you have a beautiful house there and a pretty damn decent gun range to go with it!

If you need a hand with anything during the process just let me know. Plenty happy to spend a weekend hauling boxes in the station wagon or whatever else is required... (perhaps looking after some weaponry )

[jono035]

the north shore is a real nice place to live btw

No it isn't, there's this hooligan on a cbr250 that's always tearing the place up, haven't seen him in a few weeks though

[jono035]

What calibre do people most commonly use for a deer rifle?

I have always had a thing for wooded 303's, but what do other people recommend for a good alround gun?

I don't own any centerfire rifles but the tried and true .308 winchester seems to be the cartridge of choice for the 4-5 deer hunters among my friends and family.