JWR’s Recommendations of the Week:

Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This week the focus is on a Argentine Model 1891 Mauser rifle. (See the Featured Antique Gun of the Week.)

Books:

One of Avalanche Lily’s recent reads, following a recommendation by reader W.F.: Eating On The Wild Side.

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A good general reference: Mauser Military Rifles of the World

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The Rocket Mass Heater Builder’s Guide: Complete Step-by-Step Construction, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

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The Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook (Old Farmer’s Almanac (Paperback))

Movies:

Paul D. in England suggested this: Gladiators of World War II – Norwegian Resistance

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Tel Aviv On Fire.  A quite funny movie about a fictional television production in Israel. The dialogue is in a mix of  Hebrew, Arabic, French, and a bit of English.  (All with English subtitles.)  On DVD, or for free streaming to those with Amazon Prime.

Instructional Videos & Vlogs:

Perennial Vegetable Gardening with Eric Toensmeier (DVD)

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Framing Walls (Fine Homebuilding DVD Workshop)

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Tim J. liked this 16-minute video: Making dark chocolate from bean to bar [Winter vacation in Guatemala]

Web Pages and Blogs:

Reader C.S. suggested a five part series on provisioning and stretching your food dollars, over at Northwoods Ramblings, titled: Inspired by Grandma.

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I noticed that Claire Wolfe has begun blogging again. Please drop here a note of encouragement.

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The latest from Ol’ Remus.

Gear & Grub:

I recently tested one of these, here at the ranch: SiOnyx Aurora Sport Color Night Vision Camera. I was impressed at the optical clarity. The light amplification is also decent. All in all, this is a very good monocular, for an affordable price.

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Discreet Carbine Case, Nylon, Black, Fits 16″ Barreled AR Platform Rifles, Includes Shoulder Strap

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Reader M.H. recommended this modestly-priced line of canned meats: Keystone Meats All Natural Canned Beef, Ground.

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Augason Farms Buttermilk Pancake Mix Emergency Food Storage 28 Pound Pail

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11/2017 Pack Date, 2023 Best By Date MRE Meal Kits-Entree/Spork/Heater Packed in Ozark Outdoorz USGI 50 Cal (M2A1) Can – Grade 1 (50 Cal/9 Meals (3 Ravioli,3 Beef Stew, 3 SW Beef))

Featured Antique Gun of the Week

At Elk Creek Company, we’ve had several new arrivals. And I should mention that we recently added detailed photos on nine more of our catalogued rifles, shotguns, and revolvers. This week’s featured antique gun of the week is a Ludwig Loewe Argentine Model 1891. Since this rifle is chambered in 7.65x53mm Argentine Mauser, it can even be shipped to Washington state, without an FFL dealer’s involvement. (Under Washington’s new Universal Background Check law, they exempted pre-1899 guns, but not all of them. The Washington Attorney General recently clarified that only those pre-1899 antique that are chambered in obsolete cartridges–i.e, not currently factory made and widely available– can be sold in Washington. Most other states don’t make that absurd distinction.)

Be sure to take a look at the many recently-added guns at the Elk Creek Company store. Oh, and of course: “Consult your state and local laws before ordering.”

Make a Suggestion

Want to suggest Recommendations of your own? Then please send them to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) Thanks!




28 Comments

  1. I was curious so took a look for 7.65×53 ammunition for the Argentine. I love these old rifles. Here is one source for inexpensive and good hunting ammunition in a 180 grain soft point ammunition from Prvi-Partizan. Their brass is decent for reloading.

    Eventhough .308 (7.62) bullets would be less accurate than 7.65 bullets in the 7.65 barrel, with the right powder load, they could be accurate enough for iron sights to hit what your aiming at within the usual hunting range of 100 yards or less. .311 bullets fit the 7.65 bore are not common, but can be purchased. With a MV (muzzle velocity) of 2,545 fps, there is not much practical difference between this, and a 180 grain .308 Winchester load. There ain’t much new under the sun.

    They say .300 Savage was the inspiration for .308 Win. It should be obvious that the 7.65×53, and the 7.62x54R are almost identical to .303 British, 7.62×51, and .308 Win. The modern spitzer bullets at lower pressures in these long old barrels, brings the cartrige up to modern era trajectories.

    $15.95 for a box of 20, 180 grain soft points with a MV of 2,545fps. Good for elk:

    https://www.sgammo.com/product/prvi-partizan/20-round-box-765×53-argentine-mauser-180-grain-soft-point-ammo-prvi-partizan-p

    Here is a long list of vendors offering 7.65×53.
    https://ammoseek.com/ammo/7.65x53mm-mauser

    Here is more on the cartridge from Chuck Hawks. I knew about him before he got famous.

    https://www.chuckhawks.com/7-65x53_7-65x53R.htm

    The 7.65×53 and 7.65x53R
    (7.65 Argentine, 7.65 Belgian)

    By Chuck Hawks

    The 7.65×53 Mauser cartridge was adopted by the Belgian military around 1889, so the 7.65×53 is commonly known as the 7.65 Belgian Mauser. Shortly thereafter the 7.65×53 was adopted by several South American countries, including Argentina, so it is also known as the 7.65mm Argentine, particularly in North America.

    The 7.65×53 has a rim diameter of .474″ and a case length of 53mm (2.09″). 7.65mm translates to .303 caliber in English usage, and the 7.65×53 uses the same .311″ diameter bullets as the .303 British.

    Ballistically the 7.65×53 is similar to the .303 British cartridge. Handloaders should approach maximum loads with caution, as the old Mauser 1889/1890/1891 rifles in which the 7.65×53 is usually found are not as strong as the later Model 1898 Mauser or modern rifles.

    Factory loaded ammunition for the 7.65×53 (7.65mm Argentine) from Norma is available in the US with a 180 grain soft point bullet loaded to a muzzle velocity (MV) of 2592 fps and a muzzle energy (ME) of 2686 ft. lbs. Norma trajectory figures look like this: +2.3″ at 100 yards, 0 at 200 yards, and -9.6″ at 300 yards.

    Handloaders do not have a great selection of .311″ bullets, but it is adequate for most purposes. According to the Hornady Handbook, Third Edition handloaders with Argentine Mausers in excellent condition or good commercial rifles can drive the 150 grain spire point bullet to a MV of 2400 fps with 36.1 grains of IMR 3031 powder, and 2700 fps with 41.1 grains of IMR 3031. The 174 grain Round Nose bullet can be driven to a MV of 2300 fps by 36.3 grains of IMR 3031 powder, and 2600 fps by 41.7 grains of IMR 3031. These Hornady loads were developed using Norma brass and Federal 210 primers in an 1891 Mauser rifle with a 29″ barrel.

    There is also a rimmed version of the 7.65x53mm called the 7.65x53R, designed for use in break-open rifles. It has remained fairly popular for the purpose and a variety of factory loads for the 7.65x53R are available from Sako and probably other European loading companies.

    Because of the relative weakness of the early Mauser Model 1889, 1890, and 1891 bolt actions, the break-action combination guns are at least as strong and can handle pressures at lease a high as those recommended for the rimless 7.65×53, so 7.63×53 rimless data should be safe to use for reloading the 7.65x53R cartridge.

    1. Good info. As for SG Ammo, I can say they are probably one of the best online companies out there. I’ve ordered more from them than I’ll admit to over years and years and it’s always on my door step in 2-3 days. Their descriptions are accurate and prices are better than any gun show and most any other reputable internet site.

  2. Mr. Rawles – re. the XMRE offering in what looks to be in a USGI .50 ammo can – you might do well to remind purchasers if you have not mentioned it already (and when they are back in stock) that the pouches and can interior might best be washed/cleaned before opening the pouches as the interior of GI ammo cans held ammunition that was preserved with a chemical treatment. I think at one time formaldehyde was one of those preservatives.

    thank you – redclay7

  3. About: ‘The Rocket Mass Heater Builder’s Guide: Complete Step-by-Step Construction, Maintenance and Troubleshooting’

    Arithmetic and its cousin Mathematics is integral to our physical world. It takes a specific number of BTUs to heat a house for comfort (especially for the gals). =
    [With house heating, there’s a need to take into account, size, construction, orientation (insulation here), orientation, location, seasonal temperatures and whether people act like they live in a barn, by leaving doors and windows open.]

    There’s no ‘magic’ in heating a home. A rocket-stove has to meet the needed BTU requirements.
    Modern stoves try to ‘capture’ the heat lost through a needed chimney, (Old Stoves lose heat up the pipe).
    A ‘heat sink’ material is just used to ‘store’ or ‘delay’ the heat generated. A heated home is more comfortable with heat spread out over a time period, rather than just a quick burst of high heat, then a cooling period. The house >itself can be constructed to be the ‘heat sink’ for heating.

    People should understand the things needed in heating a home, and how to be comfortable in cold weather. There is a requirement for a specific number of BTUs. A rocket stove >>might be suitable; = Acquiring knowledge is a good idea, before buying anything.

    The Internet has plenty of information about home-heating and comfort. Wikipedia has an article about ‘Mean Radiant Temperature’ with mathematical formulas.
    The gals don’t need a hand held calculator. The gals can walk around a house (with the >air temperature constant throughout.), and say “This room feels cold. This room is too hot. This room is just right.”

    A married man is obligated by God to keep the honey-bunch happy…. A man is designed by God, to have a more constant and stable body temperature. A woman’s body temperature fluctuates during the month, because God decided the Woman would be the ‘better half’ in the marriage.

    1. I’m laughing as I read your post…. I am sitting inside my family room which always feels cooler to me than the rest of the house, although the thermometer on my desk says 70°. I am wearing my Columbia parka over my pajamas so I can stay on my computer. I could walk 15 feet to the living room and sit comfortably watching tv, but to be at my desk I need a parka. So, more evidence to prove your theorem….

    2. GGHD

      I agree. You can’t break Gods spiritual law but feminism and woman’s rights sure does try. I had a heated discussion with a gal on the plane watching her read a story about a single mom who is underpaid and her demanding her rights to welfare as an illegal. Well I told the feminist sitting next to me “ you don’t have to read stories about that because the Bible says a man must provide for his wife and children or he’s worse than an infidel. The author is out of alignment with God by refusing to be under the spiritual authority of her husband. That strop should’ve never been true ” The feminist gave me look of death and wouldn’t talk to me for the rest of the flight.

  4. Thank you, Norml Chuck! Good spotting on this brand of canned meats. We’ll be checking ’em out. Walmart also has good prices on other shelf stable goods, and offer shipping. It’s worth some comparison shopping.

  5. Norml Chuck You’re right. I regularly buy Keystone beef pork and chicken from Walmart. 28oz cans for 6 dollars and change. Excellent quality
    Great to make soups and sandwiches

  6. Watched a movie over the weekend titled Prepper. Free if you have Amazon prime. Not the best movie, but would be good I’d you are trying to introduce preparedness to someone. Also has an interesting twist at the end.

  7. For anyone needing to stock up on prescription meds, here the only legal way to do it that I know of. If anyone knows another way, please chime in!

    Unless you are on active duty, you can only get a 90-day supply from your pharmacist. The link at the bottom here indicates in all probability, we’ll soon be seeing supply chain shortages in our prescription meds.

    So here’s what to do. It will work at your local hometown pharmacy but I’m not sure if it will work at Walmart and the other Big Guys.

    Go in and tell them you need a 90-day supply. (If you just got a refill a month ago, their computer will let them know they can only give you a 60-day supply, etc.) Then tell them you need a second 90-day supply. After they explain the rules to you, tell them you understand, but you want them to fill it, and you will pay for it, then they can put it in their pickup area for you to retrieve in 90-days. That way come hell or high water, you know you will have another 90-day supply bought and paid for, to pick up three months from now. In total, that guarantees you will have a 6-month supply beginning today.

    If you have prescription meds you depend on, I wouldn’t wait too long on this.

    https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-threatens-drug-shortage-318c9e7b-5d92-4a5e-b992-2478023c6d01.html

    1. There are no legal restrictions that I know of in the U.S.–only insurance company policies. If you pay cash, then you can buy unlimited supplies of prescriptions, other than narcotics.

      1. It may be the way the Rx scripts are written. It’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about writing the scripts such that they can be refilled — perhaps for a year — unless the medication is otherwise restricted.

        Also — and although Tamiflu may or may not be terribly helpful with regard to COVID-19, this might be a medication to have on hand if your doctor agrees and is willing to issue the Rx.

        We are also exploring anti-viral herbals and homeopathics as well as immune supports. Would be interested in the thoughts of the editors and readers on all of this!

        1. Most potent anti viral is high dose Vitamin D. Check out VitaminDCouncil.com for extensive research on this.

          You can take up to 200,000 IU of Vitamin D for up to a month. After that you get sick, after that you die. Of stupidity. Check the symptoms of overdose, and if you get there, stop taking the D. The 50,000 IU capsules are the easiest way to take it. (I once was very ill, and lacking alternatives, had to take 100 capsules of 2,000 IU, which was not fun, but it worked.)

          Of course you would not take high medicinal doses of D unless the Wuhan virus is in your area, and then only for a day or two preventively. However, if you get it, taking that much daily is fine, as you will either get better in about a week (about 80 percent of cases), or be fighting for your life if you get worse the second week. In which case you will be recovered or dead long before overdosing on D is an issue.

          Next is elderberry concentrate. It is an extremely potent antiviral and antibiotic. It is as good as any pharmaceutical antiviral. It has no side effects. For heaven’s sake, do not get the tea or any such silly stuff. Get the concentrate syrup. I’ve tried most of them, and Natural Sources brand was the best. It does have some apple concentrate too, but the amount of elderberry is still far higher than anything else I could find.

          Vitamins: C and A are antiviral.

          MSM is an extremely potent anti-inflammatory. The Wuhan virus kills, in part, by causing such severe inflammation of the lungs that the person cannot breathe enough oxygen. MSM is far more powerful than tumeric for this purpose.

      2. Hey Jim, interesting lead. I am a cash customer, no insurance, I normally work with my local pharmacy but called Walmart’s pharmacy to get clarification. I told them the medication in question and they gave me the same response, 90-day supply only. I started asking why, whether it was a state or federal law, etc and she said she’d have to check with the pharmacist and call me back.

        While I was waiting, I did some googling and the only restrictions at the federal level are on Schedule II drugs, all the usual suspects. Here’s the list:

        https://www.drugs.com/schedule-2-drugs.html

        Since the one I take is none of the above, I was a bit baffled. Walmart called back. She didn’t give me a lot of details but apparently it’s just a store policy and she said if they get a call from the doctor, they’ll give out more than a 90-day supply. I called my mom and pop pharmacy back and he couldn’t quote me the precise laws, state or federal, so I was polite and said I’d keep googling.

        I’d be interested in hearing people’s stories on trying to stock up but based on what Walmart said and my own experience with my local mom and pop, it won’t be a matter of just walking in and getting a 6-month supply.

        1. St. Funogas! This is an interesting and important pursuit… I wonder if this is a standing rule for medicines (not Schedule II but broadly) or if it’s new and related to supply chain concerns? It’s going to be difficult to get Rxs while self-quarantining when we get to that place. This is definitely a source of concern for many.

    2. This company in Kentucky says they will provide up to 12 months prescription if you Dr. will prescribe that much. Tell your doc it is so much cheaper for you and less hassle.

      https://www.healthwarehouse.com/?msclkid=e0ab375d988817a17976690adb6b31cf

      I know nothing else about the company other than what is on their website; I found the link with an internet search.

      They say they are the only such company in the U.S. that will fill 1 year prescriptions.

  8. Re. The Rocket Mass Heaters

    A key consideration is life style. Their heat output is delayed and then released slowly for hours. They work well for homes occupied all day but not so good where everyone work away from home.

  9. I’m about 1/2 way through the book titled Three Seconds Until Midnight and just from what I have read so far, we are in serious trouble if this virus gets going here
    Check it out
    Prepare while you can

  10. I got a little overwhelmed this week with the news about the virus, the mini ace age, food shortages, etc. I had virtual shopping carts full at Costco, Walmart, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, etc., since I live many hours drive from any stores that carry bulk products at a good price. I just told myself, STOP! And I stopped. I had to analyze whether or not any of these “threats”, were actual threats. There is no imminent threat. There just isn’t. There is plenty of food, plenty of supplies, people are adapting to the perceived threats. Yes, I think we should all “be prepared” to the absolute best of our abilities, and I am. But, I decided to focus instead on things that were enjoyable to me. So, on the fun side, I purchased JWR’s recommended book on Beans. Cute book, not particularly helpful to me because it focused on some types of beans that are uncommon or expensive, and some spices/flavorings that aren’t common either. It’s good on the nutritional value of beans, and some good history. I think there are probably a lot of recipes online, mostly geared towards vegetarians, that might be easily more helpful. I’m trying to get creative with beans that I’ve stored and the various items I’ve canned. I do enjoy cooking. I’ve been working on useful sewing projects, hoping to market them in our farm store that opens in a couple of months. I’ve been enjoying developing a home school curriculum for my grandchildren. I ordered the full set of Gulag Archipelago and received that today. Each volume is close to 700 pages. LOL. I’ve always wanted to read the entire set. As Bernie Sanders becomes more and more popular, we all need to be very clear on the effects of Communism. Spending a little time in the greenhouse each week. While these things may not be typical to YOU (anyone), I would encourage you to make sure and incorporate things you enjoy into each day, week, or month. I decided to pretty much avoid spending more than a few minutes each day focusing on the day’s potential catastrophes because the anxiety robs me of sleep. I am praying for Ol’ Remus . Remus, if you are reading here, please know that many of us have been reading the WoodPile report for a very long time and appreciate your time and insights. May the Lord bring you and your wife great comfort and peace during this difficult time. Amen.

    1. I really appreciate your thoughtful attitude. One of the biggest issues may be supply line disruptions. I took a quick look at my Amazon wish list and many items are sold out until further notice – things like heavy rubber gloves so it may still be a good time to have two or three of every-day items.

  11. A heads up: possible virus cases in Deer Park , Pullman , Sandpoint , waiting for test to come back from CDC , per friend at the Washington state Health Department.

  12. Prayers for ‘Ol Remus’s wife also.
    Oregano oil is also an antiviral. If you get the flu, be careful trying to reduce the fever or continuing to take elderberry. It can make matters worse.

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