Poll

What should I spend my birthday money on?

Better Scope
25 (33.8%)
Reloading Press Kit
36 (48.6%)
22 mag Rifle
13 (17.6%)

Total Members Voted: 53

Voting closed: October 07, 2007, 03:51:11 AM

Author Topic: Birthaday $$$ ?  (Read 2085 times)

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Offline PartsMan

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #30 on: October 04, 2007, 03:29:31 AM »
I have been looking at the lee anniversary kit. ($69 a Cabela's)
The lee loader would be neat but I would rather have a press. Even a cheap one.
The first dies I would be getting would be 223, 7mm-08 and then later 30/30.

Also I really like the Swift scopes.


Offline bluebayou

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #31 on: October 04, 2007, 03:08:14 PM »
I think that the Lee manual has some good info in it for established reloaders, maybe the die setups, cast bullets, some theory stuff...

The loads themselves have been a little off from other manuals if I remember right (not on the conservative side).

Offline 30-06man

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #32 on: October 04, 2007, 04:12:02 PM »
new optics will get you more low light performance so you can hunt until the last legal min and from the first legal min. the reloading will benefit in the long run getting into it isn't cheap as dale said $800 in one summer. then the 22 mag?? i would look into a 17hmr before it. it would get you more range and it seems to be the best in rim fire including the 17mach2. the range finder isn't necessary will a little basic knowledge of where your hunting. just pace it off. with the guns you have 300 yards or more you won't really need to worry about range finders which are centered towards bow hunters long range hunters.
The sportsman lives his life vicariously. For he secretly yearns to have lived before, in a simpler time. A time when his love for the land, water, fish and wildlife would be more than just part of his life. It would be his state of mind

Rick

Offline Plainsman

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I suggest...
« Reply #33 on: October 04, 2007, 04:59:55 PM »
I would suggest you get yourself into reloading first.  Keep looking at Lee equipment, they have good gear for the money.  I have RCBS for most of my reloading gear, but the most recent purchases have been Lee and they have worked fine as well.  If I was to start all over, I'd probably get the Lee equipment and more reloading components! :)

All three are good ideas and I did vote for the scope as well.  That would be my second choice.  The .22 mag is another great choice, I bought one last year and it is a great little rifle!  I put a Bushnell 3-9x40mm on it and it has been a great combo and cost less than $160 total! :)

Have fun spending your money! :)
Plainsman :)

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Offline PartsMan

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #34 on: October 05, 2007, 04:00:08 AM »
I don't really want a 17hmr.
The reason for a 22mag would be for up to coyotes.

I am not convinced that a 17hmr is enough.
Plus if I start reloading I won't need ether one.
Then my 223 will be as cheap to shoot.

I would get a Swift scope because my local dealer will trade you out no questions on the spot if it breaks.
In his words "if you pay more for the Leopold or Nikon and it breaks a week before deer season your @#$%^&".

Also, I got some more birthday money from my in laws.
Should be able to swing a good scope and get "started" reloading.

Now if I can just get out and make sure the 7mm-08 shoots good.

Offline Mac11700

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #35 on: October 05, 2007, 04:57:10 AM »


Good...getting both is great...but...this statement isn't true...
Quote
In his words "if you pay more for the Leopold or Nikon and it breaks a week before deer season your @#$%^&".

I had an accident once...the week before deer season...I took a real nasty spill down a hill...as well as my rifle & scope...It got bent real bad...I called Leupold's C/S department...and  explained what happened...they recommended I take it to my Leupold dealer...and exchange it..I did...at no cost to me...The dealer sent the scope in and got credit for it...I was back to normal and sighted in the next day...Leupold has the best C/S return/repair policy of any scopes on the market...Most Leupold dealers would do the same...So...don't believe everything negative about them you hear just to get you to purchase a cheaper scope from them.I can't say for the Nikon c/s department...I haven't had to use them yet...

Mac
You can cry me a river... but...build me a bridge and then get over it...

Offline PartsMan

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #36 on: October 05, 2007, 07:37:13 AM »
That's great and it makes more sense than what he told me,
but he is the only dealer in town.
Also, your scope was obviously ruined. What if it had a minor problem they could have fixed.

My mind is not made up totally yet though.
I will compare side by side as you mentioned before.
No need for a guarantied piece of junk.
http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=4288
This is the Leupold I would want.

Offline Mac11700

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #37 on: October 05, 2007, 07:43:57 AM »


The Premieres are good scopes...but just not Leupolds...and they don't cost as much either...Yes...if the scope had just minor damage to it...I was assured if I next day mailed it to them..I would have it returned in time for the hunt...This is one of the nice things about them...peace of mind...I also have had older Vari-X II scopes sent in to them...and they replaced them with VX-II's...The trick is to call them and be as nice as you can...they usually bend over backwards for ya...

Mac
You can cry me a river... but...build me a bridge and then get over it...

Offline burntmuch

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #38 on: October 05, 2007, 08:26:37 AM »
Last year I dropped my muzzleloader out of a treestand. The leopold wacked the tree on the way down. After that the magnification ring was real rough to adjust. Checked my zero the next day, it was still good so I finished the season with it. Sent it in, came back 3 wks later. Good as new. Thats worth the money to me That one is a 30 yr old scope too.    Jay
I dont care what gun Im using as long as Im hunting

Offline 30-06man

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #39 on: October 05, 2007, 09:02:06 AM »
yeah they also do some repair work to the lenses and refill them and sometimes recoat them. for free if something is wrong. leupold dosen't make junk. neither does nikon they all have great c/s. the 17hmr is a necked down 22mag.
The sportsman lives his life vicariously. For he secretly yearns to have lived before, in a simpler time. A time when his love for the land, water, fish and wildlife would be more than just part of his life. It would be his state of mind

Rick

Offline Mac11700

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #40 on: October 05, 2007, 09:42:04 AM »


I have nothing against buying good reloading equipment either...and wouldn't hesitate telling you there are some incredible deals floating around...This is just 1 of them I found by doing a Google search on used reloading equipment...If the seller still has it...this would be a real good way to go...and your getting additional presses you can sell yourself...plus a bunch of other equipment & components...Check out what the Hornady Pro-jector presses are running with the powder measures...
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/spo/435487996.html


It's easier to get the high priced equipment with out paying thru the nose if you just look...another good place...http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/the_list.html

Why buy cheap...when for a little more...you can some of the best to use?

Mac
You can cry me a river... but...build me a bridge and then get over it...

Offline PartsMan

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #41 on: October 05, 2007, 11:30:57 AM »
leupold dosen't make junk.

I wasn't referring to Leopold when I said junk.
I was actually thinking about the Swift.

Offline 30-06man

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #42 on: October 05, 2007, 12:38:45 PM »
ohh ok i must have missed something. i have never heard of swift. so i really don't know. but you might also look into muller i hear they have very good scopes. i have been wanting one but i can't get one
The sportsman lives his life vicariously. For he secretly yearns to have lived before, in a simpler time. A time when his love for the land, water, fish and wildlife would be more than just part of his life. It would be his state of mind

Rick

Offline Dave Allen

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #43 on: October 05, 2007, 04:50:37 PM »
the problem i see..is you need all of it !!..& that really is a problem..sort of...ya have to pick & choose your battle's on this one..i would say glass up your rig's as best as ya can..it may not mean that you will noticeably shoot better .."however" it will pay in the long run..& reloading will also...toss "em" up...again i say glass..for now anyway..

Offline 30-06man

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #44 on: October 05, 2007, 05:21:31 PM »
also look into a good pair of binos. Nikon and Burris seems to make some of the best and same with some older Simmons.
The sportsman lives his life vicariously. For he secretly yearns to have lived before, in a simpler time. A time when his love for the land, water, fish and wildlife would be more than just part of his life. It would be his state of mind

Rick

Offline PartsMan

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #45 on: October 08, 2007, 08:05:29 AM »
I ORDERED A LEE ANNIVERSARY KIT AND DIES TODAY!!!
Hopefully I can go look at scopes in a day or two.

I would like to thank everyone for voting.

If you need me I'll be in the loading forum.

Offline SM Bob

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #46 on: October 08, 2007, 02:48:43 PM »
Way to go Partsman! You are going to love reloading!

                           Robert

Offline bulzaye

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Re: Birthaday $$$ ?
« Reply #47 on: October 14, 2007, 02:16:41 AM »
I started with the anniversary set up from lee. It is everything you need to load. I was not impressed with the loading manual. My advice there is to get a couple at least. I have slowly added on to the kit, but mostly for convenience. I purchased a lyman 1200 dps which made measuring powder very effortless. The o press that comes in the kit is great. But for convenience I bought a turret press I still use the o press for depriming and priming. You will love reloading. It is a great way to unwind and relax as well as having the satisfaction of putting together your own loads.
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