Sidewinder

Just curious... was the other dealer Able's Guns? I've noticed some pretty good deals on there.

Is the press on the left a Rock Chucker Jr.? If so, how do you like it? Will dies from the regular Rock Chucker fit it, or do you have to buy special dies? thanks for the info. Good looking bench set up.

Anyone got a good used (or new) Weaver 74 scope mount that they would like to sell? I'm looking for one to go on my Savage model 24V-A in .222/20Ga. I'm in the M'boro area. Thanks. 615-519-3680 Chuck

Find you a good person of honesty/integrity, with common sense, and woods smarts, and the rest will take care of itself. IMHO.

Thanks, great pics and obviously a fun hunt. Have you ever been hunting on Kodiak Island? I spent some time there back in the early 60s... before the earthquake. I thought it was a hunter's and fisherman's paradise back then... probably still is.

I've heard that the shot tend to "bridge" in the down drop tube on larger size shot. I have loaded on my MEC 600 Jr. 20 gauge, and my MEC 650 12 gauge, and am probably buying a MEC 600 Jr. in .410 tomorrow. So I'll probably know how that works by tomorrow night. It's got to be better, and faster, than hand loading them with shot and powder dippers... weighing each and every load of powder and shot!

Update... I loaded 10 using the MRC hand loader, and they came out just fine. I had to put an extra step between the start crimp and the final crimp. I used the end of the prime tool, which is wider than the ram rod used for the final crimp, and hand manipulated the folds of the crimp further closed. The final crimp went well, and they shot well. I only shot 5 of them at 10" paper plates, and they shot good. Some of the crimps were a little open in the center, and smaller shot just might fall out. But, I was loading #6 lead shot, and they did fine. I'll attach a pic of the crimps, if I can figure out hoe to post pics. May buy a new MEC tomorrow from Grady Jones' Gun Shop in the B'oro. I believe $180 out the door, is reasonable, and you don't have to wait for UPS!

Thanks for sharing the story and pics of your mother in law's Savage. It's a keepsake she'll cherish the rest of her life, and probably pass on to a grand-kid. Sorry about the loss of her husband. We're loosing them (WWll Veterans) at a great rate these days. They truly were "the greatest generation", and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

I've got one of the Lee "clone" hand loaders, the MRC Loader. I'm wanting to load 2 1/2" shells, but it is for 3" shells. Has anyone been able to make this work on these hand loaders? I can do most all of the operations but the final crimp. The tube is just too long for that part of the reloading sequence. Any suggestions, short of buying another re-loader? Thanks.

GunTroll, you're absolutely right. I've noticed that it doesn't seem to matter where they're standing (except in the road) they seem to blend in well...especially late evening.

You're exactly right 56FordGuy. It's the frenzy akin to paying $6 for a $2 hot dog at the county fair. Not only at auctions do we see this though. I see "used" guns offered on many of these sites at "new" retail prices, or higher! Shop wisely for a gun, no matter where you're getting it... especially, if you're looking for bargains in a pawn shop. Most have that big, thick, gun price digest near by, and know exactly what a gun is worth. "Buyer beware"!

Has anyone been to the show today that can give us an objective run down on the quality of the show. Thanks.

Thanks for the information, Leroy. Yea, I don't like "pricey" either. I don't mind paying $30 - $35 for a genuine Lee hand loader... because it's made out of steel, and can be handed down to your great grand child. Right now I'm trying to get my new MEC Large Capacity Automatic Primer Feed adjusted and working right on mt MEC 650 12 gauge progressive loader. It's touchy and finicky...but should work like a charm, once I get it adjusted properly. Know anyone that has a MEC Super Sizer for sale, with 12 gauge dies?

Thanks Leroy. I've never had any dealings with the all brass shell hulls. I kind of like the regular plastic hulls, and would like to stick with them. A friend sent me a link to a guy that was manufacturing 2 1/2 inch .410 bore hand loaders. If I can't find an old Lee in 2 1/2 inch .410 bore, I might consider one of these. Good luck on your project. Also, thanks for the links... I'll check them out. I bought a pound of Winchester 296 to load the first ones with.

Did Lee make a hand-loader for 2 1/2" shells? All I've seen have been in 3" so far. If so, anyone got one you'd like to sell? I've got a Lee "clone", but it's in 3", and I don't think it will crimp the 2 1/2" shells. Does anyone know how to make this work... short of taking it to a machine shop? Just got my first .410, after all these years, and wanted to do some reloading for fun and to make shooting it affordable. thanks for your help. chuck (cjwaa1@msn.com)

Used to catch them as a kid, using fat back on a pole and line. Ever tried them fried in a skillet, or grilled like lobster tail? Good stuff!

Thanks to all who participated and are interested in the Savage Model 24 combination guns. As a follow up from the concern shown before about a possible scam, it was legit and no scam. The gentleman's name is John Odell, and he's writing a book about the Savage model 24s. In my opinion, he's probably the most knowledgeable person on the Savage 24 forums and discussion groups. I believe he said he owns 40 of the Savage Model 24s, in various calibers and gauges. In fact, he's writing a book about our beloved Savage 24 over under combo guns! He's supposed to let me know when it's available. I'll let all of you know. This is one gun book you don't want to miss. He's done countless hours of research, and inspected hundreds of 24s. We all need to purchase John's book, as it will be the authoritative word on these guns.

Congrats to your son on the big Gobbler, and to you for teaching your son how to put meat on the table for his family some day.

Caster, you got me into doing some research on Savage24.com, and they did produce some in .308 caliber. The latest was in 1990, and was a .308/12 Ga., I think the model number I have written down is 389. They also made a .308 back in 1975, but I think it may have been on top of a 20 gauge. Not totally sure about that, but there are some .308s out there. I'd like to have one myself.

Anyone had any experience in using the Savage Four Tenner inserts to convert a 20 gauge barrel to a 410 barrel? I'm looking for one for my Savage Combo gun (.22LR/20Ga.), and wondered about the pros and cons. I already know they add weight, and that the 410 shells are expensive. I see them on auctions selling for from $35 to over $100. I'd like for people to post their experiences on here, that have "actually owned" and "shot" them. Don't just say they're a POS (if you actually think they are), tell us why they are. Thanks guys, and if you have one to sell, I have a WTB listed right here on TGO. Edit Sunday April 3rd. I guess my concerns are in the following areas: 1. How was the shot pattern and range affected by the "Four Tenner"? 2. Was there any damage to the bore of your gun from using a Four Tenner? 3. Is the friction from the "O" ring the only thing that holds the Four Tenner in your gun? 4. I understand a lot of skeet shooters use them, but are they suitable for hunting? 5. If you have used one of the Four Tenners, were you happy with the results? Thanks in advance for your honest opinions.

When I first started this thread, I listed one of my model 24s as a Savage Model 24 S-B. I don't know where I got the "S-B" from, as I recently got the gun out to inspect it, and discovered it is marked on the barrel thusly, "Savage 24 series S". Are there any Savage 24 "experts" on here? If so, would you tell me if there was such a model as the "S-B"? I got it from somewhere... I just didn't make it up in my head, as I had no reason to. Help me out here. This is bugging me, and I'd like to know if there is a Savage 24 S series B. Anyone? Thanks in advance for your help.

All previous posters are passing on good information... advice. I would just add, in that "mentor" look for someone that has a healthy respect for the land, the game, other hunters, the law, and our hunting rights. Respect and integrity go a long way in the woods!

Lana, great shot! Congratulations on your first Tom. You know you're to be congratulated too, for having such a great Dad! Not all dads take the time to teach their daughters how to fish and hunt. I'm sure you already know that. You're one lucky girl... and he's one lucky Dad.

Same here, 101... it is what it is, and we can't fight city hall, so we just have to make the best of it! I'm still thankful that we're still allowed to have guns in this country, and to be able to enjoy the hunting that is available to us, even if it is under over restrictive rules and regulations.

Caster, in the good ole days, "common sense" reigned supreme, but not in the Tennessee laws and regs pertaining to hunting wildlife these days! One would think it took a "Philadelphia lawyer" to have written such non common sense laws for us hunters! Many are confusing, and non common sense, at best.