Sniper Country Duty Roster

Wes

The advantage of the 6.5 Creedmore is that there is factory match ammunition available from the start. .260 was pushed as a hunting round and Remington never recognized the advantage of the cartridge as a match cartridge.

MedicJim

Lito is correct that "All of the AI chambers require the barrel to be set back 1 turn. The chamber is actually shorter than the original case."

Some gun plumbers either forget or try to skip this step and you have an headspace problem with non-rimmed (magnum) cases.

Good luck

Jerry

Jerry
Annapolis, MD, USA - Monday, March 24, 2008, at 01:45:46 (ZULU)

Lito, Jerry - Thanks for the advice.

medicjim
Monday, March 24, 2008, at 02:50:43 (ZULU)

AQ threatened the pope with a tape release, and the pope baptized a muslim in Rome; talk about in your face. They had to know the "legal" aspect under Islamic law about that sort of thing...so this is unusual balls for the Vatican.

Yotes are getting bold, they've been coming close to the hacienda these last few nights. Ya just never know what bedside firearm is the better choice sometimes:))

Joe M
Monday, March 24, 2008, at 03:19:43 (ZULU)

Rod and 'lito,

You were both right. I went on line and discovered that the .223 Rem LTR is a 1x9" twist. For a light weight, accurate starting rifle, the LTR is a good choice for the money. It doesn't cost an arm and a leg to tweak it into a deadly accurate rifle.

Indiansinger

Roger C. Carpenter
Sweet Potato Capital, MS, USA - Monday, March 24, 2008, at 14:51:23 (ZULU)

Gents,

Jerry, I understand about the 6.5 Creedmore being available as a factory round. My question is how many will really pony up for factory fodder...especially at today's prices. Most of the serious shooters that I know are all handloaders. On the other hand, if you have the back door key to Ft. Knox...

This effectively mirrored what happened when Black Hills Ammo legitimized the 6.5 X .284 Norma using Norma brass. Good Stuff and still my "go to" round for real precise work.

The .223 is a dandy cartridge. Although something with a bit more capacity might be better for the real heavyweight .224's (say 75 grains plus).

Wondere what the new 90 grainers would do in a fast twist barrel and a powder capacity like the .22/250?

'Lito-san, I'm going to have to get one of those "keyboard chronographs". I understand you don't even have to visit the range to get your results...;-)

Am visiting our range this week. Should be interesting...the .223 will be going along. Hopefully I can find and load those 75 grain A-max's before then. Any recommended loads?

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Monday, March 24, 2008, at 18:12:05 (ZULU)

Sir Wesley. This what MarcS was talkin about.

Seen on another site...

>"The 223AI gains 150-200fps more using light bullets - 40 to 55gr. That's enough increase to where it'll overlap the range of 22-250 velocities. A 223AI can actually replace the 22-250 depending on how it's loaded."<

He must pull the trigger Veeeeeeeeeeery hard!

Life is filled with assholes!

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Monday, March 24, 2008, at 21:56:58 (ZULU)

...and assholes are filled with...?

Joe M
Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 02:09:41 (ZULU)

Well, started another class today. Seems like Ground Hog day everything new being old. Got 32 bright eyed students, will see what they look like 7 weeks from now. :)

Pat - It is getting harder with my age beginning to show, but the youngens are a breath of challenge and boost my energy level. I try to stay with them and only one week between classes can be a challenge at times. You be careful with the Meth labs, that is some dangerous, explosive s**t, as you well know. I want to drink some beer with you!

Well it is after 11 already and 0530 comes real early for this old fart.

Stay safe guys and Hold Hard!

Rick B.

Rick B
Fayetteville, NC, USA - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 04:07:09 (ZULU)

Hello all, it has been a long time.You might remember me with the .338wm barrel frozen to my lips in alaska (long story)some of you might even remember the miss tropicana photo shoot,joe ?.I bought a zeiss diavari 6-24x72T and mounted it on a steyr hs.50 .Have not been able to find a range to sight in.

Litto,congrads on the ruggus.

out for now

scott s
key west, fl, U.S.A - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 04:10:01 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

On those 75 AMAX's, put as much Varget as you can get into the case and still get the bullet in. Same thing for 77 SMK's. Seat into the lands and let 'er rip. Just to double check; you are using a bolt gun, right?

Enjoy,

jc
Cordova, TN, - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 04:55:15 (ZULU)

Can somebody tell me why every time I try to edit a post the system says I'm an imposter???

Never Mind - uppercase, lowercase defugilty (SP?)

jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 04:58:04 (ZULU)

Scott S: Hey! Welcome back. I remember those shots---came in on the work server:)) Good plan, bad execution...remind me to explain CENTCOM GO#1 over a beer some day...

Joe M
Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 05:20:40 (ZULU)

Rick B,

I don't go out to break up labs so thats not a worry. I sit in court and watch some slick willy try to get them off after they get hauled in.

I am glad your still able to keep up with the young ones!! I really admire you for what your doing for the young guys. Just remember, "Old age and trechery will always overcome skill and youth" At least thats what I tell myself kind of like the "Older I get the better I was" I am sure thats true too!!(HA) Keep your powder dry!!

Pat
Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 13:15:44 (ZULU)

"Old age and treachery..." yup. Works. And it just keeps getting harder. Young guys on my team marvel at my ability to get in the turret and stay there, hour after hour, without having to get out for a break. What I don't tell them is that, after creaking my aged old ass up there, I really don't want to get out so I just stay put. Found out we don't just do Embassy security. Big boss is the RSO, so we do what he say. He say we do bank runs. Dismounted security for a soft-skinned Toyota carrying $(deleted). Like being a sardine in a sushi bar.....

Still having a blast, though. Like going back in time, but with all the arthritis and creaks, rattles and moans. ArmorGroup just got sold to some company named G4S. Never heard of them, supposed to be a big European fixed-site security company. Maybe they'll spend some money to teach Afghanis to cook.....

Got my first care package from Boudicca. A whole roll of Copenhagen, ahhhh......so if any of you were thinking of mailing some, I'm golden for now.

I miss my bolt gun.

Allah Akhbar, ya'll. (that's southern Pashto)

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 14:25:45 (ZULU)

Original Pat (HA!)

>""Old age and treachery will always overcome skill and youth""<

That has been my modus operandi for a long time - worked this last time too ;)

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 14:52:21 (ZULU)

Gents,

.223 Remington vs. .223 AI. For the life of me I can't see why you should have to turn the barrel back one full turn and then chamber to AI. Pulled the prints on the two cartridges and can see no reason why you can's just run a .223 AI reamer into the .223 Rem chamber and be done with it. Am I missing something here? Gotta admit the .223 AI is a sexy lookin' 'lil thing!

Mind you the only AI I've played with is the .35 Whelan AI and we started with a new Kreiger barrel on that one.

Charles, sounds like you're having a ball. Anything you need you can't get...with the exception of your bolt gun?

Rick B., Have fun with the new class. I know what you speak of since I just turned 57 this month. Now I know why I used to wonder why "old people" used to talk about medical problems so much! Now I are one!!! As an aside, what percentage of the class normally completes the course?

jc, yes, I am using a bolt gun for my .223 development. Although my M-4 seems to like 69 gr SMK's just fine! If I want gas gun precision I just reach for my G.A. Precision AR-10! The 75 grain A-Max's and Verget...is there any bullet/caliber combination that Varget won't work with?...;-)

'Lito, someone actually had the stones to submit that comment to the 6BR forum? He deserves what he gets. Can't happen unless someone repeals the laws of physics! Larger case capaciy will always deliver more velocity given the same bore diameter and bullet. Seems to me the .22/250 has 10-12 grains more capacity than the .223 Rem and probably 8-10 grains more than the AI version.

All for now. Have to take my two male mini-doxies to the vet for "sporterizing" and shots. Great little dogs.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 15:44:43 (ZULU)

"Sporterizing", eh?

Interesting choice of euphemism.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 16:36:07 (ZULU)

Sir Wesley...

>"'Lito, someone actually had the stones to submit that comment to the 6BR forum?"<

Same asshole - two different websites (6mmBR.com and PredatorMasters.com).

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 18:39:46 (ZULU)

GS4. I've seen a few of their armoured trucks rolling around Winnipeg lately. Just pointing out, that I've never seen or heard of them before, either.

Sean T.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 19:29:14 (ZULU)

Rick: Being amiong kids keeps ya young...or at least keeps ya trying--which is good for us old farts. I remember the first kid reporting in to me with a birthday this side of my enlistment date. Happened in the 82d. I redoubled my efforts to maintain that ever-harder 300 on the APFT...had to really push myself hard. Dunno for sure, but I gotta think that the attempt to run with the young dogs kept my broken body in the game much longer than it otherwise woulda. Enjoy the association; I sure miss that part of it myself these days.

Been turning the idea of joining Charles or something similar lately. Had the conversation with the wife. Seems she is not opposed to the money, just the geography:))

Sir Wes: Of course, the laws of physics only present safe limits to those willing to heed the warning signs:)) Maybe the clown in question has a death wish?

.223 AI---why? My love of the .223 is its versatility---it traverses my open spaces accurately, it lends itself to gobs of shooting fun with carbines and white boxes of ammo (used to, anyway:(( and it is prolific. "Improving" it would be costly and a loss of its endearing features. To each his own though!

Joe M
Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 20:24:35 (ZULU)

AI chambers- per the original Ackley specs, the shoulder area at the neck juncture to bolt face measurement was slightly shorter (0.004 or so) than the original caliber in the AI chamber. This allowed factory ammo in the original caliber to be fired if'n you ran out of your handloaded ammo. Sort of a crush-fit headspace. Also simplified fire-forming brass.

Reamers in standard calibers are ground with due attention to the datum line [IIRC, that point on the shoulder where the diameter is 0.400 inches] , as that is where headspace is measured. What the tolerances to the neck/shoulder junction are, who knows? If your chamber is factory, 'tis not likely you have a minimum chamber in any case.

JoeM-they used to screaming for logistics pukes over there. The money and adventure might not be quite as good, but I hear the beers easier to come by and the scenery's better in Dubui(sp?) & Bahrain.

WR Moore
Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at 22:59:32 (ZULU)

G4S is a U.K.-based security company whose web site claims it is the "world's leading international security solutions group" with 500,000+ employees. Click on my name for their web site.

Lindy
The Northern Occupied Territories of Mexico, Texas, U.S.A. - Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 00:22:07 (ZULU)

500K employees...

Gee, that's an army :-)

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 00:28:40 (ZULU)

WR: Oh yeah, the loggie thing is on my mind too. Ya know, once they're talking 10K/ month, anything above that is pure greed. So, on one hand, I could go above for less time away from the family and more danger, on the other, a longer stay away with a mundane daily life in Kuwait. Doha and KC are decent cities as far as western standards go as long as you follow the same precautions you would in NYC or Phillie (avoid dark allies and "standing out" among strangers). I keep telling myself i should just go to school, but the lure of retiring debt (aka farm) and REALLY retiring is almost as strong as the need to get off my ass and do something now, something that would be familiar. Its been a year now at home....

Joe M
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 02:44:40 (ZULU)

Sadr making noise about "civil war" due to an ISF crackdown in Basra. Paul Bremmer is to blame (he tried re-writing his history since)--he called off the dogs at H-hour when we had this shitbag located. IMHO, his ducking and covering during the surge (and initial running away to Iran) just bought him time to ride out our attempts to stabilize the nation. His probable goal is to preserve forces for "later"--when we draw down. His sanctuary in Iran is all the clues you need to see where he would take things once he had a clear shot.

No morons here--but elsewhere in this country people have no freakin' clue what Iran-in-Bosra would mean to US interests for decades to come. How's Iran calling OPEC's shots sound? Fun? Geez. Yeah, let's just cut-and-run. That's a great idea! I bet three quarters of these "get out now" types could not place Iran and Iraq on a map, and if they tried may not have them sharing a border--and they wouldn't know where Saudi lies either. If they got past the geography, they'd stammer at the politics of any of this. Like how happy Saudi and Kuwait would about persians on their doorsteps...

I am beginning to think a simple test of civics ought to be required for voting. Just a quick quiz on the constitution and the federal system. First off, I would bet that most clueless asshats we share a continent with would just say "screw it" and not bother trying...which is fine with me. The thought of professional welfare recipients having the same say as productive citizens burns my ass sometimes...

Joe M
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 03:52:53 (ZULU)

JoeM...

>"Paul Bremmer is to blame (he tried re-writing his history since)--he called off the dogs at H-hour when we had this shitbag located. IMHO, his ducking and covering during the surge (and initial running away to Iran) just bought him time to ride out our attempts to stabilize the nation. "<

Hmmmm... quiting when we have the upper hand. Seems like echoes of 1991 in Kuwait. We got into a bad habit in the 70's.

Are we becoming a country that can fight like hell, but can't (politically) win?

Is the media coverage poisoning our ability to push forwards to the last - and are we caught up in looking like the nice guy that doesn't hit our enemy while he has a bloody nose.

Then we are doomed to fail and be overrun by the unwashed hoards that we seem to be so socially superior to.

Boogers to that shit!!!

On another note....

Remember Hillery ranting after the 04 election, about how the delegate system and the electoral college system was unfair, and out of date, and she was going to get rid of it (all by herself), cuz Al gore lost but had the popular vote.

Now that Obama has the popular vote, AND the delegates, Hilly babe is working over time to get the delegates to switch over to her side, in spite of the fact that they are from states that Obama carried.

What a hypocritical phony whore she is... and that's the polite version ;)

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 12:11:33 (ZULU)

Lito: Maliki(sp?), the PM of Iraq, is a shi'ite who came to power with Sadr's political support in parliment. So, he has been less than enthusiastic about cracking down on his ally. But now we have Iraqi forces moving in on fringe elements of the mahdi army. Makes sense; Patraeus would not overlook such a threat forever, and the "foreigner" sweep is well in hand now--so maybe the time came to take on the "next threat" to long term security.

In any case, I was wondering if we'd do this alone, or if the General could twist maliki's arm into taking the lead. Touchy subject with this, since we are dealing with "locals" exclusively (albeit heavily supplied by Iran)---the difference lies in the minds of Iraqis, and is not insignificant for public opinion/ support for our efforts there. For me, to see Iraqi forces leading off is the best possible scenario (they do it, we do it, or nobody goes after these guys being the possibilities). It also shows that Patraeus was able to acheive the last hurdle to actually stabilizing this thing (because, to actually secure Iraq by any measure made "not doing anything" a non-starter). The mahdi army isn't Iran's only path to meddling in Iraq (Hezbollah is there too), but it is their biggest and best way in. To neutralize mahdi is to set the persians back 4 years in their goals.

That's good shit...and long, long overdue thanks to initial stupidity on our part.

Expect Iran to openly condemn this new tactic:))

Joe M
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 14:07:12 (ZULU)

Joe M...

>"and long, long overdue thanks to initial stupidity on our part. "<

And we had the fat little shit ball in our sights at fallujah!

Will we ever learn??

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 14:18:46 (ZULU)

Any sniper matchs comeing up this summer?

LeMay
MI, - Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 14:28:58 (ZULU)

Gents,

There's a new "Frontline", 2-part series, on the Iraq conflict. Detailing the situation from 9/11 onwards. The program "appears" unbiased, since the originally "classified" facts are now known, and nobody comes out smelling good. You can blame anyone you want, but it comes down to three goons: Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Bush. Period. End of story. They wrote, directed, executed, and produced everything, and are solely responsible for what has happened and is happening.

Bravo,

You cost me $$. I bought that "Swamp-Rat". Although, I'm not quite ready to chop down a tree. I'll give you a call later this week.

Duman
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 14:59:37 (ZULU)

Re: Book - "Shooter"

I finished the book, found it entertaining but....I will leave it at that. Funny thing though, both he and I were in at the same time and the Marines I knew where not what he described. Guess we both lived in a different world.

My question to all of you, what are your thoughts on the content of the book and the credibility of Gunny Jack Coughlin? Please, the intent of this post is not to create a flame war of any type but just to see what others have gleaned and to see if said thoughts are similar to mine. As a side note, he does remind me of one of my buddies who was in the Corps but is known for putting up good stories, not about himself, but about everyone else including me and the environment he has worked in (past and present tense).

Darren

Semper Fi

85-90

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 15:03:11 (ZULU)

Sir Wes....Yes, I am. I'm getting paid to do what I've wanted to do for several years now. There's the usual whining and moaning around here, that's to be expected. But, yeah, it's kinda fun. I'd forgotten what it's like t be switched on every time, and all the time, you step out of the wire.

JoeM....anything over 10k a month is "greed"? Why? If you have the experise, and someone wants to pay you what you're worth (or, what they think you're worth) why is that "greed"? Sir, you been underpaid too long. Check it out. If I can drag my sorry, wrinkled old ass through the program, I know you can. Come on over and we'll head over to the NATO compound and have a pizza and beer. I'm not getting paid to the "greedy" level yet, but damn close. From what I've seen, you could be running the place in six months.....

Besides, where in the States can you get real, fried goat twice a day for free? Hmmmm? Thought so.

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 16:45:33 (ZULU)

Duman: No flame intended but Frontline is, and always has been, very heavily biased. They are the next best thing to Pacifica or The Nation.

CDC'
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 17:36:36 (ZULU)

Charles: I did not mean to imply greed for others; what I meant to say is that there is a balance between enough money, and unnecessary danger:)) A-stan is the one place I'd be comfortable running contracts in the field. I saw too much cowboy attitude, ill-planned ops, and under-resourced ops in Iraq---a BIG thumbs down. Yeah, i know--not all firms operate this way....but the odds of landing in one seem high, and finding out the hard way seems dumb:) The main difference is bad-guy modus operandi; the stan was different...

Joe M
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 19:22:24 (ZULU)

Rosterfarians,

Now I'm behind on my emails, and thus missed a special note sent by a special lady. I don't think there's anybody here that do not know Mike Rock, barrel-maker.

Well, Mike had his birthday on March 13. I know it is late, but if you guys have his email (unfortunately I don't, only Valerie's) I suggest flooding him with (belated) well-wishes!

Marius

Marius
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 21:24:17 (ZULU)

CDC',

I trust your judgement. But I'm struggling. When generals are interviewed, reporters articles withstand scrutiny, and written documents are produced (with Rumsfeld, Cheney, Bush signatures), I have a hard time coming to another conclusion. The press was manipulated by both sides, but the paper trail 'appears' to lead to only one place.

Once the decision to invade was made, fine. Do it. But to micro-mis-manage every aspect (from low troop counts, little/no anticipation of blow-back from insurgents, no transition plan, and subterfuge amongst the three amigos) what other conclusion could be drawn?

Unless there's a 'shadow' government, which is even more incompetent, running things. I do think congress and senate could have done a better job, but it still comes to the white house.

My apologies. Rant-off.

Duman
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 21:24:21 (ZULU)

Was looking at something else and just saw this link by accident.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/25/campaign.wrap/index.html?iref=topnews

You just gotta love this: '"I say a lot of things -- millions of words a day -- so if I misspoke, that was just a misstatement," she said.' So she doesn't lie, she just "misspeaks".

Millions of words? No wonder the budget is always shot, they've got no concept of figures...

============

(Extract of the first part of the article)

(CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton said she "misspoke" last week when she gave a dramatic description of her arrival in Bosnia 12 years ago, recounting a landing under sniper fire.

Sen. Hillary Clinton discusses housing woes Monday in Philadelphia ahead of Pennsylvania's April 22 primary.

Clinton was responding to a question Monday from the Philadelphia Daily News' editorial board about video footage of the event that contradicted her assertion that her group "ran with our heads down" from the plane to avoid sniper fire at the Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for rival Sen. Barack Obama's campaign, said the Bosnia claim was part of "a growing list of instances in which Sen.

Clinton has exaggerated her role in foreign and domestic policymaking."

Clinton told the paper's editorial board it was a "minor blip."

"I say a lot of things -- millions of words a day -- so if I misspoke, that was just a misstatement," she said.

Marius
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 22:41:52 (ZULU)

Duman: I'm just saying that I'd take nothing on faith from the Leftist idealogues who produce Frontline. If they are right, they are right but keep in mind that they are expert propagandists and they have an agenda.

CDC'
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 22:53:14 (ZULU)

Howdy Gents,

Well I know that it's been a while since I've posted. I have been moving around like a mad man. Other than shooting at Army Qual ranges, I haven't gotten to do any shooting for well over a year now. I hope that when I get back, I'll be able to get back into some long range stuff. My Stealth is crying to get hot!

Last yall heard I was stationed in Germany. Now i'm in Iraq, about half way through my tour... 15 months. It is not at all what I expected. I find myself fighting boredom more than the enemy.

My Company is a Sryker Route Clearance Company. We have been hit 3 times and lost 3 tires. We have found 35 IED/EFPs in the 3 AOs that we have opperated in. I have only seen 1 complex ambush, and I'll tell you what... We made a name for ourselves. They threw everything including the kitchen sink at us. Arty, IED, EFP, RPG, SAF; no friendly casualties 6 enemy KIA. It's awesome to watch 2 M240B rockin' on each side of 1 vehicle.

Other than that i've been shot at once, and the guy ran away before I could get PID. I wanted to kick myself.

Well if any of yall Texans are around in early June, I'd like to link up and send some lead down range and toss a few back afterward. 18 days will be a nice get away from here. Yall take care and I'll catch ya on the flip side.

Mayhem Out!

Mayhem
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 22:57:18 (ZULU)

Just dropped by to congratulate the big DOG, on the final slam.....

litosan', long time a comin, but good things come to those that wait.........

I know it was a lot loger than YOU wanted.

But Victory at last.........

Congrats dudeski.

Two Shoes

Two Shoes
Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 23:51:43 (ZULU)

Hey Shoes...

Welcome home DudeSki.

Thanks for the good words.

I had a face to face meeting with the mayor of the town that my ex ripped off for $300,000 - he is very interested...

I think she is in deeper than she can handle this time.

I guess it's that old thing about never make enemies of people that have knowledge of your bad deeds ;)))

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 01:38:36 (ZULU)

Pat - Old age and treachery is how I always win! :) That old age stuff is how SF works, it is a vicious circle. I remember in 1970, I am humping the woods and mountains of the lovely state of New Hampshire with my team. The mountains are killing me and my ruck feels as if it has added about 50 lbs. I look up front and there is this old guy with just as big, if not bigger ruck, that is still going. I am now thinking that there is no way that that old fart Team Sgt, yes young dumb and full of it back then, was going to show me up! FLASH FORWARD to 1989 and I am moving my new young team, full of new young "Green Berets", through the mountains and jungle of Panama with heavy rucks and weapons and ammo. I am sweating my a** off and my breath is coming in a ragged wheezing manner befitting a 3 pack a day habit. I keep looking back at the youngens and thinking that there is no way I was going to let those young studs show me up! IT is a vicious circle!! :)

Charles - IN those circumstances you are never golden, only good for the moment. As soon as you say Golden you will not get an other package for months. :)

Wes - Not to be a downer but, I am now the ripe old age of 60 and it is not getting better. I have to use the hot shower now and again to make sure I can walk back to the coffee pot to get my second cup. Yes, my wife has to get the first for me. It was still worth the ride though! :)

Joe M. As you can tell from my tale of woe above, that circle never dies, it just keeps everyone on their toes! Take care with the contracts, there are some real stinkers out there. You do not have QRFs, med evac, supporitng fires nor air assets, all of which make one hell of a difference when the s**t hits the fan. As far as pay, go for the most as you want to be able to quit as soon as possible. They don't call it mercenary for nothing you know. :)

Rod - 500 K is bigger hen our army.

'Lito - We started loosing our political will during the end of WWII. We have not found it since. They talk about us losing Viet Nam, nope we gave that one away using the same mealy mouth BS tactics being used today by the same bunch of loser a**holes. It seems that the media feels that its job is to turn the public against any and all gov't. Opps, sorry off on a rant and I told myself I would stay calm for a while. How about that Hillary?!! :)

Well late and I need sleep, I over slept this morning and had to roll right into work mode this morning upon arriving and that is not good for my constitution. :)

You guys stay safe and Hold Hard.

Rick B.

Rick B.
Fayetteville, NC, USA - Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 03:05:14 (ZULU)

Greetings,

Microtech Small Arms Research is a new company that is producing a clone Steyr AUG. They started offering rifles for sale in January.

If anybody has had first had experience with one, I would be interested in what you have to say.

The unoriginal Pat.

Pat II
Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 04:43:44 (ZULU)

"How about that Hillary?!! :)"

Rick: I think the veracity of a war story is inversely related to how far and wide you tell it...ya think she is bad, just wait a dozen more years when everybody was a green beret in Iraq:))

Joe M
Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 06:08:00 (ZULU)

story implying *that's* where all the surplus ammo went...

http://www.newsobserver.com/nation_world/story/1014586.html

Could have been a sub-plot from the movie "Lord of War" :-)

In the book "Charlie Wilson's War" it was claimed that most of .303BR surplus was acquired by the CIA to covertly supply the Mujahadeen during the earlier phase of their fight with the Russians...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 16:52:43 (ZULU)

Joe....I'll give you a contact email for the AG project manager. Appparently, G4S is leaving everyone in place, recruitment will continue. If I remember, you're a few years younger than I, and you were for-real Big Army while I was munching donuts. Shouldn't be too hard with your certs and resume.

One right thing, medevac and medical is a bit different. If we get fubar'ed REAL bad, we'll PROBABLY get a military flight out. If we get in a real shitstorm, the Army or NATO troopers are gonna watch, and say "man, that's gotta suck." It's constantly pounded into us that we is all we's got.

Wes....true words.

Pat...got your email, muchas gracias, mi amigo. Soy a sus ordines!

Got my first promotion today. Team leader, Delta shift, ERT. Now I'm the one that gets yelled at.

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 17:04:01 (ZULU)

CDC',

Thank you for the feedback. As always, I appreciate your perspective. Looking back, there were several places where the information was probably presented in a manner to be inflammatory.

All the best...

Duman
Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 19:51:06 (ZULU)

Rosterfarians,

In about 8 hours we're off for a week, coming back next week Friday. Please don't wreck the place while I'm gone. Nor when I'm here :-)

Hopefully when I'm back I'll have finished the review on Plaster's new "Encyclopedia of Sniping and Sharpshooting" which Paladin sent me to review. Man, that is one interesting book. Every page I go "I must remember this!" - just too much too remember. From way back when before they were accurate to now in Iraq - it's all there.

Ken will look after all of 'yer.

Take care

Marius

Marius
Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 23:46:31 (ZULU)

Mike Rock's web page is:

http://www.rockcreekbarrels.com/

His corporate email adrs is on that page.

(proud owner of 2 Rock barrels :-)

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 00:38:21 (ZULU)

T-bonds shunned by world's 5th largest investment fund. This plays out on so many levels: New debt cannot be financed, so congress can either print more money just for the hell of it, or they can seriously curtail spending. OK, so they just keep spending cuz that is all they know; so, they just crank up the presses and release the greenbacks. And printing money that represents nothing more than a desire to spend it (no productivity behind it) which devalues a currency faster than you can say "weimer". So, devalued currency doesn't also devalue grain or copper--hence, inflation. Only this sort is on steroids. So, congress just keeps on writing bad checks, GW keeps endorsing them, and nobody is willing to step up and cover the bad checks overseas anymore. And, all the while they see these little meltdowns and say "wall street sure fucked up this time" All the while, the problem lies in federal deficits finally reaching the saturation point. But since nobody wants to connect those dots due to the political "suicide" of cutting someone's pet entitlement program--we march on into this abyss.

Otherwise smart people collectively being stupid---it sure is fun to watch.

If you have a credit card set aside for emergencies, you may want to use it to buy flour:))

Joe M
Friday, March 28, 2008, at 05:10:17 (ZULU)

Lito - sent you a PM two days ago.

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 14:39:23 (ZULU)

Re - spotting scope, need help

I have a Bushnell Spacemaster Camo 15X40X60 (5 years old ~). Just spoke with Bushnell and was informed that to look at it I will have to cover both to and from the S/H charges. Also, to replace the eye piece cover, due to the thread being stripped, I would have to pay the cost given that the eye piece cover is of a soft material. Also, to change the eye relief on the eye piece is not covered and that I will also be required, most likely, to pay its cost too.

Any have any suggestions on how I can address this issues without breaking the bank?

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 16:02:10 (ZULU)

Darren...

Sorry I didn't answer you - I was getting the Rug Rat registered in school and it has been crazy here.

I'll answer it today or tomorrow.

On the Bushnell...

I have one of the Bushnell "Space Master" scopes. The plastic eyepiece cover is very fragile, so there is nothing you can do except order another one. My threads are a little shaky too ;)

The eye pieces for the Bushnell have always been an issue. They are not the best.

Many years ago, I bought eye pieces from Mirador that have the same thread - they are outstanding.

I bought a 22x Long eye relief eyepiece and a 30x.

Also, one of the other scope companies had a 11x33 power zoom eye iece that is very nice.

I don't know if these are still made, but they might show up on ebay - I will look into it if you want - they WERE expensive (new), though used ones might be cheap.

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 16:31:44 (ZULU)

JoeM,

"Otherwise smart people collectively being stupid---it sure is fun to watch."

That's the human condition. Individuals are intelligent. Groups become increasingly dumber the larger they become. Heinlein observed this 60+ years ago, and I'm sure it's probably somewhere in Plato's dialogues...

Duman
Friday, March 28, 2008, at 16:49:05 (ZULU)

Thanks for the post Lito. Do you know off hand what the thread description is. I want to search for a replacement eye piece that has has the variable adjustment.

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 16:58:14 (ZULU)

Darren...

I answered your e-mail.

>" Thanks for the post Lito. Do you know off hand what the thread description is. I want to search for a replacement eye piece that has has the variable adjustment."<

One of the good eyepieces is marked "Mirador 50s-16x 60s-20x", meaning that if it used with the 50s scope it is 16x, and if it is used with the 60s scope, it is 20x it is a LER (Long eye relief) eye piece.

The other two don't have names on them, but they came from one of the better Japanese spotting scope makers - Kowa. They are for the old Kowa 50mm and 60mm scope with Kowa "Screw in" eye pieces.

If you call Kowa, they might be able to help you.

... all of them were in the $75 to $95 range each.

I would have not gone through the trouble, except that this Space Master is an "ED" scope that was made for only a year, and discontinued. It was killed because of the standard bushnell eyepieces that are crap - so people didn't want the scope - which is outstanding with other maker's eye pieces.

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 18:15:02 (ZULU)

Lito, the prices have gone up, I have a price range of $210 up to $360 for the Kowa eye piece. Can not find Mirador anywhere. Still looking.

Darren

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 18:40:01 (ZULU)

Darren...

Call Kowa and ask them. These are OLD eyepieces for discontinued scopes - you won't find them in stores.

Ask Kowa if they have any left down in the basement ;))

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 18:52:35 (ZULU)

Will do Lito, when I spoke to them initially this is what they gave me but I will speak to them again but be clear on what I am looking for.

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 18:54:33 (ZULU)

Lito, Kowa asked when you picked up the eyepiece.

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 19:06:17 (ZULU)

Gents,

Charles H., Joe M., and all. Private contractors and greed. Tough one. If they are willing to pay $180K (or more) for a first tour employee it makes me wonder what the company is getting paid for your efforts. It's not greed if someone is willing to pay the tariff or you are willing to go in harms way for the money. I used to feel very differently when I was on active duty making peanuts by comparison. Looked at most contractors as incompetent opportunists and same for those in their employ with a few notable exceptions. Being older I view things a bit differently. How about 1 tour paying off your house, paying living expenses, and allowing you to invest a nice chunk of change? Honestly, I'd be there now if it weren't for medical issues that make me non-deployable. That sucks. Call me greedy too...;-)

As for contractors leaving your ass hanging, if things get bad, it's possible. I've looked at it as the government can barely sustain itself do you really think they'll ride to your rescue if it turns into a real fur ball? The better contractors may have a plan, but we know that no plan survives contact with the enemy. I've always viewed this as YOU better have a plan of your own. Even if it includes fighting your way to a safe area for extraction or simply making it to a friendly area. Lot's of what if's in this one and that makes your's truely nervous.

Duman, your comment on a "shadow government" at some second level may be correct. Question is who are they? I'd bet on special interest groups of some type that play behind the scenes. Who was it that got JFK kind of thing? Your right, if they exist they seem to be less competent than our legitimate government, if that is possible. Question is what is their true agenda? That's the kind of stuff that gives me headaches and nosebleeds.

Rick B., my wife doesn't need to get my coffee, yet. Just can't keep up with the youngin's any more tho'. The ride was a good one and I wouldn't trade a moment of it. Still, I'm paying the price for being 5'3" and trying to keep up with the big guys most of my life.

Will have to get a copy of Plaster's new work. Why? I don't know since I'm not a real sniper, but a RKI. Still it's a area of interest and provides a lot of enjoyment.

So, Mike Rock has had a birthday. I've only had one of his tubes and it was as good as any I've used. I'm still an Obermeyer man, when you can get them and have a number of Kreiger tubes. All have been excellent. Still a case of you get what you pay for.

Joe M., like you, I love the .223 and can't see a reason to go to the AI version. I don't like fire forming brass that much and I get plenty of once fired Federal brass from our ranges. It's not Lapua, but it's free and when properly prep'd I see no big difference. At least at my level of shooting. Have always felt if I needed more I'd go to the .22/250 or the .243 Winch/6mm Rem. Of course we both know that real men shoot 6.5's! The benefit I see to the .223 is that it does 95%+ of what I need with no fuss or bother. Just like it's big brother the .308. Simply put, they both work if the loose nut being the buttplate can get his shit together.

More later. You gents WY6.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 19:20:41 (ZULU)

Darren...

>" Lito, Kowa asked when you picked up the eyepiece."<

Back in the "Stone age"

;)

About 10 years ago... maybe a bit more. :((

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Friday, March 28, 2008, at 20:52:52 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

"Will have to get a copy of Plaster's new work. Why? I don't know since I'm not a real sniper"

As long as you've ever stayed at a Holiday Inn Express you're GTG.

Duman,

"Individuals are intelligent. Groups become increasingly dumber the larger they become." That should leave the average IQ of Congress at somewhere close to four points above plant life. Ain't Government grand?

Everybody have a good weekend.

jc
Cordova, TN, United States - Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 06:07:47 (ZULU)

Wes wrote: "I've always viewed this as YOU (the Contractor) better have a plan of your own. Even if it includes fighting your way to a safe area for extraction or simply making it to a friendly area."

I'd take the $$ and not look back. It isn't "greed".

CDC'
Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 15:28:46 (ZULU)

Internet went down due to phone line BS off property; pissed me off to no end, especially the part about pro-rating my monthly charges. I won that one, after a fashion. DSL over phone lines is a shakey deal overall. But then, the satellite service I tried prior was just as bad:(( Country living...gotta deal with it.

Wes: Dudeski, I sure hope you are feeling better by an order of magnitude by now. I know it got real bad, but I was sure happy to hear it didn't get "worserer." You sure rode that fenceline though...so enough of this downer stuff---time to be well!

CDC: It goes from safe/ decent cash to downrigth scary and stupid cash. For me, I need to balance between 'nuff money and 'nuff chances to be a daddy (and grandpa, etc). The other way to look at it is short/ fast money, vs. more time away to acheive the same paycheck. Greed may have been a lousy way to express that scale.

Heheh, Maj John Plaster lives just down the road from here. I should go and coin his ass. Of course, I'll have the beer in hand, cuz I rather doubt I'd catch him without one:))

Joe M
Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 16:35:33 (ZULU)

The way I looked at it was this: I could have stayed with the PD for seven or eight more years, until I got my 87% pension. I would have still had a mortgage, and I would probably be divorced and a cardiac case. Or, I could opt for two, three years of this, and be debt-free, with money in the bank AND a pension. This way, I can spend alll the time I want being a Dad, grandad and husband. While it may be crass to look at it in purely monetary terms, you kinda have to, because it translates into personal gain. Just in the last two months, Boudicca is happier, I'm a LOT less stressed, and I'm actually looking forward to the future again.

I ALWAYS have a backup plan in case the situation turns completely south on me. Here, that is. I always keep my passport and at least a grand on me at all times. Unless both the Embassy AND the airport get overrun at the same time, I figure I have a backdoor. Maybe I'm whistling in the wind, but you gotta have some kinda plan. Also, with the DoS clearance, there's still a lot of other companies that are hiring. One of the men in my class was getting held up by some paperwork snafu, he is now in Iraq with AFCOM/SMG and that on the strength of the DoS training. The gravy train days may be over, and the field may be a bit thinned out, but I think the opportunities are still out there.

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 17:22:09 (ZULU)

Al-Sadr is offering a truce, his followers to crease fire if those captured released. Nothing about disarming. Douche bag did it once, hope the Iragi Government doesn't fall for it again. Won't take bets.

WR Moore
Sunday, March 30, 2008, at 14:48:01 (ZULU)

Joe M: Yeah, "Greed" is the wrong word. Right now I can't think of a better one.

WR Moore: Al Sadr is playing us against ourselves. We'll keep falling for it because - as a country - we are goofy.

Charles Hunt: Good luck with your plan. Be cautious.

CDC'
Sunday, March 30, 2008, at 17:32:48 (ZULU)

Well, about to start an other week of fun and games. They get to try and make head shots at 200 and 300 with the target exposure of 3 seconds and it coming up over a 7 meter front, that is about 8 yards to you non metric gnomes. :)

Get to do movers as well and they are introduced to 800 meters later this week. All in all a fun week for all. A bit humbling for some as well.

Contractor greed and what do you get compared to the company. In 91 - 94 I worked Saudi training the Royal Guard, I found out that while I was being paid 500 a day plus per diem. They were getting 1000 a day. Not bad except that I was doing what amounted to and they were paid for, three separate job descriptions. Thus I was doing it for 500 and they were getting 3000. Yep watch yourself. On getting pulled out. The military will only come in if they can and most of the time they can't due to numerous reasons some of which are political. Few contractors have true E&R plans, and fewer have planned QRFs. Too many are there to make what they can with what they have.

Wes - Many of the contractors are incompetent and liars. They got their job by lying on their resume and only now are there resources to catch them. You would not believe the pin heads we have caught in vetting personnel that are already over there. In that point I can only say watch your back. The next thing is the guys that is always spouting how high speed he is is unusually full of s**t. He is a poser and will run at the first shot.

On the morning coffee, it will go good and then all of a sudden you will wake up and not want to move. :)

Al Sadr - Should have capped him on the first go. He is doing the standard fight until he is hurt a bit then truce until rested. They did that in Viet Nam. Yep, need to hurt him so bad he runs to Iran and stays there, of course a bad car accident during the run would not be bad.

Well, time to go crawl into bed and for sleep. Tomorrow on the range could be fun. :)

Hold Hard guys!

Rick B.

Rick B.
Fayetteville, NC, USA - Monday, March 31, 2008, at 04:17:58 (ZULU)

Chuck,

Glad to hear you are having fun. I am still the overtime runner up. Bad new for you maybe the propsed pension changes. 70% at 20 yrs. Crap I maybe gone at 22 yrs. 75% and Im done. The pension made 16% last year. For those of you that don't know our PD & FD manage thier own fund. We pay folks to advise us but we make the final decisions. 16% ok 1.3 Billon is a bunch.

Mayhem glad you are still around. I would like to go shooting some time with you. Damn it has been a while. Was it 5 yrs ago we shot at the Bullet Hole? Don't know what I'll be doing in June but should be around.

Dirty Steve back to napping mode.

Dirty Steve
San Antonio , Texas, USA - Monday, March 31, 2008, at 05:33:24 (ZULU)

Hygenically challenged Steve:

Glad to hear about the pension. Hope you enjoy it. 30% more, proposed, don't beat 120

Hygenically Challenged Steve:

Hope you guys get the increase in pension. I quadrupled my takehome pay in a month, and I'm happier'n I been in 19 years. Can't put a price tag on that!

Got bumped up to "Team Leader". Fancy name for "He who has more work to do, now".

Charles S. Hunt
San Antonio, Texas, USA - Monday, March 31, 2008, at 17:26:30 (ZULU)

Re: Islam

There is a video called FITNA on Liveleak. It is about the radical side of islam and the true nature of this beast. Click my name to view it or simply go to liveleak.com and search for FITNA. Liveleak had to take it down because of threats to their employee but now they have it back up. Below is their commentary.

** 30/3/2008: Liveleak Update **

On the 28th of March LiveLeak.com was left with no other choice but to remove the film "fitna" from our servers following serious threats to our staff and their families. Since that time we have worked constantly on upgrading all security measures thus offering better protection for our staff and families. With these measures in place we have decided to once more make this video live on our site. We will not be pressured into censoring material which is legal and within our rules. We apologise for the removal and the delay in getting it back, but when you run a website you don't consider that some people would be insecure enough to threaten our lives simply because they do not like the content of a video we neither produced nor endorsed but merely hosted.

Interview of the individual who made the video: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d26_1206135902

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Monday, March 31, 2008, at 21:49:32 (ZULU)

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