HOMEMADE SNAKE SHOT LOADS

 

 

Somewhere in the late 70s, I bought a Bicentennial edition Ruger New Model Blackhawk in .357 Magnum. My brother pestered me for a few years about it and I finally gave it to him. He passed away in November of 2014 and left it to me. I sent it off to a gunsmith and had the barrel shortened from 6 1/2 inches to 4 3/4 inches. I got it back today.

I’ll be using this as a “work” gun, out in the woods, fishin’, etc..

I decided to see if I could make some homemade snake shot loads for it, so I started tooling up this morning about 10 AM and I got the prototype done about 1 PM.

STEP 1- I fabricated a coring device to make wads. The hole in the side of the case is for pushing the wad out.

STEP 2- I cored wads from a 5 gallon bucket lid.

STEP 3- I made a special ram to seat the plastic wad over 5 grains of (yup, you guessed it!) Bullseye.

STEP 4- I charged the case with 80 grains of number 6 shot.

STEP 5- I cored a cover wad out of a shipping box, seated it and heavily crimped the case.

STEP 6- From 5 feet, I fired it at an unfolded small flat rate box. The pattern is about 5 inches in diameter. You can clearly see a donut pattern.

I used number 6 shot because it was handy. Somewhere around here, I’ve got a few number 8 shot shells. I’ll cut open a few of those and try that.

Same powder charge, remaining void filled with a mix of 7 1/2s and 8s. Three inch pattern at three feet. The big hole is from the plastic wad. I think this will work.

 

 

THE CRICKET RIFLE

Recently, I purchased a Cricket rifle chambered to accept 22 short, long & long rifle ammunition. The model I chose is the baseline offering with a 16 inch barrel, blued steel and black synthetic stock.

I bought one of these rifles back in 2011 to hunt coons with and had great success with it. Rather than keep it and buy something else, I traded it off for another rifle. After missing the enjoyment I got from shooting it, I decided it was time to have another one.

I had put a scope on the first one and discovered these are very accurate little rifles. I set up a target at 50 feet, put the rifle on a Caldwell Lead Sled and set about to see just what it was capable of. I was amazed at the results.

My hunting friends laughed at me, good naturedly albeit, when I pulled that little ‘kids’ rifle’ out of the case. The first time I pulled the trigger on it while hunting, I put a coon on the ground with a head shot dead center between the eyes. They all said “Man, that little thing shoots good, don’t it?” The defense rests.

I may put a scope on this new one, but for the time being, I’m going to work with the issue rear peep and old style military front sight.

The rear peep sight is a rather simple, being fabricated from stamped parts. Keep in mind, these rifles are primarily marketed as a young shooter’s first rifle.

 The front sight is simple, also. I put a dab of white fingernail polish on it help these old eyes find it.

I have a degree in Redneck Engineering. Using a discarded one inch diameter pincer type rimfire scope ring, I fashioned a bracket that would hold a 250 lumen pocket light on the barrel of the rifle.

This bright little light will illuminate a coon really well, negating the need for someone else to light it up for me. If I set the axis of the light at about two o’clock, the peripheral light illuminates the front sight as well as the target. The body of the light is out of the way of the sights, enabling me to get a good sight picture.

I had forgotten just how little these rifles weigh. I put mine on a digital scale and with the sling, it came in right at three pounds. At half the weight of the average 22 rifle, I can carry this for hours without even being aware it’s there.

The dealer I bought my rifle from told me quite a few men had ordered these rifles, saying the sole purpose was for coon hunting. Aside from having a rather short length of pull for an adult, they’re light, accurate and simple. As far as I’m concerned, that translates to the perfect coon huntin’ rifle.

I’m guessing the manufacturer has some sort of jig or alignment device to set the sights on these rifles. I found mine to be fairly well dialed in right out of the box. 

I have a four-inch diameter steel gong hung on a rope between two trees behind the house. The gong is a laser measured 22 yards from the deck rail. I decided to see if I could hit it with this new rifle and peep sights. Using CCI Standard Velocity ammunition and braced on the deck rail, I hit the gong ten out of ten shots. 

22 yards is no great feat for a 22 rifle. Keep in mind, though, most coon hunting shots are at less than 25 yards. Also bear in mind, I’m 62 years old and wear prescription bifocals. Add to that I was kneeling and bracing on a deck rail, not sitting at a bench with a scoped rifle on a shooting rest. I figure if I can hit a four-inch diameter target consistently under those conditions, I can kill a coon with it. 

I intend to take it with me on the next hunt. We’ll see what happens.

 

KNOW YOUR TARGET

One of the four Cardinal gun safety rules is “Know your target and what is beyond it.” There’s a good reason that rule was established. Consider the foolishness and stupidity of shooting at something you have not identified. Furthermore, if you miss or if the bullet passes through what you’re shooting at, where is the bullet going and what might it hit?

A man in New Jersey doesn’t have a son anymore because of neglecting this basic safety rule. The man shot and killed his son while hunting.

An article on Fox News reports “Dad accidentally shoots adult son to death during hunting trip in New Jersey.” The article states “…Police say the older man mistakenly shot his 45-year-old son in the back of the head. The son later died from his injuries…”

This tragic accident could have easily been avoided. If the father had simply verified what he was looking at before he pulled the trigger, he would have realized what he was about to shoot was the back of his son’s head.

I’m sure you’ve seen me use the phrase “I can’t count the times…” That would apply to stories just like this one. It really amazes me how often I read stories like this. It begs the question “Are there really that many people out there that are that stupid?” I will not apologize for offending anyone with that word. If you will shoot at something you have not positively identified, you’re stupid. It’s just that simple.

How much time and difficulty is involved in visually identifying a target? If you cannot positively say “That’s a deer”, how do you know it’s not a person? But people get shot and killed because some hunter THINKS what he sees is a deer. And a life is taken.

The article states the father “…mistakenly…” shot his son. That is correct. The father did not accidentally shoot his son. There has never been a case of a firearm accidentally discharging by itself. Firearms go off because of operator error, not mechanical failure.

Some would say anyone guilty of such negligence should spend time behind bars. If some idiot killed a member of my family due to stupidity, I would feel the same way. This father, however, wouldn’t need to serve one day of incarceration. He’ll live with what he did every day in the prison of his mind.

I hope I have impressed upon you the importance of verifying what you’re about to shoot at before you pull the trigger. What is beyond your target is just as important also. Once that bullet is fired, there’s no controlling it or stopping it.

You are responsible for safely operating your firearms. If you fail to do so, are you prepared to live in the prison of your mind the rest of your life?

SHOOT SAFELY!

Jim

PARENTS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE

Saturday, November 22^nd, the Cleveland, Ohio police dispatcher received a call from a citizen in an outdoor recreational park saying a juvenile was waving around what appeared to be a handgun. Two police officers were dispatched to the scene. Within seconds of their arrival, a 12-year-old boy was shot by one of the officers because the boy was holding a handgun and failed to obey a command from one of the officers to raise his hands. The boy died from the gunshot wounds the following day.

So, who’s at fault here? A lot of people are saying the officer who fired the shots is responsible. I think not. The officer used the training he had been given on how to respond to the presence of a deadly threat.

So, for the purpose of discussion, let’s assume you agree with me. Who then is responsible? The 12-year-old boy? No, not in any manner. He was 12 years old, for cryin’ out loud! What do you expect from a child that age? Children fantasize and act out those fantasies by playing.

Seems we’ve eliminated all the parties in this scenario. No, we have not. The parents of that young man are responsible for his death. Do what? That’s exactly right, the parents. The parents didn’t shoot him, but they might as well have.

Police are trained to “Stop the threat”. That’s a phrase that is hammered into the heads of people who go through self-defense training. I’ve heard it countless times myself. The definition of “Stop the threat” means to shoot to center mass with the intent to kill. I won’t apologize for being verbally graphic or blunt. It is what it is.

Parents, it is your responsibility to teach safe gun handling to your children, be it a plastic Air Soft pistol, a cap gun or a BB gun. Your children should be told they should NEVER point a firearm (or what appears to be) at anyone. Your children should also be brought to understand they should ALWAYS do as a policeman tells them, whether they agree with the command or not. These are basic fundamentals of being a good and law-abiding citizen.

There are exceptions to every rule. Some children go awry, regardless of how hard their parents try to teach them. However, if you DON’T teach your child right from wrong and your child is killed by a policeman or law-abiding citizen responding within the right to use deadly force in self-defense, I have no pity for your loss. YOU failed in your duty and your child’s death is on you, no one else.

So, you think I’m being blunt, callous and hard? That is exactly my intent. There are situations where diplomacy is applicable. I have no intention of being diplomatic when I tell you your child’s safety is your responsibility.

If you don’t know what to teach your child about safe gun handling, contact me. I’ll be happy to help. I’d like to see your child become a law-abiding and upstanding citizen. But, if your child is shot and killed because you failed to do your job as a responsible parent, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Shoot safely!

Jim

PUNKS WITH GUNS

I can be a rather sarcastic and critical old curmudgeon when I choose to. Right now, I’m experiencing such emotions. I’m sure there are many that will be rather surprised at this, but there’s a reason for this behavior, be it justifiable or not.

I saw an article on the Fox News website this morning that proves Mr. Darwin was right.

FOX NEWS- Reputed gang member shoots self with own sawed-off shotgun

“FRESNO, Calif. –Fresno police say a reputed gang member shot himself with his own gun — the second such shooting in as many days. Police tell the Fresno Bee that officers answering a report of shots fired early Sunday found 28-year-old Randy Mcbride with a gunshot wound to the leg. Sgt. Tony Bustos says it appears that Mcbride was in a home when he heard gunshots, put a sawed-off shotgun in his pants and went outside to investigate. Bustos says when Mcbride tried to draw the gun, he pulled the trigger and shot himself….. Police say Mcbride could face charges of being a felon in possession of a gun.”

Obviously, this fine, upstanding and law abiding citizen thought he knew all there is to know about safe firearm handling procedures. Furthermore, it appears he was under the impression he had the right and authority to take the law in his own hands.

I use the term “young male” to describe people that get involved in gangs. They’re certainly not men. My father told me “The man is on the inside.” These young males I speak of are empty inside, especially between the ears.

Eventually, one of these young males is going to encounter the likes of the master shooters and instructors I studied under and find himself on the back side of the curve in a deadly situation. And we’ll read about him, but he won’t read it himself. He’ll be occupying a refrigerated drawer in the morgue with a variety of holes in his chest.

If you have young children, be responsible in how you raise them. Teach them that firearms are not bad, but certainly dangerous if mishandled. Teach them to respect the law and obey it. And teach them to stay far away from gangs and punks.

If you fail to do this, I’m afraid you may receive a call one day asking you to come to the morgue to identify the remains of your child. And seeing a body with a variety of holes in it’s chest can be very unsettling, to say the least.

To paraphrase Willie Nelson, “Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be hoodlums.”

Shoot safely!

Jim

PRIVATE FIREARMS TRANSACTIONS

Ever notice guns for sale in the classified section of the Floyd Press? I see it quite often. I’ve had quite a few people ask me about the legality of that. I’ve also had a few self made experts on the state firearms statutes tell me what the law says about private firearms transactions. Rather than challenge these know-it-alls and start something I just respond with “You might want to read up on that.”

One of the biggest misconceptions people have about buying and selling firearms between individuals is the idea that firearms must be registered. Except for fully automatic weapons and weapons with silencers and/or short barrels, there is no registration. There is no law or requirement to register common handguns, rifles and shotguns.

As a side bar to this, firearms that are bought from gun shops are not registered, either. The paperwork you fill out when you buy a firearm from a business stays in the business files for 20 years or when the business closes. I don’t care what “Uncle Bill” told you, that paper work does NOT go to ATF, the FBI, Washington or any other place.

There are some laws that do apply to buying and selling firearms between private individuals. First and foremost is the law that prohibits selling a firearm to a known felon. If you provide a firearm to a person you know has been convicted of a felony, you commit a felony yourself. It is also illegal to sell firearms to minors without the consent and permission of a parent or legal guardian.

§ 18.2-308.2:1. Prohibiting the selling, etc., of firearms to certain persons. Any person who sells, barters, gives or furnishes, or has in his possession or under his control with the intent of selling, bartering, giving or furnishing, any firearm to any person he knows is prohibited from possessing or transporting a firearm … shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

If you sell a firearm to a person without knowing he/she is not allowed to own one and discover this later, you should contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately and let them know what happened. If you’re honest and forthcoming about it, they will appreciate your efforts in helping them keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.

When you buy or sell a firearm to a stranger, insist on valid identification. Write down the other person’s name, address and drivers license number. This is to protect yourself in the event it comes back to bite you later. If the other person refused to provide that information to me, I would consider that a red flare. I would walk away from the deal.

If the other person does anything during the transaction to make you suspicious, walk away. If it smells like a rat, it is a rat. We have more firearms freedoms and rights than any other country in the world. Don’t let somebody trying to “shade” you take that away from you. No matter how sweet the deal is, there’s nothing worth going to prison for.

Shoot safely!

Jim

FLOYDGUNGUY@GMAIL.COM

A FAMILY HEIRLOOM

I got a call early last week from my family in South Carolina. They told me my brother, 6 years my senior, was dying of cancer. I threw some stuff in a carry on and put my old truck in the wind.

I got to Charleston Tuesday morning and went straight to the hospital. I was told Hospice had been called in and my brother was going to my niece’s house for the duration. I got to talk to my brother a couple of times and got the closure I so badly needed.

The next day, my brother’s wife came to me with an old familiar rifle in her hands. “Brian said he wants you to have this.” The memories came flooding back.

In 1960, when my brother was 14 years old, Dad bought a Mossberg model 146-B bolt action 22 rifle and gave it to my brother. Brian and I both learned to shoot with that rifle. My brother has kept it all his life.

I told my brother his wife and given me the rifle and thanked him for it. In his weak condition, all he could do was whisper “Shoot it.” I promised him I would and that it would be passed down to my grand nephew, the heir to my firearms collection. He nodded and smiled. Eight days after being diagnosed with cancer, my brother passed November 8^th, early Saturday morning.

So, what’s all this got to do with firearms? I have inherited a rifle I’ve always considered a family heirloom. I can’t count the times I told my brother I wanted to be first in line if he ever decided to sell it.

I have many fond memories of Dad taking Brian and I to a favorite place to shoot and spending hours burning 22 ammo in that rifle. I’ll miss my brother, but now I have that rifle and will honor my brother by putting it back in action.

Thank you, Bubba. I’ll see you soon.

Shoot safely!

Jim

BRANDISHING

WHAT IS BRANDISHING?

Do you ever read the Floyd County Court Cases published here in the Floyd Press? On occasion, I see where someone has been charged with brandishing a firearm.

Merriam-Webster defines brandish as “to exhibit in an ostentatious or aggressive manner”. The Virginia Legislative Information System says “It shall be unlawful for any person to point, hold or brandish any firearm or any air or gas operated weapon or any object similar in appearance, whether capable of being fired or not, in such manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another or hold a firearm or any air or gas operated weapon in a public place in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another of being shot or injured.”

Notice the definition says “to exhibit”. You don’t need to point a firearm at someone to be charged with brandishing. You don’t even need to put your hand on your handgun to be charged. All you have to do is “brandish… in such a manner as to reasonably induce fear in the mind of another… of being shot or injured.”

Here’s a typical scenario. Two or more people disagree in a discussion, strong feelings are displayed and the situation goes south. Heated words are exchanged and a threat is made. At this point, somebody says “Oh, yeah?” pulls back a jacket and displays a handgun in a holster.

You just blew it. Instead of being the mature adult and walking away from a confrontation when you had a chance to, you just got yourself arrested and charged with brandishing. And if you draw that handgun and point it at the other party, you could be charged with threat with a firearm, a much more serious charge.

A citizen that has been issued a Concealed Handgun Permit has gone through an extensive background check by the Sheriff’s Office prior to receiving the permit. The fact that you have the permit indicates you are considered to be a law-abiding citizen. Unfortunately, there’s nothing in the records that indicates you might be a hot head and have a short fuse.

People disagree on various subjects every day, that’s human nature. It’s also human nature to get upset when the other party won’t even hear you out or give you the benefit of the doubt. What separates mature adults from those that are simply older than 21 is how an individual chooses to respond to provocation, insults and/or a threat.

Being mature and remaining calm while being verbally abused, insulted or threatened can make all the difference between going home, going to the emergency room or going to jail. That’s a choice we all have to make eventually. And if you lose your temper while you’re carrying a handgun and do something stupid, believe you me, the Sheriff’s Office can and will solve the problem. “Get in the car, boy.”

You cannot go around displaying your handgun just because somebody says something that you don’t like. You’re held to a higher standard and you’re expected to set the example of proper conduct. If you don’t, you’ll find out what it’s like to ride in the back seat of a cruiser to Montgomery Regional.

Shoot safely!

Jim

TRAVELING WITH FIREARMS

I got a call from a reader recently that was planning a trip to Ohio. He asked if I could help him find information on transporting firearms across state lines. I have to say I really respect a firearms owner that thinks ahead. Properly prepared, he will return home without any legal problems.

There’s a web site on the internet that keeps up with firearms laws across the states and provides a lot of information on subjects such as carrying firearms in vehicles, concealed handguns and requirements to notify law enforcement officers of concealed handguns. To find the site, simply enter HANDGUNLAW.US into your favorite search engine.

In the event you don’t have access to the internet or can’t find the information you’re looking for, there’s a safe default method of carrying firearms in a vehicle that will keep you out of trouble. The following is a federal statute designed to allow firearms owners to transport firearms across state lines. If the guide lines of this statute are followed exactly, you won’t have any problems. If you decide you don’t have to follow the law exactly, you’re on your own, brother.

“18 U.S. Code § 926A – Interstate transportation of firearms – Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.”

While we’re on the subject of carrying firearms in vehicles, let’s take a look at the laws a little closer to home. In Virginia, it is legal to be on school property with long guns (rifles and/or shotguns) in the vehicle if they are not loaded. If you forget to unload your rifle or shotgun before you go on school property and a deputy discovers that, you’re staring down the barrel of a felony conviction.

Aside from going on school property, the state allows counties to make local ordinances concerning the carrying of guns in vehicles on the highways. Floyd County does not prohibit the carrying of loaded long guns in vehicles. I have not investigated the ordinances of our neighboring counties, so if you’re planning on crossing county lines, it might be best if your rifle or shotgun is unloaded.

Personally, I’m a little hesitant to ride around with a loaded long gun in my truck. I’m just not willing to risk the chance of something happening and blowing a hole in the floor board or side wall of my pick up. I’ll have plenty of time to load my gun when I get where I’m going.

I’ll make one more suggestion before I close. Put your rifle or shotgun in a case when you carry it. This will protect your gun from dirt and scratches and it also promotes the safety factor. By now, I’m sure you know I’m all about safety, right?

Shoot safely!

Jim

ORANGE UP!

ORANGE UP!

Hunting season is almost here in Floyd County and there’s a lot of people, yours truly included, anxiously awaiting opening day. Squirrel season opened on September 6^th, coon season (my favorite!) opens October 15^th and rabbit season opens November 1^st. The season so many people are really waiting for is deer season. Archery season opens October 4^th, muzzle loader season opens November 1^st and rifle season opens November 15^th.

Around the end of September, hunters will be digging out their favorite camouflage hunting suits, checking the laces on that old comfortable pair of boots and dusting off that lucky hunting hat. License? Check. Fresh ammunition? Check. Scope dialed in? Dead center, ready to go. Everything’s ready for opening morning. This could be the year I get that 12 pointer!

I appreciate your excitement and enthusiasm, but if you’re done with your check list, you left out something really important. That one thing that deer hunters despise, 300 square inches of blaze orange and matching hat.

From the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries:

Blaze Orange Requirements

When hunting any species during a firearms deer season and on youth/apprentice deer hunting day, every hunter or persons accompanying a hunter, shall wear a blaze orange hat or blaze orange upper body clothing that is visible from 360 degrees or display at least 100 square inches of solid blaze orange material at shoulder level within body reach and visible from 360 degrees. Hats may have a bill or brim color or design other than solid blaze orange. Hats shall not be in “camo” style, since the latter is designed to prevent visibility. A logo, which does not detract from visibility may be worn on a blaze orange hat.

Hunters using ground (pop-up, chair, box, etc.) or tree stand blinds that conceal them from view must display a minimum of 100 square inches of blaze orange, visible from 360 degrees, on the OUTSIDE of such blinds. This blaze orange is in addition to any worn on the hunter’s person.

During the muzzleloader seasons for hunting deer with a muzzleloading rifle only, every muzzleloader deer hunter and every person accompanying a muzzleloader deer hunter shall wear blaze orange as specified above except when they are physically located in a tree stand or other stationary hunting location.

There are some exceptions that can be found in the free hunting regulations booklet published by VDGIF.

Not only is blaze orange required by law, it’s a good idea. Every year, shortly after the opening of deer season, I read of a hunter that’s been shot and killed because he was mistaken for a deer. If 300 square inches of blaze orange can keep me from getting shot, I don’t care how goofy I look, I’m puttin’ it on!

Some people say the blaze orange gives away their position to the deer. It’s been scientifically proven that deer are color blind. They see shades of gray, from black to white. There’s no counting how many deer have been killed by hunters wearing all that blaze orange. That’s all the proof I need.

When deer season opens, before you head out to get that big one, “orange up!” It may save your life so you can bring that big one home.

Shoot safely!

Jim