Small arms in Australia. Recommendations?

**USSWisconsin** · 14 Apr 11,, 05:19

Originally Posted by Chunder

Reloading .22 rounds? Sounds like something one would do in retirement.

Not even our gun enthusiasts would do that (reload .22 LR)

**omon** · 14 Apr 11,, 19:28

side by side muzzleloader, ammo problem solved. lol

**highsea** · 15 Apr 11,, 01:56

Originally Posted by gunnut

That was Bill Clinton's "crime bill" of 1994. I remember because I bought a load of regular capacity mags for all sorts of guns before the limit on capacity went into effect.

Bush Sr. banned all imports in 1989. That's what made that Sig out of reach for me.

Since Colt was no longer making AR-15's in the US, it also took the semi-auto version of the standard US service rifle out of civilian hands for the first time in US history.

**Red Seven** · 21 Apr 11,, 14:22

Wayfarer, lots of good responses. My response is to direct you to my thread NEW BOOM STICK, Rem 700 in .204 Ruger. About $700 US bucks, the ammo is reasonable, the recoil is enjoyably moderate (but let's you know it's a rifle) and the bullet is superbly fast and flat, though I would look at a heavier grain. I would feel very confidant using this round on small to moderate size game, up to and including coyotes and even wild hogs under 150lbs.

New boom stick

**Chunder** · 22 Jun 11,, 17:00

To Re-Ignite the thread, having been to Adelaide Gun Shop/Fisher Firearms, I generally tend to look elsewhere - as they charge more than more offhand dealers. Recently I've re-kindled my interest following some gun porn magazines at a local distributor where we have been buying goods.

.308 is the most commonly produced bigger centre fire round in country, and is about 25cents per round less than a .270.
It doesn't have the flatter trajectory - but being about 8 years since I last bought a scope, I didn't know much about what was on the market with ballistic scopes. Night force make ballistic scopes to suit calibre & Muzzle Velocity complete with lifetime guarantee according to their brochure.

Thinking about it all again has probably re-enforced my view about getting the .22 first. It's been a long time since I've had the time to shoot, and I certainly have lost some of the appreciation for ballistics - and the rest. If I haven't had the inclination to take a weekend off and head out - or am not in the neck of the woods to fit it in with part of the job, just to keep up to date, then heading out and getting new kit is probably a waste of money if the present situation continues. I think you'd hate it if you went straight for big stuff, then couldn't find the time, so never became good at it.

**AceVendetta** · 03 Sep 11,, 23:25

my recommendation: If you are hunting anything larger than a fox, get something bigger than a .22. .223 is good for things up to the size of a mule deer, but if you want to take down something larger or more aggressive, go bigger. My personal recommendation is the .308. Great starter medium caliber round, and it can take down an elk.

**Aussiegunner** · 13 Sep 11,, 03:52

Interesting thread guys, thanks. I'm actually thinking of getting into recreational shooting myself.

In the first instance I am looking at lever action comps, they look like lots of fun. What do people here think of the various lever action centrefire options (I'm confident I can handle a centrefire, the biggest longarm I've used previously was an M-60 :-))? I'm thinking Marlin 336 in .30-30. It seems to get a good rap, the ammunition is common and reletivly cheap and I've seen second hand ones on the net for $700-800, some including scopes. Any advice on buying second hand guns would be appreciated.

Later, once I'm confident that my shooting is up to standard for good odds of a clean kill, I'd like to do some fox, pig, goat and deer hunting. Given the different size of the game, I'd been scratching my head about what to do in terms of calibre selection - as I don't have the cash to have a gun for each occasion, but the revelation that I've had here that I can load sabot rounds for the foxes seems to solve the problem. Thanks!

**Officer of Engineers** · 13 Sep 11,, 04:59

Originally Posted by Aussiegunner

Interesting thread guys, thanks. I'm actually thinking of getting into recreational shooting myself.

In the first instance I am looking at lever action comps, they look like lots of fun. What do people here think of the various lever action centrefire options (I'm confident I can handle a centrefire, the biggest longarm I've used previously was an M-60 :-))? I'm thinking Marlin 336 in .30-30. It seems to get a good rap, the ammunition is common and reletivly cheap and I've seen second hand ones on the net for $700-800, some including scopes. Any advice on buying second hand guns would be appreciated.

Later, once I'm confident that my shooting is up to standard for good odds of a clean kill, I'd like to do some fox, pig, goat and deer hunting. Given the different size of the game, I'd been scratching my head about what to do in terms of calibre selection - as I don't have the cash to have a gun for each occasion, but the revelation that I've had here that I can load sabot rounds for the foxes seems to solve the problem. Thanks!

In this competition shooting class, there's no way in hell can you beat the .22-250.

**Yak** · 13 Sep 11,, 08:08

Originally Posted by Officer of Engineers

In this competition shooting class, there's no way in hell can you beat the .22-250.

Seconded. A good sized round to learn the basics (And have fun). As previously stated, "I don't have the cash to have a gun for each occasion" select the game for the rifle and round. Plenty of smaller ferals to eradicate out there.

**Aussiegunner** · 13 Sep 11,, 10:20

Thanks for the suggestion Gents, it gives me something to think about if I ever get serious enough to get a second gun exclusively for varmiting. However, I have to admit that when I say "Lever Action Competition" I'm not thinking of entering with any expectation of winning, irrespective of the weapon I enter with. I'm frankly just not that good a shot ... I just want to enter for fun and to get myself up to speed sufficiently to bop a feral at not too far a range. That's why the 30-30 appeals, it appears to be pretty damn versatile.

**dave lukins** · 13 Sep 11,, 11:16

Originally Posted by Aussiegunner

Thanks for the suggestion Gents, it gives me something to think about if I ever get serious enough to get a second gun exclusively for varmiting. However, I have to admit that when I say "Lever Action Competition" I'm not thinking of entering with any expectation of winning, irrespective of the weapon I enter with. I'm frankly just not that good a shot ... I just want to enter for fun and to get myself up to speed sufficiently to bop a feral at not too far a range. That's why the 30-30 appeals, it appears to be pretty damn versatile.

The problem with using a 30-30 over a .22 for 'varmiting' is that once your first round has left the barrel all wildlife within 10 miles would disappear

**USSWisconsin** · 13 Sep 11,, 15:20

I really like the 30-30 it is fun to shoot, plenty of noise, moderate recoil, and relatively common (availability and cost). Lever guns are a blast to shoot, I love the Winchester 94.

**Aussiegunner** · 16 Sep 11,, 11:41

Originally Posted by USSWisconsin

I really like the 30-30 it is fun to shoot, plenty of noise, moderate recoil, and relatively common (availability and cost). Lever guns are a blast to shoot, I love the Winchester 94.

I've read that the Winchester 94 has problems with mounting a scope. Being a cheapskate, I'm thinking that I'll go for a Rossi now. I can get a new one for the price of a new Marlin or Winchester and I've read good reviews of them by the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia.