deerslayer

Agreed--Core Lokt is cheaper stuff; I just kept quoting their numbers for apples-to-apples comparisons. A quick search of Remington's ballistics pages reveals very similar numbers with their Premier Accu-Tip loads. I prefer 168 Ballistic Silvertips in my .30-06. My load is 56 grains of IMR 4350, and velocity is 2800-2850 out of a 24" barrel. My dad's favorite load for his Ruger M77 was 51 grains of IMR 4064 with 150 grain Sierra flat base Spitzers. They averaged 2900 out of the M77's 22" barrel, and he shot several one hole groups with them. Most 150 .30-06 loads average around 2900, but some approach 3000. 2600 sounds like a reduced-recoil type load. I agree with mugster--a 500 fps difference just doesn't sound realistic. BTW, I wan't knocking the .243--I think it's a fine round and I want one someday. IMO, it's just not the laser beam that many seem to think.

Ok, since the TGO changeover I can no longer post pics. Under forum rules in the bottom left corner, it says "you may not post attachments." How is everyone else posting pictures? Are you using a host site, such as photobucket?

That was one long sentence. So you think that 200-300 fps that the .300 offers over the .30-06 was the difference in penetration? No two shots/hits are exactly alike. What kind of bullets were you using with each? From my experience, .30 caliber 150 grain Ballistic Tips come apart and do not penetrate at .30-06 velocity (~2900 fps), especially when hitting part or all of the shoulder. Drive that same bullet out of a .300 at 3100 or 3200 fps, expansion will be even more violent and fragmentation will be even worse. FWIW, a .243 was mentioned earlier as being "a laser." According to Remington's website, once again, a 100 grain Core Lokt load zeroed at 150 yards drops 10.4" at 300 yards--barely 1" difference from the .30-06. I'm not trying to come across as a .30-06 Nazi or something, just trying to point out that the advantages offered by other calibers thought to be far superior are almost insignificant.

Well, let's see. According to Remington's website, here's a quick comparison between the four calibers I mentioned. All are using lighter "Core Lokt" bullets for apples-to-apples purposes. results at 300 yards with a 150 zero: .30-06 w/ 150 grain bullet 11.4" low and 1445 ft.-lbs of kinetic energy .270 w/ 130 grain bullet 9.8" low and 1472 ft.-lbs of kinetic energy 7mm Mag w/ 140 grain bullet 8.5" low and 1878 ft.-lbs of kinetic energy 300 Win w/ 150 grain bullet 8.7" low and 1828 ft.-lbs of kinetic energy While some may see these numbers as earth-shattering, I wouldn't turn around for the difference. The lowly .30-06 only drops barely 2.5" more than the mighty .300 Winchester Magnum at 300 yards. All the calibers still have plenty of power to flatten the fattest mule deer. Keep in mind that the kinetic energy formula squares velocity, which I'm not convinced should play such a significantly bigger role than bullet weight. I still know plenty of people who hunt with a .30-30. It's definitely ballistically inferior to the rounds above, but a friend used one to take a deer at 180 yards WHEN HE WAS 14 YEARS OLD. Not something I would encourage a 14 year old to try, but it can be done.

I can almost tie them without looking...

The 2009 TSR (just outside Memphis) has been moved from its usual March date to September. This is a plus--the weather is much more likely to cooperate (last year it was a bit wet). Also, the timing makes for a great tune-up right before the Nationals. Although we had 160 shooters at the 2008 TSR, nationwide match attendance seemed lower last year. $4 gas was probably partially responsible. In order to encourage attendance in this economic downturn, the 2009 TSR will have no prize table or match t-shirts, but the match fee will only be $55. Plaques will still be awarded to top shooters, of course. Make no mistake--this will be a serious match with some of the most challenging IDPA stages you will ever see. The Match Director is an evil man when thinking of stages--he enjoys a good challenge. I have to deal with his madness all the time. Also, this is one of the few matches that actually includes an equipment check and a chrono. The MD set up a website just for the match: http://home.comcast.net/~tri-state-regional/site/?/home/ Come out and shoot with us--meet some good folks and shoot some quality stages!

Perhaps he was new to guns?? Maybe he was raised a flower child and has seen the light?? Cut the guy some slack--at least he's interested in getting a gun, which makes him a potential ally. I don't see the problem here. If I go to Best Buy and ask someone how I install some RAM in my computer, I'm no smarter than this guy was. Tying my shoe was a sonofabitch the first time I ever tried.

combat, self-defense. tomato, tomota. Three thugs with bad intentions may require more than five hits, which may well require more than five rounds. Handguns are merely loud BB guns. I may not always be able to simply run away or avoid the area. I've never been in the Marines or to Vietnam or to Gunsite, but I have learned to never say something can never happen. Thus, I don't carry according to what the so called "average" gunfight is thought to be.

.30-06 here. The trend is to get a 300 Ultra Super Short Extended Super Belted Magnum, but I think the perceived need for all the extra power for taking 150 pound whitetails is silly. If everyone realized how little the difference is in energy and trajectory between a .30-06, .270, 7mm Rem. Mag, and .300 Win. Mag, there would be a lot of suprised people. I bet the .30-30 still has the most confirmed kills.

Glock 19 or 23 w/ an extra magazine. The spare is more for fixing a malfunction that for having extra shots on tap. Now that I own a S&W 442, I sometimes carry a BUG in the front pocket. Whether talking about BUGs or extra mags, I think the SEALs sum it up best: "Two is one and one is none."

A single stage press shouldn't be ruled out for reloading rifle rounds (depending on how many you will need). I'm about to get a Dillon 550 set up and running, with the intention of cranking out 9mm now, and hopefully .223 down the road. Everybody tells me the general rule of thumb is to go ahead and get the 650 if you ever want to run a casefeeder, but I doubt I ever will. The Dillon "no BS" warranty is just that--they are a great example of what "American made" used to mean.

Had one--a CDP II Compact w/ internal extractor. Worst $1000 spent in the history of mankind...

Good advice except for the assumption that "realistic combat" never involves more than five rounds...

3" J-frames are not that hard to find. A quick search on gunbroker revealed a few 3" Model 60s, and a couple 3" Taurus 605s. Locally, Guns and Ammo usually has one in stock. A 4" K-frame is a bit harder to conceal than a 3" J-frame.

Shoot both first if you get the chance. Hold each in your hand, close your eyes, and point at a target. Which one lines up more naturally? This is not as big an obstacle to overcome as many would have you think (whether the Glock points high or the XDM points low). Compare the triggers by dry-firing. The XDM has a slightly lighter pull, but a longer reset. The Glock has the benefit of a wider choice of accessories. Magazines are probably cheaper and more available (althought the current political landscape may change that for all guns). The only gun that rivals a Glock for the wide range of choices of holsters and sights is a 1911. I'm a huge Glock fan, but you can't go wrong with either one. Be warned, though--don't buy into all the Glock-will-shoot-your-ass BS. People shoot themselves in the ass because they pulled the trigger before their gun ever cleared their holster. A grip safety would do them no good. A little training and repetition would.

Nothing that lists a Taurus PT-92 as #4 overall should be considered a serious list...

IMO, a better option than a Glock 26 or a snubbie for a first time shooter is a S&W Model 60 with a 3" barrel. With the steel frame, longer barrel, and better sights, there is a massive difference in accuracy and recoil over a 2" J frame (especially the alloy frame ones), and it's more user-friendly than an auto. It's still small enough and light enough to carry. My wife started with one, and after practicing now and then for a couple months, she outshot all the men at her carry permit class with it.

+1 for watching for the cat. Hey bailey, you're not a lefty, are you?

+1 I had a Taurus Model 85 Ultra-Lite that basically locked up from being dirty. They cylinder would barely move. The gun only had ~200 rounds through it since the last cleaning. I would carry a dirty Glock with 1000 rounds through it before carrying a revolver w/ 200. Revolvers are not totally malfunction-proof. I am not berserk about their longer trigger pulls, either. I sometimes shortstroke DA revolvers when shooting in a hurry. Pull the trigger five times, and fire three shots. That said, I like pocket carrying my new Smith 442 in a DeSantis Nemesis holster as a BUG. My wife says that it's hers after she has the baby. We'll see.

For me, the subcompacts (aka baby Glocks) are easier to conceal than the compacts. Even though I have a mag extension on my 27, it's easier to hide. Many argue that the grip extensions negate any advantage, because they have as long a grip as the compacts. This is true, to an extent. The smaller guns are the same length along the front of the grip, but are shorter along the back. All the bobtail 1911s that have recently become more popular are more concealable for the same reasons. Also, the shorter overall length seems to poke my side a little less, especially when driving.

We have a TiVo, and I hate it. It's full of baby shows and Lifetime movies. If I did know how to operate it, it wouldn't matter because there's never enough space on it to record anything (and it only holds 200 hours at a time).

Hmmm...bring your 17 with all its changes and your paycheck; I'll bring my stock 19, and we'll see who's on the bottom...

I have competed three or four times with my G27, and did suprisingly well. That said, you will be much better off with a 19 over a 26 if you want a CCW that doubles as a competitive IDPA gun. With your size, it will be easy to conceal (especially with an IWB holster), and it is easier to shoot. I used a 19 in IDPA for a year and a half, but finally gave in and got a 34. I still shoot the 19 in matches now and then.

I do support open carry, but only for two reasons: to keep the concealed carry crowd from going to jail for printing or accidently exposing their weapon, and to maintain some type of unity with gun owners. It has nothing to do with wanting to protect someone's right to walk around in Wal-Mart with a .44 mag on their hip for everyone to see. I also support everyone's right to smoke five packs of cigarettes a day, but don't think it's prudent to do so. Please don't compare me to 44M. I'm not Here's a link to another thread relating to OCing at Wally World: http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12834&highlight=wal-mart+open+carry

Hmmm...I live in Bartlett and have never seen anyone OCing in any of those places. I'll have to pay more attention. I suppose many see a guy OCing and assume he's a cop (or maybe they just avoid the guy wearing the gun on his hip). I have always liked to blend in and not draw attention, so I don't open carry. I don't think there is such a thing as being discreet while OCing. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's a good idea. I've never understood why fans of open carry believe they are doing gunowners such a favor.