Your "odd" hobbies?

[ArmaliteKnight]

OldHoosier! My fellow Indiana native!! Where do you hail from?
I'm living the dream in Bloomington.

[Bloke]

How restrictive is Australian law regarding long guns, and how hard/easy is it to get .22LR ammo? I have a CZ452 in .22 that I *would* shoot lots, but .22 ammo is stupid expensive in the US compared to what it used to be ten years ago

Mate, I apologise for my flippant dismissal of air rifles. I should have said I don't know! :o

You can get a shooter license easy enough if you don't have a criminal record.

The vast majority of foxes we ping off hand and the Trail Boss load in the .222 drops it back to about a .22 WMR and way cheaper than buying .22WMR factory ammo! :D

My Model 2 Brno likes Winchester Power-Points best and last time I bought a brick of 500 they cost about $AU65.

[awa54]

My Model 2 Brno likes Winchester Power-Points best and last time I bought a brick of 500 they cost about $AU65.

I think your Brno 2 is pretty much the same rifle as my 452 "training rifle", except for the scope mount (bases vs. 11mm dovetail)and that the newer gun has a beech stock. Mine shoots straight with any round you feed it... near club match accuracy from a $300 utility rifle, gotta love it! Ammo is creeping back in to realm of sanity, with basic bricks available for $40-50 and target/training for $70ish, but you still have to feel lucky to find any on the shelf. Not so long ago a brick of wildcat was under $20 and Federal match $40.

Some day I want a CZ centerfire, do you have strong feelings about .222 vs. .223? also how are those little necked cases to reload? I've only done 6.5x55 and pistol loads before.

[OldHoosier62]

OldHoosier! My fellow Indiana native!! Where do you hail from?
I'm living the dream in Bloomington.

Use to live in Bloom-tucky years ago....live not too far from Evansville now. Grew up in Morgan and Monroe counties mostly.

[ArmaliteKnight]

OldHoosier! My fellow Indiana native!! Where do you hail from?
I'm living the dream in Bloomington.

Use to live in Bloom-tucky years ago....live not too far from Evansville now. Grew up in Morgan and Monroe counties mostly.

always cool to run into someone on here that is familiar with the areas surrounding!
I got married in the Morgan/Monroe forest area, so I think we've covered all bases. I'm not very familiar with the Evansville area though.

[SpyderNut]

OldHoosier! My fellow Indiana native!! Where do you hail from?
I'm living the dream in Bloomington.

Use to live in Bloom-tucky years ago....live not too far from Evansville now. Grew up in Morgan and Monroe counties mostly.

always cool to run into someone on here that is familiar with the areas surrounding!
I got married in the Morgan/Monroe forest area, so I think we've covered all bases. I'm not very familiar with the Evansville area though.

Hey guys, I hope you don't mind if a fellow Hoosier joins the conversation. :) I was born and raised in Valparaiso, IN (Porter County). Lived there until l was eight, then my family moved over to the NE side of the state. I have a ton of relatives living in the Winimac area, Mishawaka, South Bend, Goshen, and Hebron. I've been down to the southern parts of Indiana many times, but I don't think I've ever been to Evansville, unfortunately. I'm darn proud to be a 100% corn-fed, raw-boned, Hoosier boy. :D

[ArmaliteKnight]

OldHoosier! My fellow Indiana native!! Where do you hail from?
I'm living the dream in Bloomington.

Use to live in Bloom-tucky years ago....live not too far from Evansville now. Grew up in Morgan and Monroe counties mostly.

always cool to run into someone on here that is familiar with the areas surrounding!
I got married in the Morgan/Monroe forest area, so I think we've covered all bases. I'm not very familiar with the Evansville area though.

Hey guys, I hope you don't mind if a fellow Hoosier joins the conversation. :) I was born and raised in Valparaiso, IN (Porter County). Lived there until l was eight, then my family moved over to the NE side of the state. I have a ton of relatives living in the Winimac area, Mishawaka, South Bend, Goshen, and Hebron. I've been down to the southern parts of Indiana many times, but I don't think I've ever been to Evansville, unfortunately. I'm darn proud to be a 100% corn-fed, raw-boned, Hoosier boy. :D

Sounds like we need to have a good ol fashion Hoosier reunion!
Throw some pig on the grill haha!!

[Candyman]

Haha..Agreed, really thought I was the only one from Indiana on this forum. Out of northwest Indiana here (valparaiso). Professional candy man from Albanese. Making chocolate candy is my hobbie and career.

Rich

[Bloke]

Some day I want a CZ centerfire, do you have strong feelings about .222 vs. .223? also how are those little necked cases to reload? I've only done 6.5x55 and pistol loads before.

The little .222 is a joy to load for and inherently accurate and fun to shoot. The CZ 527 action is made for .223 case size rounds and you can do good things with the trigger, plus they're light and short...... I like my CZ! :D

Mate, the .222 was my second choice in the 527. I dearly wanted a .221Rem Fireball but like so much here, they don't bring that particular caliber into the country. :mad:

[awa54]

Some day I want a CZ centerfire, do you have strong feelings about .222 vs. .223? also how are those little necked cases to reload? I've only done 6.5x55 and pistol loads before.

The little .222 is a joy to load for and inherently accurate and fun to shoot. The CZ 527 action is made for .223 case size rounds and you can do good things with the trigger, plus they're light and short...... I like my CZ! :D

Mate, the .222 was my second choice in the 527. I dearly wanted a .221Rem Fireball but like so much here, they don't bring that particular caliber into the country. :mad:

Which variant do you have? It looks like that action comes in different cartridges depending on the model, with the "American" having the most options. The carbine in 7.62x39 is intriguing though...

[Bloke]

Which variant do you have?

Classic American ..... of coarse!

[SpyderNut]

OldHoosier! My fellow Indiana native!! Where do you hail from?
I'm living the dream in Bloomington.

Use to live in Bloom-tucky years ago....live not too far from Evansville now. Grew up in Morgan and Monroe counties mostly.

always cool to run into someone on here that is familiar with the areas surrounding!
I got married in the Morgan/Monroe forest area, so I think we've covered all bases. I'm not very familiar with the Evansville area though.

Hey guys, I hope you don't mind if a fellow Hoosier joins the conversation. :) I was born and raised in Valparaiso, IN (Porter County). Lived there until l was eight, then my family moved over to the NE side of the state. I have a ton of relatives living in the Winimac area, Mishawaka, South Bend, Goshen, and Hebron. I've been down to the southern parts of Indiana many times, but I don't think I've ever been to Evansville, unfortunately. I'm darn proud to be a 100% corn-fed, raw-boned, Hoosier boy. :D

Sounds like we need to have a good ol fashion Hoosier reunion!
Throw some pig on the grill haha!!

Yout betcha. I'll bring the hog. :D

[SpyderNut]

Haha..Agreed, really thought I was the only one from Indiana on this forum. Out of northwest Indiana here (valparaiso). Professional candy man from Albanese. Making chocolate candy is my hobbie and career.

Rich

Hey Rich,
There are a few other Hoosiers here: Studey and WireEdge Roger, to name a few. :) That is cool that you live in Valpo! It's a really nice area.

Do you happen to have any affiliation with the South Bend Chocolate Co. by chance?

[Sharp Guy]

Some day I want a CZ centerfire, do you have strong feelings about .222 vs. .223? also how are those little necked cases to reload? I've only done 6.5x55 and pistol loads before.

The little .222 is a joy to load for and inherently accurate and fun to shoot. The CZ 527 action is made for .223 case size rounds and you can do good things with the trigger, plus they're light and short...... I like my CZ! :D

Mate, the .222 was my second choice in the 527. I dearly wanted a .221Rem Fireball but like so much here, they don't bring that particular caliber into the country. :mad:

Which variant do you have? It looks like that action comes in different cartridges depending on the model, with the "American" having the most options. The carbine in 7.62x39 is intriguing though...

A friend has the 527 Carbine in 7.62 x 39 and it's a nice little rifle. Personally I'd prefer the 527 American in .222 to go with my 452 American. .222 Rem is a great little cartridge! My first center fire rifle was a Rem 700 ADL .222 that I've had for years. It's a great cartridge to load for and quite accurate.

[Bloke]

A friend has the 527 Carbine in 7.62 x 39 and it's a nice little rifle. Personally I'd prefer the 527 American in .222 to go with my 452 American. .222 Rem is a great little cartridge! My first center fire rifle was a Rem 700 ADL .222 that I've had for years. It's a great cartridge to load for and quite accurate.

You can’t go wrong with the .222Rem or the CZ 527.

All CZ’s are a little “rough’ but easy enough to clean up and great value for what you pay! I don’t think I know of anyone who owns one and complains. Mine near puts any hand loads into MOA.

Still wish I had a .221Fireball! :rolleyes:

[awa54]

Some day I want a CZ centerfire, do you have strong feelings about .222 vs. .223? also how are those little necked cases to reload? I've only done 6.5x55 and pistol loads before.

The little .222 is a joy to load for and inherently accurate and fun to shoot. The CZ 527 action is made for .223 case size rounds and you can do good things with the trigger, plus they're light and short...... I like my CZ! :D

Mate, the .222 was my second choice in the 527. I dearly wanted a .221Rem Fireball but like so much here, they don't bring that particular caliber into the country. :mad:

Which variant do you have? It looks like that action comes in different cartridges depending on the model, with the "American" having the most options. The carbine in 7.62x39 is intriguing though...

A friend has the 527 Carbine in 7.62 x 39 and it's a nice little rifle. Personally I'd prefer the 527 American in .222 to go with my 452 American. .222 Rem is a great little cartridge! My first center fire rifle was a Rem 700 ADL .222 that I've had for years. It's a great cartridge to load for and quite accurate.

I'm guessing that the difference in twist rate between the three rounds has to do with maximum bullet weight and velocity, though .221 Fireballs twist in the 527 is in between .222 and .223... and looks to be the lowest muzzle velocity of the three?!? Is there a big difference in barrel/chamber life between these rounds? From what I have seen around the web it seems like there really isn't a reason *not* to just go with .223, since it's easier and cheaper to find ammo and brass for. Please let me know if I'm missing something!

[Sharp Guy]

I'm guessing that the difference in twist rate between the three rounds has to do with maximum bullet weight and velocity

Basically yes! The faster twist rates are more optimal for heavier bullet weights. That's not to say you can't use the lighter bullet weights, you can.

Is there a big difference in barrel/chamber life between these rounds?

Of the 3 I would say that .221 FB and .222 Rem would have a slightly longer barrel life than .223 due to the relatively low pressure but it really depends on the loads being shot. I don't think the casual shooter will ever notice a difference.

From what I have seen around the web it seems like there really isn't a reason *not* to just go with .223, since it's easier and cheaper to find ammo and brass for. Please let me know if I'm missing something!

If I was looking to buy my first .22 centerfire and I was only going to shoot factory loaded ammo I would likely go with the .223 for the reasons you mention. I went with my .222 years ago because 1) It's a very accurate round and I was planning on handloading for accuracy from the start 2) I got a great deal on it used from the gun shop my family owned A couple years later I bought a .22-250 target/varmint rifle and I still have them both today. They're both excellent shooters!!

[Sharp Guy]

You can’t go wrong with the .222Rem or the CZ 527.

All CZ’s are a little “rough’ but easy enough to clean up and great value for what you pay! I don’t think I know of anyone who owns one and complains. Mine near puts any hand loads into MOA.

Still wish I had a .221Fireball! :rolleyes:

The CZ's are a excellent value and are typically very good shooters! Their 452 models are extremely popular among the rimfire crowd. I have a 452 American that is quite accurate and has served me well in the match shooting that I do. A friend has a 452 Varmint that's stupid accurate. I see you have a BRNO #2. I almost bought a very nice BRNO 4 from guy in our gun club a few years ago. I decided not to because have enough target rifles in the safe.

I've always wanted to have a Rem XP-100 in .221 Fireball

@ awa54 & Bloke...if you guys ever want to talk about rimfires come on over to Rimfire Central.

[remnar]

I guess this has become a hobby and my family thinks it's odd. I mentioned this in the "whittling" thread but I guess it's just as appropriate here. Over this summer I have made several hiking staffs. I just finished(maybe finished?) my last one so I thought that I'd share some pics.

Here's some shots of my three favorites.






The short staff was my first and I made it for my son who had been using the stick around the yard for the last year.

The long straight one has the under bark left on which creates the nice pattern. I like this one because it is a simple yet attractive hiking staff.

The last staff that I made is the one with all of the carving. I spent more time on this one than all the others combined. This is also the only one that I stained. Besides my family thinking this is odd, I'm sure that I've heard several cracks about me rubbing my stick. :p

Here's a couple more shots.

After carving the knot pattern at the top of the staff, I decided to incorporate a similar knot on the copper ferrule at the bottom. I then gave the ferrule a nice patina.

[farnorthdan]

Wow, those are really good, I like the last one the best, looks like you really put a lot of time into those. That copper ferrule is sweet, love me some Cu. Have you ever heard of Diamond willow, we have tons of it up here and lots of folks make walking sticks out it, pretty cool looking wood once you get the bark stripped.