So I picked my weapon, signed up for hunter ed, looking for a tutor.

[politicat]

I figure I must be serious about this.

I chose a Winchester 1892 .44-40 for several reasons - it's fairly light for the kick, the ammunition is reasonably priced, it's very accurate, and I can use a laser sight with it (I wear glasses and can't have lasik, so a scope is not going to work for me). I've read and heard a lot of positive reports on it, and it has some sentimental value as well.

Getting a hunter's ed class was amazingly easy, though I'm not going to be ready for 2006-07, and probably won't be able to be licensed, anyway. But I'd like to have a tutor who is willing to take me out and let me sit in his/her blind so I can learn what to do physically, even if I can't fire. And this is where I'm finding a sticky wicket.

I can't post this request on Craig's list, the place I normally go. Even though it does not violate their terms of use, (I'm not looking for someone to buy weapons or meat from, just someone who would like to teach) there are the anti-hunting types who flag every post I make, getting them deleted. And I just don't know any hunters personally. My circle of friends includes a lot of people who wouldn't go into the woods at gunpoint. (no pun intended.)

So... it's getting there, but slowly.

[Redneck Socialist]

1. Well, good luck.

I don't know anyone in Colorado or I'd point you in their direction.

Question though. What's the issue with scopes and glasses? I'm near-sighted and switch between glasses and contacts. I use a scope with no problems.

I'd check out the Becoming a Woods woman Workshops http://www.gobeyondbow.com/coordinators.htm if they have any in your area. You'll likely meet other people in your situation and could probably find a partner to hunt with.

Colorado Division of Wildlife has some woman focused workshops too. http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/HunterOutreach/WomenAfield/WomenAfield.htm

Another option is to hire a guide. Expensive perhaps, but it would give a start at least.

[politicat]

2. I am nearsighted in one eye, farsighted in the other, can't wear contacts

and I have early stage glaucoma (not affecting my vision yet.) So when I put a scope to my eye, I spend far more time trying to line up the geometry of optic nerve, deformed retina, and scope lenses than actually looking through the scope. This is why I have a projector on my telescope now instead of a monocular and why I use my laptop to aim it. Getting everything to line up is just... obnoxious.

Unfortunately, the women-oriented classes are on the other side of the state, so I won't be going to those.

[benEzra]

4. A "scout scope" might work well for you...

that'd be a low-powered, very-long-eye-relief scope mounted way forward on the rifle, like this:


http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=31&variation=Target%20Grey%AE%20Frontier%20Rifle&bct=Yes&type=Rifle

A long-eye-relief 2x or 2.5x pistol scope mounted like this has a very large cone of vision, so precise eye alignment isn't so much of an issue. Or, for the ultimate in eye relief, stick a Weaver rail on top of the rifle and affix an unmagnified red dot sight, or (if you can afford one) a holographic collimator sight like the Bushnell Holosight or even an Eotech. The latter are essentially "heads up displays" for guns that make a reticle appear to be floating in the air 50 yards in front of the gun, when you look through the lens; there are no parallax issues, and pretty much any eye alignment will work.

The only problems with a laser for hunting, as I see it, are (1) the animal can literally see the laser from a mile away (like when someone is pointing a laser pointer in your direction), and (2) animals aren't very reflective, so it may be hard to see the dot under some lighting conditions, especially at range.

Since you have retinal problems, I'd stay away from high-powered calibers due to recoil issues (the recoil of really powerful rifles can cause retinal problems in susceptible individuals). The rifle above comes in .243 and .308, both of which are relatively gentle recoiling as far as hunting calibers go. Both are suitable for whitetail deer, and .308 may also allow you to hunt larger animals if you're interested (though it will kick more). Both calibers would give you a lot more range than the caliber you mentioned, and the .243 would definitely recoil less.

[progressivegunowner]

5. Good suggestion, and for iron sights

Not all are created equal. Perhaps the best sight would be one like Jack O'Conner was very fond of. It involved an iron circle (see through) on the end of the gun, and a bead on the front. The idea is that the eye will automatically center the bead in the circle, and where the bead is would be where the gun is aimed. I'm not sure what it's called, or even how common it is anymore. If you know any friends that that are good with making iron sights, you could ask them, or do a web search.

[politicat]

8. Ooo.... pretty.

Like I needed something ELSE to blow a paycheck on.... Those look wonderful. Thanks.

I actually don't have retinal problems - I have glaucoma that is currently being fairly well behaved (but that can change at any time, so I take nothing for granted.). So I'd like to squeeze as much life as I can in while I still have peripheral vision. LASIK seems to exacerbate the neural issue because it puts more tension on the remaining eye structures, which adds to the pressure on the optic nerve, wearing it away. I'm myopic, but if I didn't have the genetic glaucoma, we could fix that part of the problem.

Thanks for notifying me!

[progressivegunowner]

3. What do you intend to hunt?

A .44-40 is a close range weapon (at best) suited for small game and varmints. If you want to hunt deer, become a VERY good shot and limit your range to about 50 yards or so. If you want to hunt elk, you'd best forget about it with that gun probably.

If you just bought it a little bit ago, and intend to use it for larger game, you might wish to return it, explain what you are looking for to the dealer, and they will probably be happy to assist you.

But if you like (and you have the money), you can keep it and use it for recreational shooting (and also look for cowboy action events or whatever they are called in your area, as that would be a very well suited gun for that), and buy something like a .44 Magnum lever action or a .30-30. Both are better suited for deer sized game, and with good shooting, are adequate for elk at close range.

Make sure you do a lot of research, and purchase a gun that is right for you. And as is any case with firearms, practice lots (a .22 lever action would be relatively inexpensive and easy on the shoulder and budget for this).

And remember, use common sense when handling a firearm. As with any firearm, check if it is loaded the moment you pick it up, always assume it is loaded when handling it, and do not point it towards anything you are not willing to destroy. Follow those basic rules of conduct, and you should be fine. This last paragraph is the most important part to SAFELY enjoying whatever guns you may wish to buy.

[politicat]

7. Deer, but with the over popuIation problems we have....

They practically walk up to you and say "Spare change? Got a cigarette?" We don't have wolves, the bear population is getting small, and the big cats have figured out that coyotes are the equivalent to a Big Mac (fast, cheap and easy.) 50 yards isn't the problem. Heck, if I do a friend a favor, 50 feet won't be a problem.

I tried out several at the range, and the winchester was what I could fire and not a) hurt myself or b) miss. I'm 5'2" and I just don't mass much. Anything with a big kick pretty much tried to take my shoulder out. I knew that would be a problem from growing up; my size is one of the reasons my father refused to teach me to hunt (the duplicate X chromosome was the other, but...) I've had a couple of people recommend handgun hunting, but I have far better aim with a rifle. The .22 is where I got my start.

I grew up with weapons. (Military brat; I gave up my handguns voluntarily out of an ethical stance.) I would no sooner assume anything about a gun than I would jab a hypodermic full of blood from a stranger in my veins.

Here's a poser - would you recommend a lever or a bolt for sneak factor? That's a hard one to judge on the range.

[progressivegunowner]

9. Ok

Well then, if it's within 50 yards, you pick your shots carefully, and you're able to shoot well, then using a .44-40 should be alright. Normally though, something a bit more powerful would be recommended, but on the other hand, I must admit that under ideal circumstances, I've killed deer with something a bit less powerful than what you're using.

For a sneak, I would have to say a bolt action would be a bit easier. Lever actions usually are operated from the bottom, which would probably be a problem if one is laying on the ground (though one could possibly turn it sideways in order to operate it). Also, the tubular magazines often associated with lever guns limit bullet design to flatnosed bullets, in order to prevent one round setting off another within the magazine. Since those are not the most aerodynamic bullets, that would limit your range a bit, but with a .44-40, it's already limited, so that wouldn't be a problem.

Bolt actions are easier to operate when lying on the ground (if you must crawl on your belly to sneak) and generally come chambered in more powerful cartridges with more reach (if in open spaces, a .243 would work to about 250 yards if one could shoot accurately to that range).

But if the .44-40 is working for you, and you learn to manipulate the lever while sneaking (practice shooting with it from a prone position), then you should be alright. The choice is really yours.

[krispos42]

10. Have youalready bought it, or are you CONSIDERING buying the .44-40?

First off you have to check the Colorado hunting regulations to make sure the rifle is powerful enough. There may be a minimum power requirement for rifles. I've hunted deer in South Dakota, and there the minimum muzzle energy is 1,000 foot-pounds of energy. The .44-40 only makes about 625 ft-lbs in a rifle. Some states may have a minimum bullet size as well, such a .243 caliber, or require expanding (hollow point or soft-nosed) bullets be used.

If you already have the .44-40 and it is legal for deer, then you simply have to either shoot from the standing or kneeling positions, which as close range is not a problem, especially if you can brace the foregrip (not the barrel!) of a rifle against a tree limb or trunk. For sights, you might want to see about TruGlo iron sights. These are fiber-optic sights that gather up ambient light and concentrate it into a point of green or red that is easily visible. Of course, the red-dot sights would work quite well, but the TruGlo sights are probably cheaper and don't require a battery. http://www.truglo.com/content/prod_long_gun_sights/Slug%20Gun%20Sights.asp

Conventional wisdom is that deer can't see red light; their visual detection spectrum does not go as far down as ours does. So the laser projector actually is not a bad idea as long as the hunting regs allow for it. If you're not sure, give the Game, Fish & Parks a call. If you can use it, practice with it!

If you have not bought a gun yet, you might want to look at a bolt-action rifle from Remington or Savage. They make "youth" models, which have shorter stocks and barrels for people of short stature. I have noticed that your profile says you are fairly short, so I am trying to work within that parameter. My ex was a mere 5'0", so I can understand.

There youth models are usually what are termed "short action", which is a cartridge as short or shorter than the .308 Winchester. The Savage Model 11FYCAK (http://www.savagearms.com/11FYCAK.htm) comes in .243 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, and .308 Winchester. My ex-brother-in-law has a bolt-action Savage in .270 Winchester, and it was a fine rifle, easy to load, easy to work the bolt, and easy to shoot. And new Savages have the Accu-Trigger, which makes the trigger pull lighter without compromising safety.

Remington makes the Model Seven bolt-action, which is sized to fit small-statured people. Remington coems in the same calibers as the Savage plus a few more. It is available in the fairly new 6.8mm SPC (.277 caliber), which has a muzzle energy of about 1800 ft-lbs and good on deer to about 200 yards or so. http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_seven/model_seven_CDL_specs.asp

The .243 Win is generally considered adequate for deer up to about 300 yards with a good bullet, assuming you can shoot accurately at that distance. It makes about 2,000 ft-lbs at the muzzle, which isn't all that much when fired from a shoulder-fired arm.

The 7mm-08 (.284 caliber) is good for deer up to about 450 yards with a good bullet, and makes about 2,400 foot-pounds at the muzzle.

The .308 Win the the same round used by the military in machine guns and military rifles. With a good hunting bullet they are powerful enough for deer past 500 yards, and makes about 2600 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

Savage also makes regular-size rifles in .223 Remington, which is very popular and cheap because it is what the Army uses in the M16s. It is usually used for varmit hunting, like coyotes and groundhogs, and for target shooting, but you can get hollowpoint "match" bullets or Nosler Partition bullets that would be good for deer. The .223 makes about 1,300 ft-lbs at the muzzle, and should be used on deer within a hundred yards.

If you want to get an autoloading rifle, you can get a Ruger Deerfield Carbine 99/44, which is chambered for the .44 Magnum. A .44 Magnum fired from a rifle makes about 1600 ft-lbs.

Ruger also makes the Mini-14, which in an autoloading rifle in .223 Rem, and the Mini-30, which is the same rifle chambered in 7.62 Russian. The Mini-30 fired the same .30-caliber bullet as the AK-47, so practice ammo is very cheap and deer ammo is readily available. The 7.62 Russian makes about 1600 ft-lbs of energy and would be good on deer out to about 150 yards.

You can also get a number of good-quality AR-style rifles for the same money as a Mini-14, and they tend to be more accurate than the Ruger and most of them are made to take scope and sights and such. But they are military-looking and turn some people off, even though functionally they are exactly the same as the Mini-14.

I've personally fired a .223 Rem and a 7.62 Russian AK-47, and the recoil is pretty light.

You can also get a more-powerful lever-action rifle if you like the lever action. A .30-30 is about as powerful as the 7.62mm Russian, and you can get them from Marlin and Winchester. You can also get them in .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum (about 1200 ft-lbs), and .45-70 (about 2400 ft-lbs). Marlin's rifles are also drilled and tapped for scopes, and you can buy a Marlin-made rail to extent the scope mounting surface further towards the muzzle so you can put on a "scout" scope, like the other poster showed you.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Centerfire/336A.aspx

Just please note that the Winchester factory in Connecticut has closed down, meaning that they are no longer making bolt-action rifles, lever-action rifles, or pump-action shotguns. I'd go with a Marlin.

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/features/detail.asp?ID=116

Hope this helps you out! :-)

[politicat]

11. Thanks so much!

We actually don't have a problem with disposable income, so the fact that I've already decided that I want another piece is somewhat negligible. (There are great things to be said about living well below one's means.) I'm enjoying the Winchester though I've only managed to get to the range a couple of times. (It's 2 hours away, and time has been short of late.) It's almost sighted in with the iron sights; we skipped the light sight because I couldn't make it into the education classes for this fall, so I can't actually go out in the field until next October. Ah well. While I like the Winchester (for many reasons) I tried out my (near my height, weight and size) friend's mini .30 and her partner's .30-.30 and enjoyed both, so I am being a bit covetous right now anyway. However, I am trying to keep my quantities below BATF regs for an arsenal, since I'm already required to undergo the Super Secret Security Search when I travel. I'd rather not make the silly men in the TSA hats even jumpier. I'm disconcerting enough as is.

Thanks again, and thanks for replying!!

[krispos42]

12. Oh, no problem

Glad to help! As a poor gun nut, I think a lot about what to buy and why, living vicariously through gun magazines. So I know quite a bit and like to share that knowledge. Good luck next fall!

[RebelOne]

6. I would suggest contacting your local DNR or wildlife agency.

May they could give you some leads on finding a hunting mentor.