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  • Special sale on CIMA Knife

    Special sale on CIMA Knife

     

    A quick note:  The CIMA knife I did a table top review on has just been reduced in price for a limited time. As of this writing and it may change at any time the price is only $15.59 with Free Shipping. This is a crazy deal and I just ordered 4 myself.

    If you remember from my review this is a copy of the very pricey ESEE 3 which cost around $100. A few have reported that the knife fits tight in the sheath which of the 3 I already has not been a problem. At $15.59 it is a bargain. Remember when ordering from GearBest shipping times can take around 3 weeks. It’s worth the wait.

    cima3

    Lastly – when I ordered I had to order 2 at a time rather than all 4 at once. Not sure why but there was an error when trying to do all 4 so I just divided it up into two separate orders.

    Click this link to go directly to the sales page.

    Thanks and have a great weekend.

    Rourke

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  • Video: Completing An 80% Lower

    Video: Completing An 80% Lower

    There’s been some interest in 80% lowers and the process of finishing one. I have not completed one myself although I have seen the final product and talked to the machinist that did the work. If he chooses he can comment below this post on his experience.

    The product I am familiar with came from 80-Lower.com. They sell an assortment of finishes as well as different designs and jigs which to use to complete the lower. Milling machine, drill presses, routers, and even hand drills can be used though hand drills are not recommended by most.

    Below are two video’s from a different vendor – 80PercentArms.com. The top video is an instructional video direct from 80PercentArms.com. The demonstration is actually done using a hand drill I am assuming to convey how easy it is.

    The bottom video is from someone who has completed the process and you get to hear of his experience with the process.

    I will tell you that it is NOT cheaper to complete an 80% versus buying a normal serialized lower. Those willing to spend the extra money are doing so for specific reasons that make it well worth it to them.

    Video 1

     

    Video 2

     For more information on the lowers that I have experiance with visit – – > https://www.80-lower.com

  • Jericho Episode 7 – Long Live the Mayor

    Jericho Episode 7 – Long Live the Mayor

    Here is the seventh of a weekly installment discussing an episode of the popular TV series – Jericho – which aired originally back in 2006. Every Tuesday night we are watching an episode and then will discuss what happens the following day. It can be watched free on Netflix or purchased on VUDU. Jericho is also available on DVD.

    Map_of_attacks

     

    Summary:

    Jake tries to make a deal with Jonah to get the food back for the town. The deal falls through when Gray Anderson convinces that it is the wrong thing to do and will make the town look week. Mayor Green’s health worsens and the decision is made to go search for crucial medication outside of Jericho.

    JERICHO

    Discussion:

    Although the story is entertaining the lack of suffering at least so far is just unrealistic. People seem entirely too at ease with the complete loss of electricity, most transportation, refrigerators, etc. I would like to think those in my circle would at least attempt to make the best of a bad situation and maintain some sense of humor. So – maybe Jericho isn’t being so unrealistic as we adapt. Sitting around and dwelling on the situation isn’t going to improve things.

    Specific to this episode medical preparedness is an issue. Fever control and infection which in modern times is generally non-life threatening is now a critical health issue. Antibiotics are an item that has helped extend the life of humans for decades and with its absence life expectancy will decrease dramatically.

    Due to the townspeople being isolated along with their limited supplies networking is something to seriously consider. Having contacts in other nearby towns and areas can lead to exchange or information and bartering.

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    From the Supply Depot:

    Amazon Kindle Fire 7″ Tablet – only $49.99

    PNY 64GB MicroSD Card

    Ibuprofen 500 tablet/bottle

    Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot Optic

    Augason Farms Lunch & Dinner Bucket

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    Looking for Preparedness Supplies? Check out the Fantastic Monthly Sale at Emergency Essentials.

    Emergency Essentials has been an industry leader for over 25 years. Excellent service and prices have kept them leader of the pack.

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    From food storage products to camping supplies Emergency Essentials carries it all.

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  • Layering your Kits

    Layering your Kits

    When dressing for activities in the out of doors we often use layering so that we can add or remove layers as needed to meet our needs in changing temperatures or climates.  This same approach can be used when making our many different “KITS”.   Everyone has their EDC (Every Day Carry) items that they have on them at all times, so that one is hopefully a given.  On top of those items we usually consider having our “72 hour kit” ready to grab and go in an emergency, but that is where we start to see so many questions regarding what to put in them and the INNUMERABLE lists that are available online.  I would like to offer some very Basic Guidelines to help people create a kit that is perfect for THEM, not someone who lives in the Antarctic or the Sahara.

    tumblr_mdecgj6RCa1qfo8ieo1_1280

    First of all let’s take a look at your EDC.  Consider everything you have in your pockets or on your belt at all times.  These items would be your Every Day Carry items, and while some duplication can be great, when you have to carry a lot of stuff, weight matters.  So write down what your EDC is, and put that aside.

    EDC, 72 hour kit, survival kit, preparedness, prepper

    Next look at what you believe would be appropriate and applicable for you to include in your CORE Kit.  This kit would be your bug out bag (BOB) / “72 Hour Kit”.  It would have things you may need to survive outside of your home for a short period of time.  The term “72 Hour Kit” is a bit of a misnomer since even FEMA recommends 4 days of emergency supplies.  I always remember that it took FEMA 5 days to get water to the Superdome after Katrina, and they knew it was coming.  This kit would be able to be easily carried and would include the basic items you would need to live for 4-5 days.  Things like, basic clothes, personal hygiene, a small personal first aid kit, limited tools, and a few days your prescriptions as well as food and water.

    bob

    Lastly we come to the more extensive layers of our kit.  These would be specialty items that each person could have to fill their roll in a family / team setting.  These layers would include things like: Cold / Hot weather, Trauma / Medical, Personal Protection, and Extended duration or distance.  These layers are things that could be easily added, or attached, to your CORE layer and still allow you to be mobile.  They may be due to seasonal requirements, personal / medical needs, or based upon your education / training and things that you are proficient in the use of.  I know many people who spend over $1000.00 on a professional Trauma kit from one of the plethora of online stores, but they are neither trained, nor capable of using some of the specialized equipment in them.  I have seen people at the counter of the local gun store being sold the latest piece of civilianized military weaponry (sarcasm intended) that they will take home, and put in the safe with its 10rd magazine (that they will call a clip) and have no idea how to operate.  These things can make them dangerous.  Even someone who has never stayed overnight in a snowy winter environment can be a danger to themselves and others if they don’t know what they don’t know.

    camp by the lake at night

     

    So to finish up, I have not supplied another “LIST” for you to read through, because your needs are different from my needs, and you don’t live where I live.  If you are not willing to think out and investigate what you will need, then might I suggest that you go check on the latest lineup of arm chairs at the furniture store to be more comfortable watching reality shows.

     

    IF you are willing to do the work then here are the basic layers:

    • EDC
    • CORE
    • SPECIALTY

     

    Thank you,

    Brad M

     

  • Q & A Day…..Hiking, Camping, Kayaking and Black Licorice

    Q & A Day…..Hiking, Camping, Kayaking and Black Licorice

    Ask a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, or “Can you daydream at night” – whatever.

    Go ahead – “make my day.”

    JR

     

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    From the Supply Depot: RECOMMENDED MOVIES

    Fire in the Sky

    The Magic of Belle Isle – awesome movie!

    Killing Season

    The DaVinci Code

    Ride

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    Looking for Preparedness Supplies? Check out the Fantastic Monthly Sale at Emergency Essentials.

    Emergency Essentials has been an industry leader for over 25 years. Excellent service and prices have kept them leader of the pack.

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    From food storage products to camping supplies Emergency Essentials carries it all.

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    Need clean water? 

    sp128-sawyer-mini-water-filtration 

  • Prep’s This Week

    Prep’s This Week

     

    Managed to get a few things done this week:

    • Picked up a pair of Merrell hiking shoes. This is my second pair and as my first still has plenty of life left in them this pair will be put back until needed.
    • Ordered a Griffin 12 watt power port car charger for my work phone. This thing is fantastic and charges either of my phones very quickly. I consider this a prep as it is part of communication. I also bought one for my wife.
    • Bought a 32 foot SMA cable for a ham radio project. Found it on eBay for under $10. Hopefully not totally junk but we’ll see.
    • Ordered 10 7-rd Springfield 1911 magazines and a leather holster for my 1911 Operator.

    Posts this week may be on the slim side or may have a couple “blast from the past” published. Life is busy and writing time may be short.

    That’s about it….

    Your turn.

    Rourke

  • Goingray58: Why Does Prepping Exist As It Does Today?

    Goingray58: Why Does Prepping Exist As It Does Today?

    Been thinking:

     

    Why does prepping exist as it does today?

     

    What makes it popular or possible based on numbers that participate to a greater or lesser degree?

     

    Humans have been around as a genus species (homo sapiens) about 200,000 years, with civilization of some sort about the last 6,000 years. Industrialization has been around since about the 1800’s. As a planet 85-90 percent of human history has been spent trying to survive long enough to identify and learn basic use of natural resources. The remainder to date has been spent exploiting what we learned for private gain. 90% or more of everything invented since the beginning of time, has been invented in the last 60 years.

     

    When I was born in 1958 there were roughly 2.3 billion people on the earth. There are now roughly triple that. Not only the increase, but the rate of the increase is increasing… That’s exponential. Now add time moving forward,  10 or 20 or 50 or more years.

     

    What does that do, or what is the effect?

     

    It increases competition for resources. It creates cities that have 4-12 million people living in them, in desperation, on top of each other, without enough food, education, medical care or hope.

    That is an excellent cauldron for tomorrows diseases like Zika, Ebola, SARS and whatever next. It will definitively be something. History says so, not speculation.  Ignoring the fact that some diseases might be created and released either by error or maliciously, the effect is the same regardless.

     

    One symptom of competition for space and resources is a gross devaluation of life.

     

    Socially, even if we know better and when we see too much – even atrocities seem more normal than before. Behaviors we would never have tolerated even 10 years ago have much less impact. That’s how fear works if you have to live with it. Anybody that has ever lived under mortal pressure will know that eventually you can’t worry any more, and you begin to act as though mortal peril is normal, whether on the battle field or elsewhere. As a defense mechanism you believe you are removed from it, because if not, you have to face the fact that you can’t or won’t do anything about it. It’s a way to carry on. I’m not sure what you call it if you ignore it and do nothing when you are not directly affected. I suppose it depends on the situation. Maybe we are so covered with so much that we feel like we can’t change it all so we don’t try until we are directly involved.

     

    Physically, competitive pressure does very strange things to behavior and physiology.

    We did some testing in college (biology grad studies), where we increased the population density in a population of mice. The result was a marked increase in disease and homosexual behavior. No I don’t know why, I am not a mouse. Blame the study, statistics, whatever..  it is what it is. I’m not blaming any particular behavior on population density. Just reporting the study observations so remember these are mice, not people. We are supposed to be more intelligent than mice.

     

    Another Study.

     

    On an island in the great lakes that was too far for the deer to swim away or predators to reach, a population increased slowly, until it reached critical mass density. The island was visited regularly for study, so there was a base line over time. One time the visit showed that the entire population was dead. Not gone, dead. Since it was well studied, testing for things like poison, predation etc… were done and compared to the base line. They found that the adrenal glands had vastly increased in size from stress on the population due to crowding. The deer reached a tipping point and catastrophically failed suddenly.

     

    I’m not saying population density causes homosexuality, or everybody is going to die, or the sky is falling. I’m saying that population density and competition as time goes on becomes increasingly negative in effect in proportion to the increase. (RE: Thomas Robert Malthus for demography in (Essay on the Principal of Population – 1798)).

     

    So why should I care?

     

    First more studies …

     

    European ethic origin reproduction is dropping. Something like 2.3 children per couple. Yes I know people who have more too. I also know as many couples that are opting to go childless… and why the term dink was coined (Double Income No Kids). The Hispanic birth rate is higher that European but it has dropped by half over the last few years. Where Middle Eastern reproduction is concerned it’s something like 7-8 children. Not my numbers, go do your own research, and feel free to draw whatever conclusion you like. Do the math on the whole and use facts. The nature of competition includes winning and losing, based on the qualities of the competitors.

     

    What does the long term growth rates with just those three populations (there are more) tell you?

     

    Were the studies that arrived at those number flawed or biased?

     

    Fair question. Probably, since a large number are biased and based as much on who is paying for it and what they want the study to support as facts. Like voting districts or other.

     

    Back to prepping in its incarnations from totally defensive to totally offensive. (Bug in, Bug out, or a variant.) What makes the movement possible?

     

    It’s likely we, of more than a few years, bring a perspective that 20 something’s don’t have. We, whether analytically or instinctively, understand something is up and it drives us to act, to prepare for it. Misguided or not we will act or not. No small wonder an industry springs up to create products, and sell them based on a market demand. It also is not a surprise that some fan the flames to create a buzz to feed the marketing pig. Maybe we feed it, or maybe we read it and take it with a grain of salt, and use more practical approach. Without much doubt, fear, whether of the unknown or the perception of specific threats, is a driver behind why we do what we do.

    Prepper(s) are not blinded, are intuitive, and are proactive rather than reactive, to some degree.

    They don’t wait, and that causes fear in “leadership” of the US and other countries, because proactive people are not easily manipulated. We need to think about what that fear by Leadership might mean, and how to use that information.

     

    The above premise might build a basis for every political and legal action for the last 50 years, maybe more. Too much noise and it gives the perception of a threat greater than it is, not enough and nothing gets done or changes. I don’t know anyone that wants catastrophic change. Do we want positive change? Absolutely. What positive change means is a whole other discussion. Maybe several, and is the basis for the majority of political discord.

     

    While our leadership is self-serving and not necessarily bright, many of the people analyzing data for them are bright indeed. Never underestimate an opponent in any conflict, or difference of opinion. They have concluded some of what I am describing, in different words probably, with lots of data and charts. Remember they fund the Census, and many other data gathering studies. No need keep it from you, if it’s piled under mounds of other misdirection. Have you seen the search engines lately on any subject?

     

    Something has to be done in order for the planet to survive. It’s really that simply stated.

    National/International leadership(s) are making mistakes in trying to manipulate things so they remain in control and in power. Some likely think they are doing the rights things.

    The thing about answers gathered from huge amounts of data, is that to get good conclusions, you have to ask well designed questions. What questions do you think they are asking? Did they start with a conclusion and work backwards to get data to support it? Most do when they are more concerned about a predetermined answer instead of a correct answer.

     

    Consider another aspect.

     

    If you were a world leader in any country, U.N., European Union, Far East etc… How would you try to exhibit control? What would you do and why? Remember they might not be bright, and may be very self-serving, but their analysts aren’t stupid.

     

    Without going all conspiracy theory and using bits and pieces of random facts. Let’s avoid ideological divisions just now. What could be done to control a population?

     

    If you wanted control you would likely consider:

    – disarmament at a basic level

    – control food supplies from reducing inventory and availability through distribution and manipulated crop production

    – control the water supply chain. (Remember the U.S. population living today has never known bad water except in isolated incidences)

    – manipulate the economy to the point that it is either classless or two broad classes (Upper and Lower).

    – subsidize education to control what is taught historically, and limit innovation.

    – control medical care and medicines by subsidization through insurance or created shortages.

    – implement a system to advocate importation of resources

    – export manufacturing

    I am sure there are more relating to money supply etc… but it’s a huge topic.

     

    You could enforce all your control measures by withdrawing government subsidization.

    Why or how could that be possible?

     

    Who is the largest employer in the US? The various local and Federal Governments.

    (Local government is subsidized by Federal government programs.) Include Military and Government retirees as well as Social programs. You also have to include Social security for the private citizen. Don’t follow my rules, I quit paying you.

     

    In answer, I would want to say, “But Social Security is MY money, not something that belongs to the government. I paid for it out of what I earned”. I agree in principal, but you would be both right and wrong. Beginning the day Social Security Trust Fund became more accessible in 1969, the idea that the Trust could be used for something else gained traction. During the Linden Johnson Administration the Social Security Trust Fund began being treated as part of the “unified budget”, then was again turned back off in 1990. In either case, it is only an accounting practice. The actual issue has been a violation of the intent of the Trust Fund by all parties, and the idea remained and became an accepted practice. It never became part of a general fund.

    (source SSA.gov. That is the SSA’s OWN website not just me) That means this is solely placed on the shoulders of our politicians, and is party agnostic.

     

    The point being that the Federal Government can leverage the majority of Americans directly or indirectly whenever they want. The only question is to what degree, and how well it will be tolerated? The answer is gradually. Remember how we live with fear.

     

    I’ll paraphrase an axiomatic, saying.

    “How do you cook a frog? Put them in a pan of cold water, and turn it up gradually.

    By the time it notices it’s already cooked”

     

    So what do you think, are we cooked, or is there still time to do something?

     

    We can choose to act or react.

     

    I have ignored conspiracy theories and parties, or tried at least, but have speculated certainly.

    It feels a little dark. I can’t tell if it’s because I “think” it is, or it actually is, or to what degree.

    I’ll leave that to you.

     

    You are welcome to any or all of the ideas if they stimulate your gray matter.

    I clearly think too much and over analyze. It’s what happens with 3 undergrad degrees and a masters then add in IT and stir actively with time.

     

    Feel free to disagree, or agree to any degree you like. Criticize my word usage, run on sentences, and punctuation. Whatever works for you. The premise of the write-up is to get you to think, not convince you to agree with me. Do your own research, and become engaged. Don’t be satisfied with reading or listening to an opinion of someone else’s opinion.

     

    If you made it this far, you already have what it takes.

    Good luck and safe Journey!

     

    Thanks

    Goingray58

  • Prayer Request

    Prayer Request

    I received an email from frequent commenter Lightning. Her husband is struggling with some ongoing health issues and more tests are in the works. They have been married 46 years and living life day by day.

    Would appreciate it if you’re willing to go ahead and say a prayer.

    Rourke

     

  • Jericho Episode 6 – 9:02

    Jericho Episode 6 – 9:02

    Here is the sixth of a weekly installment discussing an episode of the popular TV series – Jericho – which aired originally back in 2006. Every Tuesday night we are watching an episode and then will discuss what happens the following day. It can be watched free on Netflix or purchased on VUDU. Jericho is also available on DVD.

    jericho1

    Summary:

    Episode 6 starts off with a bang – literally. The missiles seen at the end of the last episode explode high above the United States sending out an EMP that knocks out most all electrical items.  Jake has a run-in with old friend Mitchell Cafferty. Apparently there is bad blood between them. Mitchell causes more trouble as he steals horses from the Green’s family ranch as well as supplies from Gracie’s Store. He’s caught and thrown in jail after taking a beating from Jake.

    The history of why Jake left town and the relationship between Mitchell and Jake start to come out. A new character – Jonah Prowse – is introduced and has obviously had a close relationship with Jake in the past. Gray Anderson returns with new information about the attacks.

    This episode had a lot of character and story development versus action.

     

    Discussion:

    The townspeople are extremely calm since losing all power via the EMP. Not the most realistic portrayal but as an entertainment television show it could not be too dark and dreary. I found it interesting that Halloween was still celebrated. This would have been a huge morale booster for the kids.

    The lack of electricity emphasizes the need for alternative lighting and communication method. When Mitchell is busted out of jail there were no walkie-talkies to alert police officers. Yelling was the communication method available. Flashlights, batteries, lanterns, candles, etc would be extremely valuable.

    Older vehicles are important commodities as newer vehicle are no longer running.

    Good episode. If a remake was done it could be a lot darker – especially on cable. Imagine the number of people that died in the local hospital without the machine that were previously being powered with a generator.

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    From the Supply Depot:

    BAYER Contour Next Glucose Meter – inexpensive sugar checker for diabetics

    BAYER Contour Next Test Strips – one of the cheapest test strips I have come across. Works with the above meter. Accurate and fast testing.

    Casio G-Shock Watch – a classic

    Survival Seed Vault – one of the best deals on a seed bank

    Cabinet Style First Aid Kit

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    Looking for Preparedness Supplies? Check out the Fantastic Monthly Sale at Emergency Essentials.

    Emergency Essentials has been an industry leader for over 25 years. Excellent service and prices have kept them leader of the pack.

    Print

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  • A second Civil War or American Revolution?

    A second Civil War or American Revolution?

    It is interesting as I travel through my everyday life and talk to acquaintances or meet with vendors as part of my job the things people say. These folks do not know my political leanings nor my concern for troubled times ahead. These are just regular people that they themselves voice concern about the future. More than once I have heard things such as:

    “Something is coming. I don’t know what but something is coming.”

    “It is about time that people stand up and take back our country. It’s just a matter of time.”

    “There’s going to be another Civil War and this time the South will win!”

    From the last one you can tell I live in the South.

    These feelings are widespread among many and I feel them too. The division in this country is significant. This division has divided the American populace when it comes to religion, race, abortion, economics, and social concepts. The country is even divided on which bathroom someone is to use. It’s crazy.

    I can’t predict the future no matter how hard I try. For arguments sake let’s say things don’t get better they in fact get much, much worse. I know – it’s a stretch. Will we experience some form of Civil War, a second American Revolution – or something else?

     

    Civil War

    Generally a civil war is between two or more groups within a country or a region fighting to gain control or create change.  Governmental forces are usually involved and to what extent can vary. Looking at the United States why would a civil war be fought? A civil war could be fought over race, political strife and beliefs, removal of entitlements, social classes, economic division, and of course religion.

    The United States as of this writing is extremely divided politically with much of the country sitting on opposite ends of the opinion spectrum on many issues. Many believe a civil war could occur between Patriots and “Tea-baggers” on one side and Socialist Progressives on the other. Others believe a race war of sorts may break out and drag in other groups into the conflict.

     

    Second American Revolution

    A revolution usually involves the overthrow of a government by a segment of the country’s population.

    I most often see references to a Second American Revolution in regards to an overbearing government which is continuing to restrict freedoms and admonish the Constitution. The foundational beliefs concerning the Federal government and its tyrannical grip on its citizen run so deep that talk of state succession is not uncommon and widely supported.

    The 2nd Amendment is often the subject that brings talk of revolution when Progressive gun control advocates call for government intervention.

     

    Checking out a few forum threads over at SurvivalistBoards I came across the following entries on the matter:

    “I don’t really see any armed resistance. I view AmeriKa now much like the movie Idiocracy. We are gradually and steadily being converted into non-thinking, dumbed down, complicit, politically correct zombies that will “tolerate” mediocrity, incompetence and even injustice. When people don’t have the brains to evaluate and vote for good candidates, why would you expect them to rebel against completely incompetent ones.”

     

    “There won’t be any revolution or civil war per say. There will be just a steady downhill spiral into a police state that enforces the policies of the ruling party. Pretty much what we have going on right now, only getting worse by the year..”

     

    “Every country, dynasty and empire has failed in history and been replaced by another.”

    “It is nearing the time where we will all have a choice to make, and I for one am getting a little sick of just being an armchair commando and bitching about everything. I’m not inviting insurrection here, I just don’t know what the hell to do other than wait for our government to kill itself.”

    “Maybe here sooner than we thought now.”

    “If there were to be a legitimate armed revolution, the leaders of such a revolution will be folks who were initially leaders in the military and LE. Think about how many leaders of the American Revolution served and/or fought for the crown before they became disillusioned with it.”

    “As some have stated, it won’t happen as long as people are fed and they have things to lose.”

    “I’m still of the belief that one or more states will vote to secede first. How the federal government reacts to that will determine whether or not a civil war takes place.”

     

    Opinions are all over the place and generally saying that civil war/revolution is possible however it is years away.

    I tend to agree with the quote above stating that as long as people have food to eat and stuff to lose things won’t change much although history may paint a different picture. Less than 10% of the population fought in the civil war suggesting a small population can insight war/revolution. How about the American Revolution against Great Britain? 3 percent.

    American Reformation: Likely a combination of civil war and revolution is the American Reformation. If you have read the book series 299 Days I envision something similar. The Reformation would include aspects of civil war with infighting between segments of civilians as well as groups included in an anti-government Patriot movement. A slow steady decline in economic freedoms and viability with a steady rise in governmental intrusion and division in the country. Sound familiar?

    Thoughts?

    Rourke

     

  • Prep’s This Week

    Prep’s This Week

    Not a lot to report this week. I have been preparing the garden to start installing raised beds. I’ve decided to use wood and vary their size and shape. I may also have a portion of the space continue with a standard in ground plot. Once I get enough complete my Fall garden will be started. Crops planned include lettuce and beans.

    My youngest is talking a lot about hunting. He is 13 years old and has gone with me a few times. He asked for his own rifle and has his heart set on a Mossberg Patriot in .243 with a wood stock. Watching some sales to see what I can find by opening firearm season here in South Carolina.

    That’s about it….

    Your turn.

    Rourke

     

  • Video: AR 15 Mil-Spec Lower Build

    Video: AR 15 Mil-Spec Lower Build

    A little while back I mentioned that when putting together an AR stripped lower I used YouTube to assist with assembly.  Laying out all the required parts on a table along with a laptop and then following a build video step by step makes everything extremely simple.

    Here is an example of one such video. There are many to choose from on YouTube.

    Rourke

     

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     baofeng-banner

  • Jericho Episode 5: Federal Response

    Jericho Episode 5: Federal Response

    Here is the fifth of a weekly installment discussing an episode of the popular TV series – Jericho – which aired originally back in 2006. Every Tuesday night we are watching an episode and then will discuss what happens the following day. It can be watched free on Netflix or purchased on VUDU. Jericho is also available on DVD.

    Cities_destroyed_in_Jericho_TV_series_v4

    Summary:

    The power comes back on which causes a fire in the town’s library. Emily is electrocuted. A frantic rescue effort takes place at the library and Emily survives. The fire spreads across the community and Eric loses his house – just as he is about to end his marriage. Jake and Hawkins team up in an effort to fight the fire and tensions – and suspicions – between them grow.

    While government messages suddenly come across TV’s and computers Hawkins seems to be able to bypass internet blocks and gains access to more information. There is no doubt Hawkins knows a lot more than he is saying.

    This is the most action packed episode so far.

    The episode ends in dramatic fashion with missiles heading into the sky.

     

     

    Discussion:

    Great episode. A couple things about this episode struck me. First and most obvious is fire. Without the normal service of a local fire department even the smallest fire can turn disastrous. Fire extinguishers should most certainly be a fundamental prep however more substantial systems should be considered.

    The second thing is teamwork. When things got rough people came together and fought to put the fires out. The “lone prepper” will have serious problems in any serious situation.

    Those that haven’t watched past episode 5 I’ll leave comments regarding the very end until next week.

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    From the Supply Depot:

    CAMTOA Lightweight Hikers Sleeping Bag

    Centerpoint 4-16X Illuminated Reticle Scope – brother owns this and loves it.

    Cold Steel Recon Tanto

    Terminator: Salvation DVD

    V: Season 1

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    Looking for Preparedness Supplies? Check out the Fantastic Monthly Sale at Emergency Essentials.

    Emergency Essentials has been an industry leader for over 25 years. Excellent service and prices have kept them leader of the pack.

    Print

    From food storage products to camping supplies Emergency Essentials carries it all.

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    THE ABSOLUTE BEST SURVIVAL KNIFE FOR THE

  • CIMA Knife Table Top Review

    CIMA Knife Table Top Review

    I ordered this CIMA fixed blade knife a couple months ago when it was on sale for less than $20 and was shipped free. I really wasn’t expecting much. This is a chinese-made and at that price point how good could it be? As usual when ordering from GearBest a package was waiting for me when I arrived home approx 3 weeks later.

    CIMA-3

    This review is going to be a short one and a true “table top” rather than “testing & evaluation”.  I love this knife. I have not taken it out in the woods and feathered sticks, stabbed it into dead carcuses, or zombie eye sockets. No – it has remained in the box in mint condition. I have since ordered two more which at least one will come under regular use.

    Here are a few specs:

    • Blade Material: 7Cr17MOV stainless steel
    • Hardness: 58 HRC
    • Blade Length: Almost 3.5″
    • Handle Length: 4.5″
    • Overall: 8.5″
    • Color: Black
    • Handle Material: Flax/Linen

    Quick Summary: This is a smaller knife that feels great in the hand. Balance is towards the handle which doesn’t lend well to batoning but come on – the blade is less than 3.5″ long. Full tang thickness is 4.5mm which is acceptable for a knife this size. Sheath is great and the knife retainment is excellent via an audible “snap” when the knife is interested. No straps needed.

    Check out the pictures below that will scroll across the screen. They are a combination of photo’s I took and ones used for advertisements.

    Oh – did I mention that the CIMA fixed blade knife is a clone of the respected ESEE 3 which cost around $100? No? – well it is and a very close clone at that.

    Recommended. For more information click HERE.

    Rourke

    [slideshow_deploy id=’2901′]

    gearbest

  • Prep’s This Week…..

    Prep’s This Week…..

    This week my main accomplishment was the purchase of an ATN X-Sight II 3-14X Day/Night Vision optic. So far I am very impressed and will report pro’s and con’s after further evaluation.

    Night vision is one of several preparedness critical items that I am focused on now. The old adage “Two is one and one is none” holds true with night vision as well thus a second device is needed. Possibly a non-weapons mounted thermal might fit the bill.

    Here are a couple pictures from both day and night use from the X-Sight:

    DCIM100MEDIA
    Zoom at standard 3X

     

     

     

    DCIM100MEDIA
    Zoom at maximum 14X

     

     

    DCIM100MEDIA
    Night Vision  – IR is in use – picture doesn’t do it justice – using black/white filter

     

    DCIM100MEDIA
    No IR Filter – not mounted on a weapon systems

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Shot another 60 rounds or so through my Springfield Operator 1911 while visiting my brother. An incredible piece of precision weaponry. Trigger pull is crisp and well below that of any other pistol I own. I tried taking a few shots at a range somewhere between 60-80 yards.

    Here are the results of my 3 long range shots:

    20160820_152713

    Fun day throwing 230 grain FMJ rounds down range.

    OK folks…..your turn.

    Rourke

     

     

     

     

  • From the Desk of John Rourke…..

    From the Desk of John Rourke…..

    No more “From the Front Lines….” I decided to go back to the old title of “From the Desk of…”

     

    Looking at some website statistics it looks like only a few people have visited the PROJECTS section since I announced its creation. I’m going to maintain it however I’m going to publish those completed projects as articles as well just to get them out there.

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    I swear I can smell Fall in the air. Maybe it’s the local waste treatment plant not sure but I am looking forward to the cooler weather. Some property project are suffering as I have been enjoying air conditioning too much. I need to jump on my gardening improvements pronto.

    bright-autumn-road-popular-trees

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    Being involved with a few forums and a declining number of Facebook groups(I am about done with social media) here is my answer to the 9mm vs. 40S&W vs. 45ACP question: Get one.

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    Recently watched a video where a #blacklivesmatter protester stepped out on a busy road and got hit by a car. A horrific event that was totally preventable. It’s also an example of something called accountability. I feel bad for the driver. Incredibly the protesters who had been hating on law enforcement suddenly found themselves screaming for their help.

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    The email service I have been using to notify subscribers of new posts has been deactivated. Those who recently signed up via my new service will now receive only one announcement.

    If you have not signed up yet you can do so below:

    [jetpack_subscription_form]

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Hope everyone has a great weekend. Be safe!

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Jericho Episode 4: Walls of Jericho

    Jericho Episode 4: Walls of Jericho

    Here is the fourth of a weekly installment discussing an episode of the popular TV series – Jericho – which aired originally back in 2006. Every Tuesday night we are watching an episode and then will discuss what happens the following day. It can be watched free on Netflix or purchased on VUDU. Jericho is also available on DVD.

    1x04_1408

     

    Summary:

    A short video is seen on a TV at Bailey’s bar just as their generator runs out of gas. Crisis hits as the hospital generators are running out of fuel and a stranger is found with radiation poisoning. He is taken to the hospital and disagreements occur between medical personnel and town leaders as to what to do with him.

    Hawkins solidifies himself as a mysterious character with questionable intentions as he knows “Victor” – the patient with radiation poisoning.  Victor dies but not before stating there are refugees outside the town. A group goes searching for them and what is found is not pleasant.

    The mystery surrounding Hawkins deepens.

     

    Discussion:

    Not surprisingly fuel scarcity is becoming a major concern even after just a few days. Although there are sources for fuel it must be sought after and gathered. For preppers stored fuel is extremely important. Transportation for food gathering, visiting those within your network, moving people for security and work – fuel is needed. Fuel for generators is important. Although many scoff at the idea of any modern conveniences after any type of collapse I will gladly keep refrigeration, mass information systems, and moving vehicles.

     

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    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    From the Supply Depot:

    MTM AK Tactical Magazine Storage Can

    MTM AR Tactical Magazine Storage Can

    MTM Tactical Pistol Magazine Storage Can

    CRKT AG Russell Sting Knife

    Hostess Drake’s Devil Dog Cakes – box of 16 – MUST HAVE SURVIVAL FOOD!!!

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    Looking for Preparedness Supplies? Check out the Fantastic Monthly Sale at Emergency Essentials.

    Emergency Essentials has been an industry leader for over 25 years. Excellent service and prices have kept them leader of the pack.

    Print

    From food storage products to camping supplies Emergency Essentials carries it all.

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    Under $30.00!

  • Rourke on Trump

    Rourke on Trump

    Rourke: The following is a slightly edited and expanded version of a comment response I wrote up a few days ago. Figured I would share with everyone.

     

    Trump is NOT a politician and is no different today than 30 years ago. He says things like most of us do – no political correctness and sometimes words come out differently than intended. Hillary and the rest of the corrupt crew in Washington are groomed for years on how NOT to answer questions, maneuver around answers in order to provide information to fit their agenda, and spin.

    Trump does not do that or at least not well.

    Initial impressions from some of his colorful comments are “I can’t believe he just said that!” but then take a look at what he said. Often there is truth there and we are just not used to hearing it. So – he makes a side comment about 2nd Amendment people maybe being able to take care of those involved in gun confiscation. THE MEDIA FREAKS!!! Yet this is the absolute truth and I and numerous others have written and theorized that if government came to take our guns there would be a 2nd American Revolution. He spoke the truth and was politically incorrect. Oh well.

    The crazy thing is others do it and the MSM hides it. Look it up – Biden suggests that if Obama tried to take his shotgun Biden would pull out his other guns. Where was the MSM reporting Biden was threatening to shoot Obama. Hillary in 2008 speaks in a manner that some say she was suggesting Obama would be assassinated. That’s not what she meant but if Trump said the same thing today the MSM would be all over it.

    The “Republican Leaders” that are against him are all part of the same corrupt Washington group that Hillary is in = the establishment. This is the same establishment on both sides that say that the budget should be balanced, that the debt reduced, that immigration needs to be resolved, and that our dear, poor children need the best education in the world. What do we get? None of the above.

    Trump is different. Period.

    BUT – he will not win. He will not win because far too many people fail to understand what is really going on. They fail to understand that Hillary is the epitome of evil. She is totally out for herself and for power and feels no sense of Patriotism. She worships communists, socialists, and baby killers. She laughs at getting a child rapists off and tears down her husband’s sexual victims yet gets on TV and says victims of sexual abuse need to be believed.

    The future of this country is truly at stake as the Supreme Court will receive several new members over the next 4-8 years and if Hillary is appointing them it’s all over. Freedom and Liberty will become a thing of the past while fluid genders and fluid race will be the norm. Today I am John…..tomorrow? Who knows – maybe Janice.

    Lastly – if by some miracle Trump is elected which I do not believe will happen – he is but one man. You have an entire Congress tainted with corruption and greed. How will any changes be implemented? How will laws be passed?

    Congress can only be convinced to cooperate if the public got involved and took to the streets to support him. That, my friends, isn’t going to happen when the vast majority of American’s will only take to the streets to look for cartoon characters.

    I need a beer.

    …….or 12.

     

  • Prep’s this week?

    Prep’s this week?

    Note: For some reason this post did not go live Sunday morning as scheduled – whoops!!

    Most of my prep’s this week involved fewer tangibles and more “prep” work.

    I downloaded an app on my phone and started quizzing for an upcoming ham radio technician test. Long overdue. I do not have a test date yet but so far enjoying the questions and learning a bit. This is more memorization than learning but a step in the right direction either way.

    I sold my 1997 Mustang GT Convertible. Main reason was to fund the purchase of night vision equipment and to add to my emergency fund. Right now I am planning on purchasing an ATN X-Sight 3-12 Day/Night Scope. Quite an interesting optic. Currently priced at around $580 I have seen it drop under $500 on Amazon so I am watching and waiting. Would love a PVS-14 but just cannot afford that level of night vision.

    I have been working on trying to set up a 20 miles radius communications system. This would allow communications with most all group members. Been working on this for quite a while trying different things and have had no success. Local ham repeater provides what we need but we need a backup.

    Talking wth some fellow SurvivalistBoards.com members others have succeeded where I have failed. Using higher power ham radios such as the Yaesu FT-2900R and premium coax along with a yagi 7 element antenna or possibly a Comet GP9.  Antenna height is critical so looking at a way to get it at least 30 feet up on my property. Retreat set up will be much easier.

    Purchased 25 pounds of sugar. Need to throw it in some mylar. Also bought a variety of spice and herb mixes at Sam’s.

    About halfway through Book 2 Ichabod: Seven Cows, Ugly and Gaunt. Great read.

    Your turn.

    Rourke

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    Field Supply | Daily Deals for Real Men


     

  • Ralph’s Personal IFAK

    Ralph’s Personal IFAK

    Rourke: This post originally appeared over at The Patriot Podcast and can be seen HERE.

     

    So to begin, IFAK is a military acronym that stands for “Individual First Aid Kit”. It’s history goes all the way back hundreds of years when soldiers would carry bandaging cloth just in case they became wounded on the battlefield. It evolved to what is now found today with the modern soldier’s IFAK. They are impressive, and can handle a great deal of injuries and issues. I decided to go on a personal mission and develop my own style for myself, and my preparedness group.

    The mission of this IFAK is to assist with life saving measures starting with traumatic limb loss, heavy laceration with arterial bleeding, gun shot wounds, to allergic reactions. It’s based on my years in the field as an EMT assisting in motor vehicle accidents, shootings, stabbings, suicides, allergic reactions, and cardiac arrest. From boo-boo’s to dismemberment!

    This kit is designed to be on my body and that of my group’s members at all times when on perimeter patrol, bugging out, searching for supplies, foraging, etc during a SHTF style event. Every member has their own IFAK so that if they become injured, the contents of THEIR kit will be used on THEM. Likewise, the contents of my kit will be used on ME. Each kit is customized to the individual person to meet special demands that person may have medically. Every person in my group is also cross trained on everything in these kits.

    All of this goes into the Condor Rip-Away EMT pouch. LOVE IT and also highly recommended.

    4) 5×9 abdominal pads
    6) 4×4 bandage pads
    1) Israeli battle dressing
    1) CAT tourniquet
    10) Assortment of self adhesive bandages/bandaids.
    10) alcohol prep pads
    4) pairs of nitrile/surgical gloves
    1) packet of Benadryl tablets
    1) roll of cloth medical tape
    1) black Sharpie
    2) glow stick
    1) tweezers, forceps, and surgical clamp each.
    2) triangle bandages, in the plastic bag with safety pins
    1) trauma shears/EMT shears. I also carry on my person the Leatherman Raptor shears… They kick ass and are highly recommended!
    2) petroleum gauze in foil
    2) rolls each of 6″ and 2″ gauze kling bandages
    1) adult NPA (nasal trumpet) with water based lubricant packet
    1) Epi-pen
    Packets of Ibuprofen, Benadryl, Asprin, Tylenol, and Imodium.
    The IFAK also includes Adventure Medical Kit’s “Trauma Pak with Quickclot“

    In addition to all of this, I also keep in my car a full trauma kit. This is a completely separate kit from the IFAK and is about the size of a small suitcase. Inside it are most of the same contents of the IFAK. Differences are…

    1 Burn Sheet
    2 Large Trauma Pads
    Stethoscope
    BP cuff
    First Responder’s guide to Medications
    Roll of plastic wrap
    Large Roll of Duct Tape
    2 Surgical gowns
    More Nitrile gloves
    Infant, Child, and Adult airway kits
    1 CPR mask
    1 BGL kit
    2 Cervical Spine Collars
    2 Sam splints
    1 King Blind Insertion Device for airway management
    I also have about 3 times the bandaging supplies as my IFAK in this kit at all times.

    This bag from Rothco would be perfect for your large Trauma Kit…

    2699-A1

    Hope this helps. Be sure to comment if you have suggestions on the kit.

    Prepper Ralph

     

     

  • Q & A Day…..Movies, Books, and the 2nd American Civil War

    Q & A Day…..Movies, Books, and the 2nd American Civil War

     

    Alright folks – an overdue installment of “Q & A Day”. Basically, ask me a question and I will give you an answer. It can be about pretty much anything – politics, firearms, current events, survival, preparedness, or “When at the movies which armrest is yours?” – whatever.

    Go ahead – “make my day.”

    JR

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    Webslides3

     

  • Jericho Episode 3: Four Horseman

    Jericho Episode 3: Four Horseman

    Here is the third of a weekly installment discussing an episode of the popular TV series – Jericho – which aired originally back in 2006. Every Tuesday night we are watching an episode and then will discuss what happens the following day. It can be watched free on Netflix or purchased on VUDU. Jericho is also available on DVD.

    ep4

    Jericho Episode 3 – “Four Horseman”

    Summary:

    The rain everyone was seeking shelter from in Episode 2 has arrived. Hawkins conducts a mysterious maneuver in the rain wearing an NBC suit.  The escaped prisoners at the ranch are no longer a threat. Emily, Jake and the others wait in the basement for the rain to stop and wonder the condition of Stanley. Tensions in the mine rise with each passing moment. Mayor Green’s sickness is becoming more serious.

    Once the rain ends and people come out the questions remain – What has happened? Who did this? Is help coming?

    Jake pushes his idea of sending people out in different directions to gather information. Four parties are selected and they head out – including Jake and local political businessman Gray Anderson.

    During his travels Jake comes across a large airliner that used a highway as a landing strip. The townspeople cook all remaining perishable food due to no refrigeration with a big Mainstreet party.

    Discussion:

    Great episode and from a preparedness perspective some key points hit me:

    • Shelter is important. In this episode protection from potential radioactive fallout was needed. Protection from the cold winter weather or something else entirely could be next.
    • Communication is critical. The entire town is stressed not only over a mushroom cloud going off but what the future holds. Just a bit of information from a Chinese TV broadcast has everyone theorizing what happened and who did it. 
    • At the very end of the episode Dale discovers a train sitting idle on nearby tracks. He is searching for supplies. Something to consider is that supplies can be found in a variety of places.
    • Keeping your head is important. These are stressful times in Jericho and those that can think and rationalize are doing better.

    Don’t forget to watch Episode 4 next Tuesday night.

    Rourke

     

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    From the Supply Depot: RECOMMENDED MOVIES

    Twister – a classic disaster movie

    Into the Storm – incredible special effects

    On the Beach – 1959 classic

    The Dirty Dozen

    River Monsters – series

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    Looking for Preparedness Supplies? Check out the Fantastic Monthly Sale at Emergency Essentials.

    Emergency Essentials has been an industry leader for over 25 years. Excellent service and prices have kept them leader of the pack.

    728x90june2016 (1)

    From food storage products to camping supplies Emergency Essentials carries it all.

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    Need clean water? 

    SAWYER MINI WATER FILTER (1)
     

  • Site Update / Changing Email Subscription Service

    Site Update / Changing Email Subscription Service

    I finally was able to get most of the changes implemented although in a little different manner than planned. No matter……..

    Here are the most recent changes:

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    Blog Subscriptions: Many of you have subscribed and receive emails whenever a new post goes up. I have been using the same company to deliver these emails for quite some time and it is not cheap. There are reasons to use a fee-based service that I just do not take advantage of thus I have decided to end my agreement with them and start using a free service.

    If you are interested in receiving notice whenever a new post goes live simply fill out the form below.

    [jetpack_subscription_form]

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Projects: There is a section called “Projects”  at the top of the page towards the left. Originally this was to be an entire section about halfway down the page but some software restrictions prevented this. Clicking on Projects will bring to you to a new area which will include a variety of – you guessed it – “projects.” There are just a few available right now and others will be added periodically in the future.

    Some projects have been completed while others are in process. As progress is made the specific Project page will be updated. Some will be very simple and some will be fairly complex. Most of these projects will be my own while others may come from readers or online video’s.

    Check back often to see if new additions have been added. Want to have your own project added to the mix? Email it in to emergencycd at gmail dot com.

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Galleries: Another area available via a tab at the top of the site is “Gallery.” These are basically collections of pictures related to things like guns, gardening, and even my dogs. BTW – “Jake and Bella” is the only gallery currently filled with pictures. Others are under development.

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    SiteLock: I have contracted with SiteLock Secure to ensure that this website remains virus free and totally secure. There is a live status indicator on the right sidebar.

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Now Trending: Across the very top of the website is a scrolling marquee of text with a few articles from specific categories. Thought it looked pretty cool.

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Additional Pages: If you have never checked them out there are additional pages of information available by clicking on links across the top of the home page. These include “Adventure”, “Prepare”, and “Core Beliefs” among others. I have never posted any of these as articles so many may have never seen them.

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Similar to my old website I will be adding a database of downloadable content. This will be a massive collection of files including books, manuals, guides, video’, and more. All will be hosted on a different server so that downloading and accessing these files will not affect the website’s performance at all. Target completion date is November 15th.

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    I anticipate 1776PatriotUSA.com will take a more serious turn towards the unpredictable times ahead. Doom and gloom? No. Just prudent preparedness for potentially changing and challenging times ahead due to increasingly volatile societal and political conditions. Whew….say that 10 times.

    Take care all –

    Rourke

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    Supplies for the Zombie Apocalypse..... (4)

    Here are a few recommended preparedness supplies and items:

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

    Check out the Emergency Essentials Monthly Sale!

    Emergency Essentials has been a leader in the preparedness industry for well over 20 years. Monthly featured sales offer huge discounts on many preparedness products including freeze dried foods.

    728x90feb20161

    Emergency Essentials carries Mountain House as well as their own house-brand of freeze dried foods. Great prices and inexpensive shipping provides a great way to increase food stores and save money in the process.

    Visit the Emergency Essentials website for more information.

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

    Want to help support what we do here at 1776PatriotUSA.com? Follow any link from this website to Amazon, make a purchase, and we receive a small commision at no additional cost to you. Zero. Nada.

    Amazon-Logo-schwarz

    Amazon carries a huge amount of preparedness supplies. I use Amazon all the time as they offer fantastic prices and free shipping on most orders over $35. Here are a few things  you might be interested in…..

       
     

       
     

       

    Thank you!!

     

  • Site Update

    Site Update

    Announced yesterday that I would be implementing some changes effective today. Well – Murphy showed and I ended up have some trouble. Hopefully I can work everything out soon and will.

    Beyond that remember if you wish to receive email notifications on new posts simply enter your email address in the space over to the right.

    Have a good week everyone!

    Rourke

  • Prep’s this week?

    Prep’s this week?

    Not a lot completed this past week.

    Completed 299 Days Book 5 – for the second time. What a great series. I think it is likely the most realistic portrayal of what possibly lies ahead.

    Just received the entire The Survivalist series in Graphic Audio format from a longtime reader. This is the original book series from the 80’s and 90’s. I have listened to a couple books previously and they were great. “Graphic Audio” is unique in that they actually have actors playing out the book with special effects. “A movie in your mind…” is appropriate. Great stuff!

    Finally got a chance to testfire my new Springfield Operator 1911 45ACP. Fantastic. Shot half of the 200 rounds I have designated for “breaking in” the gun. No issues. Extremely accurate.

    Met up with a group member’s brother who is really into CB radio’s. Provided some advice on setting up a mobile, local network.

    FYI – as of Saturday night there is a special .99 cent deal on the entire 3 book American Exit Strategy series. Not sure how long this price will last.

    I have mentioned that there would be a few changes upcoming here. Well. tomorrow is it. Nothing major but a few tweaks.

    Worked out several times this week and overall diet was very good. Starting at 205 with a goal of 185 by September 15th. 

    Stay safe my friends……

    Your turn.

    Rourke

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  • Madame President Clinton’s Coming War on the Blogosphere, and Your Countermeasures

    Madame President Clinton’s Coming War on the Blogosphere, and Your Countermeasures

    Rourke: The following is reprinted with permission via SurvivalBlog.com. The original post can be seen HERE.

     

    Now that Hillary (“Hitlery”) Rodham Clinton (HRC) has received the Democratic Party nomination for president, there is a strong likelihood that she will win the election in November and then be enthroned as president in January of 2017. I predict that she will waste no time in launching an onslaught of punitive new policies via executive orders, presidential memoranda, and policy directives promulgated through her cabinet and Federal agencies to eviscerate our Constitutional rights (most notably the 1st and 2nd Amendments). A key goal this campaign will be silencing dissent in the alternative press and the American blogosphere. Given HRC’s history in government “service”, her outlook on life, her socialist agenda, and her vindictiveness, I anticipate that any or all of the following measures will be undertaken by the HRC Administration:

    • The Department of Justice (DOJ) will be used to selectively prosecute dissenters for “hate speech”. For instance, simply objecting to illegal immigration or state sponsored relocation of Muslims will be called “evidence of hate.” They will also declare blogs, news sites, and podcasts to be “public accommodations” and hence saddle them with a long list of new restrictions that would effectively muzzle them from making any comments opposed to HRC’s agenda and “protected” classes. Even the use of “trigger words” could be restricted.
    • The Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) will be used to target dissenters who make any comments about any corporations, mutual funds, or banks, for “operating as unregistered investment advisors”.
    • The Federal Election Commission (FEC) will be used to target Libertarians and other dissenters for “unlawful campaigning”.
    • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will use their newly-assumed powers over the Internet to enforce a new radicalized version of the moribund Fairness Doctrine upon bloggers, vloggers (video bloggers), podcasters, as well as newspapermen, magazine writers, and talk radio hosts. Under this new and improved fairness policy, any media outlet that is deemed a public accommodation will be forced to free of charge provide equal space to assorted perverts, leftists, and Social Justice Warriors. Failure to do so will open up these news outlets to both criminal prosecution and costly civil lawsuits.
    • The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be used to selectively audit tax filings, levy bank accounts, garnish wages, and refer criminal prosecution of anyone who voices dissent of HRC’s statist/collectivist agenda. Lois Lerner’s group was just the precursor!
    • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be used to target dissenters who own property with seasonal puddles that could be deemed “wetlands” or creeks that could be arbitrarily declared “navigable waters”.
    • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency will be used to target dissenters living within 50 miles of the Mexican or Canadian borders for harassment and intimidation, searching their homes without warrants.
    • The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and associated Tribal Police will be used to target dissenters living within 100 miles of any Tribal Reservation for harassment and intimidation.
    • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will crack down on any bloggers who make posts that might be construed as a product review or product endorsement.
    • The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) will be used to limit the travel of anyone deemed by HRC’s cronies to be an Enemy of the State (through expansion of the No Fly List, Terror Watch List, and Selectee List).
    • The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will crack down on producers of raw milk and nutritional supplements (and also on the bloggers who promote them).
    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will prosecute anyone operating unlicensed drones weighing more than just a few ounces.
    • The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will use both its own agents and paid (or coerced) surrogate agent provocateurs to infiltrate militias, patriot groups, and secessionist organizations. There, they will foment schemes that can be prosecuted under loosely-worded Federal conspiracy laws. (This is precisely what was done with the Bundy Ranch and Malheur Wildlife Refuge protestors.)
    • Working in conjunction with the FCC, the U.S. Coast Guard will board any ship within Territorial Waters that they suspect of operating an unlicensed transmitter.

    I can see all of this coming, and I refuse to be muzzled. I aim to misbehave. If need be, I will relocate so that I can still blog freely. In anticipation of HRC’s possible upcoming coronation, here are some possible countermeasures for my fellow bloggers to seriously consider:

    1. Contract for the use of an offshore server in a country that has minimal influence from the United States government, and move your web pages there.
    2. Get set up for encrypted e-mail. (The free GPG software installed on your local PC works quite well. And for those who are less tech savvy, the paid Unseen.is service in Iceland works fine.)
    3. Post provisos on your web site that are similar to my own. (Most importantly, these provisos must declare that you do not operate a “public accommodation.”)
    4. Buy an Iridium satellite telephone and a set of Iridium international power adapters. (Unlike cell phones or other sat phones, calls made from Iridium constellation phones can be traced only to a particular oval satellite “footprint” that measures hundreds of miles across.)
    5. Buy several inexpensive prepaid “burner” cell phones. Pay greenback cash for these phones, and use an assumed name when you eventually activate them.
    6. Buy a nondescript camping trailer or RV and quietly (via face-to-face contacts only) develop a “hospitality list” of like-minded families who own parcels of land that you can bounce between, in the event that you need to take refuge.
    7. Buy a spare laptop computer (preferably one that is ultra-reliable, such as a Panasonic Toughbook), a 12 VDC car adapter, and a set of international power adapters.
    8. Buy a USB external long range Yagi wireless antenna to use with your laptops. (The standoff distance that these provide will make it harder to pinpoint your location when using a public wi-fi hotspot.)
    9. Buy a batch of at least 40 inexpensive 2 GB USB memory sticks that you can use to physically mail (or courier) digital content, to keep your locale secret.
    10. Make sure that your passport is updated.
    11. Do some research to develop a short list of countries where you would consider relocating. Ideally, a country should have respect for the freedom of speech, minimal taxation, minimal influence from the United States government, and NO rendition (extradition) treaty with the United States.
    12. Establish an offshore bank account.
    13. Beyond just offshore residency, if you can afford it, then buy a second passport. (Typically, this is done with a “Citizenship Through Investment” program.)
    14. Via encrypted e-mail, develop contacts with foreign bloggers, and get their tentative agreement to post your ghost-written articles, if circumstances change.
    15. Pray hard.

    I don’t mean for the foregoing to sound alarmist. Consider me a realist. – JWR

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    -The Beast!!- (3)

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    Under $30.00!

     

  • Jericho Episode 2: Fallout

    Jericho Episode 2: Fallout

    Here is the second of a weekly installment discussing an episode of the popular TV series – Jericho – which aired originally back in 2006. Every Tuesday night we are watching an episode and then will discuss what happens the following day. It can be watched free on Netflix or purchased on VUDU. Jericho is also available on DVD.

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    Jericho Episode 2 – “Fallout”

    Summary:

    That iconic morse code audio leads the viewer into episode 2. Storm clouds coming from the direction of the nuclear blast are seen by Jake and Hawkins and the alert is sent up. The town scrambles to find shelter for its citizens and communicate the coming threat of fallout to all.

    Issues develop as the old Civil Defense fallout shelter under the Medical Center is a wreck and it’s air filtration system inoperable. Meanwhile Emily Sullivan(Jake’s old girlfriend) has run out of gas on her way to pick up her fiance – and is oblivious to the situation. She is picked up by two fake police officers and she guides them to the Richmond Ranch.

    Things happen fast. People get evacuated to the one working shelter under Town Hall while the Medical Center shelter cannot be repaired. The decision is made to bus people to the local salt mines and shelter in place there.

    Hawkins displays some suspicious activity.

    A dangerous situation develops at the Richmond Ranch with the two fake police officers who are actually escaped prisoners. Jake leaves the safety of the mines and heads to the Richmond Ranch after hearing Emily sending out a distress call on a police radio.

    Discussion:

    Great episode that highlights just how unprepared most people and towns are to handle a significant disaster. Episode 2 highlights how the absence of normal communication methods can mean the difference between life and death. The town and its people are making decisions on guesses and theories. Even the simple weather forecast we all take for granted could mean the difference between life and death in Jericho.

    Don’t forget to watch Episode 3 next Tuesday night.

    Rourke

     

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    From the Supply Depot: RECOMMENDED MOVIES

    Revolutions – good TV series.

    Falling Skies – another good series especially Season 1

    Under the Dome – series

    Rubber – worst movie in history. Yes – I recommend it. You cannot believe how bad it is.

    Fear the Walking Dead

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  • Panhandle Rancher: Reloading Basics and Equipment Recommendations

    Panhandle Rancher: Reloading Basics and Equipment Recommendations

     

    Why reload your own ammunition? Two reasons: reloaded ammunition may be much cheaper than factory and reloaded ammunition has the potential to greatly increase the accuracy of your rifle or pistol.

     

    I have reloaded rifle, pistol, and shotgun ammunition, and cast pistol bullets and big heavy bullets for the old black powder rifle cartridges such as the .45-70 for more than half a century. I also cast 0, 00, and 000 buckshot and 12 gauge slugs and sabot rounds. Much of my reloading equipment was purchased back in the 1960s and still in use.

     

    Otis developed the first safe elevator with automatic braking. A favorite quote from this inventor is ‘safety first, gentlemen, safety first.’ I can think of no more fitting appellation for reloading ammunition. Please don’t smoke when using either black or smokeless powder and remember black powder is more static sensitive than smokeless. There’s a reason many black powder mills were on barges anchored in a river. I don’t like distractions and once set upon the task of reloading, that process proceeds without interruption.

     

    Some basic nomenclature: a cartridge consists of primer, case, powder, and bullet, sometimes called a round; a fired cartridge consists of a spent primer and the powder container often called ‘brass, fired round, or case’ that may be steel, brass, plastic, aluminum, or a combination of brass and paper.

     

    Over the decades, I’ve developed certain procedures in the repetitive process of reloading ammunition with the intent of reducing errors. If using a powder measure (more about these later), the name of the powder and charge is written with a magic marker on a low adhesive tape and affixed to the dispenser. This tape is typically green or blue and removes much easier than the cream colored masking tape of old. Upon completion of the loading process, I match the powder label on the dispenser with the factory powder container, peel this tape off of the dispenser, and dump any excess back into the bulk container. http://www.uline.com/BL_6141/3M-2090-Masking-Tape

     

    MISIDENTIFICATION of powder charge, brand, year of manufacture, or type can have LETHAL RESULTS. Older Hodgen 4831 and DuPont IMR 4831 are not the same. Read and understand current reloading manuals. I try to choose loads based upon specific commercial bullet manufacturer’s reloading handbooks (when reloading Hornady XTP bullets, I use the Hornady manual). http://www.hornady.com/store/9th-Edition-Reloading-Manual3. Speer, Sierra https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/0507/Sierra-5th-Edition-Reloading-Manual-Printed-version-and-Infinity-7-Exterior-Ballistic-Software-Program-CD-Rom, Lyman, Barnes, RCBS, Nosler and others produce reloading manuals. I often consult several from different sources as insurance against misprint https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=reloading+manuals

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    I carefully note the powder brand and type for the cartridge for bullet weight and type being reloaded. I remove that particular bulk powder container from my powder locker (green metal lockable cabinet adjacent to loading bench in photos). I verify this again when writing the powder and charge weight on the removable masking tape affixed to the powder measure dispenser hopper, and then again upon completion when removing the annotated tape from the measure before discharging back into the bulk container. This repetition is intentional.

     

    Bullet weight and type is matched against that bullet manufacture’s published loading data. Before actually loading the bullet into a primed and charged case, I weigh a sample bullet to preclude any misidentification by the manufacturer. Depending upon the bullet, I may even measure its diameter and length with vernier calipers for comparison against published specifications https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calipers.

     

    Every reloader should have a stainless steel vernier caliper capable of measuring to the 0.001” along with a selection of inside and outside calipers mentioned in the beginning of the wiki article. Some calipers may have an easier to read circular analog dial (dial caliper) or the older linear vernier scale. Digital calipers are easiest to read but of course rely on batteries which mechanical calipers and micrometers never need. Vernier calipers are useful for measuring resized case length (cases ‘grow’ longer with each shooting and must be shortened to factory dimensions periodically) as well as case overall length inclusive of the loaded bullet. Exceeding case length and cartridge length specifications can drastically increase pressure resulting in LETHAL INJURY.

     

    If you intend to build your own weapons or engage in gunsmithing, a good set of inside and outside micrometers capable of measuring 0.0001” are also useful.

     

    From my primer locker (another of those lockable green cabinets adjacent to the reloading bench), I select the proper primer for the cartridge being reloaded. Primers come in three basic diameters and are further distinguished as being intended for rifle or pistol, as well as for magnum calibers. So a primer may be either small or large (diameter) or even bigger for the .50BMG cartridge http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1301713135/cci-50-bmg-primers-35; magnum or not; and for rifle or pistol. Pistol primers typically have thinner cups intended for less robust striker mechanisms and lower pressures found in pistols and if inadvertently used in a high pressure rifle cartridge, may explosively breach allowing both gases and debris to strike the shooter and/or bystanders. Magnum cartridges, both pistol and rifle, typically have a greater case volume than traditional cartridges and may require higher energy primers to optimally ignite the larger powder charge. Use of a magnum primer in a cartridge not so designated may cause excessive pressures resulting an explosive breach of the primer or cartridge along with possible destruction of the weapon and injury of the shooter and/or bystander.

     

    I review the appropriate loading data for proper primer selection and remove a box (or boxes – primers are typically packed 100/discrete box) of the proper primers from the primer locker. Not necessary but expedient and time saving, I then charge a RCBS universal priming tool http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Priming/Tools/Universal-Hand-Priming-Tool.aspx with 100 primers. Next I label another strip of that masking tape with the primer manufacturer and type designators and affix to the hand-priming device. This tool is a convenience and time saving device and not essential to the reloading process as the press I use and recommend has its own priming device that unfortunately is much slower. Before actually priming decapped (a cartridge with spent primer removed) cartridges, I once again compare the specified primer with the primer box and primer label on the hand priming tool. Upon completion of the priming operation with all brass now primed, I repeat this process and return any unused primers left in the tool to the factory box and replace this box in the primer locker.

     

    Grease from fingers (natural or lubricant related) can deactivate primers. Clean your mitts before handling primers and then strive to minimize contact. This is but one reason why I like the hand priming tool, I never touch the primers when using it and dump a box of 100 directly into the primer hopper that feeds the tool. I also tend to reload in groups of 100 so seldom am left with primers to return to the factory box.

     

    Regardless of whether you use a hand priming tool or that with the press (which by the way requires handling individual primers), the primer should be seated completely against the bottom of the cartridge primer pocket. I feel the back of each cartridge with a thumb or finger to ensure the primer cup is slightly below flush with the back of the cartridge. A slam fire in a semi-automatic weapon or unexpected discharge may result when chambering any cartridge with primer cup extending even a smidgen beyond the cartridge base. Such is a dangerous condition and to be avoided. I seal primer pockets (not a required process) with a waterproofing agent (clear fingernail polish works well) and re-check each primer for proper seating during this process. By all means, avoid crushing the primer during the seating process or it might fire. A prudent person will also avoid putting eyes or other body parts over the open end of the cartridge when priming (which is easy to do with the hand priming tool).

     

    Military cartridges are typically identified by the arsenal and year of production. The base of a 7.62×51 NATO (7.62 is the caliber and 51 the length in millimeters) might be annotated “LC 02’ designating a cartridge manufactured in 2002 by the Lake City Arsenal. Such brass often has a green or red rim around the primer cup. This colored agent is a waterproofing compound. Readers are likely interested in reloading 5.56x45NATO or 7.62x51NATO ammunition, or alternatively but not the same, .223 Rem or .308 Win. These pairs of cartridges are not completely interchangeable and both as a shooter and as a reloader. it is incumbent upon you to know and understand the difference.

     

    Military cartridges are often fired in belt fed automatic weapons whose self loading and extracting process tends to be more robust than encountered with sporting rifles and handguns. To ensure primers do not back out, the primer pocket in the casing is often crimped around the primer. Decapping force required is slightly greater and the crimp ridge must be removed before re-priming. Lyman makes both primer pocket reamers (to remove that crimp ridge) and primer pocket cleaners (to remove firing residue). The reamers come in three sizes, small, large, and arsenal (for the .50BMG). The first two are essential for reloading most military cartridges. http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/case-prep/primer-pocket-reamer.php

     

    The proper designator for the US caliber.30 main combat rifle cartridge is 7.62x51NATO. Specifics are important and even more for the reloader. There are a host 7.62 cartridges (7.62 Argentine, 7.62x54r (Russian), 7.62×39, etc.), and of course the popular 7.62x51NATO. I’ll repeat once more, 7.62x51NATO is not the same as .308 Win. The performance is different, the cases are different, and the bullets are different. Likewise there is a .38 S&W and a .38 Special, two different cartridges. 5.56x41NATO is different than .223 Remington.

     

    Reloading begins with case inspection. Please do not try to reload Berdan primed brass or steel cases. When in contact with leather and a host of other materials, brass will corrode. Leather turns brass an ugly green (residual acids from the tanning process leaches copper from brass) and weakens the case. Some brass cases are nickel plated and usually shiny. Nickel is more corrosion resistant than brass and plated cases are highly reloadable. Steel cases are usually dull in color and may have a lacquer or shellac coating that reduces extraction friction. Non-US manufactured military ammunition is likely Berdan primed, steel, and will not have a central flash hole so conducive to decapping. Berdan primers differ from Boxer primers (the US standard) in that there is no integral primer anvil. I am convinced repressive governments limit civilian access to potential ammunition supplies by using Berdan primers. Picking up fired brass is illegal in some countries.

     

    Examine the base of the fired cartridge and primer carefully. The primer cup often reveals over pressure issues. Primers are slightly rounded at the edges. Excessive pressure eliminates this slight radius so that the primer completely fills the primer pocket. Even more pressure causes a ridge around the circumference of the firing pin caused depression in the primer. That circumferential ridge is the primer flowing into the hole in the bolt that the firing pin passes through. This is a certain sign of incipient primer failure due to excessive pressure.

     

    If a primer fails obturation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obturation) and breaches, gasses and debris both powder and metal under very high pressure (60,000 pounds per square inch or more in the case of some rifle cartridges), blow back into the bolt and may strike the shooter. The barrel may even burst with disastrous effect to the shooter and bystanders. Always wear eye protection when shooting and insist on the same for all onlookers.

     

    I next examine the case ending with the neck area, looking for swelling and splitting. Shooting expands the brass cartridge casing causing momentary obturation at the chamber. Brass is ductile and upon release of pressure (the bang), relaxes toward (but not reaching) its original diameter. This very relaxation makes case extraction possible. Resizing fired brass to factory diameter is a component step in the reloading process. Repetitive expansion and contraction (following firing and in resizing) both weakens and lengthens the case actually causing work hardening. Splitting around the case neck is the first sign a case may have been reloaded too many times. Annealing (softening the work hardened brass – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annealing_%28metallurgy%29) the case mouth may rehabilitate a group of brass cases when one exhibits characteristic splitting. Never reload a case with splitting around the opening. I crush such in a vice and discard.

     

    A die is used in the reloading press to resize the cartridge to factory dimensions http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Dies-by-Category/Group-A-E-Dies/Group-A-Popular-Rifle-Cartridges/Full-Length-Die-Set-Group-A-Popular-Rifle-Cartridg.aspx. This die often decaps the case, removing the spent primer and then expands the neck to proper internal dimension. Should I mention that the dies being used in the reloading processes must match the cartridge being reloaded? There are exceptions, for instance .357 Magnum dies can be used to reload .38 Special, .44 Magnum dies can be used to reload .44 Special but such tends to be the exception rather than the rule and generally apply to certain straight walled cases. On the other hand, a neck sizing die for 7.62x51NATO and .308 Win are interchangeable and may be used with the .30-‘06; shell holders for .30-‘06 can be used for 7.62x51NATO, .308 Win, and .45acp and other cartridges based upon the .30-‘06 rim base dimensions. Loading manuals publish factory dimensions for both bullets and cases as well as trim to length dimensions. Be sure you understand all limitations and restrictions before making any substitution of die/cartridge/shell holder. Errors in application can cause the case to not achieve obturation and/or produce excess pressures resulting in catastrophic weapon failure. An error in the shell holder application may result in a case stuck in the resizing die. This is not a die ending event (a pun) and the stuck case can be extracted but at the expense of lost time and measure of frustration.

     

    Bench loaders striving for ultimate accuracy and reloading ammunition for a specific weapon only, may just neck size fired brass. Most however desire their ammunition to function in any weapon so full length resizing is most often used. Reloading dies most commonly come in three diameters with 7/8×14 thread the most common. Rifle calibers often require only two dies, full-length resizing/decapping/neck expanding and bullet seating. Pistol calibers are typically straight wall cases and may require three or four dies. Dies are made of hardened tool steel, some with a carbide steel insert. The latter are more expensive but preferable as no resizing lubricant is required. http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Dies-by-Category/Group-A-E-Dies/Group-E-Straight-Walled-Cartridges/3-Die-Carbide-Taper-Crimp-Set-Group-E-Straight-Wal.aspx.

     

    Reloading presses secure the brass case and provide a method for forcing it into and removal from the various reloading dies. The simplest of presses is the single stage RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Presses-and-Kits/Single-Stage/Rock-Chucker-Supreme-Press.aspx. I’ve used the predecessor Rock Chucker press for more than a half century and are available for about $100 used. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RCBS-RC-Rock-Chucker-Reloading-Press-w-Primer-Punch-Lee-Lyman-Hornady-/191925134037.

    Volume reloaders may desire a progressive or turret press to speed the loading process http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Presses-and-Kits/Turret/Turret-Press.aspx or a real high speed progressive press made by Dilllon http://www.dillonprecision.com/super-1050_8_1_23877.html.

     

    The Lyman 310 tool is a time proven cheap entry to the reloading world http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/dies/lyman-310-tool.php. Its portability and simplicity make it a good item for deep stores. Lee also makes a hand reloading tool http://leeprecision.com/lee-loader-9mm-luger.html. I have a now obsolete Lyman Tru Line Jr. turret press that I use for small pistol cartridges. This press uses the same dies as the Lyman 310 tool (5/8×30 dies).

     

    THE MECHANICS

    After inspection, fired brass is lubricated if necessary, decapped and resized.  http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS-reg-Case-Lube/741087.uts?productVariantId=1324051&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=25794311&rid=20&gclid=CK_U_a65_c0CFZaMaQodrjQE1Q&gclsrc=aw.ds.

     

    Primer pockets are cleaned and reamed if necessary. The length of the resized cartridge is measured using the vernier caliper and compared with published specification. If too long, I trim to published length using the RCBS Trim Pro #2 cutter http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Case-Trimming/Trim-Pro-2-Manual-Case-Trimmer-Kit.aspx equipped with three way cutting head http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Case-Trimming/Trim-Pro-3-Way-Cutter.aspx.

     

    The brass is then cleaned and/or polished (not necessary except for maximum pressure loads but makes for a nice end product) using an ultrasonic cleaner http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Case-Cleaning/Ultrasonic-Case-Cleaner-120-VAC.aspx and /or vibratory polisher http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Case-Cleaning/Vibratory-Case-Cleaner-120-VAC.aspx.

     

    At this point the brass casings have been inspected, decapped, trimmed to length, and cleaned. If the brass is straight wall design (.357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, 9mm, .45acp, .45-70, etc.), the case mouth must be very slightly belled to facilitate bullet seating. This is done with an expander die. Some pistol rounds headspace on the case rim (9mm, .45acp, etc.). Caution must be used not to excessively bell nor crimp the case mouth of those type brass cases. Any residual belling after seating the bullet should be removed by adjusting the die to set a slight crimp resulting in straight case shoulder.

     

    After resizing and before priming (or re-capping), I always measure case length and trim as necessary. The chamfering tool http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/case-prep/carbide-case-prep.php eases bullet starting, especially for non-boat tail bullets and can be used to bring overall case length into specification. If you intend to reload more than casually, I recommend the RCBS high capacity case trimmer or better, the Trim Pro 2 http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Case-Trimming/Trim-Pro-2-Manual-Case-Trimmer-Kit.aspx that both trims and chamfers in one operation.

     

    The case is now ready to be primed using either the hand tool or reloading press.

     

    An essential safety (and convenience item) is a reloading block http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Case-Preparation/Accessories/Universal-Case-Loading-Block.aspx. Some are made from plastic, some from wood, and others aluminum. All are different. A company long out of business produced mine. The loading block holds cases upright after charging with powder. Once all cases are so charged, one can visually cross inspect the powder level for all brass. Take your time with this. Ensure all cases have powder and all powder levels are the same. 1/10 of a grain makes a huge difference in pressure with maximum loadings and may be the difference between a ruptured barrel and an otherwise satisfying bang. Always weigh individual powder charges when loading near or at maximum pressures and work up to them gradually.

     

    So you may ask, how is powder weighed? Very carefully, I quip. US powder measure is by the grain (an average weight of a grain of cereal such as wheat or barley). By established convention, there are 7000 grains to the pound.

     

    Almost 60 years ago, I purchased a Redding #2 powder scale. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/658771/redding-2-master-magnetic-powder-scale-505-grain-capacity. It works as well today as when purchased. This is a magnetically dampened all metal balance beam type scale. More modern scales use plastics and at least one manufacturer had problems with static charges on plastic scales. Static charge is of concern in two ways, a spark igniting the powder, and worse affecting dampening causing erratic readings. Buy the Redding #2 and you won’t go wrong. When using a manual scale, a powder trickler is helpful for adding small amounts of powder to the scale pan http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Powder-Measures-and-Scales/Powder-Measures/Tricklers/Powder-Trickler-2.aspx and the Redding trickler is even better https://www.amazon.com/Redding-Reloading-Powder-Trickler-05000/dp/B000PW7KE2/ref=sr_1_3/000-9968453-7225914?ie=UTF8&qid=1468875980&sr=8-3&keywords=redding+scale.

     

    Along with the trickler, a useful item is the powder measure. A powder measure dispenses an adjustable volume of powder. I like the Lyman #55 powder measure for discharging smaller charges such as for pistol or small rifle cases such as the 5.56x41NATO http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/scales-measures/55-std-baffle-stand.php.

     

    For anything bigger than .30-’06, consistency requires a powder tube of more capacity such as the RCBS charger for .50BMG. If I only had one powder measure it would be the Lyman because of its better design (a 7000 grain charge tube is available as an option). Be sure and measure every 5th or 10th powder charge if using a powder measure. As the powder level in the tube decreases, the level of compaction in the measuring chamber does likewise. From time to time measure volume may need adjusting to compensate for changing density.

     

    Volume reloaders striving for peak accuracy should consider the combination electronic scales and dispenser made by RCBS, the Chargemaster Pro http://www.rcbs.com/Products/Powder-Measures-and-Scales/Powder-Measures/Electronic/ChargeMaster-Combo-120-VAC.aspx. Users of this fine scale and powder measure desiring grid independence should still purchase a manual scale such as the Redding #2.

     

    Weigh individual charges when loading near design pressure limit!

     

    So now we have a block of 50 to 100 carefully inspected, trimmed, polished, primed, and charged cases. All have powder and all powder is at the same level in each case (use a flashlight for inspecting bottle neck cartridges) and any straight walled cases are very slightly belled at the mouth.

     

    The bullet-seating die is installed in the press. I take a sample factory round and carefully adjust this die until it just contacts the nose of the bullet. That round is then removed and a charged case is installed in the press. A bullet is then started into the bell and this assembly is gently run up into the seating die. Overall cartridge (case + bullet) length is measured and compared to specification and the seating die readjusted as necessary until the bullet is properly seated, any bell at the case mouth is removed, and proper cartridge overall length is achieved.

     

    The end product is a high quality round of ammunition as good as or better than produced by the factory and at a cheaper cost. By judiciously comparing different powders and charges and different bullets and bullet designs, one can usually develop a custom cartridge for each rifle or pistol whose accuracy far exceeds that possible with factory ammunition.

     

    Serious shooters often add a chronograph to their reloading apparatus, as the ability to measure muzzle velocity for a particular load is worthwhile in developing trajectory curves for discrete loads. When I was young, pressure was measured by use of a universal bond receiver equipped with a copper crusher gauge. Strain gauges are now commonplace and are much more accurate. While once in the purview of commercial ammunition manufacturers, these tools are increasingly within the cost range of the serious shooter.

     

    A summary of favorite equipment/manufacturers are as follows:

    Presses: RCBS Rock Chucker

    Volume reloading progressive presses: Dillon

    Powder measure: Lyman #55

    Powder scale (manual): Redding #2

    Powder trickler: Redding

    Case prep tools: Lyman

    Case trimming tools: RCBS

    Shotgun presses (not covered here): MEC Jr. These are available cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEC-12ga-600-JR-Shot-Shell-Reloading-Press-Vintage-1972-with-Lyman-Handbook-/131875958650

    Bullet casting moulds, pots: Lyman http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details.php?entryID=28

    Bullet sizing: Lyman 4500 Lube sizer (will seat gas checks) http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/4500-lube-sizer.php

    Shotgun buckshot and slug moulds: Lee https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Buck-Shot-18-Mold/dp/B005Y50H5O; http://leeprecision.com/1-oz-slug-mold.html

     

    Pistol shooters in particular can greatly reduce the cost of reloaded ammunition by casting their own bullets from automotive wheel weights. Another more complicated process for producing higher quality rifle and pistol bullets is called swaging. Casting and swaging are rightfully topics of an additional post and if interested let me know.

     

    Reloading has many discrete steps and appropriate caution must be applied at each stage of the process. If you are uncertain, don’t do it. I began reloading as a pre-teen and shot competitively for some years afterward. Reloading is a very useful and cost saving process for the active shooter.

     

    The Lyman Reloading introduction guide is available at: http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/presses-and-kits/pdf/IntroToReloading.pdf

     

    In all things, follow the motto of Davy Crockett, ‘be sure you’re right and then go ahead.’ Marksmanship is a perishable skill set and reloading offers more bang for the buck.

     

    Hope this helps someone.

     

    Panhandle Rancher

     

     

  • What Did You Do To Prep This Week?

    What Did You Do To Prep This Week?

    This past week flew by. Had planned to go to my brothers place in Georgia but had to cancel last minute due to some issues with my 17 year old. Just didn’t feel I could leave for the weekend. So – had guns and some other equipment all packed in my 1997 Mustang GT convertible ready to go. Oh well.

    This week picked up my new Springfield Operator 1911 45ACP.  My time spent with the Panhandle Rancher convinced me to acquire one.  Need to order extra magazines, a holster, and a light to mount on the rail. I really like the Streamlight TLR-1.

    20160730_144841

    I also received a Convoy L6 3,800 lumen LED flashlight from Gearbest. I ordered some batteries and a charger off Amazon and “WOW!” – this thing is incredible. The bad part of mentioning this light is Capt. Michaels is going to have to explain to his wife why he NEEDS another flashlights. I’ll post a review with some comparison pictures to show just how bright this thing is.

    Continued re-reading Book 5 of 299 Days. Great series.

    Sharpened a few knives. Need some better knife sharpening equipment. Ceramic sticks is my normal method.

    ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    I watched little of the DNC convention. Basically the first night and then listened to some of Hillary’s speech.

    Horrible. I have never heard such rhetoric and lies.

    A friend of mine posted on FB……

    I’m gonna say this and if it pisses you off or offends you, then Piss on you. I don’t give a crap what party you’re for or whether you even like Trump. But you better make a tough decision and realize how it effects your children and their children. We approaching a degree of Lawlessness never before seen in this Nation.
    And I will flat out tell you there is One thing and One thing alone that is there to stop it. The American Lawman. And yes, it does suck to get a ticket, it does suck to have an at fault wreck or get stopped on your way somewhere when you’re already late, but in every instance your Actions led you there. You simply brush off these Officers being ambushed, shot and killed and brutally attacked as well, by simply saying, it’s not here. Well to Us it is here, Indianapolis could be Brandon Brown, Washington state could be Marquez, we have brothers and sisters everywhere. Once you’ve driven the Heart and desire out of the Police Officer, Woe unto us all. And furthermore, without your own protection, you’re even more vulnerable to predators. Every city in the Nation can and will be Chicago with out one key ingredient, the Police. So keep cheering at their Deaths, their attacks, their families destroyed over what’s lost, for when its gone, its gone. That among other things better be heavily on your mind when you push a button in November.

     ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

    Stay safe my friends……

    Your turn.

    Rourke

     

     

     

     

  • Guns VS Armor

    Guns VS Armor

    What Armor do you need to Protect Yourself from the World’s most popular guns and ammunitions?

    There are over a hundred different types of gun available on the weapons market today. But what type of armor do you need to protect from the most popular weapons? SafeGuard Clothing have put together a guide on seven of the most popular guns and types of ammunition available and the types of armor that will protect from their bullets.

    There is a surprising amount that people don’t know about body armor. Of course, there are many types and they are each engineered with a new level of intricacy. There’s always more to be understood, particularly when it comes to body armor. Nevertheless, many do not understand the protection available in bullet resistant (or bullet proof, as they’re frequently known)  vest, and see it as either complete protection against any weapon or an archaic throwback that today’s modern weapons simply decimate. So which one is correct? . . .

    To put it simply, both are correct. Or neither, depending on your viewpoint. Bullet proof vests are available at a variety of levels according to the protection they offer. And while most vests are incredibly strong, they will only protect you against certain kinds of ammunition. The highest levels of bullet proof vests are capable of protecting against some incredibly powerful rounds, but won’t stand up to everything. Conversely, lower levels cannot guarantee protection against the more powerful weapons, but will still provide you with a great deal of protection.

    Also, a stab and eged blade proof vest will not protect you from a hail of bullets. The same goes vice versa… A bullet proof vest is not engineered to tarb a blade and therefore probably will not protect you from a knife attack.

    The levels available in a bullet proof vest are governed by the US National Institute of Justice, which is widely recognized as being the world leader in ballistics testing. The testing standards outlined by the NIJ allows for these levels – NIJ Levels– to be assigned to bullet proof vests according to the size, strength, and speed of the ammunition it can protect you against. Below are some of the most common rounds, the most popular rounds, and the most famous rounds available, and what level of body armor you will need to protect against each.

    9mm Parabellum

    The 9×19 mm Parabellum, commonly known as simply the ‘9mm’, was developed at the beginning of the 20th century for German manufacturer DWM. The 9mm is credited as being the most widely used handgun ammunition in the world, and is commonly used by Law Enforcement Officers across the globe. The 9mm is often cited as the reason semiautomatic pistols became more popular than revolvers. At higher velocities a Level II vest is needed, but at lower velocities a 9mm will be stopped by a Level IIa vest.

     

    .45 ACP

    The .45 ACP, or .45 Auto, was created for the prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol developed by John Browning. It was first released in 1904, but only gained popularity in 1911 when it was adopted by the US Army for use in its M1911 pistol. Following this it became far more popular, thanks in part to its moderate recoil and high velocity. The .45 ACP also benefits from a low muzzle flash, but is heavy and costly to produce. Protecting against this round requires a vest at Level IIa.

     

    10mm Auto

    The 10mm Auto, usually shortened to simply ‘10mm’, was a joint design between the United States and Sweden and first introduced in 1983. Despite boasting superior stopping power, the 10mm never gained the popularity of its shorter counterpart (the.40 S&W). It did, however, gain popularity among certain branches of Law Enforcement, most notably the rescue and SWAT teams of the FBI. The 10mm was designed to be used in semi-automatic pistols, but suffers from high recoil. To stop the 10mm Auto you will need a Level IIa vest.

     

    .40 S&W

    The .40 S&W is named for its manufacturer, Smith & Wesson, and was originally designed to be used by Law Enforcement Agencies. This rimless cartridge did gain popularity among Officers after its introduction in 1990, partly due to its performance against similar rounds, offering both superior power and improved recoil. The .40 S&W was created as a shorter alternative to the 10mm Auto. Protecting against the .40 S&W will require a Level IIa bullet resistant vest.

     

    .357 SIG

    Introduced in 1994, the .357 SIG was designed by its namesake, Swiss manufacturer Sig Sauer. Apart from its reduced recoil, the .357 SIG is practically identical to the .357 Magnum in terms of performance, yet is known for being more reliable. For example, one of the benefits of the .357 SIG is its compatibility with autoloader platforms. However, the .357 SIG never gained the popularity of other similar rounds, perhaps because of its lack of adoption by Law Enforcement organisations. A Level IIa bullet proof vest is needed against this calibre of ammunition.

     

    .357 Magnum

    The .357 Magnum, or simply .357, is credited with beginning the ‘Magnum era’ of handgun ammunition after its introduction in 1934, and has found popularity worldwide. This round was developed in the 1930s by Smith & Wesson in an effort to re-establish themselves as the leading law-enforcement armament provider. The .357 is well-known for its stopping power, and is largely fired from revolvers, although it can be fired from certain semi-automatics, notably the Desert Eagle. A vest at Level II will protect against this ammunition.

     

    .44 Magnum

    The .44 Magnum is one of the most famous rounds in the world, featured most famously in the film Dirty Harry. The film is often attributed with the rise in popularity of the bullet, as it had remained relatively unknown for the 16 years previous. The .44 Magnum is famous for its stopping power, which naturally causes muzzle flash and high recoil. The .44 Magnum will need a Level IIIa bullet proof vest.

     

    By Chris Taylor, Safeguard Clothing