While I agree with just about everything you’ve written on guns and shooting, I guess we’ll have to just agree to disagree on politics. I’m anything but a one-issue voter, and on Condi, we definitely diverge. I like John a lot more than Ms. Rice, who’s a naif on so much that’s not Soviet history and politics (that was her specialty).

Nevertheless, in this election I’m having to step to the other side of the aisle because so many other issues are important besides my love of shooting – the economy, the deficit, the war in Iraq (which is far different than the GWOT) – and I think John isn’t prepared to change course, and even if he were, the party wouldn’t.

I’m hoping a four to eight year enema will clean out the problems that have accumulated over the last seven years, and count on this nation’s love of personal rights, including the 2nd amendment, to keep the new crowd’s hands off my guns.

Keep up the good writing – I enjoying reading your articles, which are the best there is on all things guns.

I’m with you on the Condi Rice idea – sure would be a treat to see her as the Veep with McCain as a previous commenter mentioned!

Thanks for all you do – and big kudos to all the folks at BHM. I’m slowly converting my hubby to a BHM addict. I mean – reader. ;-P

As to your questions:

Rule of thumb in the industry is 10 year shelf life for ammo, but practically speaking, currently produced ammo lasts almost indefinitely if stored in a cool, dry place.

Shotgun: you probably want more than the two shots in a double, so a magazine gun is in order. A slide action takes a lot of practice to operate reflexively, so an autoloader gets the nod for starters. If your wife is sensitive to .357 revolver recoil, she’ll probably be sensitive to 12 gauge too, so a 20 gauge auto seems to be the best bet.

In a .22 revolver for fun, it’s tough to beat Smith & Wesson… the Model 617 K-22 may seem a little big, but it’s exquisitely accurate. An alternative is the super-light (about 10 ounce), plinker-accurate Model 317 8-shot, which also makes a great pocket gun for snakes, etc. at close range.

For a precision rifle, a heavy barrel .308 bolt action will have moderate recoil, but ample reach. You’ll have a wide choice of factory ammo and of gun models.

Good luck,
Mas