Topics

What's the best shooting rest?? Ive heard the lead sled is a good one....your thoughts, please.

I have a CZ full stock .243 listed on GA right now for 575. I will sell to any THL member for 550 delivered.  This rifle has been sighted in only and has a few safe marks (99%+) and comes with CZ rings polished by S&K and an older 3-12  Tasco scope, fully functional. This is a tack driver. Need safe room!

[GRADE=F]

There has been a lot of traffic on the Forum recently in regard to customer support from the manufactures. I've got 4 recent ones:
1. Beretta's recall of the bad Tikkas has been a joke.  GRADE=F:frown
2. Last summer, I fought with Leupold over one of my vari x II's that had gone bad. After finally sending the scope back 2d try, with a group fired out of the exact 243 with the exact loads with a Burris on top they test fired the scope in Oregon and the Techie called me and reported the scope had an internal failure. Duh...that's what I told them 4 weeks earlier. 1 week later I got the scope back with new internal workings and haven't had a problem with it to date. GRADE=C
3. I broke a primer punch on one of my RCBS dies and called customer support. She sent me 2 new pins which I received in 2 days. I also mentioned I had a 17 die set and heard they broke easily...she sent two of the complete inserts also...on her own! GRADE-A+:D
4. Leupold bases with wrong screws. e-mailed Leupold and received a reply within 3 hours as follows: Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400
Reference Call #
 
Caller: - Rick Scruggs
Summary: Reply/Gabe
 
Rick,

No need to worry you probably got a pack of bases with the incorrect
screw because we have not really run in to this problem. Please let me
know if you would like me to send you a replacement set of screws. Let
me know.


Regards,

Gabe Lange GRADE=B
 
There's my input...some good and some not so good. It's report Card time on THL!!

Finally got the scope mounted after finding out that one of the factory Leupold  base screws was too long preventing the bolt from closing. This was petentially very dangerous as the rifle would fire! I remembered the manual stating that the bolt would not open witht the safety on....this one did. I removed the scope and bases and the bolt closed fine. That's when I found the long screw. What's up with Leupold????
 
Anyway, I found a shorter screw and remounted the scope boresighted and ready for the first test shell. Long story short, I have a load that is ready for the range. 74gr Retumbo pushing a 140gr Nosler at 3175'/sec. Question the Hodgdon receipe calls for a standard primer....would you try a magnum primer?? I'm currently 1gr under max load.
 
The rifle is a Tikka Whitetail Hunter deluxe with a Burris 4.5x14, Leupold bases:frown and Burris Signature rings.:D

I finished my dad's old 8mm Mauser today. It took 2 days to clean after disassembly. It has an old Fajen stock and it's been sporterized per usual. I have to find a new scope for it as the old Hensoldt Wetzlar has a goofy size tube.....26mm I think. None of my scopes fit the old redfield base and rings.....probably go with a Burris with the long tube....sorry Leupold you lose again. This thing may turn out to be a barrel of fun...180 gr nosler ballistic tips look for starters...your thoughts appreciated. Regards, Rick.

As promised, I've been working on dad's old Mauser for two days now and it has more stamps, letters and numbers than I thought. Under side, forward of magazine letter P. Under side behind trigger forward of rear retaining screw the letter M or W. Both retaining screws are fancy with the Plattgeir (eagle) and 3 flat sides. L side action Mod. 98. Top of receiver has  top to bottom, the eagle, the letters bcd (arsenal code?) and a ratther large 4 (year 1944?). R side of receiver is the eagle stamp and number 1. Top of barrel in front of receiver are faint numbers/letters....looks like a space space 44 space fancy lower case y. Under side by front retaining screw, W or M, Number 1 right side of screw hole and a very small faint number or letter. Above bolt release the eagle. Right side of ttrigger assembly, top has letter e or p??? Back of bolt  has letter e left of firing pin and the numbers 76 right of firing pin....serial number for sure. Just rear of bolt on top of assembly numbers 0176....obvious serial number. Since it was sporterized, many of the marks are tough to figure out especially on the barrel.
 
Once I got the crud out of the barrel....2 days....there is a very nice bore there! The triger is so simple and functional it is truly remarkable. I cleaned up the old Hensholt Witzlar scope and it still seems to be functional. It was very rusty but the good old Blue Wonder worked magic. Since I've got the rifle all torn apart, I deceided to refinish the stock. Give me some Wipe out, Butch's, a good Jag and brush and I can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse!!! Regards, Rick.:D

[....old vs. new]

Shotgunhemi asked me a question on another thread that sparked my desire to find out what your thoughts are on old vs. new. He asked me if I thought a Tikka was the same as a Sako. Here's what I said " OK Chris....now you are going to get me in trouble....no, I do not consider a tikka a sako. Heck, I don't even consider any Sako made after 1983 a Sako. Having said that, I own a Tikka Whitetail Hunter Deluxe in 7 mag.....My only magnum by the way. It's my antelope gun for long range shots and I can bang it around without feeling guilty.
 
Being an old fashioned kind of a guy, I just don't have any desire to own a plastic, rubber, parkerized, stamped out, mass produced, all electric. middle of the road rifle. Give me wood and steel! There, now you got me in trouble. I think I'll start a new thread and stir things up around here. By the way, your mailbox is full...regards, Rick"
 
OK, lets here the collective "brain trust" on your thoughts....old vs. new.:D

Anyone out there tried Hodgdons new RETUMBO powder yet?

What's your favorite bore cleaner? Dad's old Mauser is in bad shape. I was told there are some foam cleaners you can spray in the barrel and let them work overnight. Lets hear about your favorite cleaner and where to buy them. regards, Rick.

Well, here's my baby....thanks to M1Garand. This is a model M Steyr circa 1969. I'll post some pics of my reloading room soon on the reloading forum.

I took some pics with my digital camera. I set the camera on the lowest setting. They came out around 120 KB (JPEG). They are too large to be posted. I've tried to reduce them to no avail....I only made the files larger when converting to bitmap. I have imaging and paint on my computer. do I need more software? Help please....regards, Rick.

Anyone have any experience with these monsters? Good, bad? Where would I find dies? Looking at one that seems like someone poured in a lot of cash to build. I need to buy a rifle soon cause of all these posts on new rifles is driving me nuts!!! Regards, Rick.

A guy on the Sako club claims he has a new Sako A2 in 7mm08 that shoots sub MOA, not suprising, but fouls the barrel terribly after firing just 2 or 3 rounds. I've never heard of such a thing. Comments please.

I m in quest of the perfect bullet. Let me explain.....My farm in Northcentral Missouri lies on a natural corridor between 2 substantial tracts of timber. The deer cross on the back 80 which is nearly wide open. I have 3 high stands triangulated 550 yards apart. My problem is simple...I could have a 70 yard to 400 yard shot. Forget the caliber and rifle....what I need are your  recommendatiions on the "perfect bullet". I have been reloading since 1961 and welcome your input. When this thread has run it's course, I'll disclose what I've tried and my conclusions. Thanks, Rick.

My dad, bless his soul, left me his 8mm mauser that he brought back from Germany after the Berlin airlift....he brought me back too thank God. He had it sporterized at the gun school in Denver back in the 50's and the darn thing is a lousy shooter.....I've tried a zillion combinations with poor results. I'm wondering if they cut the barrel too short...it's 21 inches. The action is silky smooth and it seems a waste that it won't shoot better than 2 inch groops. what would the brain trust of this fine groop of experts recommend??? or is this an exercise in futility?? Regards, Rick.

Let's share some varmit / critter loads. Please note the rifle/caliber/scope if any, case, primer, type powder, type bullet and weight. Don't list your max load....just a good conservtive place to start. If you have a favorite factory load please share.

my .243 is a Sako L579 all factory with a leupold 3x9.
 
Win case, win primer, 55 gr combined technology ballistic silver tip, 41.5 gr imr 4895 for starters. I'm cronying at 3610 with my max load and holding 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. work up .5 grain at a time.

Does anyone post shotgun information on this forum and if so, where?

[only]

SAFETY ALERT
 
Hello. If you are unsure about the current recall please read on. I contacted the Beretta folks today to find out the facts concerning the recall. This recall involves stainless steel barreled Sakos and Tikkas only that were manufactured after Feb 2004. All other Sakos/Tikka rifles are uneffected. Their number is 800-503-8869 ex 1212. There are still about 10% of the rifles that are unaccounted for, hence this message. Regards, Rick.

[This should be fun...to be followed by big calibers for antelope, deer, elk, moose and bear!!!]

This should be fun...to be followed by big calibers for antelope, deer, elk, moose and bear!!!
 
My vote, to get this thread going, is my 220 swift....faster, flatter and older!! I have an old HVA 98 mauser rechambered to 220 with a shilen barrel and Traister trigger/safety....Boyds stock and 6x16 sightron fun fun fun....Let's hear from you varmit shooters!!!!! Regards, Rick.
 
Runner up is my .17 Rem CZ.... little pelt damage real good for closer shots. Love the clip which is handy in the PU.
 
LEADER BOARD AS OF 09/02---
 
FIRST PLACE VOTES: 220 SWIFT (2); 17Rem (2); 22 HORNET (1); 204 RUGER (1);
 
22 MAG (1); 223 (3); 222 rem mag (1); 270 rem (1); 338 win mag(1) 243 win (1);
 
222 rem(1)

I'm Rick and I live in NC Missouri with my terrior Tess and an antique computer/browser/phone  lines and cell phone hell.  I own 175 acres of food plots, CRP, 4 ponds and a variety of critters  including deer, quail, turkey, bobcats, rabbits, bass, crappie  and channel cats. I collect old Sakos and have reloaded rifle and shotgun ammo since 1962.