DangerDanJD

Any other homebrewers here in TGO? Now that fall is here, I will be bringing out the ol brew pot. I normally brew half a dozen or so beers through the fall and early winter. I have a flanders red that has been sitting the secondary for 12 months that I will be trying next weekend. Probably brewing up a pumpkin ale and also have a recipe for a coconut IPA that looks interesting. 

I was down in Livingston, TN this morning for work and saw a little gun store as I was leaving town so I stopped by. Aptly named "The Gun Shop," it is located just off Main Street as you are heading South out of town (I was heading back to I-40). I was happy to find they had a pretty good selection of Powder and Primers in stock and the guys working were very helpful.   I  picked up primers and powder for reloading 223, (Accurate Arms 2015 powder and both Rem 7 1/2 and CCI 400 primers). I also picked up powder to try for 308 (Accurate Arms 2460) and primers (Federal 210M). Bullets from Graf's should arrive this afternoon, which means I will finally have all the components I need to process my first handloads.    I will update next week and let you know how it went. 

I have added a few more pieces of equipment, specifically a case trimmer, set of 308 dies (Lee Precision Deluxe), Lyman Flash Hole tool, Arsenal electric calipers and an RCBS powder stand. I am doing to try to get 100 rounds of both 223 and 308 tumbled, re-sized and trimmed this week.    As far components go, I checked with David and he has a lot of what I need but I was unfortunately out of State this past weekend and wasn't able to make the gun show in Knoxville. I have picked up a bullets (SMK 175g and 77G for the 308 and 223 respectively). I found some BR4 primers online but you can only buy 5000 so I'm holding off for now.    I have expanded my search a bit for primers and powders after finding some information on various loads, which will hopefully be a little easier to come by then CCI primers and Varget powder. If I can't find anything in the next couple of weeks, I will try get with David when he is back in Knoxville next month.   In the meantime, I may run my first 3gun match this weekend over at ORSA. 

If by bird hunting you mean, dove, quail, pheasant, then really anything with at least a 26, 28 inch barrel will do. As folks mentioned the Remington 1100 is hard to beat if you are looking for a semi. Some folks prefer pumps, and if you go that route, I recommend picking up an older Wingmaster 870. The Wingmaster has a much better finish then the 870 express and you can find used wingmasters in very good shape for $300. The Benelli nova is another decent pump gun but it's a little more expensive.    If you plan to use it for ducks or goose, you probably want something that shoots 3 inch magnum shells or even 3 1/2 inch. Here the choices are a little more limited. You can find wingmaster magnums that shoot 3 inch. I also believe the Benelli Nova can be had in a model that shoots 3 1/2 inch. Stoeger makes a pretty decent semi duck gun, the model 2000 that I have seen some good reviews of but have never shot. I think they run about $400. I have owned all the guns mentioned with the exception of the Stoeger so take that for what it's worth.    I would check the classifieds here, maybe even some other online classifieds (not sure if I can post those here). I'm sure you can pick up a reliable shooter for $300-400. 

Lots of nice rifles. As a lot of folks have said, it depends on the price range. For sub $400, I have a Savage Mark II FV in a Boyds stock that can shoot as well as I can. If I had $1000 to spend, I would probably grab an Annie. Above that, those Volquartsen rifles are awful nice looking and I would love to shoot a Sako TRG 22.    It is really surprising how accurate some of the sub $400 guns are. 

Even though I'm still looking for components, I went ahead and set up my press.  I had a little trouble figuring out exactly how the priming bar/sleeve, etc went on, but eventually figured it out and I plan to use the hand primer anyway. I lubed five 223 cases and ran them through the sizing die, so now I have 5 tumbled, shiny, resized cases with primers removed. 

Ok, so I have not down a bit more research on loads to try.  I am planning to try loads for both the 223 and 308, but I can't find anywhere that has the components in stock. Specifically, I'm looking for the following:   Primers: Federal 210m or CCI BR2s for the 308. CCI small rifle primers 400 or cci #41 for the 223 AR.    Powder: Varget for the 308 and Varget or Ramshot Tac for the 223.   Bullets: Either 175g SMK or 175g Bergers for the 308 and 77 grain SMK's for the 223.    So far my search has been limited to MidwayUSA and Sinclairs. Are there other places I should be looking or should I just sign up to be notified and try to order before they sell out again. 

I am located in Knoxville     . 

Now that it appears the supply or reloading supplies may be a little easier to find, I decided to try my hand at reloading. I thought I would start a thread to, (1)  introduce myself to other reloaders and (2) apologize in advance for the questions I am sure to post in the coming days, months and weeks.    Reasons to Reload:   I will primarily be reloading (1) for fun, I think it will be an enjoyable hobby, (2) to get the best accuracy I can out of my 308 bolt gun and precision AR, and (3) to give me a small amount of peace of mind should ammo become scarce in the future. I plan to start reloading for 223 and 308. I likely will be coming back here with some questions, but will try to keep them to a minimum as I'm sure all my questions have been answered somewhere out there on the internet.    My setup:    I ordered the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Reloading Kit and an Arsenal Tumbler Kit. (links below) I also purchased a set of Lee precision Deluxe 223 dies (Grey) and a Lyman Reloading Handbook. I will be using a workbench I got a while back from Harbor Freight a while back. I will likely pick up a $20-30 dollar set of calipers as well. Short term I may also pick up a decent case trimmer, maybe the Lyman Universal for $80 bucks, but I'm going to wait on that for now. I am also considering a stand for the powder measure so I don't have to hang it off my workbench.    The RCBS Kit includes the following:  Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage press 505 scale Uniflow Powder Measure Speer Reloading Manual Hand priming tool with small and large primer plugs Folding Hex Key Set with 0.050", 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64" and 5/32" keys Universal Case Loading Block, which holds 40 cases in most rifle and pistol calibers Case Lube Kit, which includes a 2 oz bottle of Case Lube-2, a case lube pad, 2 case neck brushes for .22 through .30 calibers and an accessory handle Powder Funnel for .22 to .45 caliber, including the Winchester Short Magnum calibers Chamfer and deburring tool for .17 through .60 caliber   Experience:   I have absolutely no experience reloading. I have never seen another person reload nor do I know anyone who reloads. Prior to purchasing any equipment I read a lot of forum posts and other information about basic reloading, watch a number of youtube videos, etc. I have also read both the Speer and Lyman Manuals.   I have been collecting my spent brass for the last six months or so and have started buying brass instead of the cheaper cased stuff lately. I have about 200 rounds of good once fired 308 brass, Federal Gold Cup Match and Hornady Match. I also have about 200 rounds of once fired brass in 223. I also have about 500 additional rounds of Match 308 and Black Hills Match 5.56 ammo that I will save the brass from once I go through them.    My Plan:   I plan to start tumbling brass this weekend and getting my equipment set up. I believe some of the RCBS kit will need an initial cleaning. I am also going to sit down and try to decide on a basic load for 223 to start with and see if I can order the components I need, primers, powder, bullets. I am really looking forward to the process and eventually shooting some of my own ammunition.    How you can help!:   If you have read this far, my apologies. However, since you already wasted this much time, you might as well leave a reply giving a tip or suggestion for me.        Note: I probably could have saved 50 bucks by going with Midway on the RCBS Kit had I shopped around a bit more.      RCBS Supreme http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0078MWM2W/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Arsenal Tumbler http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TTILBC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Lee 223 Dies http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N8OKK0/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Lyman Handbook http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MYEU0E/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Work Bench http://www.harborfreight.com/workbench-with-4-drawers-60-hardwood-69054.html

  Everyone is certainly free to run their business the way they see fit. They offer as one of their business services, gun transfers. They charge $30 for the transfer and $10 for the background check. Even if I never bought anything else from them, I would consider myself a customer.    I think it comes down to the fact that it is a business decision. This store likely gets in a number of guns to transfer on a daily basis. They have decided that instead of hiring more staff to process them expeditiously, a three day wait is acceptable. That's fine. They will lose my business for transfers but I don't hold it against them personally or anything and I'm not going to post a negative review.    Regardless, I wasn't trying to attack this LGS, just trying to get some input regarding wait times. I originally posted because I didn't think a three day wait was reasonable. It seems from everyone who has commented, that my original feeling was correct and I will be trying a new LGS in the future. 

Thanks for the review CactusJack.   I have had mixed dealings with CCA, some positive, some negative. In my dealings, the work they do is very good, but customer service can be lacking at times. I believe they are about to change their name, maybe in relations to all the very poor reviews they have online, or perhaps because having "Armory" in the name is too scary. 

The section they were charged under would have to be: (8) displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm;   I'm not offering my opinion on it one way or another, but the language of the statute is relevant for this discussion. 

Texas Disorderly Conduct Statute:   § 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly:   (1) uses abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;   (2) makes an offensive gesture or display in a public place, and the gesture or display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace;   (3) creates, by chemical means, a noxious and unreasonable odor in a public place;   (4) abuses or threatens a person in a public place in an obviously offensive manner;   (5) makes unreasonable noise in a public place other than a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code, or in or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy;   (6) fights with another in a public place;   (7) discharges a firearm in a public place other than a public road or a sport shooting range, as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code;   (8) displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm;   (9) discharges a firearm on or across a public road;   (10) exposes his anus or genitals in a public place and is reckless about whether another may be present who will be offended or alarmed by his act; or   (11) for a lewd or unlawful purpose: (A) enters on the property of another and looks into a dwelling on the property through any window or other opening in the dwelling; (B) while on the premises of a hotel or comparable establishment, looks into a guest room not the person's own through a window or other opening in the room; or (C) while on the premises of a public place, looks into an area such as a restroom or shower stall or changing or dressing room that is designed to provide privacy to a person using the area.

I will try Bill's Outpost. They are actually about the same distance away for me and I need to check them out anyway. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions (Except graycrait, his comment was ridiculous). 

Incentive? I would hope the fee they charge for transfers would be an incentive. I also pick up something else from their shop fairly often while waiting on my background check to go through. I have used them for gunsmithing services in the past as well.  I would think that keeping their customers happy would also be incentive.    How long are the rest of you guys waiting for a shop to process transfers?   

Welcome aboard. 

Pretty good hunt opening day over in Monroe County. About 20 hunters and most got a limit or close to it. Yesterday was significantly slower. Looking forward to the rest of the season. 

How long is reasonable/acceptable to wait for a LGS to perform a transfer?    I buy almost all of my guns either though local classifies or online dealers. I realize there is certainly a benefit to supporting your LGS, and I check with one or two before ordering a firearm online, but many times they cannot come within 20% of the price I can get online and frankly, I can spend that money elsewhere.    I normally use a large LGS in Knoxville for the transfers when I purchase online. In the past, prior to December of 2012, they advertised that transfers would normally be processed the same day they received them and could be picked up in the evenings. Over the past year, I have waited longer and longer for them to process transfers. Additionally, when I call to check on a transfer, they normally seem annoyed that I call to see if the firearm is ready to be picked up. They now advertise that firearms can be picked up 24-48 hours after delivery. The last two firearms I have purchased sat in their shop for three business days before they were ready to be picked up.     I don't think that a three day wait is reasonable. Am I just using the wrong LGS or is a three day wait normal these days? How long does it actually take to process a firearm for transfer? 

I would think the 16.5 would be just fine unless you are looking for something to really reach out, say over 500 yards. You will lose velocity with the shorter barrel, but 16.5 should be plenty long enough for the vast majority of purposes. I think I would stick with the 16. 

Looking forward to the new store. I'm in the market and you guys are even close by. 

I always keep a NAA 22 Mag locked in my glovebox and throw it into my pocket on occasion. Great little pistol. I have an older model with the hogue style rubber grip. 

I found the entirety of "One Second After" as an audio book broken down into chapter on youtube and listened to the whole thing over the weekend. Pretty dark, but it also seems very realistic. 

Dang it! I have no need for another lower but I picked up one as well. 

My favorite 22's are a bolt action heavy barreled Savage FV and a classic Ruger single six single action revolver. The Savage is incredibly accurate and the Ruger, well it's just plain fun to shoot.  That being said, for a 22 year old I'm going to go against what a lot of people here will recommend and suggest a tactical style 22 rifle such as the Smith and Wesson MP 15-22.   It isn't particularly accurate. It has a polymer lower and they is a little expensive, although you do see a lot of them listed in classifieds such as armslist. That being said, they are a ton of fun to shoot and just look cool, especially to a 22 year old. I have the smith and wesson and it runs great. The Mossberg tactical 22 is a little cheaper, but I don't have any experience with it. Sticking with the tactical style, a Savage 64-TR wouldn't be a bad choice either and I have seen several of those listed on armlist in the past month.    I realize you said he hasn't shown much interest in semi-auto's but I would at least run the idea of one of these guns by him and see what he thinks. 

What gjohnsoniv said is correct. You need to get there pretty early to get a good sport at forks of the river. I think TWRA will release their fields in the next week or so.    You can also always try the old method of knocking on the front door of a farmhouse and asking permission. In my experience the best fields are in the New Market area. Other then that, I don't know unless some friendly TGO'er has a private field they give you permission to hunt.