Month: May 2024

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at some moves in commodities markets. (See the Commodities section.) Precious Metals: China and India seem to be driving the precious metals markets this year, with some consistently strong buying.  I’m sure that this dynamic is frustrating the institutional short sellers, here in the United States.  Silver and gold both saw nice spot …



Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 16, 2024

On May 16, 1920, French heroine Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XV. — On May 16, 1997, Zaire’s president, Mobutu Sese Seko, ended 32 years of dictatorial rule, giving control of the country to rebel forces. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2,000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day …


Practical Prepping, by K.F.

I’ve heard it said that you can make a small fortune in horse breeding, if you start with a large fortune. Prepping is a lot like that, too. You can be ready for almost anything if you throw enough money at the problem set that is prepping. But what do you do if you don’t have much money? What can you do if you live on a quarter acre lot, and you have no chance of ever upgrading? About fifteen years ago, I met somebody like that who has given me some answers to these questions. C.L. was the first …


The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, we look at military robot “dogs.” (Photo above is courtesy of Draper.com.) The USMC’s Rifle-Armed Robot Dogs Over at The Warzone: Rifle-Armed Robot Dogs Now Being Tested By Marine …



Preparedness Notes for Wednesday — May 15, 2024

On May 15, 1889, the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris opened with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance arch. The elevators in the tower were not yet ready, so intrepid visitors needed to climb 1,710 stairs to get to the top. — On May 15, 1672, the first copyright law was enacted by Massachusetts. — I have all of my knife and bayonet inventory on sale, at Elk Creek Company. This sale ends on Friday,  May 17th, so order soon. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction …


Reconsidering Rule .308 – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1. This concludes the article.) I can reload, so it is possible have a pile of very accurate 77 grain OTMs reserved for this kind of work as a part of a contingency plan that excludes the use a bolt gun. At 65 cents per round, I would get a pile and not let my stock go below 500 rounds. This is not blasting/training ammo, use the 55-grain bullet for that, but we would need to use up part of the case getting familiar with the round. The barrel twist rate should be 1:8 or better yet, …


SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets

This weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — Scientists design super-battery made with cheap, readily affordable chemical element, Na — Salt-based cell has surprisingly good energy density and charges in seconds. o  o  o Over at the great Rural Revolution blog: Poliphobia? o  o  o Reader R.K. suggested a DIY YouTube page called Invention Incarnate that includes these two interesting …



Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — May 14, 2024

On May 14, 1853, Gail Borden, a land surveyor, newspaper publisher, and inventor, patented his process for condensed milk. May 14th, 1686 was the birthday of Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, who invented the thermometer. On May 14th, 1948, in Tel Aviv, Jewish Agency Chairman David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel, reestablishing the Jewish state after 2000 years. — I noticed that my daughter-in-law’s Pilgrim & Patriot line of T-shirts has been expanded. Take a look at her clever designs. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for …


Reconsidering Rule .308 – Part 1, by Tunnel Rabbit

The situation in the near future will dictate a course of action (COA) or tactics, and your choice of rifles. My perspective is predicated on a remote rural forested setting with occasional mid-range shots that might exceed 700 yards. Many miles of lonely county paved roads, and dirt Forest Service roads are possible opportunities for an extended layered defense that we may need to use during a WROL situation. Bubba and the Backwoods Boys who hunt out here are a serious concern as they have been killing big game all their lives, and they could use game trails to come …


SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt 

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a special look at the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in the American Redoubt generated by the recent major solar storms. Region-Wide Stunning pictures of the northern lights captured across the northwest. o  o  o KREM 2 viewers capture northern lights show around the Inland Northwest. Idaho Precinct …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 13, 2024

On May 13, 1787, the First Fleet headed by Arthur Phillip set sail with 11 ships of convicts for Botany Bay, Australia. — A recent Jonathan Rawles interview with NC Scout has been released. They discussed relocation, real estate prices and affordability, how internal migration is driving a cultural change in rural areas, and how to get established and connected, post-relocation. — An Update: The fundraising drive for the Baan SuFan orphanage and school in northern Thailand is now almost 50% complete. Thanks to everyone who has donated! The remainder is $2,900 — to fill their current renovation and expansion …