NEWS RELEASE

This is a subject that has always fascinated me but, at the same time confused me. I find it interesting that bullet weight, grains of powder and even the type of weapon will change the ballistics of a round.

I like to study ballistics charts because they help me fully understand what my ammunition will do at varying ranges. Most ballistics charts show bullet drop out to 500 yards and include information about crosswind drift.

Such detailed information is extremely helpful, especially if you’re used to hunting where shots are close and you are planning a hunting trip to somewhere with wide-open spaces. Modern rifles and bullets will do their job at very long distances, but only if you know where to hold so the bullet hits the target.

Studying a ballistics chart also will help you in selecting a bullet design and weight. It can likewise help you determine what caliber gun will work best for your style of hunting.

For example, the .35 Remington, a popular caliber for deer hunters in thick woods, works just fine in close quarters. If you have to make a 400-yard shot with a .35-caliber rifle sighted dead on at 200 yards, however, you’d have to hold 70 inches above the target! I don’t know many hunters who can make that shot ethically.

A ballistics chart allows you to compare calibers and loads to help you make decisions regarding various hunting conditions.

Once I have made a decision on caliber and load, I study the table for bullet drop like I’m preparing for a test so I know where to hold in different yardage situations. If you have trouble remembering numbers, you can even write the drop figures/yardages on a piece of paper, laminate it and tape it to your rifle stock. If the deer is several hundred yards away, you’ll probably have time to consult the chart — and you’ll be glad you did when you make a nice, clean shot!

–Jackie Bushman of Buckmasters

This is good news for me seeing as I am in between clubs at the moment. I did not renew a membership at one club and the other that I was going to join has to wait a bit for their initiation fee because of unforseen truck repair cost.

This range in Glastonbury is FREE to the general public so it gives guys and girls like me a place to shoot if he or she does not belong to a club. I have a couple friends that said they would take me to the club when I wanted to shoot until I was able to pay the fee but, I don’t like to impose on others if you know what I mean.

Glastonbury Shooting Range
Re-Opens For 2008 Season

Weekend Hours Start April 5, 2008

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the Glastonbury Shooting Range is scheduled to re-open for supervised public use starting Saturday, April 5, 2008. The range is located within the Meshomasic State Forest off of Toll Gate Road in Glastonbury and has been closed for the winter period. Following extensive renovations completed in 2004, the range has been open during limited weekend hours for the past three seasons. The range will remain open through November 30, 2008 and will be staffed by seasonal DEP employees that are certified range safety officers.

Hours of operation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only. There is no fee to use the range. The range will be closed to public use during all other times and DEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police officers will strictly enforce hours of operation. Reservations can be made by contacting the DEP Eastern District Headquarters in Marlborough at (860) 295-9523, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 p.m. Callers may make single time slot reservations for themselves and not more than one other person at any one time. A total of ten covered shooting positions are available during two time periods: 10:00 am – 12 noon and 12 noon – 2:00 p.m. Shooting position assignments will be made at the discretion of the range safety officer. Target stands will be provided at 25, 50, 75 and 100-yard distances, but shooters must supply their own targets and stapler or tape for target placement. Only paper targets will be allowed and shooters should be reminded to bring eye and ear protection, which will be required at all times. Rifles, shotguns, pistols and muzzleloading rifles may be used, however fully automatic weapons are not permitted. The site is handicapped accessible, with a specially designed shooting bench for wheelchair access and includes portable sanitary facilities. Walk-in shooters are welcome and will be accommodated for unreserved positions or as space becomes available. The range may be closed due to severe weather and staffing availability.

Federal funding for site improvements, range equipment and seasonal staffing is provided through Connecticut’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program. Federal funds available to the states through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act), are derived from a federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. Connecticut receives a special allocation of federal funding that can be used for the construction, operation, maintenance and enhancement of public target and shooting ranges.

Info supplied by: The CT DEP

Well my new rifle will be here soon and I am looking forward to going to the range to see what it can do. For those of you who didn’t know I am adding a new gun to my locker. I have always hunted with Shotgun and Muzzleloader but I wanted to get a high powered rifle for deer. After spending a couple months of research and talking to a lot of other hunters and shooters I had decided on a package deal.

A Remington model 770 which comes with a factory mounted and bore sighted 3-9×40 scope. It will be chambered in .308

Now I am looking into ammunition but have not quite decided what I want to try. I have come up with two different type. One is the Federal Power-Shok and the other is the Remington Express Core-Lokt.

average price $15.99 per box

average price $17.99 per box

This is new territory for me so I will be checking with everyone who had helped me make a decision on the type if rifle to buy. I have been talking to and been friends with a lot of them for some time and trust their judgement. I will say that I am leaning toward the Federal ammunition though.

I always did like Winchester Ammunition. I usually use it in my slug gun with very good success.

From Winchester Ammunition

– For 2008, Winchester has turned up the performance even further on its highly popular, field-proven .325 WSM cartridge with the addition of XP3 bullet technology.

Ideal for everything from big mule deer and whitetail to moose and brown bear, the .325 WSM Supreme Elite cartridge features a new 200-grain XP3, Winchester’s flagship hunting bullet design.

The new .325 caliber, 200-grain XP3 bullet utilizes Winchester’s advanced 2-Stage Expansion technology, which combines a solid copper alloy jacket with deep expansion chamber at the front of the bullet and bonded lead core at the rear.

Upon impact, the jacket curls back in four uniform petals for a large frontal area - delivering massive shock and tissue damage - while the rear body of the bullet expands to support the front mushroom for deep penetration and high weight retention.

The XP3 .325 WSM features:
* 2-Stage expansion
* Less perceived recoil than .338 Win. Mag.
* High weight retention
* Precision accuracy
* Deep penetration
* Massive knock-down power
* Lubalox coating for reduced barrel fouling
* 20-round box or 200-round case
* Heavy 200-grain XP3 bullet
* Symbol: SXP325S

For more information about Winchester Ammunition and its complete line of products visit www.winchester.com.

This is certainly interesting and would make a good discussion for sure. I read this article on “Buckmasters” website, as a shotgun slug hunter I would like to get some discussion going on this topic to see what you all think, what do you say.

What does a recent study really mean to a slug gun deer hunter?

An estimated 3 million United States deer hunters use shotguns. To my mind, there have always been three reasons for choosing a slug gun rather than a rifle for deer hunting. The first is that many states and localities dictate that only slug guns may be used. I hunt certain areas with a slug gun because hunting regulations demand that I must. The second is economy. If the only place you plan to hunt offers only short-range deer shooting opportunities, a shotgun loaded with slugs is often all you need. There is no point in buying a deer rifle unless you prefer one.

The last is a human population center safety issue. Slug gun projectiles do not carry as far as high powered rifles. This reason is related to the first because it is the rationale behind state and local mandates for slug gun-only hunting in the first place.

Now, it seems, we have new research challenging that notion. Recent newspaper and magazine articles referenced to the research as a repudiation of a myth. The myth, as claimed in these articles, is that deer hunting shotguns are safer than rifles because shotgun slugs do not travel as far as rifle bullets.

According to Mountaintop Technologies of Johnstown, Penn., who conducted a study with the assistance of ballistic experts at the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, say that shotgun slugs are much more prone to ricochets than rifle bullets. Because of that phenomenon, shotgun slugs can travel farther than rifle bullets in common hunting scenarios.

According to a summation of the study, when shots are fired holding guns level at 3 feet off the ground, a shotgun slug will travel 0.99 of a mile; 16 percent farther than a .30-06 rifle bullet under the same circumstances. The study asserts that the reason is that slugs tend to hold together better and lose less energy during ricochets than rifle bullets. This leads to the conclusion that slugs actually travel farther than rifle bullets.

I’m no engineer, and I don’t have the complete data or technological background to challenge the results of this study. Therefore, I will assume from what I have read and until I read a contradictory study that this research is valid.

But, as a hunter with several decades experience hunting with slug guns I have to ask what this study really means to me and what it should mean to state regulatory agencies. I also know, from many other scientific research projects that I have been engaged in, that sometimes the conclusions drawn from exceptional circumstances in one particular study do not necessarily lead to the broad conclusions that might be drawn from it.

Can a shotgun slug or even a series of shotgun slugs fired under a specific set of conditions in a controlled environment travel farther than a rifle bullet? Yes, I have no reason to doubt that. Does this specific set of conditions create a scenario that should dispel the belief that slugs do not carry as far as rifle bullets? No, because it is not representative of all hunting scenarios or even common sense physics.

The study claims that slugs can travel farther than rifle bullets. We cannot draw the conclusion from that study that they will or that they do. Projectile velocity differences alone present a clear picture of the capabilities of a slug gun versus a .30-06 rifle. Most slugs travel at less than half the velocity of a .30-06 projectile. Without getting into a lot of technical ballistic data I know that if I zero a 150-grain .30-06 projectile at a 25-yard target that it will return to that zero at 200 yards. If I zero a 1-ounce shotgun slug at 25 yards, it will drop into the dirt long before it reaches 200 yards.

Or, from a more common sense approach, if this study reflected a state of representative conditions that accurately dispelled the notion that rifle bullets travel farther than shotgun slugs, I’d be hunting open plains mule deer with my Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun rather than my Mossberg .30-06 rifle. Of course, that is not the situation.

All of this scientific gobble-de-gook doesn’t dispel any basic responsible shooting practices;
- Become proficient with your firearm and know its capabilities.
- Always carefully aim your firearm at a specific target.
- Always be aware of what is beyond your target and how the projectile could affect it.

The main conclusion that I draw from this study is that whenever I am hunting with a slug gun I need to be mindful of potential ricochet circumstances when I take aim and use that knowledge to decide on whether or not I will attempt a shot. Until then, I will continue to choose a slug gun for hunting in heavily populated areas or anywhere that a slug gun is less likely to do damage to property or livestock.

The whole notion that slug guns are now less safe for hunting high populated areas is little more than a tempest in a teapot. Common sense is still the best determination of responsible gun usage and hunter safety.

By: Randy D. Smith - Buckmasters

Connecticut Valley Arms has a new and innovative muzzleloader that by all accounts looks like the easiest new gun to use. The video that I watched was quite impressive and would answer just about any question that you may have. I have heard that some states will not allow this to be used as a primitive weapon because of the ignition system so check your local state laws before purchasing.

Electra Arch Ignition Magnum Series

Our new Electra™ rifles are like no other muzzleloaders on earth, featuring the patent pending ARC™ Electronic Ignition. The ARC™ Electronic Ignition is completely sealed from the elements – there’s not even a flash-hole. No parts other than the barrel have to be cleaned of fouling – ever! Ignition is absolutely instantaneous. The trigger pull is incredibly clean – because the “trigger” is really an electronic switch. And since there is no pressure explosion, as there is with primer ignitions, there is no accuracy robbing displacement of the charge – allowing full and consistent burn of the powder charge at the bottom of the barrel. One 9-volt battery will reliably fire the rifle at least 500 times, and the battery will last 600 hours (25 days) – and that’s if it is left turned on! The Electra is the ultimate muzzleloader in ease-of-use, rapid reloading, ease-of-cleaning and never-fail reliability. And all Electras are equipped with a premium Bergara Barrel – for unmatched accuracy.

To see all the technical data and view the informative video click here.

Just saw a sneak peek of what Remington is going to put out for 2008. The gun itself sounds nice but I don’t think the color scheme will go very well, especially with the old timers. That is my opinion but, I could be wrong.

Model 597™ Blaze & Pink Camo.  Lightning Strikes Till  You Run Out Of Ammo.

Model 597â„¢ Features

Available with Mossy Oak® Blaze Orange camo or Mossy Oak® Pink stocks

Bolt-guidance system features twin, tool-steel guide rails

Non-glare matte finish

10-shot metal detachable magazine

Last-shot hold-open bolt for added safety

TruGlo® fiber-optic sights

The speed with which they zip out rounds is rivaled only by the striking appearances of these two new additions to our venerable, semi-auto rimfire lineup. Easily the most advanced rimfire rifle ever built, the Model 597â„¢ represents the first technological breakthrough in the category in 35 years. Our new rifles have all the standard features that have made the originals an American favorite, but with some notable upgrades.

Truly the ultimate 22 target-rifle platform, these tack-drivers feature Mossy Oak® Blaze Orange camo and Mossy Oak Pink camo stocks that will turn heads with their hot new looks, then proceed to make jaws drop with their astounding ability to punch tiny groups in fast-forward. Both have 20″ carbon steel barrels and TruGlo® fiber-optic front sights.

This year like every other year I put in for state land lottery shotgun. I was selected for “A” season in area “18″ and opening day is coming soon. Shotgun “A” season is from November 14th to November 23rd. Lately my time has been very limited so I took a couple of hours this morning and went to the club to sight in my 12 gauge to make sure it is ready to go.

It was a good morning to be at the range it was overcast which made it easy for me to see better. I had the range to myself that is why I like to go early in the morning during the week. Here is a picture of my first four shots at 50 yards,

I wanted to raise it up a little figuring that where I was going I probably would not shoot any farther than maybe seventy five yards. Here is my second four shots,

It did raise up a bit and is slight to the right but I think I will leave it where it is. In the past when I tried to get it closer I usually made it worse. I think this will do. I have had this gun for many years and has not failed me yet.

After forgetting a sweatshirt for extra cushion on my shoulder and eight rounds later I figured anyway that it was time to call it a morning. I feel confident out to seventy five yards at least.

Hunting accidents are more common than you might think and can be avoided if people just took the time to pay attention to what they were taught in the beginning. This post was thought of after hearing about the hunting accident of Jocelyn “Josh” Leger of Avery Outdoors Pro Staff. Accidents like that should be a reminder to all of us about the proper use of firearms and the safety tips that we should follow.

Here are the basic gun safety rules:

• Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Watch the muzzle! Prepare to control the direction of the muzzle even if you stumble.
• Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you have only ammunition of the proper size for the gun you are carrying.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it before you pull the trigger; know identifying features of the game you hunt.
• Unload guns when not in use. Take down or have actions open. Guns should be carried in cases to the shooting area.
• Never point a gun at anything you don’t want to shoot or kill. Do not play with a firearm.
• Never climb a tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun. Never pull the gun toward you by the muzzle.
• Never shoot a bullet at flat, hard surfaces or water.
• Store guns and ammunition separately, beyond the reach of children and careless adults. Consider using trigger locks.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages and medications that cause drowsiness before or during use of a firearm.

The link for these gun safety tips came from Kristine’s  blog “Hunt smart think safety”. I would like to recommend to anyone to stop by and check her blog out. It has a lot of good material that is worth reading.