Letter Re: Surviving Snowmageddon

James,

Regarding the recent piece Surviving Snowmageddon: The precursor to Seattle’s 2012 storm was the December 2008 Snowpocalypse. While the power outages weren’t as severe as 2012, the well-publicized driving conditions were nightmarish. [JWR Adds: Ditto for driving Seattle’s steep streets in 2010.]

The storm hit during a workday and dropped about two feet of snow across the Puget Sound region. Temps were in the teens, visibility was whiteout, and the snow remained on the ground at least 10 days – quite rare for these parts. People were totally unprepared, especially for the drive home. Freeway traffic was literally at a stand still by late afternoon. I-5 was a parking lot from south of Olympia all the way up through Everett (approx 100 mile stretch with Seattle in the middle). People were stranded on the freeways for hours – cars were running out of gas while people tried to keep warm. Accidents everywhere. It took my sister-in-law’s mother nine hours (9!) to drive from downtown Seattle to her home 15 miles south. My dad and I were working in Portland when the snow hit. As soon as we saw/heard of the traffic nightmare on I-5 we opted for a plan-B route. We headed east past The Dalles and crossed the river on Highway 97, made our way up through Yakima and Ellensburg, then up and over Snoqualmie pass on I-90. We added many miles to the trip but the lower traffic volume on the east side of the Cascades made for relatively easy driving. Ironically, the road conditions on the mountain passes were better than down in the metro area. Since Seattle might receive snow once per season, you can imagine how many snow plows are allocated to the metro area and the city of Seattle. Road conditions were bad, but it was the shear volume of traffic that simultaneously descended upon the freeways (and the poorly experienced snow drivers) that made for the nightmare. Snowpocalypse illustrated the problems with trying to bug out of Seattle in the eleventh hour. 

Seattle is also hilly. Except for the major river valleys, the entire region from the Sound east to the Cascades is a series of gradually rising foothills and plateaus. This means that when it does snow those without a capable vehicle are stranded. By the next morning there were cars abandoned everywhere, especially at and around the bottom of hills. I can remember driving (comfortably, in my 4×4) up the hill to my parents house, weaving through a maze of cars that had been left smack in the middle of the road (did I mention their bad snow driving?) The only boon was that after a couple days the roads were pretty deserted and you could drive around like it was Mad Max. The interesting observation here is that the snow lasted long enough that gas stations on the tops of hills experienced gas shortages – the trucks couldn’t make it up the unplowed hills. 

Finally, the whole situation was amplified by the City of Seattle/DOT bureaucrats and their miles of red tape. City residents, for example, weren’t allowed to plow their own streets – they had to wait for the City. Most neighborhoods were never plowed. In another brilliant move, the City decided not to clear the roads (the roads they did plow) all the way down to the road surface (to avoid damage), and left behind a solid sheet of hardpack (remember the hills?). Even better, the City decided not to salt the roads (ecological concerns of course) and instead simply sand. When then mayor Greg Nickels gave the City’s response to the storm a “B” grade, people were angry. The whole fiasco likely cost Nickels his job in the next election cycle, but it took a major crisis that directly affected their well being before voters came out of their coma to recognize bureaucratic buffoonery for what is was. 

Fortunately my family is used to this kind of thing and was thus mostly unaffected, and I have a nice photo of my wife and I cross country skiing down the neighborhood street to remember it by. – L.D.N. in Bellevue, Washington

Economics and Investing:

Notice the lack of large bumps in the American Redoubt on this zoomable population density map? (Thanks to Craig S. for the link.)

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Wyoming legislators lay down welcoming mat for Colorado gun-accessory maker.

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In his characteristic writing style, Montana veterinarian and state legislator Krayton Kerns bemoans the nationwide .22 LR ammo drought: Without a Shot

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Some Idaho legislative news, courtesy of reader RBS: Idaho Lawmakers Want More Information Before Exempting Pocket Knives as Concealed Weapons. And: Ada County Sheriff Raney’s Idaho gun legislation forum. Also in Idaho: Lawmaker: Make all Idaho adults militia members. And: Senate panel to weigh bill on gun silencers

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Montana Anti-NDAA Bill Moves to Senate With 98-0 Vote. (Thanks to James C. for the link.)

Economics and Investing:

Mayor Bloomberg: Don’t Panic About the Sequester. “Mr. Bloomberg argued the United States could owe “’an infinite amount of money’ and there is no specific amount that would cause the country to default.”Yeah, right. (I think he’s been sneaking a few 32-ounce Mega Big Gulps of Mountain Dew, in violation of his own decree.)

Walter Zimmerman: Every Indicator I Follow Shows The Market Is Going To Tank, And There Will Be A New Financial Crisis

In Debt We Trust America Before the Bubble Bursts. (Thanks to R.B.S. for the link.)

Items from The Economatrix:

Wal-Mart Situation “Getting Worse” New Leaks Reveal

Gold And Silver Approved As Legal Tender By Arizona Senate

Expect Relief From February Gas Prices

Note from JWR:

The Rawles Gets You Ready Preparedness Course is available again, via digital download, and selling at a brisk pace. Because of the efficiency of digital delivery, it now available at just a fraction of the price that had been charged for the original hard copy binder edition. The course was designed for beginning and intermediate preppers, with this premise: Could you prepare your family for a major disaster, with just one or two trips to your local COSTCO or Sam’s Club store? In the course I describe exactly how to do that. One of the most useful course appendices is a lengthy table of shelf lives for various foods that was assembled from various sources and my own research. That table has not been published anywhere else–even in SurvivalBlog.

Islands in the Darkness: Some Local Power Utilities Have Prepared to Go It Alone

Many readers will recall that my 2011 novel “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse” was partly set in and near Farmington, New Mexico. I chose that region because it has a particularly resilient power grid. In the novel I described how Farmington Electric Utility System (FEUS) has made contingency plans to immediately reconstitute a local power grid, in the event of a western power grid collapse. This was not just literary license on my part. It was based on a face-to-face interview with a FEUS manager that I conducted in 2009, as I was researching locales for the novel. That manager told me that if the western grid collapsed, all FEUS customers could have their power restored in less than a minute. This capability is called “islanding” or “controlled system separation.” While not a secret, islanding capability is not well-known outside of the power industry. Islanding is also uncommon in most of the United States. (Most Americans live in areas where the majority of their power is imported from the larger grids. It is only in a few areas such as the Pacific Northwest and the Four Corners that are net power exporters. This zoomable map shows you the Big Picture for the US and parts of Canada.

America’s Three Power Grids

There are actually three main power grids in the United States: an eastern grid, a western grid, and a Texas grid. This map shows the dividing lines, and this map shows some planned changes. Within those three grids, there are distinct service areas. And within those service areas, there is a patchwork of large power companies, co-ops, and a few independent power producers.

The majority of Americans depend on power that comes from coal-fired or nuclear power plants. Both of these sources would be problematic in the event of major societal disruption. NERC regulations require shutdowns of nuclear plants for trivial reasons, and coal-fired plants require literally trainloads of coal to keep running. The most stable power in event of an economic disaster will be hydroelectric. The Pacific Northwest has the clear advantage in hydroelectric power and some of the most reliable and least expensive power in the country. Generally, where there are large dams there is plentiful hydro power, and the greatest potential for stable local islanding. (But note that potential does not necessarily mean planned. You will need to check on that with your local power company’s management to see if they have made the requisite arrangements for islanding.)

Where Will the Islands be?

Do some online research to find maps like this one: Map of Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) transmission lines. Then call you local utility and find out if they are power exporters or importers. If they are exporters, ask if they have an islanding plan.

Long Term?

In the event of a long term grid-down situation where the coal trains stop running there will just be a few areas that will have reliable power. Most of these will be in the Pacific Northwest, where hydroelectric power predominates.

Black Startup

In the event that one or all three American grids collapse because of something catastrophic such as a major solar flare, or an economic whammy that stops coal train traffic, getting the grids back up might be difficult. Typically a power plant requires lots of outside power to be re-started. The re-starts that done without functioning outside power–commonly called Black Startup or Dark Startup –are a challenge. Here is a quote from the sometimes useful LeftistAgendaPedia: “To provide a black start, some power stations have small diesel generators which can be used to start larger generators (of several megawatts capacity), which in turn can be used to start the main power station generators.” In the event of a nationwide collapse of the power grid, the best chance for power plants to be restarted and partial grid restoration will be in the Northwest, where hydro power will be available to feed the grid.

Off The Grid

Home generation is the sure way of knowing that you will have power. (Even if you are fortunate enough to live near a hydroelectric dam or geothermal power plant, you can’t assume that your power will be restored in the event of a power grid collapse.) Home power systems that are not grid tied will be the most resilient to solar storms or EMP. This is because grid power lines can act as unintentional antennas. To be fully prepared for a solar storm, it might be necessary to store spare charge controllers and perhaps even spare inverters, for a worst case. These spares should be stored disconnected, preferably in Faraday enclosures.

If you are planning to strategically relocate your family to a safe region, I recommend that power utility islanding be part of your criteria for choosing locales. Places with plentiful hydroelectric power are your best bet. But again, don’t just assume that they are ready for islanding. Take the time to call the local power company or co-op, and ask them if they have contingency plans for islanding, and if so what would be the geographic boundaries for their planned island. This could make a huge difference for the quality of life that you will have in the dark times to come. – J.W.R.

Single Scope Tyranny

I recently heard from one of my readers who holds a Top Secret clearance and who has SCI access. His clearance was up for a Single-Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) periodic reinvestigation (PR). These SSBI-PRs are standard practice for anyone who holds a Top Secret clearance with access to Special Access Programs (SAPs), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), or nuclear (“Q Access”) programs. He told me that he was the subject of an “Expanded Reinvestigation” and in the course of that investigation he was challenged by investigators about his loyalty. The challenges, he discovered,were based upon his e-mail history and the assortment of books that he had purchased for his Kindle reader. Among other prepper-oriented books, he had Kindle copies of all three of my novels, and the investigator’s report specifically mentioned them as suspect.

I find it almost comically absurd that for someone to possess copies of novels that have been on the New York Times bestseller list is somehow “Un-American” or “disloyal.” But there you have it. We have now reached the era of ultimate inversion. The kissing cousins of the Stasi have been put in charge of guarding the hen house. They have unilaterally declared that family preparedness is now be disloyal and unpatriotic. So being prepared like a Boy Scout and stocking up on canned goods like your grandmother is something suspect, or somehow sinister. Lord help us.

At the risk of having my blog’s web statistics take a hit, I feel obliged to warn my readers: If you are in a “position of special trust and confidence” (you know who you are: You hold a TS clearance with a bunch of funny little letters following the “TS”) then I recommend that you take the following precautions:

  • Completely avoid using any government-owned computer or network for web surfing. Use only privately owned computers and non-DOD/non-government networks.
  • Use The Onion Router (Tor) for all of your web browsing. If you are not familiar with Tor, then get up to speed quickly.
  • Use anonymous re-mailers for any e-mails that say anything more than: “I miss you and I can’t wait to get home from this deployment.”
  • Use an inexpensive VPN service.
  • Be very careful about how you phrase your e-mails, even if they go through a re-mailer and use strong encryption. Warn all of your friends and relatives to do likewise in their e-mails to you. (Since the contents of incoming e-mails can be nearly as damning as outgoing e-mails, in the eyes of investigators.)
  • Rather than copying and pasting the text of anything controversial from any web site, instead send just Permalink URLs, couched with statements like: “I haven’t had the chance to read this yet, but Bob said it was worth reading” (or some such.) This will provide plausible deniability.
  • If you buy any books that might be deemed controversial then buy only hard copies, pay cash, and don’t leave a paper trail. I would suggest gun shows, preparedness expos, and “brick and mortar” bookstores are the best places to buy such books. If you are deployed overseas, then have your relatives buy books for you and ask them to send them to you in Flat Rate boxes.
  • Don’t consider ANYTHING you do over the Internet to be “secure”, even if you use strong encryption.
  • Get in the habit of sending traditional typed or hand-written letters. If you are worried about the receiver of the letter being under surveillance (a warrantless Postal Mail Cover), then put their address in both the TO and FROM blocks on the envelope.

The foregoing precautions are now only recommended only for folks with a Top Secret clearance that requires a SSBI. But everyone else reading this should pay attention. Who knows? You may need to take similar steps, if the statists tighten their grasp on our collective throats. – J.W.R.

Pat’s Product Review: Springfield Armory Champion Operator 1911

Over the years, I’ve received hundreds of e-mails, always asking me if I had to pick just one gun, for the rest of my life, what would it be? Of course, there is no easy answer to this question, and thankfully, I don’t have to make that choice – right now. And, depending on how I’m feeling at the time this question is asked, then my answer has changed over the years. There is no one gun solution , at least not in my mind. I said for years, that I’d pick some kind of 4-inch barrel, stainless steel .357 Magnum revolver of some type for my one and only handgun. However, I’ve also said that maybe a 4-inch barrel, stainless steel .44 Magnum revolver of one brand or another, would be my first choice for a one and only handgun.
 
The possibilities are endless, when you think about it. I like the .357 Magnum revolver because you can shoot .38 Special loads in it for small game hunting and target practice. And, of course, you can load some pretty hot and heavy .357 Magnum loads in there to take even some pretty big game. It is not the perfect caliber for some bigger game, but it can get the job done. Then we have to look at the .44 Magnum revolver, and you can download it with .44 Special loads for small game, medium sized game and personal protection. Or you can load-up some really heavy and hot .44 Magnum loads for the biggest game and for taking longer shots at game with more power behind the bullet. And, I like stainless steel revolvers because they are better for my local environment – lots of rain – and require less maintenance, and they are almost rustless! Now, with either one of these guns/caliber picks, I’m looking at serious hard-core survival scenarios – in the big city or out in the wilderness.
 
Okay, just to confuse you all, my all-time favorite handgun is a good ol’ 1911 some some sort, and given a choice, I’ll stick with a “Commander” sized 1911 with a shorter barrel than the full-sized Government Model with the 5-inch barrel. The shorter barrels on the Commander-sized guns just seem to balance and point better for me and I can shoot ’em faster and more accurately, too. No science behind it that I can think of, but it works for me.
 
Consider the Springfield Armory  Operator “Champion” 1911. It has a 4-inch barrel, as opposed to a 4.25-inch barrel on some other similar 1911 “Commander-esque” sized guns. And, I’m not going to quibble about a quarter inch here or there. The Champion Operator has a stainless steel match grade, fully supported ramp bull barrel, too. We are talking about a serious barrel, that can give you some outstanding accuracy, and it adds a little more weight out front, and helps tame the recoil – not that I’ve ever found the recoil of a .45 ACP round that hard to control, and the Operator comes in only .45 ACP.
 
I want to comment on the slide-to-frame fit on this Operator for just a second. Many aluminum-framed 1911s I’ve had over the years had a bit of a gritty feel when pulling back the steel slide that rides on the aluminum frame, and there was more play than I cared for. Not so with the Operator – the slide-to-frame fit is tight, very tight, but the slide rides extremely smoothly on the aluminum frame – and I’m talking butter-smooth, too. The barrel is also nicely fitted, to the slide, nice and tight and I knew this gun was going to be a good shooter.
 
We also have fixed, low-profile combat rear and dove-tailed from sights with 3-dot Tritium for low-light shooting and the sights really glowed in the dark and in low light. Springfield advertises the long aluminum match grade trigger pull at 5-6 pounds and my sample was dead-on at 5-pounds with only a hint of take-up. Perhaps because of its length, the trigger pull actually felt lighter than it was. Usually I have to tinker with any 1911 when I get it and I work on the trigger pull – I like mine at around 4-pounds for a street gun. However, I didn’t see any sense in doing anything with the trigger pull on my sample Operator – it was perfect for me.
 
The Operator came in a nice hard plastic carrying case, with two 7-round magazines. And, it still confounds me today, why so many gun companies only give you one magazine with a gun – like they think you won’t need a reload in a gunfight? Springfield Armory also includes a double magazine pouch and a holster, so you are ready to go when you take the gun out of the case. But you’ll still need to get one more magazine, to fill that double magazine case – not a problem. A nice pair of Cocobolo hardwood grips adorn the gun’s frame with the crossed cannons engraved on them. Okay, nice as these grips looked, I simply had to replace them with a pair of my own designed “Code Zero” 1911 grips. Check out my design – I don’t think there is a better feeling designed grips for a 1911. And, as a disclaimer, I don’t make a cent off the sales of the “Code Zero” 1911 grips. I gave the design to Mil-Tac – I’ve also designed several of the knives they sell, too. Again, I don’t make anything off the sale of the knives or the grips. I helped Mil-Tac Knives & Tools, owner, Craig Sword, get his company up and running with some of my knife designs and the grip designs. They are nice people to deal with and give them your business if you can.
 
Okay, I had to make one change to the Springfield Operator Champion. I always have to change “something” on any 1911 that I get my hands on – must be a mental issue I have when it comes to 1911s. The slide on the Operator is forged steel with a black Armory Kote that is pretty tough stuff – it holds up well to the elements. The frame is forged aluminum alloy and it has an accessory rail under the dust cover, if you want to put a light or laser on there. I don’t usually hang lights or lasers on the accessory rail on my carry handguns, but I had to try the Crimson Trace CMR-201 laser on the rail to see how it fit and functioned. This particular model of Crimson Trace laser if sort or a universal fit for railed guns, and it fit perfectly on the Operator. Only thing is, it wouldn’t fit in the holster that came with the Operator. Okay, no big deal, you can get a custom-made holster, or go with one of the other Crimson Trace lasers that replace the grips, no a problem.
 
The Operator weighs in at 31 ounces, with a height of 5.5-inches and an overall length of 7.5-inches. A bit heavier than some other light-weight guns of similar size, but still lighter than an all-steel gun. The bull barrel adds to the weight. There is also a beavertail grip safety and ambidextrous thumb safeties – I can live with or without a ambi safeties these days, but the off-side safety is there if you’re a southpaw or just need and want it. The ejection port is flared and lowered for positive ejection, too. I had zero malfunctions with the Operator in more than 500 rounds of testing. There is also a dual recoil spring with a full-length guide rod, which aid is smooth functioning.
 
For my testing, I  had a good selection of .45ACP ammo on-hand. From Black Hills Ammunition, I had their steel cased 230-grain FMJ load, as well as their steel  cased 185-grain JHP load. Additionally, I had their 185-grain Barnes all-copper hollow point which is rated at +P. From Buffalo Bore Ammunition, I had their 185-grain Barnes all-copper hollow point that is +P rated, the 185-grain JHP +P, 200-grain, 230-grain FMJ FN and their 255-grain hard Cast FN loadings. From Winchester Ammunition I had their ever popular USA brand 230-grain FMJ load, which I use for function testing for starters whenever shooting .45 ACP caliber handguns. So, I had a good selection of ammo to run through the Operator. And, as mentioned, I had zero malfunctions of any type. All shooting was done from 25 yards.
 
On average, the Operator would group about 2 to 2-1/2 inches from a rest, over the hood of my car – and I don’t use mechanical rests, I use a rolled-up sleeping bag or a jacket. Was there a winner in the accuracy department? Yes, and it surprised me, the Buffalo Bore 255-grain hard Cast FN load was giving me groups under 2-inches, but I think the gun can do even better than that. On several outings, we had rain, lots of rain, and I know I wasn’t doing my best shooting because of it. In this part of Oregon, we have two seasons: Four months of beautiful summer sunshine and moderate temps and eight months of mostly rain. I shoot in all kinds of weather, and I don’t pick just nice days with nice weather to do my shooting. I want real-life results, and shooting in all types of weather is like what you’d expect in a real-life self-defense scenario – you can’t pick the weather or lighting conditions and more than likely, it will be bad weather and poor lighting – that’s where the Tritium night sights can help you.
 
I honestly believe, with more shooting, in better weather, and on a better day (for me) I think this gun is capable of groups around an inch and a half with the right ammo. I like the 185-grain Barnes +P loads with the all-copper hollow point bullets, I’ve done a lot of testing with them, from Black Hills and Buffalo Bore and I’m impressed with the penetration, as well as how nicely the all-copper bullets expand and stay together…and these loads are both lower-recoiling than you think they would be, considering they are +P loads. Okay, the Buffalo Bore 255-grain Hard Cast FN rounds that are +P – those kicked a bit, and in the lighter-framed Operator, it caught my attention. I wouldn’t want to spend a day shooting these loads. (Ouch!) However, it would be my load of choice if I were out in the wilderness where I might encounter dangerous game – it penetrates a lot. I’ve yet to recover one of these slugs in water-filled milk jugs that I’ve lined up one behind the other – this bullet penetrates, and that’s what you need against big game, thick-skinned game – you need penetration. For street work, one of the 185-grain Barnes all-copper +P loads is what I carry in my .45 ACP caliber handguns. But you know, it’s not a bad idea to have one of your spare mags loaded with the 255-grain Hard Cast FN rounds – just in case you have to shoot through cover to get a bad guy. Tim Sundles, who owns Buffalo Bore brought this to my mind.
 
The Black Hills steel cased ammo – no problems at all through the Operator. I know some gun companies specifically state that you shouldn’t shoot steel cased ammo through their guns, but I had no problems with the Black Hills loads. Plus, unlike the Russian-made steel cased ammo, the Black Hills steel cased ammo isn’t dirty shooting – not in the least. This is a good load in either the JHP or the FMJ for target practice or hunting. And I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for self-defense, either.
 
Alright, now that I burned-up more than 500 rounds of .45 ACP ammo in my testing, I’m regretting shooting so much. We are in a very serious ammo drought right now, thanks to the gun, magazine and ammo bans that DC and some states are proposing – and that some states have already passed. Now, I’ve got to get to work on building up my ammo reserves for more articles. And, all of my ammo sources tell me they are pumping out ammo as fast as they can, and they don’t have their shelves stocked with “extra” ammo – everything they produce is shipped right out the door as fast as they produce it.
 
If you’re in the market for a 1911, then take a close look at the Springfield Armory Operator Champion model, that is, if you can find one these days. As with the ammo drought, we are also in a serious firearm drought – guns are simply hard to find. And, I’m not even going to give you a suggested retail price on the Operator – because they are probably selling for more than that these days – as are most guns. Then again, Springfield Armory 1911s are always in short supply.

I can usually find more than a few things I want to change on any 1911, but in the case of the Operator, I only changed the grips to my own design, and that wasn’t necessary. (But I had to do “something” its in my blood) – SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Pat Cascio

Three Letters Re: .300 AAC Blackout Uppers for AR-15s

Jim.
An additional point or two on the viability of the 300BLK. While I agree that the primary concern should be to have your standard calibers covered, the 300BLK has the additional advantages. Because it is made from 223/5.56 brass, and uses any 30 caliber bullet, it will be easily reloaded in a SHTF situation. Another advantage is the ability to use the round suppressed (using subsonic rounds)with as close to “Hollywood” results as you will get. Although the advantages of using silenced weapons in a SHTF situation has been touched on in this forum I believe the subject could use more emphasis. Thank You James, – Rick .S

Jim,
Regarding the .300 AAC Blackout (“300blk”) cartridge for the AR-15 rifles, I would like to add some favorable comments about the new caliber. But first, I really don’t like new calibers (for AR-15/M4 variants) at all. I never jumped on any bandwagon for a new AR-15 caliber (6.8, 6.5, 5.45, etc) over the last 15 years and have and still do preach the “common caliber” mantra… but now I have jumped into the “new  caliber” crowd with the .300 AAC blackout. Here is why:

I want the best of many worlds. I have for years wanted an AR-15 that will put down the threat effectively, punch through medium barriers, but also be super sneaky quiet like an MP5SD. In fact I have often lamented the fact that I can’t cross the MP5SD (quiet) with an AR-15 (ergonomics, low recoil, accuracy) that punches through barriers like an AK-47. Laugh if you will but I want all in one! With good ammo the 5.56×45 does just fine or even fantastic at putting down threats, but definitely lacks in barrier penetration and really can’t be considered to be anything but loud, even with a suppressor. This all changes with the 300blk.

The 300blk cartridge is gaining significant steam down south (among other places and including some special units) where hog hunters need decisive effects on target like Paul S. said. It basically gives you a 7.62×39 ballistic effect (.30 caliber, heavier projectile for barriers, etc) but in a package that allows you to have both the MP5SD and 7.62 advantages. With the swap of a magazine (lighter grain supersonic loads in one, heavier subsonic loads in the other) and rack of the charging handle, you do indeed go from a 7.62×39 equivalent “full power” carbine/assault rife round to a super quiet round comparable to the long standing standard in suppression, the MP5SD, presuming of course you do have the suppressor attached. The advantages to having both options at your fingertips within seconds without carrying a secondary long-gun should be obvious.

Another great feature of the 300 AAC Blackout cartridge is that it was optimized in both supersonic and subsonic loadings to get maximum velocity out of only a 9” barrel! With the ever-increasing popularity of SBRs (short-barreled rifles, requiring a $200 NFA tax stamp through the BATF), and the handiness and lighter weight of short rifles, this is in my opinion, a very significant breakthrough, as the biggest disadvantage of SBRs is usually the significant drop in velocity (and associated drop off in terminal effects on target), which is NOT the case with with the 300blk. It has its full potential out of just the 9” barrel! Quality supersonic cartridges are capable of sub-moa, while subsonic cartridges are hovering consistently around 2 moa, but custom subsonic loads are doing sub moa. With ammo standardized by Remington and nearly everyone making ammo for it now, it seems to be catching on with far deeper roots than the other recent “fad” calibers for AR-15s. Another great thing about the caliber is the ability to use the AAC 762SDN6 (or similar .30 caliber suppressor) suppressor on many calibers. I tried mine on my 5.56 SBR and it sounded the same or slightly quieter than my dedicated 5.56 suppressor did while only being about 3/4” longer and about two ounces heavier than my AAC M42000 (5.56 suppressor).

Keeping in mind that the 300blk is very rare in comparison to “common calibers” it would likely be a good idea to keep at a minimum a 5.56 barrel (and gas block and gas tube for the 5.56 barrel) on hand in case your supply of 300blk dries up in a TEOTWAWKI situation. Of course a complete 5.56 upper would be easier to swap but would cost more. I would like to add to Paul S.’s comments that the 300blk uses the same bolt, carrier, upper, and magazines, like he said, but unlike some other AR-15 variant calibers, the 300blk does not just use AR-15 magazines such as the Magpul PMAG in a tolerable manner, but in a perfectly reliability manner, just as good as the 5.56 cartridges due to the same cartridge base, width, taper and OAL.

Downsides? I’ve already disclaimed that you should have your “common calibers” at hand. That aside, I could see someone claim that 30 rounds of 125 grain ammo weighs more than 30 rounds of 55-77 grain ammo. True, but for the advantages I think it well worth it. Also, the 300blk does have more of a “lob” ballistically than the 5.56 which somewhat limits its practical range to around 400 meters (compared with the generally accepted practical range of the M4 at 500-600 meters — though of course Travis Haley was ringing steel at 600 meters with ease with his) before you really really have to know the range and hold-overs perfectly. But in my opinion a carbine isn’t really very useful past that in most cases anyhow.

All in all, as long as you already have stocked your “common calibers” the .300 AAC blackout AR-15 uppers have just about every advantage and no noticeable disadvantages and when mated with a quality suppressor, provide an operational flexibility and force multiplier that should not be ignored. – PPPP

Dear Editor:
Just one potential problem must be noted for those who wish to swap uppers back and forth between 5.56/.223 to .300 Blackout: If you forget, or get distracted, it is possible to put a magazine full of .300 AAC Blackout ammo into your AR with the 5.56/.223 upper installed. When you hit the bolt catch, the first round of Blackout will be completely chambered in the 5.56 upper. This can happen because the bullet will be forced deeper into the Blackout brass. If you pull the trigger, the chambered .300 Blackout round will ignite, and the bolt will explode, and most likely split the carrier and the upper receiver as well. I have seen this happen. You have been warned! – CTBill

Recipe of the Week:

Linda H.’s Quick-n-Easy Red Beans and Rice
 
2 tbs. olive oil
3/4 c. chopped green pepper (about 1 medium green pepper)
3/4 c. chopped onions (about 1 small onion)
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. cooked smoked sausage (such as Hillshire Farms), cut into 1/2″ half-rounds
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz.) red beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes (or to taste)
salt and pepper, to taste
hot cooked rice
 
In large saucepan heat olive oil and saute green peppers, onions and garlic till softened, 3-4  minutes. Add sausage and stir and cook another 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans and seasonings. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves and serve over rice. Makes 4-5 servings.

Chef’s Notes:

“This quick and easy weeknight supper is much more delicious than it’s humble ingredients would suggest. We enjoy it often over brown rice to increase the nutrition quotient, along with using a quart of our home-grown and home-canned tomatoes. And it would adapt easily to my emergency pantry supplies – I would simply substitute a can or two of Vienna sausages for the smoked sausage. Enjoy.”

Useful Recipe and Cooking Links:

Bean and Rice Recipes at CD Kitchen.

Black Beans and Rice

Currently Available as Free Kindle e-Books:

21 Tasty Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

Gleefully Gluten-Free (Healthy Desserts & Snacks)

Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? Please send it via e-mail. Thanks.

Redoubt Retreat Consultant Offers Discount For Gun Law Refugees

Taking note of the recent passage of The Firearms Safety Act in the Maryland Senate, New York’s SAFE Act, and other legislation that appears very likely to be enacted, Todd Savage of SurvivalRetreatConsulting.com has announced a 20% discount for “gun law refugee” clients. He is now extending the 20% discount to residents of California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York who identify themselves as gun law refugees.

I predict that the American Redoubt will soon have a large influx of residents hailing from states with draconian new gun laws. I was glad to hear that Todd Savage is helping freedom-loving people find a better place to live. – J.W.R.

Economics and Investing:

Some Daily Bell analysis: Italy Founders While Greece Subsides: Is Austerity Over? Not So Fast …

Bitcoin deflation! It is interesting to note that One Bitcoin (“BTC”) is now worth around $34 USD. Please support the Bitcoin movement. If we can use mechanisms like Bitcoin and traditional barter instead of the banking system, then we will starve the banksters and regain some of our economic freedom and our privacy.

‘Dilbert’ Creator Alleges Vast Conspiracy — Predicts 20% Market Collapse

Items from The Economatrix:

Jobless Claims Rise

Sound Money Campaign:  “Economists Love To Hate Gold”

The Tooth Fairy:  Double-Digit Growth A Good Sign For The Economy

Odds ‘n Sods:

What do USAF PJs carry in their trauma rucks?

   o o o

Montana definitely started something. Oral arguments for the MSSA v. Holder case are scheduled to be heard on March 4, 2013 in the Ninth Circuit Court

   o o o

The re-make of Red Dawn will be released in a DVD and Blu-Ray combo on March 5th. Just on the strength of pre-orders, it is already in Amazon’s Top 200 movies. (FWIW, I still prefer the original John Milius film.) 

   o o o

Reader Matt L. sent this CalGuns thread: I Prototyped My Own Polymer Lower! JWR’s Comment: He goofed. His lower is missing a small pin hole, directly above the selector switch. (Just kidding.) Also on the topic of firearms: Magpul launches online effort to sell high-capacity magazines to Coloradans

   o o o

A new report from CBN reveals that an Al-Qaeda publication is advising would-be terrorists how best to start forest fires to burn America. (Yet another reason to clear defensible space around your house and outbuildings.)

   o o o

DHS built domestic surveillance tech into Predator drones

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” – Samuel Johnson, writing on the execution of Dr. Dodd, in James Boswell ‘The Life of Samuel Johnson’ (1791) vol. 3, p. 167

Notes from JWR:

My congratulations to Mac Slavo, the editor of the excellent SHTFPlan blog. His site now has a higher web traffic ranking than SurvivalBlog’s. When I had checked for competitor stats last year, SurvivalBlog was ranked #1 and Mac’s blog was #2. But now we are in the #2 position, and SHTFPlan is ranked #1. OBTW, I should mention that some of our visitor traffic is now directed to our dotted quad address (95.143.193.148) and therefore the aggregate traffic is not reflected in the site rankings. Congrats also to The Survival Podcast, presently traffic ranked #3 among preparedness-oriented web sites.

SurvivalBlog now has more than 2,730 inbound (“referring”) links from other web sites. These help our overall ranking and our visibility to search engines. If you have a blog or web site and would like to add a link to SurvivalBlog, then see the links and graphics available here. I’d love to see 3,000+ inbound links. This is a cost-free way that you can help promote SurvivalBlog. We will be happy to reciprocate with links from our Links page to most sites. (Note that we do not provide links to sites with racist, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, prøn, or otherwise objectionable material.) Thanks, folks!

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Today we present another two entries for Round 45 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 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), and F.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and G.) A $200 gift certificate, donated by Shelf Reliance.

Second Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. C.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. D.) A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing Secret Bunker of Redundant Redundancy (JASBORR) with a retail value of at least $300, E.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials and F.) Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).

Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value. E.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value), and F.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.

Round 45 ends on March 31st, 2013, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.