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Gents, and Lady,

CDC(Dan), If I didn't already have five .223's I'd be interested in the Tac-Ord rifle. I have two AR's, a Sig 556, Winnie Stealth, and an early Rem 700 Varmint Special w/McMillan Stock. Your's sounds like a fine rifle and someone should take it...if they know bolt guns.

I love my Rem 700, but the out of the box Stealth out shoots it. I'm getting consistent 1/2 MOA groups with mine. It positively loves the 69 gr SMK over 24.4 gr. N140, Federal case, and a Federal 205M primer. It's giving an honest 2950 FPS and I'm still 2 grains under max charge!

Personally, I have used the .223 as my "go to" varmint rigs since the early 80's. It does all I want. Dabbled with the .22/250 and .22/250 AI and went back. If I needed more than the .223 I went to the .243 Winch or .244/6mm Remington.

Coyotes and the .308. When I was actively shooting sniper competions, locally, I used the .308 exclusively. It puts them down hard and pelt damage isn't too bad. That's not really an issue here as it doesn't get cold enough to produce really prime pelts. My brother in-law is a sheep farmer and likes it when I show up...no matter what caliber I bring!

Kat Girl, Had the .308 Sako out of the safe along with the .35 Whelan AI. Will get some pictures and send to you. I'm also going to send you a dummy cartridge for the Whelan loaded with the 275 Gr. Hornady RN bullet. Bullets no longer made, but the combination looks awesome!

Currently reading Wayne Van Zwoll's "Elk Hunting, Tactics, and Rifles". Good read and a good writing style. I like Van Zwoll...even if he is from Washington...;-)

Unpat, AR's are just darn heavy and adding a PRS stock doesn't help. If I added the PRS to my AR-10 I may as well grab my bolt gun weight wise. Still, it's a nice set up.

I like the Nikon's, but have used a Luppie M1 LR 3.5 X 10 in Badger mounts/rings for my Winchester Stealth. It's about a perfect marriage of power for the .223, IMHO.

More later...

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 07:26:41 (ZULU)

I'm lowering the price on my tac-ord 5.56. It's worth much more. Check the emporium.

CDC'
Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 02:07:29 (ZULU)

"I like punching paper from 100->300 with .223 Rem."

The LR-308 is more or less my first grab rifle.Mainly it depends on the critter.A 165 Hornady BTSP dont tear up a yote as bad as some would think.Ohh...it does leave an exit hole.But that just helps them leak better. :)

I am not into furs,I just like makin them dead.Tho I did give a few away to be turned into rugs and hats.The taxidermists that looked them over said no problems...couple of stitches to fix that.

The PRS is a very solid stock.Heavy...But solid.And like I said the adj's stay where ya put them. Only time I had to readjust the LOP is if I wear a different jacket.There's 2 steel rods for the butt plate and one rod for the comb.Very little flex in either.

Tall rings werent quite tall enough for me to shoot prone bipod with so I went to Badger Ultra Tall and then brought it all back with the adj comb.Not really the right way to do things,but that cramp in the back of my neck is gone and that makes me happy.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Monday, February 8, 2010, at 21:31:07 (ZULU)

Unpat:

Tks for the rvw on Magpul PRS. I have an A2 now on a .223 Rem, so swap would be simple. I don't shoot nose-to-charging handle, so that isn't an issue for me. I'll have the think about the weight issue. Not a show-stopper, but I hadn't given it a lot of thought. I have a Nikon 4-16x I'm gearing up for the .223, but find I need just a bit more comb height. It wasn't an issue with the 2-7x I've used before which has less critical exit pupil.

I like punching paper from 100->300 with .223 Rem, more relaxing than with .308 Win. Cheaper too.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, February 8, 2010, at 20:13:20 (ZULU)

Rod,

I have a Magpul PRS on my DPMS LR-308. I like it alot. The PRS is alot heavier by itself and for me it helped balance out the OEM 24in SS Bullbarrel. It added more then 2lbs to the rifle's total weight.The adj stay where ya put them.

There are a couple of things I dislike about it....just little things.The cap for the monopod rail doesnt like to stay put.And the side mounted sling mounts.There is/was a DIY kinda tutorial floating around on relocating a sling mount on the underside of the stock.But I dont remember where I seen it,and havent gotten around to converting it yet.The cap I finally took off and tossed into my range bag.

If you shoot nose to charging handle you may have some problems with eye relief and scope mounting, you may have to use some type of base to extend the rail.I got lucky as the upper is longer on mine vs. an AR15

Also for me it was a simple 2 screw swap over,My rifle came with an A2 stock on it.A carbine will require a swap to a rifle tube,buffer and spring.

As for an alternative I wouldnt know what else to suggest.I am in process of an AR15 build and since weight is an issue on this one I most likely will be using the CTR stock instead of another PRS.This rifle is a back up,in case either my niece or sister decide to do a deer season down here in a rifle zone instead of the shotgun zone they are in.I may use it on some 'yotes too..depends on how well it shoots.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Monday, February 8, 2010, at 19:36:42 (ZULU)

Sniping during WWI - interesting format on which to read; enjoy.

http://www.archive.org/stream/snipinginfrancew00pricrich#page/n5/mode/2up

Darren
East Bay, CA, USA - Monday, February 8, 2010, at 19:28:26 (ZULU)

An on-topic question about longer-range marksmenship tools!

I'm looking at adjustable comb AR15 stocks. The Magpul AR-15/M16 Precision Rifle Stock (Brownell SKU 100-002-457) looks interesting (if rather pricy).

Opinions, alternate suggestions?

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, February 8, 2010, at 17:06:40 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

The J-frame book is great! I ordered it late Wednesday evening and it arrived on Saturday. It was even autographed.

Sinister,

"Green Eyes & Black Rifles" is also great! Lots of great info and easy to read.

Cheers and Thanks to both of you guys,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The snow covered Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Monday, February 8, 2010, at 00:54:10 (ZULU)

Ken:

Thanks for the outage background. I should have made the connections between the reports of power outages in the DC area and effects in your AO which isn't *that* far away. Appreciate your efforts.

best of luck...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, February 8, 2010, at 00:42:22 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Ken H., Thanks for your efforts on our behalf.

How bad is it getting there?

Range day went as planned. The LRB ARMS M14SA continues to cook along and shoots around an inch (at 100) with about any match grade stuff I stick in it. I looks like it'll do much better...it's just that right now I can't.

The P220ST was typical Sig. Boringly reliable and extremely accurate with 230 gr FMJ's and Federal 185 gr. Match Hollow Points.

The .22 Conversion unit was fun. It does NOT like grease on the rails or elsewhere. The light alloy slide just "oozed" forward when released. Pretty comical. Once the grease was cleaned off, I lubed with break-free and wiped dry...performance was then 100% with CCI Mini-Mags. A lot of fun. Just swapped the upper back to .45 and magazines out for the ride home. So, I'm paranoid...but shit DOES happen and I've met Mr. Murphy a time or two...

Hope all are having a great weekend. Time for me to straighten the office and then THE WHELAN comes out of the safe.

Kat Girl: Tried every known permutation of your e-mail addee and they all bounce. Try me at: whowe05@msn.com

Perhaps then we can get some communicating done...

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 22:22:25 (ZULU)

Ken,

Thanks!!!! for all you do.

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 22:20:03 (ZULU)

07 Feb 2010: Good morning. We're moving along on generator power. We'll shut down our services for around 120 minutes so that we can perform maintenance on the generator (check oil, connections, etc). This will occur around the 08:30 timeline.

Thank You.

Ken Hunter

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 13:10:09 (ZULU)

Snowed butt deep here in northern va. Power went off earlier this morning. We're up on generator power and wood heat. As long as we can find gasoline - we'll stay up and this site stays on the air :)

Take care hawgs, thank the Good Lord for the ability to deal with the cold and outages.

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 02:37:56 (ZULU)

CDC': Thank you - that was a good laugh and I posted it where a lot of my 'Wizard of Oz on a Pedestal' friends will see it and hurl tee hee.

I want that book "Green Eyes..." (want, want)

email easy: (One word, no underscore) kathy mike india november xray at gmail point com teee

I lost my three vol. Ken Waters set up north grrr.

world class procrastinator me - haven't set up my reloading things here and I have to find my old notes, but I have about every powder for that caliber, I think, my last favorite was one from a table in an old Handloader magazine. In the 80s to get used to it, I called up Sierra and a really nice fellow gave me his winning 100-200 yd/m competition load. Doesn't vibrate the bbl and is a mild thud. 19.0 gr 2400 behind the 168SMK

o. m. g. Want to guess what my dad got me for my first rifle in 6th grade. I'll post a photo CLICK - familiar? That and the previous photo. <faint plop>

I know two places it snows there, one was where I found my 62 Coltsman!

"uhhhh squiggly lines coming down from the north!"

Kelley Bundy as a weather girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Saturday, February 6, 2010, at 04:33:52 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Undude, Somehow I've got the feeling you'll be able to adjust to the change in orders. You're tough! Man Up, I know you can do it...

Let's face it, Hawaii vice freezing your arse off at high altitude isn't a hard choice to make. Enjoy!

Look's like the east coast is going to get hammered, again. KNEW there was a reason why I like Oregon. Rain I can deal with...snow is way down my list of things I like. Especially, the way they are getting it.

Books arrived this eve. Lamb's "Green Eyes, Black Rifles. Looks like it's going to be a good read. LOTS of glossy pictures! Me, Marine! Me likee pictures...not read so good...oohrah!

Scot Duff's "Guide to M-14 Rifles and Match Prep"

Wayne van Zwoll's "The Complete Book of the .22". Really like that...page ten has a picture of a Remington 51X series rifle...just like I had as a kid and still use today. They don't make them like that any more.

Finally, a trip down memory lane with Ken Waters "Pet Loads".

Looks like my reading time will be filled for the next couple weeks, to say the least. Luckily, I don't have to worry about a test later...

Waiting for my new/old Finn M39 to arrive next week. Hopefully, I can scout up some surplus ammo to test it with this weekend.

Kat Girl, what loads are you using in your L61R? I'll have to send you a pic of my Sako AII Carbine...if I can find your e-mail.

Range day this weekend. Get to test my Sig P220ST and the new .22 conversion unit I got for it. Also, some load testing with the M14SA. After that I'll have to start load development for the .35 Whelan. My .284 load development is done. It loves anything stuffed in it! Especially, the 175 gr Speer Grand Slams.

Have commissioned a new single shot "Stalking Rifle" on the Brit Pattern with Steve Nelson. It's gonna be a humdinger. Caliber will be .275 Rigby(7 X 57mm Mauser),of course. Funny, the older I get the less impressed I am with the big magnums. Had trigger time on a .416 Rigby last year...OUCH! You'd have to be in fear for your life to want to shoot that thing...maybe that's why they call them dangerous game rifles?

Took mama out this even and found her a new lap top computer. I'm a hero, again.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Saturday, February 6, 2010, at 04:29:29 (ZULU)

Click or a common-sense solution to your wicked witch problems.

CDC'
Saturday, February 6, 2010, at 04:26:55 (ZULU)

Undude, nice to hear that one of us is getting a good break for a change...congrats!

medicjim
Saturday, February 6, 2010, at 03:20:47 (ZULU)

You guys are going to hate me. LOL

I arrived back east yesterday to start next sand box deployment and was told change of plans. I ship out for Hawaii after Ft. Benning for a few months. Some rough duty LOL

Only problem is I was told to be ready for a cold place and trigger puller outfit so not packed for the island. Oh wel I will survive.

Mike/Undude

MikeMiller
Ca, - Saturday, February 6, 2010, at 02:18:10 (ZULU)

Travis: Love it - should get it.

"Boxing is like ballet, except in dance, you don't wear gloves and hit each other" or something like that from Jack Handey's Deep Thoughts

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Friday, February 5, 2010, at 22:18:08 (ZULU)

Old Fart memories: http://books.google.com/books/serial/CzwEAAAAMBAJ?rview=1&lr=&sa=N&start=960

4i's
Siloam Springs, AR, USA - Friday, February 5, 2010, at 22:07:08 (ZULU)

Kat,

Clicky.

Travis Morgan
Friday, February 5, 2010, at 21:31:01 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

CDC(Dan), The Monarch 8 X 32 is totally acceptable for F-class. However, my personal preference is to use scopes of no more than 10 to 12 power on my tactical and varmint rifles as the higher powers show just how bad you are wobbling...and I find that distacting. There's a reason that Snipers rarely go higher than 12 power on their rifles except the really long range stuff(.338 Lapua and .50 cal.) Sinister would be best to address this issue, IMHO, or Rick B. if he's not in defilade somewhere.

Rod, I have to agree about the 9mm in revolvers. The original S & W was the Model 547, if memory serves. Designed for the French LE folks and they didn't accept it...there may be a message there. The comment about case taper and high pressure are accurate and may be at the root of function issues.

Silly me, but I think that revolver cartridges SHOULD be rimmed! Notable acception of the .45 ACP in moon clips that has stood the test of time...

A number of makers have offered 9mm "moon clips" and revolvers, but I can't comment on how well they have worked, per my previous comment. The 9mm does perform well from revolvers, but the cylinder gap causes a substantial loss of power in any round so chambered.

Kat Girl, Enjoy the Sako Forum. Good group and if your serious about your Sako's it's the place to be. A small group of dedicated aficionado's, to be sure.

Your .30/06 L61R may just be the "perfect" Sako! My preference is other calibers, but for a one rifle huntress it's hard to fault. I'm a .308 guy. What can I say...?

Charles, I grew up on the .45 ACP.1911 as a young boy. It was the first pistol round I loaded for...later when I could afford it I bought a Ruger (3-screw) Blackhawk and then a S & W M-19 4" .357 Magnum. It was my "go to" revolver for many years until I graduated to the .41, .44, and .45 revolver cartriges. I still have a slicked up 2 1/2 M-19 carry revolver...probably the best of the snubbies, IMO. Total reliability and a butter smooth 7 3/4 pound DA trigger make it a worthy and trusted companion.

Loads? Any of the 125 gr. JHP's from the "big three" will do nicely, although I gravitate toward the Federal round. The several shootings I am personally aware of with the round had the perpetrators down and out...only a coroner was needed.

Similar performance is now available in the .357 Sig for semi-auto users.

I understand what you mean about the "Dirty Harry Memorial Magnum". Great revolvers and cartridges, but WAY over the top for a LE carry round. The .44 Special, on the other hand, has much merit. Make mine a S & W M-24 thank you very much...

Spent time perusing one of my old NRA Handloading guides and now feel very old. Trusted names and makers are long gone. Remember Wester Tool and Copper Works? What can I say, I grew up reading O'connor, Ruark, and the like. Still, have never owned a .270 Winchester. Figure that one out.

Long time favorite cartridges? The .303 Brit heads the list. Took more blacktail deer with that cartridge than any other, as a lad. Those 180 gr. Remington Core-Lokt's did the trick and a second round was rarely needed. .300 H & H Magnum was my first belted magnum and I still hold it in high regard. That long tapered case feeds like butter and if you hand load it's performance is right along with the "new/improved" .300 Mags.

Played with the .243 and .244/6mm Rem and 7/08. Still own a 6mm, but have never gotten to the point where I trust the 6mm's for big game. That's what I get for growing up on .30 calibers...and I WON'T apologize for it.

Today my big game cartridges are the .308 Winchester(7.62 X 51MM) for tactical/sniper/hunting use. The 6.5 X .284 for sniping/tactical use gets the nod, too, and reaches out farther than the .308.

Today I find myself reaching for the .308, .284 Winchester, and my .35 Whelan AI for most hunting. They seem to be able to do most anything that needs to be done.

I'm rambling. See what happens when you can't sleep and you wait for pain meds to kick in...:-)

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Friday, February 5, 2010, at 10:41:05 (ZULU)

What would be wrong with using a Nikon 8-32x scope (click) on a f-class rifle? Serious question.

CDC'
Friday, February 5, 2010, at 08:30:24 (ZULU)

Sir Wes:

I have a S&W 940, which is a stainless "hammerless" J-frame in 9mmx19, uses full moon clips. How's that for a small 9mm? {grin}.

Not too bad to shoot for recoil, but the fired cases tend to grab the chamber wall a bit too tight, so ejecting the empties and reloading it when hot is a bit tricky. I mostly have to thump the ejector rod with something to get them out, pushing with the hand won't do it. I've tried various new and fired brass reloads incl plated cases. I've tried various new factory ammunition. I've also tried bone dry chambers (using evaporating solvent) and w/lube, even polished and lightly chamfered but to no real difference. I even sent it back to S&W and had them replace the cylinder, but to no avail. My guess is that the combination of the taper in 9x19 combined with having to extract 5 cases at the same time is just a bit too much for the design.

To quote the S&W manual:

"In the Model 940 revolver, some brands of 9mm parabellum ammunition may cause difficulty in extracting spent cartridge cases from the cylinder. If this situation occurs,thoroughly clean the cylinder charge holes with solvent. If this condition persists, we recommend changing to another brand of 9mm parabellum ammunition."

IMHO, there is no suitable "another brand", they all stick.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Friday, February 5, 2010, at 04:30:21 (ZULU)

Thank you Sir Wes. 30-06 and I registered and sent you a message on that forum.

Chuck: Yes, I have some boxes of the Federal around. Wow, it is like a flashbang at night and the different colors of handloads (Blue Dot, 296, 2400 can actually feel the warmth on your face). I love the smoothness of my Dan Wesson too. I was pretty okay with speed loaders since I did a bit less than 1/2 my competition with a revolver.

heeee, it's quiet here since Sniper Competition is on, like going to a range or Home Depot on Super Bowl day.

Best to all,

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Friday, February 5, 2010, at 03:35:16 (ZULU)

Federal loaded it. 125gr JHP @ 1450 or so out of the S&W 686. Oh, yeah.....it was a man-stopper. Didn't need any fancy flashlight-holding techniques at night, either. First round you torched off lit up the immediate area quite nicely. With a bit of practice, you could reload in about the same time as the new autos, too.

When I first started off as a sheriff's deputy, I carried a Dan Wesson .44 magnum with a 4" bbl. Stuffed it with 240 gr JHP's. THAT didn't last long; after the first time I did a Dirty Harry and stepped down to .44 Specials. Ouch. I now have a S&W .44 made out of that Scandium (unobtainium?) with the titanium cylinder. Don't shoot magnums out of that, either.

I miss the .357.

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, , Afghanistan - Friday, February 5, 2010, at 03:23:21 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Doc, Wow! What we coulnd't do with powder at those prices. This $18.00 + per pound is rediculous. HazMat fees even more so...

Still, I would like to have 32 lbs of Varget, 4064, or some such tucked away. I do have a couple caddies of old WCC 846 tucked away. Need to start using my old stuff instead of buying new. Just to rotate the stock. Picked the WCC up a few years ago for $56 per 8 pounds. Shoulda bought a truck load!

WR Moore...I agree the trigger guard on J-frames is a draw back. The option is to keep your hand in your pocket where it's warm intead of wearing gloves. Bulky gloves for shooters suck. Luckily, most of Oregon doesn't get THAT cold. The j-frames are the best option we've got unless you want to go mini-9mm or .380's. The smallest 9mm I'll go is my Sig P225...now THAT is a good pistol! The resurgence of P6's (Police/Euro P225's) on the surplus market has been a good thing. Have had several and they all ran great. Still, I like the all German commercial P225 best.

Sako world: My score on the Finn M39 was confirmed last night. Excellent condition and I got it for $250 including shipping. These usually go for about $450 in this condition, so really got a deal. Can't wait to get it this next week.

Kat Girl: The URL to the Sako Forum is: http://sakocollectors.lefora.com

Some good deals on old/NIB L61R's there...$1,250 for a 7mm Rem Mag version.

Your Sako looks very nice. You said Bain & Davis had done the work, but what caliber did you have it chambered in....?

I've been drooling over a full stock Sako in .375 H & H Magnum. That must be fun to shoot in a light rifle with 20" barrel(NOT). Love the full stock carbines and the High Grade Sako's the best, tho'.

More later...

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Friday, February 5, 2010, at 03:19:50 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

An old Buddy gave me a September 1951 American Rifleman. In it there is an ad for B.E. Hodgdon. SPECIAL-Powder using 4350 data $.75 lb. or 10 lbs. for $6.00, 80 lbs. for $40.00 or 110 lbs. for $52.50!

In the Dope Bag section of that same issue there is a discussion of Hodgdon Number 4350 data powder. The Dope Bag, for you youngsters, was billed as "answers by THE RIFLEMAN'S PANEL OF EXPERTS". The experts were Julin S. Hatcher, Harold MacFarland, Al Barr, Phil Sharpe, Elmer Keith, and Hugh C. Stith.

Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The cloudy Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 21:40:05 (ZULU)

BillR - your 'harassment' is well appreciated here I see :) I do as well.

My Coltsman/Sako (14xxx serno) is here and the previous photo:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=868950&l=d0cdf5c94a&id=1320952768

Kat Girl bored 2am = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHPqU9s2DnY

Chuck: From everything I've heard and seen. .357 Mag/125JHP is IT for a handgun...but for this gal, that is one snappy slap to the palm! I like in .38Spec Nyclad and the heavier SWCHP that stopped Platt/Mattix. I know that was a head hit, but I can place them pretty well for going "eeek" and moving.

Revolver, Ballistic Practical Joke Country (70s Dean Grennel Retro):

If you've ever loaded a 1300fps/Speer 148HBWC backwards w/ gas cup? If someone wants to shoot a jug of water, you let them (recoil is not bad at all). Grab a camcorder. From 3-4 feet away (you tell him to move closer so he won't miss). Unlike any other load I've tried, it dumps most of the energy in the jug so all the water shoots BACKWARDS dousing the person. That how I got back the guy who handed me the 45-70 T/C contender w/ BSL (Beeg Steenkin Load) who then stopped my (intentional - Kat's rocket car) backward movement and almost got a broken nose for my good nature ;) Then, of course it's lead scrubbing time for the bbl. My Security-Six 4" never required that much scrubbing! click

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 17:39:25 (ZULU)

BillR: Make the time, you old buzzard.

Wes: Design is done. Now to make the moulds.

All: Bowie knives are all gone. There's still an outstanding 5.56 Rem 700 on the Emporium. I'll take a GOOD target scope in trade.

CDC'
Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 15:31:48 (ZULU)

I never felt undergunned while on patrol, carrying the S&W .357 mag, or the Glock, later. But......I always had a little Chief's Special in my coat pocket or pants pocket. Saved my bacon, once.

It had a couple of little pits in the rifling, courtesy of some blood that didn't get cleaned out in a timely manner, but it shot well at seven yards. I had the hammer bobbed, and then had it Parkerized. Still have it. Even now, I dress for the Glock I carry, because I like to have as much gun as I can when I'm out and about, but my little buddy is never far from hand.

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, , Afghanistan - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 15:20:35 (ZULU)

Hi Agents; Been up to my neck in engineering problems here due to equipment and service upgrades. There used to be peace on the plains but now we have "high definition". The yotes are getting a rest this winter. If I survive it I'll be back to harass you all some day.

May the mighty O' be off your case!

Brogers
Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 15:17:57 (ZULU)

The one knock I've got about J frames is the itty-bitty trigger guard. Over the weekend tried to get my insulated gloved finger in there and it wasn't going. You've gotta make sure your winter gloves will fit the trigger guard and maybe add outer gloves if you have to.

WR Moore
Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 12:03:37 (ZULU)

Thank you Sir Wes. It sure is! It is beautiful. The fellow who essentially built it is 90 now (Bain and Davis). He did it in 83-84. I want to take it to him and show him how it looks now. The action was pristine and is a joy to lock a cartridge in each time. My gosh, that pre 62 workmanship...simply elegant! Let me know where the Sako Forum is :)

...and yes, I've ALWAYS wanted a J frame. Revolvers and I get along just fine and what a difference! Carrying a P229 on my build is like having a brick on my waist, but I sure wouldn't fault it in other ways or the caliber I've chosen!

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 10:28:29 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Kat Girl, I'm assuming from your comment on wildcat's and the L61R bolt that you are shooting a Sako L61R. Nice rifle!

I have a full stock Sako AII Carbine in .308 and just scored an original Sako M39 7.62 X 54R this evening. It arrives next week.

Come join us on the Sako Forum! Lot's of good Sako related info and you may find parts, bolts, barrels, etc. for your needs. Will send you the URL later...

You need a J-frame. Personally, I love K-frames, but theres a lot to be said for a 5 shot revolver you can drop in your pocket and forget about 'til you need it...

Exactly what you need for the super market trips for the milk you forgot earlier!

Plan to work with the M14SA, Sig P220ST, and my Whelan this weekend. That's gonna be fun. Still need to get a couple hundred rounds through the M14 to finish the break in process.

Doc, thanks for the good wishes. Seems to me that Hodgon used to allow you to buy powder direct from them...all you need to bring was your own paper bag for the 4895. Them days are gone for good...

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 09:09:01 (ZULU)

I (heart) J and K frames. I'd like to get a J sometime, my favorite revolver is an extremely well smithed M-13.

I'm always looking for 'wish-list' accurate wildcat conversions for my long-action bolt where I don't have to find a different caliber L61R bolt. But that's a long way. I want to get consistent and better with what I have first.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 03:58:03 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

Thanks for the heads up on the book. I usually have a J-frame in my pocket or near by. It's my standard back-up for for the Kimber .45. You're probably right on the 4350 being IMR and not Hodgdon. Back in the late 1940's I used to help them screen the dirt and trash out of the milsurp 4895 they were selling for less than $1.00 per pound. Unfortunately I don't remember when they branched out into different powders.

Cheers & keep getting better,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The chilly Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 03:14:41 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Pocket knives are handy, but I've long since graduated from dad's old Schrade folder to more serious cutlery. My daily carry blade is an Emmerson Commander. It's heavy weight, to be sure, but is capable of some serious work, use, and abuse. For a light weight blade I like the Spyderco "Delica" with serrated edge(slightly larger "Endura" is good, too). Good gear both.

"Green Eyes, Black Rifles" is on order. Expect to get SgtMaj. Lamb's book in the next few days. Looking forward to it. I'd like to see a real treatise on the '16 from someone who isn't trying to just sell add on gear. I'm in the "less is more" category and believe in keeping them light and handy...just like the originals.

Sinister, case in point on your procurment cycles. ALL USMC small arms seem to be blessed by the folk at Weapons Training Bn, Quantico. Good crew, but most are team shooters, in addition to being armorers and snipers. Definitely more accuracy oriented folk. Hence, we wound up with the M16E2. Almost a full two pounds heavier than the original M16, better sights, heavier barrel, round hand guards, and longer stock. They took an infantry weapon and turned it into a match rifle. It shot like one, too. My scores went from expert to high expert with it. Still, for a packing weapon I was just as happy with the original and could hit just as well with it...except in the off hand. We GOT what they spec'd.

I won't comment on the M4. Never carried one or saw one in combat with the Marines. Did see a few of the old XM-177's with the Recon lads.

Good reads: "The Shooter's Guide to Airweight J-frames". A Guide to the Classic S & W carry gun. By Stephen A.Camp.

A great book by a super gentlemen based on his 30 years in LE as a officer, trainer, Swat member, Swat Commander, etc. Well worth your read and belongs in every pistol shooters professional library.

Price is $22.95 plus $5.00 Shipping.

Contact the author at: s.camp9@charter.net for sales or visit us at the Hi-Powers and Handguns web-site.

Since I may be able to hobble about the woods this next season I broke out my custom .35 Whelan AI and started doing some load research. An old article by Townsend Whelan, in the American Rifleman(circa Dec. 1956), gave a good load for the 275 gr. Hornady RN. .358 bullet over 61.0 grains of 4350(I'm assuming IMR, since Hogden wasnt producing then to the best of my knowledge), a Winch LR primer, and Winchester .30/06 cases necked up to .35 caliber. Velocity was claimed to be 2,358 FPS.

Luckily, when I built the rifle I specified 1:14" twist so it will shoot the "heavies" quite nicely. Also, I'm sitting on five boxes of that particular(no longer made) bullet.

Anyone looking for a non-magnum rifle, with plenty of "hootus", this is it. It's ballistic counterpart the 9.3 X 62mm is a winner, too.

Travis, drywalling is tough work. My Brother-in-law did it for years and finally had to stop at age 57. His body just wouldn't take it any more...

Take care of yourself, Bro. Don't know about the arthritis treatment, but the prescription for pain used to be 2 fingers of JD on ice, repeat as needed.

End of the World/Disasters. Can we really every be totally ready? Don't think so...saw an exert on WWII in 1944 Italy, today. Towns had been bombed, shelled, and when all was said and done Mt. Vesuvius erupts! Talk about bad luck!

More later...

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 02:23:38 (ZULU)

Travis: show your GF this. It's with my teeny-tiny Benchmade. The dramatic music is there because I forgot the TV behind me was on some inane broadcast and was really loud on the video. clickaroo

You can try the old standby of a hot soak in Epsom Salts (strong solution= a little osmotic pressure). Taking an NSAID (even MAX 4X 200mg Ibuprofen) works but you have to be on schedule and I think it takes 48 hrs for the anti-inflammatory effect to be good (pain relief is immediate, swelling relief takes a bit). It goes against popular lore, but RICE; take a real blue rubber ice bag with ice and water (so you don't freeze your skin) and use an Ace Bandage to compress it where it's swollen. It's not only a pain killer, but it's like magic on swelling. Those icy hot ointments work a little. Peppermint smell is Methyl Salicylate, same family as aspirin and a little goes through the skin, analgesic and anti-inflammatory.

I used to put that on my sprained/broken ankles and torn soleus just going to bed. That way, I'm not trying to do something awkward.

The "Blue Ice" freezer bags (made of silica gel, alcohol gel etc) do not have the heat capacity ('cold storage amount') to do the job and can be well below 32F. My way you can do it before you go to bed and not worry. Next morning it can be like magic!

Ohh, try avoiding too much salt and carbos (aaaarrghhh). They make you hang on to water. If you're going out to a desert hide do the opposite :D

Best,

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 22:22:04 (ZULU)

Travis, try Essential oil of peppermint. It completely stopped the arthritis pain and stiffness, I had in my hands from decades of tightening the Kurt vise on a vertical mill, by beating on them with my hands.

4i's
Siloam Springs, AR, USA - Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 22:11:35 (ZULU)

WR Moore,

I went and found the drawings and spec's for one of these units I was talking about. This one is (138 KV) 45 MVA and only 91,000 KG (200,000 Lbs) According to their article they make up to 750MVA, 500 KV. Hope that clarifies.

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada - Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 20:43:54 (ZULU)

Okay, back to weapons.......

My girlfriend picked me up a new knife some of you with smaller hands might appreciate. It's a Gerber Fast Draw. It's an assisted open model that comes surprisingly sharp out of the package. It's way too small for my hands, but she can manipulate it really effectively. The button on the side is also easier for her to manipulate than my liner lock models.It's also really light weight and small, so it would work for the occassions where you have to wear slacks and don't want the big bulge from your normal knives.

Arthritis country:

Anything I can do about my hands swelling up like cooking sausages? I did eight hours of drywall demo and cleanup the other day, and now my fingers are so swollen up, I can barely use them. Anything I can do about this? I'm taking as much anti-inflammatory meds. as I can without causing me stomach problems. (I even stopped chewing.)

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 19:44:37 (ZULU)

Sean-those are little ones. The weight plate on our output stepups give the weight at 375 tons. Dunno if that's with or without the cooling oil, heat exchangers and insulators.

Federal was one of the transformer manufacturers I was trying to remember from before industry consolidation.

WR Moore
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 17:57:47 (ZULU)

Nice article on the xfmr mfgr, thanks Sean

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 17:02:18 (ZULU)

WR Moore,

I'm thinking you might want to look at Pauwels as well. They are just a few blocks from me and used to be the Federal Pioneer building. When the East Coast had their power fun a few years ago there were some immediate shipments from here to go there. A good friend is a trucker who'd delivered a few.

Police escort><Pacetruck?><Truck<>Jeep<>OversizeMassiveTrailer<>Booster><notherPacetruck

All at top speed of 45 or 50 miles an hour with a lot of closed roads and whatnot. Was quite the "To-do" and each one was in the area of 142 tons. IIRC.

I actually have the 'outboard profile' blueprints from one of the units that really is quite the thing. To make a model of the 'road train'.

Here's a link to the local paper about them, which you may find interesting:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/local-transformer-maker-to-get-jolt-of-cash-44126072.html (or click)

So endeth, PowerCountry I'm guessing.

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada - Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 16:29:57 (ZULU)

re: vulnerable electrical grid

The articles I read suggest that it would be a "perfect storm" (no pun intended). Almost total destruction of the big transformers in the grid, low replacement production capacity/thruput *and* no grid power to run the plants or transportation for feedstock to make more. Minimal stockpiles in the power companies or distributors since they don't consume them very quickly under normal circumstances. Talk about rolling the clock back to the gaslight era! It could happen tomorrow or a 100 years from now - it's just a roll of the solar dice. The only slim hope is that the whole planet might not get evenly zapped, and that at least one plant could still be able to run production. In such a scenario, it could be years before all the demand for replacements are filled.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 01:29:32 (ZULU)

WRMoore - I don't know, but I do know that Maxwell and EG&G do a lot of HV work, maybe you can drop them a line - ohhh wait 'lito or his friend who lives in New Mexico. I bet someone at MIT or CalTech EE dept would know too :)

Kat Girl
Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at 00:16:35 (ZULU)

Rod-thanks for the edumacation on solar storms/transformers. Not sure that's real good news (better than losing control of the grid), since there's only a very limited number of companies making large power transformers. With a lead time to delivery of years, a large scale problem is gonna be something to observe from a long way away.

If anyone knows of manufacturers of power transformers in the 250KV and up range besides GE, Siemans & Mitsubishi, please chime in. Back when I worked for Westinghouse, there were 7-9 major players and a shrinking market caused several to merge. I don't know off hand if Fiat-Allis (merger of Allis Chalmers & Fiat) is still a player. I know Westinghouse sold out, don't recall who to.

WR Moore
Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 22:31:55 (ZULU)

Ohhh duh! I couldn't understand why my rifle was zeroed at 100 yds and 5" high at 300 yds....I forgot to change my parallax adj from 100->300 yds and I probably was consistently off axis!

I'm going to get that book. My training was mostly handgun and shotgun. Three books I like are Andy Stafford, Brian Enos and Erik Lawrence (Erik's is a bit basic, but it's great to refer students to), I have many more and some of them have good drills. Lots and lots of mil hist, precision rifle and old Handloader, Rifle and anything which had good ideas - bunch of articles and books by Cirrilo.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 20:49:18 (ZULU)

Book Country

I'm nearing the end of "Boyd: The fighter pilot who changed the art of war"

It's the biography of John Boyd, who created the OODA loop, and had a significant impact on air-to-air combat tactics, aircraft design, and his lasting influence in the military. He's a flawed character, but compelling story of how one man can change the world. It's a must read.

Duman
Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 15:54:57 (ZULU)

I've got "Green Eyes & Black Rifles"....it's good.

I'm just finishing up "Fry The Brain"....also pretty good.

Kevin R. Mussack
Clifton Springs, New York, US of A - Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 14:42:02 (ZULU)

That's what I'm talkin' about! :) Thank you!

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 05:16:35 (ZULU)

"Green Eyes, Black Rifles" by Sergeant Major (retired) Kyle Lamb. Good dood, great book -- It will save you YEARS of learning it yourself.

Other good authors are Mike Pannone, Paul Howe, and Pat Mcnamara -- if you want information and techniques to drive the carbine to its limit.

sinister
Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 04:05:53 (ZULU)

"New division commander visits Afghanistan to highlight troops Climb to Glory"

Friday, 23 October 2009

By Sgt. Rob Frazier

Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion listen as Major General James Terry, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Commanding General, addresses them following an awards ceremony at Forward Operating Base Shank, October 22. "It's an honor to hand out medals to some great Soldiers," said Terry. "You uphold the standards, and you enable this brigade." (Photo by U.S. Army Specialist Richard Jones, 55th Combat Camera)

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Less than two months after becoming the 10th Mountain Division (Light) Commanding General, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Terry visited the Spartan Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team during a 2-day visit to eastern Afghanistan that began October 21.

“This is my third tour with Fort Drum,” added the general, who served as Deputy Chief of Operations in 2004. “I’m blessed to be back!”

Terry, who assumed command from U.S. Army Major General Michael Oates in early September, took time to recognize the individual accomplishments of his troops during multiple awards ceremonies conducted at Forward Operating Base Shank.

“It’s an honor to hand out medals to some great Soldiers,” stated the Chatsworth, Georgia, born general, to the Brigade Special Troops Battalion. “You uphold the standards, and you enable this brigade.”

27 Soldiers representing BSTB received impact awards ranging from the Army Achievement Medal to the Purple Heart as recognition of their outstanding contributions while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Army Sergeant Patrick Polley, of Chatfield, Minnesota and Specialist Jonathan Perrell of Walnut Creek, California, with the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment’s Sniper team were awarded for their efforts during a firefight September 7. According to U.S. Army Captain Kamil Sztalkoper, Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3-71 CAV, Perrell, the spotter for his team, and his shooter, Polley, successfully eliminated a target 1,696 meters away.

“We were already engaged with the enemy and noticed six more insurgents on a hill,” added the shooter, who was on an overwatch position covering Soldiers of C Troop. “We saw that one of them was carrying a Rocket-Propelled Grenade, and we took the shot. It’s one of the longest shots recorded with this rifle.”

The MK-13 Sniper Rifle is estimated to have an effective range of only 1,200 meters.

“Having General Terry here to present us our awards is exciting and a huge honor,” added Perrell.

“I’ve talked to troops everywhere, and you are making a difference,” added Terry. “You are doing significant things for our country.”

sinister
Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 04:01:39 (ZULU)

"Green Eyes, Black Rifles" - haven't read it, but it's on my wish list.

Lot of positive review on amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Green-Eyes-Black-Rifles-Warriors/dp/0615166547

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 04:00:20 (ZULU)

carbine country

Has anyone read "Green Eyes, Black Rifles?" How is it?

Good toys on the MilChannel right now! Like reading a Celestron, Swaroski, or Camera catalog. Makes you want to spend money now! :)

I love the way modern suppressors are compact and change the signature to a higher frequency range! Also, didn't realize they Lapua 6.5 recoil is less than the .308.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 03:12:52 (ZULU)

re: apocalypse country

If you want to see an example of the effects of a moderate solar storm on a power generation/transmittion facility, check out the reports from here:

http://solar.physics.montana.edu/press/WashPost/Horizon/196l-031099-idx.html

Some effects of solar storms were far beyond the nuisance level, especially at higher latitudes. In August 1972, a 230,000-volt transformer at the British Columbia Hydroelectric Authority blew up when shifting magnetic fields induced a current spike. On March 13, 1989, a storm plunged Quebec into a complete power blackout, affecting millions.

http://www.solarstorms.org/SS1989.html

Electrical ground currents created by the magnetic storm found their way into the power grid of the Hydro-Quebec Power Authority and the entire Quebec power grid collapsed. Six million people were affected as they woke to find no electricity to see them through a cold Quebec wintry night. This storm could easily have been a $6 billion catastrophe affecting most US East Coast cities.

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

On March 13, 1989 a severe geomagnetic storm caused the collapse of the Hydro-Québec power grid in a matter of seconds as equipment protection relays tripped in a cascading sequence of events.[1][3] Six million people were left without power for nine hours, with significant economic loss. The storm even caused auroras as far south as Texas.[2] The geomagnetic storm causing this event was itself the result of a coronal mass ejection, ejected from the Sun on March 9, 1989.[4]

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/23oct_superstorm.htm

The effects are expecially pronounced for any longer transmission lines and the transformers they feed afterwards.

WR Moore: The "we don't talk about it" pattern is similar to city emergency response exercise planning avoiding scenarios like - what if a 500KT airburst from a MIRV warhead was dropped in our laps? It's just so totally beyond anything they could handle that they don't even try to exercise for it.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at 01:24:21 (ZULU)

Actually, if sunspots/whatever do fry the electronics that regulate the electrical grid, it will truly be TEOTWAWKI. Look at what's run by the grid: petroleum distribution/production, food preservation, food preparation/manufacture/distribution, heat, probably natural gas delivery too since I expect all their stuff is electronically controlled/electrically valved. As is domestic water supplies. All train signals are now electronic as is most of modern medicine to include drug production.

Then there's communications:)))))). On the other hand, no more MSM! See, there's a benefit even in absolute disaster. All of which is why no one wants to contemplate it, much less discuss it.

WR Moore
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 22:18:13 (ZULU)

Markwell: Stick around. You add to the bullets-in-targets discussion.

Amyone who was interested in the big blade discussion may want to check the emporium.

CDC'
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 21:14:35 (ZULU)

Wes, the infamous M9 magazines are another example of giving the customer what he wants.

"Parkerize new production magazines."

"But that will induce malfunctions from drag. The specified magazines are polished blue."

"Dammit, parkerize the magazines or no contract!"

"Hokay, you're the customer."

Against all recommendations the Infantry Center Directorate for Combat Developments said the M110 was to REPLACE the M24 on a 1-for-1 basis. USASOC said, "We ain't turning ours in." Last February TRADOC finally asked Infantry Center, "WTF?"

The bottom line is Infantry is going to strap-hang on whatever USASOC buys, and the M24 is going to be re-barreled to 300 Win Mag, re-stocked, given a suppressor option, and possibly re-scoped until USASOC determines what their 33-caliber rifle is.

Army is buying the new SOCOM 300 Win Mag load as the interim magnum.

sinister
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 20:42:03 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Travis, I never try to second guess what happened in some of the scenario's you mentioned. In the first case the cops probably want you to verify that the miscreants have your in-laws goods before taking the time/manpower to arrest them. Unfortunately, in some areas, local LE views these as pure property crimes, that no one was hurt, and you probably have insurance. Besides, the judge is going to give them a light sentence(if any) or probation, so why bother?

It's sad, but common. They will view an active home invasion/burglary differently because people are at risk.

In the second case those officer's are responding to the State Laws of Kansas that they took an oath to uphold. Constitution not withstanding. Since I don't know Kansas law about open carry/loaded weapons in vehicles I can't comment further.

I do see a disturbing mind set of "I'm the Cop, I'm right" in many of the new/younger officers. Part of that is training. They're not there to argue, they are there to uphold the law, as it's written. The rest gets sorted out in court...hopefully.

EMP...not good. Unless your hardened against it your electronics are toast. Talk about the world stopping...what's going to happen when little Judy can't text her friends about her date last night? We've become too connected and are keyed on non-important things. One reason I don't take a paper...it's not worth it. When I came back from DS/DS I picked up a paper and there was NOTHING newsworthy. You've just got to be away from it for a bit for that fact to be "visible". Other than that, like the kids, you can get sucked into it...

Something like this happens you had better be prepared to be on your own for awhile and it will take a long time for things to normalize, if ever.

Rod, Luckily I have a huge roll of Reynolds Wrap under the counter. What works better...quilted or plain?

CDC(Dan), have you considered a hard interchangable "riser" portion to your design? Some industrial grade velcro would hold it well AND allow "spot welds" for various needs. Also, you could produce one base model and have the add-ons available for a nominal fee. Just a thought.

Equipment Wars: Sinister, we saw the supply chain in action with the fielding of crap M-9 magazines during DS/DS. The problem wasn't fixed as the same thing happened during the Iraqi fracas. Probably the thought was that the mags in the system were "new" and MUST be good...right.

Another sore point is that the guys in the rear get the new gear and the operating forces get shit. Hell, I was in Woodland BDU's the whole time until after Desert Storm. Not that it mattered...after a couple days we all had "desert dust" camo anyway!

AR-10: Like I said, I've been impressed with mine. Got some trigger time on the SR-25 and didn't like it as well, at about three times the cost. The Army M24 is a good system, IMHO. Got to shoot it with the M3 Luppie and the PVS-10. Would love to slap the latter on my M40A1! I KNOW I have the back door key to Ft. Knox around here...somewhere. Probably, with the winning lottery ticket I can't find...;-)

Just had a call from OHSU. They plan on scheduling my next surgery for Mid-March. Final date TBD. That's some progress!

My best to all,

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Monday, February 1, 2010, at 19:32:11 (ZULU)

LEO's:

I need a sounding board here. My cousin's place was burglarised while he was out of state, and we might have found who stole his stuff. When they called the Sheriff, they were told to go try to buy the stuff back, then call the law.

Am I missing something, or is whomever they spoke to criminally fucking stupid?

Also, the same cousin got pilled over for a tail light and now has to go to court for "criminal use of a weapon". Sounds like he was doing some bad shit, right? He was driving with a loaded rifle and handgun in the truck. He even stuck his head out the window and told the cops about it before they got to the window. They seized his guns.

The cops in Mulvane, Ks. are worthless shits and ought to learn to read. They should be made to copy the constitution and its ammendments by hand a thousand times.

Travis Morgan
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 18:45:34 (ZULU)

EMP- I'm not a EE, but my recollection of the effects of an EMP-natural or nuclear-is that it won't affect transformers, but will play merry hell with all the electronic load monitoring/switching equipment.

WR Moore
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 18:38:50 (ZULU)

Wes: "CDC(Dan), That M1A project is looking good. Not sure how much elevation you allowed for in your proto-type, but my comments about offering different options still stands. I like the basic design and can't wait to give it a try out."

I was thinking 7/8", 1 3/8" and 13/4" or so. It will be the first part of next week.

CDC'
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 17:54:51 (ZULU)

Armageddon Country:

http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-first-day-ofthe-next-week.html

Michael Bane writes:

Since it's the start of the new week, I thought I'd live up to my "most depressing man in America" moniker by posting this link on EMPs. There's been a bunch of EMP stuff around recently, much of it centering not on the "nukes over Kansas" scenario but rather on the now overdue major solar storm:

An extremely large solar storm, though, could induce geomagnetic currents that would destroy a substantial fraction of the large transformers on the power grid (possibly over much of the world). If this happened, electric power loss due to a large solar storm would be out for a period of years. Unlike nuclear EMP, such a solar storm is an eventual inevitability.

The last solar storm that could have caused this level of damage happened in 1859, before the power grid was in place (although in 1921 a large solar storm, of briefer duration than the 1859 event, occurred which affected only a small area of the planet). The power grid has only been in place for a tiny fraction of one percent of human history, and a really large solar storm (of the size and duration of the 1859 event) has not happened in that time. There is a general assumption that any solar event that is similar to, or larger than, the 1859 solar superstorm will simply never happen again, although there is no justification for such an assumption -- in fact, we know that this assumption is false. There is a good possibility that such a solar storm will happen in this century. If it happens in the current situation without spares for our large transformers, a large part of the power grid (including 70 to 100 percent of the United States power grid) will be down for years.

Interestingly enough, last year I talked to some, ahem, government types part of whose job it is to access major threats to Home Sweet Home. They were amazingly forthright and open on many topics, right until I got up to EMPs. The room got real quiet. "We're not going to talk about that," said Government Type A. "Won't, or can't," I asked. "What's the difference?" A replied. I asked whether the scenario presented in the novel ONE SECOND AFTER — nukes over Kansas — was viable. "What part of 'not talk about this' did you not understand, Mr. Bane?" Ah, well...remember, the Iranians have tested low-angle missile launches consistent with an EMP attack. Time to start working on the aluminum foil hat real seriously!

Posted by Michael Bane at 10:19 AM

Getting Prepared for an

Electromagnetic Pulse Attack

(or a major solar EM storm)

http://www.futurescience.com/emp/emp-protection.html

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, February 1, 2010, at 16:51:17 (ZULU)

I got a pair of M-22 military bins over on the Emporium - cream puffs - go lookie!

Meow.

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, Da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Monday, February 1, 2010, at 15:41:31 (ZULU)

MarcS

We got cut off the other day....Let me know when you get set up and we'll make a plan for the project.

outa here

Markwell

Markwell
The Alleghenies, WV, - Monday, February 1, 2010, at 12:58:51 (ZULU)

MikeM-Outstanding news! Good luck outside the wire.

JimB-You got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gotta save it.

Sinisters comments about the guys who have to use the gear not being asked what they want are universal. Possibly the only worse thing is when the purchasing/supply idiots get the specs and find "something just as good, only cheaper"!

Yeah, there may be isolated cases where that may be true, such as when something off the shelf is as good for practical purposes as something custom made, or can be beefed up for a modest increase. On the other hand, in many cases, the other product is more expensive for good reasons. Maybe there are good reasons for those multi-page requests for bids/proposals, if you write them properly, you get what you need. At least you do if you get to write the bid specs.

WR Moore
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 12:32:04 (ZULU)

The Leg Army's problem is they have a paucity of guys who know how to shoot and what their weapons are capable of, or what they SHOULD be capable of.

The Special Operations Command specs their weapons. They have lots of shooters. They specify how tight their guns should shoot and what their accessories should do. When they get the butt because the gear isn't performing to spec they sic their contract compliance guys on the suppliers -- first cutting off funds, then requiring the contractor to fix what was wrong, and if still sub-standard canceling contracts.

The M110 is EXACTLY what the Infantry Center spec'ed. They got what they asked for, not what the snipers wanted.

sinister
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 06:53:18 (ZULU)

Thank you Sir-Always-Loyal-Wes!

Combining two trains of thought, the episode on the decisive victory during the trench battles in France and the salute to those of ours who dealt with Tet on that day + your comment on Arclight. The book, "The Tunnels of Cu Chi" quoted ex NVA as saying Arclight was the one thing which destroyed the tunnels en masse and if had been done during the staging and buildup period; Tet would have not have happened. They were terrified by those B-52s. I'm glad those things are still roaring out of Diego Garcia (I guess they are?)!

Oregon, beautiful. You guys make me wish I had millions of dollars. I need both girl stuff (for Mall-Sale-Precision-Guided-Shopping missions) and those one-piece uppers and knife belt sanders you've been talking about...rats, I'm poor! :D

Kat Girl

yep, I love shiny objects too!

...speaking of hood ornaments, didn't MajPlaster want to put a big gyro on the back of a rifle one time? I thought it was a fun idea, but then, I AM a nerd.

MikeMike - I do wish you the best and keep safe wherever....

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Monday, February 1, 2010, at 06:52:37 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Just back from a weekend at the Oregon Coast. Great time and the weather even accomodated us with a bit of sunshine today.

Managed to find the wife some new shoes(we were looking for me), but she reciprocated by buying me a couple nice classy sweatshirts. On the Oregon coast in winter that IS dressing up...;-)

Stopped by "Facets". Our favorite jeweler, and gemologist, Richard had some interesting stories. We've know him for about 20 years and he's a real card and a wealth of knowledge. Gold now $1,100 an ounce a lot of jewelers are having trouble buying enough for thier needs and it's driving the cost of jewelry through the roof. He indicated that to keep costs down some jewelers are suggesting diamonds be mounted in high grade SILVER mounts. He's patently against that, but it's an indicator of the market and trying to keep some jewelry affordable.

Intersting, to say the least.

Found Sharran a white gold heart shaped ring with small diamonds in it as a Valentine's Day gift. A bit early, but she walked out with it on her finger. I'm a hero...for now.

Kat Girl, Enjoyed your comments about the significant other and the sniper channel. Mine is pretty good about it. Besides she can always go watch HER TV.

I've enjoyed the section on WWI Battlefields. It's hard to believe how we once fought wars and how the advent of air power/technology has changed the face of war. Trench lines? Arty not working? Can you say "Arc Light"...problem solved.

CDC(Dan), That M1A project is looking good. Not sure how much elevation you allowed for in your proto-type, but my comments about offering different options still stands. I like the basic design and can't wait to give it a try out.

Any idea when they are going to do your surgery? I'll be praying for you and a positive outcome.

Roger, I'm not quite old enough to have been around for Tet '68, but not by much. Nasty fighting, to say the least. Marines did well overall, I think, but the cost was high, as always it seems.

Steve, They've been running a lot of Sniper related shows on the Military Channel the past few weeks. Good stuff and up to date.

M-16 Chainsaw Bayo and Rolls Hood Ornaments: All I can say is WOW! +1 to the comments of "hope it steadies you out in the offhand/adds airodymanic benefit to the platform"...at least some folks HAVE a sense of humor.

Rod, as a former communicator I'm not sure what the benefit of hearing about Europe would do for us. Give more accurate sitreps? Not likely unless they have imbedded reporters, etc. At this point we'll probably be back to vaccum tubes, HF transmitters, and telegraphy...which can punch through jamming. Off course we can always text our buddies and run...'cuz the missile will be on the way compliments of the imbedded GPS in your phone...technology IS scary. Especially, when the other guy has it and you don't. See current Iraq/Afghan fracas if you need confirmation.

Still, you HAVE to have men on the ground or you don't own it.

Mike M., Good news concerning your mother's cancer scare and negative test results. Went through the same with wife and now my mom in the last six months. Big sighs of relief all around our house. I'm sure your's was the same.

Sinister, Thanks for your comments on the AR-10. It, and it's little brother, certainly lend themselves to being a more "solid" platform than their predecesors. Agree 100% with your comments on the weight, however. Haven't weighed mine lately, but it's got be be around 12+ pounds and DOESN'T swing like the old M-14 to be sure.

I do love the M14, tho'. You're picture from BHD was spot on...wonder what one of these could do with a Luppie 1.5 X 6 on it?

Leupold does have that new 1.5 X 8 30mm model coming out that seems to be slanted toward the DMR market. It may be very good. Time will tell.

Right now my own AR-10 had a Knights Armament Rail on it. I bought it that way, but it's not really needed, IMHO. Still, George Gardner knows how to build them and if I didn't have my M40A1 I'd use the GAP AR instead. I was pleased to hear your shooting/testing comments with your own AR-10. Are there any weak point or shortcomings I need to be aware of, Sinister?

Continually amazed by the platforms that are fielded, should be good, and then fail miserably. SR-25, M110, and...? Why is that? Looks over performance? I've never understood how equipment is tested so heavily and then fails so miserably when the troops get their hands on it. Guess it's like the old Marine saying: "Lock a naked Marine, in a bare room with two ball bearings and come back an hour later, he'll have broken one and lost the other..."

Oh, well.

It's going to be interesting to see how the Brits feel about their LMT rifles once fielded. That may bear watching, to say the least.

I'm contiually amazed by the amount of mission "essentials" our troops carry. Cripes, haven't we learned anything? SLA Marshall had it right, IMHO.

Kinda like being a cop. Just because you drive a Crown Victoria doesn't mean you have to fill the trunk with ancilliary equipment. Even if you could fit the family Frigidare in there...

All for now. Where are you Bravo???

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Monday, February 1, 2010, at 05:45:22 (ZULU)

That little harbor freight belt grinder coupled with a 320 grit belt and a leather one makes for crazy easy sharpening. I'm completely and hopelessly addicted. The wife asks.."honey, what the hell are you doing in the basement with every knife we own?"

medicjim
Monday, February 1, 2010, at 03:10:49 (ZULU)

Kat Girl,

Did the AFLAC duck swallow the cat or did the cat swallow the duck? My son is an AFLAC guy. Neat photo.

Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The chilly Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Monday, February 1, 2010, at 01:00:08 (ZULU)

"Honey, please don't change the channel, I'm trying to spot the sniper before his instructor...and by the way, this week, it's not a remote, it's my rangefinder, 'kay?" ;)

DocH: wanted to share the laughs this got me...somehow apropos, no? It's got an expression like, "...that bug left a funny taste..."

Thanks MedicJim! ooh sharp kitchen knives!

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 23:05:37 (ZULU)

MikeM: Fantastic news. Cancer got my dad a few years ago and got my step-mom last month. Gwtting out from under that must feel great.

Let's stay in close touch on your A2 project. Wes's M1A project is almost done and I have your design worked out.

Gentlemen (and lady): I checked out the other cheeker for the M4. It is a definite no-go on the S&W/Stag. Watch this space.

Wes: Click my name and watch the slide show. You will recognize your stock. That design is close, but no cigaretto.

CDC'
Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 22:46:37 (ZULU)

Just a "not often remembered" date in time. For those of us who were there, today is the 42nd anniversary of the 1968 Tet offensive. Hope all the survivors are doing well, and for those who didn't, thank you brothers for your sacrifices. Welcome home to all!

Indiansinger

Roger C. Carpenter
Vardaman, MS, USA - Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 15:46:01 (ZULU)

Steven:

That's why you need a Digital Video Recorder :-)

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 14:02:11 (ZULU)

Thank's !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwt4RggTEEw

Regards,

Steve

PS Military Channel is having "Sniper Week"

this comming week !!

"Please don't bother me now, Dear" :)!

Steven Dzupin
Ridgewood, New Joisey, Usa! - Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 11:29:18 (ZULU)

JimB,

This is one of my favorites:

http://gizmodo.com/5100331/a-chainsaw-bayonet-strapped-to-an-ar+15-rifle-is-the-ultimate-zombie-killing-weapon

Duman
Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 06:05:33 (ZULU)

"W.R. Moore - did that rifle look like this one? Click on my name for the link."

Lindy

Nope, I think he means this one..... (click)

Jim B.
AZ., You cant win the hearts and minds of the heartless and mindless., - Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 02:45:49 (ZULU)

Rod this is the first place to start: http://www.radioreference.com/ GREAT database of radio frequencies around the world. Go to the DATABASE HOME use the drop down for the country you want then go from there. Next these are some of the "cheaper" SW radios around and they also have the advantage of having the 2 meter amateur band: http://www.ccrane.com/radios/shortwave-radios/

Lots of other information available and if you can be a little more specific as to what you're looking for - e-mail me if you don't want it on the Roster, I'll try to help.

Sarge

Sarge
Southern Area 51, NM, USA - Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 02:38:33 (ZULU)

QSL Country:

This is a bit off-topic, but given the large number of hams in attendance I figured I would give it a shot...

(This would be a tough topic to research, since there would be too many false hits.)

A recent speculative survival/currency-crisis fiction story I read implied that it would be handy to have access to a shortwave receiver. This would be used to access broadcast news from Europe in event that news sources in (North) America were being censored or blocked. Rather like the situation in eastern Europe several years ago or the current situation in part of mainland China today. (LD phone and Internet has been disabled in a deemed politically unstable region. Only state-authorized news gets electronically diseminated.).

However, my casual research suggests that because other technical disemination means are currently available to European news sources, there does not appear to be shortwave broadcasts being made in Europe intended for the North American market. Since their directional SW broadcast antenna patterns are beamed at placed like Africa, I have my doubts that North American receoption would be practical with a simple ferrite or short-wire antenna that could be deployed "on-the-move"...

Comments, thoughts, references?

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 31, 2010, at 00:43:34 (ZULU)

Wes -- all stay tuned Bravo will be on line shortly.

Mike, All -- my shop is pretty much finished, will be able to do rifle / pistol work soon (rifles to start with).

Take care all -

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 23:56:57 (ZULU)

Wes, what I like about the AR-10T is rock-solid stability in the optics-to-upper attachment, with no-bedding or monkeying to make it really accurate. What I don't like is the damn gun is heavy.

The M14/21 you could swing around (even with glass). I hated having to re-zero the thing every few days (I had to bring my boys off the two US-sector ROK DMZ guard posts for a few hours every few days to confirm zeros, going in-and-out of heated quarters and observation roosts to outside guard posts and firing points in sub-freezing temps) and stuff breaking and not being fixed in-country.

The AR-10 is repetitively boring. Align, squeeze, bang, "X". Hot, cold, rainy. Did I mention it's heavy?

I've shot it hot (400 rounds), cold, and to 1,000. My comments on the SR25 stand. I'll stand aside for Rick's comments on the Mark 11, but M110 reports I've been getting from friends (Division Small Arms Master Gunners) are less-than-stellar.

I think Mark Larue's OSR/OBR is just about the right combination of weight, size, and Texas Magic in a 7.62 package. He seems to have made it right. Machinists have told me, "Don't make it if you can buy it." Mark went outside for the Bill Geissele Super Semi Auto trigger, but I think he makes everything else in-house or sub-contracted to spec.

I read the Brit quick-change mission requirement as, "Push two pins and change uppers" flexibility.

I've an AR-10 Carbine that feels like a grown up M4. It's got an M14 "Pencil-profile" barrel, so shoots about like an M16A1 -- nowhere near as accurate as a "Full-sized" upper but good enough for fire-and-maneuver or breaking contact (still all within an E-type at 300).

The M14 is a good, solid, wood-and-steel blasting rifle. The one the studio used in "Blackhawk Down" (linked) as a stand-in for Randy Shughart's is about as good as it gets before getting heavier.

sinister
Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 23:48:59 (ZULU)

WR, saw the same show about Marine Snipers.

How can some one hump all that crap and be stealthy ????????

What would Gunny Hathcock think of this ??

He liked Jelly with his crackers.

Regards,

Steve

PS Wife says that when I go to the range I look like the Junk Man :)

Steven Dzupin
Ridgewood, New joisey, Usa ! - Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 20:51:22 (ZULU)

MikeMiller: Congratulations. Long breath. Your mom, you and your entire extended family, but especially the nucleus must be so happy. It's a great thing to hear stories like that about good people!

Kat Girl
Pasadena, CA, USA - Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 20:21:55 (ZULU)

HOGs, great news. My mom who was diagnosed with cancer a few months back and not believed to be opperable, has undgone a new type of surgery and is believed to be going to recover. Parts have been removed you should have but better than alternative. It always pays to get second and even third opinions. She will be in hospital for awhile longer but spirits are far better than the death sentence she had.

On next note I start my trip back to sand box this week. Looking forward to getting outside the wire. Lots of work to do.

Slings will continue just retail will only be through dealers for awhile

Mike/Undude

mikemiller
ca, - Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 20:09:00 (ZULU)

MedicJim: Thank you received it. I'll keep you up on the progress

Hear it's sunny but muddy on the ranges. There's a 500 yd one open on the weekdays which I'd like to use. Besides practice, I have an old model rocket which will take a snapshot downward at the apex when the chute opens, it would be fun to see a RPV view of of a nearly empty range.

Kat Girl

Watching Mil Channel about WWI in France, it is good to see the modern depiction of maps and tactics of both sides, so much more dynamic and interesting than when I was young.

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 19:25:45 (ZULU)

Lindy-general idea, but the one I was talking about was VERY obviously satire. Unless the Rolls hood oranment adds sufficient weight to stabilize the weapon for off hand-or has aerodynamic effects that help counter wind?

Interesting show on the Military Channel the other night about current Marine scout/sniper training & equipment. The young men rally do need a gillied mule to tote all the "necessary" gear according to the new TO&E/. Unless you can dump some of that stuff as not mission related. Don't know the weights, but the volume of stuff was massive. As the one instructor said: "We don't walk out of the wire with a rifle and package of crackers anymore." The radios have gotten smaller at least.

The latest version of the M40A5 uses detachable magazines of either 5 or 10 round capacity. There's a neat stock mounted rail to allow night vision to be added without stressing the scope/mounts or touching the barrel. There are plans to shorten the barrels to 20 inches to facilitate supressor installation/use.

MC just quit being an extra cost option, so it's been quite a while since I've seen it. Nice change from all the repeats and "Great _____________".

WR Moore
Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 16:58:23 (ZULU)

Maxpedition's design innovations work great sometimes. Other times the design doesn't work at all. Workmanship and materials are top notch.

Click for final edit of the blade slides. It makes more sense now.

CDC'
Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 07:46:08 (ZULU)

Wes,

I just picked up a Maxpedition Sabercat, got a great deal on eBay. I have a Versipack as well. Love'em. Rock solid stuff.

Duman
Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 02:54:14 (ZULU)

CDC (Dan)...

Email sent to 'lito-san requesting your addr...

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 02:39:37 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Sinister, I'm truely enjoying the M14SA. Something about being the last wood and steel battle rifle, I'm sure. My plan is to leave it as is, but to upgrade the basic platform with a few accuracy improvments.

Bill, my introduction to the M1 Garand and M-14 was via the Navy in '70/'71. Fired both. The Navy was using converted M1 Garands that had been chambered in .308. The M-14 came when deployed to Southeast Asia in '71. Both were great. Also, we had the 1911, but by then I already had a decade of experience on that platform. I'm still a 1911 guy and have always been one. Give me a USGI 1911 and ball ammo any day...and I'll be a happy camper.

The M-14 genre certainly their shortcomings, but I've never heard complaints about it's performance as a battle rifle and prefer it to the FAL. Both are great rifles, IMHO.

AR-10's...mine is a GA Precision rifle, so it's not really a AR-10 except for the upper/lower and internals. All else was upgraded. None of the issues that have plagued the M14 with this platform. My one concern would be overheating from the direct impingment gas system. It's set up as a tactical rifle, not a battle rifle, so I doubt that would be an issue. Any comments on that or the platform in general, Sinister?

The AR-10 takes a bit getting used too...probably the size difference between it and it's little brother. Of course, you get a much more "manly" cartridge in the trade off. Mine has proven accurate and reliable. Although I may upgrade from the VLTOR collapsible stock at some point. One of these in .260 would rock...

Rails: use'm if needed, but I'll be darned if there's a reason for some of them I see. Cool factor no doubt.

LMT...hear great things about them. That monolithic upper looks interesting, but no way would I own one. Just don't have the need.

LMT did just win a contract for 440 DMR's for the Brit's. One of the contract specifications was for a quick(?) change upper configuration. Guess that's for the door kickers who want the DMR option. Don't know if the model was piston driven or not...someone want to clarify that?

Why is it whenever conflicting mission requirements come up I get a picture of troops wandering about with a quiver full of "options"?

CDC, Brain surgery? If needed, but after having six knee surgeries I get hinky everytime someone mentions surgery based on my own experience. Good luck and I hope it cures those tremors.

By the way, those knives are gorgeous. Guess I'll have to make do with my old Randall...for now.

Me? I'm waiting for the cure for old age...not the permanent one we all get, at some point, mind you.

They're talking about surgery 7 and 8. Number seven will remove stainless screws and go after the infection surrounding them. Number eight will remove the stainless wire and goodies on the knee cap. Great fun...

I'm going to try and get Bravo back here. He's got a lot on his plate and some serious "other" priorities.

Taking "she who must be obeyed" to the coast tomorrow. Mom has a condo she lets us use whenever we want. Great view looking down the bay and out to see, at Newport, OR. Even if it rains we can hunker down, built a fire, watch the bay, and have a great time. Doxies are going, too.

We'll unboubtedly wind up at "Facets" jewelry store. Local folk we've know for years...she's looking for a pearl pendant. Guess I have to get her something. After all, I did just get that new rifle...:-)

Good gear: Just recieved a Maxpedition Proteus Versipack. A butt pack that can be hand carred via handle or a belt for around the waist. Well thought out and not overly large, but offers molle type attachments for extra mag pouches or accessory gear. About perfect for wandering the woods while hiking or hunting. If I need more gear the three day assault pack comes out. More gear the old alice pack and frame get the knod. This, of course, depending on my knee healing before next October's deer season...

More later. I'll report back after the weekend.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 02:12:57 (ZULU)

Larry: My email to you bounced. Catdude, Marc, Kat Girl, and more have my email addy. Contact me.

CDC'
Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 00:32:53 (ZULU)

Dave Tubb testing his DTAC reticle in Africa...shooting baboons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9IYpwx3-_w

Nice range finder setup (Vector atop a Kowa Highlander).

Nice -- but not sniping. Course, you probably wouldn't want to mess with a baboon at hand-to-gland range. Big teeth.

sinister
Friday, January 29, 2010, at 22:06:21 (ZULU)

Larry- I'll try to post some pics of my bowie that CDC made later today.

Sinister- Now I have to have one of those monolithic uppers I saw at the SHOT show. The entire unit is machined from one solid block. Click my name for the link.

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Friday, January 29, 2010, at 19:16:25 (ZULU)

CDC (Dan)...

I guess the email went into the 'bit bucket' in "Never-Never Land..."

My email is: l j porter at valornet dot com

Hope the surgery works for you... I am considering back surgery, but not yet!

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Friday, January 29, 2010, at 16:58:48 (ZULU)

Larry, Travis liked the factory Camillus Crowell and you liked Marc's black handled Bowie. I sent you a long rostermail offering you a couple of ways to get one like it. Did it vanish into the ether?

Those pics are a getting a suprising number of hits so I turned them in to a slide show and added some pics and comments. Try to see past the lack of professional polish. These knives and these pics were meant for my own use. If I were getting paid both would be slicker. click

Yep; they should be able to kill the oscillations in my left hand with brain surgury. May as well. If I can't hit, what's the point?

CDC'
Friday, January 29, 2010, at 16:55:06 (ZULU)

Sinister,

The last SHOT show I was with Bravo, he and the LMT guys were like kids in a candy shop, talking details about scope mounts, and other things M1/M14 related. It was neat to see the passion they have for their products.

Duman
Friday, January 29, 2010, at 16:32:34 (ZULU)

CDC (Dan)...

Close but not Travis...

Please post a link - if/when - you put the knife on Ebay...

Brain surgery...?

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Friday, January 29, 2010, at 15:29:54 (ZULU)

Travis: Good pick. The tiger striped handle Bowie was the winner of the world cutting championship and was the Blade magazine knife of the year. There are 500 of those blades in the world . I have 2 and Duman has 1. The one you like is factory. I think I'll put it on ebay to get some cash to put toward a Krieger barrel for an f-troop rifle.

People have shown interest so I posted three more bowies I assembled and 3 ABS Master blades that will become knives. Those blades are supposed to be capable beyond belief. Someone could get a deal on one if he was interested. click

It looks like the brain surgury is on. Oh joy.

CDC'
Friday, January 29, 2010, at 08:33:49 (ZULU)

Totally off-topic, but it is music (much older than 50s) and it is full of joy. Just wanted to put up something nice. Check out some of the audience reaction, including tears. click

Kat Girl

CDC' treat yourself well and try to stay optimistic pleeze.

Kat Girl
Valencia, CA, USA - Friday, January 29, 2010, at 06:51:28 (ZULU)

Lewis Machine and Tool (LMT) is Karl Lewis' masterpiece. DAMN GOOD hardware there.

sinister
Friday, January 29, 2010, at 04:50:48 (ZULU)

Duman:

AICS is an abbreviation for Accuracy International Chassis System.

The company which makes rifles - and the chassis system - is Accuracy International.

Google "Accuracy International AS50", and you'll find lots of info about that rifle.

Lindy
Rockport, Texas, U.S.A. - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 22:14:06 (ZULU)

Duman, if you have a pager or blackberry, you can subscribe to a service which would astonish you with the quantity and gravity of events that take place in the east...it's actually quite cheap.

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

medicjim
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 18:02:35 (ZULU)

Here's an interesting take on the latest SC ruling:

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/john-farrell/2010/01/28/alitos-not-true-was-out-of-line-court-deserves-obama-smack.html

Duman
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 16:52:44 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

I was reading about your recent purchase of a new M14. I have owned at least one M14/M1A since the early 1990's. My first experience with the M14 was in 1972. I suppose you could call it a natural attraction since I shot the M14 so much better that the M16 at longer distances. I have worked with some good armorers over the years using various barrels, stocks and optics. My current M14/M1A based weapon is an older SA M1A sporting a Kreiger barrel, McMillan M1A fiberglass stock, and genuine GI surplus internals except for a BPT op-rod guide. I also use a BPT scope mount with Mark4 rings to hold the Mark4 M1 10X scope. It's a tad heavy, but it just works no matter what. Accuracy with match ammo is consistantly sub-moa. I came up with a type of slip-on cheek pad that was designed for hunting rifles. The stock is oversized so it fits really tight. It works good and I am fairly satisfied with it but I called McMillan and they offered to fit a recoil pad and adjustable cheek piece if I'd send them the stock. I don't recall the costs they quoted but it was probably a couple of hundred bucks. The receiver is bedded with Bisonite. A local armorer for the state police built two of these for me and the bedding has held up well over the years. I can remove the stock from the receiver assembly for detail cleaning after shooting a match in the rain and the zero just doesn't shift when its all put back together. The only stoppage I ever had in any type of competition was for a broken firing pin. I had logged over 11,000 rounds on that particular firing pin before it died(and God only knows how many dry-fires). Back when I was shooting three NRA High Power matches per month I hand loaded most of my match ammo and got a little too cheap and loaded some used brass one time too many. I was shooting a match and when we had brass call to police the area after the stage I found most of cases had seperated at the canalure(LC Match Brass). The rifle never stopped functioning. Lucky for me I had more ammo from a different lot I had loaded. I pulled the bad ammo and re-used the components in good brass. That could have gone really bad for me. Hope the knee heals soon.

Bill Bledsoe

William Bledsoe
Outback, KY, USA - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 16:47:56 (ZULU)

medicjim,

There was a abandoned hospital that went up in flames, it was in the news last night. Somewhere out east. Seems to be a lot of fires that way.

Duman
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 16:46:06 (ZULU)

MarcS,

Bravo has experience with LMT... now all we need to do is get his arse back on the net.... I'll give him a call.

Duman
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 16:33:55 (ZULU)

Sean T - on that fire I posted.... I think you may be correct, gas fed. The fire was in a bordering town and some of my guys were there... I was not. Even my best people are a bit confused as to what was actually going on.... once the fire was out, no gas leaks or pressure vessels anecdotally reported as present....the investigation is ongoing

medicjim
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 16:25:27 (ZULU)

Sinister,

Excellent info on AR-10s, M14s, etc..

I seem to recall an episode from TV, where the ex-SEAL was describing a semi-auto 50-BMG from AICS. Anyone know what happened with that?

Duman
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 16:23:28 (ZULU)

CDC (Dan), I really like the looks of this one:

http://s718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/9X198/Sent%20knives/?action=view&current=2010_0104m0011.jpg&newest=1

Are you making any of these for sale... and - if so - how much?

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 15:59:34 (ZULU)

Rod,

Them there French missiles, I think are those MIRF missiles, right? Multiple Independently-Targeting Retreat Flags.

Pre-Emptive "stick up our hands" notification devices?

Call me naive, but you'd think that something visible like this would be at least 'fessed up to" afterwards if it isn't pre-warned about beforehand or during said tests.

If it isn't anyones, then I'd be interested to see the effect of "mover practice". Can't hit what doesn't exist, right?

(just something to smile at whilst ya'll enjoy your coffee, no I'm not serious)

Sean T.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 15:29:29 (ZULU)

W.R. Moore - did that rifle look like this one? Click on my name for the link.

Lindy
Rockport, Texas, U.S.A. - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 15:04:37 (ZULU)

UFO Country:

http://www.nationalpost.com/most-popular/story.html?id=2492178

Submarine-launched ballistic missile test off the coast of Newfoundland?

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 12:52:47 (ZULU)

"Tricked out"- several years back someone posted a link that I sent to our lead armorer. It featured an AR with, amoung other things, a spotlight from a '55 Chevy, a Rolls hood ornament, fuzzy dice (or maybe a foxtail), a vertical fore end with laser designator, a cork screw, several antennas.... I'm sure you all get the picture. He had it printed in color and hung it in a prominent spot on his bulletin board where it remains to this day.

Despite this warning, some young'ins keep strolling into his office and asking if he can get them a ______________ and/or why we don't provide them as issue items.

I don't believe native (Indigenous Personnel to the PC crowd) bearers were ever issue items in any army. Officers had to have a certain number of retainers for "face" to be a proper pukka sahib. This was especially true if one had a certain social status. In these disturbingly common times, if one had such retainers, it would probably be necessary to make sure they couldn't outrun you while toting your weaponry. Dreadfully poor show, that.

WR Moore
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 09:18:38 (ZULU)

Is Lewis Machine & Tool considered to be a good company? I'm not very familiar with the AR market but I saw some things from LMT at SHOT that looked very nice. They had an upper that was all one piece. A monolithic upper receiver with four sided, full length pic rails all machined out of one aluminum bar. I was impressed but maybe that's easy to do. I also liked their rail mounted rear sights.

I would love to have another M1A. I think it would be for the memories of shooting high power in the reserves when I was a kid. I just don't want one bad enough to pay what they are worth now.

I'm making good progress on getting a shop opened up and obtaining my FFL. I'll be open for rifle building work within a few months if all goes well.

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 07:44:23 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Sinister, Understand the statement about "free", perfectly. I just took delivery of my LRB M14SA a short time ago and I'm impressed. Also, have a MRB M25 reciever on order. That does seem to overcome the issues concerning scope mounting and the M-14.

Of course that still leaves finicky bedding issues, etc. I guess an M-14 is still an M-14/M1A. There is something about them, however, that draws one in...I DO like the platform.

I doubt that the LRB is ever going to shoot as well as my GAP AR-10. That thing is just scary accurate and has proven reliable.

Still, for a rack grade rifle it's hard to beat the LRB. Mine seems to be shooting around an MOA with rounds it likes and it's not really even broken in yet.

Funny, you sold your M1A, as did I, but I'm gravitating back towards that platform. Must be the "getting old/nostalgia thing". Kinda like having a restored '63 'Vette that you couldn't afford when you were younger.

Boot's Obermeyer and I had some lengthy discussions about his involvement with the SR-25 program. Interesting anecdotes, to be sure. When he passes it's going to be quite a loss. I did note that John Krieger is offering his style of rifling. Boot's holds him in high reguard and THAT says a lot about the man and his products.

I'm continually amazed at the costs to "accessorize" rifles. Optics are and rail systems are bad enough, but who in the hell comes up with some of this crap? I keep getting a clear mental image of a tricked out '16 with half dozen optics, lasers, lights, and swiss army knife attached. Whew! Doesn't anyone realize(or think) that you have to pack that crap? I can't vouch for the Army, but last I checked Marine Officers were NOT issued native bearers for their gear...;-)

CDC, I'll wait to hear from you. I DO think you're on the right track and there is a market out there. Especially, with the resurgence of interest in the M-14/M1A genre.

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 06:59:36 (ZULU)

Wes, the M14 hangs on because it's free.

Some unit commanders choose to use their valuable pre-deployment money tricking out those free M14s (to the tune of several thousand dollars each). They then have unique, heavy M14s that many shooters (E-1 thru E-5, maybe even E-6) don't know how to use or maintain.

The LRB is probably best-of-breed with the forged receivers (especially those with the built-in Pic rail), but the rest of the system remains finicky M14.

The USAMU doesn't even own any M14s/M21s any more (well, one representative M21 for dog-and-pony shows).

The SR-25 was good when it ran. My two dozen didn't. The M-110 is having its initial teething and first-fielding problems.

I sold my M1A -- the second gun I bought with a Second Lieutenant's paycheck. I now own AR-10s.

The team of SFC Robbie Johnson/SFC Jason Saint John ran an AR-10 as the spotter's rifle, and they won the Benning International Sniper Comp two years in a row (with the off-screen shenanigans it should have been three, but they took it in stride and decided to smoke years two and three just so there'd be no doubt in anybody's mind who came to hurt feelings and take lunch money).

The Larue OBR is the latest in 7.62 in a just-add-ammo off-the-shelf AR. The British Army just bought the Lewis Machine and Tool 7.62mm rifle for their DMs.

sinister
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 06:09:24 (ZULU)

CDC,

I like them all and the Bowie's pretty elegant, but I really like the one with the brown tigerstriped handle.

Travis Morgan
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 04:59:48 (ZULU)

Larry Porter: Let's see if this works. This is MarkS' knife before the final clean up:

http://s718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/9X198/Sent%20knives/?action=view&current=2010_0104m0011.jpg&newest=1

http://s718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/9X198/Sent%20knives/?action=view&current=2010_0104m0012.jpg&newest=1

http://s718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/9X198/Sent%20knives/?action=view&current=2010_0104m0013.jpg&newest=1

This one is Duman's:

http://s718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/9X198/Sent%20knives/?action=view&current=2010_0112m0015.jpg&newest=1

http://s718.photobucket.com/albums/ww184/9X198/Sent%20knives/?action=view&current=2010_0112m0014.jpg&newest=1

I made the second one for my own use, but I had an extra and owe Duman a favor.

Wes: I'm going to do some research and get back to you in the next couple of days. This is important so there will be timely follow up.

CDC'
Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 04:16:53 (ZULU)

RE: Colt 1911A1

I have put eyes and fingers on a 1942 Colt that has the serial number both on the frame and on the slide under the firing pin stop. Serial # is 840,XXX.

I've seen some material that says: Colt M1911A1 with serials between 710001 and about 1139xxx have the serial number under the firing pin stop plate.- YMMV

Doc Mac
Prowler Land, WA, - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 03:32:13 (ZULU)

re: emergency power

Lindy's advice is right in line with my thinking too, FWIW...

If you want "green" generation that will work in the winter in The Great White North, look at wind, not solar, IMHO.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 00:36:51 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

CDC, It must be that I'm the only one with a penchant for M-14's/M1A's?

A perusal of various manufacturer's site's shows most are using strap on/ballistic nylon configurations. Some allow height adjustment, but most don't.

There seems to be a wide variation of heights required/available as several manufacturer's offer 1", 1 1/4", 1 1/2", 1 3/4", etc. All the way to 1 7/8" high.

One of the issues is that there is a wide variation in stock sizing/design and you're going to have to deal with that in a "one size fits all" configuration or offer variations on the theme. A design that would allow adjustments by adding/removing strips/material on the cheek piece may be an option. Whatever your final design is it will have to be immobile once in place.

One manufacturer has a solid cheek piece that requires drilling two holes in the stock, through bolts, and a hard cheek piece. Infinite adjustment, I'm hearing complaints from the user community that they don't want to drill their precious walnut stocks and are going the "strap on" route. The others drill away, smile, and are happy. Not a bad solution, but not a real popular one it seems.

There are no simple solutions.

A number of after market/adjustable stocks are offered by Sage, EBR, Sedlack, JAE, and others. They are stable, adjustable, and will cost about $600-$1000 by the time you get the options you want. I see the military using them because of the rail systems. Other than that "toy boys" with deep pockets are buying the cool factor.

The traditionalists are where your market lies...

The stock you have is from a M1A...probably the largest user community. The true M14 stocks are a bit slimmer. Be they Walnut/Birch or Fiberglass.

Don't see this as an easy "one off" situation. Wish it were for manufacturing ease.

There's an interesting thread going on about this on the M14 Firing Line Rifle Association site. It might be worth a look see on your part. Introduce yourself and ask for their assistance. It's a pretty good group and there is A LOT of M-14/M1A experience there.

Music? Favorites? Still like Frampton's "Do You" as well as any, Santana...always, Eagles...all.

Used to like polka at the Beer Platz, but it lost something when I stopped drinking...

Sinister, glad to see you appear. Care to chime in on the state of the M-14 in the Army/Marine Corps? I know we have the MK 14, M-110, SR-25(was it REALLY a disaster), and other AR stype platforms, but no one has really told me there is anything as reliable as the M-14 series. Especially, in a new stable stocks.

Kat Girl, Doxie's are doing fine. Wife had a Xmas calender made with Doxie pics and grand kids. Nice, but it's definitley one of the "you know your getting older when" moments.

The knee: Healing slowly. Still has minor infection and they want to do surgery number seven to remove two stainless screws, clean out around them, and try to get the infection under control. This is going on 18 months and seven surgeries...it's getting old.

Doc still will not allow a return to work, even in light duty status.

Will be looking for a new job at that point. Either within the department or somewhere else. Will deal with that when the time arrives.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 23:52:37 (ZULU)

Travis:

What you're looking at is a scam for suckers.

Click on my name for the full specification sheet on that POS. Note that the battery for that puppy is only a 51 amp-hour AGM battery. It won't supply much power for very long - if you hook up an 1800 watt load to that puppy, it'll be stone cold dead in 20 minutes or less.

The solar panel will only supply 5 amps max - which is also the maximum charge current on the battery, so it will take 20+ hours of bright sunlight to recharge the battery.

If you want an emergency capability similar to that one, buy two 6 volt golf cart batteries and hook them up in series. Forget the solar panel - charge them with any auto battery charger. Hook up a power inverter of your choice of capacities - there are a bunch of them here:

http://www.powersystemsdirect.com/Large_1500Watts_2500Watts_Power_Inverters_12V_DC_AC_c27_52.php

I didn't bother to do any research on inverters - you can probably find lots of good ones even cheaper.

What I have for emergency power is a Honda EU2000i generator. It produces true sine-wave power for a long time, and is almost silent. Runs on ordinary gasoline - siphon some out of your vehicle tank. It's easy to pick up with one hand, costs under $1000 new, and will produce a lot more power on a gallon of gas than the scam item.

Lindy
Rockport, Texas, U.S.A. - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 23:11:55 (ZULU)

Serial numbers under the firing pin plate was practice for National Match pistols (as opposed to service pistols).

A service or commercial grade service may/will have an inspector letter under the plate, and one or two inspector initial stamps on the top of the receiver deck (usually one to to the aft and one to the right of the disconnector hole).

sinister
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 22:14:45 (ZULU)

WR, thanks for catching my error......I should have said "slide" not frame!

I'm under the impression that Colt slides had the serial stamped on the frame under the firing pin stop plate up to a certain serial number. Since this one does not, and it is in that serial number range where the practice was standard, I have to believe the slide is not original to the frame.

Les
CT, USA - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 20:19:02 (ZULU)

Any one got a picture of this knife...?

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 19:29:50 (ZULU)

CDC- I got the bowie knife you made for me. This is one impressive beast of a knife. You got the balance point just right at about one inch in front of the handle. It's a huge knife but feels light and nimble in the hand because of that balance. Just for fun I chopped up some 2X4's with it. I chopped several of them making big wood flakes all over the garage floor. It's still as sharp as it was when I took it out of the package. This will make a fantastic tool for all sorts of camp chores from cutting food, clearing saplings and sticking pigs. I couldn't be happier with it thank you very much.

Charles- That's a good description of a nasty day but I'm glad that's all you have to complain about :-)

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 19:13:02 (ZULU)

Speaking of machine guns.....I STILL hate the M249. Left for the range at 0-dark-thirty. After we got there (it was COLD), the rain we haven't been getting lately decided to show up. Afghani mud has the consistancy of fresh Bondo, and is about as hard to get off when it dries. Slithering and sliding around in it, trying to keep a sight picture on that little bee-atch is maddening. Should be outlawed.

On the brighter side, the M240 is a sweetheart. M-4 and Glock are just excercises in muscle memory now. The old, fat ex-cop outshot all the HSLD military types. Uncle Sam should make everyone carry a pistol.

Gonna try to thaw out and get the Bondo out of the rifle and pistol now.

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, Afghanistan - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 13:05:54 (ZULU)

Travis,

I would have to disagree....I think this one fits better.

Click

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 13:01:15 (ZULU)

Les: "the frame does NOT have the serial number under the firing pin stop plate."

Since the frame doesn't have a firing pin stop plate, where exactly would the serial number be?

Seriously, I've never seen a serial number on Colt slides. If the frame number is in a Colt range and the slide markings are consistant with Colt, it's probably OK. If, in your experience, Colt suddenly started serializing slides, then the slide may, just may, be a replacement for a damaged slide. Or, the guy with the stamps, just forgot to stamp the number in.

If the slides were being numbered, it was done during the assembly process. Frames were numbered in manufacture.

WR Moore
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 09:47:50 (ZULU)

Joe,

That song should play whenever I enter a room.

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 09:12:14 (ZULU)

Link Country, on topic tune, new to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TC2xTCb_GU

or click.

Joe M
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 06:24:24 (ZULU)

Addictive training tool:

http://www.shooterready.com/moademo.html

sinister
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 02:50:53 (ZULU)

Re: FN Herstal M3M GAU-21 Wowwwww. ohhh - it was originally an aircraft machine gun. click

Kat Girl
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 02:15:47 (ZULU)

MedicJim,

I don't know from Shine-ola, but that sure seems to be more ferocious than it should be. Meth lab? Care to elaborate, or speculate?

Considering the 'continuity' of the fire, I'm thinking it is not reloaders stuff as that would be more 'quicker and shorter' right?

That looked like flammable liquids.

Or I can be totally wrong.

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 01:36:53 (ZULU)

Who wants to run in this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi9olDy-XfY

Next town over, couple days back

medicjim
Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 01:21:58 (ZULU)

Checkout a new toy from FN Herstal. One way to control traffic :)

http://www.fnherstal.com/index.php?id=502

or click my name.

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, Keep America - God Fearing, Armed and Free!!!.. - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 01:18:02 (ZULU)

re: Lithium batteries

Marginally mfgr lithium-ion batteries were the underlying cause of the laptop computer fire rash and recall from a few years ago.

The hazard from lithium batteries is why the air transport regulators have a limit on mass of lithium batteries in checked baggage for passenger aircraft.

If I want to order lithium batteries from vendors, they are supposed to only ship by ground and mark the packaging accordingly.

If you want lower-cost watts, go with lead-acid battery chemistry. Very mature technology, not as dangerous as lithium-ion. The big hint - what kind of battery do you find under the hood of most passenger vehicles for the engine starter?

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 00:15:49 (ZULU)

I was playing with CDC's 'Chopper' the other day.. what a helluva knife! The Chopper is incredibly sharp, and balanced for swinging like a machete. The heft of the 1/4" (3/16" ?) thick blade makes it feel solid in your hand, with a feeling of control. Taking it to a 1x3 (the nearest available piece of wood) I nearly cut the 1x3 in half, with a single stroke. With some effort, I might be able to cut it in one swipe. Inspecting the blade, it appeared the knife had never been in contact with the wood, the point of contact on the blade appeared untouched and still razor sharp.

Purty Kool....

Duman
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 22:27:28 (ZULU)

simple short

medicjim
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 21:17:00 (ZULU)

Jim, how did they cause it to fail?

Travis Morgan
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 20:33:50 (ZULU)

Travis...

Hybrid cars are driving around these days with great big Lithium batteries inside them. Have a look at what happens when a tiny little battery shorts out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS2hGoJVmlA

I haven't yet dealt with a lithium hybrid car fire (Toyota and Honda use NiMH)... hoping to retire before they become common.

http://wot.motortrend.com/6631656/green/toyota-locks-up-lithium-supply-for-future-hybrid-batteries/index.html

medicjim
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 20:06:45 (ZULU)

Techno types; how do I build this thing a damn sight cheaper? I'm supposing the "power backup" doohickey is equivalent to a truck battery; is there a better solution to long term power storage? Do they make Lithium batteries this big, so they'll last longer?

Travis Morgan
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 19:35:04 (ZULU)

Ayla Brown, daughter of the new Mass. Senator Scott Brown, singing our national anthem as it use to be sung. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U5SGSr6kXY

HDR
OK, - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 19:05:24 (ZULU)

re: Hitler movie

The ACR version will resonate with anyone who understands the firearm industry and the players.

The "base" movie is not from anything recent. There are several stories told on Youtube with that movie as a background.

Apparently the base movie is "The Downfall".

http://www.downfallthefilm.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downfall_(film)

extract:

In the bunker, Hitler discusses the situation with the generals, believing that Waffen SS General Felix Steiner will save them. However, Steiner cannot mobilize enough men. Upon learning this, Hitler dismisses all except the four highest-ranking generals. He furiously accuses the Wehrmacht of sabotaging him from day one, but acknowledges that the war is lost and states that he would prefer suicide over surrender.

http://www.wired.com/underwire/2008/05/adolf-hitler-is/

That concludes today's research :-)

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 16:40:51 (ZULU)

Pablo: Make the time to come here, would you. Aside from being a damned human firearms encyclopedia, you are part of this place's unique ...what's the word I want...flavor? ambiance? je ne sais quoi? Spreken de deutch?

The computer guy is out of pocket thus the site hasn't been updated but I am able to make all the M1A cheekers anyone could want. Click, go to "contact us" and tell me what you want. If you don't like, I'll replace. If you really don't like, I'll refund.

CDC'
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 16:36:09 (ZULU)

rod...

>"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0Pu-rvFjs&feature=player_embedded"<

cracked me up too. Anyone know the movie that is from - I have seen it, but can't place it - "Dirty Bastards"??

'lito

CatShooter
Spring has sprung, da' creek has riz, I wonder where dem kitties is? - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 13:37:41 (ZULU)

Les,

In my limited exposure to Colt collecting the only thing that is certain is that nothing is certain. Colt never threw anything away so you can come across some rather "interesting" guns.

Good luck & Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The chilly Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 12:31:47 (ZULU)

Kat

Glad the plugs worked for you. My big fingers and those little 22 plugs don't get along.

Joe

I'll get that to you today E-Mail

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 11:30:00 (ZULU)

Since I finally figured out my new Mp3 (damn, being stupid makes life hard!), it's all Allman`s, all the time. Gonna get some Seger soon, too. Little Feat and ZZ Top for in between, and Dixie Dreggs for Muzak. Also found out it's great for taping those "important" meetings at work. Lots of discretion, very little valor.

If I could only afford one of them there fancy cheek welders, life would be good.

Steven Racer
somewhere in Dillsburg, PA, formerly United States - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 05:56:43 (ZULU)

Pistola Country!

Got a line on a Colt M1911A1, military (Army) 1943 frame SN#888,XXX and the frame markings, finish and slide markings all look good and matching...

EXCEPT...

the SLIDE does NOT have the serial number under the firing pin stop plate.

Would that be of concern to you if you were considering purchase as a collectable? I know that both the Colt slide and Colt frame should be serialized in the appropriate manner to be original in this number range.

Were any issued from Colt without both being stamped?

No, it shows no arsenal rebuild marks at all. No modifications, all markings on the barrel and slide are correct. Just no serial on the slide.

EDITED to change "frame" to "SLIDE"... my error!

Les
Cold and Wet, CT, USA - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 02:28:32 (ZULU)

CDC-Thank you, thought "Doctor", typed "Captain". Only excuse is that it was 0530 or thereabouts on the first nightshift. Just before I typed that, the name of the only Trogs hit I know of popped into my head after wondering about it for several hours. The brain cells are fewer and work more slowly-especially when sleep deprived.

WR Moore
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 01:07:57 (ZULU)

Rod, you bastard! I damn near pissed myself; that vid's full of great one liners!

Travis Morgan
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 00:04:34 (ZULU)

Robin Trower "BOOM BOOM (what is it) OUT GO THE LIGHTS ; )

I've got a hangover just from the memories!

'90s music try BR549 "The Cherokee Boogie" makes me wanna play with my wampum : )

4i's
Siloam Springs, AR, USA - Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at 00:03:09 (ZULU)

Hitler finds out how much the new Bushmaster ACR will cost

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0Pu-rvFjs&feature=player_embedded

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 23:39:43 (ZULU)

Memories of the 60's at the Great Lake's Naval Training Center !

http://www.usssatyr.com/audio/chickenman.wav

Lisitened to this every night :) ,even on Ground wave in Winter. LOL

Regards,

Steve

Steven Dzupin
Williamsburg, Va., Usa? - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 23:39:39 (ZULU)

re: Wayback machine

Yes, Sherman my boy, you certainly did!

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 22:46:48 (ZULU)

I recently broke down and bought a new CD player for the Nissan truck. It's over fifteen years old, and I've had a cassette stuck in the player for the last five years. So....I had to buy some CD's for it, I bought the Moody Blues anthology. Haven't listened to most of that music since the middle '70's. Jeez, that took me back. Wife and I sat in the parking lot and listened to it for an hour......"Wow, Mr. Peabody, we really dialled the Way Back Machine a long way, didn't we?"

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, , Kabul - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 17:57:56 (ZULU)

Moody Blues: Last night on the radio, the program was a retrospective of MBs, playing a lot of "obscure" stuff that was actually pretty cool. The history, biographies... neat. Everyone in the band was cross-trained on multiple instruments, which added layers of complexity to the music. Beautiful stuff.

I actually listen to stuff from all eras, I've been on a Stone Temple Pilots jag (90s, 00s), Alice in Chains (90s), mixed in with some Cowboy Junkies (80s, 90s, 00s). Most of the music kids are buying is hip-hop (read: CRAP).

Duman
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 17:27:03 (ZULU)

Calvin: "Whiter" Shade...

WR Moore: "Dr" Hook...

Sheesh...the kids these days...

M1A guys: Talk to me. What heights and what stock variations?

M1A Pics will be up later today.

CDC'
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 15:33:46 (ZULU)

WR Moore,

Uriah Heap - demons and wizards..... don't forget Procol Harum- 'a whiter shade of pale' for old mellow music. Memories there now... back to geezing..

stay safe

Calvin

Calvin
e-burg, MD, U.S.A. - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 14:01:19 (ZULU)

The auld music do bring back memories. I remember the name Uriah Heep, couldn't tell you the name of any song they did. On the other hand, I bought a tape of Captain Hook some years (OK, decades) back so my older son could hear "Cover of the Rolling Stone". I was truly surprised at some of the other music on the tape. Didn't know who'd done them when heard on the radio. BTW, my son laughed his butt off listening to "Cover", we had to explain the whole song to my older stepdaughter-who'd never heard of Rolling Stone.

Some of the band names then were wierd. Of course, so were the dudes who were in the bands. For the milk drinkers, add the Cowsills to the Partridges. On general principles, add Shadows of the (K?)Night.

WR Moore
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 09:05:41 (ZULU)

The cheeker for the M1A works fine but it looks like a '72 Volvo. Tomorrow I'll add some style and srart taking orders. Allow a couple of weeks.

Joe M: Early Floyd, huh? I just Googled Ummagumma and found "Careful with that axe Eugene". "Set the controls for the heart of the sun" can't be far.

CDC'
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 08:52:32 (ZULU)

CDC: Bridge of Sighs. Man, that makes me wanna go unbox my CDs and give a listen; great album (vinyl is missed at times). I have an older win 98v2 machine that has this creative labs soundcard in it, and with these klipsch 5.1 speakers--it rivals anything I have ever owned (I was pioneer in the 70s for amp, SAE for equalization, and pioneer on the turn table. forget my reel to reel maker)---but that card with those speakers is clean and full. This newer 'puer sounds like butt, even with the quality horns.

Traffic? Early Floyd? Moody Blues? The mellow stuff fits my mood tonight.

Ya know, back then they all made great music, and we did not know or care what their politics were. Now, I know more about Springsteen's liberalism than I do about his latest song..whatever it may have been. Shut up and sing already:-))

Joe M
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 07:24:07 (ZULU)

good pr for the Good Guys in Haiti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJXPiK-mc2g

from Dave who used to post here.

Don't worry guys, I have a very funny Aussie friend who likes to say: "I do not like any music made in the 20th century." Guess I should mention he said it pre-2000.

Duman-Scratchmaster Steve?

Kat Girl -> the real me:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1014855&l=0ba2a81f87&id=1320952768

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 06:13:36 (ZULU)

Last one ever, (click) Again; It comes off a lot different through a Kenwood integrated amp, Bose 901s and a Soundcraftsman equalizer.

That's Trower again.

CDC'
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 05:09:54 (ZULU)

rod regier: (Click) Does that sound familiar? When this came out I was 17. My stereo cost me $1600, which was significant at that time. It sounded much different than it does jammed through this 'puter's rinkety little tomato cans. You may recognize the guitarist; His name was Robin Trower.

CDC'
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 05:04:50 (ZULU)

That seems to fit...

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 03:23:13 (ZULU)

Larry:

My suposition is that musical preferences are established during the pre-teen and teen years.

CDC:

I remember that version. I think it got a lot of radio airplay.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 03:17:32 (ZULU)

I guess I'm older than I thought... The 'best' music was from the 50's...

Sharon

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 02:54:16 (ZULU)

M1A cheeker problem is solved. Now for Mike's A2 contraption.

Rod R: "Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" was my favorite. "In Held Twas In I" was as good as it got. That was damned near 40 years ago.

CDC'
Monday, January 25, 2010, at 00:36:29 (ZULU)

For you 60s music animals (not to be a Burdon on you forum guyz), I'm seeing similarities in music too now - Twilight Zone, both the TV theme music and Golden Earring two of my faves.

You're going to like this Click

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Monday, January 25, 2010, at 00:21:01 (ZULU)

CDC:

A Whiter Shade of Pale?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8jJ1ORIOes - video

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

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 21:32:48 (ZULU)

Yes, it was a typo. I was using a keyboard that has haji lettering as well as good ol' 'Merrican letters. Sorry. 1910, it should have read. Let's see if the kid comes up with 1-2-3 Redlight.....Do those guys still exist?

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, Afghanistan - Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 21:03:40 (ZULU)

Duman: That's Procol Harum with a "u". They were good.

M1A cheeker design is done. I'll have a pic posted at the link (click) as soon as my web guy vecomes available.

I still need info from guys who use this rifle.

CDC'
Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 20:56:02 (ZULU)

Charles:

Unless it's a typo, it's the 1910 Fruitgum Company

http://www.1910fruitgumcompany.com/

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 20:49:22 (ZULU)

"The Partridge Family".... that's REALLY digging deep...

Sniff 'n The Tears

Delfonics

Procol Harem

Duman
Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 20:04:40 (ZULU)

Old Music Dept........I finally managed to get on a shift that has some more "mature" individuals on it. Sitting around, BS'ing before roll call, we got on the subject of old music. One of the younger guys insist he knows much about the subject, even though his idea of "old school" is Marilyn Manson. So, his assignment for the next week is to give us examples of music from such artistes as:

Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs

Paul Revere and the Raiders

The Trogs

The Turtles

The Partridge Family

Uriah Heep (a perennial favorite)

Golden Earring

1810 Fruit Gum Company

For extra credit, if he gets those, we'll need anything from Barry McGuire or Larry Norman. If he passes these trials, we'll get really inventive.....

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, Afghanistan - Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 18:53:07 (ZULU)

Shot Show news from Frank James blog:

http://frankwjames.blogspot.com/

From the department of almost forgot, I learned today that Les Baer will 'introduce' (it was already known on the show floor) a "new" cartridge. It will be known as the ".264LBC". If that particular bullet diameter seems somewhat familiar, especially when chambered in an AR-15 format type rifle, Well then award yourself an ice cream, a beer, err...whatever.

Les, whom I consider a good friend, has tired of the antics of a certain firm that demands a royalty be paid for every rifle chambered for their proprietary cartridge. Les is a stand-up guy and figures enough is enough, so he didn't protect HIS cartridge and doesn't care what the other manufacturers do. They can ignore it, or they can chamber guns in it. (So far he's heard that 7 manufacturers are already tooling for it.) Soooo, for all of us folks out there who wanted an AR-15 in a caliber bigger than 5.56x45mm that would shoot like a house afire at 200 yards without jumping through the mandated legal hoops.

Les Baer has answered your need.

A popular gun magazine will have the story on a news stand in approximately two weeks...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 17:27:44 (ZULU)

M1A-M14 guys: No problem making the cheeker. The only problems are: How high do you want it? and what stock configurations do I need to fit?

Talk to me. You want, I'll make. Tell me what you want.

CDC'
Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 16:09:05 (ZULU)

Reid finds out Brown won...

Click

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4aQCiRjvZY

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 13:44:06 (ZULU)

Clicky. The death of Obamacare.

Travis Morgan
Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 01:41:17 (ZULU)

Gary K: My divorce is still raiding my wallet hard, so "not yet." By April I should have a workable budget again...

If it is not a family secret--I would love to get the recipe you used for the jerky. I have an old German one, but after 16 years, it is getting old for me too.

Joe M
Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 18:55:15 (ZULU)

Gary K: I exaggerated. The jerky was good.

CDC'
Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 18:18:13 (ZULU)

CDC

You didn't get a sample? I cured it with maple sugar. I really don't want to break my arm patting myself on the back, but that's the best batch i've ever done. Go figure, i only had 5# of venison to try it with. Glad the kids liked it.

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 11:35:35 (ZULU)

Wes: Got the stock today. Compared with Mike's A2 project this is pretty simple. I'll cast this stock and get the molds made this coming week.

Gary K: The kids ate the whitetail jerkey in one short feeding frenzy. It must have been good.

CDC'
Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 07:58:21 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

CDC, there's an active posting on the M14 Firing Line Rifle Association Forum concerning add on cheek pieces for the M14. Several makers, but only one getting decent reviews. Think there is room for one more, my friend.

I'll hit you off line tomorrow with more information on it and other stuff.

The new M14SA from LRB Arms arrived Thursday evening, after dark, in the rain, via UPS. Lets see, "it was a dark and stormy night"...there's a story in there somewhere, but I digress.

The rifle is a standard rack grade rifle with a medium weight Krieger Criterion barrel. Other than that it's stock G.I.

Fondled it, cleaned it, and looked it over. DAMN, it's just like holding an old issue M14. It's ready for load testing and final sighting in tomorrow. Will report back.

Tomorrow is a .308 day for me. The M40A1, GAP AR-10, and M14SA are going for testing, chronographing, and sighting in. Should be fun.

The M40A1 is going as my "standard" to test against for accuracy and velocity of the other two rifles. I haven't had to re-zero it in almost a decade. It just keeps running with regular maintenance. Is it any wonder why I love bolt guns?

Even have the digital camera laid out...I'm ready.

Wish I had a shootin' buddy. Have to do this solo for now.

Can't wait till Steve Miller has his 1,200 yard range up and running in the spring...

Still chuckling over the liberal reaction to the Mass. election.

All for now.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 06:26:35 (ZULU)

Was just looking at the latest reincarnation of Redfield scopes. MSRP of $150 for a 3x9x40 made in the US?????????

It'd be brand correct for my M40, but......quality?

WR Moore
Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 06:10:09 (ZULU)

Hi!

For all of you I've intended to send things to I apologize. Truth is, I just haven't had the funds, but it will happen, they're all stacked up in front of me as a guilt-flag daily! :)

Kat Girl

Gary - again thanks so much, bbl cleaner than ever before!!!

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, Freedonia - Friday, January 22, 2010, at 23:10:37 (ZULU)

Eric in Kodiak: You are a gun dealer, right? If you click my name then go down the page to the "contact us" link, I am available at your earliest convenience.

CDC'
Friday, January 22, 2010, at 19:57:48 (ZULU)

Kat Lady,

got it, thanks. Tough times just now.

CDC,

for some reason I just noticed the Cheeker for the PSS. I'm in, how do I get one? I thought mention of a website went by... It will go on a PSS I have just as soon as I get it rebarreled by George to 6.5X47L. I keep reading about the PSSs people have that shoot less than 1/2 MOA, apparently I keep getting the ones from the "other end" of the production line. I have a 6.5 Wright-Hoyer to go with it to George with to be bedded properly. Previous owner got tired of working on it. It will be fun to shoot- for about 800-1K rounds. AKA the 6.5 STW, for those who just couldn't burn up a barrel fast enough with a .264WM

Confusion to our Enemies!

Erik

Erik in Kodiak
Friday, January 22, 2010, at 18:16:12 (ZULU)

Sean T: You can have no idea how much that is appreciated but the only thing I want is to sell this big batch of PSS/Sendero/VSS cheekers I am in the middle of. They are coming out great. Get 'em while they're hot.

Mike M: We need to finalize the design of the A2 cheeker/mag holder. You wanted an instantly removable 1" rise. a 30 rnd mag holder and a D ring, right? Got it. Anything else?

CDC'
Friday, January 22, 2010, at 16:43:04 (ZULU)

Hey all,

For over a decade I/we have been reading about many different and interesting topics here on the 'Roster. One prominent 'current events' supplier has always been CDC. Now he's starting something out which seems to be getting rave reviews and positive feedback.

I don't have one yet, so I'm simply trusting to my peers for their views. The point is, this guy is now selling his rifles (I'm assuming) to get his business up off the ground. Anyone wanna pass the hat/hubcap/ammobox to help him out?

I'm just thinking that for something like this situation, and for a group of like-minded individuals with integrity, that we can each pass up the equivalent of a "cruise-thru" meal or whatever to get him off the ground.

No, this is not an appeal to 'get me out of my poorness', this is a suggestion to "help out a friend who's starting something that (everyone?) believes in".

Is that worded proper enough? Or is there a gooder way to say it?

Sound off, what say's you?

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Manitoba, Canada - Friday, January 22, 2010, at 15:53:59 (ZULU)

Well, I've got the "Dewey" covered, Wes has "Howe" covered... we need a "Cheatum"....

Duman
Friday, January 22, 2010, at 06:24:10 (ZULU)

Wes: "...we'll see what the results are, but a removable cheekpiece that is stable would be worth it's weight in gold on an M-14, IMHO."

I can make it no problem, but I am having trouble selling these things in large enough quantities to put mac&cheese on the table.

Duman: "CDC''s cheeker will work fine on the M14, me thinks... it's a stroke of brilliance."

I will reluctantly admit that you are right on both counts... ;)).

If you gentlemen will send stocks, I'll pay in cheekwelders or knife sheaths. The sheath designs work pretty well.

While I'm thinking about it; I'm about to put the best rifle I have ever owned on the emporium. Anyone who wants a truly good 5.56 Rem 700 should check it out. I'll trade for more guns or guns and cash. A Kimber 1911 would be nice.

CDC'
Friday, January 22, 2010, at 04:20:10 (ZULU)

Sir Wes: It is an honor, therefore, to have your name so prominently enshrined by a classic Stooges' (Curly vintage) sketch. I remember laughing at the joke at ten or so, not even getting it that it was lawyers they refered to; just that do we cheat them and how was funny by itself. Later on my roommate up at Devens (senior weapons bubba on the team) was a huge stooges fan with the entire VCR collection...after a sixpack---everything is funny. Stuff like that is pissyerpants funnier:-))

Joe M
Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 23:15:52 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Sean, somehow "Dewey, Cheatem, and Jaough" doesn't have the same effect does it? Guess I'll have to live with it.

Duman, No hurdles for this kid. I can guarantee that! I'll be happy to walk normally again and do stairs. One way or another I WILL be doing some hunting this year, at least. Get well, buddy.

Who knows, maybe I can call in a big cat. "Here kitty, kitty, kitty..."

'Lito-san, do you have any decent "cat calls"? Not those, the OTHER kind...;-)

Finally got hooked up with the VA to take care of some medical stuff. That's going to beat $1,239.00 a month for health care for Sharran and I both. May as well use it, I earned it.

Cheeker and the M1A: It may be that Dan has to produce several variants as the GI fiberglass stock is slimmer proportions in the wrist and butt. The stock sent was a SA walnut model...those tend to be a bit more "generous" dimensionally. It may be that the cheeker has enough "spring" to allow for the differences. Time will tell. Unfortunatley, my GI fiberglass stock went to a LE buddy for a prototype M14 they are building for his department.

Still wired over the Mass elections. Pelosi announced today they don't have the votes to pass healthcare initiatives. My heart bleeds for her. NOT!!!

Would love to be a fly on the wall at some of the White House staff meetings. I'll bet it's getting really ugly.

All for now,

Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 21:24:07 (ZULU)

Sir Wes: "Hou?" as in "Ni hou ma?" I'm Asian but not Chinese in fact being 4th generation makes me less ethnic than many Irish Americans. I think the name will give the firm a multicultural/national flavor. Email coming.

Kat Girl

$2/M118LR??? (faints)

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 21:07:55 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

I believe that third lawyer came from south of the border and his last name spelling is actually:

"Jaou" or "Jaough"

Sounds about the same though. Whaddya think?

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Mb, Canuckistania - Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 19:19:55 (ZULU)

Wes,

Good to see you fired up! Let me know what you think of the M14 from LRB.... If I ever am employed again, I may have to pick one up.

Feet are healing FAST. Almost walking normal again. Should be doing high hurdles in a couple of weeks. Good thing, since I couldn't do them before.

CDC''s cheeker will work fine on the M14, me thinks... it's a stroke of brilliance.

Gents: if any of you have stocks of which you are not using, sending them to CDC' to build his library of molds would be a GOOD thing.

duman
Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 18:13:40 (ZULU)

Gents and Lady,

Well, it looks like Brown has done what the entire country and Republican Party couldn't do...stop the Liberal agenda in it's tracks...for now.

Joe, I agree, "God Bless you, Mass".

Right now Washington and the Demo party nationwide remind me of a covey of quail that have just been flushed. Expect to see more retirements(why not? pay and full benefits for life after one term)and a new "willingness" for bi-partisan alignments within congress. The Liberal Left is going to do everything they can to make it look like they have gotten the message...they are just bidding their time.

Expect the 2010 election to be even worse for the demo's...those that haven't bailed.

NOW, if the conservitives can just get thier heads and asses wired together and move this country were it needs to be...close borders, start manufacturing something again. Toss out illegals and insure those who don't rate benefits(non US Citizens) don't get them.

We could do everything the liberal left wanted...easily. IF they didn't insist on giving everything to those who aren't US Citizens.

Agree with Joe. Obama's agenda is pretty much toast. Thank God!

Rant mode off!

The M14SA from LRB Arms arrives tomorrow! I've inventoried ammo and am sitting on a lot of .308. However, am going to reload for it, mostly. Am going to chrono the loads in it and my M40A1 with a variety of ammo/handloads and will publish the results here. Just want to get an idea of what this puppy and various loadings can do...

I'm jazzed to say the least.

Back to a REAL wood and steel battle rifle with a forged reciever! OOHRAH!!!

The old stock I had went to CDC, so he can work his magic...we'll see what the results are, but a removable cheekpiece that is stable would be worth it's weight in gold on an M-14, IMHO.

Reloading: I'd forgotten what a pain in the ass match prepping LC brass is. Especially, swaging primer pockets. Still, I've got a couple K of it and it's good stuff. Seems to shoot well. I'd rather use it than blow through my squirreled away .308 in the hard times armory.

Kat Girl, as I write this my red doxie is curled up next to my 'puter in his little bed. Our black and tan is curled up in his and cat is in his favorite lounger. We don't spoil our critters much.

Is anyone doing any shooting, testing, or burning any type of powder?

I'm definetely going to reload more what with M118LR going for 2 bucks a pop and berdan "go bang" ammo is about 50 cents each. Wonder how really serious shooters can afford it any more...

Wife came in all concerned. One of her friend had E-mailed her about HB-2099 (Laughtenburg ammendment to tax and register all firearms on Form 1040). I told her it's dead, but checked the IRS 1040 Form on line just in case. There's no provision for registering or taxing firearms on the form.

My guess is the the liberals are going to stay well clear of gun control issues as a matter of self-preservation. Especially, after the spanking they just got in Mass.

W.R. Moore, my last name is Howe. Does that mean I can Dewey, Cheatem folks? Funny, but wish they would have taken a different spelling to use. The Howe name is a proud one on the Brit and American side of history.

All for now.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 06:27:13 (ZULU)

Erik: I will. The book is out of publication. It is an amazing book for anyone who has been close to those guys. I've read one of the stories to some friends ("The Most Beautiful Girl in the World") and had myself and the entire room in tears by the end and half didn't own dogs...but that would not be the story for anyone to read for awhile near that time.

I'll email it to you - In fact, I'll scan the short piece for you, I just selected a little quote but one misses the poetic nature of the whole thing that way.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 20:27:34 (ZULU)

Instant Karma:

http://glossynews.com/society/201001070305/activists-missing-after-declaring-war-on-leather-at-motorcycle-rally/

4i's
Siloam Springs, AR, USA - Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 18:58:50 (ZULU)

Mornin' Kat Girl,

could I ask where you found the quote about dogs you posted some days ago? We will lose our American Bulldog soon and I wanted to copy it down but it got away from me. This is hitting my wife hard as he is "her" boy. Email me @ bravo tango echo romeo victor at hotmail etc...

Thanks in advance.

Gotta agree about homeowner's assn's, I recommend using my law firm of Tup, Futter, and Swive, with Nasty, Brutish, and Short in reserve.

Good shooting to All and Good Show in Mass,

Erik

Erik in Kodiak
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 17:52:17 (ZULU)

Duman:

As far as I know, yes. Perhaps we should call Guinness' Book of World Records?

There's more to the story, though. After the fateful round, we had no idea that someone had been whacked, as we thought the area was clear. The director of the history section of the Nimitz Museum, Jeff Hunt (no relation that I know of) came running up to "advise" us. He was livid, and stood in front of us like the man at Tiananmin square, screaming at us. Bill popped the driver's hatch and was asking just what the f**k his problem was. I listened to his ranting for about thirty seconds, still not able to figure out quite what the scrawny little gerbil was on about. I got up to cross over and out, my oh-so-period-correct tanker coveralls caught on the trigger of the Browning 1919 .30 coax. Everything on the tank is WWII, so the Browning was, of course, full auto. Full-auto just a few inches from Jeff's head. Silly me. He was partially deaf in that ear for some weeks. He went away, though. I was not asked back. Heady days, those.....

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, Kabul - Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 14:41:55 (ZULU)

Marc: I'm glad you got in - the match filled up as usual. My wife and I will be there, and I'll look forward to seeing you again. Have fun at SHOT!

Lindy
Rockport, Texas, U.S.A. - Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 13:51:55 (ZULU)

Charles,

Thank you for the correction. So, historically speaking, the last person whacked with a 75mm slug from a Sherman tank was a U.S. Marine. Friendly fire, of course. Hehehehee....

Duman
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 13:23:50 (ZULU)

Duman:

Nah. That was back in '95. TJ was the TC, I was on the coax and there was a newbie tank driver from Ft. Hood that was on the 75mm main. That Marine we hit was TOLD, several times, NOT to enter the area after calling it clear.

This is different.

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, Afghanistan - Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 07:48:27 (ZULU)

Lindy- I'm competing in the 'Cup again this year. Hopefully I'll see you there.

I'm leaving for SHOT in a matter of hours now. Something about heading to Vegas for three days with a pocket full of cash feels pretty good :-)

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 06:10:38 (ZULU)

JoeM - Harvard is grossly overrated. But rich.

Duman
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 05:53:32 (ZULU)

Charles,

Is that 'inoperable vehicle' the WW-II Sherman tank that you and TJ fired off at a parade, clobbering somebody with the beeswax plug?

Or did I get my stories mixed up? hehehehehee....

Duman
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 05:50:32 (ZULU)

MedicJim: This little special election is a major game changer. The Bay State: liberalism's heartland; Hah-Vuhd and the lefty-elitists' own backyard; Ded Kennedy's seat itself; the bluest of blue...

and they said "No more"

Heck, I was hoping for a close loss...but a mandate????

The repercussions will be seen for months. Well, Martha, the One is sad and angry at Mass voters; but watch your six because his is a stretch bus and there is plenty of room under it for you.

Think I'll swing by the Kos and check the room temperature:-))

Obummercare is as dead as Ted; but Pelosi didn't get the memo as she slunk into her caucus meeting tonight:-)) Steny says full steam ahead....leaders may not be followed though....

God Bless you, Mass.

Joe M
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 04:59:54 (ZULU)

Mass has a shiny new republican senator. Mary Jo's revenge?

medicjim
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 03:27:19 (ZULU)

Charles,

I think a nicely worded "cease and desist" letter might be in order. (Not to be confused with "cease and desist, you dead motherfucker")

Travis Morgan
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 22:17:55 (ZULU)

May I suggest the services of Dewey, Screwum and Howe, Attorneys at Law?

WR Moore
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 22:17:27 (ZULU)

CDC' - "Crom!"

Charles - sorry to hear about that. My ex and I had a similar experience and felt the same way but couldn't have done such a great job describing how it felt. A lot of times too a letter with your attorney's letterhead/stationary (from the offices of Diccum, Diccum and Spensive) will go a long way.

Was thinking again and thought a very polite letter to the assoc. thanking them for looking out for the property value, equally politely if not more so, point out what (and use assoc members) is unsightly (eg plants not being watered, toys left out, messy rooms exposed when curtains are open) in your community. Might not do much, but on the on the other hand, polite correspondence is a great paper trail on the way to an attorney's

Best of luck there and here!

Kat Girl

MarcS: Tell me you don't have a Bianchi Cup Revolver??? Now I'm envious - those are wonnnderful!

Kat Girl
MaHa, YaHa, USA - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 19:25:05 (ZULU)

re: busybodies

I wonder how they have determined the vehicle is inoperable? Are they chalking the tires? If so, they may be trespassing to do so, depending on the location of the vehicle. That opens up interesting counter-offensive legal options (on return, alas)...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 16:48:09 (ZULU)

Charles...if you send a certified letter (cc your lawyer) back saying "the car in question is not inoperable", doesn't that force them to investigate further before they can take action?

medicjim
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 15:28:45 (ZULU)

Anyone who belongs to, works for, or promotes any "homeowner's association", should be damned to the utter depths of a screaming, agonizing, burning hell for eternity. The only thing worse that the slimy snail turds of a homeowner's association are the meddling asshats that have nothing better to do than drive around and make citizens' complaints to "neighborhood beautification committees" and harass peaceful people. I'm keeping my daughter's car while she's going to school elsewhere, and some hydrocephalic hypocrite keeps sending my wife "notices" about inoperable vehicles. They only do it when I'm overseas, and can't spike their tires. I now know why the Romans sowed Carthage with salt, after they razed the place to the gound. It's not inoperable, just no one drives it. Cretins. When I get back from this little action, I'm going to war. Jeez.....

Sorry. Rant off.

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, , Afghanistan - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 15:22:23 (ZULU)

Todays compound bows are getting faster and faster every year. It has created a problem with getting hunting broadheads to fly straight and true. The problem is that you are putting a planing surface on the tip of the arrow so if it comes out of the bow slightly crooked or squirrely in any way it will not fly true.

Many bow hunters use expandable designs to help fight this. Not me. I get my field points to come out as true as possible by shooting through a large sheet of paper from up close to as far as about 15 feet away. You can look at how the arrow tears a hole in the paper to see if it's flying true. What you want is a "bullet hole". You adjust the arrow rest to get this to work. If you do not have good form you will never achieve good arrow flight no matter what you do.

Once I reach that level of true flight I try some different broadheads to see which ones fly the best. There are some newer designs that are slightly smaller and shorter in overall length. They are much more forgiving in flight. That's what I use and they fly just like my field points. Like darts on a tight wire.

Kat- Thanks for the offer but I don't do any cooking of any kind. I either have it served to me or just heat stuff out of cans LOL. That hog is at the butcher and he's making me all sorts of stuff with it. The backstraps will be a total of six roasts, one ham smoked in two pieces the other sliced into steaks, the shoulders and everything else will be made into Cheesy Bavarian and Cajun sausages. Should be good.

Sean T.- Yes it is thanks it was a long time in the making. Hopefully it will happen again soon.

Forgive the language, but Sasha was one badass motherfucker.

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 06:14:17 (ZULU)

Click for a little about "Sasha Siemel" who hunted jaguars professionally. He killed 33 of them with spears. He would get very close to them in heavy cover and provoke charges. One of them was an especially large and particularly unpleasant specimem the locals called "Assassino". He seemed to be the "tigre" world's Hannibal Lecter. Siemel followed a trail of Asassino's gruesome victims to a thicket. Siemel grabbed his spear and went in after him.

This guy would scare Conan the Barbarian up a tree.

CDC'
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 05:25:03 (ZULU)

Re: California Boar.

The Feral Pigs here (which I tried for years to hunt with both bow, Dan Wesson and smoke stick) are a cross between domestic and Russian. One of my old hunting friends (mostly Nat. Amer.) would hunt them professionally after the El Biggo of 83 using hounds. I used to go to his house up in Laurel Canyon and see boar hanging every week on the avg 200-250 lbs with some larger. They are ruthlessly smart and I saw a photo of one of his hounds that one had ambushed and pinned up against a barbed wire fence. Nose here, tail there etc. They have a built in vest in the form of what 1/2 of cartilage draped over their shoulders like a 1/4 cape over the rib cage and spine. A porcine blast shield. Fast and rapid expanding rifle bullets tend to expend on that thing. Scary to be on a farm in oak, manzanita, mucho poison oak in the middle of the night with a sharp stick (we used to call our bows).

CA pig meat is red and I've made some pretty good things with it!

To show how long it's been, I had to spend hours tuning my bow so I knew where the broadheads would hit. Marc found a style that goes to the same place!!!! If his head was sharp enough to bleed it in the way he described, he done good! Oh, they have smell and hearing like no one's business. You have to be part animal to go after them archery. I'll tip a brew 4U Marc - I never accomplished that but I didn't mind - it forced me to get out before sun and blend into the postcard! I wish I still had my boar call...it was funnier than a whoopie cushion.

I'll send you my recipe for boar Shu Mai if you want ;)

Kat Girl

I never got to my friend who did kill one with a spear in the New Hebrides, but I hear zzzzzz's :)

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 05:00:48 (ZULU)

UV is used in wafer fabs to kill off amoebas and such. No sense in letting an organism mess up your pretty circuit. One amoeba covers several hundred transistors.

Dumanq
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 04:54:01 (ZULU)

Regarding boar hunting, I know that there are a few down in FL that hunt them with a spear. Would that be the 'next step up'?

To each their own. I'm not one to joust something with one blade, that has both more 'edges' and intent coming back at me.

Unless the spear is belt fed. haha

Congrats on your harvest though. It is nice to finally accomplish a goal, isn't it?

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Mb, Canuckistania - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 04:40:22 (ZULU)

I am looking forward to that new knife that's for sure. I think I'll stick to bows and rifles for killing though :-)

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 04:06:30 (ZULU)

MarcS: Just imagine now much fun you will have killing a wild boar with your new Bowie knife.

CDC'
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 03:31:48 (ZULU)

I just had a fantastic hunt on Saturday. After a many attempts over several years, I finally got a wild boar with my bow. What a rush. I've killed a few with rifles and that's great, but to be 17 yards away from one and crush him with a four blade broadhead, is THE best.

Click my name for brief story and pics.

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 01:56:40 (ZULU)

I think there was some discussion a year or so back about the MIOXX device possibly having some value in santizing wounds. I quite honestly do not know what to make of this or the UV stuff...it's very cool in concept...but when it comes to clinical proof...I'm not qualified to do the study and haven't heard of anyone else stepping up. I can speculate with the rest, but I'm not sure.

medicjim
Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 01:19:59 (ZULU)

Water Country: How 'bout MSR/Katadyn pressure filtration devices. I've used the Katadyn, and currently carry the MSR (lighter). Supposedly does everything but chemicals (sometimes an issue around "acid mine water, but nothing works on that?)".... haven't had any problems with 'em, and they don't require energy source (other than elbow grease).

Granted, they aren't for high volume, but you can carry 'em. Spare filters are around $30-40 for the MSR and depending on the situation, a spare might be in order... I'd be betting that in non-turbid water (i.e. no significant particulates), they'd last for a few thousand gallons with a spare filter or two?

With any treatment system, you gotta have water to treat to begin with, but in this neck of the woods, that isn't usually a problem, unless its below zero.... something to consider.

SteveinButte
Butte, MT, USSA - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 00:15:50 (ZULU)

UV Country:

My reading suggests the dental UV stuff is longer wavelength. (i.e. less biohazard).

The two short-wave UV products I have used (EPROM eraser, Steripen) have interlocks. That's just fine by me.

Jody said he worked for a city water treatment dept and demonstrated sufficient knowledge to make that a credible claim.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 00:13:59 (ZULU)

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

I to have used UV-C to cure optical cements.

System was fully enclosed to prevent exposure.

Dentists use UV energy to cure some Tooth Repair Resins as well.

Wavelength unknown.Will ask at next visit. :)

Also strong UV energy is used to Disinfect Swimming Pool water

where Chlorine is not wanted.System is fully enclosed with safety

interlocks.

Best guess ,exposure is a Wavelength-Energy-Time related thing.

Best to error on the side of caution.

Regards,

Steve

Steven Dzupin
Little Falls, New Joisey, Usa? - Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 00:01:29 (ZULU)

What ever happened to Jody Calhoun? If I remember correctly he was a water purification guy. He might be able to help. Does anyone have his addy?

Cheers,

Doc

+ + + + +

Doc Holloway
The balmy Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 23:52:31 (ZULU)

SeanT: let's get some baclavas and rip of a Glacier water machine j/k j/k btw I'm a big fan of Winnipeg Royal Ballet...er to make that ADD moment topical, I've taught a lot of dancers how to shoot

kat girl
Monday, January 18, 2010, at 22:46:28 (ZULU)

Hey all, the dialog on the UV stuff is great. Keep it up, please. My main point is, how worried does one need to be regarding the exposure of the light. To my understanding all these fancy water units are enclosed. Does anyone here actually know or have experience with 'open-sources' of UV-C? As in, is it as bad as it seems, or "has it been said to cause cancer in refinery rats in commiefornia?"

Believe it or not, we're using an adhesive here that requires the exposure to UV-C to activate. In order for the process to work, we have to line it all up, and assemble, and whatnot. Our query is how worried do we need to be? This is why the full-face protection.

Then this talk here about (what appears to be penlights?) the first thing I wanted to share/inquire about was the dangers to eyes and whatnot.

Steve's first link sure expressed a lot of cellular damage/mutation/mushroom-clouding which is similar to what I'd learned before ordering the bulbs. Hence the concern.

And making the semi-automated "light exposure unit" both effective and safe has been interesting. Or one could purchase the commercial units for over 7 G's (nuh-uhhh)

Am I paranoid enough?

On another note, friendly plug here: Shooter Ready V III on sale next week. For one week only. <== No affiliation here at all, just something I found on the Interweb.

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Mb, Canuckistania - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 22:37:53 (ZULU)

400 nm (safer) LEDs click just4fun

MedicJim: Just wondering if you thought that that little Steripen might work for something in ones Spooker bag for an emergency means of getting wound irrigation, perhaps buy packets of electrolytes to dissolve to get a buffered isotonic soln etc.

SeanT - you're right. If it's a quartz mercury bulb, it's quite dangerous. It has two little electrodes for an interlock to make sure it's immersed but still any short-wave UV breaks peptide bonds. Broken DNA usually means cancer later, but I suppose if you're in a drink or die - cancer later might not be a biggie. I fell into my little trap of thinking that if Steripen is a tested Federally approved commercial product, it's as good as its word. You know, like thalidomide. (I actually got gotcha'd by this when I was in college: "What do you mean gullible isn't in the dictionary??? I always thought it was real!!")

When I'm playing with something I make (bad electronics, hot loads or dance), I'm always scared enough to be really safe.

"...one does not look into the face of the Medusa and survive..." oops, that reminds me, I owe someone a DVD oops sorry!

nm = nanomonkeys tee actually multiply nm*10= Angstroms where 1 is about the avg radius of a free hydrogen atom. Oh and it's pronounced like (byork byork byork)

the fact that they talk about its use in a sink now worries me since perhaps they want to depend on total internal reflection to work. That would be like having a leaky microwave oven. fyi, egg white (albumin) is what is used to simulate eyes and you know what microwave ovens do to eggs -

Kat (bumping into things blindly) Girl

Kat Girl
EyeballCountry, CA, USA - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 21:10:53 (ZULU)

Potable water country: Personal use, truck portable, ceramic filter, check out Aquarain filters. Similiar to the "Big Berkey" but American made. FWIW

Pat II
Monday, January 18, 2010, at 17:00:09 (ZULU)

http://www.harvesth2o.com/uv.shtml

http://www.lumalier.com/why-uv-works/the-uv-spectrum.html

UV water purification.

Regards,

Steve

Steven Dzupin
Little Falls, New Joisey, Usa? - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 16:56:04 (ZULU)

re: UV and RO water treatment

I'm not looking at home brewing something for the application, I have the prior generation commercial product now. Just wish I could purchase the next generation - trying to sew the seeds for it to become a reality. I have a healthy respect for short-wave UV.

The LED based solution is low enough power that I'm seeing mention of using it in the field along with photo-voltaics w/o batteries.

For disaster usage, the Canadian DART teams use this solution (or a similar model) for field-production of large volumes of potable water from onsite (unknown) sources. Saw it in a documentary a few years ago.

http://www.armedforces-int.com/suppliers/global-hydration.html

Military Water Purification Systems

The P3-2008A is a complete, 35 LPM, diesel powered military water purification system designed to produce drinking water using any source of fresh water. The P3-2008A water purification system can be deployed by 2 individuals and installed in under 30 minutes. It runs on diesel or JP8 fuel – no electricity required.

The P3-2008A eliminates a wide range of sediments, organics, bacteria, viruses and cysts. The Can Pure P3-2008A includes a 6 stage micro-filtration system, advanced ultraviolet disinfection equipment, a portable 170 gallon per minute JP8/diesel pump w/ 12 V generator, high flow intake strainer, potable water hose and emergency spares. Optional items include mil-spec water storage bladders, electric distribution pumps, collapsible water bottles and consumables packages. Available in a choice of mil-spec cases and deployment solutions.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 16:54:36 (ZULU)

Rod, and Kat,

Allow me to share a little bit of what I've learned so far (which is only a little bit) and clarify that I am not an "Eyebologist".

Regarding water purification using an UltraViolet light source, one needs to use a UV-C emitter. IIRC, this is 200 to 300 nm. (NanoNewtons?) The warnings that came with the fluorescent tubes that I had to special order (for a different application) were both many and explicit.

I knew that going in, which is why I had researched as much as I was able/willing to know 'why'. It seems that the light can and does produce a whole whack (specific technical term) of bad eye maladies/tumors/cysts that I really don't want to play with. So, the light use itself for my application is near totally contained, AND after some doing, I found the only supplier in North America who both offer and guarantee full UV-C full face protection.

A) You don't want to see this light. And moreso,

B) You don't want this light to see you.

Now comes the disclaimer part. As I stated earlier, I'm not an eyebologist. But I do like my own eyes, plus those close to me. It could simply be TOTALLY OVERKILL disclaimerage by these supplying companies, I dunno. But I do know that I Don't Want To Risk Anything Negligently Bad To My Eyes, so I went as far overkill as I could with my goal. Yes, I've also already thought about the 'remote operation' of said unit, but there are further logistics to be worked out.

This all being said, I've welded for years. I do so with the proper protections. Problem being, normal vision is needed to operate this unit for its intent. So I can't wear the simple welding protection.

This fancy light source to which you're referring to, do you know (or anyone else here for that matter) if it really is as bad as portrayed, or is it just a simple flashlight with overexhuberant responsibility release?

Two ridiculous ends of the spectrum of discussion so more learned minds than my own can tell me which tangent I/we should be on this UV Spectrum topic.

(that oughta get circuits firing....)

---Forgot to add, that yes, the end result of all this is most definitely for a "shooting related" item. In final developments.---

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Mb, Canuckistania - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 16:14:36 (ZULU)

Potable water is a huge issue in disaster management...any advance in the technology is a good thing. That said, UV light equals power consumption...which is not always available in the austere setting. I would imagine it would best be combined with other solutions to come up with a resilient package. I carry ceramic filters and charcoal inline units which I can use or bypass considering source... In NJ, chemical is as much of a concern as biological.

The use of surgical irrigation solutions (and IVs) for treating wounds is a minor consumer of water relative to simple drinking water... the standards for osmotic balance and sterility are much higher... so producing the stuff in the field is more or less a non-starter unless you bake it into a full blow DMAT sort of solution

I've been looking at truck portable water treatment as part of my regional disaster management plan...it keeps getting bumped on the budget priority list, but sooner or later I'll get er' done.

medicjim
Monday, January 18, 2010, at 14:07:20 (ZULU)

In the news:

Some of you have seen this earlier, but it's still intresting.

http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/12/m4-and-m4a1-guns/?hp

Original site has A/B video links.

I like the parts where they set the handguards on fire and melt the gas tube. Gas tube melting is an interesting unintended consequence why to self-limit the hazard. I wonder what would happen if you fired 900+ plus rounds of 5.56 NATO thru the current generation of piston guns in full auto?

January 12, 2010, 7:41 am

The Making of the Military’s Standard Arms, Part II

By C.J. CHIVERS

In a post published here last week, we gave an overview of some of the manufacturing operations at Colt Defense LLC in West Hartford, Conn., the only manufacturer of the M-4 for the Pentagon.

The M-4 carbine, one of the primary rifles used by the United States military, appears destined for a change. After concerns surfaced about rifles overheating in a sustained firefight in 2008 in Afghanistan, the manufacturer and the United States Army are close to agreeing on a modification to the weapon’s barrel that makes the carbine more resistant to the stresses of extended firing.

The pair of videos shown below, taken at Colt Defense’s testing range, capture the thinking.

The first video shows an M-4 being subjected to an intensive sustained-firing test. The rifle used is the standard M-4 with a standard barrel. The weapon is secured on a bench and fed one full 30-round magazine after another without rest beyond the time it takes to replace empty magazines with full magazines.

NYT_VideoPlayerStart({playerType:"article",videoId:"1247466496255",adxPagename:"atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/video"});

Watch the video closely. After several magazines, the barrel smolders. Then it becomes red hot. After 1 minute and 20 seconds the barrel begins to droop between magazines — like a piece of warm licorice. Then comes the catastrophic ending, at 1 minute and 51 seconds and after the 535th round, when the barrel ruptures.

It is worth noting that the test simulates conditions that almost no soldier could face. In it, 18 magazines are fed through the rifle in less than two minutes. Soldiers and Marines armed with an M-4 or M-16 (the carbine’s longer-barreled parent) typically carry seven or so magazines.

Moreover, the M-4 carbine used in the test had been modified to fire fully automatically. As long as the shooter holds back the trigger, the test rifle keeps firing until the magazine is empty. Standard-issue M-4s fire only on semi-automatic or a three-round burst setting, not like this.

For these two reasons, it would be impossible for a soldier armed with a standard M-4 to fire as many rounds in such a short period of time — even with the ammunition, even with the desire. The rifle is undergoing a test similar to running an automobile engine at, say, 50,000 or more r.p.m.s.

Still, when set against the second video, the test has comparative value.

That video shows the same test with an M-4 equipped with a thicker, heavier barrel, which is used on a specialized carbine, known as the M-4A1. This variant is carried by some Special Operations users.

Naturally, the rifle still overheats. Heat is an unavoidable byproduct of the cartridges’ burning propellant. It cannot be avoided. But look at what happens with the M-4 outfitted with a heavier barrel.

The barrel gets hotter and hotter, and the heat spreads throughout the weapon. The shooter wears a heat-resistant glove even to pull the trigger. Soon the barrel smolders and glows, but it does not droop and does not rupture. At 2:22 the hand guard assembly catches fire. It burns for about two and a half minutes. But the rifle keeps firing, magazine after magazine, until it stops firing on automatic at 4 minutes and 47 seconds, after 911 rounds.

The reason for the stoppage is that the gas tube, which is located under the upper hand guard, has ruptured. The tube is essential. It diverts a portion of expanding gases associated with each discharged cartridge back toward the carbine’s bolt. This excess energy, aided by springs, is converted to the many steps required for automatic or semiautomatic fire.

With the gas tube ruptured, the shooter continues to fire the rifle several times manually. But at this point, more than 900 rounds after the shooting began, the rifle is a red-hot single shot weapon -– and no longer an infantry assault rifle that can perform as intended.

Even if the sort of extreme firing seen in these videos exceeds the rate of fire that can be achieved in combat, the takeaway is clear: increasing the thickness of an M-4’s barrel increases the rifle’s ability to function in sustained, intensive combat.

Colt Defense and the Army have been discussing making the change to a heavier barrel for several months and appear likely to begin requiring standard-issue rifles to have the barrel previously manufactured for the M-4A1.

If the change is made, the standard M-4 will retain its semiautomatic and burst modes of fire. It will not fire automatically.

Because both the lighter and heavier barrels are machined from identical sleeves of steel (the thicker barrel, in the simplest sense, spends less time on the lathe), the change can be made without increasing the cost per rifle.

The downside is that the heavier barrel would increase the weight of a standard M-4 by five ounces. The Army has all but decided the trade-off is worth it, and seems to be considering not whether it should require new carbines to be manufactured to this standard, but whether it should retrofit the hundreds of thousands of rifles already in the services’ possession.

“The bottom line is that we are going to do this,” Colonel Douglas Tamilio, who supervises small arms development for the Army, said of the change to new carbines. “We have to get all of the services to buy in, but it adds five ounces in weight and doubles your sustained rate of fire.”

He added, “I think it’s a no-brainer, and we’re going to see it in the near future.”

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 12:11:25 (ZULU)

Kat Girl:

I've dealt with REI, they are one of the good vendors who can sucessfully/cheerfully ship to Canada. Nice web site.

I purchased one of the SteriPen Adventurer units. Great concept. Just wish someone would make the same thing using UV LEDs rather than current mercury vapour lamp germicidal technology. The folks who do could make a less expensive, more rugged product.

They're using UV LEDs for treatment of flowing sewage (ew!), so they work just fine for killing micro-organisms and related. I doubt the Steripen folks will do it, since that would impact on their existing investment in R&D, tooling and inventory. It would not take a very big outfit to make it happen, the only slightly hard part of such a product is the quartz tubing sleeve for the UV LED array and the gasketing to keep that watertight.

The Steripen makes a prefilter to deal with chunky water,

screws into a widemouth bottle. Source chemical contamination would still be an issue in the field.

I read that an Eastern European manufacturer had a UV LED unit almost ready for production, but then the "money guy" passed away and the project collapsed. Too bad. They found out that if you ran the light in a metal bottle, you didn't need as much energy because of wall reflectance. Since the trend today is to metal bottles for water due to concerns w/plastics, rather nice design synergy.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 11:59:55 (ZULU)

Medicjim: had an ("oh, oh") idea. When I worked for a bit at REI, I got a new product at a really great discount (both because of employee and introducing a product). Steripen. It's a quartz tube short wave UV lamp which kills everything in a glass or basin of water including blasting the peptide bonds in virus as long as the water isn't too turbid. They now have a solar charger for it. Here's my idea (besides the 3rd world drinking water thing). I might even suggest it (and they have the microbiologist tests on their own website, the url I posted is a review in a separate site) for this possible use.

How about sterile water or saline for wound irrigation or (serious) emergency IV fluids? eek. Except if it's chunky water.

What do you think?

Best and maybe dessert for thought for the guyz/galz

KatGirlSpongiformEncephalitis (KGSE)

fyi: Supposed to exceed the EPA stds and is effective against:

Viruses (virii?), Bacteria, Giardia, Cryptosporidium (works in 1 litre water on this 90 secs)

Hmm I wonder about prions? I'll have to read up on their chemical bonds

Box lists:

Avian Flu and other Influenzas (sp? tuff, spell checker doesn't like Coli either nyahh)

E. coli, salmonella

Staph, Strep (if Staph then MRSA too)

Hepatitis, protozoa

Legionnaires'

Botulism

Cholera

Smallpox

Typhoid

over a period of time, cost/gallon in cents (haha I found a typo on their packaging, I think it's dollars)

steripen 0.09

filters .14-.23

filter Purifiers .23-.42

chemicals .42 an up

Bottled .99 and up

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 04:08:18 (ZULU)

Ken, "Mississippi Queen" was by a band called "Mountain".

Scopes - for an all around riflescope without mil dots or target turrets, my vote goes to the Nikon Pro Staff 3-9x40. Glass is amazing for the price, and the clicks are as precise as any IMO. Click my name.

I'm on a temp assignment in West Texas, going to try and swing by and recon Badlands on the way back, provided work cooperates.

Geoff M
WI, USA - Monday, January 18, 2010, at 03:19:04 (ZULU)

Lindy on nukes:

I concur that as long as technology continues at current levels, John is rather overstating his case on basing modes and available systems. The aging of the US warhead "fleet" is more serious, since it is a common thread regardless of the basing mode.

Mobile launcher systems could become an issue if the Russians or Chinese make a technical breakthru that would render submerged submarines much more detectable.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 23:24:18 (ZULU)

"The Chinese and Russians, in contemptuous disregard for the endless string of treaties to which only the USA anally adheres, have been busy building, and openly testing, a new generation of Mobile ICBMs. We have nothing like it!"

While I admire and respect John Farnam, he seems to be neglecting the fact that we have ICBMs berthed on nuclear submarines sufficient to destroy any nation on earth, specifically 288 Trident II missiles equipped with 1152 MIRV nuclear warheads.

The notion of any enemy equipped with mobile ICBMs posing an increased threat level is operative only if you assume that we might find a threat credible enough to destroy their ability to execute a first strike by executing one of our own against them.

Lindy
Rockport, Texas, U.S.A. - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 23:09:09 (ZULU)

Duman on Haiti before/after:

The roofs look better in the "before" photos...

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 21:12:25 (ZULU)

Nuke W country:

This will not be a revelation for some here. I had surmised some of this, but it's depth is somewhat stunning (but not intrinsically surprising, given the mindset of the recent decision-makers).

http://www.defense-training.com/quips/2009/23Oct09.html

Superpower no Longer?

23 Oct 09

Superpower no longer?

This from friend in the System:

Within a year or two, the US will be forced to retire its entire ICBM fleet, because of age. We have no replacements, nor any ability to make new ones. We stopped building nuclear warheads in 1989, when Bush1 shut down the Rocky Flats Plant in CO. In 1992, as a parting abomination upon his Country, Bush1 unilaterally stopped all testing at the Nevada Test Site. Tribal knowledge in building nuclear weapons has since been almost entirely lost, as the people who did it are long-since deceased or retired.

We've belatedly begun manufacturing some replacement triggers, but the process is timid and slow. 'Readiness of the stockpile,' is now laughingly ' verified' via dubious computer-simulations, so we're fat, dumb, and happy in the 'knowledge' of what 'should happen.' When asked about 'readiness,' we continue to naively nod 'yes,' having no idea of what we're agreeing to. We don't really know if any of them will any longer work of not!

We used to make wonderfully elegant weapons, but as with our Saturn V and the SR-71, we, as a civilization, literally no longer have the ability, nor the national will, to make such things. As a civilization, we have stopped moving forward. And, while we dither, our world enemies continue to develop new and advanced weapons at a dizzying pace, weapons for which we have no equivalent.

We are rapidly being outclassed, and the subject is almost never discussed. Why have these facts have not been disseminated (they are out there in open literature)? We all know why!

Naive, vain, guilt-ridden, technology-hating American Liberals naively believe that our nuclear weapons are 'evil,' (everyone else's are apparently okay!) and that we, as a nation, don't need them, just as they stupidly believe the same about land-mines."

Comment: The current Administration, like the last three, apparently couldn't care less!

And, lest we let Carter off the hook, he was the fool who unilaterally decreed that we will not reprocess spent fuel. Everyone else does!

The riddance of the USA as a world, military superpower, with accurate, projectable, nuclear weapons, has been a wet-dream of Russia and China since the end of WWII. We are currently doing virtually everything possible to assist them in achieving that goal!

We don't need "enemies!"

/John

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 20:18:25 (ZULU)

A semi-auto rifle torture test I hadn't encountered before. Even more challenging that beach sand, Mohave dust, toothpaste or red Georgia clay :-)

http://www.defense-training.com/quips/2009/23Oct09.html

(fwd)

NP3

23 Oct 09

Lubricated Rifles!

This from a friend and gun manufacturer:

"At a recent Law-Enforcement Tactical Carbine Course, several students decided that their AR-15s needed lubrication.

Mistaking an aerosol can of target adhesive for a can of gun-oil, they ' sprayed-down' ten rifles!

What happened next is interesting: Of the ten 'treated' rifles, seven stopped functioning immediately and completely, which is surely not unexpected.

However, three rifles had their bolt and bolt carriers treated with Robbie Barrkman's (ROBAR) NP3 metallic/teflon coating. Those three continued to function normally, albeit sluggishly! They did not run well, but they ran. The other seven were altogether out of action."

Comment: I am a great fan of NP3, even more so now. Recommended!

/John

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 20:12:04 (ZULU)

Duman: Sorry to hear it. I had a friend who went through a similar procedure and helped her out with groceries and such. I think I posted that a lot of pharmacies will rent crutches at like 3-4$/month. That and a day bag will help. There I was one day in a hot AO...a ballet class. I was going to do a perfect en dehors pirouette and my ankle muscles suddenly relaxed and the foot rolled under with the rest of my body like an (overweight) arrow over it. Felt three snaps on the way down. I got really got with crutches, Doom, Res Evil and Gran Torino that summer. I think the healing process for my dancer friend who had a bunion re-built was a lot harder.

Being a techie, maybe you can put shocks and gel pads on? In class, hold your crutches out to your sides and tell them you're a dipole. If they tick you off, ask them to describe the Poynting vector tar har har. Don't be embarrassed to use a motorized cart or your gf at the grocery too!!!

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 19:06:17 (ZULU)

Wes: "If interested I can send you a M1A stock to play with..."

I am positively interested. Roster mail is hit or miss. If you don't have my email addy click my name then go to [ contact information ] near the bottom of the page. Use sales. I'll return your stock undamaged with a couple of cheekpieces, and a check for your postage. Thanks for the tip and the offer.

CDC'
Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 18:29:09 (ZULU)

Gents, and lady.

Don't have to tell you it's nice to be "back in the fold" with the crew.

The thought of using a belt sander/grinder to sharpen my good knives send chills down my spine. It's hand sharpening or nothing for me. Somehow I get a VERY vivid image of globules of molten metal hitting the floor...after I've trashed my Randall #5. Ach!

Thanks for that image, Kat Girl!

CDC, checked out your web-site. Great idea and much needed, IMHO. One area you might want to address is a unit for M1A/M-14 users who scope their rifles. The standard stock is just not suited for scope use and the strap on pads don't seem to work well. If interested I can send you a M1A stock to play with...

I must admit I have a vested interest in this as I plan on scoping my new LRB rifle at some point. There's a huge user community out there that likes the standard rifle, puts optics on it, and complains about the stock being unsuitable. This gives them the option of scoping AND going back to the original confirguration, too.

Duman, I feel your pain. Being gimpy sucks. I'm to the point where I can walk (with a pronounced limp)and don't need a brace. Stairs are tough, though. Going up is a struggle at present, but going down is a no-no. Things just don't flex right yet for that and the strength isn't there to support it yet.

Any idea of your prognosis, for recovery, yet?

The new M14SA is due to arrive on 1/21...looking forward to it like a kid at Christmas. I'll check it out and give you folks my estimation of it in the week or so after that. Since I've never been able to find a single complaint about LBR forged reciever rifles it'll probably be a good one.

Any of you who are shooting M1A's, etc., give me a shout. I'd like to compare notes. Haven't been behind a wood and steel battle rifle since I sold my Springfields. Yeah, I know...the line to bitch slap me forms on the left...;-)

Talked to Bravo last night. He's OK, but clavicle deep in lawyer stuff, work, and such. I'm sure we'll be hearing from him at some point. He's still heavily into the XCR's and has me leaning that direction.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 15:44:39 (ZULU)

Kat,

I had my ball joints (feet) scraped and re-aligned. Just now able to have feet lower than chest (blood pressure in ball joint == pain).

I'm hopping around now, should be able to teach class this next week.

I've tried not watching the news, it's all about Haiti. Can anyone tell a difference in the before/after photos?

Duman
Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 15:33:49 (ZULU)

I understand, thank you. One of the reasons I've always been leary of bench grinders - esp since my fav big ka-nife is tempered at the edge and annealed on the spine. With my 3rd World hand tools I've got pretty much a shaving edge on it, but it would be fun to play with that kit.

Sooo, if it turns white and droplets of molten metal splatter off of it, it's too late? :D (I'm actually thinking of the Krell metal scene)

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 06:16:50 (ZULU)

4i's tells a true story. Heat kills blades. There are other ways to kill a blade with a belt grinder. Don't pause with the belt on the blade and watch your angle very carefully. Watch j. neilson's youtube sharpening vid until you understand what he is getting at.

CDC'
Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 05:52:52 (ZULU)

Be very careful with the beltsanders. Heat is one of the few things that can make a good blade, scrap in short order. A wet-belt is expensive but makes it much harder to screw up. You can get portions of the blade hot enough to turn it to martensite in seconds with too much pressure.

Music, for new stuff don't forget Kid Rock. Cocky is good : ) It aint braggin' if you can back it up!

Wes, I know it sucks to be gimpy. You can still do weight training to keep the rest of your body from atrophying as well.

4i's
Siloam Springs, AR, USA - Sunday, January 17, 2010, at 02:14:54 (ZULU)

Duman: Hobbled? Did you have knee surgery? How long before you can get around with crutches (I'm an expert on that one)? I've probably spent at least a year total on crutches over my adult lifetime. One summer and half of Fall I got totally addicted to video games which I thought would never happen. I found that because friends have lives, it's not as easy for them to visit as they might have thought. I'll give ya a ring and say hi.

Hey, I went to OSH and found these little packets (like taco sauce) of wood stain samples for 39 cents. One was actually called Gun Stock (see? It's not a hate-crime here!) and was a perfect match! I'll put some matte urethane on it in a bit!

Re: Iran - if we do that, I'd like to make a request...that we take out each and every copper foundry/mine in the country! (neutrons will turn it radioactive which would be a fiendishly good thing)

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 18:55:15 (ZULU)

One drawback to being hobbled is that you really can't do much of anything except read or watch TV. TV sux, and reading is a drag, when you're flat on your back.

In my latest readings, methinks there will be a military strike against Iran, sometime later this year. Their program is larger than previously thought, finding a new secret facility implies others, and the pussies in the UN won't get tough on them. The dispersal of facilities, in addition to the under-mountain hardening, makes an Israeli type strike (e.g. Iraq,Syria) against a facility untenable.

The Israeli's aren't serious about peace, which will continue to exacerbate the tensions in the region.

Duman
Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 18:19:04 (ZULU)

Years back I stuck Tasco Pronghorns(?) on the kids .22 rimfires and they've done well. Think I paid $35-40 wholesale. Also stuck one of the World Class 4X fixed on a 7x57 a friend gave my younger son. Very bright, clear glass and has stayed on POA.

WR Moore
Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 12:07:54 (ZULU)

CDC

Should have the package tuesday, as there is no mail service monday.

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 11:41:04 (ZULU)

Joe M: The 2-7x Nikon Monarch on my .280 Mountain Rifle was about $170. So far so good. It often beats hauling the Sendero with the 3.5-10x loopie up the mountain.

I'm screwing up cheekwelder sales so I am going to give a bunch of them away. Right now I'm making them to order and finding the stocks to make the molds is a hassle. So - if I don't have a particular stock, send me yours and I'll make you a free cheeker. You pay shipping both ways and I'll pay for the part. I'm going to make molds and make a bunch of inventory. My new policy is "next day shipping". So, if you want the best cheekpiece on the market for just the cost of shipping, click my name and contact me there.

CDC'
Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 07:36:32 (ZULU)

Gents and lady,

Wasn't sure that I'd plugged into Sniper Country today. Seems like a cross of "The 80's Show"/Music-fest and "The Knife Show". Incredible.

A trip back through time...to be sure.

More writings on Cougars. For giggles I looked at the Wikepedia definition of a cougar: "A fourty-ish hottie on the prowl for a younger man". Guess I've been wrong thinking it could have been a four legged critter. Methinks the english language has gone to hell. Wonder what D. Webster would say today?

Lot's of good knife info...I have enough knives thank you. At 58 my working blades are all I need. Don't plan on adding more to the collection any time soon. Still, if a Radall Bowie became available...;-)

I've been VERY bad. Just purchased an LRB M14SA. Forged G.I. spec recievers and parts. Incredible reputation for quality and built to order. When I inquired about having one built I was told that they had a cancellation on a completed standard grade rifle. I nabbed it, rather than wait 6-8 months for new forged recievers and a build.

Got excited and inventored my .308 ammo...sitting on close to 3K of loaded stuff. 50/50 match grade and quality G.I. stuff. Nowaday's that's like sitting on a gold mine. Man has ammo gotten spendy. Have another 3K of primed new G.I. cases for loading, too. Berdan, darn it!

"She who must be obeyed" is taking me to the Oregon coast in the morning. That should be fun even if all I can do is hobble along the streets. No walks on the beach with this knee. Yet.

All for now. When the new rifle gets here 1/21 I'll give you guys a shout about my 1st impressions and a range report a couple days later.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Friday, January 15, 2010, at 20:54:02 (ZULU)

Clicky.... when stupid people breed......

Travis Morgan
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 19:07:48 (ZULU)

CDC - OK, will follow your advice to the letter.

medicjim
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 18:02:21 (ZULU)

medicjim: Yhe Kalamazoo is a whole different deal. It is a production tool built for people whose living is dependent on it. It is the best tool in my shop but seems like overkill for just sharpening your own tools.

The guy in the vid is an ABS Master Bladesmith, so he knows this stuff far, far better than I ever will. But I'm going to barge right in anyway. Start out by putting some red ink on the edge of your blade with a sharpie. Put a 800 grit belt on your grinder. Holding the knife as he shows in the vid, flip on the unit and run a fast pass over the belt. Now look at the edge with your $12 Radio Shack microscope. You will learn a lot right then. Angle, edge condition, profile...all will be revealed. The belt is flexible so a knife held at 15 degrees will end up being more of an angle than you want. That will dull your blade and ruin your profile. Repeat when you switch belts. Be careful not to pause on the belt.

The grinder technique is useful but there's more you need to know.

CDC'
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 15:35:20 (ZULU)

I now have three Sightron 3x9x32 mil-dot scopes for rimfire rifles...I think they run around $150. I'm VERY happy with what I get for my money. One of them has been dropped several times and has been through much brush busting.

I'm not so sure about waterproof quality... I rarely go out in the rain anymore...too many old injury aches

I owned one of the relatively original SS 10x scopes and really hated it... the optics were dim and very distorted around the sides...I understand the quality improved dramatically, but they lost me as a customer long ago.

medicjim
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 13:54:22 (ZULU)

Curiosity on-topic question:

What is the lowest price scope (I'd have said "cheapest" but they two can have different meanings) that you would ever buy for yourself? Caliber caveats also requested, as an example: BSA sweet 17 but only for rimfires;

For me, and based solely on never having met a dissatisfied owner--it would be the SWFA SS line. I noticed my local shop owner still has that dented (small ding on the objective flange like someone "staked" the lens) SS on his Bohica .50BMG upper. That's two seasons of cannon livin' for that under 5 bills scope:-))

Joe M
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 13:29:27 (ZULU)

CDC - great advice on the warranty. I just purchased one of those $40 Harbor freight items to see if I can do any better with it than I have been able to manage free hand with stones...

If it works out and I can now maintain my own cutting tools, I plan to upgrade to the Kalamazoo unit. I think you posted the video on that one too...

http://www.kalamazooindustries.com/belt_sanders.html

you guys are hell on my wallet.

medicjim
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 13:08:50 (ZULU)

Anybody familiar with ULTRALUX scopes 6x24

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Friday, January 15, 2010, at 12:08:55 (ZULU)

Lenny Kravitz's version was an abomination. It would be like Zamfir doing Elvis's greatest hits on the pan flute.

When I'm working out, it's Rob Zombie, AC/DC, Saliva or, if I'm doing cardio (rucking) Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Weird, but that's what I like.

Charles S. Hunt
Kabul, Afghanistan - Friday, January 15, 2010, at 10:39:07 (ZULU)

Click for a tribute to Col R.L. Howard, MoH. One of my Facebook friends posted the link - a shot of Lismore to this fellow.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Friday, January 15, 2010, at 09:15:25 (ZULU)

Ken: Mountain with Leslie West. Good pick. My first thought was Ozark Mountain daredevils---but that was Jackie Blue; I bought both albums on the same day and they were the flavor of the week interchangeably until the next purchase....dang, I know that one too: Draw the Line....it is a waste of brain space to store that much detail!

Click for a live vid of the song:-))

Joe M
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 03:16:55 (ZULU)

Kat: Make sure to get the extended warranty. Those are fragile little grinders.

CDC'
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 03:08:23 (ZULU)

" "Black Betty" is at the top of the list. What should follow it? I've kinda worn out Lenny Kravitz' version of "American Woman".

Travis:

"Mississipi Queen" (forget the artist),

"Round and Round" by Ratt

"Ice Cream Man" by Van Halen

Ken

Ken Hunter
Nokesville, Va, USofA Under God, Hosted by Bush - Friday, January 15, 2010, at 02:37:59 (ZULU)

Kat

There is an outfit in Florida (Moon machine or something like that) that sells leather belts (1x 30" strop) for that Harbor freight thingy....

Probably give a new meaning to the term 'razor sharp'

medicjim
Friday, January 15, 2010, at 02:33:02 (ZULU)

Travis- Thank you, that was a laugh out loud.

JoeM: Listening to angry rock? Do it with a Schroeder Beethoven expression!

CDC' - I need mall stuff, but what do I do? Go to Harbor Freight and start drooling over that 1" belt sander - I am not right!

Thanks all - 220 just added new meaning to my Kukri edge. But being a somewhat clumsy type, I think I post a photo of my hand...

"Jackie Blue" wow! Great music on top of all the other stuff? What are you guyz - from the NGC 1701 or something? That portal must have sent a whole bunch down.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Friday, January 15, 2010, at 01:31:06 (ZULU)

Clicky

Travis Morgan
Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 17:11:12 (ZULU)

Joe M,

No argument,and theres countless bands and artists that we have missed that are equally as good. Just felt that album bears mentioning as its the equivlant of mainlineing esspresso (for me at least.)

My disc collection when at its peak was over 1,000 discs and not a one was burned or pirated,has taken a serious hit over the years from trusting friends and family too much. Three (borrowed) soft travel cases took a fly from the roof of my jackass brothers Porsche one night when he was on his way home from a party...Never to be seen again,or even an offer of reimbursment.

Milwaukee area radio stations have completely and totally stagnated. We have 4 or 5 vintage rock stations and one alternative station...along with a couple hip-hip/rap and a couple country stations.My taste has reverted back to Classical,and the Nashville Outlaw sound, and am seriously missing my X-Rated David Allen Coe LP's that walked when there was a party at my place one night.

4i's - Said, according to Jerry Lee Lewis, "all good Rock and Roll makes you want to go out to the parking lot and beat someone up." Yeah and Rap makes me want to do that too.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 14:58:01 (ZULU)

UnPat: There's a bunch of songs on any given album that would be as good on the list for a work out collection....and when I started to list those off the top of my head---I realized that my classic rock work out folder is about 3 gigs.....THAT woulda been a lot of typing!!! And, I'd have to dock my zune to jog my memory; I haven't used that folder in a while. Like Travis, I have been listening to the more contemporary angry rock lately myself:-))

Joe M
Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 13:00:50 (ZULU)

I bought the gun from the guy,and as i said it will be a donor action. I've always wanted a tack driving 223, but am also parcel to the 6x47 . When i make up my mind i think i'm going to pay a little extra and have Pacific Tool make me a bolt. 197.00

Doc

I'll keep you in mind.

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 11:44:56 (ZULU)

Joe M,

If your gonna mention Sabbath....and RJD then you just have to include

Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" into that list....that whole disc/album just ROCKS....IMO,Way better then anything under the name DIO.

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 08:08:28 (ZULU)

Travis: Gear Jammer- G. Thoroughgood, Walk all over you-AC/DC, Slow Ride-Foghat, Revolution-Beatles, Figured You out--Nickleback, Roundabout-Yes, God that Failed-Metallica, anything off of Toys in the Attic or Draw the line--Aerosmith, He-man women hater--Extreme (you may like this one), Feels like the first time--foreigner, Space trucking--Deep purple, Sweet leaf--Black Sabbath (I dig the riff), Middle of the Road-pretenders, Your really got me--Kinks, Beds are burning--Midnight oil, Rain on the scarecrow--John Mellencamp, Psycho Killer--Talking heads, Jailbreak--Thin Lizzy, The Zoo--Scorpions, Godzilla--BOC, Holy Diver-RJD, Still of the night--whitesnake (or slow and easy, if'n it doesnt make you wanna dance on a brass pole), Should I stay or should I go--Clash, Bat out of hell--meatloaf, God of thunder--Kiss, Cult of personality--living colour, money for nuthin'-Dire straights, Locomotive breathe--Jethro tull, crazy on you-Heart, Cinnamon Girl-N. Young, Almost cut my hair--CSNY, Rocky mountain way--Joe Walsh, We're an American band--GFR, Hungry like the wolf-Duran Duran, American Girl-Tom Petty, Cumbersome-7Mary3, Tush--ZZ Top, Ain't talkin' bout love- Van halen, Bullet with butterfly wings-Smashing Pumpkins, Candy's Room-Springsteen, Whiskey in the Jar-- Metallica version, Sweet child o' mine-GnR, I alone-Live, ahhh, so many rockin tunes...so little time.

Find your way to the albums--and find many more worthy jams...

Joe M
Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 06:29:08 (ZULU)

4i's - "Travis, according to Jerry Lee Lewis, "all good Rock and Roll makes you want to go out to the parking lot and beat someone up."

I was laughing imagining ballet or chamber music having that effect. I like good blues...yep I do.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 05:17:01 (ZULU)

Gary,

If you get to where you're needing headspace gauges, let me know. I have a pretty fair bunch of them.

Cheers,

Doc

Doc Holloway
The balmy Ozark boonies, MO, USA - Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 04:48:31 (ZULU)

"Where can i get a replacement bolt for a Win Mod. 70 CRPF .378 bolt face. I can steal this gun if i can find a bolt.

Gary Kaney"

Numrich has post-64 Win. bolts (you said CR Push Feed).

Short: http://www.e-gunparts.com/products_new.asp?CatID=7492

Long and Magnum: http://www.e-gunparts.com/products_new.asp?CatID=7479

Check all the items in their on-line catalog, as several rifles take the same bolt. You might need to mill the face. You may end up getting a stripped bolt, and have to buy the other parts (which they probably have, also, such as firing pin, bolt shroud, etc). Talk to a tech. before ordering.

If Numrich is out, call Jack First.

http://www.jackfirstgun.com/index.php

Last, if nothing else, find an old fashion gun store/gunsmith. They have odds and ends lying around. You might get lucky. I know a secret source that has several old-style Weatherby Mag bolts, for example. But 'smiths usually save obsolete parts for their own use, so be willing to pay a little bonus if one will part with a bolt. Most manufacturers will not sell single bolts, even to a 'smith.

You need to check the head space, in any event. And the guns did vary a little bit, even within the same model.

P. Hayden
USA - Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 03:08:09 (ZULU)

Travis

Smokejumper?

Rural lineman, cell tower tech, forest ranger...

My brother did a few years cutting snags in Idaho in the mountains.

medicjim
Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 01:15:53 (ZULU)

CDC: no need to apologise for blade enthusiasm. Blades are silent, and never run out of ammo ; )

I know if one is attacked by a ml/c/p they will use anything at hand. There is documentation , of people using dead tree limbs, a pen knife, and a hatchet to defend themselves/family members.

Travis, according to Jerry Lee Lewis, "all good Rock and Roll makes you want to go out to the parking lot and beat someone up".

I like the new album compiled by Kenny Wayne Sheppard (10 Days Out)to work out to, old blues works for me. Especially mixed with southern rock.

4i's
Siloam Springs, AR, USA - Thursday, January 14, 2010, at 00:08:03 (ZULU)

Anyone have a line on a job a single guy can do that's reasonably hard physical labor in pretty country? I kinda need to hit "reset" on my life, I think.

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 23:52:19 (ZULU)

Kat,

Nope, but I certainly used to like fighting that way. ....when I was winning.

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 23:47:48 (ZULU)

"Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" album was like that; "Eye of the tiger" was the only good song on the whole damned album."

Alan Parsons Project,Deep Purple,Ritchie Blackmoore's "Rainbow"......

"Decaf would probably get someone killed."

I give up.... Aromatherapy ??

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 23:27:49 (ZULU)

Great songs - Eye in the Sky, one of my favs!

What are you guys always talking about being old when you've got music lists that are so recent anyway? Here's embarrassing. I went to the range yesterday and the guy taking the range fee looked like a teen (middle of the weekday, not unreasonable). He charged me senior rate without saying a thing. I really really hope he was being nice :o He also didn't charge for my targets. "Eh? What's that you say sonny?"

Sir Wes...dignity. Yes, thank you. I know my postings are not quite in that category!

Kat Girl

p.s. Travis, you are a Mosh Pit nut? o. m. g. :)

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 23:18:13 (ZULU)

Sir Wes,

Charles Hunt has a story about a cougar in Big Bend National Park that is quite interesting. Maybe you can coax it out of him.

LOL

Storm
SA, TX, USA - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 22:38:23 (ZULU)

UnPat,

Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" album was like that; "Eye of the tiger" was the only good song on the whole damned album.

Decaf would probably get someone killed.

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 22:23:00 (ZULU)

Travis,

Listed those artists as they have too many good tunes out too list,some stuff bein even better then the tunes that had more air time.Cant help ya much with one hit wonders. When I started on my cd collection I tried to avoid the "Best of ____" releases as many times the decision of tracks that made the cut werent made by the band but by some suit. Many,many times I bought a disc or album for just one track,but as you listen to the whole disc or album you begin to get a feel for how the band came into their sound.

Have you considered switching to decaf?

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 22:12:58 (ZULU)

Obama voters at the doctor's office.

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 21:38:28 (ZULU)

All you HAMS, Click!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmYDgncMhXw&feature=related
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 21:32:51 (ZULU)

UnPat,

I'm looking for songs, not artists. I'm looking for blood pumpin' music that doesn't make me "get in the pit and lump someone". Most of the more modern rock that does anything for me kinda makes me wanna go find someone and kick their ass. (and I'm in a target rich environment)

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 21:27:13 (ZULU)

Travis,

Led Zep,Nugent,Skynryrd,Kiss,Sweet,Thin Lizzy,Nazareth,UFO,Boston,Foreigner,Rush,Allman Bros,Aerosmith,ZZ top(pre-Elimnator),Eagles...

You wont hear this one every day.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc3KXwd8ZWQ

UnPat

UnPat
Wi, USA - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 20:49:20 (ZULU)

I'm putting some songs on a CD; kinda tired of "Let the bodies hit the floor, etc.". I think I'm gonna go with old school stuff this time.

"Black Betty" is at the top of the list. What should follow it? I've kinda worn out Lenny Kravitz' version of "American Woman".

Travis Morgan
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 20:06:06 (ZULU)

Mike M, Joe: I'm waiting for parts. You gentlemen will get protos as they are developed. This is first priority for me.

Glad you're back, Wes. You bring dignity to the discussion. Don't run off again or we'll send Pablo's sister to fetch you.

"CDC, for a stompin around Varmint rifle I've always thought the Rem 700 Varmint Special series with Luppie 3.5 X 10 was about as good as it got."

Got one of those in 6mm. Can't go wrong with that. I want to get this heavy 5.56 down to that weight or a little under.

CDC'
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 14:38:03 (ZULU)

Thanks to everyone with input on the Kahles, I'm always looking for the better mousetrap.. looks like the search goes on.

On these soul-less guns everyone keeps encountering. I'm something of a Neanderthal when it comes to sentiment... if you just have to dump something because of its lack of soul, give me a yell... I might just take it off your hands for a fair price, minus the 'soul' valuation of course <g>

medicjim
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 13:49:17 (ZULU)

Kahles scopes

I've got a 3-9-42 It's a good scope, and i'm thinking of another. Bear basin has them as does CDNN. I sent mine to the factory and had them install a Mil Dot reticle, cost was 135.00

Talked with Kerry a GAP and he suggested Pacific Tool, as this will be a donor action.

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 11:12:08 (ZULU)

Gents and lady,

Wow, I mentioned cougars and everyone has some good input. I love the big cats, but in the numbers were seeing it's not a good thing. The hunter success rate, in areas hunted since youth, are down considerably. As are the deer populations. Big cats are the culprit.

It's said the average adult cougar needs to consume 10 pounds of meat a day. Seems like a lot. Espcially, when you consider the normal blacktail probably averges about 120 lbs(average both sexes). The largest blacktail I've ever killed weighed 167 field dress and THAT is a huge blacktail. Center punched him with a 7mm/08 w/140 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip.

Knives, I use an old Powder River Folder(all stainless steel) that is no longer in production. Like me, it's getting old, but those surgical stainless blades do a wonderful job of gutting and skinning. For more serious hiking, etc. I used my old Ka-Bar, but I gave that to a young Marine for his graduation present from Boot Camp. A Randall #5 seems to fill the bill nicely, now.

Did a bad thing today. Purchase an LRB Arms M14SA. Wanted a M-14 true to the original pattern in every way. This is it. Guess as we get older we appreciate that which has worked well and continues to work well.

What surprised me was the resurgence in interest in that platform and the options available for them. You name it, it's available. Including high quality mags at decent prices. The rifle should arrive in a week or 10 days. Will try to give a range report when I break it in. LRB's are reputed to be "Cadillacs" of the genre. Guess I'll find out.

I was certainly not unhappy with my older Springfields, but sold them and went to the AR-10. The AR shoots great, but has no soul...

Live and learn.

Our weather has been overcast and cloudy. Rorcast rain has not materialized. Hope it stays that way until I can test the rifle.

Initial break in, sighting, and testing will be at 100 and 200 yards.

Luckily, I have a good amount of quality ammo from my previous gas gun days, so am good to go. Found my old stash of gas gun accuracy ammo...400 rounds in new LC Match brass, 42.5 gr. AA2520(old Isreali), a Winchester LR primer, and a 175 gr. Sierra Match King. If the rifle won't shoot these, it won't shoot anything.

Looking forward to getting aquainted with an old friend, again.

CDC, for a stompin around Varmint rifle I've always thought the Rem 700 Varmint Special series with Luppie 3.5 X 10 was about as good as it got. Perfect trade off between packable weight and good accuracy. A LOT of Pennsylvania Ground Hogs fell to that combination. Like a laser to 350 yards or so...after that you had to work a bit harder.

Rifles...still my favorite pass time and reloading for them is second.

The knee continues to mend, but it's still going to be a long recovery.

My best to all.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 05:34:09 (ZULU)

Medicjim:

The initial info I can find suggests that Kahles riflescopes (under that name) are discontinued, which means availability would be limited to onhand stock. They had 2-7, 1.5-4 and 3-9 in 1" which would all be suitable for various types of hunting, although they were all very expensive.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/kahles-riflescopes-unavailable.html

The Kahles family managed and ran the company until 1974. With no heir in the family to take over the company, an ailing Fredrich Kahles sold the business to his friend Daniel Swarovski. From 1974 through 1988 Kahles was a subsidary of Swarovski. In 1989, Kahles Limited G.M.B.H. was registered as an independent company within the Swarovski Optik Group.

Now marketed in the United States as a brand within the Swarovski Optik North American product line, Kahles products have a Lifetime Warranty, are price competitive and offer the consumer many new riflescope models!

So look for them under the Swarovski name in the USA...

Looks like their cheapest is around $1000 - ouch!

http://www.opticsplanet.net/swarovski-riflescopes-by-price-1.html

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 02:35:29 (ZULU)

SWL country:

I read a recent work of speculative fiction that implied there was utility in being able to receive short-wave broadcasts from other goverments in time of crisis. The scenario painted had access to information via other means blocked. (Rather like E. Europe not that many years ago). If true, it would suggest that having a portable SW receiver would be a handy implement in the tool kit.

Opinions on the usefulness of such technical means in today's era?

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 02:14:42 (ZULU)

Pacific Tool and Guage makes Remington replacement bolts but they do not show Winchesters on their website. Call them and ask for Dave Kiff anyway since he would know where to look for one. Click my name for their website.

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 01:52:09 (ZULU)

What thinks the group regarding Kahles scopes for hunting? Perhaps a variable under 8x with a price tag below ~$500?

medicjim
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 01:39:08 (ZULU)

Gary,

Not such a longshot, but call Dave Kiff at Pacific precision.

JR
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at 01:34:36 (ZULU)

Since we can't hunt cougars with dogs anymore...my buddies use radio receivers to track them by the signal their radio collars emit. Thank you institutions of higher learning! The universities have signed their death warrants!

Gerry

Gerry
Newberg, OR, USA - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 19:49:29 (ZULU)

Gary, probably won't do any good, but check here:

http://www.wisnersinc.com/

and here:

http://westerngunparts.com/

Larry J. Porter
Boonies of the Panhandle, Texas, USA!!!! - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 18:05:11 (ZULU)

Gary:

It's going to be a tough road finding a bolt unless you luck into someone with a destroyed receiver that didn;t eat the bolt. Bolts are "controlled" items from mfgr (headspacing/liability issue), and folks storing rifles will often separate (and lose) bolts.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 16:44:16 (ZULU)

Where can i get a replacement bolt for a Win Mod. 70 CRPF .378 bolt face. I can steal this gun if i can find a bolt.

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 12:21:24 (ZULU)

"Ballpark."

Too fast to duck outta the way. Better hope its a sighter...

(ducking for cover now--she probably zeroed it before askin')

Joe M
Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 05:14:48 (ZULU)

Hey Rod: boy, I have a couple of really ugly arms and firearms too. No Webley yet :) but a .38 sup 1911 from S. America which looks about as hacked up!

Re: where food comes from.

My dad, when we were little, I think was being both a doctor and a farmer. When we'd have dinner, whatever cut of meat we'd have he'd reach over and pinch or circle the part on us it came from. Los Angeles. I doubt there was a 4H club in a 20 mi radius. We'd of course giggle and it would be a big game. "Donner, party of 16..."

Does anyone have a feel for the mean, extrema and std dev or MAD of Fed 3006 168 gr SMK Match? Just curious before I start doing all that again. Just normal conditions and some 24" steel bbl of std twist sitting under a bell jar at the Bureau of Standards. Ballpark. Just curious. (and I lost all of my old notes - I do know how many factors there are).

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 04:56:59 (ZULU)

The unfortunate reality is that any firearm used for lawful defense becomes legit evidence, it could be years before you see it again (if ever). And of course we know how carefully some law enforcement personnel treat firearms, especially units that are not their own.

(You'll be lucky if they treat it like fire-ant infested cord-wood.)

That's why ugly guns are so wonderful, less emotional bonds.

In a related vein, I had a co-worker who raised a few cows for meat on his hobby farm. One of the bovines was named "Ugly", which helped his childern to avoid forming an emotional bond with a future meal.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 04:13:15 (ZULU)

Hey, you guyz got me all motivated to do some polishing of my small blades. I'm saying small because they all look like tree leaves now compared to those Bowies. Finally! First time I heard an explanation of why you don't find many with flat ground to the spine!

You know how if you're an avid dry-fire practice person with handguns, you have to lock the ammo in another room and then tell yourself that you are beginning to practice or that you are now done? (which at least cuts ND/ADs of my highly trained friends to about once per decade or two of a vaporised TV or vase - I know about only one with a revolver) I think I've got a nice personal rule for sharpening blades. Small first then the larger ones. I have a boo boo from my little Loveless I didn't even know I did and won't stop bleeding. The really poop part is I was going to the range tomorrow and it's on the pad of my right index. (hmm, weak side bolt?)

Two really good guys I know here in CA had some un-fun legal problems with their firearms. One is an old friend who was a Blue-suiter sentry-dog guy. Yup. That DA is saving so many victims that way....gah.

Anyway, it made me decide to replace my red-dot AR lower and use the Bushmaster instead of the HBAR Competition Match. It might make me cry less if something like that ever happens to me! The red dot on it is pretty 1st gen and it's for short range defense anyway.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 03:22:04 (ZULU)

Kat Girl:

M2AP workie even better :-)

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 00:59:16 (ZULU)

CDC' 8^O wow a reinforced paper cut on the hoof!

I wish I were still in my old industry - now I want that too!

I tried (knowing I wasn't strong or fast enough) to do that Cold Steel advertissment with the sheath Tanto and 1" sisal? Okay, you know what happens when a teenager gets handed Nunchackus after he watches an old martial arts movie? I'm guessing a lot of you were teens for the last how many decades martial arts movies are on. The end of the rope just about left a nice bruise in my forehead! I just don't know how Labs and German Shepards enjoy swinging around knotted rope.

I think boiled cabbage might be my thing.

Travis: I could go on and on about the movie. I'll stick to a few. Anyone who has ever directed and acted as a leading character in a movie says it is exhausting and often won't try it more than once. He's amazing. He loves great music and manages to get it in. He used new Asian faces as leading actors from a group, the Hmong (Montagnairds was one name), who seldom are seen for what they are.

Clint showed an arc of a sad, disappointed and angry man who showed growth, courage and forgiveness (including self) at an age (a huge number of ignored audiences) who desperately need to see new ways of getting past places they've either been in the past (my dad w/ Alzheimer's lives in memories of the war and how he was treated after coming home from Italy and France) or we all will be. That's just a few - oh and the old Matriarch? Purrfect!

He showed an incredible spectrum of intense feelings often without a word and the movie made memories of name-calling a little less hurtful. This is short, I coulda' gone on! :) Roger Ebert, eat your heart out :D

My eyes were puffy the next morning

Kat Girl

p.s. and I LOVE Garands, M-2 Ball vs thin auto metal (shaking head)

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Tuesday, January 12, 2010, at 00:10:21 (ZULU)

Click. These guys are WAY into knives! I'm impressed.

Travis Morgan
Monday, January 11, 2010, at 22:27:07 (ZULU)

Click for a demo of ONE of a good Bowie's capabilities. There are others. Notice how little effort he expends making these cuts. He could go from one cut to another very quickly and - with a well balanced blade - changing direction takes no time at all.

Excuse the silliness. Bowie knives vs cougars...I'm ashhamed of myself.

CDC'
Monday, January 11, 2010, at 17:49:14 (ZULU)

Mountain lion/cougar/puma tend to target the base of the skull-upper neck from behind. Most attack survivors were wearing a backback that came above their head. Anyone going one on one with a blade would probably lose a measurable quantity of blood.

I've read some "colorful" acounts of coyote hunters, who were stalked by cougar while calling.

CDC I know rifles can get too heavy for a calling rifle, but I thought (having never been PD shooting) that a PD rifle was just a benchrest rifle with an attitude ; )

4i's
Siloam Springs, AR, USA - Monday, January 11, 2010, at 16:44:33 (ZULU)

CDC,

$5. You want check or money order?

Kat,

About the movie in general, or what? Here lately, I probably ought to avoid it; my AO is overrun with insurgents lately.

All, guess why Harry Reid said that shit? Because it's all true!

Travis Morgan
Monday, January 11, 2010, at 16:25:00 (ZULU)

Kat: Don't apologise to me; Apologise to Pablo.

My 5.56 ("The Squeek Avenger") was built by a Marine armorer at Tac-Ord from a 700 action, 25.5" long, 1"+ diameter at muzzle, hart fluted SS barrel and a HS M24 stock. It has some trick flat black finish. With the Nikon 6.5-20x scope it weighs just over 13 lbs It shoots like you would expect but - being overweight - it spends its lonely life in a safe whan it should be out playing with prarie dogs.

It is either going to be turned in to a much lighter rifle or I am going to trade it off. Before I do something I will regret, does anyone have any idea what this thing is worth?

CDC'
Monday, January 11, 2010, at 14:56:37 (ZULU)

Dan said, "Kat: Wrong opinionated old fart. That wasn't Pablo; That was me."

It's not like there's a shortage of us opinionated old farts around here... :-)

Lindy
Rockport, Texas, U.S.A. - Monday, January 11, 2010, at 13:14:10 (ZULU)

Sorry Dan - I'm sure I was typing your initials - oh well - half of my brain is probably still asleep! Nice link - yes, he sounds like he sure knows his business!

Thx Travis. btw you were right about Gran Torino.

Kat Girl

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Monday, January 11, 2010, at 02:37:35 (ZULU)

When I was younger I read a Capstick book, then started hitting bookstores and bought every one I could find. I was obsessed with African hunting for several years after reading those books. Maybe he embellished I don't know. Doesn't matter to me though as it made for some entertaining reading.

That Dean M. guy must be a real piece of work. I've never heard so many bad things about one person in the internet community.

MarcS
South S.F. Bay area, CA, - Monday, January 11, 2010, at 02:19:14 (ZULU)

Kat: Wrong opinionated old fart. That wasn't Pablo; That was me.

Sharpening country: Click the link for quick and easy sharpening from an ABS Master Bladesmith. This guy is an authority. No question. Harbor Freight has a usable set up for about $35. Get the extended warranty.

Kat (again): That smith could make a better blade than the on at the link. It would cost a little less than a GAP rifle.

CDC'
Monday, January 11, 2010, at 00:19:26 (ZULU)

Kat,

Ya might wanna take some emery cloth and finish up your file work then add cold blue.

Travis Morgan
Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 22:35:31 (ZULU)

CDC' - thank you for the encouragement - it was easy! Nothing but metal to metal now and with a 1/4" rattail file, I have a nice gentle curve in the recess now! I feel so craftsmanworthy, bahring'uh on the frozen engine blocks!

'lito - Wow, I want one of those blades too! Beautiful. I love the brook trout image. You and some others will like this. I was sharpening my Kukri the other night (it's now got a shaving edge) and happened to look over and see a three or so foot hickory handle. Boink. Light bulb. Pole Arm. Then I thought, "high end collapsable walking stick" voila, instant Mall Neen-jay!

SeanT - Whaat iszat thing? I love how they formed the "Tree Crusher Committee!"

Kat

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 22:10:08 (ZULU)

Kat Girl,

"Then we can make giant presses to mash trees into oil"

Is this what you're looking for? Not so much a 'press' but it is a 'crusher'. Same-Same? Sorta like making wine, on a larger scale, no?

http://www.mackenziechamber.bc.ca/tree_crusher.htm (or click)

When I lived there, we called it "one of the worlds greatest ecological disasters".

Sean T.
Winnipeg , Mb, Canuckistania - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 17:54:36 (ZULU)

I have followed cougar tracks along high ridges while they are spotting game and throigh a high forest whem one was making repeated attacks on a yearling - not calf - bull moose. We scared the cat off the wounded and doomed moose. We went back and looked at the multiple stalks and ambush points the cat used. He was wearing the moose out one atack at a time. No human could handle the cat under those conditions.

Worked for a guy once who went h2h with a bobcat. He said that a cat with 10 more pounds would have won.

I have seen filmed cougar attacks.

Face up, eye to eye, I would bet on a ornery son of a bitch with a razor sharp sticker very nearly like the one at the link. That's against a cougar. A cougar is not a leopard.

One time I had a plesant chat with an African hunting guide. He said that Capsttick stole and embellished others' experiences and was a fraud. The guy I was talking with was certainly the real deal.

I don't know.

CDC'
Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 16:39:29 (ZULU)

Re: Big Cats

Peter Hathaway Capstick was a big game hunter and guide in Africa. He commented in one of his books that in regards to the big cats, if a client had wounded one and had gone into the bush, Capstick would first put on his protection which would be a pre-cut piece of linoleum (IIRC)tied off around his neck and another that would fit around his upper and lower torso. His experience was that an attacking cat would bite for the neck, take you to the ground and at the same time the hind feet would be clawing into your abdomen. His choice of weapons in close quarters was a pump shotgun.

I found this Capstick quote from his book, "Death in the Dark."

“Even the lion, although he’s more likely to kill you if he can actually close, will betray a charge with a growl or roar, giving you some idea where he’s coming from. Not the leopard. He never gives you an edge, saving that rush or spring for such close quarters that he’s sure he’ll nail you or he won’t come. With the most perfect camouflage in nature, he’s invisible until he turns into a golden-dappled streak of purest malevolence, biting and clawing with such speed that cases have been recorded in which wounded leopards have been reliably reported as having mauled as many as seven armed men in a single rush and then melted back into the grass before anybody could do anything but bleed” (p. 150-1 Capstick, Death in the Dark)

Mk4
Texas, United States of America - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 15:47:07 (ZULU)

CDC

E-Mail inbound with attachments(pictures)

Gary Kaney
N.W., IL, - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 15:15:08 (ZULU)

Day by Day Cartoon

(click)

Mk4
Texas, United States of America - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 14:01:18 (ZULU)

Aren't cougars pound for pound like 5 times stronger than humans? Aren't they also ambush hunters, going directly for the throat? Seems like you might have one on you before you know he is there.

medicjim
Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 13:44:20 (ZULU)

Kat: "...I want to take a cougar so bad I can taste it :) Oh, and those coyotes who circle downwind of me and dog Nelson in the park at night (want to use a short sword on them)."

What would be a real blast would be taking the cougar with one of these (or click): http://www.ferretsmetals.com/knives/bob/fixed/img/southwest_bowie.jpg

11.25" blade and quicker than a brook trout.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty..."

CDC'
Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 11:50:07 (ZULU)

CDC' - Just saw your posting re: "making it worse" You've convinced me - I realized looking at the stock that there's a black perfect silhouette of where the bolt rebounds from the stock - I'll do it! Many thanks Rod and CDC' - again, this is the kind of stuff you just can't get anywhere. It would be really great to lose even a few fliers!

The guy who first had the rifle really didn't know what he had, I looked at the firing pin screw and the head is kind of stripped - I bet he didn't know there's a lock pin there :)

Sir Wes: Been to the Pac Northwest and it's beautiful - I won't say anything about the rain :)

I completely absolutely agree about cougars if not more so! I hiked and backpacked when I was younger and was a bit of a wildlife affectionado. I was stunned when cougars were declared endangered in the SoCal mountains which were full of them. I'm sure 'lito and most of you know, no average hiker should ever see a cougar or bobcat in the wild (even bowhunters). I'm stunned to find people clustering near the trails here when someone sees one (often with the glazed happy expressions). I used to hike at night by myself and was decently armed, but when I found out the population really, bloomed - uh, uh. One good and opened minded friend learned something fast. He took his 3 yr old daughter to a wildlife halfway house (those Olds haha) in Sunland. Bored cougar in an enclosure. Except when a family went by with a child...then it was like a cat in front of a gopher hole. He was smart enough to immediately understand what he was seeing (then I played a few notes on my fawn call to him just to get the brain hardening catalyst in!)

I want to take a cougar so bad I can taste it :) Oh, and those coyotes who circle downwind of me and dog Nelson in the park at night (want to use a short sword on them).

I've been reviewing some docs on fusion research. I sure hope we can get it right if it's possible. Then we can make giant presses to mash trees into oil haha. No one seems to ever think of the Laws of Thermo when talking green and recycling (1. you can't get anything for free 2. Everything gets worse. 3. You will never win)

re: farms to trees...or we'll get Cargill to make so much ethanol, we'll drink ourselves to not caring....

:) Kat

Kat Girl
Ellay, CA, USA - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 06:21:31 (ZULU)

Gents...and lady,

Rod, thanks for the update on back traffic. Guess If I'd have been hanging out more that would have been evident.

FN patrol rifles: From what I've seen there's good dollar value in the FN's. The move from HS precision stocks to Hogue has not been good, IMHO. Comment on recoil pads and jello is apt. Firmer is better...with a lot of things...;-)

KatGirl, The deer out here don't cruise in Oldmobiles(you're from WHERE?). These Pacific Northwest Blacktails cammie up and put on a sneak...great fun to hunt. Especially, now that cougars are making a come back. Haven't hunted for the past two years because of the busted knee, Before that I saw two cougars at "contact" distance in one year. Prior to that I'd hunted those mountains for 35 years and never seen a big cat. Now they're reaching nuisance proportions. The effect on the big game populations has been catastrophic(pun intended). Eat more Cougar?

Will get a tag this year and if I see one I'll cap him.

It's great fun to see the big cats in the wild, but one of the two was withing 250 yards of our country grade school. And people wonder why I never go into the woods unless armed. Right...

This will probably end, but only after some kids get drug off and eaten...

It used to be Cougars could be hunted with hounds. About 15-20 years ago that was banned. The cat population has been on an amazing upswing ever since.

Factory guns and accuracy. It's amazing some of the things you find wrong and rifles still manage to shoot OK. Tore down a PSS M700 .308 and was horrified by what I found. Nothing dangerous, but obvious lack of attention to detail, interference fit(barrel/bolt), etc. All items that detract from accuracy. A "death by paper cut" scenario to be sure.

Still, it shot OK. I wonder what it could have done if I'd been allowed to take care of some of those issues. Still, the owner/officer had taken my advice and invested in good mounts and glass. As a result he managed to come out in the top of the class. Even against some high dollar customs. Proving, it's the shooter, not the equipment, once again.

Hopefully, I'll get to the range in the next day or two. My .308's are screaming at me and I can at least get in a little bench time, chrono some loads, and verify zero on my M40A1 and AR-10. It's been long enough that I'm going to have to check bores for spiders, etc.

Semper Fi,

Sir Wes

Wes Howe
Salem, OR, USA - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 04:33:19 (ZULU)

Sir Wes:

The back traffic eventually gets relieved into the archive by the forum maintainer(s). It's not an instantenous process.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 03:01:18 (ZULU)

re: Hogue stock recoil pad replacement

I'm a big fan of the Pachmyer SC100 pads, any decent smith can fit a replacement pad. There are other good pads out there too.

Kat Girl:

Concur w/CDC, relieve the stock around the bolt handle. Any "wrong" stock to metal contsct is bad news for accuracy.

rod regier
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 02:57:55 (ZULU)

Nuke country-whilst driving into work tonight, I realized I left something out of the list of nuclear stuff Carter cancelled: the Clinch River breeder reactor. Don't recall (if I knew at the time) the details, but the breeders were configured to create additional (in comparison to regular reactors/reactor fuel) fuel products while running. These products had to be recovered from the used fuel by reprocessing. Again, as done in other countries.

With the eventual decline in available fossil fuels, someone in this country needs to get their act together before we're trying to use mirrors and the sun to cook dinner.

Maybe that's really why someone in DC cooked up a plan to turn mid-west farms from crops to trees. Think of all the firewood!

WR Moore
Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 02:49:19 (ZULU)

Kat: I didn't mean that it wouldn't help. It will make things worse. The spring's energy goes to closing the bolt. The machinery works all wrong. It's screwy. Fix the stock. It will only take a couple of minutes.

CDC'
Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 02:07:49 (ZULU)

Rifle Country...

Obtained a NIB FN 20" Patrol Rifle, .308. It has a mid-weight fluted barrel and hinged floor plate. I was unsure about the 20" barrel (measured from the bolt face). But it seems to balance well. Trigger long and heavy, but it is adjustable. Stock is Hogue. Not as nice as HS. Thinking of 6x fixed scope. 10x for now, since that is what is free. On first fiddling, it seems to meet the definition of patrol rifle, though I think an AR fits the purpose better as general issue. I believe the barrel is 1/12, based on WWW info.

Action seems to be an improved pre-64 Win. action. Floor plate should let me change stocks. If anyone has any idea for a better stock, I am all ears.

Second, if I keep the Hogue stock, the recoil pad goes. It has that jello feel. Something stiffer would be nice.

USA - Sunday, January 10, 2010, at 01:59:31 (ZULU)

Kat; "would backing the handle off a little help"

No; Backing off on the bolt is not the answer.

CDC'