Hidalgo

AR triggers are NOT good triggers as a general rule. The single stage triggers that come in the parts kits usually leave a LOT to be desired. A couple of suggestions ..... Go to AR15.Com and look in their sticky posts. There is a thread there that shows AR assembly and has a ton of pics. You should be able to discern whether the trigger is in correctly or not. My first thought is that perhaps you have the trigger spring out of place ... not riding on top of the pin. You'll see what I mean when you look at that thread. EDIT: Here's a link to the thread. EVERY person planning on building an AR should read this thoroughly: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 Also, I would suggest that you purchase a 2-stage trigger from Rock River. They are as good a trigger as you can get (for the money, that is). Brownells usually has them in stock. Hope that helps.

It's a Pelican. Not cheap ... but the ONLY thing that will protect your rifle on an airplane. There are others out there that might work, but I know this one does the job. Seven trips already. It's dirty and scratched/scraped but not damaged. Does a great job. The foam comes in 3 pieces ... top, center, bottom. You cut the center piece to fit your gun and accessories. Pelican offers several options on cases and foam. Be sure you order one with the 3-piece foam if you want to cut it like I did.

Here's 1 of my 3 girls ... ready to be given to TSA & Delta on the way to Texas for another hog hunt. This is the only 20" upper I have, and it's probably my favorite when there's not a lot of hiking involved ...

I totally agree. I too have owned, hunted, and taken game with both of them. Here are my personal thoughts .... Long range: The 7Mag is a hands down winner here. I have taken mule deer in Colorado with this rifle, and it's definitely a winner. Versatility: The '06 leads here. There are many, many different ways to load the '06 and unlimited bullet types and weights. No brainer. Availability: Once again, the '06 rules. Easy to procure both rifles and ammunition, and MUCH easier to sell if the time comes. Just my thoughts.

I might have to see that to believe it .........

I'm not familiar with that model FoxPro. Register on their forums and ask those guys about it. As for the .223 being enough of a rifle to use in Mid TN, I have hunted with several folks in Texas and Arizona that use .223s and they have no problems. If it's enough gun out there, then we shouldn't be worried about it in the close quarters that we hunt around here. I zero my .223s to shoot 1.5" high at 100 yards, and that allows me to hold dead on out to 200 yards. I can't see good enough to be shooting past that distance anyway.

Buying a FoxPro product is NEVER a waste of money, IMO. You can purchase and download sounds on their website. I would strongly suggest that you tune into their forums at FOXPRO, Inc. - High Performance Game Calls. Just look under the "community" category. You'll find everything that you want to know about FoxPro on that site.

That's (by coincidence) the only load I've ran through mine so far. It seems to like them. Thanks for the info.

I've heard both sides of this argument several times.... ...JHP in the .380 won't expand - or - ...FMJ is the only way to go - or - ...Penetration is most important So, being the new owner of a Bersa Thunder, I'm debating what to carry for ammunition. I'm leaning towards one of the "Self Defense" hollowpoint loads provided I can find one that my pistol likes. What are you guys carrying for ammo in your .380s ... and more importantly ... WHY are you carrying it? What did you base your decision on?

LOL ... I just love it when someone jumps in and does that ... without reading what the posts actually SAY.

Silvers firearms in Old Fort usually has them in stock. Check with Steve Silvers. About a 30 minute drive from Chattanooga. Silvers Firearms

Perhaps the 1/2" groups that all three of my 16" rifles shoot on a regular basis, and the simplicity of takedown and cleaning. Not to mention that they are more well-balanced than any of my bolt guns will ever be. Ugly? Well , that's debatable. The spring rattle is an easy fix with a Tubb buffer spring. And there's no excuse for a bad trigger on any AR. Rock River makes a wonderful 2-stage trigger. Once again ... easy fix. Ambidextrious safeties are cheap and easily installed. And I don't know what assortment of "switches, etc" you are referring to? There's a safety (which all rifles have) a magazine release (all rifles have this if they have removable mags) and the charging lever (once again, simply a bolt handle which all rifles have). As for it being backwards for a lefty, they DO make LH versions. Just like bolt guns. Like has been said, these rifles aren't for everyone. But just because you don't prefer this type of action, that doesn't mean that everyone else is wrong (your "hype" comment).

It won't. You'll never see it in the scope.

Just to clarify your statement a little more .... This is NOT the case on a WMA. You do NOT want to get caught on a WMA with a centerfire rifle except during deer season. Public land is another story.

I "think" you might be referring to the .17 Fireball. Whole different animal from the .17Rem I've shot them on several occasions ... they're every bit as loud as a .223 or .204

He awakens !!! Just kidding ya. There's a LOT to be said for the 'ole 5.56 in terms of availability, dependability, and reliability. Hard caliber to beat for the use that you've got in mind.

Actually .... If you hit them properly, with a smaller caliber like a .204 or .223, and do so with the proper bullets ... They sound like they're full of slush when you pick them up ....

Are you really "sure" that you want a .17Rem? You're buying a single-purpose rifle ... and it won't come at a cheap price. They're rare in TN. The odds of you finding a used one (much less a new one) are slim to none. The .17 is a wonderful round when used for it's designed purpose. But I'd just as soon have a .204 or .223 in this part of the country. YEP. Used one on several occasions. In REAL LIFE, it's just as I described it: A single-purpose rifle. Extremely limited caliber. As for the "smoke-blowing", it sounds like you might have been over to the "Coyote Gods" website .... Let's be realistic here ..... If you buy a .17Rem, you can't do anything with it but target shoot, coyote hunt, or shoot an occassional groundhog. Do you make lots of trips out west to hunt prairie dogs? If not, write it off and forget about it. A .204 Ruger is a far better coyote caliber than the .17 and is easier to find ammo for. A .223 Rem is just as deadly on coyotes (if not more-so) and ammo is readily available. Not to mention that you can legally use it to deer hunt if you choose. And after you buy this .17Rem and decide later that you didn't really want it ... WHO are you going to sell it to? You need to re-think this choice, IMO.

Now THAT'S hilarious! Coyotes that are PRIME pelts will max out at $40. Bobcat pelts fluctuate depending on the demand. I look at the pelt prices fairly often, and I've NEVER seen a coyote pelt over $50. As for the .22/250 suggestion ... they will definitely drop a coyote out to 400 yards and beyond. Extremely dependable caliber that is also easy to load for.

No, more like this one ..........................

OOPS! Sorry I blasted your Sis. If this case is the first and is unusual, then I'd be looking and trying to determine exactly what set the dog off? Just to make sure it doesn't happen again.

This is the first "situation" that I've had while carrying............... Went to the local UPS Store today. There was a man in there trying to ship an amplifier and speakers back to the manufacturer. As I waited patiently for him to finish his business, it became extremely obvious that this guy was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I probably waited patiently for 15-20 minutes as he asked the clerk every question that his brain could conceive. My patience was running thin but I still gave him his room and waited. Finally ... it was my turn and I approached the counter and began my business. The guy who was now "finished" looked over my shoulder and interrupted me by asking the clerk how much the packaging tape cost. Then 30-40 seconds later he interrupted us again to ask another question. No "excuse me" or anything. Just busted right in. I had reached the end of my rope. I glanced at him and said, "LOOK! You had your turn and I waited patiently. I'd appreciate it if you'd show me the same courtesy!" As I turned back towards the clerk, the guy said: "You better watch how you talk to me! I might have a gun!" I looked him directly in the eyes and smiled a slight smile. My most devious smile that I could muster. His face turned pale and he turned and left out the door quickly. Perhaps he wasn't as senile as I had originally thought ... because it was obvious by my reaction, and his subsequent reaction, that I was the only one who was armed. Although humorous afterward, I can only wonder where this might have gone if I hadn't exercised patience and constraint. I can honestly admit that I would NOT have been so understanding if I were not armed.

And the OWNER as well ... I also wish the best for your son. Situations such as this are unnecessary if the owner of the animal did their part.

Bobcats can be called with the same sounds that attract coyotes. But they "usually" are more cautious to come to a call. I have seen them come charging in, but it is a rarity. As for the pelts, coyote pelts are not worth the trouble to skin the animal, IMO. Bobcat pelts are worth a reasonable amount of money if you want to go to the trouble of skinning, prepping, and transporting to a buyer. The hunters in the western US have a little different situation. They usually have better hides and buyers are more available.

We reload and shoot coyotes and bobcats with 60gr Vmaxs, and they do a great job of dispatching them. As for the pelts, Tennessee pelts are useless 95% of the time anyway. And while the VMaxs will make quite a hole in a bobcat ... so will most any other centerfire round.