My son and I were finally able to get out to the desert this weekend and do a bit of shooting.  Mom and I got him a used .22 LR - Remington 597 for Christmas that he really wanted to shoot.  Also, I still hadn't been able to take out my H&R 45-70 Buffalo Classic.  We also took my new Remington 870 Express Magnum 12 ga, which I stumbled onto this last week when a friend said he wanted to sell it on the cheap.  I won't even say how much I bought it for... lets just say it was less than a quarter of the normal retail price.  We also took my marlin model 99 M1 .22 lr, on which I'd put a spare scope I had lying around.

So, anyway - getting out was nice.  It was pretty chilly, but not too bad.  The desert was nearly a mud bog, though.  We shoot at a local military training range that is also open to the public.

So, here's the mixed bag:

My son's .22 - we had two magazines (used) that came with it.  One was worthless as the spring was worn out.  But the other worked fine and we sighted in to the bulls eye at 50 yards.  It was a fun little gun.  The only problem, besides the magazine, was that we were shooting some bulk federals that I think were a little on the cheap side for this gun.  As a result we had some hickups.

My marlin model 99 M1 .22 lr.  For those of you who are not familiar with this gun, it's a .22 lr, basically built on the model 60 action, but with a shortened barrel and ammo tube, and the stock is cut to look like an old M1 carbine.  I picked it up used at a local gun shop.  When I bought it, I don't think the rifle had ever been cleaned.  When you pulled the bolt back, you could hear what almost sounded like grit inside the action.  Well, I still haven't gotten this little shooter to work right.  Out of every nine shot loading, I'd get at least two fail-to-fires.  The rimfire primer would be only slightly dented.  I'm thinking I need to replace the bolt and the firing pin.  Finding parts for it may be interesting, though.  I'm really bummed about this one.  It may be easier to just pick up a new .22  I saw a Savage .22 semi auto (can't remember the model name) for $110.  If anyone has an opinion on Savage .22 semi's, let me know.

My H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70.  BOOM!  Everyone said this would kick like a mule.  It really didn't.  My Winchester model 1917 Enfield 30-06 kicks a whole heck of a lot harder!  Anyway, while it was fun to shoot, the ammo I shot had been given to me was kind of old pretty dirty stuff and left a lot of junk in the barrel.  They were 405 grain lead, flat nose bullets.  I think I'll stick with the new Hornady's I picked up for it.  The only downside to this gun is the price of the factory ammo.  The Hornady is $29 at Cabelas, and that's the least expensive I've seen.  I wish I had room in my home for a reloading setup.  I did learn one thing with this rifle when I took it out... my eyes aren't what they used to be.  Ok, I already knew that - but the peep sights were really tough to use.  So, I've ordered a rail, scope rings and a hammer extension so I can put my old Weaver V9-B on it.  It's a tough scope and should hold up just fine to this rifle. 

We finished the afternoon with some clay targets and the shotgun.  My boy is only 12 and is really trying to figure out how to lead.  He did a lot better this time, hitting 4 of 15 or so.  He shoots a Mossburg 500 20 ga. pump.  Nice little gun. 

So - that's the mixed bag.  Some shooting frustrations, but overall a pretty good afternoon.  Besides, any day out shooting in the desert is better than staying at home doing "honey-do's!"

Take care, all.

Mark