Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

    Kevin,
    I bought my son a Rugar 10/22 a couple of christmases ago and we've
    had trouble with the Remington ammo jamming. The empty case doesn't
    eject fast enough. I think it might be the lubricant they're using
    or the amount of lubricant. Winchester works fine. I used the rest
    of the Remington ammo in my Remington bolt action. I'm a squirrel
    hunter myself and have put a small weaver variable on the bolt action. 
    I'm not really happy with it though. The field of view is to narrow. 
    Especially when your trying to follow a squirrel through the tree
    tops :^). Still it's improved my ability to get a clean kill over what
    I was doing with open sights. I think squirrel is one of the best
    eating critters out there and the best weapon is the 22. I've tried
    a twelve gauge from time to time but it spoils to much meat, especially
    at close range. I've got a 22 colt pistol and my son has an old
    single shot 22 which I believe is a remington rolling block. Let's
    keep this note active. I'd like to see a little more on the 22
    myself.
    
    Take Care,
    John

    
    
    I used to have a Remington Nylon 66.  I really liked it and would
    still be using it if some ba****d hand't stole it about 13 years
    ago.
    
    I recently purchased a Winchester M290 (semi-auto) for my 14 year
    old son.  I also put one of those little cheap Tasco 4x scopes on
    it.  You know, the kind that comes with a mount and only cost about
    $10.  When we sighted it in, we had to adjust the elevation all
    of the way out just to get the gun to not shoot low.  We were
    shooting mostly Federal Ammo, and I don't know how it might handle
    other ammo.  Anyway, I attribute that problem to the scope.  We
    did, however, get it to shooting pretty good.  The only other
    problem is that the trigger pull is awful.  Very hard.
    
    Jerry
                                              

    	I use a Ruger 10/22. Remington fodder works real fine, were
    as
    Winchester jams. 
    
    	As for the question in 463.0 as to what is the best .22 ammo
    to
    	use, buy 6 - 8 different brands, and spend a day at the range.
    Different rifles/handguns like different loads. Their cheap
    enough that 6-8 different boxes won't break the budget.
    
    	Red

    I own a pair of Anschultz' 22 bolt action rifles, actually one of them
    belongs to my daughter.  They both shoot any fodder fairly well but I
    find that Federal is the cleanest.  The only brand I now stay away from
    is PMC, it seems to have an excessive amount of lubricant.
    
    I have a Bushnell 3 X 7 variable on my Anchultz Kadett, it shoots 1"
    10 shot groups at 100yds.  
    
    When I used the PMC in my Single Six I spent more time cleaning the
    cylinder seats than the rest of the gun combined.
    
    Good shooting,
    Greg

    Great minds must think alike. I was going to look for a note on this
    topic. I plan on taking my wife's Win. Mdl. 9422 out for squirrel on 
    Saturday. 
    
    So far, we've put Federal Target Long Rifle, Remington Hi-Speed Long
    Rifle, and CCI Target Shorts through it without any problems. The Long
    Rifles seem to have the same point of impact and grouping. For the
    Shorts, I had to move the rear sight up one notch and then they were
    dead center at 25 yards. 
    
    My Ruger Single-Six likes all the above ammo also. The shorts hit dead
    center at 50 ft. with a sighted-in hold at 6 oclock just below the
    black but they drop about 3 inches when I shoot them at 25 yards. 
    
    The pistol seems to stay cleaner with Federal Target than with the Rem.
    Hi-Velocity. The Rem. ammo seems to have more grease/wax/? on the case
    and bullet than the Federal.
    
    To echo the question in the base note, what do people prefer for
    squirrel:
    
    	Long Rifle solid point
    	Long Rifle hollow point
    	Shorts
        Target, regular velocity, or high velocity?
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    Ed-who-is-anticipating-squirrel-pot-pie

    
    	I use a Ruger 10/22 and use primarily CCI mini-mag Hollow points
    for squirrel.  They're cheap and actually shoot as good as remington
    hollow points.  I've shot rabbits with this combination also.
    	I have a bushnell 4X big game scope on it that works out well
    (1" tube).  Gathers light better than the small tube .22 scopes
    and like someone before mentioned, it's got a much better field
    of view.
    	I love my 10/22 and have got to admit I've NEVER had it jam
    on any type of cartridge.  I was really surprised to hear some of
    you had problems with this.  I have also shot chucks and muskrats
    with it, but it's a little light for chucks unless you're up close
    and personal.
                 
    - Rob
    

    Like the man said, try as many different types of ammo as you
    can find. Shoot from a rest, measure your groups, record the
    sizes. (I like ten-shot groups at 50 yds. for a 22) When you 
    find a couple that group best stay with them. Look for a 
    bullet that shoots consistent, then try for head shots on the
    bushytails - you don't need hollowpoints or high velocity if 
    you're accurate. 
    
    I shoot a browning A-Bolt 22 with high power scope. It likes
    CCI Mini Mags, loves RWS target rifle (but the price, groan)
    
    Dana (who's waiting for the mosquitos to die off so he can go
    shoot some more groups)
    
    PS invest in some benchrest gear, doesn't have to be expensive,
    Lyman makes some cheap stuff that beats hell out of a plain
    sandbag. Adjustable front rest and 'rabbit-ear' rear bag will
    do fine.

    Dana,
    
    		You might as well practice on the " MOSQUITOES " until
    the Bushy-tail season opens....
    
    	Red

    Well I did make it out on Monday for opening day but boy it was
    miserable.  It was almost 80 degrees at sunrise and mosquitos were
    unberable.  So I only stayed out for about an hour before calling it
    quits.  I nailed a red squirrel (it scared the crap out of me so I got
    him back) and got one shot at a grey but it was way up in a pine tree
    and I missed so he got away.  Right now I'm waiting for much cooler
    weather.  BTW, the mosquitos had a hatching last week from all of the
    wet weather in Aug. and the warm temps in Sep. - pretty crummy if you
    ask me.

    Anyhow, I am curious about what hollow point ammo does for you.  Thanks
    for all the help so far.

    Kevin.

    	I've bought a 10/22 nearly 20 years ago.  I remember Ruger had
    changed the style and I didn't like what they had done.  I went
    to probably 5 or 6 gun shops in NYC till I found one of the 'old'
    models.  Since then I've refinished the stock and mounted a
    Bushnell 4X (1" tube).  I love the gun except the trigger could
    be better (I keep meaning to have it worked on).  Never had any
    malfunctions with any ammo.  I'm partial to hollow points.  They do
    good on Chucks.  (I got 3 in ten minutes one morning when they
    started a pincher movement on my garden.)
                      
    Andy
    

    
      The Ruger 10/22 is the "creme de la creme" of the .22 semi-autos.
    I used to hunt rats in the dump at night with mine about 15 years
    ago. Now there's a nuclear power plant there (Seabrook). Talk about
    having your hunting habitat taken over by progress!!!
    
      My buddy and I used to go through a brick of ammo each night, and
    we'd each chaulk up about 25 of the varmints apiece. My 10/22 NEVER
    EVER jammed, and I used mostly Remington .22's. We also used some of
    the hollow points one night too. There is definitely a difference with
    these. They'd anchor a rat right where he was on a regular basis 
    where as with solids they'd usually limp off and require another shot
    or two..
    
      I mention the above ONLY for comparison. If you're going to be taking
    body shots at squirrels, use hollow points. I've had too many of them
    crawl up a tree wounded, and die "somewhere" up that damn tree! I've
    even been able to shoot a few out of a fork in the tree after they've
    gone and died up there. So, use hollow points for body shots. If you
    do like I do with my squirrel hunting now, shoot for the head. If
    you've got a good scope on the rifle you should be able to nail 'em
    on a regular basis in the noggin within the 50 yard mark.
    
      Let's hear how you make out on any future hunts!
    
    
    Joe
    

    RE:  .11
    
    Joe,
    
    I think your right the Ruger 10/22 is an excellant rifle. I think
    that the day a person gets their social security number, Ruger has
    a deal to issue them a 10/22. Bought mine at Bowers in Troy 15 years
    ago while I was at KSC. A friend of mine was a Statey working out
    of Peterboro (sp) at the time and once a week we would hit the local
    dumps for target practice. The ammo was usually what ever long rifle
    was on sale that week.  But as you say, that hunting habitat has
    been taken over by progress!?!?!?  Those must have been some of
    the "good ol days".
    
    Tom, 

    
     I purchased a marlin model 60 about a year ago, when my old remington
    semi-auto decided to die. I mounted a 4x Bushnell scope on it and so
    far I have been very impressed with the performance. It seems to like 
    Winchester Wildcat ammo the best. The only problem I have had is one
    day I put a little over 500 rounds thru it and it did jam. I thought 
    that's not bad, considering how dirty the action was after the 500....
    
    Question:
              I recently picked up a Browning Grade I take down .22 for
    $50.00!! This gun is in PERFECT condition, in the box with about a half
    box of shells that were bought the day of the gun. It was bought in the 
    early 70's. My question is I have not fired the gun and I was wondering
    if anyone has shot one, and how did it shoot ? Or do you think I should 
    just put it away and not shoot it (due to it's value) ?
    
    
                                                        Mark
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    RE: .13
    
    Mark,
    
    That is a hard question to answer. I would think that since you
    are already using the Marlin model 60 and are happy with its
    performance, keep on using it. Then go to a pro collecter and ask
    what they think about the Browning. You might want to ask the question
    over in the Firearms notes file, there seems to be a few collecters
    in there. $50.00 is a sweet deal for that rifle........
    
    Tom,

    I've got a Marlin 60 and I think the owners manual says to do a
    thorough cleaning after every 250 rounds.  Mine adheres to that
    schedule.... especially in cooler weather when things gum up.
    
    Dave

    I really wouldn't trust a Browning that only cost $50.00 there is a
    possibility that there is something wrong with it. Happily I just
    happen to have a spare $75.00 and could take it off of your hands
    and leave you with a tidy $25.00 profit!! My address is...
    
    
    ;'}
    
    Lowell
    
     

    
    
      I took the Browning out last night and shot a box of shells. Now I
    have 5 holes each about the size of a nickel (groups of 10 each). Am very
    impressed with the gun, but I think I'll just put it away for a few
    years. 
    
    Re;-1
          Sorry I was offered $200.00 last night at the range, and turned 
    it down ! 8^)
    
                                                 Mark

    If you were to purchase a new .22 for a boy which would you pick?
    Please no automatics or tube feed styles.  I don't mind a clip but I
    do not want it to extend much beyond the floorplate.  I would like to 
    have the ability to regulate the amount of ammo in the gun by taking
    out the clip and using it as a single shot, till he get's the basics,
    then graduate to the clip.  I have been looking at the new Daisy and
    the new Ruger, which would be a better investment and is there others 
    that I should know about?  After all christmas is coming soon!
    I would probably have him shoot some CB caps for a while, main game for
    now is squirrel/rabbit/bird type.  He's been doing good with his air
    rifle and I want him to maintain his interest.  
    Dan
    

    Dan,
    
    Doesn't an adult have to be present until the kids are a certain age?
    If thats the case, then you could moniter the ammo flow. Gee, we
    always wanted to be thought of as an ammo dump ;-}.
    
    Tom,

    
    I second the single shot approach with breaking in a youngster.
    Have him/her develop good hunting habits at an early age.  By only
    one shot you will instill the practice of self control.  But don't
    rule out tube fed guns..... all you have to do is remove the magazine
    tube and the gun is rendered a single shot.
    
    Dave

    My grandfather broke me in on a ruger single action 22 cal pistol. For
    a rifle we used to use either a marlin lever action 22 or an Ithaca
    semi-auto 22. I loved the auto over the lever but would love to have
    both in my collection now. My grandfather was my ammo dump. I just
    couldn't wait to get over to his house on weekends. If my folks
    wouldn't bring me over to his house I would take my bicycle (about
    a 12 mile ride). I swore when I got my drivers licence I would never
    again use a bicycle. My grandfather was the only one I knew back then
    that had there own rifle/pistol range. 
        Anyway even with a semi-auto as first gun you can still learn the
    safe way to use a firearm. Its something I never forgot. I wish the ole
    gent was still around today...................
    
    sjn

    Remington still makes a nice pump 22, tube magazine, but you
    can use shorts and longs in it. Good practice if you plan
    to graduate to pump shotguns, also.

    RE: .21
    
    Grandpas are/were good firearm instructers. Mine was. He started
    my brother and I when we were about 6 or 8. They lived in a rural
    area outside of Toledo near the Michigan line. He would pull out
    his old Model 12 Winchester and give us some instruction.....
    "Now remember it has a hair trigger.....so don't touch the trigger
    until you have it tight to your shoulder"....WHAM...older (8 year
    old) brother did fine.....OH BOY MY TURN.....WHAM....ouch....
    Grandpa picked me up off the ground, brushed me off, wiped the tear
    out of my eye, gave me a hug, loaded another shell into the shotgun
    and said....."Now this time keep your finger off of the trigger
    until you have the gun tight to your shoulder"....He was right....
    gave me another hug and said...."Now I'll show you guys how to clean
    the shotgun"......that 6 year old (me) was taught the right way
    with patience, understanding and a heap of love. I'm not so sure
    that a 12 gauge and a 6 year old are a good match, but anything
    after that was a piece of cake. Go the .22 route it promotes better
    accuracy.........
    
    Tom,

    re: .18
    
    
    My grandfather started me shooting with a Remington model 41 "Target
    Master" single-shot bolt-action rifle.  Because it was a single-shot,
    there was never a question of whether or not the gun was loaded.  The
    rifle also had to be manually cocked, this also added a margin for
    safty.  The rifle was extremely accurate and quickly gave me confidence
    in my shooting skills.  I now own this gun and even though it is
    single-shot I still shoot it more than any other gun.
    
    These older single-shot rifles were made by several companies:  Savage,
    Stevens, Marlin, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester, and others.  The best
    thing about all of them is that most can be found for around $100 or
    less.
    
    Jon