This past week has been busy ending with a winter storm blowing through my area over the weekend. I have a 2 door Jeep Wrangler – and love it. They are expensive and for many not practical. However, when you need to get somewhere in rough conditions where other vehicles fail they get the job done.
On to my recent preps…..
200 rounds CCI Blazer Brass 9mm
100 rounds Speer Gold Dot .22 Magnum
600 rounds CCI AR Tactical .22LR
Condor AR 3 Magazine Kangaroo Pouch
Essential Oils for Beginners(book)
In addition to purchases I have been looking into a few things. I have continued my search for a parcel of land for building a retreat. My interests in essential oils has been peaked thus my ordering the book above.
I also have been looking at some firearms at my local stores not so much based on need but just because I love exercising my 2nd Amendment rights. I handled a Springfield XD9 Mod 2 and have to say it was the most comfortable pistol I have ever held. I also saw a Ruger All American in 22 Magnum. Interesting gun.
Lastly – I am looking at getting a suppressor and if so going to pull the trigger soon and create a trust.
Your turn!
JR
Tried to stay warm as the storm roared through the Upstate. Purchased an H&R Pardner 12 gauge pump for home defense. Now looking for online bulk ammo. Not sure of the best load for close quarter home defense. Open to suggestions.
I like to mix up my shotgun loads for home defense. Herters makes a double round ball and round ball + 6 #1 Buckshot pellets. Winchester sells a PDX1 Defender with a 1 ounce slug and 3 #00 pellets. Most #00 loads have 8 or 9 pellets. My Mossberg 930 SPX holds 8 rounds, so I load in the order that I mentioned above, 2 times. I live in a wooded development, though. Consequently, I am not worried about over penetration. I recently read an article in a gun magazine that advocated the use of BIRD SHOT for home defense. The photos from tests on the range showed that bird shot patterns under 25 feet were devastating. At 10 feet #8 shot only spread out 6.25 inches!
Thanks Irish-7, I think the birdshot is the best for me. Fits the budget better.
As mentioned last week, medical appointments with the VA will tie me up for a while. I did finish reading a book that I got for Christmas, Urban Survival Guide by Outdoor Life. Actually, this small publication is a reprint from a chapter in The Ultimate Survival Manual. I love the releases from Outdoor Life and Field & Stream!
Jim in SC – I use bird shot for home defense. I have tested for patterns with a variety of loads through my Rem 870 Tactical Express. First – the size of the pattern was pretty much the same regardless of load within 15 yards. Bird shot at 7 yards had around a 16 inch spread. 21 feet is a pretty common in-house range. What a mess!
Here is a picture that shows spreads depending on distance and choke. Most defense shotgun have cylinder bore barrels/choke:
Thanks JR. Birdshot seems to be the consensus. More bang for the buck too.
Very busy week at work but was able to get 100 lbs of beans and rice bought and bagged! Two five lb containers of Cox honey, 20 lbs of sugar, 10 lbs of salt, several black pepper and added case of dehydrated carrots, onions, apple slices and oats! Added 250 each, 22LR, 9MM, 30.06, .223, and .45 – Walmart has had great prices on Perfecta shells made in Italy. Twenty-five packages of heirloom seeds assorted. Wife got the 2nd order of Young Living essential oils. She’s watching videos and learning what’s what. Added 5 gallons of water and a big hand disinfectant. Thankful for 4th quarter bonus check. Got out and spent a couple of hours with Glock 19, Saiga .223 and Marlin Camp Carbine 45. Rourke, your reminder last week about what did I do got me to do less thinking and more doing, THANKS! Keep looking UP
Great job JBernDrApt!! You really made some progress. I have been buying the Perfecta as well. You’re right – great prices.
Regarding the Marlin Camp 45. I had a Camp 9 – if they made that gun today they would make a killing. Can’t understand some of these gun companies product decisions.
Since we were snowed in here in the NC mountains, we had lots of time to try new things. We recently split a hog with a friend who’s a butcher, so we took part of the pork belly and began the process of curing bacon. It will probably take around 10 days to cure.
We also rendered a couple of quarts of lard and saved the cracklings from the fat.
Watched several videos on suturing and practiced some.
Oh yeah, had to keep wood in the stove to keep the house warm!
Over all, a good weekend!
JC – sounds like a great weekend to me. Wish we had gotten more of the snow that you did further north.
I also did some reading. Would have loved to have had your next book! When will it be available?
Joseph – which book are you referring? I have been thinking of writing another.
John, I was referring to the next installment of A Survival Story.
It is unlikely I will do a Part II. I started it a couple years ago and “life happened” and I was unable to finish. Maybe something else though.
Ok. Thank you. The first one was a good read. I enjoyed the “journaling” format.
Good Things!
JR
I guess ur AR-7 deal went through. I would like to swap about $2.5k in black powder guns (50 cal. rifle, 44 and 36 cal. model 1858 pistols), loads of powder, slugs, loading accessories, and loading tools, with boxes. The pistols have nice lined walnut boxes and the rifle has the original cardboard box. They r all like new condition. I will send complete list of everything by email. I am interested in an AR-7, ammo, crossbow, knives, quality flashlites, or other goodn prepping survival supplies.
Ol’Farm Boy
Ol’ Farm Boy – Yes my trade with the AR-7 did go through I thought I had emailed you. I am sure there are some people out there willing to trade. Possibly putting an ad on Craigslist would work. Of course you could sell the items and then take the money to purchase the new items you listed. I am wanting to get a crossbow but I traded for a compound bow a few months ago and need more arrows and experience with it first.
Here is a picture of me and my bow –
Crossbow. Excellent choice sir. Arrows/bolts can be made rather cheaply and not be a worthless. You can use several things to shape the arrow heads like spoons, rocks,..pfffft you could even burn the end of a wooden arrow to increase the penetration of it. Same for the bolts on a crossbow.
May I suggest a re curve and NOT one with pullies. Just think in a grid down situation how hard it will be to replace all those components. You can buy now and or replace future components on a re curve for much less than a compound crossbow. You can get an entry level crossbow for about $79 at BUDK. In fact, crossbows can penetrate so much that when a guy posted one showing the bolt going through a vest and a car door. They removed his video. Boom! how about that?
Now you’ve done it Capt.. I’ve spent the last hour looking at CrossBows, and various sights, bolts, cocking ropes… my wallet is getting sweaty .. I expect some money will slip out soon.. umm hmm all ur fault 🙂 Never owned one .. never shot one.. any advice… like point down range like a gun or don’t shoot yourself ? Storage, temps, weather. etc etc .. Sounds like a good JR article actually.. or a controbutor maybe .. hint!
Just wanted u to know u did get back to me saying “it looks like my deal is going through.” I wanted to be sure it did. I really want a Henry AR-7. The older ownerships’ guns had problems I am told. Henry has made many bump to cements to it.
Built my first fire barrel to burn some of this winter wood laying around and clean out some of my garden boxes to get ready for spring planting. Used a 55gal drum to build it.
Hard to imagine with the cold weather and ice in my area that planting season really is not that far away. Looking forward to it.
Haven’t done a thing this week! What I should have done was make sure we had more candles and canned Chunky soups on hand, just in case. The snow stopped at around 18″, and we never lost power, but they didn’t plow the roads until after I went to work. Thank God I have a good 4WD that hasn’t failed me yet.
No problem Singlemom – every week doesn’t have to be pitting back tons of supplies and learning new skillsets. Once some of that snow melts away head to the store and grab some candles.I am originally from NH and miss that kind of snow.
Filled up more water containers, put my lithium battery chargers with the new USB plug in lights I just received.
Good job Laura – what kind of lights did you get and lithium ion battery chargers?
We got another 4 gallons of water, a 28 count case of plastic bottles, and redid some of the car’s ready gear.
I got a lightweight sleeping bag for Christmas; that finally made it’s way into the jeep.
We restacked firewood on the porch (prior to the storm) double the usual ready supply, and retarped the spare wood.
Also purchased a new knife, which I have wanted for decades. One of those Eichhorn German-made Advanced Combat Knives (ACK) that they made in the late 80’s-90’s.
As soon as I type this, I am off to order some long-term storage heirloom seeds, on my Wife’s orders.
Sounds good. WIll have to check out that knife. I have never heard of it. Googling now……..
John you sold me on the jeep, so I bought one last week, it’s my new bug out vehicle, so for the next few months I’ll be spending thousands on getting it set up, it’s a 99 Tj, with hardtop, I purchased it on eBay, flew to Philadelphia, picked it up, no rust, 126k in line 6, pictures didn’t show cracking paint though, with all accessories already on it, such as lift kit, smitty built bumpers, 5 kc upper rail lights, two kc right and left lower windshield lights, two front kc brush guard lights, smitty built wheel flares, custom blacked out wheels, like new hancook tires including brand new spare, closed cell gell battery, fantastic stereo, amp and woofer, it far out weighed cracked paint, drove it home, ran fantastic, no problems, got home took it straight to paint shop had it painted inside and out, and top, hunter green, with tan top. $7200 for jeep, 1000.00 for travel, 2600.00 for paint, so I’m at around 11k, but I already have 2800.00 in new parts in my jc shopping cart in smitty built excessories! Lol, by the time I COMPLETLY restore and upgrade my BOV, I figure I’ll have 20k into a completly brand new, from top to bottom Jeep Wrangler! Not bad at all for a jeep! Especially for brand-new completely rebuilt and upgraded everything jeep!
Doomsday – man that sounds awesome. Mine is an ’08. I just ordered a new top and looking at a few other upgrades but pretty happy with it stock. I went on the Uwharrie National Park off road trails with it with street tires and was amazed at how well it did.
Here is a video I shot of that same trail. This particular part I went around as it was too rough but I was amazed at the conditions I went through with no problems.
Wow, nice trail, they have some nice trucks! I’m not sure how to upload pics on here, I’d like to post some pics and see what you think? And I agree, a jeep is pretty much ready for most anything stock, but as mine is older and used, I want to make sure I have it completly gone through and ready for anything, and it’s not my everyday driver, I bought this for my weekend driver and emergency bug out vehicle, so I’m putting as much thought into it as I would my bob, for instance I’m putting tactical seat covers in my by smitty built, they have them for all three seats, rear door, and even a center overhead, there made from ballistic material and are military grade, check them out, I can’t wait to get them, putting things on like a winch, heavy duty roof rack rated for 700 pounds, a smitty built tow rack, if my measurements are right, will hold 6 jerry cans, that with a full tank will give me a 700 mile range, flow master stainless steal ceramic coated header and exhaust, having it under coated, new bushings, bearings, upgraded shocks, then I’ll go through motor, trams differential, ect. I know it’s a lot to put into a old vehicle, but it will last the rest of my life with good maintance.
Feel free to send some pictures in Doomsday. Sounds like you really have a plan AND your work cut out for you but it will be fun.
Cool!
Will do bro, I just need to remember where I put your email address, (scratches head) lol
Moved my 401K out of the market and into a guaranteed fund.
Purchased a slightly used Remington 887 NitroMag 12ga for $200.
Purchased 20 1oz silver rounds from JM Bullion.
Researched the copper market and may purchase some rounds.
Paid off a couple of debts.
Sounds good Jim and great deal on the Remington.
Just an update on the copper purchase…..
Copper spot price is around $2 a pound. But this is for the copper investment markets that trade in tons. This value has no meaning in the prepper market.
Retail copper, like pipe and wire runs around $6-8 a pound.
Copper bullion, like rounds and bars run around $16 a pound.
I may buy a few rounds just to have a few “coins”.
Looks like scavenging is still the most cost effective way to acquire copper.
Thanks for the info Jim.
You mention suppressor and trust. Make sure to review the difference between a trust that uses “Schedule A” versus one that does “Assignment sheets”. I asked questions of Scott at TarHeelStateFirearms.com ( NC and SC NFA sales) and he was very helpful and can do really good SBR engraving. I went with a GunTrustLawyer.com trust since it uses Assignment sheets and seemed to be high quality (in my opinion more worry free since problems can have serious consequence). With a Schedule A, you are basically handing in a list of all your NFA stuff every time you do a transaction, both to the dealer’s records and BATFE. One of my local dealers had the facts wrong for some NFA stuff so I avoided them, even though they were quite large.
Appreciate the info Zenblaster. I am still trying to decide if I am going to move forward with a trust of not. I will look at that website you suggested. Thanks.
Bought food and spices.. began rebuilding a Linux laptop that will have only prep and educational stuff. Added a Faraday to hold it .. and that is where it will live except during updates so I have access to everything Electronic I have been collecting. A tablet just isn’t big enough now. Wife unit went to a plant starting class.. Finished setting up new PTO tiller. Added a Day Pack to my BOB.. I’ll have to figure out WHAT goes in to it. A smaller liter version of Bob. Office and corp locations have some .. umm limitations as to what is allowed and if searched and found you are gone.
Did some design work on future projects ..
Did some research, and found something you guys can certainly use. Did you know that anyone can apply for and receive an an agricultural sales tax exemption with you state of residence ? All you need to do is demonstrate on your IRS doc (since it is Jan maybe this year) that you made for TN ($1000.00) Cost of goods sold. SC an TX may be different. Once done you need not pay sales tax for anything purchased for us. Thing about it.. Prepping, my grandfather call being a farmer. So construction materiel, fencing, feed, on-property fuel storage, Solar, pumps, wells, etc etc
For me that would have been $175.00 less on just the tiller. I’ll be doing that this year and looking at seeing what I recover for 2015 and not paying 2016. Maybe I’ll find a gotcha, but not so far. Between eggs, honey, sweet potatoes.. all small efforts, $1000.00 isn’t hard to document. All the require is a hand written journal. (think about that too). since it is state .. goto you state.gov site and search for “agricultural, tax, exemption”
Goals next week .. finally paying off all CC’s.. cannot wait!
Beekeeping duties.. time to start for my expansion.. .
Back on hothouse.. weather permitting ..
Beginning garden preps for much large garden (figuring out where to get cheap cattle panels to allow plants to climb .. did a version last year.. and saw the panels in action.
gets the crawling plants up ff the ground so weeding is not as bad.. HATE WEEDING!!.. time wise.
Have an awesome week guys and gals.
Good stuff goingray58. Very interesting on the tax exemption. I will look into that shortly. Good work.
Edit: In SC the land must be 10 acres in size and used for farm purposes. FYI.
In Texas the rancher obtains an agricultural and timber permit. This permit exempts the rancher from state taxes (and Texas uses a state sales tax in place of an income tax) for most ranch related tools and goods. This permit was once based upon having a permit for non-taxed diesel fuel (red dye fuel) that most power tractors and the like with. One didn’t have to make a profit to have this permit. I would write off my diesel truck fleet and capital equipment items such as tractors, trailers, and backhoes on the appropriate schedule for the federal taxes along with fencing and windmills. In Texas that tax permit is the beginning of a method to acquire real wealth and ranches can be tax havens.
PR
Moved furniture, re did my reloading room so it easier to get to the loading components.
Well, I got my order from Emergency Essentials, but I was beyond disappointed and am very upset. We’re on a tight income, so I plan my orders carefully to get a variety of items. They never e-mailed shipping confirmation, didn’t include a packing list, and several cans were missing lids. They shorted me 3 cans that I was billed for, and they substituted the combo I’d ordered with items that I’d ordered separately and didn’t want duplicated. I’d included my e-mail address in the message with the request to contact me if there were any problems. Basically, I wasted around $75 for things I don’t want or didn’t get. Have any of you had problems like this recently? Over the last year or so, I’ve begun to question their business practices, and I really doubt that I’ll order from them again.
Sent you an email SingleMom. I just placed and order with EE myself and have never had that happen.
Would like to get some more details.
Put up gas for storage, stocked up on propane, butane, kerosene and IPA.
Added more ECWCS under garments for family.
Picked up some 147gr FMJ 7.62 cal. bullets.
Purchased a Mr. Heater Buddy.
2 cases of wide mouth canning jars.
Bought ten 1 oz. silver bars.
Ordered more bolts for crossbow.
Badger359