Parker

On a short, compact rifle like the Ranch Rifle, I would keep the scope trim and would opt for a 1x4 or 1.5x5 variable power scope.

As Dave noted, as far as New Jersey Parks & campgrounds are concerned; firearms are prohibited: http://www.state.nj..../camprules.html "Firearms — A person shall not possess or discharge any firearm, pellet gun, bow and arrow, slingshot or other weapon capable of injuring people or wildlife. Hunters in compliance with Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife hunting laws are exempted. Target practice is prohibited."

Yes.

Since yours is a Magnum, I assume you have the speed-loading feature? That's a unique nicety.

There are some significant differences between the Magnum models and the standard and Light models. There are only subtle differences between the Light and standard A5's. Enjoy it, they are great shotguns.

Light 12 & 20 and standard A5's (12, 16, 20) come with only one (1) bronze friction ring and one (1) flat surfaced/beveled surface friction ring. On both Light models and standard models, the bronze friction ring and flat/beveled ring are set up forward of the spring against the concave of the barrel for heavy loads. For light loads, the bronze friction ring is forward of the spring against the barrel ring, while the flat/bevel ring is in front of the receiver, bevel side in, flat side toward the spring. On 3" Magnum models (12 & 20,) the setup is very different. There are two (2) bronze friction rings and three (3) flat-beveled friction rings, all which need to be deployed to shoot 3" shells. When shooting "light" 2 3/4" dram eq. shells, you exclude one (1) bronze friction ring and two (2) of the flat/beveled friction rings. Both and bronze friction ring and a flat/beveled friction ring are utilized in front of the recoil spring against the barrel ring. (The "light" load setup for bronze friction ring and flat/beveled friction ring on the 3" Magnum models is the same as a "heavy" load setup on Light 12 & 20 and standard 12,16 & 20 gauge models.) Confused yet? (Some A5's had a diagram glued to the inside of the forearm wood that depicts the proper setup for light and heavy loads with the rings. It is easy to forget sometimes.) How John M. Browning came up with this cockamamie system and then got it to work where it's stood the test of time for more than a hundred years is only testament to his genius.

Go to page 15 of this PDF document and there is a picture which shows the rings and friction ring placement for 2 3/4" shells and 3" shells in the Magnum models. http://www.midwestgu...vice_manual.pdf Keep in mind that "light" 12 ga. target loads still may not cycle the action properly. It appears from your picture that you have the rings in the correct orientation for 2 3/4" loads. I would stick with at least 1 1/8 oz. target loads when set up for light loads and you should be okay. Of course, experimentation is the best way to judge what it shoots best. The Magnum models do like their 2 3/4" shells a tad on the heavy side. Another useful link: http://www.browning....tail.asp?id=105 Hope this helps.

Try Joel Etchen's out in PA. He specializes in new and used high grade target guns. (Joel is Rudy Etchen's son if you are familiar with the Etchen's.) http://www.joeletchenguns.com/ You can certainly buy a shotgun at the Beretta Gallery in Manhattan.

Very common to see them in use in the trap and skeet fields years ago as training aids.

Ray-Ray, It is no coincidence that Mossberg's facility in Eagle Pass, TX is within a mile or so of the U.S./Mexico border. Many small parts for Mossberg's are built in the Torreon facility, then shipped to Eagle Pass for final assembly. The Torreon facility was opened in the late 80's. If you send a Mossberg barrel in for service, you ship them to the Eagle Pass location for refurbishment.

There is a forum section just for Huglo shotguns if you are interested in the CZ: http://www.shotgunwo...3288ee457d8384d

If I would take a guess, I think Remington is still wrapping their arms around the quality control issues.

These are standard Mossberg barrels professionally enhanced internally by Vang Comp. A good gunsmith who knows shotgun barrelwork can perform the same type of work if you want your personal barrel tuned for softer shooting and tighter patterns. Mossberg barrels are made in their Torreon, Mexico plant by Elamex.

The A300/A400 represent the new series of semi-auto's from Beretta. The A300/A400 use the newer "self-cleaning" gas system. The A300 Uplander is sans the magazine cutoff, whereas the A400 has one. Similar to the difference between a 3901 and a 391, where the 3901 has no magazine cutoff; the 391 does.The A300 Uplander shares some of the newer gas parts of the premier A400, same slim forend, but with a narrower vent rib. The gas systems on the A300/A400's are supposed to run very clean. The A300/A400 series are slimmer and trimmer than the 3901 & 391. 3901 vs. A300 = Old technology vs. new technology.

A 6.5 lb. 20 ga. is ideal. (I prefer 6 lbs. but that's simply my preference.) It would serve well as both a field and target and young shooters can wield a shotgun that weight. If you are shooting slugs and adding a scope, your 20 ga. won't weigh 6.5 lbs. after you're done adding mount, rings and scope. But it will handle the added velocity surge slugs and sabot loads are propelled at and recoil will be tamed. Perceived recoil of fixed action 20 ga. guns is not more than a 12 ga. as long as you moderate your velocity and charge weights in the 20 ga. (Just check a recoil calculator.) You can make the 20 ga. shooting light loads a pussycat by selecting appropriate field and target loads. I'll reference the British "rule of 96," that a shotgun must weigh at least 96 times the weight of a one-ounce charge being fired to be comfortable to shoot. In the 20 ga., light target loads of 7/8 oz. running at 1,100 FPS are very comfortable in a 6 lb. field gun and pussycats in a 7 lb. skeet gun. The Beretta 3-series semi-auto's with their aluminum receivers are well-balanced, nice handling clay and upland shotguns. I can't say the same for the 1100/1187's. The Benelli's are trim and handle nicely if you can justify the scratch to procure one. The sun rises and sets on a Browning A5 Belgium series when it comes to a 20 ga. semi-auto. JMHO

A couple of items I would add is inspecting the limbs for warpage, cracking or splitting, mounting holes in riser are not stripped, axles are square to the limbs and rotate without binding. If you can shoot the bow before purchasing, that would be great. Jon is right, if you can get to a legit shop you can have someone set you up, that would be best to ensure a perfect fit. Many shops have used bows that folks may trade in when they upgrade. Many like to upgrade to the latest, lightest, shortest and fastest bow.

http://gizmodo.com/5...-with-the-other Syrian Rebel Texts with One Hand, Machine Guns with the Other

The 20 ga. is a nice little number, and in certain platforms can work well on clay targets (but NOT all clay target games,) big game and small game. But of course, the 12 ga. is more favored because of its greater versatility. If you handload, you can make a lot of variables in the 20 ga. There is an article in this September's Sporting Clays magazine titled "Soft-Kicking 20-gauge loads," highlighting some of the lighter recoiling target loads available. I agree! They are light and handy. http://www.americanh...thaca-model-37/ http://www.shotgunli...k-pump-gun.html

GRIZ is right on here. There are many powders that serve double-duty and can be used for both pistol, rifle, and shotgun in certain applications. Unique, Blue Dot, IMR4227/H4227 come to mind here. Just looking at this somewhat outdated powder chart based on various burn rates, there are quite a few powders out there than can cover the spectrum, and many powders can serve you in various multi-use roles. This chart won't tell you that, but is merely used as a reference to show how many there are. A reloading manual is what's best to consult to find what powders you can use from the ones available. http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html For example, I can and do use double-base powders like Blue Dot and Unique for pistol, shotgun, and reduced rifle charges. Another powder like 4227 can be used in the .410, magnum pistol, and rifle (.22 Hornet.) Often, there is a trade-off in accuracy unless a lot of experimentation is conducted, as there are some powders that just seem to work better for their intended application. This is a good read on choosing the right powder using the "DuPont Index" or load density index. Using that burn rate chart, you can also use other powders besides DuPont and apply it. http://www.chuckhawk...rning_speed.htm Another read on choosing rifle powders based on load index : http://www.gunnersde...ing-powder.html

The front trigger acts like a regular trigger. The rear trigger can "set" the front trigger's pull for a crisper let-off. There should be a small set screw between the two triggers that can be adjusted to control the amount of let off. To use, you would cock the hammer, pull the rear trigger fully to the rear, and now the front trigger is set to let off with a light pull. Double triggers on muzzleloaders are very simple in design. As for the rear sight, someone did a poor job in forcing the rear sight to stay in place. I would remove the adjustment screw and find out why. I'm sure parts can be ordered to replace things. The rear sight isn't too difficult to disassemble: Track of the Wolf or Dixon's should have the parts you need.

Unless you bring your own case from home, when you leave Meltzer's with any used longarm that doesn't have its original case (most don't,) they provide a clear plastic sleeve for your firearm. They've been doing it that way since I can remember.

Now THAT is neat.

Weapons retrieved from Cliffside Park house after man surrenders peacefully CLIFFSIDE PARK — A man who was distraught over the prospect of losing his house to foreclosure surrendered peacefully Monday night after a concerned neighbor called authorities, police said. Edward Passaro, 53, had told a neighbor that that he didn’t want to lose his Cortland Place house and that there was “only one way” he was going to leave the house, said Chief Donald Keane of the Cliffside Park police. The alarmed neighbor, who knew Passaro owned "long guns," called police around 8:11 p.m., prompting them to call in a Bergen County Police SWAT team, Keane said. Police shut down a portion of Cortland Place as a precaution and set up a perimeter around the area. Around 9:30 p.m. Passaro walked out of his house and police took him into custody. Police officers searched the house and retrieved six or seven shotguns and rifles, Keane said. A “For Sale” sign was posted outside the house, which Passaro bought in 1995, according to tax records. He had been living there without power for some time, Keane said. Passaro was taken to Bergen Regional Medical Center for evaluation, Keane said. No criminal charges were filed. http://www.northjers...peacefully.html

The online database has been up since 1999, at least here in Bergen County anyways.

Just a good-natured hunch. I've been up that way for decades since the 60's. Folks in those parts, especially around the Green Mountains and above the White Mountains are still hill people. Newport, VT is really north, not too far from Montreal. If you've hunted the Green Mountain State Forest, you've probably run into a few. The Green Mountain Boys go back to the Revolutionary War times, forming in 1770. The Green Mountain Boys were a militia that stood up to neighboring sheriffs from New York who tried to enforce NY laws on land in VT.