Day: August 27, 2011

Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 36 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $300 value.) C.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $275 value), D.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo, and E.) …


Taste Tests: A Review of Survival Food From the Local Grocery Store, by M.B.

As part of our general prepping, my family has started including “survival food” in our normal diet. This gives us a chance to decide what we like to eat and to stock up on more of it for the future, rather than having to live with what we have when the SHTF. We all know that when food becomes scarce we will be thrilled to have a bowl of rice, beans, etc., but with a bit of experimentation we hope to be able to stock up on tastier foods in addition to commonly stocked staples. Rather than buy large quantities …


Letter Re: Some Defective Lots of Black Berkey Water Filters

Dear JWR: I just cleaned my Royal Berkey and noticed that 3 of the 4 filter elements (the Black version) were loose. The adhesive that attaches the end-cap to the carbon filter came loose. So I called the vendor and they said Berkey will send free replacement filters for all of the filter systems I purchased. A remediation is in effect with manufacturer lots beginning with June. So if you have a black Berkey filter that was made before June of 2011, then check to see if the cap is loose. You may be drinking unfiltered water! – Ken C. …


Letter Re: Some Experience With 7.62mm NATO Battle Rifles

If one is planning to stock .308 Winchester or 7.62 mm NATO for SHTF, old West German 7.62 NATO ball ammo is the stuff to look for as warshot.  During the adoption phase of the M16 in Vietnam, West Germany and Sweden complained that the [55 grain] M193 round that shattered at the cannelure was inhumane and a violation of the Hague Conventions.  The US Army’s Natick Research Center did tests with Swede and German .308 to prove that it did the same thing.  Of course they stopped complaining. US 7.62 mm NATO Ball is much tougher built and simply …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. sent this: New-home sales fall, 2011 could be worst year yet USA Becomes Food Stamp Nation G.G. flagged this: CBO: Federal deficit will hit $1.3 trillion SSG Tom mentioned: Forget stocks; buy food Items from The Economatrix: Int’l Oil Higher On Supply Concerns Higher Durable-Goods Orders Ease Economic Worries Japan Credit Rating Downgraded Over Deficit Few Think Bernanke Speech Will Signal Major Action


Odds ‘n Sods:

If you have any recommendations for items that we should add to The SurvivalBlog Amazon Store, please mention them in an e-mail. Note that if you click on one of our Amazon links and then “click through” to order ANY product from Amazon.com (not just the ones listed in our catalog), then we will earn a modest sales commission. So please bookmark one of our Amazon links. Then use that as your starting point whenever you plan to place an Amazon order. Thanks!    o o o Jonathan B. sent this: Inside the secret world of hackers Computer hackers are …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“[[To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David.]] In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend [their] bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his …