Category: Hunting

Letter Re: Pre-1899 Finnish M39 Mosin Nagant 7.62x54R Rifles and Ammo

Jim, I read your novel, “Patriots” in 2003. It reinforced my survivor beliefs and encouraged me to take additional steps to become more prepared. I also enjoy reading SurvivalBlog.com and visit your site many times each day. Over the last six months I have followed your advice in purchasing three pre-1899 rifles. All three are Finnish M-39 Mosin Nagants chambered for 7.62x54R ammo. I picked up one from AIM Surplus when [it was] first listed in December 2005. It appears to be in very good condition with a 1895 Tula receiver and 1944 SAKO barrel. The other two I purchased …


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 …


Letter Re: .50 BMG Rifles on AR-15 Receivers

Dear Jim: I was reading Boston’s Gun Bible last night and he recommended purchasing a 50 BMG rifle because he believes that it is most definitely at the top of the “too be banned list.” 1.) Do you think that the .50 cal. is an intelligent purchase for a survival scenario? 2.) Boston mentioned a 50 BMG AR-15 conversion package where the .50 caliber upper is used on an AR-15 lower receiver to convert it to a [single shot] .50 BMG. (And, no FFL is required.) What is your opinion of this system? (The approximate cost is $2,000 for a …


Letter From Buckshot Re: Buckshot’s Survival Attitude Versus the “Commando” Survival Attitude

Since Everyone is talking about it here goes… David in Israel hit it perfect with his last letter. Thank you! The whole purpose of the article was to open people eyes to the fact that is a whole lot more to survival then fancy firearms. I thought people would enjoy reading about the little things it takes to survive for one year. Even in the outstanding book “Patriots” how many firefights were there? Not a whole lot. My point was if it was just me in the wilderness I would be carrying .22 Buckmark and a 30-30. Because I have …


Confessions of a Knifeaholic

A gentleman from Colorado named Leonard recently mailed me a couple of new-in-box of AXIS lock Benchmade pocketknives (Model 940s with green panels), to help raise cash for SurvivalBlog. That was very kind and generous of him. I was tempted to keep one of them for my collection, but The Memsahib insisted that I list both of them in my mail order catalog. She told me that I have too many knives. She didn’t go so far as calling me a knifeaholic, but I must admit that its true. I do have a lot of knives–folders, skinners, fighters, and kitchen …


Letter from Michael Z. Williamson Re: Black Powder Replica Revolver Cartridge

Jim, Here’s one of at least two commercially available conversions for black powder to cartridge: http://www.kirstkonverter.com By installing one of these cylinders, one is legally manufacturing their own weapon, so no paperwork is involved. [Under the Federal law] as long as the components are shipped separately, it can be mailed to any adult per federal law. Note however, that some states and localities will have differing laws. – Michael Z. Williamson    


Letter Re: PTR-91 Clones of HK91 Rifles

I was wanting some info on the PTR-91 Rifle made by JLD Enterprises, I saw this rifle on Atlantic firearms website, but I know nothing about it. Do you or any of the SurvivalBlog readers have any knowledge or opinion as to the worthiness of this rifle. It looks great and I would like to own one but hesitate to fork out that kind of money on an unknown. Thanks, – Steve JWR  Replies:  I can’t comment because I’ve never owned or even shot an PTR-91 clone. Perhaps a SurvivalBlog readers has some first hand experience with them.


Letter Re: The Demise of Winchester and Request for Suggested Brands for Bolt Action Rifles

Jim: It’s kinda sad that Winchester is going out of production. I’ve owned a couple over the years and they gave good service. My Model 70 .308 is still a favorite gun. Light, accurate, pretty, tough. What more can you really ask for?  I don’t have Boston’s Gun Bible at this location so I can’t remember where he came out on the Remington/Winchester scale (and of course there are Browning/Savage/Ruger/Sako/Weatherby/Tikka arguments to be made – not to mention surplus guns. I wrote the homage to the Mosin-Nagant last week)… but no matter where your loyalties were seeing another finely crafted …


Letter Re: The Demise of Winchester and Request for Suggested Brands for Bolt Action Rifles

Jim: It’s kinda sad that Winchester is going out of production. I’ve owned a couple over the years and they gave good service. My Model 70 .308 is still a favorite gun. Light, accurate, pretty, tough. What more can you really ask for?  I don’t have Boston’s Gun Bible at this location so I can’t remember where he came out on the Remington/Winchester scale (and of course there are Browning/Savage/Ruger/Sako/Weatherby/Tikka arguments to be made – not to mention surplus guns. I wrote the homage to the Mosin-Nagant last week)… but no matter where your loyalties were seeing another finely crafted …


Letter Re: Survival Gun Selection

JWR: As to your post on “Survival Gun Selection” in reference to having spare parts. If you have one or two of the same “tool” and have spare parts, it would be best to check that the spare parts fit. Make sure they both fit and function. It would be best to do your fitting beforehand whenever possible. Richard, KT Ordnance JWR Replies: If any of you readers have not yet visited the KT Ordnance web site, then you should.  Richard sells gunsmithing goodies with an interesting angle: He makes 80% finished rifle and pistol receivers, as well as jigs, …


Letter from Dr. Sidney Zweibel Re: Recommended Ammunition?

Dear Jim: Congratulations on your blog’s tremendous success! I will continue to pray to Yahweh for your continued blessings. I have a few questions on the weapons topic that I would appreciate your learned response on. 1.) I certainly understand your opinion on the .223 round, but for those of us that currently possess weapons chambered in .223 what type and load of .223 would you recommend? Are you familiar with the Hornady 60 gr. Spitzer cartridge? 2.) What manufacturers and types of rounds do you recommend for the .45 ACP? Are you familiar with the Hornady FMJ flat-point? 3.) …