As I type this now on my iPhone, I am enjoying my second beer at the Islamorada Fish Company that's. "attached" to BassPro/Outdoor world:

Because I just paid for my Rough Rider!

The rub?

They didn't have any versions in stock, so I paid for it to order through their distributor, but I have to come BACK and apply for the background check THEN, because they need the exact serial # of the gun to process it.

So--a week at best for the gun to come in at least, plus 5 days waiting for the background check. All for a 22. THREE trips for this.

And Menopause be d*mned:

I got the more expensive adjustable sights.

And Ironhead--thanks. But I'm SCARED to start with the magnums.

You do realize I'm a total wimp when it comes to this, right?

Hah!

But I totally get your point, and it makes sense since the WMRs are a hair wider than the LRs.

The 22 mag just makes a little more noise, thats all. Dont be afraid of that. The 22LR is lead only so wont polish the bore much. The lead left in the barrel will slow down the smoothing of the barrel. Good choice on the adjustable sights.

Thanks--so that's my plan now.

As it is, I wanted to strictly shoot WMR at first to get it sighted...then changed my mind because of the cheaper LR...but now changed it again.

You gave me that extra reason to go to WMR right out of the box.

I really, REALLY appreciate your insights and advice. This is all new to me, and I want to do the right thing.

I also have to learn about cleaning, but for the bore and starting out, what do I do?

I doubt I need a cleaning "kit"--just the proper size brush and solution.

It really wouldn't hurt to get a cleaning kit, you can find one reasonably priced and it will have all that you need and then some. The Hornady 30gr V-Max load is a great load and accurate, CCI Loads the same 30gr V-max bullet also, but the Hornady's are a little cheaper. I use the Hornady load exclusively now and love it. I too am not sure of the steel ammo stuff. Was it the case he was talking about or was it a FMJ or TMJ bullet he was referring to ?

I'll ask him later.

But this guy is as deaf as it gets--and he never wore hearing protection. So I guess I'll consider the source.

YIKES !!

Welcome to the community of new gun owners!

As far as I know (and that may not be a lot) there are no steel jacketed .22 LR bullets in rimfire. There are copper jacketed bullets when it comes to .22 WMR otherwise, all of the other bullets are lead. All of the .22 cases that I've seen are brass but that is not to exclude plated brass cases.

You made a wise choice in opting for the adjustable sight. Although it's a bit more, you'll enjoy shooting with it.

Along with hearing protectors, don't forget safety glasses. We only get one pair of eyes and they are NOT replaceable. You don't need to pay a lot for these but they are a MUST when shooting. Simple foam rubber ear plugs will do as will plastic safety glasses.

Hope this is only the first step in your entering the world of shooting sports. Best wishes!

Thanks, Marshal. The gun came in, and I went yesterday to do the BG check--so gotta wait five more days before I can take her home.

Only 5 bucks at BassPro for that, which was surprising.

Well, I am now armed. I picked her up Saturday.

Bought a SnakeBore, but haven't done it yet. Heading to Wally World this week for muffs, eye protection, and WMR ammo. Will go to the range after Christmas with a friend of mine.

If I only do say 50 rounds to start, do I run the SnakeBore again? Or wait until around 200?

I understand that people follow different cleaning schedules, but maybe there's something specific for break-in that I should be doing.

THANKS!

Personally, I would clean after each range session although some shooters never clean their bores when shooting .22 LR ammunition. Maybe you will decide on something in between the two extremes. Be sure to wipe down your gun with an oily rag just to remove the powder residue and fingerprints. Some people, not referring to you, have skin oils that are naturally corrosive to metal so be sure to at least wipe down your gun after handling it.

Along with your boresnake, you will need a small brush (a toothbrush will do just fine) to get into places a rag can't reach and a lint-free rag, that's what I use old tee-shirts for. Of course you'll need a good gun oil like e.g. Breakfree, Remoil etc. and a small box to keep all your cleaning tools in. You might add up the cost of the cleaning components and find a basic .22 caliber cleaning kit is not that much more. The kit will give you all the basic tools in a box for around say $25.

>I understand that people follow different cleaning schedules, but maybe there's >something specific for break-in that I should be doing.

Nothing except maybe shooting it more and thinking about it a little less.

Brother, I hear you.

It's just that this ain't model boat building, and I have no problem at all thinking this to death in pursuit of safety and what's best for the gun.