Scotty Dive
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Can anyone recommend a single book that provides a good overview of ammunition - calibers, sizes, loads, and why there are so many, different type of rifles and guns and what difference there are....?
Best all around gun?
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RoyJackson
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There's a book that comes out annually called "Gun Digest". Good book, but assumes the reader knows something about firearms.
As far as why so many different types...well, you could apply that question to any product or service...it's what sells.
Any farmer I ever met always owned at least three guns. A .22 rimfire, a 12 gauge shotgun, and some kind of centre-fire rifle for hunting.
There are 12 gauge convertible shotguns that can use different barrels. A rifled shotgun barrel with iron sights could be used to hunt deer with slug type ammunition. Although my preference is for 16 gauge I would recommend 12 since the ammunition is easier to get in a greater variety and is often cheaper. There are also some very light 12 gauge loads that have almost no recoil. The pump action type shotgun makes a distinctive click-Klack sound that repels most miscreants so I recommend a convertible 12 gauge pump shotgun.
For shooting inside a building the .22 will do about the least damage. In addition to fairly powerful Long-rifle ammunition there is also the milder Short and much milder CB cap rounds. There is even a teeny-weenie .22 shotgun shell for shooting itsy-bitsy things.
So two guns are needed at a minimum but the correct number is generally always N+1 where N is the number of guns that you currently own.
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Creekpaddler
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Replying to Compact Tractor Newsletter - November 2011 Best all around gun for deer season?:
For deer hunting in Middle Tennessee's hills in oak-hickory forest, I am using a Remington model-742 30.06 semi-automatic with 9X scope over metal sights. Not a perfect rifle considering its reputation for wear on the breach block, but it is reliable. The over-under scope/metal sights setup is ideal for me, since my shots vary from 30 feet up to 100+ yards.
For the "all-around gun", I'd go with either a 20-gauge with adjustable choke (I have a Savage bolt-action) or the 12-gauge pump (mine is a Mossberg 235 turkey gun).
For deer hunting in Middle Tennessee's hills in oak-hickory forest, I am using a Remington model-742 30.06 semi-automatic with 9X scope over metal sights. Not a perfect rifle considering its reputation for wear on the breach block, but it is reliable. The over-under scope/metal sights setup is ideal for me, since my shots vary from 30 feet up to 100+ yards.
For the "all-around gun", I'd go with either a 20-gauge with adjustable choke (I have a Savage bolt-action) or the 12-gauge pump (mine is a Mossberg 235 turkey gun).
RobertN
Super Member
Roy mentioned one. P.O. Ackly did a lot of wildcats and "improved" cartidges, and books explaining it all. Ken Waters has some good information and books.
There are an overwhelming variety of calibers. Some old, some updates of old ones. Some wildcats. There has been a lot of evolution in cartridges as materials and powders have advanced.
For instance, the 30-06 came about, then 10 years later with better metallurgy and powders the 300 Savage matched it with a smaller case. Then, the 300 Savage was modified to make the 308/7.62NATO. the 300 Savage was a great cartridge, but was improved for a little more power, and better feed/handling in machine guns. Then, someone expierimented, and found a 308 necked to 7mm made an excellent medium action round.
Lately, the short magnums have really came on the scene; they benefit form the latest metals technology, and new powders that give overall power of older cartridges in a smaller case.
Mixed in with all of this is a lot of expierimenter and wildcat rounds.
to just barely touch the smallest end of the iceberg...
There are an overwhelming variety of calibers. Some old, some updates of old ones. Some wildcats. There has been a lot of evolution in cartridges as materials and powders have advanced.
For instance, the 30-06 came about, then 10 years later with better metallurgy and powders the 300 Savage matched it with a smaller case. Then, the 300 Savage was modified to make the 308/7.62NATO. the 300 Savage was a great cartridge, but was improved for a little more power, and better feed/handling in machine guns. Then, someone expierimented, and found a 308 necked to 7mm made an excellent medium action round.
Lately, the short magnums have really came on the scene; they benefit form the latest metals technology, and new powders that give overall power of older cartridges in a smaller case.
Mixed in with all of this is a lot of expierimenter and wildcat rounds.
to just barely touch the smallest end of the iceberg...
RobertN
Super Member
There has been a TON of great info in this thread.
Still, if my resources allowed only one gun, a 12g with a small selection of ammo could do everything the OP mentioned.
Ya, I would prefer to have at least a couple weapons to meet the various needs. But, a trusty 12g pump could do it all.
Still, if my resources allowed only one gun, a 12g with a small selection of ammo could do everything the OP mentioned.
Ya, I would prefer to have at least a couple weapons to meet the various needs. But, a trusty 12g pump could do it all.
dusty3030
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Here are two good books - They are excerpts from years and years of American Rifleman magazines on exploded drawing and take down instructions of a variety of guns. Each article has a little history in it as well.
Amazon.com: Official NRA Guide to Firearms Assembly: Rifles and Shotguns (9780883173343): Joseph Roberts, Harris Andrews: Books
http://www.amazon.com/Official-NRA-Guide-Firearms-Assembly/dp/0883173352
Why so many cartridges? Well, gunmakers would never sell as many if they did not have new rounds to offer. A plane jane Remington 700, Winchester 70, Ruger 77, or Savage 110 in 30/06 is plenty enough gun for every medium and big game animal in North America in reasonable ranges. With heavy loads it is fine for Elk, Moose, and bears, with medium loads it is great for deer and antelopes, and it shoots plenty flat enough to "hold on hair" out to 300yds. They will last a hunters lifetime with reasonable care.
For the Eastern deer hunter Dad's old Winchester or Marlin 30/30 is plenty enough gun for deer hunting and has range for probably 99% of the deer you will ever shoot at.
So - new round equals the purchase of a new rifle.
Shotguns they just come up with another kind of stock, camo dip color, or tweak the innards a bit to come up with a new model. A high volume clays or bird hunter can wear a shotgun out, rifle shooters, doesn't happen as often.
Pistols - trend now is make um smaller. Pack a .45 round into an automatic the size of a pack of cigarettes and you have a winner.
A reasonably well made gun with minimal care will outlive the average person by a long shot, the makers have to innovate or tweak or change something every year to sell anything.
Denny Ruebush
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Add a good load of 4 buck to that 12ga and it will kill Coyote, Fox and other vermin to 100 yds.
dusty3030
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Amazon.com: reloading manual
I'd suggest Lyman's or Lee's book. Whether you get into reloading or not it has a lot of good information on the history of the cartridges.
