Now if we could just get rid of ol' bug eye (Pelosi) and Dingy Harry.

To Cliff 68: Why are you asking gun questions on a gun blog? Get a grip. But anyway, the .300 Savage is an excellent deer cartridge that is very similar to the .308, and will do anything it will do. Enjoy the old Remington; it will serve you well.

I do not believe that membership in any group/organization should be a prerequisite in order to be a member of any other group/organization. At all. That smells of a form of elitism that I firmly fight against.

Even at that, we all, ALL, will do that anyway. I'm a veteran. Does that mean I will vote for a veteran, regardless of policy? Well, it might.

To say membership in NRA, or any other group, is a prerequisite to do anything is wrong. We've all seen how the modern society is.

Everyone is personally proud of their own achievements or even membership in an organization. I have the Birdie-Ball-and-Fishhook on my cars. But I silently snicker when I see a car with a scuba-diver emblem. See, to them it may be an accomplishment, and make them proud, but to me I see someone who just had some money and a few free weekends. I paid for my chevrons in a way that civilian groups would never put up with.

For a decade I was a member of the NRA. But it was an era where I didn't like the way they were going. That is my decision to make and nobody elses.

And how would being a member of ANYTHING affect my qualifications for testing a... say... tent better than anything else?

I personally don't like the whole idea of relying on a whole party. I wish everyone could be independants and actually act upon their own views and not ones of the party, and these democrats did and im glad they did.

Nate

I have lived in Montana for 27 years, and normally do not vote for Democrats due to their anti-gun bias and their liberalism, but I confess I did vote for Max Baucus. He has been pro-gun for most of his many years in the Senate, except for one time when he went along with Clinton's "assault weapon" ban and almost was defeated in the following election. He "found Jesus" after that.

Tester is pro-gun too, although I almost choked at his campaign picture with a retriever and a .30/30 lever rifle...supposedly depicting himself as a bird hunter. Maybe he had consulted Hillary prior to the photo...

Anyway, I hold little but disdain for either party, but I don't trust Democrats as far as I could throw them. Both these guys knew they would be drawn, quartered and their heads displayed upon pikes had they been associated with the nefarious ploy you described!

Life is not complicated Dave. These Damnocrats must be up for re-election, or they would go along with Hussein Obama. Wake up people before it is too late. Stop believing these socialists.

Just some thoughts on several of the posts above. No, it is not wrong for an organization to require membership to another
organization if it is in their membership rules. Our local gun club requires membership
to the NRA, it was voted in with the charter when the club was organized, and that is the right of the organization. Freedom of choice,
right? You are free not to join our shooting
club.
No, I don't agree with all of the NRA's positions, and can't afford to send money to
every request, but non other than Rush Limbaugh has called them the most efective lobby in Washington, D.C. They are out there defending the rights of ALL gun owners, and you must believe that these rights are under attack, and will continue to come under attack, until the American public is disarmed
or a revolution takes place to "throw the bums out!"
A far more acceptable solution is to join your State rifle association. The Texas State
Rifle Association does a lot to promote shooter's rights that concern Texans than the NRA can possibly promote on a national scale.
I am somewhat concerned by one post that states he sees no reason for thirty round magazines, or that he is concerned about an individual having a gun because of his ratty jeans and old green field jacket. Trust me, sir, if the anti-gun lobby can ban your thirty round mags today, tomorrow they will want your hand guns, your bolt action rifles and your pump shotguns. (In Great Britan, they are now considering a ban on "long knives"). Any compromise on the Second Ammendment is infringement, and the anti-gunners want to compromise the 2nd A right out of your Bill of Rights.
As to the young man in the in ratty jeans and an old green field jacket, I am certinly
glad you are not the one passing judgement on my rights. I have worn ratty jeans most of my life, and have been known to wear an old green field jacket. Never mind that the field jacket had combat awards, overseas unit patches and my previously held rank on it, it was old and green. Never mind that I was previously a small arms instructor, marksmanship coach, Expert rifleman, and hold the Combat Medical Badge. Never mind that I am a Life Member of the NRA, TSRA, CCL holder, have passed numerous FBI background checks, and have never been indicted for any crime. Just never mind, you can obviously judge a book by its cover.

I lived in MT for a while and these guys are the senators you want to protect your 'sporting rights.' Max has been given a stellar rating by the NRA and shoots/hunts on a regular basis. Being a (R) it seems to me a MT (D) is the antithesis of an east coast (D) when it comes to sportsmans RIGHTS. So as far as party affiliations/leadership go, I'm glad MT's senators have their 'sporting priorities' on the right side.

Make no mistake, Nobama WILL have his way in spite of a few naysayers in the senate. There are enough supporters who will say they won't back his play, then when the pressure is turned up cave in like an unshored mine tunnel. If you aren't an NRA member, join. Write letters to your reps & congresspersons, tell your buddies to do the same, bug ém every day til they do. If we sit on our thumbs and do nothing, my grand children WILL BE DISARMED, and the 2nd will be a memory.
I repeat, so called gun control is NOT about crime control, it is about disarming the law abiding citizen, who would actively resist a Stalin or Hitler.

steve182 I agree with you and Del. I've been an NRA member since 1948---Life Member since 1955.

I am glad they stepped in to stop some of the plentiful insanity in Washington. The feds like to destroy and waste, instead of produce and profit. They wonder why we have such bleak budgets, any normal person can see the blatent waste the government and its many departments produce. I was at a fish hatchery yesterday and asked what they did with the steelhead after collecting the eggs. They said since they were federal property they couldn't sell or use the meat it had to go to the landfill. They said on rare occassions some meat would be used for feed the hungry programs or to feed inmates at prisons, but that usually all the meat goes to the landfill. I am sure there is some reason a lawyer came up with for this, but why on earth they don't have a meat packer there on site that pays them so much per pound then is allowed to sell the meat for a little profit is beyond me. You can also look at the Forest Service for more waste, instead of making a profit from timber harvest, we now get to instead spend billions putting out wildfires caused by overgrown forests and beetle killed trees that could be prevented and profited from by some selective logging. I hope the country is finally turning a corner where common sense will once again prevail over the insanity of the last 30 years.

BTW, I'm sure the Republicans were raising hell about this one too, but falling on deaf ears, since the dems control the house and senate. When their own started calling foul, they changed their tune.

How can you tell if the politicians are lying to us? Their lips are moving.

Just like Pelosi and the Assault Weapons Ban issue. Only a stall tactic and diversion away from all the malfeasance of the Congress and the bailout mess.

Seems we shouldn't expect much but GREED from a couple of draft dogers like Clinton and Obama. Both of them seem to have a magic pipe piper flute,but, Obama"s is going out of tune fast. I'm thinking we should try term limits and see if they work--in other words -- spread the fat around more. Probable wouldn't hurt to close all the law schools for 25 years either. Its getting dangerous to drive with all the ambulance chassing laywers running the streets. Just my opinoin while its still legal to have one.

they should sweep the whole bunch out of washington, both parties, start over and mabe get it right next time.

crm3006,

You said it better than I could. Was it Ben Franklin that said if we don't stick together we will surely hang separately? If we don't fight for the 2A together in a few years we may not have a 2A to fight for. If we could just double the size of the NRA think what power 8 million members would have then.

I like to use the terms conservative and liberal to separate politicians. In today's view; most Republicans are conservative and most Democrats are considered liberal.

There are exceptions. Blue dog democrats typically support gun rights. I suspect Montana would not elect an anti gun senator so whether Democart or Replublican they would have to be advocates for gun owners.

The Republicans haven't done us any favors either. I don't care if I can't own an AR style rifle or a Glock with 15 round capacity. What I do care about is if I have access to areas that are capable of supporting a healthy herd of game animals.

Take away my Glock 19 and I can still hunt with my model 700 or Mossberg. Take away the land and water that supports the deer and ducks and I have nothing.

The Republican's track record on the health of our environment, which is the root of our hunting and fishing heritage, is plain atrocious. Not saying the Democrats are any better, they're equally evil in a different way. But don't give the Republicans a free pass just because they let you keep some of your guns.

All they did is Undo an evil that they tried to pass that would seriously limit our rights. Shame on them for trying to get that passed to begin with.

To MR. Petzal:
Thank you for your response on my 300 savage. You and John Barsness are my favorite writers. I read everything I can get my hands on that you guys write. Both of you have quite a sence of humor and it's always good to laugh in these serious times. To WA Mtnhuner; I think I'll keep my 300. I've done most of my deer hunting over the years with cartridge's in the 30-06 class, but as I grow older am getting more recoil shy. My wife shoots a 260 and the deer don't seem to mind getting killed by a smaller cartridge. That 300 Savage is really a mild recoiler. Thanks for your comment!

Not to start a "which is better" argument, but the .300 Savage could be the ideal whitetail deer cartridge. Fast enough to reach the 200 yard line with plenty of energy to penetrate and not too fast to damage a lot of meat at close range. Recoil is mild too.

Sure you don't want to sell it? LOL

I think the state of politics and politicians is pretty dismal. We now have the best govt. money can buy. The candidates tell us what we want to hear, then when they get elected they totally forget the people and only respond to special interests who have the campaign money. Both parties have their special interests activists so we have no where to run. Dont ever forget that whoever has the gold makes the rules !

It's a little after 1 am in Kansas right now and I just heard Glen Beck (on Foxnews) say Obama is going after guns now using the Mexican connection for an excuse.

The democrats learned very well from Republican tactics of the 90's. It was thier battle plan to incorporate the things that worked well for the Repubs in the past. Too bad the Repubs are now trying to sound more like the old liberal Dems to get elected. Some one said that this is the result of a movement towards the middle and the the gray was broadening. A quick glance says they may just be right.

I vote for the candidate that represents my view point, most typically conservative, some would say only slightly to the left of Atilla the Hun. If this moderation thing is coming true, it would go a long way towards explaining why I have been disappointed by both political parties as of late...

Some one also made a very good point of sending a thank you note or email to the brave Senators from Montana, I certainly think that more than appropiate in this day in time.

Platte River Rat,

There's no way Obama could be a draft dodger -- he was born in 1961, and the draft ended in the mid-1970s, when he was a teenager. He would have been required to register with the Selective Service System in 1980, however. Failing to register would have made Obama ineligible to hold a federal job, like senator or president; I would think it safe to assume that if Obama had not registered, one of his electoral opponents would have brought it up -- quite a bit was at stake.

Hillary Clinton never dodged the draft because she's a woman and therefore didn't have to. As for Slick Willie, his case is more complicated...but so are the cases of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

There are still plenty of reasons to not like Obama or Hillary Clinton's policies.

jeff4066,

It's not about your or anybody elses qualifications to test anything. It's about making the best organization we have to fight those Communist liberals in our Government STRONGER. Dictators,thugs and liberals have to be negotiated with from a position of strength. After all you wouldn't attempt to take out a tank with a p-38 can opener would you? When I see an NRA sticker (like mine) I for one silently think there goes another guy (or Gal) helping me pay for the freeloaders. The NRA cannot possibly agree with all of us. Opinions are like rectums everybody has one. But the NRA IS the best thing we have to fight the political fight.

For T.W. Davidson...

You must be mistaken (just about me, everything else is correct). As much as I would like to sit and claim the honors you bestow it would be dishonorable. I'm a retired GySgt whose career does span 0331 through missles, and haven't been stationed at Quantico since 1975. My best claim is that I am considered mentally stable and of good reputation. After years in the field and over 4 years of technical schools, my last outing in the gulf was as leader of a graves registration team. My last "combat" fitness report states that "His independent team processed the greatest number of remains and 'disassociated portions' of any deployed unit. Not a glorious job, to say the least.

As for writing people; I do. I lived in Atlanta for some time and got to meet some senators and congressmen. Of course, Georgia, regardless of affiliation, was pro-gun. At least in public. Bob Barr especially was nice, if a bit strange. Most of that was because my wife and myself are active in the VFW.

As for my difference of opinion with the NRA, it is basically because of their "all or nothing" attitude. I truly am torn about it. Part of me says that a person should be able to own weapons for defense or hunting purposes as long as they are not criminals. The conflict within is because I do not think that there is any reason whatsoever that ordinary people should have 30-round capacity automatic-capable weapons. No reason at all.

Am I being elitist? Maybe. I think I personally am qualified to own anything up to and including anti-aircraft rockets. But I have badges, ribbons, and cards saying I'm qualified to do that.

My conflict comes from this: One day, I was in the Deercreek Gun Shop in Georgia. A nice little local shop, and Pat (rest his soul) could do amazing things. A young man came in. He was dressed in ratty jeans and an old green field jacket. He was looking at .38s and how it would fit in the pocket. I thought "Him having a gun scares me.". For all I know, he was an off-duty cop. But I didn't know.

But I really am here to talk about those things Field & Stream knows best. I'm here regardless of the getting gear thing. It's just that trying to tie one thing into a totally non-F&S thing borders on ridiculous. If you had to join the Democratic party in order to access the internet, would you? Or would you "sign up" just to fulfill a requirement to do something you want? Would that mean you "caved-in", compromised, or were a hypocrite?

Dave, you really started something with this. How about an article on what a sickening thing the SPR18 is to have the Remington stamp on it, and how there should be a nice single-shot that people can afford?

We can, however, say that liberals are the repository of all human evil.

Gee Mr. Wizard,

I wonder why the Mexican Government refuses to release the serial number to the captured “Assault fully automatic” weapons and 50 cals to the US ATF Department ?

I found ot the US Military spent cases is being bought by China

It probably wouldn't hurt to send their Senate offices a nice e-mail thanking them for their support. Just a thought. Concerning the subject of Democrats, I am a registered Democrat. When I began my civic duty known as voting, if you weren't a Democrat (in my portion of NC), you didn't vote except for Presidential elections. There was no Republican Party here to speak of and most of the candidates were Democrats. It must be pointed out that during that period of time, southern Democrats were a more conservative bunch and especially concerning the Second Amendment and hunting issues. As Wallofsam stated, it is not all the Democrats that support gun control, but mostly the ones whose political orientation leans a good way to the left. I have noted an interesting comparison; all the radical lefties left over from the sixties are now called progressive liberals. Whether one likes it or not, the surviving remnants of the radical 60's who went into politics are the old guard of the progressive liberals today. The ones that were jailed for their radical (and illegal) actions are now called domestic terrorists as opposed to "freedom fighters" as they liked to refer to themselves in the 60's. So...does this mean that progressive liberals = domestic terrorists? Wierd huh?

Mr. Petzal: I know this is off subject, but I just bought a minty Remington Model 722 in 300 Savage. Was wondering what you think of the 300 as a whitrtail cartidge here in eastern Nebraska? It is not uncommon to shoot bucks here that dress out in the 200 to 230 pound range.

It really sucks when things don't show up as black and white. It makes life far more difficult.

I totally agree with Nate. How did we get sucked into just voting by party and not looking at what everyone stands for? I felt that I had to vote straight ticket republican because I couldn't find a democrat worth putting in office here in NC. If I could have found a worthy democrat, I would have voted for him. Those are few and far between, though.

I don't see a suprize from Montana senators on this one;I'm sure the gun lobby over in wild Montanaland keeps an eye on the political puppets!
Oh, and the bile remark Dave just made my day!

Members of western political parties do vary somewhat from their easternmost associates as long as you don't look too far west. Ultimately all are looking to please their voters if they can possibly accomplish it without totally offending their own party members.

It's not on the subject, but i agree with Del about NRA membership being a prerequisite to be a gear-tester.

I've found a great new tool that lets me get the S.O.B.s
It's this new tool called E-Mail.
I'll try to send an E-Mail to both Mn. Senators (not my state) but I'm sure they can use a number of "That a boys" to influence others.
I'll use the same tool to influence the N.R.A., I quit because of their insane fund raising practices and their idiotic rants that sounded a lot like some of the hysteria put out by folks like P.E.T.A. Out of self defense I'm rejoining.
If Dann will tell me where to write, I'll send several messages to tell the "powers that be" to quite wasting a good resource and source of income.
I'll also test any thing you want, but don't ask me what organization I belong to.

Paul Wilke,

Suggest you do as I do and throw the pleas for more money in the trash. Few people can afford to send money everytime they ask. Thanks for your help and please read the last line of my last post again.

“Our job is to give people not what they want, but what we decide they ought to have.”
-Richard Salant, former President of CBS News

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”
-Thomas Jefferson

“Reason obeys itself; and ignorance does whatever is dictated to it.”
-Thomas Paine, Rights of Man ("Conclusion")

Ralph

Still a bunch of those Remington 700 Classics in .300 Savage listed on gunbroker dot com. :-)

that youtube sight is www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv3p2lLMjGk

Now if we can get them to stop chopping up surplus firearms.

Tennessee has a Republican majority in the State House now and they are changing things fast... Just passed concealed carry in parks and restaurants and you can now carry a loaded shotgun or rifle in your vehicle. The last one was mainly because the cops decided if you had a box of shells and gun in your cab is was considered loaded even if it was empty. And permits will be issued for elk hunting for the very first time this year! Apply by April 1st if you're interested.

Dr. Ralph . . .

In your last post you stated that Tennessee is going to issue elk permits. (I confess I didn't know that Tennessee has any elk in it.) Where are the elk located? How many permits do you estimate the state will issue? Do you think the state will issue any out-of-state permits, and for cow elk? What is your guess on elk permit costs?

Thank you.

TWD

Speaking of Subway Schumer

“The broad principle that there is an individual right to bear arms is shared by many Americans, including myself. I'm of the view that you can't take a broad approach to other rights, such as First Amendment rights, and then interpret the Second Amendment so narrowly that it could fit in a thimble.”
-Senator Charles Schumer, D-NY, 2002-May-8 (http://www.senate.gov/~schumer/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/P...)

I have at least 5 year's supply of hunting ammo in reserve for my go-to rifles and enough components for about the same for the others, i.e. .358 Winchester, .30-30, etc. AND enough .223, 9mm, and .357 to repel the first or second wave.

None of that ammo will get shot into a gravel pit or the gun range. You might say that it is "Strategic Reserve". Based on the empty shelves and jacked up prices everywhere, I assume many others are doing the same.

Dr. Ralph!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dar U IZ!!!