First shots in 5 months

[stagpanther]

I've been overseas for the last 5 months in a country where private ownership of firearms is almost completely banned. On the flight back home a few days ago I was mulling over what was the first thing I was going to shoot when I got back--I have a large selection of pretty much anything I desire short of a full auto to choose from. I decided to go for "a classic;" a model 70 in 270 WSM. Mine was made during the Winchester turmoil and was completely made in Portugal. It's never been a great shooter--I've shot other model 70's that were much more accurate--but hey, it's a model 70 and I just had to scratch the itch.

As my luck would have it (usually it goes the other way)--when I pulled up at the range today it was all clear out to 362 yards. I whipped up a few 135 gr matchkings driven by 60.2 grs. of H4350.

Not great, but not bad either, which is what I usually get with this particular rifle.

So what would you choose after a long lay-off from shooting?

[tangolima]

I probably will go for the oldest piece in my meager collection; gew 88, the commission rifle in 8mm Mauser. Most certainly shoots group nowhere close to you M70.

-TL

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[stagpanther]

I probably will go for the oldest piece in my meager collection; gew 88, the commission rifle in 8mm Mauser. Most certainly shoots group nowhere close to you M70.

Yeah--but you'd get extra points for uber-classic. I've got modern space guns that shoot much smaller groups, but I just had a desire to fire something that felt like "history."

[tangolima]

Thanks. I have several of those, all antique, no FFL needed. Only one was "turked", the rest all original, one from each regional armory.

That or the newest addition to my collection; airacuda max PCP air rifle in .25cal. No FFL either, as it is not a firearm. It is quite a capable clay duck hunter out 110yd.

-TL

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[1972RedNeck]

Super Redhawk in 454 with some 365 grain hard casts over 24.5 gr of H110. Gets me back in the mood every time.

[stagpanther]

Super Redhawk in 454 with some 365 grain hard casts over 24.5 gr of H110. Gets me back in the mood every time.

I can imagine--I used to have a super blackhawk hunter in 44 mag and one of my preferred loads was 240 gr xtp's using an identical propellant load.

[DaleA]

I'd probably ease back into it with a .22LR rifle and pistol range trip.

[stagpanther]

I'd probably ease back into it with a .22LR rifle and pistol range trip.

That actually was my first thought; but my 22's are more accurate than I am--so I wanted to use something that just went BANG! to induce a bit of "conditioning" to resist flinch etc.

[jetinteriorguy]

I’m going to shoot all the guns I bought since the last time I went to the range. It’s been over a year and will be a couple more months before I finally get a chance. Between health issues and some work commitments I just haven’t had time.

[Kalm_Traveler]

After a break, I reach for my ~1980 Remington 700 BDL in .25-06.

It's familiar, functions perfectly, and (since it was inherited) lets me "shoot with Dad" again.

[taylorce1]

I really need to scope and shoot my stainless M70 .270 WSM, I purchased last year. I've bought all the things I need to do it, rings, 4.5-14X42 FFII scope, and a box of factory 130 grain Winchester Deer Season XP ammunition. I'm just kind of afraid I'll like it to much.

I'm undecided if I'm going to leave it a .270 WSM, or make it a 6.8 Western. While I know the .270 WSM has been one of the better performing WSM for sales, and I people that love them. I feel the 6.8 Western is a better package overall.

So I'm thinking a 20" Bartline barrel 2b contour, running heavy bullets (160 grain +) at moderate speeds, with my suppressor would make a great do all Western big game rifle.

[stagpanther]

I really need to scope and shoot my stainless M70 .270 WSM, I purchased last year. I've bought all the things I need to do it, rings, 4.5-14X42 FFII scope, and a box of factory 130 grain Winchester Deer Season XP ammunition. I'm just kind of afraid I'll like it to much.

I'm undecided if I'm going to leave it a .270 WSM, or make it a 6.8 Western. While I know the .270 WSM has been one of the better performing WSM for sales, and I people that love them. I feel the 6.8 Western is a better package overall.

So I'm thinking a 20" Bartline barrel 2b contour, running heavy bullets (160 grain +) at moderate speeds, with my suppressor would make a great do all Western big game rifle.

I've shot the 6.8 western and it's a dandy cartridge, especially in "modern" ultralight rifles. Is it a 270 WSM killer? I don't think so; the model 70's chamber and freebore allow seating bullets "way out there" so you can get creative with your handloads.

I’m going to shoot all the guns I bought since the last time I went to the range. It’s been over a year and will be a couple more months before I finally get a chance. Between health issues and some work commitments I just haven’t had time.

Hope everything improves and you get some time soon.

[taylorce1]

Yeah, but it's hard to shoot those bullets that require faster than a 10 twist.

[stagpanther]

Yeah, but it's hard to shoot those bullets that require faster than a 10 twist.

Does it bother me that the 270 WSM can't shoot (actually haven't tried it yet) 160 gr bullets and limited to 150 grs. (OK, I know the western can go all the way to 175 grs.)? Uh, no. The western does hold some advantage for really long 270 shots--which I won't be taking anyway--at least not hunting.