Odds ‘n Sods:

The New York Times reports: Human-to-Human Infection by Bird Flu Virus Is Confirmed. With this news in mind, it is high time for families to get their logistics ready for an extended period of self-quarantine. Want help planning what you need? First, read my piece on how to survive an influenza pandemic. Next, get a copy of my “big box” preparedness course. Someday, you may be very glad that you did.    o o o The Pre-1899 Specialist just put their hand-picked Model 1893 Oberndorf Mauser rifles on sale, at just $159.95, (With bayonet and scabbard or $144.95 each if …



Note From JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog benefit auction (for a fully stocked M-17 Advanced Medical Bag/Rucksack) is at $255. Special thanks to the fine folks at Ready Made Resources, who kindly donated the kit. Please submit your bids via e-mail. This auction ends on the last day of June. Today we present another article for Round 5 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. If you want a chance to win, start writing and e-mail us your article soon. Round 5 ends …


A Survival Retreat for Under $1,000, By Wolverine

Call it a survival retreat, hunting cabin, or summer cottage, a place away from the crowds and turmoil of the cities is a dream most of us share. Some folks plan out a survival retreat in such detail that long-term storage, over lapping fields of fire, and fuel supplies are worked out. Others, like myself, approach it as a vacation spot that can be readily converted if need be to an alternate living location. Back in the late 1960s my family had a small two-room cottage on a lake in northern Michigan. The cottage had no electricity, no running water, …


Two Letters Re: Shocking Facts About Wolves, by Steven UP

James: Steven UP’s article is self serving. He writes to stir up hysteria and emotions. Much of his “thesis” is pure bunk, conjecture, speculation. I am a former resident of the Upper Peninsula. I was born and raised there and lived in the U.P. for the first 40+ years of my life. While I live in nearby Wisconsin currently, I still regularly visit family and am currently looking for property in the U.P. for my retirement place. I resent this article by someone who has only been in the U.P. less than 15 years. He is writing to try to …


Letter Re: .50 BMG Rifles

Hello Jim, After much research and test shooting several of the available conversions out there I finally decided upon the ALS [AR-15 lower] conversion. Darren Wardle in Oregon hand builds them in his factory on CNC [Computerized Numerical Control] equipment and test fires each upper for accuracy before shipping. Darren is a world class record holder in the FCSA and his work is first class. His price is very reasonable but the wait is [currently] almost a year. Worth it, in my opinion. – D.C.


Two Letters Re: The Current Ammo Shortage and Galloping Prices

Jim: Perhaps it’s a regional thing, but there seems to be an ammunition shortage in the United States. Here in NY, 7.62×39 has doubled in price in the past year. It is to $200 per 1,000 when you can find it. At last weekend’s gun show only two of the 40 tables were selling 7.62×39 and one of those vendors only had 500 rds. The bad news is thus that it is too late to stock up on cheap 7.62×39. The good news is that your investment in ammo [already] on hand has doubled in value. 308[Winchester] is still available …


Odds ‘n Sods:

David in Israel Recommends: An excellent idea is to buy several dozen “button compasses” and scatter them in the pockets of your gear. That way you will never be without a compass.    o o o Wow! Our global hit map (from ClustrMaps) is showing even better distribution this month. OBTW, I heard from Jake Stafford that the new “big box” preparedness course is selling well to readers in Europe and Australia. I’m glad to see that SurvivalBlog is so popular around the world.    o o o The BBC reports: A shooting war with Iran could triple the market …



Note From JWR:

Today we present another article for Round 5 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The writer of the best non-fiction article will win a valuable four day “gray” transferable Front Sight course certificate. If you want a chance to win, start writing and e-mail us your article soon. Round 5 ends on July 31st.


Shocking Facts About Wolves, by Steven UP

It all started when I first moved to the Upper Peninsula [“U.P.”] of Michigan back in the early 1990s. When I first came up here it was paradise. Beaver, ducks, grouse, bears, and lots of deer. What happened over the years to change this paradise is truly remarkable. It is now now almost a wasteland, barren of wild game. What happened? Wolves were planted–200 of them from Minnesota. Okay, all of us that live up here “know” that wolves were planted because the population of wolves skyrocket from 20 to 220 in a single year. One noted wolf biologist even …


Product Review: Replica Viking Tents From Panther Primitives

Jim: I’ve used a tent from Panther Primitives for Viking and Middle Ages re-enactments for about a decade. I can report on being in a Viking Wedge style tent during a storm that spun off nearby tornados. Not a leak or break. I like a canvas Viking Wedge because of the strength and transportability. The tent is supported by an internal framework of poles (traditionally, one used the sail over the oars), so there are no ropes or pins. When it’s time to pack at the end of an event, two to four people simply pick the tent up and …


Note From JWR:

Please keep spreading the word about SurvivalBlog. If you could add a link at your e-mail footer or web page, it would be greatly appreciated. SurvivalBlog link buttons and banners are available in a variety of sizes. Thanks! The recent announcement of my preparedness course has brought a lot of old friends and acquaintances out of the woodwork. It has been great hearing from so many of you! I just hope that the course gets into a lot of hands so that more families get squared away and are truly ready for the next disaster. OBTW, Jake Stafford sent a …


Letter Re: Recommended Guns for Left-Handed Shooters?

Mr. Rawles: One of my sons is left handed. Which guns do you recommend I buy for him? (I’m talking here both hunting and self-defense.) With Thanks, – L.B.T. JWR Replies: I recommend that your son try shooting several different models and that you then buy him whatever he is most comfortable with. First, as with all members of your family, you should check to see if you son is right or left-eye dominant. Cross-dominance is a problem that can take considerable training to overcome. If your son is “left eyed” and/or he is not comfortable/fast/accurate shooting right handed, then …


Letter Re: Recommendations on Hardening a Garage Door?

JWR, I am finally getting to build a house out on my retreat property. First st on the agenda is the 25′ x 40′ steel storage building that will give us secure storage for materials, etc., and then I will build a garage/shop. The issue that has us stumped is how to harden the garage door against someone being able to “work” at getting in while we are away at work all day. A chainsaw would chew right thru the normal fiber board panels and no one is close enough to notice the noise. So far we have thought of …