Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Surplus Military Rifles: A Better Buying Option In These Cash-Strapped Times?

By Joe Menzies

The most common type of ammunition is by a long shot (no pun intended), bullets. Small arms calibers range from .17 up to .50. Airguns and BB guns use a .177 caliber bullet. 38 Special Ammo is one of the most popular in use in the United States. Despite its name, it's actually a .357 caliber bullet (the .38" refers to the approximate diameter of the loaded brass case). More shooters opt for it because it works in a 357 revolver and because of its reduced recoil and it's relatively cheap if bought in bulk (in Europe it is known by its metric designation 929mmR).

Did you realise that people from quite varied walks in life are interested in ammunition - from hog hunters to full-time experts in ballistics, forensics, metallurgy, chemistry, and manufacturing disciplines. Obviously, there's the former or current law enforcement and military professionals. Those not engaged in the active use of firearms include historians (particularly of the Civil War) and hobbyists interested in the evolution of ammunition, and the surprising variety of creative designs that have been tried.

Building a collection of weaponry and militaria is some people's hobby, rather than them being active hunters or shooters. Since the close of World War II a great many surplus military rifles have been imported and sold in the United States. A few models are still being imported as various militaries around the world, particularly in the smaller nations, clean out their reserve stocks of obsolete rifles.

There's a range of rifles available that are suitable for hunters, such as surplus military rifles of various type, make and design. Buying a new rifle can be cost quite a bit and it's worth your time to check if there are used firearms for sale either online of in your local gun stores.

Traditionally, when you wanted to buy ammunition, you'd visit your local gun store. Nowadays, of course you can get ammo for sale online. But you need to be sure you know what it is you're looking for. Searching for the cheapest ammo online isn't all that's involved. Other factors should be taken into consideration so you're certain you'll get precisely what you require - the type of ammo you require is determined by what you intend to hunt or shoot.

You also need to consider how much ammunition you require. Locate a source, such as military surplus ammunition, where you can get replacement stocks easliy of the same ammunition so you don't end up switching types and having to head down to the shooting range to sight in the new ammo. It takes time to zero in a rifle and ammunition isn't that inexpensive, even if you're buying surplus ammo. So save yourself some time and money.

Military surplus ammunition is, essentially, the ammo that the armed forces (Army, Navy. Marine Corps) have surplus to requirements. In the past, it also included ammo that soldiers took home with them when they were discharged, and then later sold. These days, such things are more rigorously controlled and ammunition and weapons must be returned before a soldier leaves military life. Military surplus ammunition is one of the most sought after types of ammo simply because the savings in cost are usually pretty substantial when compared to the prices offered by hunting and outdoor speciality stores and other more generic big stores.

Surplus ammunition can come from outside the U.S. as well as from within it. An example that is the 7.62x39mm rifle cartridge which was designed during Second World Warand first used in the SKS carbine by the Soviet Union.

Do a bit of online research when checking out ammunition prices and availablility and don't forget that the best solution isn't always the least expensive one. That research will save you time and money in the long run.

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