Letter Re: Mass Versus Bullets (and Hail Stones and Gamma Radiation)

James, I appreciate seeing some folks trying to build some sort of fallout shelter, as these may, unfortunately come in handy someday soon.   Since I build these for a living, I thought I’d throw some basic suggestions out there for the readers. For simple fallout shelters, assuming that blast will not be a factor, above ground concrete walls should be 24 inches thick (or better if you can afford it!).  Walls below grade can be a mere 10 inches thick.   Ceilings:  24 inches will provide fair protection, assuming “rainout” does not occur in your locale. [The Swiss shelter building code …


Recipe of the Week:

Jamie’s Toasted Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars 1 Tbsp unsalted butter 1 cup rolled oats 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/4 cup peanut butter 1/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips   Glaze 2 Tbsp cookie butter 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1-2 Tbsp water   Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add oats and cook, stirring occasionally, until …


Economics and Investing:

Some cogent observations by Bob Owens: Where is all the rimfire ammo? The new modest-budget indie movie “Alongside Night” is now in early release. The film is based on Agorist-Libertarian activist J. Neil Schulman’s novel of the same name. It seems that some gold and silver coins deserve “best supporting” awards. G.E.C. suggested: All the Gold in Fort What’s-Its-Name Michael Pento: Market Calls Fed’s Bluff Jim W. liked this piece by Alasdair MacLeod: Gold is being supplied by western governments. Here is a key quote: “From the point of view of the western central banks, as well as the bullion …


Odds ‘n Sods:

SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson sent this from over at KK Cool Tools: Amish Hackers. Mike’s comment: “A very interesting article. By the way, my wife has always said if she were colonizing a planet, she’d take a contingent of Amish.”    o o o Senator Rand Paul has introduced S. 744, a bill that would prohibit a National ID card or biometric ID. Please contact your senators, and ask them to co-sponsor it.    o o o Michael Bane had some great commentary on ammunition “hoarding”: Michael’s Rant de Jour…    o o o Reader Stan T. …



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 …


Air Guns as Long Term Survival Weapons, by M.D.W.

The term Air Gun brings to mind the classic Red Ryder BB gun to many. It is often met with the question “You mean Airsoft and BB guns?” Those are not what are being discussed here. We are talking about weapons that are capable of taking deer, bear, buffalo, and two legged predators. We are talking about weapons that can take squirrels from 50 yards with Hollywood like quite. We are talking about weapons that can make ammo from a tire weights, previously fired bullets, or any other source of lead. We are talking about weapons that you can shoot …


Letter Re: Media Misrepresentation of Guns and Gun Laws

Mr. Rawles,  I read with interest the bit you wrote on the television show “Longmire.”  I, too, have found the show somewhat entertaining so have been following it the past few weeks.  Doing so recently I watched a bit that I thought you might find interesting.   During a recent episode Longmire is inspecting the body of a murder victim while talking about the victim with the owner of the property upon which the corpse was found.  Longmire notes that the property owner is wearing a holstered firearm, probably a 1911 or other semi-auto pistol, with some “angst.”  I use that word for a reason.  The look …


Economics and Investing:

PTR Industries (the HK clone maker) Votes With Their Feet: Gun-maker expected to move into Horry County. South Carolina was a good choice. (Thanks to Howard S. for the link.) And on a similar note: Ruger Looking Into Rockingham County North Carolina. (Our thanks to F.G. for that link.) These chaotic gas lines give us a preview of collapse: Egyptians Denounce Fuel Shortage Reader P.P. sent: World economic group calls for global exchange of tax information to fight evasion. A key quote is that the OECD wants data from all corporations and individuals “flowing freely from banks, investment houses and …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader Vance in Delaware sent us some humorous video links of some stupid crook tricks, like falling through ceilings, having problems with doors that only open one way, losing control of their guns or failing to unplug cash registers before grabbing them, robbing a store in front of a police office, and even shooting themselves.    o o o Some good news: House Unanimously Adopts Kelly Amendment to Ban Funding For UN Arms Trade Treaty.    o o o Brandon Smith: Building Your SHTF Combat Overwatch Rifle    o o o Reader B.B. suggested this collection of self-sufficiency and disaster …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his …


Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 47 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) 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 C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 …


Low Budget Firearms Selection for a Novice, by S.G.

As a new ‘prepper’ on a budget, I would love to get the latest gadget gun in multiples, but have very limited disposable income to invest. Most of us are not independently wealthy or have a six figure salary to support our new found hobby. Emotionally, there is a gun collector inside all of us that likes the latest and greatest gadget to show off to our friends and that we know outperforms everything else on the planet. However, the rational brain must govern over the emotional appeals of these wonderful objects. Therefore, visualizing the likely uses for a firearm …


Michael Z. Williamson Re: Mass Versus Bullets (and Hail Stones and Gamma Radiation)

Dear Jim, I notice that 5.56 is again getting an unrealistically bad rap.  It’s not as powerful as many other rounds, but some online epithets seem to suggest you can hide behind a sheet of paper and be safe. As a reminder, I’d like to repost the following demonstrations from the fine folks at Box O’ Truth: 5.56 will go through four interior walls. It will shoot a hole into an engine block. A steel front door may stop shotgun pellets, but WILL NOT stop 5.56mm. Level IIIA body armor without plates will not stop 5.56mm. Car doors will not …


Economics and Investing:

Has inflation fueled the two income household trap in the US? How inflation has eroded the purchasing power of the working and middle class. Canada has its own woes, including some mayors with a low regard for the law similar to that exhibited by many members of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns pressure group. B.B. sent: The Tax Man Cometh—For Your Bitcoins Items from The Economatrix: Watch Your Cash: New BAIL-IN Rules Will Force “Failed Bank Losses On Investors” The 50 Best Employers For Boomer Workers Housing Starts In US Rose In May To 914,000 Annual Rate