Lever Action or Double Rifle?

[miroflex]

I am also unsure of the wisdom of fitting a telescopic sight to a rifle meant for home defence and invite members' views on the subject. Personally, I prefer open sights for quick pointing and shooting as they offer an unobstructed view of the target and the background.

Agree.

Thank you for your response BowMan. I'm glad you share my preference for open sights.

Regards.

[TwoRivers]

Microflex,

For red dot sights,if you are on a budget look up Ultradot.If you can spend a bit more then buy the Aimpoint Micro H1 or the Docter Red Dot sight .DO NOT try to bring in a Trijicon dual power sight. What ever you get,just ensure that you get one that fits on to a weaver type base.Picatinny bases are hard to find in India.

Picatinny and Weaver bases and rings are interchangeable. Picatinny basically standardized the Weaver dimensions.

[winnie_the_pooh]

Picatinny and Weaver bases and rings are interchangeable.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1072 ... ifference_

Due to the larger recoil groove, “Picatinny” accessories will not fit a Weaver system. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, but for a good rule-of-thumb, “Picatinny” won’t fit Weaver, but Weaver will fit “Picatinny”.

[miroflex]

Safarigent, Two Rivers and Winnie_The_Pooh,

Thank you very much for your advice and comments on red dot sights. I had searched the internet and found some interesting information regarding the subject.

I am still unsure about how these sights are to be used and what are their advantages over open sights. I would like to try them out if any member who has installed them could very kindly show them to me. I am in Allahabad and can travel a bit to see them.

Regards.

[mundaire]

I am still unsure about how these sights are to be used and what are their advantages over open sights. I would like to try them out if any member who has installed them could very kindly show them to me. I am in Allahabad and can travel a bit to see them.

I have an Ultradot mounted on my Dad's .30 carbine, you're welcome to try it out whenever you're in Delhi next.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[miroflex]

Thank you for your kind offer Abhijeet. I will certainly avail of it the next time I am in Delhi. I have sent you a PM.

Regards.

[miroflex]

Red dot sights

Thanks. I've seen pictures of them but do not know where they are available, how much they cost and how are they installed and used. I'd be grateful for more information.

Regards.

They commonly carry mounts for a Weaver style base. The cost runs from less than US$ 50 to several hundred. One drawback, without batteries you have no sight. A low power variable scope, 1.5 - 4.5X, would not be the worst choice for your purpose. Neither a M1895, nor a double, would be suitable for fitting with a scope.

The .32-40 cartridge is barely breathing. Winchester only loads it occasionally. A Martini, or an M1894 Winchester could easily be rechambered to .32 Winchester Special, but that cartridge is not readily found in India, either. That particular size Martini action is my favorite of the Martinis, by the way.
Regards.

The .32-40 was a redoubtable cartridge in its heyday with a transnational if not global appeal. Many renowned British gun makers, including Westley Richards, had quite a line of rifles chambered for it. These were mostly in Martini action and available with a variety of sights, stocks etc priced from four to six pounds sterling.

The cartridge has lost its popularity with the introduction of newer, more versatile loadings. I can only hope that its decline is not terminal.

Two Rivers, which of these cartridges would rate as (a) the most viable in the long run and (b) most suitable for use in home defence situations of the type envisaged by me.

.22 Hornet, .22 High Power Savage, 250-3000 Savage, .300 Savage, .30-30 Winchester, .32-40 Winchester, .33 Winchester and the .44-40 Winchester.

I am really going off topic here and should correctly start a new thread for this.

Regards.

[TwoRivers]

Miroflex: After being declared dead in the US by most gurus, clueless that it was alive and well in Europe, the .22 Hornet has regained popularity in the US and should be around for a long time. Though it is getting competition from newer rounds.

The .22 Savage is dead in the US, but lives on in Europe as the 5.6x52R. There, too, it is losing popularity to newer cartridges. Its "odd" .227" bullet works against it. I would not recommend it, though a good choice for your purpose otherwise.

The .250 Savage, too, has lost popularity to newer cartridges. Though an excellent choice, I would also not recommend it in your situation. Ditto the .300 Savage. A good choice for your purpose, but it has been largely pushed aside by the .308 WCF and other similar cartridges. Ammo for both is limited in loadings, and difficult to find. But still plenty of rifles in use.

The .30-30 is still high on the US list, ammo should be readily available for a long time, and it, too, would be a good choice.

The .32-40. Dead. Only occasionally loaded for a commemorative. Not very powerful, but would do for your purpose .

The .33 WCF. Good cartridge, but dead for good. Needlessly powerful for your purpose.

The .44-40. Dying until somewhat revived by Cowboy Shooting. Good for close range, but at longer range it's a "potato thrower" .

Have I helped you any?, probably not. Without the ability to get components and reload, and an ammunition quota, your situation differs from mine. In your place, I'd opt for the .30-30 or .22 Hornet.

Regards.

[miroflex]

Two Rivers,

Thank you for a quick and succint summary. I'll keep it in mind. Old .30-30 rifles come on the market occasionally. .22 Hornets rarely do so, as most owners hold on to them.

And yet I quite like the neat little Martini action Westley Richards in .32-40.

Regards.

[miroflex]

Miroflex,
Read the last three pages, pondered upon the very erudite comments from several worthies. But IMHO that are we not missing a major point here???
You Sir, are 59 years old, unless you have the physique and dispositon of the Late John Wayne, then yes you could easily handle your .405s (doesnt matter which, DB or LAR) one in either hand. So that would I suppose put an end to the discussion, As Dirty Harry would say, Go ahead Punk, make my day! Then you could let go with the DB, throw it aside then go bang bang bang with the LAR. And in case there are a still a few standing, then why? You can wade in and mow the rest using either the DB or the LAR like a club. Ah yes we can probably have another discussion here on which rifle would lends itself to be a more efficient club, the LAR or the DB?
With all due respects Sir, at 59 I would take up Z375's extremely sage advice and go for the barra bore double nalli, the shorter the barrel the better, beats both your .405, any day from all angles, cheap ammo, availability, easier to handle, devastating effect and low incidental fallout and or collateral damage.
Sir, I am 51 years old and my cowboy dreams have lost their sheen so nowadays my choice veers simply towards whatever is the most practical. It is my humble opinion and no way does it cast any doubt on your ability to handle .405s.
Best Regards

Dear Hvj1,

Thank you very much for the points made by you in your post above.

I agree that all of us are growing older with the passage of time and may find it difficult to handle heavy weapons as we age. I doubt whether a double barrel twelve bore will be lighter and easier to handle than a double barrel .405 or that it will have a lesser recoil.

Regards.

[Vikram]

Not to prod this resting thread,

Miroflex,

I was chatting to Grumpy and he brought up this

http://www.sightmark.com/catalog/reflex-sights


http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/rev ... 13001.html


Compared to what many other sights cost, this is a great bargain and also got pretty decent reviews too. Withstands heavy recoil longer than many others. Thought would share it.

Best-
Vikram

[James_Bond]

being a indian Rifle For Self defance 30-06 are the best. Double rifle like 405 are not best for self defance. Its for big game. But off the post as I thingh .303 Lee Enfield Rifle are the best for home defance as well as for hunting. Most imp hunting are illegal in India

[TwoRivers]

being a indian Rifle For Self defance 30-06 are the best. Double rifle like 405 are not best for self defance. Its for big game. But off the post as I thingh .303 Lee Enfield Rifle are the best for home defance as well as for hunting. Most imp hunting are illegal in India

Do you mind giving us the "why" and "because" to these sweeping statements?

[Skyman]

Yes, the police will take very kindly to you having a .303.....

[miroflex]

Thank you very much for posting the links to the sights websites, Vikram. Thanks to Grumpy also. I am waiting for mundaire's contact information to try out his sights.

Regards.