What do I spend my Money on?

[johnf]

It's almost band camp time and I'll have about $200 to spend on hunting stuff when it's over. At the end of last season I got lots of little things on sale. I've got all the clothes, boots, gloves and ML supplies for probibly the next 3 or 4 years.

I've narrowed it down to these 3 choices but would consider all others.

1. Ruger 10/22 stainless- basically to give me something to practice shooting with a lot cheaper ammo.

2. NEF 223 youth ultraight- for my daughter and eventually my son to hunt with and for cheaper practice shooting. I've already got a 243 so don't try to talk me into another caliber.

3. Walkers power muffs.

Btw I've already got a ladder stand, 2 ground blinds, climbing stick/hanging stand, 2 climbers, Range Finder, Binos, calls and scents and most of the gadgets.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Well, the 2 rifles won't depreciate much, so they're the best choices for an "investment". The power muffs are really a specialized piece of equipment that I wouldn't consider until I had just about everything else I wanted covered. My personal choice would be the Ruger if I didn't already have a good 22 rimfire.

[johnf]

I've got a really old Marlin Model 60. I havn't had any reliability problems with it, but it's not the most accurate thing in the world. I can shoot a better pattern with my 22 pistol than I can with the Model 60. It's been through the ringer.

[johnf]

Or for right at $200 I could get a Stainless ML barrel and 223 barrel added to one of my NEF's or one barrel for both of them.

[Chrud]

I'd opt for the .223 of those choices.

[AJ]

I'd take the $200 and get some reloading equipment. You have rimfire and centerfire guns. The reloading stuff will allow you to shoot your 243 and 25-06 almost as cheaply as you would the 223.

If I had to get a gun, I would probably look at the 10/22 but I would get the blued gun. Ruger does not make a stainless 10/22 receiver. Its aluminum on both the blued and stainless versions. It just depends on what color the coating is. You can always finish it yourself if you decide to upgrade later to a custom barrel in stainless steel. The difference in the priceis about $30 between their stainless and blue versions. Thats about 1500 rounds of ammo for the rimfire.

[johnf]

Would $200 buy what I need to reload both?

I'm really not sure that the amount I have time to shoot would warrent reloading. Where I live I can only realistically shoot rimfire on a regular basis. The only time I have to really get out and shoot distance or bench shooting is at my dad's or in-laws where I go about 3 times a year. I've shot more this year than ever and am on my 6th box of shells shooting 243, 25-06 and 30-30. That's two boxes each. I have shot about 1K rounds of 22LRs out of my neos pistol and would shoot more out of a rifle if I had one that was more accurate.

[dogdoc]

walker power muffs----your hearing is much more important than another gun.

todd

[VTbowman]

Since its extra I too would opt for the Power Muffs.

Oh yea..

I did. LOL
But like Todd said, cant ever get back hearing loss.

2nd choice would be the 223 for your kids, but then again they could shoot the 243 fairly young too.

[johnf]

I always use the little orange plugs when shooting, except when I'm hunting. The muffs would be used for hearing protection, but more for the hunting part. I, as a veteran band director, have lost a significant bit of hearing as a part of my job. A big chunck when a drummer did a rimshot right next to my right ear. It hurt for a solid week.

[Swamphunter]

I'm with AJ...reloading equipment. The only cost from caliber to caliber is about $25.00 for dies, if you can use the same powder for the loads.

[johnf]

I think if I lived in a place where I could shoot as much as I wanted that would be a great option. Realistically I could probibly shoot 10 or 12 boxes a year max. This year I've shot more than ever. I've bought 6 boxes of shells this year and have 3 boxes about 1/2 full. That just about $75 usually it's more like $30 a year for centerfire and $30 or $40 for rimfire. I shoot my neos a lot.

I just don't see reloading being cost effective for me at this point.