Sniper Country Duty Roster

July 2008

Yahoo News: "FBI chief: Gun ruling makes campuses less secure".

Where do we find these nitwits?

In other news, Gitmo Detainees are using their new-found rights as American Citizens to sue the shit out of everyone in sight. The'll love the discovery process.

As a means of fixing our energy calamity, the democrats promise to cripple the energy companies and to touch a match much of the worlds food supply.

If I understand McCain correctly, he promised to throw southern border open to any and all. He has a 30% chance of winning.

Click my name. Halfway down on left is "The Prediction Markets". Click on "politics". It is surprising how accurate this thing is.

CDC'
Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 11:38:21 (ZULU)

WAMU? Please define.

The comment on the short bus 4 ignores a staple of the lawyerly existence: citing differing case law to support opposing points.

Granted, at their level they're theoretically looking for the "original intent". But, this rarely happens regardless of who's on the court. However, the intellectual pandering to fit a personal agenda is a bit much.

Re McCain, the last quote I heard was some time ago and was on the order of "If they want a wall, I'll build the G-D wall!" Works for me.

WR Moore
Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 18:54:18 (ZULU)

Taking each victory, one step at a time!

Good job, Scalia!

Now, let's get strict scrutiny and incorporation!

Les
Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 19:30:36 (ZULU)

Bill Moore - WAMU = Washington Mutual Bank, FA. I can still hear the frigging phone greeting in my head like I just put it (slammed it) down.

Joe, that's about the definition of irony, right there.

Geoff M
WI, USA - Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 19:43:11 (ZULU)

Joe,

The city of New London should be sued for this, as they took the property for their proposed development. They should be required to see that such development is completed in the spirit of the "common good," as that was the spirit of their move to take the property. HA!

That will then put the financial burden on the taxpayers of that city.

The taxpayers would then be getting ALL the government they voted for.

They deserve that. HA!

Les
Tuesday, July 1, 2008, at 19:45:40 (ZULU)

Joe,

I too favor the tangible investment. You can always live on and farm land that you own, and if cows become worthless, you can always eat the loss and be happy to do it.

Right now, I'm mostly invested in guns, because my wife can't spend the money I have tied up in them, and most are worth about twice what I've invested in them.

jc,

Padded bras are false advertisement, and should be outlawed! You think "ground shrinkage" sucks when you've just spent thousands to go on a trophy Elk, moose, or sheep hunt? "Bra shrinkage" is far worse.

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at 05:02:56 (ZULU)

Geoff- thanks, that's what I was afraid of. They bought our mortgage several years ago.

WR Moore
Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at 14:58:21 (ZULU)

So, the US Army has a simulator running here at Summerfest, the "World's Biggest Music Festival". The hippies raised a stink about it and the result was they switched over from shooting "enemy" personnel, to stationary "paper" targets.

Here is the article:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=768709

And here is a letter to the editor I wrote, that they will never in a million years publish:

"I read with profound disgust and dismay the article detailing how a group called the "Peace Action Coalition" was able to singlehandedly force the US Army and Summerfest to modify their simulator on the Summerfest grounds.

To imply that there is something wrong with a soldier shooting and killing people who mean to bring death to them, to us, and our nation is disingenious, immoral, and does a grave disservice to our soldiers and citizens both. The purpose of an Army, is to protect us AND our allies, by killing those who would kill us and our allies if necessary. It is ideally done only under certain conditions by morally honest men, when all other means for conflict resolution have failed, and/or the need is of the utmost to preserve the lives of the innocent both short and long term. Killing the enemy is the last resort. But under those conditions, it is reality. It is not wrong, but right. The Peace Action Coalition's actions plainly insinuate it is wrong and further they damage society by obfuscating a difficult moral issue.

Rather than question and focus on the act of killing the enemy, the focus would be much more productive to be placed on the "why"....why does the person in the sights of your US Army issue rifle deserve to be shot. These are moral lessons that a moral people should, nay, must learn to be a complete and just nation. To claim that there is no place for killing the enemy is to bury your head in the sand and invite mockery by our enemies who would overrun the weak in both body and in moral spirit.

I find it much more morally reprehensible that liberals such as those populating groups like the "Peace Action Coalition" would claim so vociferously that it's wrong to teach people to shoot an enemy who means to kill you and bring harm and death to your people, yet staunchly defend the "right" for someone to kill their own defenseless unborn child, someone who by definition could mean no one any harm whatsoever. Surely, that is the definition of hypocracy.

In sum, it's a shame that people like the Peace Action Coalition are not publicly ridiculed for their immature, immoral, and ignorant stance in the way they so obviously deserve.

Signed,

G********"

Geoff M
WI, USA - Thursday, July 3, 2008, at 18:05:08 (ZULU)

rifle brass prep:

Received my Giraud case trimmer order today. Quality product. Impressed so far. Tried it out with 50 pieces of resized WCC 5.56 brass. Highly recommended for anyone reloading bottleneck brass in any volume, esp for a semiauto. Purchased with .223 Rem and .308 Win fixtures, will definitely have to purchase the cartridge fixtures for my other bottleneck rifle cartridge chamberings. I'll probably purchase another cutter as a spare too, not that I would expect to use it anytime soon. This is definitely a tool I wouldn't want down for any extended period of time :-)

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, July 3, 2008, at 23:54:13 (ZULU)

Rod,

Now that you have the Giraud trimmer you need to call Sinclair and get you a few of these: Forster crossbolt lock ring

http://www.sinclairintl.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=search&item=FCBLR&type=store

You'll be glad you did 'cause they're gonna save you a whole lot of time when you change case holders. Just set 'em and forget 'em.

Everybody have a great 4th of July weekend. Remember to fly your flag and remember what it stands for. And say a prayer or two for our Military.

jc
Tennessee, USA - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 05:05:05 (ZULU)

Geoff:

Hear! Hear!

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 06:05:06 (ZULU)

JC:

Way ahead of you :-) I read about using lock rings with the Giraud from another source, and had planned ahead. I already have some lock rings from my Reddings dies that I'll be using. I use the Lee lock rings for my reloading dies, so the Redding rings are surplus for that application. Should have enough for my various rifle rifle cartridges and the Giraud case trimmer.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 07:16:37 (ZULU)

To all serving now, and those who have served in our armed forces:

Thank you!

My family and I will remember you today while we celebrate our freedom, and will say a prayer for all of you.

All the children in attendance will damn well know it ain't about beer and firecrackers.

Everyone please have fun and be safe. Take a moment to make sure the kids know why we're celebrating.

*********************************************************************

On another note:

We took the turn pike up north the other day, and at a rest stop, some ole boy noticed my NRA hat. We got to visiting, and talking about Heller V. D.C.. It sure was nice to run into someone else outside of a gun store or shooting range that gave a shit about our rights. The ones that are "inalienable" and, "shall not be infringed".

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 08:33:52 (ZULU)

Good morning Travis - from a fellow insomniac.

It's kinda amazing that just a few days before we celebrate the freedom of the country, we finely got the verification that we are free to own the tools of our original freedom.

Being on this site for 11 or 12 years, I can't express how much I love the sanity and maturity of thought that goes on here.

Other shooting sites are rife with the same thousand beginner's question, "I just bought a Tabasco scope, and want to know...." for the 39th time that week.

We weren't ever that bad (I don't think) though we have had our "colorful moments" in the past... but the level of thinking here is awesome, and when we get into shooting topics that are at the edge of the art, no one screams that's it's too much for beginners to know.

I just left another site for posting advanced topics, and I was amazed at the owners attitude - it was like he was running the site for beginners, even though it was an "experts site".

But.. "Hell, I've been thrown out of better bars and beds than this!".

:)))

I'll drop this in for some of you guys that are forming cases... might be useful some time.

---

An edited version follows...

---

A fellow that just bought two rifles made by (XXX), both in 25-06 Ackley, was having 30& case head separations on fire forming loads.

I suggested an old technique... (older than I am... which is "dirt"!!), about wiping the case with a very light oil, like G-96 (cuz it smells so good) or even plain kerosene (which smells BAD).

On firing, the case slides back to the bolt, fills the chamber to whatever variation you are making, and there is absolutely NO case stretch.

It is a technique that upsets some unknowing scaredy cats and pisspoor smiths, but it works 100% of the time and there is absolutely no "danger" in it.

We all know that cases stretch in front of the web if there's any headspace. What most shooters don't know is that there is two kinds of "headspace"... the SAAMI headspace, and the "working" headspace.

The SAAMI headspace is the measurement to a given diameter on the chamber/case so that different factories can make chambers and ammo that fits (kinda~sorta).

SAAMI allows a variation in this measurement, because no one can make chambers and cartridge cases to a tolerance of 0.00000001"

With center fire cartridges, the tolerance is typically X.xxx" +0.007" on chambers and X.xxx -0.007" on cases.

A chamber might be 2.000" up to 2.007", and the case might be 2.000" down to 1.993"

So if you have a max chamber and a min case, they are both "OK", and the gun doesn't have "headspace" (according to the local pipe fitter "aka gunsmith" who's specialty is mounting scopes before hunting season)...

... but you have 14 thou of [b]working headspace[/b]... the real, measurable space between the head of the case and the bolt face, when you are ready to shoot!

Now - here the other thing. This guy named John Bell Blish (anyone recognize the name?... he is the discoverer of the "Blish effect"... he discovered that copper and bronze, when forced against iron or steel under a fair amount of pressure, will stick to the steel (or iron) - en-ga-neers call it, "Stickshon" cuz it sticks (duh).

When the pressure then goes below a certain threshold, the copper/bronze lets loose ;) It's really cool :)

He designed several artillery pieces using this effect, and the first Thompson Submachine guns used his "Blish block".

This same effect is responsible for case stretching - when the pin falls, and the primer fires, the case is forced forwards with a lot of force (~700 pounds, according to Richard Diaz of Remington's research laboratories in Georgia).

The primer is then protruding out of the case by the amount of the "working headspace" that you had, and it is holding the case forwards. Now the powder burns and the the pressure builds up, and the case walls STICK to the chamber.

But the pressure keeps building up more and more, and the case head is some 14 thou AWAY from the bolt face. At some point, the brass in front of the case web gives away, and it's like a micro-avalanche... the metal crystals start to slide across each other, first a few, then wham, they all start sliding and the case head goes back until it hits the bolt face!!!

Now the case is thin in front of the web, cuz it stretched, and the metal for the stretch had to come from somewhere - it is so thin that you can feel the weak place with a bent paper clip... but it is also permanently weakened and will always be on the verge of coming apart.

Some people talk about "Bolt thrust"... that is a fairly recent term in the shooting lexicon - I remember when it first arrived - there is no such thing.

Thrust is a linear force generated by some type of "engine"... springs develop thrust - propellers develop thrust - car engines do not develop thrust, but when you run them through differentials, and into tyres, the tyres develop thrust - thrust is linear.

In a gun, it's the case that develops "thrust", not the bolt... the pressure pushes the case backwards, towards the bolt face.

Now, here's the thing - whether you like it or nor, the back of a 308 case is gonna whack the bolt face with a force of ~3,500 pounds (this is NOT PSI, but real pounds - like a pickup truck falling on your bolt face).

It does NOT make any difference whether the case is dry or wet with oil - the case is gonna hit the bolt face with ~3,500 pounds - if the case is dry, it's stickshon will hold it is place for a few microseconds, until the brass crystals start to slip, but then it will whack the bolt face with the same total force anyway.

But... if the case is dry - the head will be held off of the bolt until the pressure builds up, and then the release will be quick (in ballistic time frames) and it will let go and really whack the bolt - if the case is wet, it will immediately start sliding back as pressure builds up, so the case head will actually hit the bolt LESS sharply when wet, than when dry - those of you that slept through eleventh grade science might not get this, but there should be some of you out there that are saying "Well, I'll be a sonovabitch - damn, that's right!!"

So... if the case is wet, it will not stretch first... it wall gradually slide back - so the newly formed case has no stretch, and is a perfect fit to the new chamber. :) :) Martha Stewart would say, "... and that's a good thing"

Back to bed and see if I can salvage some of the night...

'lito

Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 09:54:57 (ZULU)

Happy 4th y'all.

I really hate to try to pick nits, 'specially with 'Lito, but I'm being paid almost what I'm worth, nothing is going on and I'm bored (and metalurgy classes were 40 year ago). Sooooo.... Maybe I'll learn something.

"The metal crystals start to slide across each other........" Molecules, not crystals. I do believe at the point you're describing, plastic flow is taking place. When you get crystalized metal, failure is taking place, as in cracking.

WR Moore
Friday, July 4, 2008, at 13:33:59 (ZULU)

Indeed, Travis! Tell a kid a story about how a few smart guys with everything to lose beat the greatest power on the planet for a chance at freedom...it is an epic tale and cannot be told enough...

Geoff: I agree with your point, although I would not have engaged the 'human" feature on that sim myself at that venue. Not because of any liberal or conservative differences, nor of hawk or dove disagrement---but for a human reason. Fortunately in society, the taking of human life is not a natural act. The "process" for conditioning one to do so is a time tested ritual. And yes, i do think that today's video games, other than the army's, are doing this on a small scale and are not that great of an idea in general (but that is a different issue). As a recruiter, or at least a direct commander of recruiters, we sold the army mostly on the good benefits. Very few are sold "on killing." BTW, that is a good book on this very subject. The concept of killing on command or as reflex is brought forth in a very controlled environment, and in stages. A fair is not the place to start this:))

This is a very convoluted subject--the success is to make killing a conditional thing---a failure is to miss that target and turn out indiscriminate murderers--at least in mil circles. Video games in general (commercially available ones) do not make much distinction at all--and are thus suspect, at least IMHO. In fact, it is this very effect with "gamers' tht probably led the commanders and the NCOs to not even think twice about which scenario to use---"kids love to shoot movers" so why not??? A casual connection, to be sure. But...with predictable results: After all, this was not entertainment--this was "our heros" setting this on us:)) Ohhh noooo! The army kills! Badbadbad army...and of course it does. And we pride ourselves on our efficiancy at it--as well as breaking things too!

But the transition from polite society to a form of anti social behavior is really a delicate thing. It ought not be played out in a game with a general audience. Mommy and daddy would rather hear about junior's college fund anyway...

While it might surprise you that controversy errupted--it is predictable, at least I would have predicted it. Then again, I am not a "gamer"---I always thought of these as an evil that steals reality. It hit home when I had two gorgeous babes wanting to kayak a Miane river, and my partner at the time declining to captain the second boat---due to his near-beating of a new release game. I knew then that there was something evil afoot...heheh. But the point is, my theory is the decision to run this in the full mode was overlooked because of all the other games out there.

In other news, Bozo died. "Don't be such a fu^&*%ng Bozo, dude!" I never thought about it before, but what is it like to personify a unniversally negative stereotype for life? Thomas Crapper could have enlightened us...

In celebration of the dollar's decline and a few great stock picks (a few of which I mentioned here at various times past, like satellite radio, cisco and any big oil); I bought pair of softtails for the wife and I yesterday. Hers is a loaded Heritage of older vintage (93), and mine is a '00 Fatboy with no resemblence to the factory offering...in fact, it is the FLST version of my original softtail right down to the primary covers! I had no chance when I stumbled across this one:))

The nightster is nice bike; fast, nimble and cooool. But it is a small-assed sportster, and cramped for anything past the first gas station:)) I was gonna get a pair of them until i drove one. Big twins were off the list until the wife actually rode one--she was leary of the size. But they are easier to handle with their low cg--and once she got on it--she was sold.

I picked mine up yesterday morning, and went for a three hour putt. My face still hurts from the perma-grin:))

Joe M
Friday, July 4, 2008, at 15:24:43 (ZULU)

WR Moore...

>"I really hate to try to pick nits, 'specially with 'Lito, but I'm being paid almost what I'm worth, nothing is going on and I'm bored (and metalurgy classes were 40 year ago). Sooooo.... Maybe I'll learn something.

You didn't think you were gonna get away with that one, did you? :)))

Brass and bronze are not a molecular mix... that is, one molecule of copper next to one molecule of zinc.

Like most alloys, it is a fine matrix of crystals of each metal.

If you cut a piece of brass or bronze, polish it, and then acid etch it, you will see the crystal structure.

Here's a brief comment from the Materials Research Society (warning, heavy in nerdness ;)

http://www.mrs.org/s_mrs/sec_subscribe.asp?CID=3155&DID=186567&action=detail

Also, more nerdness... with really cool phrases like:

"due to fatigue fracture through intense deformation bands with a complex planar-slip dislocation structure."

WOW!!! - it's better than a night with Marylin Monroe (cuz she's 82 years old, and a little stiff ;) :)

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TW8-3VSG8GP-8&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=ec307822f1f1f472764d0169eb583553

Here's another :)))

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/112582983/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

"The dislocation structure of single crystals of -brass grown by directional solidification from the melt has been studied by X-ray topography and surface etching."

And this one - (man, I'm starting to breath heavy :)... has pictures of the little rascals:

http://www.jmst.org/PCN/qikan/manage/wenzhang/2008f66.pdf

WM... (you are in my back yard ;)... here's the thing.

When you take a piece of metal (any one, but we'll use brass now) and you push it a little (with your fingers on the mouth of a case) it will give in to the pressure and when you let go, it goes back to it's original form... but it you push too hard (with pliers), the stress builds up until the crystals can't hold their place and let go... and it is like an avalanche - they slide and tumble over each other until the stress is relieved by the change, and then they settle back in - but during the sliding period, they have almost no strength. After resettling, the brass will not return to it's original shape.

I don't want to say "ALL", cuz there's probably an exception that I don't know of, but the nature of metal is crystal structure, and when it deforms or fails, it is the crystal structure that slips over itself.

Even Mercury, when frozen, is a crystal metal.

And in the physics definition of matter, to be a solid, it MUST have a crystal structure - ergo, glass is considered a veeeeeeeeeeeeeery thick liquid.

Happy birthday, America!

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 16:19:51 (ZULU)

"Lito-like I said, metalurgy was 40+ year ago and I'm bored...

What I do recall dealt mostly with the grain structure of various types of steel and if'n you examined cracks, you could clearly see crystals. IIRC, the crystalized metal had to be removed for successful welding.

Couldn't get any of your cites to come up. If'n I have time tonight, will dig out The Making, Shaping and Treating of Steel for some light bedside reading.

WR Moore
Friday, July 4, 2008, at 16:49:28 (ZULU)

Good stuff 'Lito thanks for all of that. I learned alot from those two posts.

Joe- Congrats on the bikes man I'm glad to see your out having some fun. I've crashed them too many times to get another. Maybe if I tried a cruiser someday that would help. The only ones that get my juices flowing are the crotch rocket sport bikes and dirt bikes. Every once in awhile the urge to buy one gets to me, but I manage to get through it avoiding the purchase and the inevitable horrible injuries.

Back to the reloading bench.

MarcS
East S.F. Bay area, CA, - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 18:06:20 (ZULU)

OK, on another board it has been suggested I have made up the story of my slings progression.

Here is fact. Some old timers from early on here may recall? Since this is the place TIS was born here you go.

I started first in 1980s making them from torn apart 1907 leather slings. I seperated them in middle with Fas Tex type buckle. This looked like a Slip Cuff that broke in middel, made of elather with Fastex Type Buckle cuff option. This went on this way for 10 plus years. I amde them for several friends and myself. No business. Cuff looked similar to today except it did not have hold down strap.

The in mid 1990s I met Gooch who told me to make them from Nylon isntead. I started doing that and very first ones still came apart in middle. This bugged me as you ended with two halves with one hanging on ground when slung up.

Then I added a piece of HD elastic so when you unhooked the middle the rear half only fell slightly away.

After awhile a few folks forgot to hook Fastex type buckle back up and started running and elastic eventually started to come apart as its no match for a 17lbs rifle.

I sent to Rick B for review and he made suggestions for changes. I did them.

Then I went to current one piece design of Quick Cuff in late 1990s, added the cuff hold down starp and have not changed much since.

Now just for grins because this crowd tends to remember thinsg that did not happen yesterday. Did you first see a Quick Cuff that came apart in the middle or the new version? Bobbie I dont recall if you originally sold the two piece or one piece design?

I still have copies of this stuff but just wondered how good folks memories are?

Thanks for taken the time.

Ken package on the way. Thanks

Mike Miller
Ca, - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 19:49:49 (ZULU)

Mike -- I will attest to you being in the Sling / Tactical Intervention business for AT LEAST 10 years - because we've hosted your TIS website for right at 10 years....

(thanks for the package too).

JoeM: Congrats on your Hawg purchase! and thanks for helping our 'so called' sagging economy (sorry - couldn't stand it)

Take care all,

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 19:58:57 (ZULU)

Ken, yes I rememebr you rescued me after tow years of Best hosting my site. We also crawled over some ground together. Man I miss the old days of Strom Mountain, Gooch, Bobby, Rick, Pablito, Bravo and the gang. I still talk with James Jarrett about once a month.

Mike/Undude

MikeMiller
ca, - Friday, July 4, 2008, at 20:11:15 (ZULU)

Gents,

Just got shocked back to reality by a e-mail from Brian Sain. If HE'S asking how I am I figure it's time for me check in...

Busy, lot's going on, two beer story...;-)

Happy 4th of July.

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 08:03:21 (ZULU)

Hello All,

Those Hawgs of you that have riflemen.net email accounts with me - can go here: http://mail.riflemen.net:7080/surgeplus or click on my name. The SurgePlus calendar and file sharing is kind of a handy tool for sharing files for your self if you access the internet from multiple locations or to share files with other Hawgs in the riflemen.net domain. You can use the windows based calendar/file sharing client or just use the web interface....

If you don't have a riflemen.net email with me... Shoot me a private message and we'll go from there....

Mike -- I too miss not having been to Storm Mtn for sometime. I found some old pictures of a Sniper Rendezvous(spelling) where Bruce Robinson was yelling at me as I went up that rappell tower (stress portion)....

Take care all,

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 14:23:35 (ZULU)

Ken: I wear my "got mildots" shirt with pride, and I have lately started rationing its wear:)) Gotta get a lifetime out of it. Bruce's generosity to my soldiers (and yours...and yours...etc) will never fade from my memory....never. Yeah; not just "American made"--but several local shops, neighbors and a friend or two benefitted from this purchase. I have one "mom and pop" gun shop left nearby--it gets a disproportionate amount of my business just because. I even knowingly pay too much at times:))

Now to figure out whatever this interface is...sounds like the ticket to post those pics of my arms room...and of course, the two hawgs of the steel variety:))

Side note: The 88ci counterbalanced V-twin is the ticket!! Mine is carberated--I hear the injectors are even better.

Gary: It was good seein' ya if only for a few. Maybe next time, the wife and I can pop down your way! I hope that scope workie for what you wanted. If not, I stand by my deals with a full refund policy:))

Undude: Your cookies came bouncing back via the mail---addy unknown. Dunno where the wife got it from (thought it was off your email)---but whatever happened, it snafu'd-- can ya send me a good mailin' addy for a large box? The roster email workie for my account...

Joe M
Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 21:10:07 (ZULU)

JoeM: If you get stuck with the interface --just gimme a yell via landline. You can use the web interface from most anywhere and can install the client side interface as well on winderz boxes. The client side interface does calendaring, etc... Your riflemen.net account should be able to see into the file sharing. The private folder stuff is visible by only you, the other folders are visible by any of the other riflemen.net folksen....

I'll poke some .pdf files up in my share.

Take care all,

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 21:31:22 (ZULU)

Joe M.

If ya start hearing a kinda whine that is louder on the left side then the right,it gets louder as the engine gets hotter....Take it in and get the cam bearings replaced...and Ya hafta request the GOOD ONES...otherwise they put the same junk brand back in...Also check the trans dipstick,and keep an eye on this as just about where the full mark is, is where the clutch cable comes across the dipstick and they have been known to saw the end off.What can happen worst case,is the stub can get into the gear cluster and lock up as your movin....Factory knows about it but isnt doin nothin.Just a lil heads up on The Greedy Bastards Motor Co.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 21:58:54 (ZULU)

This is a solicitation for real world feedback on the relative terminal performance of 5.56X45 with the 77 grain Sierra and the 6.8 SPC with its standard loading as is currently being fielded in the GWOT. If someone has "tested" them both and has an opinion as to if they have similar performance "on target" or not then that would be useful.

I've done some mathmatical modeling on penetration and was surprised that the 5.56 actually predicted about the same as the 6.8 SPC did with the previously mentioned loadings. Since the rest of the "modeling" seemed to agree with my own real world experiences and reports from others I have a hard time ignoring this finding.

I'm working on ammunition design right now and find I'd prefer some opinionated feedback rather than the sterile world of academic style assumptions.

Superior products come from meeting the real needs of the end users, not the needs imagined by the manufacturers.

Dennis "Buck"
Utah, USA - Saturday, July 5, 2008, at 22:22:19 (ZULU)

Lito,

In materials science, the model (we learned) for shearing in a crystal was a dislocation traversing along a crystal plane. The current transmission electron microscopy photos of silicon transistors shows the atomic structure of the silicon and the grain structure of the other materials employed. I saw one photo of a crystalline defect, and you could see the atomic layer dislocation, just like they figured it would be, decades before we could actually "see" the atoms. State of the art transistors are now only a few dozen atoms across.

Neat stuff.

Duman
Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 05:57:20 (ZULU)

I haven't tried Lito's method, since I form from 30-06 brass, I just set a false shoulder when making 280AI brass. Have had zero problems with headspace or case head seperations.

The Kreiger barreled, MCM stocked Rem 700 sporter 280AI I just bought will shoot 160gn Accubonds into 1.5" at 200yds from a casual benchrest off the back porch. That's good enough for me. It's a looser chamber than my 1000yd rifle, so cases fireformed in the sporter need full length sizing before they work in the match gun. I've pretty much given up on neck sizing anyways, I've got about 15k 30-06 cases to use before I even start running low.

Has anyone tried annealing case necks using molten lead as the heat source? I haven't had very good heat control using torches, I figure direct immersion heating would be more "better'er" so I thought I'd ask. I've got a few hundred lbs of wheelweights to smelt, so I figured to see about killing multiple birds with one stone. S/F.....Ken M

Ken M
Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 07:12:52 (ZULU)

Ken ,The molten Lead anneal works and works well.

It's a time / temperature thing.

Some tips:

Don't deprime the cases,keeps lead from sticking inside the case mouths.

Don't clean the cases too well as you might start Tinning them.

Omega Engineering makes nifty Crayon markers that melt at certain

temperatures.

You can mark a few cases at the start and see how long you have to

immerse the neck area to get a proper anneal.

The neck,shoulder and about 1/2 inch back from the shoulder should do nicely.

Please wear Eye Protection,Gloves and make damn shure there's no

water inside the cases your going to anneal.

Be safe not sorry !!!

Regards,

Joisey Steve

Steven Dzupin
Ridgewood, New Joisey, Usa - Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 13:15:50 (ZULU)

Joe

I'm still waiting for the gun. Ordered it back in Feb. and was told 6 to 8 wks. DPMS is 10000 firearms behind. At least i know i'm in the flow somewhere.

If you drive the bikes down we can go to Poopy's down in Savanna. Good place to go to get anything from leathers to tattoo's, and some of the fairer sex scenery ain't bad either. Oh did i forget to mention the bikes to.

Gary Kaney
NW, ILL, - Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 14:57:58 (ZULU)

Buck: Not sure about that monniker or Dennis...so I went with the unusual end of it:)) In 2003 I was the Log-toad for the existing log support in-country (ARCENT-Ku), and the 77s were in high demand. Absolutely no 6.8 stuff as late as April 2004 anywhere in the system. That is not to say it was totally unavailable--just not "in the system." A unit could order it and have it mailed in. About that time in mid 2004, I joined a unit that was a part of the development of the 6.8...and as it turned out, no one was using it (yet?). In 2005, I was back in Iraq, and in 2006, I was in A-stan (working with and around folks who could make such decisions as to what to carry): I never once saw a 6.8 chambered weapon in use. It seems that 75 grain and 77 grain ammo was answering the mail for the more discriminating users while I was there in each of those years. As for terminal performance--I saw 55s, 62s, 75s and 77s getting it done well in Iraq. In the stan, it was really the .50s and the 7.62s that were making the majority of kills where I went. I did see a 75 make a one shot stop at about 400 yards once, FWIW. In all my travels, working with and around elements of 3 SF groups, about 20-odd contractor operations, and inumerable general army units--I saw nothing odder than a .338 LM in use. Everything was either 5.56, 7.62, 12ga or .50BMG by my observations. I probably saw a wider range of units and AOs thru (pure luck:)) my odd-ball jobs than most folks who go over, but that is not all-inclusive by any stretch. The thing is, the guys who would and could use the 6.8s would also place a premium on "availability" of their next basic load...so, the lack of any 6.8s isn't necessarily a peformance thing at all. But if your next basic load is depending on DHL's delivery schedule--it was not a happy thing.

Morgue: Anything to add? You see a different side of life...

There were a bunch of 9mm SMGs collecting dust on racks too:))

Unpat: Yesterday, the wife and I went by the "Highground" viet-vet memorial. On the way, I pointed out a whine that I thought was coming from my primary. Sounded like a muted blender on frappe, barely noticable over the thundering pipes:)) I am now thinking..oh shit. At least this one is on warranty.

Gary: Which one did you order?

Joe M
Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 23:29:57 (ZULU)

Joe M,

Greedy Bastards Motor Co. will only opt for one set of "free" cases.Heard of some failing in as little as 4,000 miles.Run it around,get it good and warmed up,grab a tech at the local authorized,and have him listen to it.Ya dont wanna foot the bill on a new set of cases.If its warranty odds are they will replace like for like and may not give ya a choice on "The Good Ones".

High Ground is a cool place.Know of it.Aint been there yet.Dad's been buggin me for a while to run the Shovel up,and doin a day run over.Dad is "Friends of the High Ground".Cant remember at the moment what all that entails,but its the only sticker on his HR-Police.Him and Ma hit that a few times over the summer.So if ya see an all black HRP w/Hack and an Air Force derby cover,thats his ride.If I remember what he all told me right Memorial Weekend is a big one over there.

Check out the 'Nam Vets M/C website for dates on the "Summer Twister" in Birnamwood.They put on one helluva good time....NOT the usual Hoggie thing.Ya might see some other patches,but not many H.O.G patches.Last time I was up there the Boys were runnin a all nude girls bike wash,Clean Fun?? But I think they do that every year.Had my hands full with somethin else but it was still a good time.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Monday, July 7, 2008, at 01:48:00 (ZULU)

gunsmithing tools:

One of the brush caps for my Dremel 280 launched into parts unknown, looking to buy a replacement.

Any known source better than this?:

Dremel Authorized Service Center

4631 East Sunny Dunes

Palm Springs, CA 92264

(800) 275-2052

(760) 327-3003

Rob Dremel

I could find lots of vendors for replacment brushes for the 280, but no caps...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, July 7, 2008, at 02:27:52 (ZULU)

Joe

The Panther LR-308C with the JP Ent. trigger. With that scope it'll get the job done very nicely.

Gary Kaney
NW, ILL, - Monday, July 7, 2008, at 11:19:34 (ZULU)

we have seen this concept before in revolver fodder...

http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/

"...Speaking of which, I saw something really cool at the match....50 BMG polymer-cased ammo that was actually being shot in the match. The ammo, being developed by Mac LLC at the request of the Marine Corp, has about an inch of brass at the base, bonded to a polymer rest of the cartridge. The ones in use were 640-gr ball, and while it wasn't specifically developed as match ammo, it was turning in 20-inch groups at 1000 yards out of a Steyr HS. Joe Gibbons of Mac told me the push for the development of the polymer .50s was one for weight reduction...the plastic fantastic .50s weigh in at 25% or more less than a standard round of .50 ball. That means 25% more ammo for the helicopter machineguns, critical in mountainous Afghanistan where a helicopter's ability to lift weight is compromised by the high altitude. Gibbons said the ammo runs fine in the MGs, whihc are notorious for the violence of their actions. The Marines would like to have this stuff yesterday, if possible. Defense Review has written about some of the poly ammo development for the military...you can read it here. And, no, they wouldn't give me one as a souvenir!"

http://www.defensereview.com/article803.html (or click my name)

http://macammo.com/

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, July 7, 2008, at 17:12:00 (ZULU)

Here's a good webpage on cleaning stuff...

http://www.frfrogspad.com/cleaners.htm

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Monday, July 7, 2008, at 20:30:47 (ZULU)

frfrog has some other neat stuff on his web pages too.

I've been a fan over the years...

ribit!

Edited to remove link for now, since it has trojan virus lurking...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, July 7, 2008, at 23:02:27 (ZULU)

ALERT - WATCH GOING TO THAT FROG HOME PAGE THAT ROD HAS IN HIS LINK:

"Scan type: Realtime Protection Scan

Event: Virus Found!

Virus name: Downloader

File: C:\Documents and Settings\xxxxx\Local Settings\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\yu8sogf4.default\Cache\98B5AC0Dd01

Location: Quarantine

Action taken: Quarantine succeeded : Access denied

Date found: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 6:43:10 AM"

It has a trojan in the content somewhere... Will attempt to contact them....

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 11:46:20 (ZULU)

Gary: I have two JP triggers in use, and one just collecting dust in a forgotten lower. Two of the three were "drop in"--and one required the fitting described in the packaging. Not too difficult, and easy to adjust as well. You'll like it, or you haven't adjusted it enough:))

Joe M
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 15:12:52 (ZULU)

'Lito - just sent you two emails, one via the SC interface, and one to an old address I have which includes a big bird, about optics testing.

If neither of those reaches you, please drop me an email via the site email function with an address at which I can reach you.

Thanks!

Lindy
Somewhere in the Mountains, Colorado, U.S.A. - Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 19:40:11 (ZULU)

Lindy...

I got them both.

I'll answer in a day or so (alligators biting me right now ;)

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 21:15:24 (ZULU)

I have a Jewell trigger in my AR10. Sinister then mentioned White Oak Precision offered a real nice RRA tuned trigger and I gave that a try...I really like the White Oak trigger a whole lot.

medicjim
Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at 21:18:23 (ZULU)

My brother came across a pristine Winchester 1907 autoloader in 351 Win SL, need to find some ammunition for it, any help would be appreciated.

All the White Oak stuff is top notch, and John is a shooter's shooter. He knows a service rifle backwards and forwards. S/F.....Ken M

Ken M
Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 08:00:19 (ZULU)

Ken,

You might try Old Western Scrounger, but I think I heard he sold out to some bigger outfit.

That .351 stuff is hard to come by. I saw one at a local hock shop some time back, and thought about buying it for a truck/saddle gun, but couldn't find replacement parts or ammo. They wanted an awful lot for an obsolete gun, anyway.

Anyone need some Hornady .310 dia. spire points in 123 gr. weight? I thought I might use them in one of my '94's, but I'm afraid I might tear up the rifle.

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 08:38:16 (ZULU)

Ken - give this link a try

http://catalog.ammodepot.com/

Several folks have suggested calling them as they don't have a full inventory list on the net. They have apparently stocked the ammo in the past

http://www.reedsammo.com/Page3.html

They may actually sell brass

medicjim
Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 12:11:32 (ZULU)

Ken M.,

Try Buffalo Arms Co. I've had good service from them. Click on my name.

Cheers & S/F,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The rainy Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 12:49:52 (ZULU)

Echoing CDC's thoughts on the subject: The amount of knowledge here is amazing.

I never even heard of 351 SL...

Joe M
Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 15:39:04 (ZULU)

re: .351 SL

I had read about it, legacy predecessor (in concept) to .M1 carbine. I think the US Border Patrol was using it in many decades ago (pre WWII?). Given the scarcity of even brass, I think you would have to pay *me* to take one. I like to be able to shoot the guns I own.

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=22558

Extract:

CaSES:

Various compaines make .351 cases. Can be made with a LATHE and .357max. brass. The .351 ius a SEMI-RIMMED case with a deep extractor groove. It's a very close match to the head dimentions of the .38Super, just a lot longer.

If you don't mind a lot of work, can get it done with a drill press. Best with deprimed .357Max.cases...a pointed rid set up in a vice...the pointed rod to fit the primer pocket (this keeps it spinning on center...and a triangular file. Spin the case while riding on the centering post (the one in the primer pocket), file the rim down to size (that's where the post comes into play...keeps it spinning on center while you file), then file in the extractor goove. Can use a .38Super shell holder to load and as a guide for size.

HAve used .357 dies and a .38super shell holder to load..cases are thick...dies size the outside, so the thick cases are sized mroe than enough on the inside to hold a bullet. Just reduced the size of the expander to .351's to fit right. Crimping and seating are fine, just adjsut the dies UP in the press to make up for the longer length of the .351.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 21:27:23 (ZULU)

There was also a Winchester 401 Self-Loading....now there's an impossible round to find brass. I have a 1954 Lyman loading manual that lists loads for both the 351 and 401...and a lot of other long-gone rounds if anyone wants to hit me off-roster with a request for data for something odd, let me know. Of course, some of the powders they list are also long gone, and others aren't the "same" (i.e. 2400), but its a place to start.

If memory serves, most of the 351's were used in prisons, bank guards, etc....may be the same for the 401. Both were/are pretty weak ballistically, and the rifles weren't known for great reliability....pretty much a "big" Winchester 62 22 auto.

SteveinButte
Butte, MT, USA - Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 22:47:41 (ZULU)

Steve,

Doesen't Starline or somebody make .40 basic brass that could be used to make it?

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 07:04:55 (ZULU)

I used to live across the street from an old gentleman who owned a .351. Interesting rig. The owner was a Paratrooper in WWII. He fought in the Aleutians in the clusterf*** of all clusterf***s.

CDC'
Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 07:35:30 (ZULU)

Said brother with rifle is a mech engineer for Caterpillar, I suspect he has access to lathes and such;) But often it's just a better deal to spend money vice time because you have much less time available. Buffalo Arms seems to be the deal, but I have some other feelers out there.

This is a former police rifle, it has sling swivels. A few even came with bayonet lugs. Like most early 20th century Winchester rifles, it's a very well machined gun, completely unlike the flimsy shit common today.

CDC, my grandfather was in the Aleutians. I really wished I had asked him more about it. We swapped a few war stories after I got back from Iraq, but he went downhill pretty fast and now he's gone. He said there were days that it blew so hard you could lean into the wind at almost 45 degrees and stay suspended at that angle. After dealing with the conditions, fighting the Japs was easy. S/F.....Ken M

Ken M
Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 08:43:54 (ZULU)

Ken M: All they had was summer gear. Can you imagine?

CDC'
Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 12:46:59 (ZULU)

Winny Model 1907 Rifle Info!

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-159255.html

Regards,

Joisey Steve

Steven Dzupin
Ridgewood, New Joisey, Usa - Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 18:28:59 (ZULU)

AMU article in NY Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/sports/olympics/10marksmen.html?_r=2&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

July 10, 2008

Army Sharpshooters Have Olympic Medals in Their Sights

By KATIE THOMAS

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Pfc. Vincent Hancock immersed himself in basic training with all the intensity expected of a recruit in wartime.

At Fort Sill, Okla., he learned to clear buildings of hostile fighters. He practiced the best way to climb into a truck without detonating a roadside bomb. He woke at 3 a.m. to do push-ups alongside soldiers who knew they would soon be serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

And yet, whenever the others talked about deployment, Hancock kept silent.

A world-record holder in skeet shooting, Hancock, 19, knew he would probably never take aim at an enemy target. That is because he was recruited between his junior and senior years of high school into the Army Marksmanship Unit, a little-known squad dedicated to training and employing Olympic-level shooters. The unit, established in 1956 to serve as a symbol of America’s military prowess during the cold war, continues today as a public-relations and recruiting tool. Its members have won 21 Olympic medals.

Still, Hancock said: “If I’m sent overseas to fight, then I’m sent overseas to fight. I don’t have a problem with that.”

Hancock, a native of Eatonton, Ga., is considered a favorite in his first Summer Games. Of the 22 United States shooters going to Beijing, six belong to the Army unit based at Fort Benning.

About a month before the Games, the soldiers are spending long days at the practice range in a quest for the steadiest hand, the sharpest eye and the calmest mind. As they fire, the rattle of their precision rifles mingles with thuds from the Bradley fighting vehicles that soldiers are training in nearby. Each year, 31,000 soldiers pass through Fort Benning for training.

Unlike athletes in many other countries who belong to the military in name only, the 64 men and 4 women of the Army Marksmanship Unit carry many of the responsibilities of typical soldiers. They go through basic training, they must pass physical training tests and they teach marksmanship to thousands of deploying soldiers, including the designated sharpshooters who accompany Army squads to the front lines.

Many members say they cannot help feeling that they should be doing more.

“I haven’t been deployed or anything, and it doesn’t look like I’m going to be, but you wish you could be a part of that,” said Sgt. First Class Daryl Szarenski, 40, a pistol shooter who has qualified for his third Olympics. “To be a bigger part of the war effort than what it feels like I am.”

Most of the soldiers who compete in the Olympic events were civilians who had distinguished themselves at national and international competitions. Hancock, for example, had been named shooter of the year by USA Shooting, the sport’s national governing body, by the time he enlisted in 2006. Another member of the Olympic team, Specialist Jeffrey Holguin, spent nine years at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs before enlisting in 2006.

“I wasn’t ready to give up on my Olympic dream,” said Holguin, 29, who did not qualify for the Games until he joined the Army.

Members of the Army unit compete in all three Olympic shooting disciplines: rifle, pistol and shotgun. They typically practice about five to six hours, five days a week, on 300 acres of ranges. They earn salaries based on their rank and travel to about 70 competitions each year.

In addition to the physical conditioning required of all soldiers, the shooters focus on mental training, which is crucial in a sport in which a millimeter can decide the difference between a gold and a silver medal. The unit, with an annual budget of more than $4 million, provides access to a licensed hypnotist, and the shotgun team’s office is outfitted with a brain wave monitor to teach the shooters how to clear their minds.

Members of the Olympic team are not exempt from the mundane duties of other soldiers. As one of the lowest-ranking members of the shotgun team, Hancock must make the coffee every afternoon for the others. Szarenski still cleans latrines. “You just suck it up and do it,” Szarenski said.

The United States, with China and Russia, is considered a powerhouse in Olympic shooting, but that was not always the case. In the 1950s, the Soviet Union seized on the poor performance of American shooters as a way to demonstrate military dominance.

“We were not winning anything,” said William O. Harden, who was drafted in 1957 and joined the marksmanship unit in 1960 as a rifleman. “It just didn’t happen because the Soviets and the Soviet bloc were so far ahead of us.”

Embarrassed by the Americans’ weak showing and dismayed at the overall quality of marksmanship in the Army, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the creation of the unit as a way to develop competitive shooters and to pass their skills along to other soldiers.

“He wanted to beat the Russians,” said Harden, who retired from the Army in 1982 and works as chief of the unit’s Custom Firearms Shop. The orders were to “build the best rifles, make the best ammunition, get the best shooters,” Harden said.

In 1964, the Americans won seven shooting medals at the Toyko Summer Games. Six of those medals, including two golds, went to members of the Army Marksmanship Unit. Four years later, members of the unit won two medals, and in 1972, three more.

Before long, the unit had a reputation as the country’s premier training school for competitive shooters.

“If you wanted to be a real medal contender, you had to join the military and be at the Army Marksmanship Unit,” said Robert Mitchell, the executive director of USA Shooting, who was a member of the unit in the 1970s.

Competitive shooting programs in the Air Force and the Marine Corps were also effective, Mitchell said, although their influence has waned.

Members of other units of the military still regularly qualify for the Olympic team. Stephen Scherer, who will be a sophomore at West Point, is competing in air rifle this year, and Keith Sanderson of the Army infantry is competing in rapid-fire pistol. Roughly a dozen of the more than 600 United States Olympians going to Beijing serve in the armed forces, including a handful from the Army and Air Force World Class Athlete Programs.

Although none of the Army’s female shooters are traveling to the Olympics this year, women have played an important role. Maj. Margaret Murdock won so many international events against men — including a silver medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics — that some of the men in the current unit speculate that she was a reason the sport created separate categories for women starting with the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

During the Vietnam War, the unit’s shooters traveled to Southeast Asia to set up sniper schools and sometimes fought on the front lines. Gunsmiths at the unit’s firearms shop used their expertise to help develop the M-21 sniper rifle during that time.

More recently, shooters have left the unit to serve overseas, including in Iraq, Kuwait and South Korea. In 2005, a group traveled to Iraq to train soldiers, although now they do most of the coaching before deployment.

Training 3,000 soldiers a year is the work that gives many of the unit’s members the most satisfaction, they say. What better skill can a deploying soldier learn, after all, than to be a good shot?

“You can see it on their faces, some of these guys,” said Sgt. First Class Tom Tamas, a rifle shooter who competed in two Olympics but did not qualify this year. “They’re not getting it. And we can pick that up, help them out.”

Some of the shooters appeared uncomfortable when asked if they ever feel guilty about being kept from combat. “No comment on that one,” Tamas said, crossing his arms and looking away. “I don’t want to go into that one.”

Since joining the unit, Hancock learned that a soldier with whom he had taken an advanced training course had died in Iraq. Hancock’s older brother, Matthew, 29, recently returned from his second Iraq tour.

“I know every night, I prayed for him to be safe over there and all the soldiers to be safe over there,” Hancock said.

But he said his assignment was to represent his unit — and the Army — by winning an Olympic medal.

“That’s really what I’m focusing on right now,” Hancock said. “I’m trying not to let anything else enter my mind.”

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 23:40:12 (ZULU)

NOPD Bullshit. Click.

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks. , U.S.A. - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 01:17:33 (ZULU)

I've been away from the Roster for a while and I didn't find anything in the archives. Has anyone tried the new Hybrid 100v powder yet? Does it live up to the advertising?

Scott Smith
Friday, July 11, 2008, at 02:02:04 (ZULU)

Apparently, standing behind the firing line is no great assurance of safety, where the 4 bore is concerned. Click.

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 02:41:59 (ZULU)

Insain dude,

Email inbound via the roster. If you don't get it hit me at:

bwhittington AT-SIGN badlandstactical.net. Thanks sir!

Bobby Whittington
Grandfield, OK, USA - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 05:11:39 (ZULU)

Bobby -

Suggest you go easy on "plain text" email address postings, the spam spawning scum will harvest it with automation...

use something like "myname at microsoft.comnospamhere" to make it difficult to harvest.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 11:31:09 (ZULU)

Joe M: A while back you posted some web security advice. Do you remember the date? I'm not finding it.

CDC'
Friday, July 11, 2008, at 14:25:03 (ZULU)

book alert:

new Bob Lee Swagger novel coming...

http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/2008/07/michael-just-teases-you-little.html

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Thunder-Bob-Swagger-Novel/dp/1416565116/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215722706&sr=1-2

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 16:28:51 (ZULU)

I'm sure I can't be the only one here that wasn't aware of gunweek magazine, or the online version, www.gunweek.com , but I think I'm gonna have to subscribe. Based on what I've seen of the online version, it's the magazine I've been looking for. No kiss ass articles that make you wonder if the author gets a percentage of the sales. Mostly industry and second ammendment stuff I have to glean the back sections of the other magazines for, after skipping the articles about how great bushnell is, and the ones explaining why I need a $1,500 shotgun and a $500 fishing reel.

I can't really remember ever reading an article where the author admitted the gun was a jamming, no good piece of shit.

Anyone else know of some gun related periodicals that are overlooked, and keep the bullshit to a minimum? I'm gonna vomit if I read one more Glock article.

Also, if you had a June wedding, and are stuck for an anniversary present, my wife's selling Tupperware. She even has a website. Now, if she can sell enough of it to pay for the damned convention she's going to in Florida....... I keep stealing pieces of it for ammo, primers, etc., because they're handy, waterproof, and can handle the weight, so I don't end up having to dig ammo out of the seat cushions. Also good for storing guns and parts where they won't rust. They keep me from losing tiny little pieces made of unobtanium.

Speaking of unobtanium, does anyone know where I can find a replacement magazine tube for a 12 gauge Winchester 1897 takedown?

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 18:12:23 (ZULU)

Click for a new toy/cover your ass tool. I'd actually not mind having one of these on my home defense guns. Click.

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 18:26:07 (ZULU)

Click. Some people's kids....... Folks like this must be why California's government thinks they need to outlaw guns!

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 19:33:00 (ZULU)

CDC: I recall the conversation--and my post only regarded what I use as a firewall/ disc utility: Avanquest sys suite 8. It was the follow-on conversations that had other, better info in them:) I remember mentioning this...but dang if I remember when:(

Pelosi announces that drilling is a republican scare tactic that "is a hoax." There won't be any new areas opened according to her. If one does not think too highly of our elected reps in congress, they might just assume that the dem's do not want any downward movment of prices at the pump for fear that Bush--and repubs---would get the credit:)) naw...the loonies of the left wouldn't screw the country for the good of the party, would they??? Heheh. We deserve these clowns for allowing any idiot with a pulse to vote:))

In the mid to late 18th century, there were serious restrictions on who actually voted. The big difference is, of course, that they probably excluded more informed, knowledgeable voters then than we have participating in current day elections!

Joe M
Friday, July 11, 2008, at 21:20:19 (ZULU)

Travis,

You can click on my name for a link to Gun Parts Corp. or try Buckingham's Antique Winchesters at (731) 559-4169. He's not on the internet.

Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The steamy Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 21:49:46 (ZULU)

Travis:

"Small Arms Review" is a great gun magazine.

http://www.smallarmsreview.com/

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Friday, July 11, 2008, at 22:38:12 (ZULU)

Joe

Wasn't the Green Guy Al Gore that said we needed to artificially get the price of gasoline to 5.00/ gal. Well here we are. Let the greenies have more say and we'll be at 10.00/gal. Heard on Paul Harvey yesterday- With people driving (?) percent less, that the Dept. Of Transportation isn't getting enough taxes revenue and at this rate will be out of money in 2010. Go figure.

Gary Kaney
NW, ILL, - Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 11:45:55 (ZULU)

Among other sweetheart deals, Al Gore got a "no work" gig as a potted plant ond Google's board of directors. Apple Computer too, now that I think about it. He sits on his fat ass and collects $$millions. $5/gal doesn't hurt him at all as he flies one of his jets between conferences and mansions. He would have us living in tents.

There are Rulers then there are the Ruled.

What really pisses me off is the tone he takes when he talks down to us; Kind of a cross between Mr Rodgers and Bullwinkle J. Moose.

These people intend to be good Masters, but they intend to be Masters.

The American people could have 5 kinds of abundant, cheap energy if the Left would get out of the way.

CDC'
Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 13:42:09 (ZULU)

Yeah, the argument we hear about opening the outer continental shelf, ANWAR and the Florida coastlines is that "It will take 5 years before the first drop of new oil hits the market." The funnier parts of this argument is that we've been hearing them for about 15 years (thats a lot of drops of oil under the bridge), and that people just buy that shit hook, line and sinker without a second thought. First, the new sources and unsurveyed fields that would eventually go into production will affect the futures' market RIGHT FREAKIN' NOW by injecting a huge amount of "do not let me be the last guy holding anything above 60 a barrel contracts" into their thinking. That will move it down nicely alone, just on the psychological front. There will also be a major price move downward brought on by pragmatic Arabs: If the US, the world's biggest customer, is about to invest in major exploration of its own resources, then maybe they can slow or stop that new devolpment by spot-floods on the market, driving prices down to a point where it may be uneconomical to go after the deeper oil deposits, or the outer off shore sites. In that way, they protect their market share and maintain a a functional monopoly; and bet yer ass they will try hard to find that price point where we stop doing this. So, any single announcement on opening a sizable new area up to exploration will start these two mechanisms in motion. Period. It is the one fundemental that can always be counted on in otherwise unfathomable markets: Supply and demand.

The truth of the matter is, we do not have to sink the first well to shove prices down. All we need to do is lie our asses' off about doing it. That will get prices down short-term. Actually attempting the drilling will keep them that way for some time. And, every bastard in DC knows this: The only conclcusion that fits is the dems placed party above country on this one---cuz a major drop in gas will put GWB's approval rating to an all time high, and make McCain look great in the fall.

Personally, I think this little sword the Dems are playing with has two edges and they do not know it. By doing nothing until their guy gets in--the damages will be done and oil prices will be among the mega-assload of our other worries. Another two edged sword: Teen summer jobs have gone bye-bye. Tagging and other hooliganism is up in every reporting jurisdiction I've seen lately, and other crime will follow sure as sunrise. All so that we can artificially create a living wage at the lowest end of the scale:)) Live on nothing? And tell me that wasn't known in advance! Now the solution will be another guvmint program to "help" these poor youths...and bind them to the the nanny state yet all the more.

Shit...I'm either a high-end cynic or I've fallen down the paranoia tree and hit every branch along the way to psychosis:))

As for the green party-types: They are oxygen thieves. I say we round em all up, fatten them up on bio fuels (to max out the carbon entrapments), wrap thier carbon-based asses in a big tarp ballasted with heavy metal contaminates from superfund sites, and dump the whole mess into the Mariannas trench:)) The the rest of us can get on with cleaning the sea, air and land sensibly without threatening to starve anyone or to reduce their living standards to a mud hut and gathering.

If you think really big picture (to big to connect dots here), these dumb ass greens are paving the way to world war 3. Not these little regional skirmishes like we have lately--I'm talking national survival (whole populations) wars on a global scale. As a brain-washed military mind, I kinda like the challenge of this path...but only in a theoretical sense:))

But it comes back to cheap energy. To feed this herd of 6.6 billion mouths, we must have cheap energy. That is how we got to 6.6 billion in the first place. Mecical science my ass; you have to eat to live long enough to make it to a doctor! Look at a 1000-acre family op; to work the fields, ya need diesel. No way a horse team will get that much off the field in the times required. But, since the green movement here is largely an urban bunch, we could always enslave them and....never mind. To the trench with them anyway!

Joe M
Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 18:50:43 (ZULU)

"Kind of a cross between Mr Rodgers and Bullwinkle J. Moose"

Yeah...wipe the coffee off the screen' funny! And the inspiration of my old alias, Boris. Put in place as the army started to look into soldier's using the internet to talk shop. I knew what could be said and what to keep quiet on--- I just didn't want to have a conversation with a dumb-ass staff JAG about any conversations I had here.

Joe M
Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 18:59:03 (ZULU)

The entire journalist field just got dumber by half; Tony Snow died early this morning. He was one of the very few journalists I had tremendous respect for. Character counts.

Joe M
Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 19:51:04 (ZULU)

Joe:

I don't have your in-depth knowledge of the market forces affecting energy pricing, but your analysis sounds spot-on to me. Especially the part about *starting* new-source production having a salutory effect on the speculative forces currently driving pricing upwards.

I just wish government was a bit smarter and would limit use of human-consumable crops as feedstocks into bio-fuel production. Using waste straw, etc - great, wonderful idea. Turning human-consumable corn and wheat into biofuel has got to have an impact on food pricing...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 23:43:01 (ZULU)

Back from the sandbox, still airtight and upright. It was a long year.

My favorite SITREP line -- "Sniper observed and identified insurgent armed with a XXX and confirmed hostile intent. Sniper engaged with one round 300 Winchester Magnum (or 7.62mm Long Range). Spotter confirmed one enemy KIA."

I have orders in hand for Kirtland Air Base, New Mexico.

Where's them chiles?

sinister
Alpharetta, Georgia, - Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 23:50:40 (ZULU)

Joe:

I thought "Boris" was inspired by "True Lies", as opposed to directly inspired by Rocky and Bullwinkle... One of Arnie's better movies IMHO.

I watched Rocky and Bullwinkle as a child. Also Beany and Cecil among other cartoons. I can still recite the central lyrics for "Ragg Mopp" (based on the Ames Brothers song)

http://www.lyricsdownload.com/the-ames-brothers-rag-mop-lyrics.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beany_and_Cecil

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 23:54:26 (ZULU)

Sinister,

WELCOME BACK Sir! If you pass thru this way on your way to your new assignment and need a place to stay, you are welcome here.

Edited to add: Bring your stick, we will go shoot some on the Bruce Robinson UKD Ranges.

Bobby Whittington
Grandfield, OK, USA - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 00:01:52 (ZULU)

Sinister-welcome back good sir.

JoeM-let's not be too hasty about shuffling the greens off this mortal coil. They can always be used for harvesting ala the Russian model. Let 'em do low carbon footprint harvesting with scythes, pitchforks and horse-drawn wagons.

Think of what a lottery to supervise ol' Al at work in the fields would raise:))))))

WR Moore
Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 00:52:17 (ZULU)

sinister: Order a red combination plate with sopapillas and a dos equis from "Little Anita's".

CDC'
Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 00:53:24 (ZULU)

search tool demo :-)

Little Anita's

3041 University Southeast

Albuquerque,NM,87106

+1 505 242 3102

New Mexican cuisine

Category:OthersNeighborhood:North Valley

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 01:06:56 (ZULU)

Rod,

More impressive than a simple google search would be for you to find the post where Joe arrived at his alias "Boris"

medicjim
Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 02:28:15 (ZULU)

Sinister: Welcome home.

Rod: Waste straw does not have a good lobbying firm working for it. Corn, OTOH...

WR: Still gotta feed them...and the "harvest" in the Soviet Union was a major factor in the outcome. The greens would be more liability than farm hand...Toss 'em overboard!

Joe M
Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 05:21:49 (ZULU)

MedicJim:

First appearance of "Boris B" in SC archives:

http://www.snipercountry.com/roster/AllArchives/duty112005.asp

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 06:29:17 (ZULU)

I wonder who's going to cry the loudest when Venezuela sets up there oil rigs in Cuba and starts sucking oil out from under the Florida coast.

Gary Kaney
NW, ILL, - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 12:11:18 (ZULU)

Sinister WELCOME HOME SIR!! Send me a e-mail so I can contact you. KIRTLAND, you'll only about 180 miles away!! Heck I go to Albuquerque on a semi- regular basis!!

Sarge

Sarge
Southern Area 51, NM, USA - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 13:27:03 (ZULU)

Sinister,

Welcome home and thank you Sir.

Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The sunny Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 13:47:32 (ZULU)

Sinister,

Welcome home, and thank you, all of you, for what you are doing.

Sean T.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 15:32:19 (ZULU)

I lost my bookmark file (again!!)

Can one of you guys tell me the name of the company that sells the rebuilt cream puff Military rifles, like Springfields, P-1917s, Garands, M1-Carbines, Johnson 1941's etc.

Tnx.

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 17:58:45 (ZULU)

This article reminds me of the over-exposure of "soldiers" who speak out against the war, desert the service rather than deploy, or who actively oppose the civie leaders: The left points to these isolated cases and says "see? Even "they' agree with us":)) It is lost on them that the statistical analysis barely registers these cretins as a fraction of a percent against the overwhelming majority who see things quite differently,but there ya go. Here is another such case from a CIA retiree, click.

Talk about being wrapped in his own bubble tightly; to say that a nuke is low probability and therefore oughta be dismissed as fear mongering is to dismiss the fact that just one dud would suck bad for those in the local area:)) This guy breezes right past the Saudi export of madrassas, influx of sizeable muslim populations into the west, birthrates differences, and general regressions of assimilations within those existing immigrant communities. All are signs of a develoing threat that we really ought to take seriously. Our current ops can be catagorized as merely holding the line--pacing the threat if you will, while not reducing it. To "back off" and relax would be absolutley foolish. But, we have a highly vocal minority opinion that is well organized and positioned to win in the fall--willing to do just that.

Ken H: You really think I am off my rocker on the economy? Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac just got a huge vote of no confidence. If I am wrong, you oughta be buying up shares by the truckload of these two giants of finance--they are trading in the basement this weekend. But stay away from IndyMac--it was seized by the feds this week:)) Second biggest bank failure ever. My analysis is not based on analyzing any of these sectors alone: marklet performance, overhated bubbles in certain sectors, congressional spending, Fed key rates, inflatiionary pressures, guvmint interventions and regulatory policies, the war, energy pricing, or commodities' surging prices--nor just on the political shifts in policy or the size of the herd for that matter---but instead my views grew from the overall impact that these topics "trended' towards as a package deal. In other words, if you try to single source my analysis within any of these individual topics--you will find what you look for whether you want to refute me or to see that I am right. Within each is contradictory data; the market rises even as oil does on some days, and the Euro falls against the dollar here and there. By itself, these individual segments mean nothing. Taken together--I put on a tin hat:)) Mainly because I can envision what would come next too. As a very isolated example---a New Orleans' cop decides his duty to family rises above his duty to others. Doesn't matter that it is moral or not---just that it was. Aw, heck...do the math. At some point, any society will disintigrate. Our rule of law is the exception, not the rule of human experience:) To be immeresed in it all of one's life is to assume otherwise, eh? I put my money where my mouth is, to a large degree: No longer have an account with my broker:)) I do however still have a dang 401 that is heavy in stocks. Tax ass-whipping to divest that.

Joe M
Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 18:18:13 (ZULU)

'lito,

Are you looking for Mitchell's Mausers? If so, click on my name.

Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The sunny Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 19:35:09 (ZULU)

Sinister,

Thank you Sir, and welcome home.

HDR
OK, - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 19:44:29 (ZULU)

Sinister,

Welcome home, Sir!

'Lito,

I think you're looking for MilTech arms.

Click my name for primo pricy restored M-1, M-1 Carbines, 1941 Johnsons, Springfields, and Mausers.

Doc Mac
The Cradle of Naval Aivation, FL, USA - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 20:04:15 (ZULU)

JoeM: "Ken H: You really think I am off my rocker on the economy?..."

JoeM - I'm KenH -- is there another Ken that you were talking to? I have not challenged your economy analysis....

Sinister -- thanks for the service, greatful for your safe return.

Take care all,

Ken Hunter

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 21:50:17 (ZULU)

Ken H: I could have taken this any number of ways: "and thanks for helping our 'so called' sagging economy (sorry - couldn't stand it)"--and I would bet now that I took it the wrong way. It was the "so called" part that made me think you were being optimistic on where things are going:)) Soooorrrrry!

I think I have found myself an internet scam; or, a too-good-to-be-true deal on a F350 dually diesel. If this can go down face to face, I will have to buy another dang ford:)) The price screams "scam" though...as well as the email addy.

Joe M
Monday, July 14, 2008, at 02:21:14 (ZULU)

decent search engine for people: http://www.zabasearch.com/

I also searched "her" email addy on the domain that allegedly hosted it---no such addy.

Rats...a scam.

Joe M
Monday, July 14, 2008, at 02:43:33 (ZULU)

Sinister,

Welcome home and THANKS!

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Monday, July 14, 2008, at 02:44:07 (ZULU)

Joe M: Don't worry about rationing your "got mildots?" t. Got a new batch coming up soon.

Joe

Joe Ducos
Turlock, CA, - Monday, July 14, 2008, at 03:02:39 (ZULU)

Sinister,

Welcome home, Sir, and Thanks Very Much.

jc
Cordova, TN, USA - Monday, July 14, 2008, at 04:55:06 (ZULU)

sinister: One of my nephews knows the good from the okay. He recommends "El Pinto" and "Los Quates". "El Patio" is good and is close to the base. It is located at Silver and Harvard.

Thanks for your good work and congrats on remaining upright and air-hole free.

CDC'
Monday, July 14, 2008, at 05:15:06 (ZULU)

Joe M, I don't radically disagree with your projections, for they are possible, I just don't see them going that badly, simply due to the rest of the world being even more FUBAR.

I, for one, like high food/energy costs, if the rest of the world is starving, they do Stupid Shit(TM), countries that do Stupid Shit(TM), generally cause the non brain dead Americans to wake the hell up that the rest of the world is precisely the shithole it has always been but they never clued in on til it hit them in the face. And we're still going to make the food, we may just do like the Asians are currently doing with rice and not export it(due to law) and then the ROW will find out just how SOL they are without food.

Concur about limiting the franchise being a good thing. On welfare? Are you a net drain on society? Politician? No vote for you until you unscrew yourself. Hell, if the USG simply stopped rewarding and perpetuating urban failure, more than a few "public disasters" would self correct. But the politicians need problems so that they are accorded the authority(money) they so crave.

My largest fear and greatest font of hatred is that the USG will continue the nanny statism and bail people out of the results of their stupid decisions. ANYTHING that disconnects the public from the cause/effect process is evil. It prevents learning/evolution. Let the market work, let businesses fail. In fact, the shareholders have far too little power over the corporate officers and CEO/CFO's. If you run a business into the ground, you should suffer the consequences of it. The risk/reward balance is AFU. Life in America is far too easy, too many people are just too damned stupid for the health of our nation. I'm not seeing too many people living in tents or out of cars yet, except druggies and other self destructive human failures so it simply isn't that bad, yet.

Hey, if it all goes to Hell, I have a stocked refuge on the military crest of an agricultural area with long sight lines and geographically limited access to heavy vehicles that I don't have the firepower to deal with. Joe, you house isn't too far off my path to get their, think due W about 120miles.

It pays to have options:) S/F.....Ken M

Ken M
Monday, July 14, 2008, at 08:15:23 (ZULU)

Pablito,

Another one is Springfield Sporters.

John
WI, - Monday, July 14, 2008, at 13:07:30 (ZULU)

Doc Mac...

Thanks.

Miltec is the one - I have the hots (but no money) for a cream puff clunkie ol' P-1917, and I wanna keep their website in mind in case I discover some greenies.

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Monday, July 14, 2008, at 15:00:42 (ZULU)

I dropped 'yoke bait' an email the other day and got one back. He's apparently doing a bit better health wise and is still getting out to shoot here and there...

Just thought some of you would be interested.

medicjim
Monday, July 14, 2008, at 16:35:59 (ZULU)

medicjim....are you coming down for the "father son shoot" in August???????

Got back from Montana 2 weeks ago..49 day varmint killin' road trip with the dog and a bunch of guns was great fun but it was wet and cold a lot of the time. Still, shot a serious bunch of bullets despite the weather. Shot some in North and SD on the way back. Home in time to work on woodchucks as the first of the hay is now cut.

Rod and Brock say Hi!

CDC...Have you shot a Springfield EMP yet?

Glad to see little has changed here.

outa here

markwell

the Alleghenies, WV, - Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at 02:55:36 (ZULU)

John,

Glad to hear you had fun out west. I won't be coming down for the father / son shoot...my son is not quite up to it (he is now 5 weeks old and his form behind the rifle is terrible, what with the drool and all <g>). You guys are doing a great thing with that match, I hope it's still around when my little guy is old enough to attend.

medicjim
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at 13:57:10 (ZULU)

story about the porous Pakistan/Afghanistan "official" border:

http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/World/1067679.html

Published: 2008-07-15

Little more than a toll booth

A $1 or $2 bribe will buy entry into Afghanistan from Pakistan

By ALEXANDER PANETTA and A.R. KHAN The Canadian Press

SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan — Bribing your way out of Afghanistan through the border still costs less than a cup of coffee, even seven years after the Sept. 11 attacks made this region the centre of the international war on terrorism.

Rampant corruption at the Pakistani border was documented by The Canadian Press in several dozen trips through one of its few supposedly official crossings.

The history of this chaotic frontier goes a long way to explaining the decades of ongoing violence in Afghanistan, and the ubiquitous role played by Pakistan.

Generations of dispute over the border have helped trigger a chain reaction of Pashtun nationalism, Islamic militancy, the rise of the Taliban, and the modern-day insurgency.

Even some of the guardians paid to protect the border today treat it as little more than a personal toll booth.

Pakistani border guards demand $1 or $2 bribes through a well-known catch phrase that is familiar to many of the estimated 40,000 people who cross this frontier every day.

"Open your mind," Pakistani guards would tell passersby at the road crossing between Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, and Chaman, Pakistan.

They would then stick out their hands.

If they received their payment — 50 or 100 Pakistani rupee notes — they would tuck it into their pockets and then allow the traveller through with either a hand gesture or an unspoken glance at the crossing.

A freelance reporter who made the trip multiple times noticed that only when the bribe wasn’t paid did guards ask for a passport or ID card.

Bribery was not an issue on the Afghan side. But border guards there systematically waved people through without demanding ID and only asked a few questions about a traveller’s residence and destination.

The ritual was much the same coming back into Afghanistan through the double-sided checkpoint: the Pakistanis took bribes, the Afghans asked a few questions, and rarely did either ask for documents.

From there, a pedestrian traveller could hail a taxi and ride into Kandahar City or Quetta, Pakistan, for less than $10.

And this was at one of the few declared checkpoints along the 2,500-kilometre border.

There are hundreds of well-known illegal crossings, and an unknown number of mountain passes, foot paths, and goat-herding trails through the mountainous region.

Canada has budgeted $32 million over the next three years for initiatives aimed at improving international co-operation and new technology to help close this porous boundary.

The neighbouring countries have revived talk of introducing a biometric ID system at border checkpoints. The last time they tried installing one in Spin Boldak-Chaman, it lasted two days.

Rows of computer systems are now gathering thick layers of dust just a stone’s throw from the checkpoint after major protests on both sides of the border disrupted the project.

One Afghan man says the high-tech scanning system was abhorrent to the region’s Pashtuns, who dismiss the idea of being screened to visit their families across the border.

"I cross the border without any passport," says Abdul Nafey, who lives in Spin Boldak and transports goods back and forth.

"We have a lot of close relations in Pakistan with other Pashtun people."

A Pakistani businessman named Haji Akber says: "Pakistani security knows the people very well. They can judge strangers by their eyes, and then ask for money."

Tensions flared over the border again several weeks ago when Afghan President Hamid Karzai threatened to send troops across it to chase down militants who find sanctuary on the other side.

Pakistan’s prime minister countered that even if every soldier in his country’s mighty army were stationed there, they could never block the notoriously porous border.

It was far from the neighbours’ first dispute over the frontier, and the impact of their longstanding spat has been far-reaching.

Afghanistan and its dominant Pashtun ethnic group have never accepted the boundary established in 1893 by British diplomat Sir Mortimer Durand.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at 23:31:53 (ZULU)

Dubb-ya did a news conference today. He agrees with JoeM about the drilling ban...

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at 02:52:05 (ZULU)

Markwell: "CDC...Have you shot a Springfield EMP yet?"

No. Tell me about it.

Click my name.

CDC'
Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at 07:31:57 (ZULU)

Sharon,

That's no reason to stop listening to Joe!

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at 09:50:05 (ZULU)

JoeM: My crack about helping our "so called sagging economy" meant "thanks for adding your share of $$ to the economy through the purchase of those two hawgs recenttly..."

Take care all

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at 11:55:57 (ZULU)

Travis, I did NOT say I was going to stop listening to Joe...

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at 14:36:38 (ZULU)

CDC Being a orange Gunsite Guy like you the 45 ACP is my First love. Started shooting 9mm 1911s for IDPA several years ago due to arthritis in my wrists and hands. Even had Kurt Wickman build me a Commander in 9mm to carry....Anyway, I've always had a case of "butt pinch" with Commanders when carried IWB..Mostly when in the car/truck; not always, but 30+ years of it caused me to look at guns with slides a bit shorter than the Commander. This past winter at a gun show the EMP caught my eye and I decided after handling one to give the little bugger a try, even though it's a 9mm. Had some trouble and sent it back. Was a very early production gun and it had some fleas. Came back with a new slide, re-cut feed ramp on the ramped barrel, and some other stuff.... The little gun has now run in excess of 2k rounds without a hitch and doesn't pinch my butt in the car. Had the front strap checkered 25 lpi and did away with the ambi safety; other than that it's totally stock. trigger is good at a bit over 4lbs. Accuracy is way better than I expected; head shots at 25yds are easy if you bear down and press. Carrying it in a cut down GW Davis 455 IWB holster. Mag capacity is the same as the Colt at 9 rounds. Mags are Mec-Gars specific to the EMP. Am carrying 124 Federal Hydra-shoks. Weight is essentially the same as a Commander and recoil is very managable. It's a cool little carry gun. Have even shot it in a few matches.

outa here

markwell

the Alleghenies, WV, - Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 01:18:39 (ZULU)

Markwell: How much did your mini-1911 cost? Can you get extra mags?

CDC'
Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 03:15:29 (ZULU)

Happened to be leafing through the Cabellas book whilst in the meditation chamber. Bushnell is producing an interesting scope for them with Mil-Dots and 80 or 100 (depends upon model) MOA adjustments. Listing a skosh under 800. Anyone actually look at these?

Since Meade sold Redfield et all, to Loopy, wonder what will happen to the revisions to the tactical line they were promising for this summer?

WR Moore
Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 15:22:57 (ZULU)

Per Joe M.......he's in NC. Blake graduates from Basic tomorrow, on to Airborne school on Monday. He's one proud pop!

Geoff M
WI, USA - Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 21:32:18 (ZULU)

WR Moore...

That $800 Bushnell somehow got past the lady that engraves the elevation markers so you know how many turns you have mad on the turret.

Without those hash marks, you cannot use the elevation turret to dial in ranges, cuz you can't know where you are.

BADD!!!

Meade's career in the shooting sports sure was short - they have dumped it all, after screwing up several of them.

It's a shame, cuz they make great astronomical scopes.

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 21:53:20 (ZULU)

CDC EMPs run around $1K. Mags are available and not overly expensive, although I forget how much; I have 6. Only thing I'd do if I were the factory (and I had mine done 25lpi) is checker the front strap. Other than that the little bugger was good to go, after the return trip to Ill......................

the Alleghenies, WV, - Friday, July 18, 2008, at 01:32:58 (ZULU)

Well, Obama came throught the Embassy today. The net effect of his visit was to make us lock everything down until it was too late for us to convoy back for any kind of dinner. Not an auspicious start, nor was it calculated to win my support. As shitty as the food is (ever wish you WERE eating an MRE?), it's the high point of my day. I'm not impressed.

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 16:56:13 (ZULU)

Dammit, Charles, I was counting on one of you guys to have an ND or something when I saw that horse's ass on T.V. this morning. He's, in my opinion, potentially the worst thing to happen to this country, EVER! What a piece of shit.

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 04:30:32 (ZULU)

Travis,

Dont give up on our boys just yet....

We can still hope they missed an IED.And if it did happen that way then the Anti's cant say "Gun Control".But as much as you,I and the some others would love to see it...

It wont happen.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 13:56:01 (ZULU)

Yeah,

I saw Candidate Obama on tv. No matter what channel you turned to there he was in that gym in the 'Stan shooting hoops. Sure made me want to vote for him.

His plan is based on his hatred of the USA. He loves taxes and hates this country. Sure sounds like a good liberal democrat to me. The media won't touch anything that might hurt his image of being such a breath of fresh air. He failed the "sniff" test many years ago. A POS if ever there was.

Bill

BillBledsoe
HA!, HAHA, USA - Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 19:15:40 (ZULU)

My wife said she wanted to Sky Dive, so I gave a gift certificate for her birthday.

Mannnn...that was a HIT. She couldn't stop smiling. At $180/pop this could rin in to $$.

My kids told me that they prefer golf to shooting.

Tears came to my eyes.

CDC'
Monday, July 21, 2008, at 04:40:26 (ZULU)

CDC:

Have your children tried Sporting Clays? Shooting sport's answer to golf...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, July 21, 2008, at 06:55:59 (ZULU)

UnPat,

You fucker! Next thing, you're gonna be telling little kids there's no Santa! Don't go bashing my hopes! If I could get three wishes, one of them would be for Hillary and Obama to get blown up while she's reaming him with a strap-on. ....in the CNN studio.

CDC,

Maybe all those "Arts" programs weren't such a good thing! None the less, I feel for ya.

Mine's 12, and seems to enjoy shooting when I take him, but if I ask him if wants to go, he always says, "no". WTF kinda 12 year old boy don't wanna go shooting? He did alright at sporting clays during one of the Young Hunter Education Challenge events I was volunteering at, but when I took him to find a shotgun for him, he said he didn't want one! WTF ???

He likes golf, too, so I go hit a few balls with him at the park, but I really don't get why anyone would spend time on golf when they can have shooting or rodeo gear handed to them.

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Monday, July 21, 2008, at 07:35:13 (ZULU)

Golf is the sport of industry-any industry. Whole bunch of stuff happens there. Somebody thinks shooting is expensive needs to price the gear and greens fees for serious golf.

After hearing about what goes on at our company golf outings, I decided I wasn't gonna dig the clubs out of the basement-haven't been on a course since I was 23. For certain personalities, riding around drinking, the after the round bet settling session at the 19th hole etc. is appealing.

Like several other physical activities, it can be absorbing if you wish to do well. There's a whole lot more actual thinking/planning going on than is apparent.

What puzzles me, is how many golf courses there are. What we need is another range building outfit to take advantage of the current situation. Someone who learned from the Winchester Gun Club thing.

WR Moore
Monday, July 21, 2008, at 12:51:44 (ZULU)

re: Golf

Concur with WR Moore's comment "Golf is the sport of industry-any industry". Lots of golf-centric sales conferences in the Information Technology industry. My guess would be that it is a slow-paced sport that can safely support a big spread of skill levels, and lots of opportunity for talking. Perfect for inter-personal "networking". Prefer the shooting sports myself :-)

I don't know why teens would be attracted to golf.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, July 21, 2008, at 16:45:52 (ZULU)

Fort Benning does not specialize in turning out Infantrymen; it also has a niche in turning boys to men:) Wow..so that is what my relatives meant all those years ago when they said "you changed..." My theory is he has accomplished something he is deeply proud of--with no mommy or daddy to water it down or to catch him if he failed. A major challenge with no safety net, all on his own. His shoulders squared with an air of confidence that wasn't there before. His voice was full--no mumbling; his gaze set on those he spoke with. He was respectful and polite to everyone around him all wekkend, while being sure of himself and what he wanted...man, was I ever the proud pops. His mom was blown off her rocker, and just beamed thru her tears all week. I was only going to go to the airborne grad (next month, 15th or 22nd) due to my girls' being my charges full time now---glad i found a way. I had to though, since he took the long way thru the process; that he stood up when quitting is the usual outcome made it a bit different. I just had to be there for both for that reason. And, he graduated from the same barracks I did 26 years before:)) It took me a while to figure that out, since my one landmark--the old Sand Hill theater, was gone. And all the little planted pine bushes are now towering trees!

Atlanta Airport will never be a destination, transit point, or a originator for my travel again if I have anything at all to say about it. What a shithole. That city is corrupt, and Hartsfield is their cash cow. The sooner the state seizes it from the city the better--and until--no way I go back. FUBAR is all I can say...So I drive the truck down next month! Between rentals and airfares, it isn't a bad idea anyway. Lodging is easy as my mentor lives at the halfway point.

Interesting article---some good comments as well. Click.

Golf had its uses; the GWOT largely eliminated that. For that, I was grateful. On another note of some topic relevence--Fort Stewart used to have a skeet range that adjoined a fairway on one of the holes of the O club course. A friend was shooting skeet. Same friend called Abizaid a "tactically inept POS" on Grenada years before--and was suffering the reversal of fortune that comes with insulting a petty man who had big connections. One day, while blasting clay, an overly early party of four wanted to play thru. The big fat guy with the loud voice told the skeet range to cease; but the rule was those hours were for shooting. My bud told the fat guy he'd leave if he beat him in a round. Went to a few extra rounds before the tie was broke. The fat guy would have to wait to play thru. Fat guy was Stormin' Norman...and the clay ressurected my bud's career:)) He was hired on the spot as his aide, but had to be promoted to Major as Norman was getting his third star. My bud was on conditional continuation of service as a captain with pass-overs at the time, too dedicated to leave, too fucked to make it meaningful to stay. Last we saw each other, he was commanding a brigade team and John Abizaid had just announced retirement. That occasioned a procurement of some good, aged contraband and two cubans as we watched his his company teams light up Udari range from a tower:)) Golf has its uses...but shooting sports are better, eh?

Joe M
Monday, July 21, 2008, at 16:55:15 (ZULU)

THe link Joe posted in his name is interesting. More interesting are some of the comments posted by readers of the article. One that really captures the imagination:

"This is a good article, but I'm getting really tired

of people assuming that "they" are making

mistakes.

These are expert fisherman. They know how to

set the worm during the bull and reel in during

the bear.

They don't make mistakes.

Mistakes are only a cover for their agenda.

Just like the war in Iraq.

Just like the Great Depression.

Just like the creation of the Federal Reserve.

When an agenda is contrary to public benefit.

Mistakes are how they explain their actions."

And apparently, as one reader pointed out, a group of about 15 of the top world financial institutions have been banned from short trading with each other. Hmph.

All very interesting. I don't buy any large scale conspiracy crap. But I could go all in on a theory that says the top 5% richest people in the world are greedy enough to systematically engage in conduct that screws up the financial system for the rest of us, no cooperation or conspiracy required.

Geoff M
WI, USA - Monday, July 21, 2008, at 18:27:52 (ZULU)

Travis,

There is no Santa.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Monday, July 21, 2008, at 19:05:24 (ZULU)

Geoff: Turn the cash "worthless" thru inflation; squeeze the lower end of the income ladder on basic necessities; lose a pile of your own cash in the process (but who cares if it was rendered worthless)...and come out owning all the stuff on the far end:)) yeah, major economic downturn may wreck a bank's balance sheet in the short term--but owning all the places we need to live is not a bad trade off. There is much written along these lines on the Rothschild conspiracy. Whether it is or not doesn't matter---but the mechansim for the money changers is for fact--they lose for now, win later. A bad run of the economy looks bad for them, but isn't bad for them. No doubt about that...

Joe M
Monday, July 21, 2008, at 19:53:59 (ZULU)

Travis wrote, "Maybe all those "Arts" programs weren't such a good thing!"

I don't understand what you mean. How do arts programs make kids prefer golf to shooting?

So the kids learn to play golf. They come with me when I go to the range. They bounce golf balls around with .22s. Yesterday we did man on man comps on a spinner target. We had fun.

CDC'
Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 02:04:43 (ZULU)

Hawgs,

unless I messed up again somewhere that I'm not aware of, the archives are up to date again - my apologies.

Marius
Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 05:21:42 (ZULU)

UnPat, please advise before posting like that again, keyboards are hard to clean, and hard to replace in this part of the world! And, good coffee is too dear to spew on laptops....

Joe, I'm not really happy to hear about ATL. Company's switched from Emirates to Delta Airlines, and now I'm going to have to go through ATL instead of direct to Houston. At least they're still paying the freight for the trip. And I'm happy as a clam to hear about your son. You can't decide if yer gonna pass out, or blow up, huh? Tempus fugit.....

Anyone have any experience with Barrett's new 6.8 Grendel M4 variant? Just saw one on the BW website, went over to the Barrett page and took a look. Interesting, and I'm gonna need a new toy for Christmas, and a new reason to head up to B'Lands for a week. LMK if you have any comments.

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 07:41:25 (ZULU)

Correction to last post, I meant 6.8 SPC.

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 15:00:59 (ZULU)

Charles,

Sorry about that...Shot that one out there without thinkin.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 18:08:54 (ZULU)

Back when I used to travel a lot on the east coast, the phrase "Atlanta Standard" referred to a 2 mile walk and a 2 hour wait."

The joke was, "When I die, I don't know whether I'm going to heaven or to hell, but I'll surely have to change planes in Atlanta."

Lindy
Mountains of Colorado, U.S.A. - Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 21:31:34 (ZULU)

Geo-political country -

Just finished a great book called "The Second Russian Revolution" by a BBC staff writer named Angus Roxburgh. Sources for the book were his own reporting and interviews with many, many people in the Communist Party and Soviet Government during the 80s and early 90s....including all the top politicians of the times such as Gorbachev himself, Boris Yeltsin, etc. The thrust of the work is Mikhail Gorbachev and his "glastnost" and "perestroika" programs. The book details Gorbachev's rise to power, the internal power struggles of the Soviet goverment and the Communist Party, and goes over, step by step, the different changes Gorby implemented, the direct consequences to the Soviet Union of those changes, the backlash by conservative (hard core communist) factions, etc.

What a great book. It lends some perspective to the thought that Reagan singlehandedly brought them down. He didn't. Us fighting the spread of communism was the right thing, but it wasn't the defining factor. It also illuminates another reason why Reagan is so hated by the liberals...they believe he killed off the world's bastion of communism. Once again, he didn't, but I'm sure liberals will continue to cling to that notion rather than believe that communism collapsed under it's own weight.

I can't believe that people in the USA consciously want the government to have more power and responsibility rather than less. The Soviet Government is the highest example of top heavy and underperforming, dehumanising bureaucracy ever, and illustrates where the liberals would take us once they get their way and the problems get worse instead of better. Socialist or not, when the government has complete control, it's always worse rather than better. Something the Founding Fathers knew, but liberals do not. With information like this out there that details the utter failure of the one country that tried pure 100% socialist policies and government control, I can't believe there is anyone left on the planet that continues to espouse these policies as a solution to the relatively minor problems we face in the United States.

Highly recommended reading.

Geoff M
WI, USA - Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 21:13:57 (ZULU)

Click. Guy dies after being tased nine times. In the dept's history, they've used the taser 14 times. 10 were on this guy.

Methinks we have a Darwin Award nominee! Should officer "Fun Button" get an honorable mention for the assist?

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 21:37:50 (ZULU)

Morgue: We're up 360 USD per 1000 invested in dinars, dude! And that is just marginal stability appreciation...just wait til they settle the petro-dollar legislation and open foriegn oil company investment (all pending final details and voting)---oughta take off pretty good. Qatar's currency is a downer though...luckily that was only beer money:))

Geoff: Reagan did a bit more than build up the military, or act tough at Brandenburg. Those histories are yet to be written, pending declass. The thing was, the soviet economy was a shell game, but it wasn't all lies for the west's benefit--they lied to each other too about how sunny things were in various sectors. Knowing that made for some interesting ops. A wounded giant is sometimes worse than the healthy one, eh? Reagan was the right guy at the right time...a carter or a mondale would've found a way to prolong the inevitable death:))

Joe M
Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 22:30:15 (ZULU)

W.R. Moore said, "What we need is another range building outfit to take advantage of the current situation. Someone who learned from the Winchester Gun Club thing."

Maybe meds are making me dense, but what do you mean? What was the "Winchester Gun Club thing"

Rod,

I fear that my kid's generation will be too lazy for golf, and will do their networking via LAN while playing "Halo". I know some that are too lazy to load magazines, and would opt out of real shooting for the gaming version, where they simply press "R" for all the loading and mag changes they need.

Just the other night, I was wondering what happened to the days when "networking" in the south happened while dove hunting(or quail, or pheasant, or ducks), then deals were sealed over bourbon?

Joe,

Maybe you could hook up an auxillary tank and cruise down there burnin' free veggie oil? Between the free fuel and the parental high you're on right now, you'd not stop smilin' for a month!

CDC,

The "arts" teachers are mostly liberals, and too often use their position to preach their idiotic viewpoints. I've noticed several kids I know that have somehow gotten the idea that guns, shooting, and doing anything in the outdoors other than hugging a tree is ditasteful. After speaking with them for a while, it became pretty clear where this seed of stupidity came from. Their fucking hippie teachers.

Charles,

You like Starbucks? What kinda blends or flavors do you prefer? I've gotta pretty good selection I could send ya,(unopened, of course) now that my GI tract seems to rebel whenever I have more than a few cups a week. Rostermail me an address for a coffee and Copenhagen supply drop. I can throw in a few outdoor magazines, as well. I've been saving coupons for the Cope.

If you're flying Delta, bring a change of clothes or two. Those idiots lose my baggage every time. I had to wait over two weeks one time. That's bullshit.

Travis Morgan
Wichita, Ks., U.S.A. - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 00:40:41 (ZULU)

Oil prices dropped! To what? 124 FRN? BFD. That is 100 plus above the inflation adjusted average of 24/ barrel that has remained steady for many years. Click for a great history of oil pricing. I get tired of my liberal family telling me that a 4% rise in the market proves me wrong when that merely meant that the losses are "just 23%" as of that point. Duh.

What the drop does show is that the dollar is screwed and that the world, including OPEC, is bound to the dollar's decline just as we are. A cycle has started that can only feed on itself.

Mexico's State Oil company is begging for a law change to get foriegn investment to expand production. That company is 40% of Mexico's government; without petro dollars, they lose parity with the cartels. Anyone care for a failed state on your doorstep? Yes, they export now...but current projection show a net importer within 3-7 years. I suppose I could explain several ways this will impact us negatively other than energy-wise, but what fun would that be?

GM and Ford are on the verge of a major downgrade on creditworthiness. The housing market is still settling out (downward) the excesses, and the larger problems facing us can only be addressed by throwing these and other sectors to the wolves. Thus far, not only are we unwilling to think of propping the dollar--we are actually trying hard to kill it. No one has the balls to tell us "tough shit"--so, instead we try to spend our way up from the depths. FWIW, Spain is the first to show the signs of the problem within the EU. Watch the slow-motion cancer spread over the next few months...

So what if the world takes a dive? How about the world calling in our debt? Care to mortgage entire towns? Imagine the second year of your home and the bank calls for payment in full...The problem is and remains too many dollars created from nothing...congress and the fed both are fueling a disaster.

On the lighter side, Obama "probably" is not the antiChrist and the mayan calendar was "probably" just missing a few pages.

Joe M
Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 02:15:57 (ZULU)

Travis-back in the 1960's Winchester decided that what the shooting world needed was an equivilent to the golf club and went about establishing a chain of Winchester Gun Clubs. The only one I went to was aimed at the skeet/trap folks on the upper end of the income scale.

Now I understand the skeet/trap thing, cause those folks shoot a lot and spend accordingly. The safety zone isn't as large as needed for rifle, but they could have arranged a pistol range. However, when asked, management at that site indicated that such a thing would lower the tone of the establishment.

At any rate and for whatever reasons, most of them went belly up.

WR Moore
Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 05:05:02 (ZULU)

Golf:

An ineffectual attempt to drive an uncontrollable sphere into an inaccessible hole with instruments ill-suited to the task.

jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 05:49:12 (ZULU)

Joe M: "the soviet economy was a shell game,"

Someone said that the unsolvable problem with the Soviet economy was encapsulated in a joke; "We pretend to work and they pretend to pay us". I'm not sure it applies, but it sounds plausable.

CDC'
Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 06:09:40 (ZULU)

Winchester Trap/Skeet Club in Sturtevant,just 15 miles away from me running strong.

The Playboy Club in Kenosha went....T/U.

For those runnin diesels...AVOID Pilot fuel.... seems they got some really bad fuel on the market.Easy to spot.Kinda yellowish-orangish color.Might run about 70 miles after a fill up,then leaves ya on the side of the road dead.Changin filters dont work.Gotta drain/bleed whole system and start over.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 09:39:41 (ZULU)

A certain other member of this board and I often talk about food/ water storage issues, stockage levels and other foodstuff related concepts (like seed in my case). Lately, the non-availability of stuff has been a topic. Here's one surprising reason, click!

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=70281

I can't think of a better endorsement for stockpiling some non perishables. Heheheh.

Joe M
Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 16:03:54 (ZULU)

JC,

Your description sounds like my last romantic endeavor.

Indiansinger

Roger C. Carpenter
Sweet Potato Capital, MS, USA - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 16:05:56 (ZULU)

Roger/ jc: The golf bit was funny as hell, the metaphor to romance put me off my rocker and unto the floor! Them's was good posts...

CDC: Applies...errr, applied. Speaking of the coldwar in the past tense is still a mental challenge for me, especially since Putin came along:))

UnPat: WTF? If it is excessive water, got the tee-shirt. But if they have worse stuff going on, the lawsuits will destroy them. Things like clogged or ruined injectors and blown seals on high pressure pumps cost major buckage.

The dems are bummed that fuel usage is down if only because so is their fuel-tax revenues (pork funding, vote-buying highway slush pot). So, while I pay stupid diesel prices thanks to these fuckwads (ultralow sulfer standards and lack of refinery to handle the mandates)--all for growing corn, I might add; and you and you and you feel the pinch as well---these dems now want to increase the tax by 10 cents a gallon to make up revenues! OK...think about it this way: These same asshats claim that excessive taxing on cigarretes is designed to scale back usage---now they want to apply the same thinking to gas to get MORE money? How can they know that increasing taxes will reduce use on one hand, while expecting to somehow get more money from this increase? I really did not need this example to know that they are idiots...Oh, and the rich will drive still drive...it's the poor who will walk. And pay me for that tax thru their food bill too:)) "Progressive" applies to these clowns only in levels of stupidity...as in progressively dumber by the day.

It is all part of the cycle of economic doom I keep preachin' here.

Joe M
Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 16:22:15 (ZULU)

re: shotgunning

The conventional wisdom is that the shotgunners are the wealthiest of the sport shooters...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 16:31:18 (ZULU)

One of the reasons that economic data often conflicts with my analysis can be seen thru currency moves against the dollar: A great example is "Mexico's Peso at 6 year high against the dollar." Which means that 6 years ago, the mexican peso was just as high as it is now, and nothing bad happened. Ok, fair thought process and the article is designed to make that the conclusion. But, without knowing that the mexican peso also was soaring over most other currencies at the same time (due to new assessments on their oil reserves)--it is a moot point. You should expect any given currency to have good days and bad--and to isolate any one against the dollar is done to portray a devil-may-care attitude about such movements. But, that is not the way to track currency--it is better to track a broader trend against numerous currencies, and why such movements take place. Generally, there are easily identified market forces at work. In today's case, the force at work is devaluation due to too many dollars chasing tight markets. The more you print, the more they want. And...we are printing at record pace. So, do not look at any single point of reference in the markets to try to divine where we are...look at the broadest picture you can, and add in some down-home psychology to boot. Then, make your assumptions.

Joe M
Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 16:41:36 (ZULU)

re: food stockpiling

Joe, you're (justifiably) scaring me...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 16:50:32 (ZULU)

Joe M,

Cant say for sure what it is.It almost sounds like water/rust.But I was told it isnt.I got it from a driver,and seen a warning issued in in print on it.Most of the fuel I have been seein is green to greenish blue.Problem stuff is yellowish-orange like I said and as far as I know it is from Pilot.Will try and gather more info and will let ya know.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 19:18:25 (ZULU)

The low sulfur diesel we use on the railroads is dyed orange/red. The dye is used to designate if the fuel has been taxed or not......red fuel is not taxed and is illegal for on-highway use.

Willing to bet Ken M knows what is going on......

I'm getting more hours now and gonna start looking hard at a .50 upper when I can start playing with some riffles again. I don't want an AR50, too heavy and it's a gun, not an upper. The BOHICA upper is reported to have some minor extraction issues that have been fixed with a "Mk 2" release. Also, there is an outfit (Safety Harbor) that has a magazine fed repeating upper for under $2k. Available barrels include 18" (OUCH!), 22", and 29". I've seen one report of one making hits on a 10" plate at 1500 meters. Anybody here have experience with it?

Geoff M
WI, USA - Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 21:18:36 (ZULU)

Offroad diesel is dyed purple/red and its huge fines if it's found in an onroad diesel. I occasionally find people using it in reefer trailer units.

The yellowish stuff is standard ULSD(Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel) which has been the rule since late in '06 for the '07 emissions compliant engines. It requires a fairly complex additive package to provide the same lubricity as older low sulphur diesel, which can be green'ish tint in some cases. If you get some fuel that did not get the proper additives, ULSD can kill fuel pumps and injectors PDQ. The 07 EPA motors are pure shiite with the added crap often going wrong and shutting down the motor in many cases. IMO, there should always, ALWAYS be manual overrides on unessential BS like this emissions crap. I'd rather have a nice mechanical motor like a 400 BC VI Cummins or Cat 3406 mechanical which is a fully known quantity and will run until the operator breaks it. The pre-emissions(pre 02 actually, as some crap was foisted on us in 02) Cats and ISX Cummins are acceptable as the computer motors are more undoubtedly efficient but they are more fragile as there's more crap that can go wrong. S/F.....Ken M

Ken M
Friday, July 25, 2008, at 05:03:56 (ZULU)

"The conventional wisdom is that the shotgunners are the wealthiest of the sport shooters..."

That certainly seems to be the case at the gun club where I shoot. Followed closely by benchrest.

Long range (High Power, F-Class, etc.), with a few exceptions, is close to the bottom of the totem pole.

jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Friday, July 25, 2008, at 05:14:16 (ZULU)

Fuel Country:

This is what I been able to find out so far.

The problem fuel is in the Toledo Area.Dont know how many Pilots stations are affected.Boss says its water/rust related and is plugging the systems in 70 miles.Driver that told me about it,was gonna show me a sample of it,but got distracted when he saw my Shovel and started askin question about that.I was busy makin his trailer work and pickin up my tools and forgot to ask.

Offroad diesel is dyed red.Many farmers use it also,as well as heavy construction equipment.Big no-no for Highway use.Cant remember the fine but it will ruin your year.

Sorry about the redundancy...Was typin,cookin and eatin at same time Ken was just typin...

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Friday, July 25, 2008, at 05:32:30 (ZULU)

If it's rust related, it was probably some dummy who filled right after they started refilling the fuel bunkers. When you pump 10k gallons of fuel into the main tanks, it stirs up all the crap and the pumps suck it up into the trucks. Now, there are filters on all the pumps, but you can plainly see that some have not been changed in living memory. Or perhaps that station has not had their tanks cleaned or perhaps there is a microbe growth problem in their tanks. Or maybe the dude had a microbe problem in his tanks and the fuel he got had a decent biocide additive package and that clogged his filters/fuel system(or his tanks got dosed with biocide at some point in the past and it finally clogged his system). Or any # of things.

I find that changing the fuel filters only works about 10-20% of the time. But companies always want you to try it because they're cheap and don't want to pay for the tow toa dealer for proper diagnostics. And since I positively hate smelling like damned diesel for the rest of the day, I make sure to charge accordingly for this service. S/F......Ken M

Ken M
Friday, July 25, 2008, at 07:30:27 (ZULU)

A little friday morning satire.

www.jouster.com/cgi-bin/guntalk/config.pl?read=88289

Gary Kaney
NW, ILL, - Friday, July 25, 2008, at 12:47:39 (ZULU)

Guys,

A "Leatherman" type tool for AR-15:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=26570

FYI, YMMV

Duman
Friday, July 25, 2008, at 17:59:17 (ZULU)

Hey guys,

Recovering from emergency surgery today. I had some mild pain and just a wierd feeling. I opted to act on it and drive myself to the hospital in the middle of the night...no idea why, that little voice just said "do it, now". This would have been the end of me in an austere world.

Very humbling.

medicjim
Friday, July 25, 2008, at 19:24:26 (ZULU)

Well, this guy isn't too bright..... I think he's tempting Darwin.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=39193478

Duman
Friday, July 25, 2008, at 20:18:14 (ZULU)

Gary,

That guy can really write. Great satire.

Duman,

Damn! Another gadget that I may "NEED". That guy is lucky his wife didn't ventilate him as well as the house.

medicjim,

Glad you listened to that little voice. Hope you're not laid up too long.

Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The steamy Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Friday, July 25, 2008, at 21:43:23 (ZULU)

Medicjim:

Glad you dodged that "bullet".

Listening to that little voice can make all the diference.

The conventional wisdom is that our "little voice" is our subconscious, which is not as easy to distract as our conscious mind.

I vaguely recall that John Farnam commented upon the occasions when he was injured by enemy action in Vietnam, he had ignored what his little voice was trying to tell him.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Friday, July 25, 2008, at 22:50:32 (ZULU)

Medicjim...

What was broken?

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 02:03:36 (ZULU)

atypical acute appendix with damage to the intestine...

medicjim
Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 02:35:53 (ZULU)

"atypical acute appendix with damage to the intestine..."

Ouchie!!

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 03:59:16 (ZULU)

medicjim: Bad stuff. I'd HATE to die with a belly-ache.

CDC'
Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 06:01:29 (ZULU)

Joe M,

Think this fits in with some of the gloom and doom ya been speakin about?Doyle and Greenies wastin tax money. Click.

In case it dont work.

http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/BD/BD-CA-Diesel-Grant-Program.html

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 06:21:26 (ZULU)

CDC wrote "I'd HATE to die with a belly-ache"

Exactly...that's all the warning I had. I am stupid lucky.

medicjim
Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 15:41:00 (ZULU)

medicjim: Full recovery expected?

CDC'
Saturday, July 26, 2008, at 21:37:23 (ZULU)

Yes, full recovery and no drama expected at this point..

medicjim
Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 02:46:27 (ZULU)

CDC...

>"I'd HATE to die with a belly-ache."<

"Heey, Hoombre'. You have put a leeetle hole in my belly"

... Frank Silvera to John Russell - 1967

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 03:49:48 (ZULU)

CatShooter...

>>"You got a lot of hard bark on you, Mister."

Cicero Grimes to John Russell. He had a bellyache too.

====

medicjim; Then you dodged another one. Good deal.

CDC'
Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 04:39:19 (ZULU)

MedicJim: You are indeed lucky on numerous fronts, my friend. I think that you might have enough luck spilling over to warrant purchasing a lotto ticket:)) My acute appendicitis came with the wrath-of-God pain levels---probably due to my heathen life as a teenager. No ignoring--or mistaking--that excruciating "lie down and die" signal. OTOH, maybe God knew that it'd take that to get thru to me--while you only needed a subtle hint. Lucky you...so far as you made your own luck by paying attention:)) Glad to hear you avoided the septicemia that comes with the bursting nastiness...those two weeks were spent in a morphine-induced fog with an IV course of antibiotics....I think it was miseable; but damned if I can remember:)) At any rate--you beat some odds...time to play the numbers!

Western-country:)) My girls and I have been catching up on the spagetti's lately. They love those movies:)) Maybe it is the young Clint they like...uh-oh...

Peanut is departing for her first GS camporee right now. Mom is a nervous nelly:)) I think she'll do fine. She is starting to master the SAA clones this week. Now that is something to see: Big ol' gun with little paws wrapping it up. She likes the "boom" of 45LC over the "pop" of her pink riffle:)) But, she is ready for new challenges...and the camp is just another one to tackle.

Joe M
Sunday, July 27, 2008, at 17:04:44 (ZULU)

CDC: I clicked your link from your now missing post: "if you're gonna shoot, shoot."

Now, the question is: Where the hell did that whole post go?

Joe M
Monday, July 28, 2008, at 05:40:10 (ZULU)

Joe M: It was deleted. Here it is again.

For my "Best Spaghetti Moment" nominee, click my name.

CDC'
Monday, July 28, 2008, at 06:05:18 (ZULU)

medicjim.....Glad you're OK!!!

Had a delightful time at Ft Harmar rifle club on Sunday. They had a Quigly match for big bore single shots. Steel "bucket" at 250 yards. just loads of fun! Took the Sharps and just launched those big ol' bullets.

outa here

markwell

markwell
the Alleghenies, WV, - Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 02:19:10 (ZULU)

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. The main symptom is an oscillation in my left hand. Medication made it tolerable. The oscillation's amplitute is increasing and it is spreading to my right hand and jaw.

The medication helps with the shakes, but the stuff isn't all sugar and sunshine. Click for "mirapex" info and check out the side effects. I got a whole grab bag of those effects. The two that are especially problematic at the moment are insomnia and my new tendency to fall asleep at awkward moments, such as while driving.

Around town I'm good, but highway travel now has the potential of giving everyone involved interesting stories to tell. Everyone who survives, anyway.

It is difficult to over-emphasize how displeased I am with that.

One of my nephews and I are going to try to...hold on...

CDC'
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 11:43:23 (ZULU)

...climb the Grand Teton's Exum Ridge (click) in a couple of weeks. After 38 years of hopping in my rig and going any-damned-where-I-please, my wife is insisting that she drive me.

I'm going to have to do something different.

On the bright side; The "obsessive compulsive" side effect has made it easy to stick to an exercise program and insomnia has given me plenty of time.

CDC'
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 12:01:45 (ZULU)

CDC - sorry to hear about your condition, you had let out some hints to the effect over the years, so it comes as no surprise. I wish you luck on your climb, if I were closer, I'd offer to drive just so I could see the place.

medicjim
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 13:38:06 (ZULU)

Pakistan is quite the mess...all we hear about is how we need to do a surge for A'Stan, but all the while, that little mountainous slab of realestate could be an intentional deception by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. Their real interest might just be Pak's nuclear weapons...

From an editorial in the locally influential Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq (some of youz have already read this):

""It is as a result of [this deal] that peace in Peshawar is now in danger. Every other day there are indications that suicide bombers and vehicles loaded with explosives have infiltrated the city. Interior Security Advisor [Rahman Malik] has told the National Assembly that the situation in the NWFP is volatile, and that a limited [military] operation will be needed. Maulana Fazlur Rahman, head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), has told the Assembly that the NWFP government no longer has any authority [in the province].

"[But despite this,] the [NWFP] government is not taking a serious view of the situation in the province. The Taliban are running various towns in the province, and we are sleeping. By the time we wake up, the province may be [completely] in the hands [of the Taliban]. The lack of concern on the part of the NWFP government, despite the statements [heard] in the National Assembly... [and despite the situation in Peshawar and Swat], raises doubts regarding the [life expectancy] of this government..."

Now that is a sunny thought. We sit forces in A'stan and say "here we are, come and get us" while fully expecting our presense to be their immediate concern. Our problem is that we see meaningful results of anything as occurig tomorrow, or at the worst, certainly in our lifetime. They, OTOH, see change as something to effect over generations of descendants. It is that difference that may leave us blind to what their intent truly is. But those nukes...well, that raises the stakes somewhat, eh?

Our media ignores this and other signals of doom from that part of the world, largely because to sound any alarm about pakistan is to make McCain look like a better choice this fall. I do not think it is overt thinking on the media's part (that assumes more intelligence than I could ever credit them with)--but rather a choice was made politically by journalists, and now they desperately seek "facts" that can only reinforce their beliefs. Doubt, curiosity and honesty is long gone from the media.

Joe M
Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 15:37:36 (ZULU)

Joe:

In the meantime, IRoA is seeing an increase of Talib activity IVO Kabul City. Indian Embassy, various BBIED's and increases in rocket attacks and attempts. Diversion from real intent?

I'm getting a little leery of the ANA and MOI lately. MTR to and from Embassy is limited to very few routes, and some of them are getting closed off. I'm starting to feel like we're being funneled....current politcal situation/corporate policy dictates we roll in "armadillo" mode, all buttoned up. I hope the Level VI armor is sufficient.

OTOH, the food is getting better. Apparently, G4S may be a good thing.

Salaam.

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 03:11:02 (ZULU)

medicjim: "The Grand" is a spectacular-looking rock. We're considering the Upper Exum route. Click my name.

CDC'
Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 05:25:11 (ZULU)

Charles: I hated travelling dictated routes. The only solutions, really, are to either break the rules flagrantly or to roll out looking like the Polish Spec-Ops teams in Iraq (they were so anxious for a firefight that it was comical). Picture the beverly hillbillies' truck bristling with armament:)) But, across the boarder things are fallign apart fast. The 'new' government that the west was so anxious to get voted in is in disarray; they recently tried to move ISI from Mil to civilian control under the interior ministry--but the Generals said fuck you--and that was that. ISI, for those with memories, was the fanclub that propped up the Taliban, and now has AQ "sympathies" throughout its ranks. We knew this, know this, and still ignore it for various political reasons. The short term gain from such actions are in no way a viable long term strategy. Our current pay off is mere lip service, while AQ and Taliban slowly infiltrate all levels of this nuclear state.

Some interesting points from the fannie/ freddie collapse (quotes from articles):

"At issue here are what HUD calls its "affordable housing goals and subgoals" for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Authorized by Congress itself — ironically, in the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 — these goals strongly promote the purchase of home mortgages for social and political reasons, not because of the underlying soundness of the loans...HUD directed Fannie and Freddie to meet "subgoal performance figures" such that 45% of homebuyers whose mortgages they purchased would be of "low and moderate income," 32% would come from "central cities, rural areas and other underserved areas," and 22% of purchased mortgages qualified as "special affordable" — meaning, those made to "very-low-income families or families living in low-income neighborhoods."

And then there is this:

"However, by the mid-1990s the countries that had large trade surpluses with the United States — primarily in East Asia and the Persian Gulf — began to demand a better return on investment than that offered by Treasury paper. In response, the New York Fed began to buy them “federal agency” paper — including large amounts of obligations from Fannie and Freddie. This paid somewhat better interest, and while it was not officially guaranteed by the government in the way Treasury bills were — well, you know, if push came to shove, Washington could be counted on to do the right thing.

These foreign-government accounts now hold $985 billion worth of Fannie and Freddie paper. It explains why, in mid-July, Secretary Paulson (as well as Senator Chris Dodd, the Connecticut Democrat who heads the Senate Banking Committee) began giving press conferences about how sound the two firms really were, no need to worry. Behind the scenes, Treasury officials overseas made phone calls to the local central banks and finance ministries, stressing that the two mortgage giants would weather the storm."

So, the real reason we have a "mortgage crisis meltdown" and the real reason we have a tax-payer bail-out: Congress! So now if you piss off China or the arabs, they will repo your house:))

Joe M
Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 14:08:25 (ZULU)

/stupidity on my part deleted...

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 02:55:41 (ZULU)

Ken,

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/afghanistan.asp

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 03:53:54 (ZULU)

Regardless of the Snopes piece Obama is still a shithead.

jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 05:49:10 (ZULU)

I got the same e mail a couple days back also.It wouldnt matter to me if the author of it was ranked as low as a PFC,the authors credibility would still be higher then Obama's.

On a slightly differant note:

Took a run on the Shovel to see my Sis over the weekend,Angel followed in her Explorer(her back cant handle a 400 mile bike trip) and packed the rifle along too so I could play at the range.Jammin along at 5 over the speed limit and just enjoyin "Road Mode".

At two differant times I was cutoff and had to lock 'em up and slide it to avoid hitting the jerks.Traffic was light and there was nobody in front of me in either lane of a 2 lane road till I got clipped off.

What ever the reason they just HAD to be right in front of me when there was nobody else around.I thought it real interesting that both cars had Obama '08 bumper stickers.

Seems Obama's followers are just as disrepectful and rude as he is.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 12:45:37 (ZULU)

UnPat, if you'd said "clueless" instead of "rude" you'd have been just as correct. Workin' in Charlottesville now, and if the head-in-the-clouds adult children that make up the Left amuse you, this is the place to be. Parody is impossible: they beat you to the punch ever time.

SSG Mac
Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 13:05:38 (ZULU)

Sharon: that will learn me to not believe most of the stuff that comes through the sewage pipe - I mean internet...

take care,

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 17:10:57 (ZULU)

CDC

Good luck on the Grand. Tried it summer(Exum Ridge) and winter (East Ridge) but never summited. Climbed the South, and Moran (up Skillet and down CMC) and some lesser things in my younger days. The Tetons have always been one of my favorite places. To bad the whole area is over run with people with more money than God. My son would have probably moved to Jackson permanantly if he could have had a future there. Unfortunately, as you know, it's a tough place to make a living and realestate is out of control pricewise.

Anyway good luck on your climb; just the walk up Garnite canyon is worth the trip!

outa here

Markwell
The Alleghenies, WV, - Thursday, July 31, 2008, at 19:05:39 (ZULU)

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