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Aswad -> RE: What gun to get? -first firearm (9/6/2012 7:53:05 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: UllrsIshtar
Besides, I definitely want to learn to go hunting as well, and I've got a feeling handguns may not be the first pick for that. [:D]
Two suggestions on hunting rifles:
- Tikka T3, 6.5x55mm version (medium game to 600m; defensive to 800m).
- Sako TRG42, .338 lapua-magnum (large game to 1.2km; defensive to 1.5km).
The latter is expensive as hell, requires handloading unless you're filthy rich, and you will either have to suppress it or use both ear plugs and muffs. The upshot is you will never become a better marksman than your tool accomodates, and you will have the best assurance that every shot has an outcome that entirely reflects your skill. It is a favored rifle with wildlife management up here, and also favored with the sniper teams in our ranger and special forces units. I've had a crush on it for a while, but legislation makes it an iffy proposition to buy one at the moment (if they decide on a ban, the investment will be lost for anyone already owning one).
The former is much less expensive, but still a great rifle, and the caliber (not the only one available, just what I'd suggest) happens to be low recoil, modest cost and high accuracy. It has a higher drop than many rounds do, but it also behaves deterministically if fired from a good rifle like the T3, so skill will allow you to compensate out to at least 800m, which is not the case for many that have less drop than it does. Which is why it was common in biathlon, and one of the main reasons it is the most popular caliber in Scandinavia (and readily available in the USA). With a good telescoping full length silencer, it may be possible to use it outdoors without ear plugs, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you've checked with an SPL meter.
Bringing your resting heart rate down will be something to start working on right away for target shooting with a rifle, of course. I used to be at 50 to 55 beats per minute back when I was a decent shot, which gives you a lot of time between the pulse travelling down your arm and the next beat in your chest, in which to make the final adjustment and finish squeezing the trigger. Memorizing tables for bullet drop vs distance vs inclination vs cartridge loading and tables for sidewinds vs projectile weight can also be done well ahead of starting to shoot. You can also practice estimating distance, inclination and wind speeds ahead of time if you're not going to measure those with tools. For target shooting, you have a stationary target (some ranges may have moving targets, but I haven't seen any where I live) and don't need to factor in bullet travel time, but it's something you need to think about if you will be hunting at long ranges.
Rifles might be less "action" than a handgun, but they offer ample challenges and can be quite rewarding.
Whatever you settle on, set aside between a third and half the cost of the rifle for optics.
IWYW,
— Aswad.
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