vujade

If you can find them, I like the winchesters 94 trapper models.  I'm surprised at how accurate I am with those things.

One thing I like to do is always take a few appleseed targets with me and hand them out at the range and then encourage them to take a class.  I'm thinking of printing out just some other regular targets (i'm almost out of the appleseed redcoat targets) and on the bottom, have a link to some of my favorite websites which includes the safety rules/etc.    This thread got me into thinking about this - I'm going to be more social at the range.  Seek out folks and say hello, what are you shooting.  Make friends especially if they look new.   I know I still appreciate it when folks walk to me and admire my rifle or talk gun with me.    I think we can do this in stores also.  I feel bad now... i was at the gunstore and some kid was telling a young lady and her old mother r which gun to buy.  I knew it was bad advice (an engraved/fancy 2 shot derringer for self defense?! I don't know how many times they said the word 'cute' during the transaction)  but I kept my mouth shut.  I wish I jumped in nicely and gave them some better advice and offer to take them to the range.

  Great comments! 

    I really like your post.  This brings back a lot of memories when I first started.  Luckily, I had a great mentor and I felt really comfortable shooting.  What really helped (and what I do with newbies now) is totally field strip the gun.  When I saw how the little parts moved inside, it de-mystified the gun and when you understand it, you fear it less.  (and respect it more).   But I remember going to the the range by myself the first times.  I made a mistake put my finger even when I wasn't ready to fire.  The gun was pointed in the safe direction the whole time but it surprised me and that cemented keeping your finger off the trigger at all times.  I've been good since but I'll always be careful.   That's the thing:  These are simple devices BUT when you're new, they can be complicated and intimidating.  (that's why I totally frown on the newbie practice of putting a big 44 magnum or to a newbie's hands.  You're not doing anything nice but giving them a flinch and it's not funny when they hit themselves from the recoil).   I totally commend you and your post is a great example of how I hope every new person is when they get into this sport/hobby/activity.  Respect it.  even fear it a little.  Your post also demonstrates how us 'veterans' can think it's easy when it may not be the first few times.

guys. I re-read my first post here.  I hope I didn't sound like a jerk.  If I did, I apologize.  I'll add that I'm no veteran here.  I've only been shooting since we moved here a 7 or so years ago.   I only started to reload a few months ago.   I totally love it that we are getting more folks joining the club.  I've mentioned it in this forum before that I get worried when I go to gunshows/stores and 95% of the folks there are 'older white males'.  We need young blood so that this freedom will continue to be enjoyed and exercised.    I started this thread ONLY to bring some it up that in ANY sport, the more folks who are into it, the more folks will get hurt, do something stupid, do something by accident.  The difference here is 1 accident lands on every news broadcast out there and threatens an amendment.   And it's just a numbers thing.  The more folks get into this, the more accidents will happen (and lives protected/saved but that doesn't make the news as much as when something bad happens).    There have already been some great comments.  We do (as more seasoned gun owners) need to step it up and offer to be mentors.  We all need to be range safety officers and just be more vigilant.  And I hope every gun owners shows responsibility (old and new). 

This was 3 hours ago but Academy in Mt. Juliet have winchester 22lr (limit 1) in stock.  as well as a lot of American Eagle 223 (limit 1) in stock.   Walmart there in Mt. Juliet had a ton of 9mm!  I got 3 boxes of tula.  they had maybe 15 boxes of Federal and at least 1 case of winchesters (he was still unboxing those). 

I said this in another forum.  I'm curious about what you all think.   I was my local range the other week.  It was more crowded than normal.  I saw at least 2 instances of folks with their finger on the trigger, 1 instance of a muzzle flash (that I saw) and once when I was picking up pistol cases during a clear, a bullet whized by my head.  A whole lot of us yelled at the kid in the tight pants playing with his new $800 sig and all he could say  was, "ops, sorry man."    If a skateboarder breaks a leg.  No big deal.  If a football player gets a concussion, ok, maybe it gets on the news if he's good.    I've been crossing my fingers and happy that the media doesn't know about reloading.  What happens when a newbie (or someone smart but just went too fast/careless) double charges a round, blows his gun apart and the shrapnel hits a kid shooting next to him?  What happens when someone at the range decides to do a cowboy move and spin his revolver around and shoots himself?    I bet that will make it to the news.  And soon the liberals will get wind that we can make a round and put a FMJ (ecck!  those are what the military use!?) or a Lead bullet (oh my, isn't that toxic?! They want to shoot bald eagles and kill them with lead poisoning!) , etc. etc.    The more people engage in something, the higher percentage that you'll get an idiot in there.  (or someone smart that just makes an honest mistake).   Don't get me wrong.  I'm really happy that more and more folks are getting guns and into it.  It'll help our cause later when they see the light and vote accordingly.  I'm just worried about the (imho) inevitable.    To quote Obama =)  "It's arithmetic."   Anyone else concerned about this?

I drove by the Walmart on Bell Road/Nolensville on the way home from work.  Several boxes of white box 380 (if anyone needs 'em) and 1 box of Federal brand 357.   That's it + shotgun shells.

I've been here 8 years now and I still discover new places in Nashville/the South to enjoy.  I'm going to used this thread as a checklist for me!  Thanks guys!  I love this state.

  We were looking for the hiding alcove.  We did see the mirror but it wouldn't move.   Yes we picked up the phone, it rang, we promptly hung up.  We didn't want our tennis shoes shined. =)

Hi guys. What a fun weekend! Thank you for all the recommendations/tips. On Friday - we had some good Southern Food at Puckets @ Leipers Fork. Music was great. I learned a new Southern word as well, "Fleeurs" (flowers). As in "like fleeurs in the wind". Saturday - we walked around downtown. Visited the Hermitage hotel and relieved myself in probably the fanciest bathrooms I've ever been in. (I'm going to start to have classical music playing in my bathroom.) We at at Corey's dog house on 29th. Went to a few shops and even a trip to Franklin Gun Shop. Yesterday was a day in the Montgomery County Gun Range. It was like 3 range visits in 1. We actually were able to hit clays with a (converted) Saiga 12! (I'm not saying how many). We shot to 300 yards (i couldn't figure out how many clicks to move a scope to hit at 400 so I just left it at 300). We were easily making 'heat shots' (we had full sized silhouette targets posted). And then we shot some handguns. My friend made hits with his own hand-loaded ammunition; I showed him how to reload that morning. I was making 400 yard hits with another friend's iron sighted AR15. I think I'm convinced I want one! And we ended his visit with a trip to the Waffle House. Here is a free gun pic to share: (my visiting friend shooting my Savage 10FP in 308) (thanks again everyone). (I love this state.)

I did that a few weeks ago and 'scored' a few boxes.   I was pretty excited to see quite a bit of ammo at this Walmart; the Walmart girl was still putting stickers on the boxes.  It was 1pm so I was on my lunch break and wasn't carrying since I was at work  (Nolensville & Harding).   Right before I made my purchase, 2 shady looking guys were trying to buy some boxes of ammo too.  The cashier asked for their ID and they didn't want to show it, they looked upset and when I went to the line to pay, they started to ask me if I CAN BUY IT FOR THEM!  Well, I declined and they looked visibly upset.    While I was telling the lady what I wanted to buy, a group of 3 or 4 ghetto girls were looking at me very suspiciously ("why would he buy that much ammo" - I think they were thinking).  As I finished the transaction, another guy who just bought ammo but hung around the ammo area started making small talk.  I'm trying to not make any judgment calls but he had blood shot eyes and wasn't making a lot of sense.   And then He FOLLOWED me as I left, started to ask me what i gun I use to shot the ammo, etc.  I tried to make myself scarce but he kept right on me.  I finally 'pretended' I had a prescription to pick up and wasn't going to wait, he then left.  I counted to 10, and then made a run to my car (still aware of the 2 ghetto looking guys who wanted me to buy ammo for them).   As soon as I got into my car, I locked it and sped out.  Whew, I never had to work so hard for a few boxes of 9mm. 

  nice!  Prices should (hopefully) begin to be more reasonable as they continue to stock.  Should be some decent deals soon!

Was just at the Walmart on Bell/Nolensville rd.   They had a big stack of 7.62x39 tula ammo $5 and something.

  A couple of you guys mentioned it, thanks for the tips.  So i went ahead and made a reservation to Pucketts over at Leipers Fork.  I know it's a longer drive but we'll enjoy Natchez Trace and I hear it's more "country".   We'll take downtown Nashville tomorrow at lunch so I figure we can try something a bit more 'native'.   I'm salivating just thinking of the food tonight!

  a quick google and i found this:   http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2013/0214/breaking9.html

I HEARD that they were going to get their $$ back AND a voucher for a free cruse AND a $500 refund. 

  haha. Actually, it's grown on me. =)

  That's easy to want to showcase our best.  I really love it here.    I'm actually a transplant of CA as well.  I used to be anti gun until my first trip to the range 7 or 8 years ago.  (I was an easy convert.)   Since then, I've been on a mission to convert folks to all things South:  BBQ, Country Music and Guns.

Yeah. I checked the venue for 3rd and Lindsey but I don't think I really like the band.  That's actually the ONLY place I've been to to listen to music.   So far, I like who's going to sing on 12th & Porter. (Megan Moreaux) I hope it's a decent locale; let me know if you've been there.   and I didn't know about the bar/gun thing.   I'll carry unless it's posted.  I won't drink anyway.  I hate to walk around downtown at night naked without.

Thanks for all the great advice fellas!   I used to work in downtown Nashville.  My current job has me sometimes drive around Nashville but I only really do "Nashville stuff" whenever a friend comes over.     It's funny though - every family member/friend that visits Nashville gets a trip to the range.  (and my conversation rate is pretty good!)  and we're certainly going do some range time on Sunday.  I went to the range up in Clarksville once.  I fell in love with that 400 yard range and they even had a golf cart. =)  I'm going to take my Savage 308 over there again.  I hear they have a shotgun area too where they will throw clay pigeons.    I'm going to include Broadway/Honky Tonk for Saturday morning - good tip!   And I'm hearing a lot about Loveless Cafe.  I usually do Monnells or Sylvan park for my fill of meat & 3.  I may introduce ourselves to Loveless this weekend.

One of my best friends is visiting from California.  I want to take him to some 'Nashville' places during his weekend here.  We're already going to the range up in Clarksville to shoot at 400 yards. (he's hasn't done that before).  Now I'm looking for a place to take him Friday night.    I don't get out much (for the longest time I was in school and then I'm broke trying to pay off school  =) ). Where is a place where we can lounge with a good burger and listen to some good country music.   I've been googling.  Exit/In is all metal on Friday.  3rd and Lindsey is popular it seems but i you-tubed the band and it wasn't my style.   I'm looking for some good country music that one might hear on the radio (don't flame me: something like Taylor Swift?!  (My wife may be coming))..  12th and Porter's band on Friday sounds good.  (Megan Moreaux)  So that's an option.   Has anyone been there?  Is it standing only or is there a place to sit down/eat while you listen?   (important)   Also, (I ask because I've not been to one of these before and I don't drink/been to a bar) I can't carry to a venue can I?  Are there any gun friendly venues?  (or are they all gunsafe zones since they have a bar)   Thanks,

a couple more tips:   - in the middle session (where I fire random ones to but the same appropriate target), I color the bullet with a sharpie (blue or green or red or something).  It imprints on the targets.  It makes it very easy to know which one is the middle shot.    - Also be careful, I 'draw' my targets as I shoot and label them.  It's easy to get it mixed up.   - I noticed you're running with the standard OAL.  I was getting good groups with 2.800 (.50-.75 MOA) but got GREAT groups once I made the rounds "longer".  I'm running them at 2.865 right now.  I believe I'm .030 to the lands.

my 2 cents:   It's not 'fair' to the latter strings since the barrel hot/dirtier/etc.    I'd suggest doing the groups in a round robin fashion:  This is assuming 3 shot groups: (30 seconds to a minute between shots)   Shoot 1 round of 40 grains.  move to the next target.  shoot 1 round of 41.0 grains.  move to the next target.  shoot 1 round of 42. etc.    At the end of that 'first set'.  Let the barrel cool.  Clean the bore.    Pick a random weight and shoot THAT target that corresponds to that weight.  Pick another random weight and shoot THAT target that corresponds to that weight.  and go one until you're done.   At the 3nd set.  Let the barrel cool.  clean the bore.  work backwards.  Start at 44.0 grains and shot THAT corresponding target and shoot until the last shot is the first target.   This makes it "fair" to all the groups.  You're not 'saving' the last group to when the barrel is most dirty and your eyes are most tired and the barrel is most hot.    I like to load develop with 3 shot groups (cheaper and faster).  Final testing with 5 shot groups (when I've got my weight, OAL, etc.)   - don't just look at the smallest groups.  Look at the adjacent groups where there is very little change to POI.   - I like to go in .2 or .3 increments.  40.1.  40.3.  40.5. 40.7, etc.      You'll find a sweet spot at the very top and at the low end.  My settled right at 41.9 grains of Varget; 42.1 with RE15/Surplus Match.  1 hole groups (5 shots) all day long at 100.   Look up 'Optimal weight charge' test or ladder testing.

As soon as I shoot, i throw the brass in a labelled bag.  They are cleaned and then sized.   I don't like the media getting into the flash holes.