I recently obtained a federal firearms collectors' license and, because I live in California, a state firearms Certificate of Eligibility. Dad was a career infantry Marine Corps officer and taught me to shoot at an early age. But I never had any firearms myself. Now that I'm in my 50s it seems that spending some time at a rifle range would be a good common interest I could share with my brother, who I like very much but rarely see. Although my timing is lousey, I'm buying two rifles, an M1 Garand and an M1 Carbine. I like the idea of an iron sights rifle. The Garand is for serious shooting, while the Carbine is for fun, and to give my wife something to shoot that I think she'll enjoy.
So... what's in your arsenal, and what kind of shooting do you do?

You would be disappointed in my very small collection. However, I can defend myself and my family if the need arises. I hope that day never comes.

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Enjoy. I would try and grab a .22lr as well. .30/06 and .30 Carbine ammo gets expensive quickly.

Oddly, I just bought some .30 carbine ammo and paid about 40 cents a round. You're right, it's not cheap. But even .22LR is going for about 30 cents a round, which is ridiculous.

Wow. That's nuts that .22lr is 30 cents a round. I was loading 12ga for $2.50 a box, but I haven't paid attention in a couple years. I know I didn't pay half of that for the 22lr bulk packs I have on hand. I got bored punching paper and shot skeet, 5-stand, sporting, and some trap for just over a decade. All I have left is a Ruger 10/22 takedown and a left handed wingmaster with about 75k rounds through it.

I once has an FFL, and quite the collection of WWII bolt-action rifles, about 20 or so. Sadly, that was many moons ago. Later, having worked in a gunshop, I had a new handgun every week it seemed. Now, all I have is Matilda, "Mattie", as I like to call her...

Astra -75 in 9mm, with an Uncle Mike's holster and spare mag. Very nice piece, considering her age. She sleeps peacefully by my bed, ready if needed.

Two pistols, 9mm and a 22.

SKS and a Maverick 88 12ga... cheap get er done tools.

Last year the wife started bugging me about going elk hunting again, before we moved to Idaho I was a pretty serious hunter in Colorado.
I would head up to the high country for 7-10 days every year and chase Timberline Mulies and Elk in the Maroon Belles Wilderness.

Once we moved here I just haven't had the same experiences, I loved the big open hunting above timberline with long shots being the norm.
Here in Idaho the Black Timber is the norm with anything over 100 yards being pretty long, since I have always been a shooter more than a hunter I grew bored.

I decided the only way to get motivated again was to, buy and tweak a new rifle
I settled on a 338 caliber since I have always liked them especially for Elk or Moose, the newer 338 Federal would have been a perfect match, but I came across a Winchester Model 70 built in 1985 in 338 Win Mag and a Yard Sale in April at the height of the Lockdown for a great price
It already had a nice Laminate stock from the factory, and had a muzzle break already fitted and had been bedded..
I figured what the heck and brought it home

When we left CO and IO was building rifles I had bought a few Scopes from a closing gun shop, they were the better made Tasco and had Mil-Dot reticles. I had one left that was still new in the box 3x9x40 perfect for this rifle

I forced myself to NOT customized this one like I had done so many others this was going to be my "One Hunting Rifle"
Got it all mounted with the Burris rings and mount I like, lapped the Bore and the Bolt then polished the Bolt
With everything clean and smooth and the action cycling slick I set down to working up loads

AFTER I built a new 100 yard range hehehe I built it so I could use it year round and shoot from under cover where I keep all my saws and sanders
I have heat out there in the winter

I have been a Barnes Bullet guy since they released the X back in the early 90's my first 338 I had loaded the 185 X and TSX, this time with the possibility of Moose and Bears I settled on the 210 gr TTSX.. I am am looking for one rifle and one load for it

Finally settling in on a nice tight group using RL-17 and pushing right under 3000fps per my chrono, I think I am ready for Hunting 2021

I built a new shooting bench totally from scrap lumber and an old pallet too

Fun Pics:

The Range








The New Indoor/Outdoor Bench





The Rifle

I like everything about this post .
That's quite a spread you've got there in Idaho. I admit I'm jealous. Post a winter pic when the time comes - seriously.
Model 70 is what I'd probably look for if I were going for a bolt acton and scope, thought I might do it in .30-06 myself (just personal preference). How do you find the recoil with 210gr at 3000fps? I bet it's a bit heavier on the shoulder than my 168gr at 2800fps!
Thank you for sharing.

Not a hunter so no rifles or shotguns here.

My EDC is a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 matte silver and engraved slide with G2 Research R.I.P. .380 rounds.




Bedside holster holds a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 mm, with G2 Research R.I.P. 9mm rounds.


The only collectible I have is my great grandfather's 1895 Iver Johnson's Arms & Cycle Works 38 caliber 5-shot black powder ammo top-break revolver which I posted about back in 2012.

When I can get to the Heritage Guild range, in Easton, PA, I rent. Ruger Mark IV. But when I want to practice at home, I use this.



It shoots .22 cal rubber bands.

Added a pretty good Turkish 1911 clone.

SAR 9 9mm
S&W Shield 9mm EDC
Taurus .38 Spec
Heritage 6-shooter
S&W AR-22
Shotgun
I have 2 lowers for AR-15s.

What caliber?

.45

It performed perfectly at the range yesterday.

S&M Airweight 38 Special, Ruger GP100 357, Savage 110G 270 and Stevens 22LR.

Ought to be enough. Occasionally carry the Airweight concealed (have the card) but mainly they all live in a closet now.

Springfield model 1816, made in 1828, carried by my Great Grandfather in the Civil War. 69 caliber smooth bore muzzle loader.

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I’ve lost count. I tend to collect guns like they are razors