10X

Maybe offer to sign a 'use' agreement, stating you won't sell the guns…just want to have use of them. Or, an option with a better chance of success might be to offer to buy the ones you most want…and hope the family connection will at least let you make a below-market price deal. That would at least keep them in the family and with someone who will cherish them.

Firearms Support and Storage in Whippany has a half-price deal on Groupon, $39 for an hour for two people. Their description: "An interactive, theatre-style simulator grants patrons a chance to face down villains of the Old West or zombies searching for a human snack" http://www.groupon.com/deals/firearms-support-and-storage?p=1&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&sid=288b5cc1-84d9-429a-b471-fd1709de680e&division=north-jersey&user=fb9e77cdf57ee01b77bbc26e2d1dcbbf9db05b4f9f546b08887c5e546c3e936a&date=20140205&s=body&c=button&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=firearms-support-and-storage Standard disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with Firearms Support and Storage…have never been there, but was surprised to learn it's close by. I just thought it was interesting to see this come up on Groupon. Even more interesting, their website notes they are hosting a singles night (with simulated shooting) on Valentine's Day, and a Speed Dating event (with simulated shooting) the day after. I've not seen that kind of marketing from a range before… One wonders how many women they'll manage to get attending.

I remain skeptical. Do you have firsthand knowledge of a case where a claim was denied because there was gasoline stored in the garage? Fire claims are paid out every day, it's a rare garage that doesn't have a gas can in it, and the number of homes with hazmat fireproof cabinets in their garage is probably very close to zero…because there is no requirement to have one. I do not believe that insurance companies are routinely denying claims whenever a gas can, UL-listed and DOT-approved, happens to be in the vicinity of the source of the fire. When I bought my current house 5 years ago, inspectors from two different insurance agencies tromped through the place, neither commenting on the 5 gallon gas cans in my garage (or the gas tanks on the mower, snowblower, chain saw, weed whacker, leaf blower, or car, for that matter). Neither inspector commented on the reloading bench set up in my basement, either. The reloading component issue gets discussed on other shooting boards from time to time. The posts seem to all fall into two categories: 1) those warning that if you have reloading components and/or ammunition in your house, your insurance will certainly be null and void, and 2) those from people who had a fire involving among other things components and/or ammunition, and who had their insurance claim paid just the same. I've not seen a contrary example.

Not just 'champions'. WORLD Champions, as they always proclaim. At least, for the one country in the world that has NFL teams. Actually, for the two dozen states in the one country that has NFL teams. So 'world' has to be defined rather narrowly...

Do you recall which states? This wasn't mentioned when I took the class with a different trainer.

Would they not then also deny all claims if you store legal quantities of gasoline, propane, fuel oil, aerosol cans, or (insert your favorite common household hazardous material here)?

Thanks for the review! I'd verify the zero as soon as you can. I'm skeptical of "zero out of the box" claims, in part because 'zero' will be user- and load-specific to some extent.

I'd look for another insurance company. The Feds will allow you to store up to 20 lbs of smokeless powder in your residence (more, if you have special storage that conforms to some simple rules). I'd dump in a heartbeat any insurance company that told me I couldn't. This assumes you own your home. If a rental (apartment, house, or storage facility) it's possible the lease contains a prohibition of some kind…but even those aren't common.

Better accuracy and better availability are probably the main reasons I load…but with a progressive press, my cost savings per hour are really very good. Paid for the gear a long, long time ago, and I feel it more than pays for my time now. Loading rifle ammo on a single-stage press…not so much. I have to rely on the accuracy argument there.

You can't. Paper is for zeroing, and for any work you do to improve accuracy and precision. Steel is for fun.

Right now, one uses what one can find. I never go powder shopping without knowing what I want, and also having a couple of backup choices for that caliber. That said, people have already listed my favorites for the 45. Bullseye has been the favorite for bullseye competition for many, many years. It has a great track record, but it's a very dirty powder. I'm starting to use a lot of Winchester WST for target loads. I like what I'm seeing. Winchester 231 is a favorite of many for IPSC/IDPA loads--which are hotter loads than bullseye loads. That's my pick for those loads, when I can get it. The VV powders have a great reputation, but I've not personally used them.

I just got off the phone with them…here is my experience. I have a box of 1000 affected by the recall. I told them I shot perhaps 400 rounds--and I asked for a UPS pickup to return the ammo. No problem, I was reminded to label the box 'Cartridges Small Arms ORM-D' and UPS would show up with a prepaid pre-addressed label and take the box off my hands. Easy enough. But…they're going to issue me a check, and I could not talk them into replacing the ammunition instead. I tried, I really tried. I was told that ammo replacement was only an option if the box was unopened…everyone else gets a check. Amount of payment is not yet known, which is kinda weird. She said average retail for the 1000 pack was around $50 or $60, and the reimbursement would be higher than that. I paid about $60, shipped, so I'm not losing money, and I did get to shoot 400 rounds without a problem, but of course converting that cash back into .22 ammo won't be easy. And I suspect those folks who paid panic-buying prices through resellers are going to be hosed if they return partial boxes. Maybe Winchester will be sympathetic if you have a receipt showing a higher price, but I have a hunch they'll stick with their 'average retail price' figure. Bottom line--if you have unopened boxes, count yourself lucky. You can get replacement ammo.

You might give Davis Shooting Sports a call…they're not too far across the line into NY state. I was there Tuesday and they had CCI and Remington primers ($50 or $60/1000), and CCI Blazer 22 by the brick ($50). Not great prices, but it's an option. I didn't check on powder, but they've usually had a few brands in stock when I've checked in the past. http://www.davisshootingsports.com

A lot of employers prohibit possession on their property, so know the policy where you work. It might be more common at the big corporations. My last three jobs at Fortune 100 companies had such policies in place, so keeping a long gun in the trunk wasn't an option. Kinda sucked when I would have liked to go to the range on my way home from work.

I'm impressed by the facility. Not impressed by the two employees not wearing safety glasses while loading.

Much longer shelf life, yes. Hard to find for under about $6/gallon. And it is leaded fuel--you can't cycle it through your car without killing the catalytic converter and probably the oxygen sensor.

Thanks for checking! I'll go online and get a return shipping label from Winchester.

There was a lengthy thread here when Midway got some at the height of the .22 shortage...lots of folks back ordered and wondering when/if it would show up. I just checked mine. It's lot 3GD52L One of the recalled lots is GD52L. I have a call in to Winchester to see if mine is a completely different lot number, or if that leading 3 means something else, and I'm affected. I'd estimate I shot about 400 of the 1000, without noticing anything wrong.

No, they send it back to you with +P+ stamped on the box! :-)

Yep, Alec would make a fine spokesperson doing commercials for Dillon. Or doing commercials for their competition. One could spin the ad to go either way...

Those are all nice, but none are a 'must'. If cost becomes an issue, those are things that can be deferred initially, much like an extra powder measure so you can keep one set up for small pistol charges, and one for large rifle charges, if you load rifle on the press. A nice addition, but you don't need it to start.

The Air and Space Museum isn't to be missed, and will probably keep the older kid interested. The Udvar-Hazy Annex at Dulles airport is very cool, too, if the kids don't burn out on too many airplanes and rockets. Wander through a few of the other Smithsonian museums as well--they're free. And definitely hit the national zoo. The NRA's National Firearms Museum is about 30 miles out of town. You'll enjoy it.

That sounds like the CRRC range...but the original post said it was on HWY 27.

Isn't the breakdown on those about $200 for the gun, and several thousand for the legal sear? :-)

I've heard of hand loaded rock salt rounds; not sure they are a good solution here. Never heard of a pepper round. Maybe just wait to season the birds until they are dressed out and in the pot... A pellet gun or .22 birdshot round might be good options, depending on distance to the birds, to the roof, to neighbors, etc.