Joined
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1,794 Posts
Hello everyone:
I'm a relative newcomer here and I do not want to cause any offense. So I will try to be diplomatic. And for me that is not always easy.
Anyway, is anyone here confused with the current equipment race? It seems that everywhere you go, there's some sort of super electronic this or that on a rifle. There are lasers, and aimpoints and flashlights and so on and on and on. And there are pic rails on receivers, on handguards and even rails upon rails. I really don't understand all of this stuff. Yes, I'm old and out of touch but if I had so many things on a rifle, I would not be able to figure out what to turn on. And with my luck all the batteries would be out. Maybe I don't get it but isn't the object of a rifle to have a simple well balanced instrument that can hit the target?
So, is it just me? Or are there any other folks here who long for a return to fundamentals? What's wrong with concentrating on the fundamentals of sight picture, breath control and trigger squeeze? It seems that too much effort is now spent worrying about gadgets. Now it could be that I'm wrong. Maybe these new gadgets have changed the fundamentals. Maybe anyone can hit with an Aimpoint. I really don't know. I am so electronically challenged that my new DVD sits still the box. I haven't figured out how to install it.
When I started out, I didn't have much money and I bought a surplus, in-the-grease military Mauser for about $60. I also bought a Lee Handloader Set for about $40 and that's how I learned to shoot. I loaded lots of centre fire ammo cheaply and my reduced loads allowed me to shoot without fear of muzzle blast or recoil. I gained confidence and I really began to understand my rifle. And in no time, I began to learn about using other center fire rifles.
I still like this simple approach. Now, I am not being critical of anyone, but I did see a new shooter ask for advice. And all the answers he got seemed to be equipment driven. Now please don't get me wrong. Without equipment our new shooter cannot learn to shoot. But I do think that our new shooter would be better served in buying a more affordable rifle so that he could afford lots of practise ammo. And I think he should also be encouraged to buy some basic handloading tools so that he can learn the full fundamentals of shooting. And he should start out with iron sights.
I also read here where someone wants to buy a .338 Lapua Sako TRG-42. Now I salute the man's desire to own one of the finest rifles currently made. I also admire the man's enthusiasm as well as his guts. ( My wife would kill me if I spent close to 4 grand on a rifle) But I'm genuinely puzzled as to why the guy would not be a handloader. To really learn about a rifle you need to handload for her. And handloading for the rifle lets you really know her. And when you know your rifle and spend endless hours at the range with her all things are possible. ( I wish my eyes were not betraying me, because I'm finally reaching the point where I might be able to properly apply the knowledge gained over the years.)
If you don't handload, you are really missing something. If you let me at your rifle with my dial calipers, Stoney Point headspace guages, etc.
I can tell you things about your rifle that you never knew.
Anyhow, I'm glad to be here and I hope that I've expressed myself in the right way. I don't want to appear to be critical of anyone. I'm not. I really admire the enthusiasm of everyone here. If anything, I'm just an old guy who's a little bit lost. I guess I long for a time in shooting that's gone by.
Madgunsmith.
I'm a relative newcomer here and I do not want to cause any offense. So I will try to be diplomatic. And for me that is not always easy.
Anyway, is anyone here confused with the current equipment race? It seems that everywhere you go, there's some sort of super electronic this or that on a rifle. There are lasers, and aimpoints and flashlights and so on and on and on. And there are pic rails on receivers, on handguards and even rails upon rails. I really don't understand all of this stuff. Yes, I'm old and out of touch but if I had so many things on a rifle, I would not be able to figure out what to turn on. And with my luck all the batteries would be out. Maybe I don't get it but isn't the object of a rifle to have a simple well balanced instrument that can hit the target?
So, is it just me? Or are there any other folks here who long for a return to fundamentals? What's wrong with concentrating on the fundamentals of sight picture, breath control and trigger squeeze? It seems that too much effort is now spent worrying about gadgets. Now it could be that I'm wrong. Maybe these new gadgets have changed the fundamentals. Maybe anyone can hit with an Aimpoint. I really don't know. I am so electronically challenged that my new DVD sits still the box. I haven't figured out how to install it.
When I started out, I didn't have much money and I bought a surplus, in-the-grease military Mauser for about $60. I also bought a Lee Handloader Set for about $40 and that's how I learned to shoot. I loaded lots of centre fire ammo cheaply and my reduced loads allowed me to shoot without fear of muzzle blast or recoil. I gained confidence and I really began to understand my rifle. And in no time, I began to learn about using other center fire rifles.
I still like this simple approach. Now, I am not being critical of anyone, but I did see a new shooter ask for advice. And all the answers he got seemed to be equipment driven. Now please don't get me wrong. Without equipment our new shooter cannot learn to shoot. But I do think that our new shooter would be better served in buying a more affordable rifle so that he could afford lots of practise ammo. And I think he should also be encouraged to buy some basic handloading tools so that he can learn the full fundamentals of shooting. And he should start out with iron sights.
I also read here where someone wants to buy a .338 Lapua Sako TRG-42. Now I salute the man's desire to own one of the finest rifles currently made. I also admire the man's enthusiasm as well as his guts. ( My wife would kill me if I spent close to 4 grand on a rifle) But I'm genuinely puzzled as to why the guy would not be a handloader. To really learn about a rifle you need to handload for her. And handloading for the rifle lets you really know her. And when you know your rifle and spend endless hours at the range with her all things are possible. ( I wish my eyes were not betraying me, because I'm finally reaching the point where I might be able to properly apply the knowledge gained over the years.)
If you don't handload, you are really missing something. If you let me at your rifle with my dial calipers, Stoney Point headspace guages, etc.
I can tell you things about your rifle that you never knew.
Anyhow, I'm glad to be here and I hope that I've expressed myself in the right way. I don't want to appear to be critical of anyone. I'm not. I really admire the enthusiasm of everyone here. If anything, I'm just an old guy who's a little bit lost. I guess I long for a time in shooting that's gone by.
Madgunsmith.