I-Told-You-So Department: The U.S. Mint just announced that they will soon be changing the alloying ratios for U.S. five cent pieces (“nickels”.) Back in November of last year, I warned readers to stock up. The Mint’s announcement was vague, but I wouldn’t surprised to see the “new” nickels made with just traces of copper and nickel. It will probably be just be another zinc token. In effect, 2008 will be your last year to stock up on rolls of nickels that still have the long-standing alloy ratio. Once the new pseudo-nickels start circulating side-by-side with the old ones, it will hardly be worth your time to sort them out. (The nickels presently in circulation now have a metal content value of 127% of their face value.)
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Nathan sent us a link to an interesting Box ‘O Truth test on the effect of penetrating oils on cartridge primers. The test shows that ammunition is not as sensitive to “primer deadening” as had been commonly assumed. It would be of course be foolish to extrapolate beyond the six week figure cited, so don’t expose your stored ammunition to oil or oil-based paint vapors if it can be avoided. But at least it is reassuring to know that merely keeping ammunition in a well-lubricated firearm is not going to kill the primers.
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SF in Hawaii suggested a Don McAlvany YouTube video clip on global economic fundamentals.
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Mountain Brook Foods (one of our former advertisers) is getting ready to complete their “Getting Out of Dodge” move from California to Idaho. To lighten the load before they move their cannery and warehouse, they are offering a 60% off special on all of their remaining inventory at their California warehouse, from February 11th through the 25th. If you would like to pick up your order at their Tracy, California warehouse, please make a note in the “Comments” section of the order form. Order while supplies last!