5/24/10

Holy crap! I shot the 7mm Mauser yesterday. The recoil wasn't bad but the report was so friggin’ loud. Well, actually loud isn't quite right, it was just... big. I'm not sure how to ‘splain that. I'm used to handgun ammo’s sharp “POP” report. This was more of a lingering “BOOM.” And by lingering, I don't mean like seconds pass while the thing is going off. It just felt like... well, I don't know, a bigger explosion. I suppose that makes sense since the round is three times longer than a 9mm and therefore probably has about three times the powder charge. Oh, and that is not hyperbole, a 7x57 Mauser round is exactly three times longer than a 9x19 Parabellum. Do the math if you doubt me. As for accuracy, well, there’s no way to know until I get a scope on there. I'm too blind for iron sights out at 100 yards or more. Also, I think I was flinching. OK, I know I was flinching. Plus, shooting from a rest, I didn't have a way to hold onto the fore end to support it and/or prevent muzzle flip. My main goal yesterday was to see if/how the gun shot and to burn up five rounds of ammo. See, I went to... wait, I'm getting ahead of the story. Let me start with Saturday. Saturday morning I took The Seven to the shop to get the tools to install the new mailbox at the house. I really need to tune those carburetors. The car runs great, under load, but pops and spits when loafing along at a cruise. I think she’s running too rich. We'll see. At the house, I installed the mailbox and had some lunch. After a quick nap, I headed back out to change the oil in The Seven. I stopped at Auto Zone for a gallon of Mobil 1 and a filter then headed on to the shop. I burned the ever living crap out of my fingers on the glowing hot... everything! Oh, I also discovered the drain plug in the oil pan was barely finger tight! Yoinks! I got lucky there. After I changed the oil I headed back home. I got a call from Amy inviting me out for a beer later and went. Sunday morning I decided I was going to take the Auto 5 shotgun and the 7mm Mauser to Cabela’s and have them “appraised.” I loaded them into the hatch of Ms. Clio, where they just barely fit, and headed north. Yeah, the guns aren't worth anything. I did accidentally get my hopes up when I saw four Auto 5s in the case, each priced at $999.00! Mine, not so much. In the condition it is in, with the cracked and chipped furniture, he said it would be a parts gun. Saying it here kind of pisses me off a little, but knowing it isn't a $1,000.00 gun eases my conscience about changing the furniture and using it. He confirmed that the “sporterized” Mauser just isn't something worth any money, especially since the caliber isn't stamped on the gun anywhere. I thanked him and headed to Blood Bath & Beyond. There I bought a 25 round ammo belt and 25 rounds of 12 gauge 00 buckshot shells for the Auto 5. I also bought what is called a “Butt Cuff” and twenty more rounds of ammo for the Mauser. A “Butt Cuff” is an elastic hoozis which slips over the butt stock of a rifle and holds nine more rounds of ammo in little elastic loops. As I was driving home I was thinking, “I can store ten rounds of ammo in the ‘Butt Cuff’ and five in the gun’s internal magazine. That means I can shoot five rounds at the range right quick!” I know, I mis-counted the loops in the “Butt Cuff” and should have shot six rounds. So I go to the range in Whiskey Flats and they help me “sight the gun in” as if I could see a damned thing. I really need a scope on that gun. I probably won't put the $0.99 e-Bay scope on there after all. Well, maybe to see how it looks. We'll see. Oh, after shooting that “Thunder Stick,” I think I shall call it that henceforth. OK, I gotta pee so I guess I'll call this a rant. Have a day.