The Myth of magic government/police training

"Police are trained professionals, you as a simple lowly civilian do not have the super-human skills to match the hard-core training that the police and military possess and as such are unqualified to have a firearm."

How often do we hear or see a form of the above statement?

Just how wrong is that statement?



Please consider posting a reply with more information, statistics, or videos.

Analyzing accuracy in a rifle

Note the hidious new camouflage the army "developed" - pathetic and stands out like a sore toe, and to think they could have had the Multicam! (More on camo later)

A post from Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest made me think of this bit of info about rifles.

The posts were generally about the new Army Stoner weapons platform in 7.62x51 NATO (.308 win) the "AR-10" XM110 SASS model rifle.

While the Stoner platform is quite old (and outdated IMO) the M14 is even older (based on the M1), the Stoner designed system is easier to produce and "make accurate" with less effort than is needed with the M1/M14 Garand system. and has features that make in inherently more accurate, many that are shared by the common bolt action rifle (that of course can be more accurate than either rifle system.

Of course the largest problem with the direct impingement system is heat (from the ejection gasses) and contamination (gas produced and from outside the action - ie: dirt, sand) induced failure - as our military is intimately familiar with the Stoner design and trained on it's weaknesses this should not be a excessive problem (particularly in this role).

Accuracy in a rifle depends on several things (strictly the mechanical design and construction).

First think about accuracy without the shooter, (outside of mechanical problems the shooter is ALWAYS the point of fail as the most inconsistent part of the total).

What are the most accurate rifles in the world?

The most accurate rifles are not sniper rifles, hunting rifles, or varmint rifles but the Benchrest rifles (Starting cost 3-4k and up, stock, action, barrel - scope extra). Benchrest rifles are designed to eliminate the shooter as much as possible (at least from his physical limitations, grip trigger pull etc.). There are two classes of rifle the Light category at 16.5 to 17 lbs and The heavies are rifles that often have stocks that are CNC produced of solid aluminum or laminated wood and the weight is unlimited, a typical Heavy would be 35 lbs. or heavier. Groups of ten shots within 8 inches at 1000 yards are top scoring! World record is under five inches, a five to six inch group is considered exceptional.

• Quality Materials
  
• Tight repetitive action movement
  
• Lack of conflicting or interfering forces
  
• Lack of vibration, or repetitive vibration dampening
  
• The straightness of parts alignment
  
• Consistent and tight locking
  

Why list all of that - because the Stoner platform is inherently more accurate than the M14. It is more accurate because of design such as the bolt that slides straight back, the locking head of the bolt only turns slightly to lock and the barrel can have all but the gas return tube detached and away from the barrel.

All larger capacity rounds will gain accuracy with a shorter "squat" metallic case for more even burn of powder - the main reason .308 is more accurate and consistent than the 30-06.

That is the mechanical part - true accuracy comes from the ability of the shooter to judge external conditions (grade, wind, distance, humidity, temp., and elevation/air pressure).

The Stoner platform mechanical flaws rest in the tight fitting of the bolt inside the action, the fact that forward movement and contact with the bolt head and the cartridge to be fed into the breech causes the bolt head to turn slightly and cause the lug on the side rear of the head to dig into the side of the action (no spring to resist such as the HK 416) with the addition of even modest fouling or contamination this can cause several types of failure.

The science and craftsmanship of rifle shooting

Old with dated references but very valuable - the science and craftsmanship of shooting.






Open Source Documents and Movies Links on Rifle Marksmanship Training

WWII Rifle Marksmanship Part 1
http://www.archive.org/details/Rifle_Marksmanship_with_M1_Rifle_Part_1

WWII Rifle Marksmanship Part 2
http://www.archive.org/details/Rifle_Marksmanship_with_the_M1_Rifle

Fundamentals of Rifle Marksmanship (1964)

USMC Fundamentals of Rifle Marksmanship (1999)

Pistol Marksmanship Training Guide

Big Picture: Commence Firing, American Marksmanship
Cold war propaganda at its best!

Metallic cartridge reloading for beginners, part 2

Kit or no kit?

If you are thinking about the starting kits for hand-loading pistol and rifle, one each for our example, my advice...

I would make my own kit...

If I were to start... knowing what I do now... what would I want, that would shave as much money as possible, and get everything I need to make it reasonable...

Assuming you are going to order from Midway...

Also assuming your are collecting your own brass to reload (and have been picking it up for some time now)

Prices are as of April 2, 2011

1. Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press Product #: 317831 $99.99
   
2. Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 9mm Luger Product #: 140349 $27.99 (comes with shellholder)
   
3. Lee Deluxe Rifle 3-Die Set 270 Winchester #: 279271 $30.99 (comes with shellholder)
4. Lee Factory Crimp Die 270 Winchester #: 735849 $11.99
   
5. Lee Factory Crimp Die 9mm Luger #: 557910 $15.99
6. Frankford Arsenal Micro Reloading Electronic Powder Scale #: 175512 $36.99
   
7. Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner Product #: 467111 $2.09
   
8. L.E. Wilson Chamfer and Deburring Tool #: 789334 $14.99
   
9. Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer #: 548630 $21.99
   
10. RCBS Powder Trickler #: 317787 $13.99
    
11. Frankford Arsenal Reloading Tray #5 #: 536734 $5.99
    
12. Lee Perfect Powder Measure #: 540522 $23.99
    
13. Lyman Case Trimmer #: 795961 $72.99

(I use a Forester, but the standard model will not trim pistol cases, I use the cheep lee trimmers for that)

Items from other places...

First you can make your own case sizing and forming lubricant with a small tube of lanolin and a bottle of castor oil - heat (carefully in the microwave, can we say third degree burns?) together and mix. This is the best lube ever, will even swage bullets, in a pinch castor oil alone works great.

• www.harborfreight.com - 6" DIAL CALIPER $19.99
  
• www.harborfreight.com - 5 LB. METAL VIBRATOR/TUMBLER ITEM $49.99 on sale! (only if you want clean shiny brass, you can wipe them off with a rag)
  
• www.harborfreight.com - 25 lbs. Fine Grade Walnut Shell Blast Media $24.99 (only if you want clean shiny brass)
  
• www.harborfreight.com - 5 Piece Test Probe Set $4.99
  

You can add any caliber to this setup, and should last a lifetime of loading...

Metallic cartridge reloading for beginners

A simple list and some beginner advice I make standard, prompted by postings on the web.

The question that prompted this post was about beginning kits, and the viability of a particular hand-powdered progressive press.

The Lee 1000 would be a BAD choice for a beginner...
If you want a fast press, think about the Lee classic four position turret, faster than single stage presses and less complicated to set up than a full progressive.

The 1000 from Lee is notorious for finicky setup (as noted by many others) and poor production - IT IS NOT A BEGINNER PRESS!!! it has a reputation for problems with even the MOST EXPERIENCED reloader/handloaders, in fact ANY of the turret presses would be a challenge for a new person.

The Lee Classic Turret Press, it is my most used press in my collection, it will load any pistol and rifle cartridge of "regular” size up to about .308 (and larger without some features).

Using the automatic powder dispenser will only work with an extra part and only up to .308. Larger cartridges will work on the press but the auto powder dispenser will not actuate (you will have to charge by hand). Setting up this press is easier than an automatic press, but that is difficult enough...

I have used automated units for my past business (hydraulic and electric tools far beyond even what most would see) and I dislike the automatic hand powered units, I do use the turret press, I consider it fast enough without automation.



I am a BIG supporter of Lee products for the market, I use them myself, and I like the lower prices (even though my best press is a Corbin a SINGLE STAGE $600 press) ...

I would suggest the Lee Classic Cast press, I have that model also...

I would strongly suggest that you start with a single stage press, that is one operation at a time, this is particularly good for reloading rifle cartridges and obtaining the best in accuracy.

As I listed here the term "classic" with Lee is used similar to "premium"...



Also many of your tools you can get from secondary sources like Harbor Freight for a set of measuring calipers and a vibratory polisher and walnut hull media (if you want shinny brass cases.

Without a doubt you could call me a former professional because I not only had a license from ATF for the manufacture of ammunition but I also made from lead and copper the bullets, not just any bullets but premium jacketed bullets for hunters, police, and benchrest shooters (premium bullets are often priced at $1.50 each or more - just the bullet).

With all that said safety is the main issue...

Reloading mistakes, even simple ones can be catastrophic...

It is best to learn slow on a simple strong quality press, like the single stage models.