ThinkingAfield.org

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

After experimenting with my Marlin semi-automatic .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) rifle and myriad ammunition variations, it was time to give it up. It never performed to expectations, failing miserably at the target bench and afield – even after having the factory install a new barrel. At Meal and More in Morrice, I traded it for a Savage model 93R17 in .17 HMR (Hornady Magnum Rimfire).

The diminutive .17 caliber cartridge is actually a .22 WMR case necked down to accommodate 17 and 20-grain bullets, which are propelled at advertised velocities of 2550 fps and 2375 fps respectively, making it the undisputed leader in rimfire velocity.

The .17 HMR evolved from a joint project between Hornady, Marlin, and Ruger, was introduced in 2002, and has become a huge success. From everything I have read, the .17 HMR enjoys a distinct advantage over the .22 magnum in the accuracy department regardless of bullet weight, configuration, or rifle manufacturer. It was time to find out for myself.

I opted for the heavier 20-grain ammo, choosing Hornady’s XTP offering, which is a controlled-expansion design. Other choices include full-metal jacket and explosive varmint bullets.

The Savage rifle came with an inexpensive Simmons 3 x 9 power scope and I figured I’d at least try it. I set targets at 50 yards and began punching paper. To my ultimate surprise, the little bolt gun never shot more than ½-inch groups with some in tiny clover-leaf clusters!

I realized I was on to something well beyond expectations, but as usual, my desire for improvement led me to check for parallax in the optics. On any scope without an adjustable objective lens (AO), parallax will be present to some degree at any range for which the scope is not set. Most rifle scopes are set to be parallax free at 100 yards, although some manufacturers such as Leupold are set beyond that. Rimfire scopes are typically set at 50 to 75 yards.

What does this mean? Parallax is defined as the apparent change in the position of an object (target) resulting in the change in the position from which it is viewed. Parallax is most noticeable at close range and can be checked easily. Just place your scoped firearm on a solid rest focused on a target. Then, move your head up and down, or side to side without touching the scope. If the target appears to move, you have parallax.

Parallax is problematic. If your eye is not positioned in exactly the same location before each shot, group size will suffer. Whether you are aware of it or not, parallax can account for poor shooting all by itself. With fixed parallax scopes, it’s like pedaling a bicycle with only one gear. Sometimes it will be just right; the rest of the time it won’t.

The obvious answer is to change to an adjustable objective scope, which permits focusing at any given range. Although the Savage has a fine adjustable Accu-Trigger, it’s not as costly as the Ruger model, and therefore, spending big bucks on a scope seemed inappropriate. I found a BSA Sweet 17 scope with AO in 3 x 12 power for a scant $65 on sale at MidwayUSA.com right now and couldn’t resist. The BSA scope seems like a fantastic deal with its screw-on scope caps, adjustable parallax, power range, and best of all, range compensation out to a whopping 300 yards!

The scope is made to work with 17 grain bullets traveling at 2550 fps, but I found that the little Savage was spitting out the 20-grain XTPs at that velocity and the 17 grainers a bit faster. It will be interesting to find out how the scope performs, once installed – especially at the longer ranges.

Next week we’ll review the results.

Washington, D.C. – Hunters across the country were honored by yesterday’s passage of congressional resolution H. Res 270 to recognize the establishment of Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States and the contributions of those efforts to decrease hunger and help feed those in need.

Thanks to caring sportsmen and sportswomen, millions of meals are served annually each year to those in need across the country. Safari Club International Foundation’s (SCIF) program, Sportsmen Against Hunger (SAH) had record breaking meat donations last year with 412,254 lbs of meat, representing 1,649,016 protein-rich meals. In these difficult economic times, hunters are more aware than ever of the difference they can make in their communities through programs like SAH.

Through Safari Club International Foundation’s many humanitarian programs like SAH, SCI chapters and individual members demonstrate the highest levels of philanthropy by directly reaching out to people in need throughout the world. Whether it involves feeding millions of hungry each year, offering free healthcare and supplies to impoverished communities, introducing children to the wonders of wildlife or helping the disabled fulfill lifelong hunting wishes, SCIF is committed to the charitable tenets of giving.

“We are grateful that the House of Representatives has chosen to recognize the great work that hunters do on behalf of those less fortunate,” said Executive Director John Eichinger. “As a community, Safari Club and our members are truly committed to important programs like Sportsmen Against Hunger and other worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian services.”

House Resolution 270 was introduced by Congressman Phil Gingrey and was co-sponsored by 43 Members of Congress. The Resolution passed with a 418 to 1 vote.

Contact:
Nelson Freeman
Safari Club International
nfreeman@safariclub.org

A vote is looming in the U.S. Senate on legislation that would bring national concealed carry reciprocity one step closer to becoming reality.

South Dakota Senator John Thune has introduced an amendment to S. 1290, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010, that would require all states to recognize concealed carry licenses and permits from every other state, just the same as those states now recognize a driver’s license from another state.

Gun prohibitionists have been lobbying vigorously to defeat this important amendment, and it is important for gun owners to let their voices be heard.

Contact the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and leave a message for your senator.

A vote on Thune Amendment #1618 could come at any moment.

The Natural Resources Commission approved a quota of 728,100 antlerless
deer licenses for the upcoming season at its recent meeting in Lansing,
an increase from 641,075 in 2008.

The commission approved 68,300 public land licenses and 659,800 private
land licenses, up from 65,875 and 572,200 respectively last year.

In the Upper Peninsula, the quotas were reduced to 7,000 public land
licenses and 27,000 private land tags, down from 8,000 and 31,000
respectively in 2008.

“The deer herd is down slightly in the UP,” said Department of
Natural Resources Wildlife Division Management Specialist Supervisor
Mike Bailey. “Winter was rather severe, but spring break-up was
moderate so we don’t expect it impacted recruitment very much.”

In the Northern Lower Peninsula, the NRC approved 25,600 public land
licenses and 140,300 private land licenses, up from 22,000 and 135,400
respectively last year.

“The deer herd has clearly increased in size in the Northern Lower
Peninsula,” Bailey said. “Deer numbers are about where we want them
and the increases in antlerless licenses are designed to maintain the
present population – not reduce it — except in the bovine tuberculosis
area where the population still needs to be reduced to decrease disease
transmission.”

In the Southern Lower Peninsula, the NRC approved 35,700 public land
licenses and 423,000 private land licenses, down from 35,900 and up from
406,800 respectively in 2008.

“We are still well over goal in southern Michigan and this regional
population needs to be reduced,” Bailey said. “This year’s quotas
also reflect an expanded area open during the late antlerless season, as
well as the new Deer Management Unit 486, which includes most of the
counties in southern Michigan.”

Antlerless deer quotas were established in 85 of the state’s 102 deer
management units.

Hunters may now purchase two antlerless deer licenses at one time with
a maximum of five antlerless licenses for the season, though no more
than two private land licenses combined for the Upper Peninsula and any
DMU entirely within the Northern Lower Peninsula. However, this limit
does not apply in Alpena, Alcona, Crawford, Iosco, Kent, Montmorency,
Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties, where disease concerns
necessitate encouraging antlerless harvest.

SMYRNA, Ga., July 10 /PRNewswire/ — With the first quarter of the 2010 fiscal year in the books, handgun manufacturer GLOCK, Inc. announced today that the company experienced a staggering 71% increase in pistol sales in comparison with the same period’s record sales in fiscal year 2009. Additionally, GLOCK Inc.’s rate of new pistol orders continues to increase at a record pace as they move into the second quarter of the 2010 fiscal year.

“With new product introductions including the G22 RTF2 and G17 RTF2, GLOCK, Inc. is extremely pleased with the resulting increase in sales. The partnership with our commercial and Law Enforcement distributors and our commitment to rock solid customer service are paying large dividends,” said Vice President Josh Dorsey. “With GLOCK, Inc. starting to conduct complete pistol manufacturing operations in the United States, GLOCK, Inc. will enter the export market further increasing sales. GLOCK Inc.’s outlook remains amazingly strong,” he added.

Financially stable and fiscally sound, GLOCK Inc. continues its pursuit of offering reliable products to over 11,000 local, state and Federal Law Enforcement agencies as well as the growing commercial market that is willingly adopting a lifestyle that includes the incorporation of personal defense needs.

Incorporated in 1985, GLOCK, Inc. is the leader in the manufacturing and distribution for the U.S. Law Enforcement, Commercial and Federal/Military markets. They employ over 170 employees at their United States headquarters in Smyrna, GA.

BELLEVUE, WA – The capture of a convicted killer Monday near the Michigan vacation home of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley proves that guns in the right hands are necessary for personal safety, the Second Amendment Foundation said today.

“Mayor Daley is protected by an armed guard,” said SAF founder Alan Gottlieb, “but what about the citizens of his city, who have no such luxury? The mayor is a world class hypocrite, who has bodyguards with guns to protect him from escaped killers like Charles Smith. Yet he is continuing to stubbornly fight against average citizens who are willing to protect themselves, but unable to because of Daley’s deranged double standard about firearms and personal protection.”

The Second Amendment Foundation is challenging Chicago’s handgun ban and the case may be headed for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Smith broke out of prison with two other men, a rapist and another murderer, in Michigan City, Indiana. At last report the other two were still at large, and one is believed to be in the Grand Beach, MI area where Daley’s summer home is located. Authorities there have been warning residents to stay inside.

“While Daley can lounge in the protective shadow of armed bodyguards even when he is out of state,” Gottlieb added, “average citizens in Chicago and all over Illinois must contend with the mayor’s elitist attitude about gun ownership. Most people can’t afford armed bodyguards.

“So long as Daley fights to keep his fellow citizens unarmed,” he observed, “he does not deserve the protection of men with guns. Daley’s self-importance is of little interest to the single mom who worries about an ex-boyfriend, or the shop keeper trying to make an honest living in a neighborhood ruled by gang bangers and drug users.

“Richard Daley’s arrogance has been revealed by this incident,” Gottlieb concluded. “Take away his bodyguards and just tell him to dial 9-1-1 like the rest of us. No public official should place his own safety above that of his constituents.”

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

Over the years several campaigns against litter have spawned various degrees of success to battle this public enemy. There were the “Every Litter Bit Hurts” and the “Don’t Be a Litter Bug” mantras during my childhood. The “Adopt a Highway” litter control program gets volunteers to pick up trash along our roadways. Unquestionably, one of the most successful devices to date has been the Bottle Law passed over 30 years ago, which was done so by an overwhelming margin of Michigan voters. However, it can be argued that the costs associated with recycling bottles and cans have resulted in higher costs at the cash register to consumers. Fair enough, but the landscape is cleaner nonetheless.

In an attempt to expand the current law to non-carbonated beverage containers (SB 0054), the fight appears to have stalled insofar as it has gone nowhere in almost six months after its introduction January 27, 2009. Never fear; lawmakers have a new scheme to battle the plague of illegal dumping, fast-food packaging, non-returnables, and even cigarette butts: HB 5081.

This bill introduced June 11th aims to control behavior by rewarding snitches. In essence, HB 5081 would pay a reward to any person that provides information that materially contributes to the imposition of a civil fine. The money would come from civil fines collected and would pay the informant(s) 50 percent of the amount.

Government rewards people that don’t work and many people ride the gravy train for all its worth. Illegal aliens don’t have health care insurance, so taxpayers reward them by providing services in hospitals for whatever ails them. Beer cans are tossed aside by human pigs and others are rewarded 10 cents each time they bend over to clean up after them. Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated.

I really don’t know anyone who appreciates litter, although many are oblivious to it. However, by imposing stiff penalties to offenders and compensating those most offended and willing to act, the idea may have merit and it will be interesting to see where this legislation goes.

Written into the proposal are only two purposes that money shall be expended from the fund that evolves: 1) payment of rewards, and 2) publicizing the availability of rewards. This is where some tweaking is in order. Half the money collected must be put into advertising? What a waste! We can do better than that!

Think, for example, how much taxpayers squander on the campaign to wear seatbelts. Millions are spent on billboards, television and radio spots to tell us what we already know. Enough already! What driver doesn’t know about the consequences of seatbelt law infractions? Not one. Yet, our government keeps fueling the drive with our money.

Let’s amend HB 5081 to provide for more practical use of funds generated. Politicians never seem to be at a loss as to how to spend money but advertising to preach to the choir will pay little in dividends, once such a program takes hold. After all, we don’t have to tell people to pick up cans and bottles, do we? Let the debate center on doing something better with litterbugs’ cash, because we certainly don’t need another billboard littering the landscape!

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

After reading comments from one Kathy Griffin on the opinion page of The Argus-Press (of Owosso, MI) last week, I had to agree with her conclusion that moral decency has taken a southbound turn with little chance of returning to the days of Andy Griffith and Mayberry. She wonders if society will ever be able to restore some of the standards of a moral and wholesome life. Ms. Griffin, I can tell you hope for such praise-worthy principles is alive and well.

I rediscovered the value of The Golden Rule in rural Grand Rapids, Ohio last weekend amid a gathering of tractor enthusiasts, while attending my first Cub Fest. (Cubs are tractors made by International Harvester and production began in 1947; they were extremely popular garden tractors in their day.) I learned of the event while at a tractor show in Apache Junction, Arizona this past March. As I stood looking over a Cub, one Bob Zimmerman approached and we began to talk. The conversation ended with an invitation to attend the event in northwest Ohio.

Owning a Cub of my own, I loaded it onto my trailer and headed south last Saturday, after the torrential downpour of the night before. As soon as I unloaded the machine, the connection to yesteryear began.

The camping area was well behind the farmhouse of host Rick Prentice and I was offered a ride on an International-red golf cart with all my gear. That sure was neighborly, I thought.

Back to where all the commotion was, I mingled under a portable shelter, where several men hovered over a Cub with a belly-mounted blade underneath. I learned that a young man in attendance had obtained the tractor from his grandparents and rode it some three miles to the gathering in hopes of getting a coolant leak repaired.

After removing the hood, the men were able to get to the source of the leak and had it repaired in short order. But, that wasn’t good enough. The little Cub’s get-up-and-go seemed to have got up and went and adjusting the air mixture on the carburetor didn’t help a bit.

On the other side of the tractor was Cecil, all the way from Albany, New York. He stated that the magneto was not mounted properly and was causing a timing malfunction. Off it came with the governor. I asked Cecil how he knew there was a timing issue and he said confidently, “I can tell by looking at it.” He then showed me marks inside the governor that needed to be lined up once it had been removed. In short order the carb was tweaked after timing and the young man departed but not until shaking hands with all the help-fest masters.

The scene repeated itself many times and the men kept their vow to make sure no Cub left until it was right. The cost was always the same: a simple thank-you.

The event included hayrides, torque and horsepower testing on Rick Prentice’s dynamometer, good food, and plenty of Cub talk around the campfire. But, most of all, the event centered on sharing, camaraderie, and The Golden Rule. Mayberry lives!

From Michigan DNR….

Odwalla is re-running its successful Plant a Tree promotion for 2009, and has DOUBLED the funding they will put towards the trees from $50,000 in 2008 to $100,000 in 2009. Only 11 State Park systems will be eligible for the funding, based on the states that participate in the Park Visitor Welcome Kit program.

How it works:
Each time someone goes to www.parkvisitor.com/odwalla and chooses Michigan, $1 will be added to our state’s tree fund. Each computer will only be allowed to participate once. The program will remain open until all funds are used, or until Dec. 31, 2009. The state with the most clicks gets the most dollars! To see how you are doing, click on the Number of Trees Planted tab.

Please go on line and click for Michigan State Park Trees. Feel free to pass this info on to your friends and family and ask them to click too! It only takes a moment. One state park that participated last year received over $20,000. Let’s start clicking to replace ash trees lost to the Emerald Ash Borer.

BELLEVUE, WA – Legislation introduced by veteran anti-gun New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg is designed to expand his gun prohibition agenda under the cloak of national security, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said.

Sen. Lautenberg’s new “Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2009” would place unprecedented authority in the hands of the Attorney General to deny someone their Second Amendment rights without having been convicted, or even charged, with any crime. Instead, under this legislation, someone whose name is added – for whatever reason – to a terrorist watch list can suddenly find himself or herself prohibited from exercising their constitutionally-protected rights based on nothing more than suspicion.

“Frank Lautenberg has devoted his entire political career to stripping as many citizens as possible of their firearm civil rights,” noted CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “His motivation appears to be a Government Accountability Office report that asserts 963 cases of known or suspected terrorists trying to buy firearms over a five-year period from 2004 through February of this year. However, in 90 percent of those cases, the purchases were allowed after the buyer cleared an FBI instant background check.

“Lautenberg calls this the ‘terror loophole’,” he added, “yet neither he, nor anyone else, can adequately explain how someone gets their name on a so-called ‘terrorist watch list,’ and there appears to be no way to get one’s name off such a list once it is there.

“In Lautenberg’s world view,” Gottlieb observed, “any American citizen interested in owning a gun is a potential terrorist. Would he add all of our names to such a watch list, thus stripping us of our Second Amendment rights, without first being charged, prosecuted and convicted of some crime? Probably he would.

“In 2007,” Gottlieb recalled, “Lautenberg lamented that a similar bill went nowhere. He claimed it was blocked because too many of his colleagues ‘knuckled under to the gun lobby.’ Better that Congress protect gun owners’ civil rights than be browbeaten by a knucklehead.”