Posted on 09/20/2013 12:23:37 PM PDT by rellimpank
At some point this will settle down again, or blow up for real.
Hope it will settle down.
It is unnecessary insanity.
If you imagine yourself working as a ranch hand in the 1890’s and carrying a pistol and rifle both and worrying about keeping ammo, it made a lot of sense to have the same caliber. Many of those guys packed a hand reloader and components. They were at times out for months away from home. Very dangerous work. Many did not return to home.
It is all about what you want to do with a gun. Range, size of game, weight of weapon and ammo, common reloading, etc.
I’m planning on picking up a LEee reloading system nextr week at Widener’s. My first efforts will be with .38 and .357. I already reload shotgun rounds in three calibers. Have my own roll-crimped 2 1/4 inch 12 gauge rounds for extra round in Mossy pumps.
I bought a new Redding press in January. And some more dies.
Brought an old shotshell reloader out of mothballs and found some more dies for it.
Bought brass, bullets, bullet molds, bullet lube, primers, wheel weights, etc.
My thought was to be able to reload every gun we have. Still not there.
I did buy some factory ammo too.
I presume you live in Texas. Count your blessings.
Here in Maryland, all is pandemonium. Gun shops have lines out the door from open to close.
October 1st, the walls come crashing down. $50 to the state to get a handgun license to purchase, fingerprints required (more$$$), range training (more $$$), 8 day wait to pickup, 30 days between purchases, State background checks currently at 110+ days before pickup.
NO "assault rifles" can ever be bought here after Oct. 1st. You will not be able to buy Mags over 10 rds.
Any room left in the Hill Country? I was at Ft. Hood in the 70's and loved Central Texas.
Headspace issues are a common feature on rifles that headspace on the rim.
You can extend case life by adjusting the resizing dies to headspace on the shoulder. It has to be done for each individual rifle.
What do you think of a .357 lever rifle for home defense and possibly taking game in sparse times?
Works well, easy to load for, ammo is common, good to 150 yards.
I have one, it is fun, but mostly a woods rifle because of the range.
If I had the extra money, an AR-15 has extra range, works about as well for taking game in tough times, and has extra intimidation value. One nice thing about the .357, is you can load very quiet loads (light .38 types) and they will still work well.
Good point on the ‘quiet loads’ ... I build ARs and they are very easy to attach suppressors to, but the super sonic rounds are never ‘soft’. I have a CMMG conversion kit which when used with a suppressor would be very ‘soft’, especially with 60 grain Aguila rounds. I have a garage range for .22 calibers and the 60 grain subs run just fine in the latest (impingement) build I did. Haven’t tried them in the Piston ARs I have though.
I have been thinking about a .300 BLK just because I like the idea of a round that is designed to work well subsonic and supersonic.
I have been hoping for prices to drop back down...
Build it! Components are available once again, for those interested.
1200-1500 people per day move to Texas. (legally)
Not sure how the hill country is, but there are great expanses with very few people and property is still relatively cheap there.
If you are still working, Midland & Odessa (oil patch) is booming. (hard to find housing)
If you are retired, lots of small towns with available housing. Good neighbors, good schools, friendly churches and mostly sane people.
Looks like the “great drought” is beginning to break.
Water is an issue in some places. But I expect that to subside in due time.
thanks, I will look into that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.