Hard Times Rifles.

Open Source Survival site ^ | June 10, 2012 | Brother Rat

[Lowell1775]

Well the Big Brown Truck of happiness, dropped off the scope and rings I ordered a while ago. This is what I settled on for the Hard times rifle in the optics department, based on the following Philosophy of the Modern Longhunter and anticipated uses/needs.

Function and Feature priority

A manual action rifle, capable of engaging small game up to White Tailed Deer sized medium game at 25-500 yards.

Magazine or stripper clip fed

Mid range optic capable

Back up Iron sights standard

An easily procurable caliber with lots of reload data

Under 8lb with optic and magazine

Low recoil

Proven action design

Capable of homestead defense in a pinch

What we settled on for the platform was the outstanding CZ 550 rifle, in the FS or Mannlicher Stock variant. The caliber is .243 Winchester.

The optic choice took me several months, trying to decide in the end between Burris, Leupold and Nikon. The Leupold scope won out, the VX-3 1.5-5x to be exact. Its small size fits the rifles profile and shape well. The scope is typical of Leupold in being extremely clear and bright. On 1.5x it is most suitable for close quarters defense if needed and the 5x gives me enough confidence to engage marauding Coyotes out to 500M. I chose the German #4 reticule, having not used one in the past, time at the range this weekend will determine if I like it as much as I think I will.

I mounted the Leupold in Talley CZ specific quick release rings (This was not an outwardly frugal choice, but given the old world quality of rifle and the amount spent on glass I decided to “Buy once, Cry once”). These rings give me the ability to remove the scope in about 15 seconds and go to Irons.

All up weight with sling and 4 rounds of .243 s 8lbs / 1 oz! This is the same as the Ruger Gunsite with sling and empty magazine with no optic or rail! This is an accurate, fast and reliable practical rifle that won’t wear you down. It hits harder and further than the average 5.56 “assault rifle”, and with more magnification would be keeping up with most .308win bolt guns out to 800M.

If your survival plans are concerned more with having multiple use tools than fighting pitched gun battles with hordes of mutant biker zombie U.N Troops, then I highly recommend looking at CZ rifles and Leupold scopes to build your Hard-Times-Rifle.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I have a Williams peep sight on the 94. Since I had the lens implant in my right eye I can get a clearer sight picture than was possible for the last 20 years. I have a scope on my 10-22, but I won’t be squirrel hunting with the 30-30.

[.45 Long Colt]

I bought casting equipment that I haven’t used yet because the local gunshop that supplied lead went under. Do you have a favorite online source for lead?

[MHGinTN]

# 8 shot shotgun shells ... melt the shot, pour the slugs, re insert into the emptied wad and crimp.

[.45 Long Colt]

Well, that’s easy enough. Thanks for the idea.

[gundog]

CDNN has original walnut(uncheckered) for your .243. $70 if memory serves. Got the same rifle years ago. Tip was warping and making hard contact on the left side of the barrel. Sanded it out to assure the rifle was accurate, but buttpad had issues, so I replaced it. Wonderful dark walnut, as opposed to the see-it-for-a-mile blonde original.

[MHGinTN]

BTW, if you have drill bits and blocks of hardwood, some pretty good slug molds are possible. I’ve been experimenting with various slugs and shot and loads for shells to allow expanding shotgun tube mag capacity. I’ve found that the minimum length for Mossberg and Mav 88 pumps is 2 1/8 inch, to cycle properly. For semi autos with full length lifters, a 2 inch shell will function quite well and even some with 1 3/4 inch if the powder loading and wad packing is done right. I use a roll crimping closure method unless just reloading spent shot shells to their previous standard lengths.

[Lurker]

My “hard times” rifle is an Ishapore Enfield . 7.62 NATO. Cost for a hand select was $110. I put it in a synthetic stock that cost $65 if I remember right.

I had a gunsmith mount a 4 power Simmons on it. Total cost was under $250. I put the difference in to loads of ammo. I can ring an 8” cast iron skillet at 350 yards every time.

Wish I’d bought a dozen of those things.

[.45 Long Colt]

Interesting idea. Do you do treat the wood before you pour your lead?

About a year ago I saw a dealer at a Memphis gunshow selling hulls for small shells like you described. I’ve know others to make their own so they could get more shells in the tube but that was the only time I’ve ever seen hulls.

Have you seen any of Dave Canterbury’s Longhunter videos discussing methods for reloading shells in the field?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The stock is light colored.
I’m wondering if I could just add a bit of stain...

[The Cajun]

Yup, the peep sight does help a lot with astigmatism, I may have to go to that eventually myself.
The multiple lens effect in the cornea is beginning to bother me a little more every year, especially long range pistol and I can't stand glasses.
When I put on glasses, I have them smudged big time in under 5 minutes.

[TurboZamboni]

ammo has local flavor.

in AK, a ton of people like the 35 Whelen.

[MHGinTN]

Yep. Gave it a try. That's when I decided to get a Lee Loadall II with both 20 and 12 gauge inserts. Costs 75 bucks total and makes the process a lot more enjoyable.

The crucial point is the type of powder and how much. You pretty much use a 209 primer for all the powders because you want a slow burn powder and a fast or hot primer.

I use Hodgdon HS6 powder with CCI 209 primers. I use an overshot card and roll crimp the shells to 2 inches holding 12 #2 buckshot or a slug for my guns.

I test them in a TriStar 12 gauge semi auto and a Mav 88 12 ga pump, and an Akkar 20 sem and a Mav 88 20 gauge pump. The TriStar came with a fake mag extension which I 'reworked' to allow greater capacity. Because of the arthritis in my right wrist (too much tennis in my younger years) I have pistol grip stocks. I also rig an industrial strength velcro strip on the receivers to carry five, six, or seven extra rounds for relaoding, and a similar rig for the stocks. As they say in combat shotgun, if you're not shootin' you better be reloadin'. Hobby stuf don'tchaknow.

[MHGinTN]

Yep. Gave it a try. That's when I decided to get a Lee Loadall II with both 20 and 12 gauge inserts. Costs 75 bucks total and makes the process a lot more enjoyable.

The crucial point is the type of powder and how much. You pretty much use a 209 primer for all the powders because you want a slow burn powder and a fast or hot primer.

I use Hodgdon HS6 powder with CCI 209 primers. I use an overshot card and roll crimp the shells to 2 inches holding 12 #2 buckshot or a slug for my guns.

I test them in a TriStar 12 gauge semi auto and a Mav 88 12 ga pump, and an Akkar 20 sem and a Mav 88 20 gauge pump. The TriStar came with a fake mag extension which I 'reworked' to allow greater capacity. Because of the arthritis in my right wrist (too much tennis in my younger years) I have pistol grip stocks. I also rig an industrial strength velcro strip and loops from a bandolier on the receivers to carry five, six, or seven extra rounds for reloading, and a similar rig for the stocks. As they say in combat shotgun, if you're not shootin' you better be reloadin'. Hobby stuff don'tchaknow.

[Stonewall Jackson]

Here in Central Kentucky, with the hilly terrain and thick underbrush, you are lucky to see a target at more than 50-100 yards. As such, the most popular deer rifles in this area are 30-30’s and SKS’s.

[Secret Agent Man]

Probably not wise to discuss what plans you’ve made for trouble in public.

[Sea Parrot]

Have never bought lead alloys online. For smokeless powder loading I use nothing but clip on wheel weights. (the stick on ones are almost pure lead and great for black powder) Air dropped boolits from WW are around 10-12 Brinell hardness, if water dropped they run up to 14-16 BH. when oven tempered and water quenched, run 18-20 BH.

Have you tried local tire shops fir WW? I understand they are selling at about 15-20 bucks for a five gallon bucket of them. Junk yard and recycling centers are another source.

I still have around 6 five gallon buckets of WW and several hundred pounds of ingots cast up.

[Yosemitest]

Try something new with plenty of flexibility.
Try the Circuit Judge 45LC/410Ga 18.5' Stainless Bl Hardwood Monte Carlo Stk.

The new Circuit Judge takes the most overwhelmingly successful revolver in recent history and has extended its range for incredible hunting and shooting.
Now you can fire
.410 GA. 3-inch Magnum shotshells,
.410 GA. 2.5-inch shotshells
and .45 Colt ammunition.
In any order you please, without switching barrels.

The Circuit Judge delivers amazing versatility, accuracy and simplicity.
It comes finished in a beautiful hardwood stock and includes the latest in modern features
like a red fiber optic front sight, yoke detent, transfer bar and the Taurus Security System.
It weighs just 85.5 ounces.
Check out other variants of the Circuit Judge.

[West Texas Chuck]

Interesting, I think I saw one of those at Bass Pro a couple of weeks ago, interesting piece, might be good for a few laughs.

[Yosemitest]

A few laughs,

Remington Express Long Range Shotshells

Winchester PDX1 Personal-Defense Shotshells

Shall I go on about the many choices a .410 ga and .45 Long Colt rifle has?

[gundog]

Mine was lacquered. If yours is bare wood it’s in serious danger of warping. The fit of the new one is better. I think it was an uncheckered Supergrade stock when the Mdl 70 went away.