Questions tagged [guns]
Questions referring to use of firearms.
40
questions
1
vote
2answers
248 views
Carrying a gun openly while hiking in western North Carolina
I know that NC permits open carry but I'm actually interested in cultural implications of running into people in the woods who may be weirded out by it. I've hiked a lot in places where it's legal but ...
2
votes
1answer
112 views
What is the standard barrel length used for calculating the velocity of ammunition?
If you buy a box of ammunition, it usually says the muzzle velocity on the box in addition to the bullet weight (or you can find the information online).
Given that bullet velocity depends on the ...
8
votes
3answers
463 views
Can a gun spontaneously fire?
There is a news story out this week, (The end of April, 2019) about a school resource officer's weapon discharging while in his holster.
In my experience as a gun owner and hunter, it's hard for me ...
5
votes
1answer
362 views
Sighting in a Rifle without firing a shot
I was wondering if there is a way to sight in a rifle scope without firing a shot.
There are some reasons why I think it would useful to be able to do this. One depending on the scope you may have ...
3
votes
1answer
311 views
Why use a 20 MOA rail on top of a rifle?
Some hunting rifles come with a 20 MOA rail on top for mounting the scope or you can purchase the rails separately.
What is the point of a 20 MOA rail?
3
votes
1answer
489 views
What is a cartridge’s point-blank-range?
Related to the idea of a flatter shooting cartridge, and the reason why a flatter cartridge makes it easier to hit the animal within the vital area, is the concept of point-blank-range.
What is point-...
10
votes
1answer
3k views
What does it mean for a caliber to be flat shooting?
Certain calibers such as the 300 Winchester Magnum are often called flat shooting.
What does that mean and why would a hunter care that the caliber is flat shooting when selecting a rifle to go ...
3
votes
1answer
290 views
What is the advantage of a fluted barrel on a hunting rifle?
As I look for a new hunting rifle, I see that some have fluted barrels, such as the Mossberg Patriot for example and some do not.
What would the advantage of a fluted barrel be?
3
votes
1answer
859 views
Is 5R barrel rifling more accurate than 4 or 6 groove rifling?
I am looking for a new hunting rifle, and one of the features I keep seeing advertised is 5R rifling where there are 5 lands and grooves instead of 4 or 6.
Supposedly this makes the barrel more ...
0
votes
1answer
250 views
What are the pros and cons of first vs second focal plane rifle scopes?
There are two types of rifle scopes when it comes to which focal plane the reticle is etched on and they are called first or second focal plane scopes.
What is the difference between the two types ...
3
votes
1answer
104 views
What to look for in a rifle bipod?
I am planning on getting a bipod for my rifle, in the hope of being more accurate and able to hit targets at longer ranges.
What features should I look for in a rifle bipod?
1
vote
1answer
229 views
In shooting, what is a MOA (minute of angle)?
In hunting/shooting, you will often see the term MOA (which stands for minute of angle).
What exactly is an (MOA) minute of angle when it comes to shooting?
4
votes
0answers
169 views
20-shot magazine for Lee-Enfield? [closed]
Do you know where I can get a 20-shot magazine for a 1917 303 MKIII Lee-Enfield rifle?
I currently have a 10-shot magazine. I have searched the internet and I've seen a picture of one but have not ...
6
votes
2answers
628 views
Storing hunting firearms and ammo in a safe not designed for them?
I just got my first handgun and had previously bought a safe that we had used for other things. The safe is a made by first alert, and is the 2087F. It says in the manual, which I've thankfully kept, ...
0
votes
1answer
100 views
What is the difference between single action (SA), double action/single action (DA/SA) and double action only(DAO) semi-auto pistols
Somewhat like revolvers, semi-automatic pistols also come in single action, double action/single action and double action only.
Also while there are similarities to how this terminology is used with ...
2
votes
2answers
352 views
What is the difference between single and double action revolvers?
Some revolvers are single action and some are double action, what exactly is the difference between the two types?
6
votes
4answers
5k views
Shooting into tree
A few weeks ago, I strapped a target onto a tree that was about 1.5-2' in diameter to sight my muzzleloader on private property. I fired about a dozen .50 cal bullets into the tree.
In addition to ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What is a top strap on a revolver?
Some revolvers like the earliest Colts do not have top straps, and that is the easy way of telling them apart from the early Remingtons or from any modern revolvers.
What exactly is a top strap on a ...
5
votes
2answers
9k views
What are the advantages/disadvantages of octagonal barrels?
Some modern firearms can come with either round or octagonal barrels, such as the 45-70 Marlin Guide vs the 45-70 Marlin Cowboy.
What would the advantages of one over the other be?
36
votes
6answers
8k views
What is the responsible way to sell a firearm?
I am moving to a different state soon. In order to make the move easier I have decided to sell some of my firearms. I live in a state that doesn't have universal background checks, unfortunately.
...
5
votes
1answer
359 views
Locations to sight in a rifle around Boise, Idaho
One thing I need to do to prepare for deer season is to sight in my rifle. I'm new to the Boise area and don't know where I should go. I'd prefer to go somewhere free, but if the only options ...
17
votes
4answers
6k views
Would a gunshot echo in a cave?
I'm writing a story in which someone is shot in a cave system. Another character is an adjoining tunnel some distance and at least a few tunnel intersections away. Would the sound of the shot reach ...
3
votes
2answers
937 views
Is it safe to fire .38 cartridges in a 38.40
I have an old Marlin 38.40 lever action rifle and am having trouble finding ammo for it. Can I fire modern .38 cartridges in this rifle?
6
votes
4answers
11k views
Is a .22 air-rifle powerful enough for a clean kill of a rabbit?
Many many years ago me and my brothers used to go rabbit hunting with air-rifles. I was pretty young TBH and the details are not sharp in my mind. It occurred to me that the .22 calibre air-rifle that ...
5
votes
2answers
444 views
In the absence of lead, what can I use for a projectile in a flintlock rifle?
A flintlock rifle is a weapon that can be indefinitely reloaded without any reliance on infrastructure. Gunpowder can be made from resources commonly found in the outdoors (urine as the nitrate source)...
4
votes
2answers
332 views
Does chambering a round multiple times degrade its accuracy?
My standard procedure when hunting is to hunt with a round in the chamber, safety on and as soon as the day is over or while getting into a vehicle to remove the bullet from the chamber.
This can ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
How do you remove a bullet from a cartridge?
While reloading some cartridges, I was on the last step of crimping the bullet into the brass case, and made and mistake and the brass was compressed wrong.
The other reason for removing a bullet is ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the pro and cons of two stage vs single stage triggers for hunting?
In addition to getting a trigger with a lighter pull weight, I also have the option of switching from a single stage to a two stage trigger. What would the pros and cons of doing so be?
9
votes
3answers
798 views
Is there a handgun or rifle target practice set-up for the home?
I want to learn target practice inside my house. The goal is to eventually use these skills in The Great Outdoors. I'm looking for:
a non-real (e.g. BB type) handgun or rifle that has realistic ...
-3
votes
1answer
142 views
Is there a M1A1 carbine replica production? [closed]
I've always wanted to have an M1A1 carbine. However, I don't want an "original" one because I think that this would be too valuable in my hands. I don't want to take one away from a real collector.
...
5
votes
1answer
242 views
What features should I look for in a scope for a .308?
I've Googled this a lot over the last couple of days, but it feels like most of the answers are aimed at target shooting. I live in South Africa, and we do allot of hunting in the bushveld as well as ...
12
votes
4answers
85k views
Is it safe to fire 38 caliber rounds in a 357 magnum pistol?
I have a .357 revolver. The rounds have a significant amount of kick. When I go out target shooting the kick makes it unpleasant to shoot before I have gone through a full box of ammunition.
...
15
votes
4answers
7k views
What is the difference between a rifle and a shotgun?
This is one of those things, that seems like it has just always been in my knowledge. A recent comment about rifles on a question about shotguns got me thinking, it really is not all that simple.
...
9
votes
1answer
435 views
Gunfire in US national parks
What are the consequences of firing a gun in a US national park due to distress? (for instance, shooting at an attacking animal, or firing in the air to attract attention when stranded)
There is a ...
7
votes
1answer
266 views
Where is the Benelli R1 made?
I might be in the market for a new Benelli R1. But I can't seem to get a straight answer on where it is made. Obviously, I know that Benelli is a Beretta company and the Benelli address is listed in ...
7
votes
3answers
3k views
How often do I need to clean my rimfires?
When is it necessary to clean a rimfire firearm? Only after exposure to excessive moisture? Only when it begins to malfunction (for autoloaders)? With some frequency of shooting, or time, or before ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
I have an older shotgun designed for lead shot, can I use steel shot?
I have an older shotgun designed for lead shot, by law I can only fire steel shot.
Can I fire steel shot, or do I need get a new shotgun?
If I can use steel shot, what additional maintenance is ...
9
votes
1answer
59k views
Which wildlife is it legal to hunt in the UK?
Does someone have a list or a link of exactly which UK wildlife it is legal to hunt & safe (& tasty) to eat? For example, are rabbits safe to eat, or is myxomatosis still a problem?
...
9
votes
3answers
6k views
Trail gun for protection against bears
Choosing a trail gun is proving more challenging than I would like.
What handgun calibres are powerful enough to provide some protection against aggressive bears?
I want something manageable ...
22
votes
9answers
14k views
When should you carry a firearm when hiking/trekking?
When my friend planned to hike the Appalachian trail, his mother insisted he take her small handgun. I didn't think it would be a great idea in that case, but I'm sure there must be times when such ...
