My first bolt gun!

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GPtuners
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My first bolt gun!

Post by GPtuners » Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:37 pm

I can already hear it..." A 16" 308 is useless, wrong scope on that, waste of money, blah, blah..." :llama:

So... I recently decided that I need to learn some new life skills and face new challenges, so I made the decision that I'm going to take up hunting this year. Because shooting, judging distance, comeups, and getting your own food supply are what everyone does when they want a challenge, right? :lol:

I went out and got a Ruger Gunsite Scout, because I thought it looked cool, it didn't feel chintzy when I worked the bolt, and it was light (this is the newer, non-laminate version). The trigger felt right, and the rifle called to me, so the decision was made. Oh, and Hornady REALLY did their job marketing their ammo well- I looked around, and was like "Whoa, Deer!" and grabbed a box of Hornady 150gr 308 Whitetail ammo. Boom.

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So the only time I can remember zeroing a rifle, he had a laser bore sighter, and we did the process fairly easily. We'll call it idiot proof. This time... not so much. Idiocy was definitely a factor. Even shooting at 25 yards, the first two shots were complete goners. I had no clue where the hell they went. The person next to me must have seen the puzzled look on my face, because he asked what was up. I told him I was trying to zero this new rifle, but couldn't get on paper- even at 25! He asked if I boresighted it, to which I replied I didn't have a laser boresighter. He told me to pull out the bolt, find the target through the barrel, and without moving the rifle AT ALL, look through the scope, and see where the crosshairs are. "Oh.....WAY HIGH."

That was some mystic shit.

Suddenly, things were coming together.
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After dialing things down a bit after my first attempt at 50, it looked like I was ready for 100 yards.
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And apparently I was. It was windy as hell, and I wasn't sure how much of that was wind drift, but I still went left a minute just to split the difference.
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I only had two shots left, so I decided what I can do in a bit more practical setting. I saw a barely shot up ShootNC target, patched it, and put it up at 100. I then held my rifle at the low ready while standing (no sling, no support) , and did a snap shot. Then I did it again. Luckily, right afterwards, someone wanted to go downrange, so I took the long walk to see how I did. Apparently, I can hit the target from that far fairly quickly, although I'm not sure how that equates to the size of a deer's vitals...
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All in all, I had a great range trip, learned some stuff, got to make fun of myself, and I have a new gun. This is a great year! :lol:

Thanks,
Carlos

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Whootsinator » Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:34 pm

Awesome stuff! I don't see anything wrong with the setup. Figure out what ammo it likes, and a 16" barrel won't hinder you unless you get into something serious. Your barrel may have a relatively slow twist rate. You might want to look into that, and avoid super long projectiles if so. If you aren't shooting a .22lr in a hurricane, wind isn't going to be a factor at 100 yards.
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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by PDM » Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:00 pm

I always look through the bore. Never used a laser.
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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by GPtuners » Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:44 pm

PDM wrote:I always look through the bore. Never used a laser.
That would have been awesome to know. Yeah, I'm way too spur of the moment. :D

And least I'm planning ahead a bit for the hunting part. Other than the "finding a guide and land" part. I see deer from my back window, but I'm in the city so it doesn't help.

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by ssracer » Wed Jun 21, 2017 6:09 pm

My first bolt gun was a mosin...lol. My first and only good, scoped bolt gun is a Ruger American in .308 and I love it so far...just wish id have got the one with a threaded barrel...lol

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by jmeister » Wed Jun 21, 2017 6:47 pm

Looks nice
I'm a member at FCSC too.

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Dave1965 » Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:31 pm

here's a -1 for no watches in the picture 8-)

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by GPtuners » Wed Jun 21, 2017 9:46 pm

ssracer wrote:My first bolt gun was a mosin...lol. My first and only good, scoped bolt gun is a Ruger American in .308 and I love it so far...just wish id have got the one with a threaded barrel...lol
Ha! I understand. The action feels great. The part of me that wants to reach out and touch something wants a longer barrel, but I really like this compact package.
jmeister wrote:Looks nice
I'm a member at FCSC too.
I think a few members here are. 8-)
Dave1965 wrote:here's a -1 for no watches in the picture 8-)
I had a G shock ready for a picture, then forgot. Staged the shit and everything! :lol:

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by guncrank1 » Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:14 pm

jmeister wrote:Looks nice
I'm a member at FCSC too.
What club??

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Frailer » Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:43 pm

I picked up a Ruger GSR a few years ago. I keep intending to mount a micro red dot on it, but it shoots so well that irons that I haven't bothered yet.

If I were limited to one centerfire rifle for everything I'd probably pick this one.

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by GPtuners » Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:00 pm

guncrank1 wrote:
jmeister wrote:Looks nice
I'm a member at FCSC too.
What club??
Franklin County Sportsman Club in Frankfort

Great place. Five minutes from work- I can shoot doing lunch. :)

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Dave1965 » Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:27 am

and he never invites dave to go with the cool group at lunch ;(

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by GPtuners » Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:04 am

Dave1965 wrote:and he never invites dave to go with the cool group at lunch ;(
Ha! Next time! Heck, maybe after work some day, when we don't have to run back in under an hour. 8-)

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Dave1965 » Thu Jun 22, 2017 10:53 am

GPtuners wrote:
Dave1965 wrote:and he never invites dave to go with the cool group at lunch ;(
Ha! Next time! Heck, maybe after work some day, when we don't have to run back in under an hour. 8-)
I can only get away for that long as well.

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by GPtuners » Thu Jun 22, 2017 1:11 pm

I know that RWI Tactical was offering a long range course at some point- did DD and MOUT rebrand the company yet? Any other courses around here?

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Whootsinator » Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:22 pm

They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Wyldman » Thu Jun 22, 2017 11:25 pm

Whootsinator wrote:They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
Why, when I read your post above did I hear Bill Murray in my mind saying his "Aaaarrrrmmmy training, sir!" line from "Stripes"?

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Niceguy » Fri Jun 23, 2017 7:22 am

Wyldman wrote:
Whootsinator wrote:They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
Why, when I read your post above did I hear Bill Murray in my mind saying his "Aaaarrrrmmmy training, sir!" line from "Stripes"?

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Gunsmokin » Fri Jun 23, 2017 11:58 am

Wyldman wrote:
Whootsinator wrote:They haven't quite gotten there yet. DD is doing a lot of Aaaaaarrrrmy training this year that is taking up most of his time. I think Rock Castle hosts quality instructors sometimes, possibly John McPhee.
Why, when I read your post above did I hear Bill Murray in my mind saying his "Aaaarrrrmmmy training, sir!" line from "Stripes"?

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That's exactly what I heard when I read it...
jackalo626 wrote:Skibble dee dibbledy

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Wyldman » Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:01 pm

Great minds think alike...

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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by Whootsinator » Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:44 pm

It might be on purpose, and it may or may not get said frequently lol
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Re: My first bolt gun!

Post by GPtuners » Fri Jun 23, 2017 3:33 pm

Bahahaha!

I heard it as well.

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