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 …


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 …


Recipe of the Week: One-Hour Homemade Bread

The following recipe for One-Hour Homemade Bread is from SurvivalBlog reader Tractorguy.  He writes: “What is a better accompaniment to nearly any meal than hot, fresh, homemade bread? I know, most people think it takes a lot of time and effort, but it doesn’t have to. Give this fast recipe a try. It is so easy, and literally takes only 60 minutes from the time you dissolve the yeast until you pull the bread out of the oven! Since there is some downtime in the recipe, you can multi-task this in while you are preparing other parts of the meal.” …


SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic is a map that shows home affordability, by county. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) FYI, the only two counties shaded red in The American Redoubt are right next to Glacier National Park (Whitefish, Montana) and The Grand Tetons (Jackson Hole, Wyoming). The thumbnail image below is click-expandable.     — Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The most interesting political questions throughout history have been whether humans will be ruled or free, whether they will be responsible for their actions as individuals or left irresponsible as members of society, and whether they can live in peace by volitional agreements alone. The fundamental question of politics has always been whether there should be politics.” – Karl Hess


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 12, 2024

On May 12, 1789, William Wilberforce made his first major speech on abolition in the UK House of Commons, reasoning the slave trade morally reprehensible and an issue of natural justice. Following a conversion experience and becoming an evangelical Christian Wilberforce became one of the leading English abolitionists. Wilberforce headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for 26 years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. — On May 12, 1921 a solar storm began, dubbed The Great Geomagnetic Storm of May 1921. These were some of the headlines: “Telegraph Service Prostrated, Comet Not to …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: That Face You Make — When You Are Told That In The Past Two Years Under Biden… …The Number of Military-Age Illegals Entering The Country Was Six Times The Manpower of the Active U.S. Army News Links: U.S. Military Manpower.  (Estimated: 453,551 in the Active Army) Arizona sheriff: Border crossings are by primarily ‘military-aged men’. Alarming Rise in Military-Aged Chinese Men Entering US Illegally, Border Patrol Union Chief Warns. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 11, 2024

On May 11, 1910, Montana’s Glacier National Park was established. On May 11, 1068, Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, was crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey, London. And on May 11, 1949, Israel was admitted into the United Nations. — I just put 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 writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …