By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
An informal impromptu discussion began in this column last week about gun ranges, when I mentioned about problems getting an AK-74 zeroed in at 100 and 200 yards. No conclusions, just a divergence of opinions on just what is a tough shot with a rifle over open sights.
Weapons Man has a discussion about long range shooting concerning a club called the One Mile Club. According to the post, a shooter can qualify as a member of the One Mile Club if he can hit a target at one mile (1,750 yards), then his next shot he must hit at 100 yards, or the long distance shot and membership is disqualified.
Speaking of disqualifications, Stewart Rhodes, head of Oathkeepers is facing disbarment for a number of offenses to the court. The linked article seems dismissive of Rhodes due to his travails, but if he does get disbarred, his stock with the patriots and 2nd Amendment supporters will rise.
I hate linking to these guys because of their disgusting behavior with regard to Ammon Bundy 18 months ago, but it seems that presidential candidate Ted Cruz got a number of leftists at Gizmodo all riled up because of his muzzle discipline. He was hauling around a doubled barreled shotgun over his right shoulder, broken open, muzzle pointing forward.
That is not the best way to transport a firearm, but then everyone can see the shotgun's chamber is open and therefore empty. It is not like the guy is going to swing the shotgun into action, shove two shells into the shotgun, cock the gun, and engage a safety, thus presenting a danger to anyone.
Speaking with an acquaintance in meatspace yesterday about those issues, I always have been told that the very best, safest way to transport any long gun is strapped to the back, muzzle down, action open and chambered clear, but as long as the action is open and the chamber is clear, Cruz was transporting the firearm safely.
Despite some electoral victories this passed week, our own homegrown facsists continue to press for theft and murder of their fellow citizens, with the courts along for the ride.
There's always the militias.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for pistol ammunition and rifle ammunition were steady.
Prices for used pistols and used rifles were mixed.
New Lows:
Virginia: .308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic): $850
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Quality Made Cartridges, Store Brand, RNL, Reloads, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: op Shot Ammunition, Store Brand, RNL, Reloads, .24 per round (From Last week: -.01 each After Unchanged (9 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 250 rounds: Powder River Cartridge, Unknown brand, RNL, Brass, .20 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 grain, From Last Week: +.03 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bud's Gun Shop, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Cased, .18 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammo Clearance, Leadhead brand, FMJ, Brass, Reloads, .16 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (10 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2015)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .28 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: LuckyGunner, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .30 per round (From Last Week: +.03 After Unchanged (3Q, 2015))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: 3CR Outdoor Supply, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .38 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, Steel Cased, FMJ, .36 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf WPA, steel case, FMJ, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, steel case, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q 2015))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds (10 Box Limit): Ammo Men, Federal Champion, RNL .08 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 325 rounds (2 Box Limit): Target Sports USA, Federal Automatch, RNL, .07 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $517 Last Week Avg: $523 (-) ($616 (30 Weeks), $476 (6 Weeks))
California (236, 244): Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport: $450 ($650 (40 Weeks), $400 (9 Weeks))
Texas (293, 286): American Tactical Imports Omni Hybrid: $535 ($700 (35 Weeks), $350 (30 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (159, 163): DPMS Oracle: $500 ($700 (29 Weeks), $300 (17 Weeks))
Virginia (174, 185): Olympic Arms: $600 ($750 (35 Weeks), $500 (39 Weeks))
Florida (397, 407): Del-Ton Echo 316: $500 ($650 (19 Weeks), $380 (31 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,090 Last Week Avg: $1,000(+) ($1,359 (29 Weeks), $820 (5 Weeks))
California (48, 51): Mixed Build: $1,500 ($1,700 (43 Weeks), $850 (13 Weeks))
Texas (47, 46): Palmetto State Armory: $1,300 ($1,500 (49 Weeks), $800 (13 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (29, 33): DPMS: $1,300 ($1,500 (35 Weeks), $700 (6 Weeks))
Virginia (59, 56): Mixed Build: $850 ($1,650 (18 Weeks), $850 (CA: $900 (48 Weeks)))
Florida (75, 70): Rock River LAR8 Operator: $500 ($1,500 (50 Weeks), $500 (5 Weeks))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $490 Last Week Avg: $490 (=) ($626 (31 Weeks), $450 (18 Weeks))
California (42, 50): Polish Radom: $600 ($700 (34 Weeks), $320 (45 Weeks))
Texas (73, 73): WASR 10: $500 ($750 (33 Weeks), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (54, 50): Romak: $300 ($750 (40 Weeks), $375 (25 Weeks))
Virginia (52, 54): CAI C-39: $550 ($625 (36 Weeks), $350 (38 Weeks))
Florida (118, 116): CAI: $500 ($650 (29 Weeks), $300 (49 Weeks))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $365 Last Week Avg: $341 (+) ($489 (37 Weeks), $296 (19 Weeks))
California (6, 6): Winchester Model 94: $450 ($500 (12 Weeks), $180 (19 Weeks))
Texas (17, 17): Mossberg: $400 ($550 (38 Weeks), $300 (43 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (20, 19): Marlin 336CS (w scope): $275 ($450 (39 Weeks), $250 (44 Weeks))
Virginia (9, 10): Winchester 94: $350 ($450 (23 Weeks), $350 (41 Weeks))
Florida (18, 19): Marlin 336: $350 ($500 (35 Weeks), $250 (21 Weeks))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $386 Last Week Avg: $385 (+) ($450 (35 Weeks), $350 (8 Weeks))
California (149, 158): Rock Island Armory: $375 ($600 (37 Weeks), $300 (15 Weeks))
Texas (241, 248): Norinco: $400 ($600 (48 Weeks), $325 (11 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (146, 146): Para Ordnance: $325 ($550 (27 Weeks), $300 (21 Weeks))
Virginia (123, 118): Armscor 1911: $380 ($550 (29 Weeks), $250 (46 Weeks))
Florida (306, 330): Para Ordnance: $450 ($475 (40 Weeks), $250 (35 Weeks))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $284 Last Week Avg: $286 (-) ($336 (32 Weeks), $268 (10 Weeks))
California (170, 163): Smith & Wesson SW9VE Sigma: $315 ($450 (37 Weeks), $250 (42 Weeks))
Texas (234, 253): Ruger SR9: $280 ($355 (36 Weeks), $200 (9 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (225, 212): Ruger P89DC: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $200 (16 Weeks))
Virginia (178, 163): Sig Sauer P250: $325 ($400 (30 Weeks), $250 (16 Weeks))
Florida (438, 439): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $250 ($375 (46 Weeks), $220 (9 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $310 Last Week Avg: $318(-) ($368 (26 Weeks), $300 (3Q, 2014))
California (87, 90): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $350 ($425 (11 Weeks)), $250 (43 Weeks))
Texas (109, 101): Sig Sauer P250: $300 ($425 (47 Weeks), $275 (29 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (83, 88): Glock 23: $300 ($350 (18 Weeks), $250 (38 Weeks))
Virginia (71, 77): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $300 ($450 (26 Weeks), $275 (42 Weeks))
Florida (169, 162): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $300 ($400 (36 Weeks), $200 (11 Weeks))
Used Gun of the Week: (Mississippi)
Ruger Mark I Black Eagle Chambered in .22 LR
Chris Covert writes for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com and on Twitter