Quote:
Originally Posted by jplinville
For the last 20 or so years, the gun shows I go to has a booth before the entrance to the show where weapons are checked for ammo, then cable tied in such a fashion that it wont fire. The weapons on display at the shows are also cable tied in the same way. If there's an accidental discharge, it's generally not inside the building, it's in the parking lot or at the booth near the entrance.
Dealers will generally cut the cable tie for you so you can check the action and such, but always put one back on after you are done inspecting the possible purchase.
My last show, I was made to drop my mag, prove the chamber was clear, and my personal carry weapon was tied back. I dropped my mag in my pocket, re-holstered my weapon, and enjoyed the show. Although I hate feeling naked like that, I saw the number of off duty officers moonlighting as security for the show, and felt a little more at ease.
A gun show is the last place I would expect a shooting to happen, accidental or otherwise. I'm sure there's statistics out there to prove it...just as many as the studies to disprove it. I won't bother locating any, because the point is moot.
Anyway, back to topic of scopes. What are you scoping, Larry? It's easy to drop as much on optics as the rifle is worth. Today's "cheap" optics are light years ahead of where they were 40 years ago. I'd stay away from lighted reticles right now, as the price is higher than it should be due to demand...everybody is wanting to outfit their new purchases, and there are plenty of them.
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As I said, the cheapest possible scope now is far beyond what I put on there over 30 years ago. I am hoping that upgrading the scope will at least partially compensate for the downgrade of my vision over that period.
I thought about buying something in a varmint caliber, but elected to stay with my .308. I still have my notebook with the hollow point boat tail recipe that has worked so well in that rifle over the years. .308 is not the perfect round for the task at hand, but there are certainly worse choices. I don't think I will be able to make the long shots that I used to be capable of anyway.
I got about halfway through this 1200 table show and very few optics vendors. The first guy instead of trying to talk me into buying one of the many he had on hand, he very honestly recommended that I go buy A Leopould LX R. He said it would be very well suited for my purposes. I was impressed with his honesty for doing the right thing instead of setting the hook on me.
I kept going and found a manufacturer that showed me some impressive scopes that were a brand I never heard of and it was going to take about $300 to buy one from him to experiment with. At that point I had been carrying a rifle that belonged to my brother that he wanted me to sell for him. I was tired of carrying it, so I went back to the highest bidder and got my money.
I then picked up the walk from where I had been, now knowing how to spot an IR scope at first glance. I saw one in a case that was higher power than I wanted but it was marked $150. I looked it over and it was in good shape albeit with a weak battery. I lifted the battery to make sure there was no corrosion and told the guy I'd give him a hundred bucks for it. He hesitated so i thanked him and started to walk off and he said okay. It is some off brand 4 to 12, adjustable objective, and is a one inch tube so I thought I might be able to use my existing rings.
I went a few more aisle and found optics vendors galore, wouldn't you know it? I asked a question about a night scope and got the rundown. In the course of the conversation I told him that I was gong to try what I had bought and then maybe catch up with him at a later show. He saw the price sticker on my scope and politely said I hope you didn't pay that for it. I told him that I had only paid a hundred. He showed me some of his cheaper scopes that were newer technology with German glass. They were quite impressive, and one of them even less than what I had paid.
I was impressed with the guy and got his card. If I find it necessary I will have to decide whether to upgrade the illuminated reticle or buy the night scope.
I got home and did some measuring and the large OD of the scope will prevent me from using my existing rings. They are too short. They are the old Leopould style so I will have to get taller ones. One thing leads to another but I will go ahead and get the rings and mount the scope to experiment with. Given the expense of ammo to zero it with, I am almost considering buying one of his cheap scopes and 30MM rings, but what the heck this way I get to enjoy some more shooting and I have enough components on hand to press out about 200 rounds.
Basically between the reading I did before the show and what I learned at the show I know that with some shooting and maybe some more money spent I can get where I need to be.
Like you say, the cheap stuff today is way better than what is now on the rifle. BTW the rifle is a Remington 742 that I've had for almost 40 years. I have been around some other automatics, but this particular rifle can shoot a group almost as tight as bolt. At least it could when a younger Larry was shooting it.