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Gun Newb

Discussion in 'Guns & Hunting' started by tacoman15, Dec 11, 2012.

  1. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM
    #1
    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    I went to the range with my girlfriend today to shoot my Ruger M77 UltraLight 30-06 in anticipation of a deer hunt I will be going on in the first of January. I quickly found out it wasn't sighted in anymore so tomorrow I am going back to the range to try and get it sighted in. I've never sighted in a rifle before so I've done some reading, even printed out an article explaining how to do it so I can bring it with me tomorrow (http://www.chuckhawks.com/sight-in_rifle.htm). Is that a pretty good explanation?

    I don't have a sled, spotting scope, or any other helpful equipment (nor can I afford those things at this time) but what can I bring/purchase cheaply to help myself out? The article recommends using .220 grain rounds I believe, but if anyone recommends another load please say so.

    She actually enjoyed shooting more than I thought she was going to, so much that she keeps talking about wanting to get a hand gun. I want to turn this into a hobby we both enjoy, so I will be asking tons of questions about firearms and instead of making a new thread, I am just going to centralize all my newb questions to this thread.

    Other gun newbs please feel free to post your questions in this thread also. The more information the better!
     
  2. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:08 PM
    #2
    Pchop

    Pchop Beavis Killer

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    Alot of ranges have spotting scopes you can rent there. Best advice is to figure out how far out the optic is and then get it dialed in to a tighter group fast so your not wasting your ammo and taking knocks on the shoulder for to long. Start with a big target and aim center mass, you should be able to hit paper on the first shot and adjust accordingly. It will help if you know how far each click will move the shot at a given range for your particular optic. EX- 1 click = 1 inch at 100yrds so if you are out 6" low and 4 inches left, that would mean 6 clicks up, 4 over and you should be in the ball park to get it dialed in.
    I personally have a .270 that I hunt with and I shoot 130 grain hornandy sst interlock ammo.
    220 grain seems a bit much for a 30-06 in my opinion. 30-06 is a very flat shooting trajectory if the right ammo is used.
    Just my opinion though.
     
  3. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:11 PM
    #3
    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    Before I put the gun back in the case, I noticed that there was a metal shaving in the chamber. I plan on cleaning the gun tonight before I shoot it tomorrow, but I don't know where/what I should be looking for when I disassemble it.

    Also, what do I need to purchase to properly clean it? I was going to take it completely apart and go from there (I don't know if I will be in over my head or not). While at Walmart I saw there was a Winchester Ultimate Cleaning kit, is that a good purchase? They also had what (I think) was a shooting rest that was about $35-$45 bucks, is that too cheap?
     
  4. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:12 PM
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    Dromlace

    Dromlace Well-Known Member

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    not all scopes are like that brother. my scope and my buddies are 1 click = 1/4 inch. I shoot a weatherby .270 with a burris 4.5x14 32mm

    • that shaving isn't good. your barrel could have a burr in it and that could get someone seriously injured.
    • Any kit with gun oil, cleaner, and the proper rod length + brush will work fine. they usually list the calibers that it works with.
    • And about a rest, it all depends on how steady of a shot you are. Ultimately a rest will only hold your gun so still. You control it for the most part. I have a caldwell shooting rest that's like $200 retail but it still comes down to the user.

    A good way to start off is get your gun boresighted at a local walmart/academy/basspro. I like to start at a target around 25-50yds so I can see where my bullet is landing on the target.. Then once I have a decent group 3" or so. I move up to 100yds and start making more adjustments. Until I have a tight group.


    ALSO, when you sight your gun in, make sure you use the same grain when you shoot. Simple, I know but 20grains can make a big difference 100-300yds out.
     
  5. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:16 PM
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    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    The range we went to today is in a "unmanned" range in a national forest so I don't think I will be able to rent a scope. I was using 150 grain earlier when we were shooting. The gun and scope were a gift so I have no paperwork/manuals for either. The scope is a Leupold but that's all I know about it.

     
  6. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:19 PM
    #6
    tango59

    tango59 Well-Known Member

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    For the rest, roll up a big towel and wrap it in duct tape. You could also sight it in at 50 yards if your not gonna be shooting over a couple humdred yards.
     
  7. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:20 PM
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    Pchop

    Pchop Beavis Killer

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    That was an example, agreed, 1 click is usually alot less travel. My bad on that.
     
  8. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:21 PM
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    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    How would I be able to find the burr if I have one? From what I have read/watched, I can just boresight it at the range tomorrow when I get there. Just removed the bolt and line up the target through the barrel right?

     
  9. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:23 PM
    #9
    t4daddy

    t4daddy Well-Known Member

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    The article read very well, but over complicated the process. Call a friend who has done this before, or ask for help at the range. 220 grain bullet is pretty heavy for a 30-06. You should sight in the gun with what you are planning on hunting with (weight and bullet style/type). Most scopes are one click=1/4inch@100yrds, to move point of impact 1inch, you need to move turrent 4 clicks.
     
  10. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:23 PM
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    Dromlace

    Dromlace Well-Known Member

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    from the same website. believe it or not I actually used it when I started hunting!
    http://www.chuckhawks.com/bore_sight.htm


    • Place the rifle in a reasonably steady rest, right side up. At the range you can use sandbags or a shooting rest. At home you can use an MTM rifle cleaning rest, or a cardboard box with a couple of bricks in the bottom to keep it in place and a "V" shaped notch cut in each end to hold the rifle.
    • Open the action if it is a single shot rifle, or remove the bolt from the rifle if it is a bolt action. You must be able to see down the barrel from the breech end to bore sight your rifle.
    • Look through the barrel of the rifle from the breech end and move the fixture holding the rifle (the cardboard box or whatever) until the object selected in step #1 is centered in the field of view.
    • Then, without moving the rifle, adjust your scope so that the crosshair is aligned on the same object. Your rifle is now bore sighted at approximately 100 yards.

    About the burr, either take it to a gunsmith, or you could shine a light through your barrel, WHILE COMPLETELY UNLOADED AND THE BOLT REMOVED. And attempt to eyeball it out. I've never had this problem so I can't fully go into detail about it.
     
  11. Dec 11, 2012 at 2:52 PM
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    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    I know it was a little heavy, but I am the type of learner that needs technical jargon like that for me to understand. I had to look up some things because I didn't know what they were but I prefer technical terms in general lol.

    Thanks for the tips. I think I might bump up to either 170 or 180 grain and stick with one of those. Since I don't know for sure how my scope will adjust, I will probably go with 1 click = 1/4 @ 100 yards. I will start with the 25 yard target first of course :cool:

    Thanks! :thumbsup:
     
  12. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:02 PM
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    t4daddy

    t4daddy Well-Known Member

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    IMO 150gr or 165gr is more than enough for deer.
     
  13. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:04 PM
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    Aw9d

    Aw9d That one guy

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    Great advice as I've been trying to sight in my .308 FAL and its starting to get expensive.
     
  14. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:05 PM
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    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    I killed my first (and sadly only :() deer with 150 grain from about 75 yards out. The exit wound was about the size of four quarters in a square configuration (if that makes any sense).
     
  15. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:17 PM
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    GhostDog86

    GhostDog86 Well-Known Member

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    Remove mudflaps, Plasti dip badges/ lower val/ and grill, Plasti dip wheels, 5% tint all around, Tinted tails and 3rd, 55w driving lights in rear, Blue LED light strip in bed, Blue LEDs in cab/ cup holders...
    X2 on this, 150gr is more than enough for any deer, anything higher really isn't necessary. The most I have ever used on my 30-06 was 180gr and it easily took down elk.
     
  16. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:21 PM
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    Dromlace

    Dromlace Well-Known Member

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    I like 140 grains in my .270. Considering you can take down a deer with a .223 be a little conservative with your ammo choices. More grain = more money and also less readily available in some cases.
     
  17. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:28 PM
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    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    Awesome thanks for all the help. What would be a good rife for a female who is 4'11" and about ~100 lbs? She wants to have the option to hunt with it (deer etc) but I think it will mainly be a range rifle for her at the beginning. Today was her first time ever shooting a rifle and she did pretty damn good.
     
  18. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:28 PM
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    blaiwayw

    blaiwayw New Member

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    Best bullet for the 30/06 is 165gr. For the .270 130gr. You can fix your rifle in a solid position with whatever will stablize it. Remove the bolt. Sight down the barrel to something maybe 20 yards away. Adjust your scope to the same point. Recheck the "bore" sight and adjust if needed. This will get you on paper. Pay no attention to the scope adjustments of clicks per inch or 1/4 inch. My two cents.
     
  19. Dec 11, 2012 at 3:30 PM
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    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    Really? You don't even adjust the windage or anything?
     
  20. Dec 11, 2012 at 4:53 PM
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    tacoman15

    tacoman15 [OP] Boobies

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    I also saw someone mentioned not pulling the rod back out through the muzzle end? That doesn't seem correct. Why would you slide the entire rod all the way through the muzzle?
     

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