Preparedness Notes for Monday — November 21, 2022

On November 21, 1916, Britannic, the sister ship to the Titanic, sank in the Aegean Sea, killing 30 people. In the wake of the Titanic disaster, the White Star Line had made significant modifications to the design of the ship, but on its way to pick up wounded soldiers near the Gulf of Athens, it was rocked by an explosion causing even more damage than that which had sunk the Titanic. Many of the dead were from some of the crew who attempted to launch lifeboats while the Captain tried to run the ship aground. The lifeboats were sucked up into the propellers, killing all of those on board. The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but many suspect that it hit a mine.

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Ready Made Resouces — our most loyal advertiser — is running a special on refurbished AN/PVS-14 green phosphor night vision monocular/weapon sights. This will save you $1,100 off the cost of a new PVS-14.

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Optics Planet (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running a short-term 10% off sale, for several Nightforce rifle scope models. At their site, search for: NightForce NXS and NightForce SHV.

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A special note courtesy of AmmoLand for readers in Oregon about Measure 114:

“Separated by about a percentage point at this writing, it appears that Oregon’s Ballot Initiative 114 is going to pass. And despite assurance by those who lie about guns and those ignorant and/or biased enough to believe them, a lot more than “common sense” inconveniences will result. In effect, it will be shutting down gun sales.

“Based on the passage of Oregon Ballot Initiative 114 and its expectation to take effect on December 08, 2022, Sportsman’s Warehouse currently understands the following impacts to Oregon residents,” the outdoor sporting goods retailer announced on its website. Sales will be shut down.

– December 07, 2022 (Wednesday) will be the last day to purchase a full capacity firearm magazine (magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds).

– December 07, 2022 (Wednesday) will be the last day to purchase a firearm equipped with a full capacity magazine (firearms equipped and sold with magazines holding more than 10 rounds).

– December 07, 2022 (Wednesday) will be the last day to purchase ANY firearm without a valid Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit.

– If a firearm customer’s background check is delayed (goes into the “OSP que [sic]”) and the approval comes on or after December 08, 2022 (Thursday) – the customer will need a valid Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit to take possession of the firearm.

– On and after December 08, 2022 (Thursday) all firearm buyers must have an Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit to purchase ANY firearm.

At this time there are no known OR law enforcement agencies issuing the Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit.”

JWR Adds: Since the mechanisms for setting up fingerprinting, training, and gun permit issuance may not be established for many months, Oregonians are advised to stock up heavily, now, especially on 11+ round magazines. Your window of opportunity is about to slam shut! Two weeks, and counting.

Thankfully, pre-1899 antique guns and blackpowder replica revolvers are exempted, so I will continue to be able to mail guns to folks in Oregon, from Elk Creek Company.

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Today’s feature article was written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio. Please keep Pat in your prayers, since he has recently been in very ill health.

Valley Forge Damascus Steel Knife, by Pat Cascio

Today, I’m going to cover something a little bit different in the cutlery world. it is a nice fixed-blade fighting knife, made in Pakistan out of Damascus steel, and marketed by Valley Forge Cutlery. Damascus steel-bladed knives used to be all the rage and it was pretty much restricted to the custom knife-makers’ realm. First, a little bit of history is called for:

Damascus steel-bladed knives go back to Damascus, Syria some centuries ago. The development of this steel began perhaps as early as 700 AD, but most point to closer to 900 AD. But “authoritative” sources vary widely. Most modern Damascus steel knives are made out of 1095 carbon steel, with a little bit of chrome mixed in. What is involved in a Damascus blade is a forging process. The steel is heated – red hot – and then pounded. This used to be done by hand, but today it is a little bit easier with automated trip-hammers. When the steel is pounded, it is then folded over onto itself, and the process starts all over again. Some Damascus blades had folded over on themselves hundreds of times during this process. The knife under review here has about 200 layers – and that is more than sufficient to give the steel added strength.Continue reading“Valley Forge Damascus Steel Knife, by Pat Cascio”

Recipe of the Week: S.A.’s Spicy Cornbread

The following spicy cornbread recipe comes from reader S.A., as a follow-on to her previous recipe article on how to expand on standard storage staple foods.

I love cornbread, I’m a southerner. I’ve spent a lifetime making muffins from scratch, but here’s an easy way to expand your cornbread. My preference is sweet, jalapeño cornbread with small corn kernels for added texture and calories.
Ingredients
  • 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
  • 1 Can white shoepeg corn
  • 2 teaspoon sugar
  • Dehydrated jalapeños, to taste.  (Use more or less to match your tolerance for spiciness)
    Directions
    1. Grease or PAM-spray a 12-muffin tin.
    2. Mix cornbread per directions with egg and milk.
    3. Add the sugar and at least 1/4 cup of corn.
    4. Shoepeg is preferable to regular corn as the pieces aren’t so clunky.
    5. With a molcajete, grind however much dried jalapeño as you wish to use.
    6. Place some jalapeño bits in the bottom of each slot in the muffin pan.
    7. Pour in the batter, dividing it to make 12 muffins.
    8. Bake as directed, for 12 minutes.
S.A.’s Comments:
“These cornbread muffins are very tasty, especially served with butter right out of the oven. They nicely extend any meal, or make a yummy snack.
Be ready, be strong, be kind.
Remember to practice!”

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Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at precious metals recycling. (See the Precious Metals section.)

Precious Metals:

Precious Metals E-Waste Recovery Market Size Worth $18.7 Billion by 2030 | CAGR: 7%: AMR.  This piece begins:

“According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global precious metals e-waste recovery market garnered $9.4 billion in 2021, and is estimated to generate $18.7 billion by 2031, manifesting a CAGR of 7.0% from 2022 to 2031.”

o  o  o

The Silver Institute: The Silver Institute 2022 INTERIM SILVER MARKET REVIEW.

Economy & Finance:

From The Heritage Foundation: Lame-Duck Omnibus Would Double Down on Stagflation.

o  o  o

From the pro-Bidenista CNN: Yet another key economic report is showing inflation pressures are easing.

o  o  o

From the left-wing Detriot Free Press: Mild recession ahead in 2023, U-M economists say.

o  o  o

At Wolf Street: Home Sales Plunge, Investors Pull Back Too, Prices Drop 8.4% in 4 Months, Active Listings & Price Cuts Rise Further.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Progressivism was imported from Europe and would result in a radical break from America’s heritage. In fact, it is best described as an elitist-driven counterrevolution to the American Revolution, in which the sovereignty of the individual, natural law, natural rights, and the civil society—built on a foundation of thousands of years of enlightened thinking and human experience—would be drastically altered and even abandoned for an ideological agenda broadly characterized as “historical progress.” Progressivism is the idea of the inevitability of historical progress and the perfectibility of man—and his self-realization—through the national community or collective. While its intellectual and political advocates clothe its core in populist terminology, and despite the existence of democratic institutions and cyclical voting, progressivism’s emphasis on material egalitarianism and societal engineering, and its insistence on concentrated, centralized administrative rule, lead inescapably to varying degrees of autocratic governance. Moreover, for progressives there are no absolute or permanent truths, only passing and distant historical events. Thus even values are said to be relative to time and circumstances; there is no eternal moral order—that is, what was true and good in 1776 and before is not necessarily true and good today. Consequently, the very purpose of America’s founding is debased. To better understand this ideology, its refutation of the American heritage, and its enormous effect on modern American life, it is necessary to become acquainted with some of the most influential progressive intellectuals who, together with others, set the nation on this lamentable course. Given their prolific writings, it is neither possible nor necessary to delve into every manner of their thoughts or the differences among them in their brand of progressivism. For our purposes, it is enough to expose essential aspects of their arguments.” – Mark R. Levin, Rediscovering Americanism: And the Tyranny of Progressivism

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — November 20, 2022

Today is the birthday of Ed W. “Too Tall” Freeman (November 20, 1927 – August 20, 2008. He was a United States Army helicopter pilot who received the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. During the battle, he flew through gunfire numerous times, bringing supplies to a trapped American battalion and flying dozens of wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman was a wingman for Major Bruce Crandall who also received the Medal of Honor for the same missions.

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On November 2, 1920, the radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh produced what is often cited as the world’s first commercial broadcast. However, it is noteworthy that an experimental station in San Jose, California was operated by Charles “Doc” Herrold, much earlier. Herrold started broadcasting daily from 1909 to 1917 — long before the advent of KDKA. He began playing record albums on the air in 1912. Herrold’s station was licensed as KQW (in 1921) and later KCBS. In the fall of 1916, after the De Forest Radio Telephone & Telegraph Company began operating an experimental radio station, 2XG, in New York City. They were the first broadcaster to operating commercially, airing advertisements.

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Palmetto State Armory (our biggest affiliate advertiser) is running a short-term special on Toolcraft Non-Logoed Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron AR Bolt Carrier Groups (Complete) with Carpenter 158 Bolt for just $79.99. That is quite a discount as they normally retail for $179. It is always great to have a complete spare BCG.  To find this deal, search on SKU51655116634 at the Palmetto State Armory website.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 103 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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,
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

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More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 103 ends on November 30th, 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.

Choosing a Practical Antique Rifle – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 3.  This concludes the article.)

Powder Choices for Reloaders

A 140-grain bullet weight is popular for the 6.5×55, because it is the best all-around weight for just about anything this cartridge can do, and do at its best.  For flatter trajectories and for lighter game, decisive kill shots are better with 120 to 123 grain bullets.  However, the 140 grain will likely be the most accurate bullet passed 300 yards.  Top velocities and the greatest accuracy is found with most 140-grain bullets and a maximum charge of RL22. However, RL22 is temperature sensitive and results can disappointing as the weather changes. RL23 might be a good substitute for RL22. Norma MRP and WXM are now discontinued.

We can also use powders normally used for magnum rifles such as H1000, or IMR7828. To streamline our powder inventory, Varget, H4350, and H4831 are the most temperature stable powder that work well with most bullets weights, and provide consistent accuracy even as the temperature changes. These are my top powder choices for the 6.5×55. As an example, While IMR 4064 provides good velocity and good accuracy for the 120s, Varget is best choice for top speeds with the lighter bullets, and it is more temperature stable than IMR4064.

Continue reading“Choosing a Practical Antique Rifle – Part 4, by Tunnel Rabbit”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”  – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — November 19, 2022

Today is the anniversary of the Kyle Rittenhouse “Not Guilty” verdicts, in 2021.

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On this day in 1863, U.S. President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, at the dedication service for the National Cemetery in Pennsylvania.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 103 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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,
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 103 ends on November 30th, 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.

 

 

Choosing a Practical Antique Rifle – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 2.)

Reloading for a Chilean Mauser Converted to 7.62 NATO

In my experience reloading for another Ludwig Loewe Chilean Mauser, I found good accuracy and top velocities that duplicated some of the most accurate 7.62×51 NATO ammunition using IMR3031 for both 150 and 165 grain bullets. Using military brass, somewhere between 38 to 40 grains of IMR3031 under a 165 to 168 grain bullet, will duplicated the old Navy Match Load.  A maximum of 42 grains of IMR3031 will duplicate 7.62×51 NATO trajectories with good accuracy, and that also happens to be close to where these rifles originally had their sights adjusted when they are re-arsenalized and the new 7.62 barrel installed. If the sights have not been altered in some way, the 165 grain load could be close to dead on at 25 yards.

To take full advantage of the long barrel, use 168 to 175 grain projectiles with modern ballistic coefficients. The military ball ammunition with the designation of M118 is designed for accuracy at long range. M80 ball ammunition uses a 150 grain bullet is intended for box fed automatic or semi automatic rifles for shorter ranges, usually less than 500 meters. M80 is in general, not as accurate as M118. For moderately long ranges out to 800 yards, and further if you can, M118 ball ammunition would be ideal in this rifle. M118 ball ammunition is made for hitting small targets at extended distances.  I would not be surprised to chrongraph a 173 grain projectile at 2,700fps out of this rifle.  And this would simply be outstanding. A reloader could install a 176 grain Hornady A-tip with a G1 B.C. of .564, and nearly duplicate the trajectory of 140 grain 6.5 Creedmor load out of a 22 or 24 inch barrel. Modern powders and bullets are changing the game for older rifles. Continue reading“Choosing a Practical Antique Rifle – Part 3, by Tunnel Rabbit”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make 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 this column, in the Odds ‘n Sods Column, and in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready!

Jim Reports:

Aside for a trip away from the ranch to do some refresher CPR/AED training, we had a fairly quiet week at the Rawles Ranch. It has mostly been overcast or clear and cold. There is just over an inch of compacted snow still on the ground and it is slowly melting.  With the holidays approaching, I’ve been busy packing knife and antique gun orders for Elk Creek Company. I appreciate the patronage of so many SurvivalBlog readers.

Please say a prayer for Pat Cascio! His wife just wrote to tell us that Pat is back in the hospital with a serious condition.

Now, over to Lily…Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.

And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.” – Genesis 12:1-9 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Friday — November 18, 2022

On this day in 1978, Peoples Temple founder Jim Jones led hundreds of his followers in a mass murder-suicide at their agricultural commune in a remote part of the South American nation of Guyana. This incredibly tragic occurrence introduce the term “…drink the Kool-Aid” into our parlance, since poison-laced punch was the vehicle behind most of the deaths. This serves as a stark warning and reminder to those in the prepping/survivalist community who would join with like-minded friends under the leadership of a charismatic leader. Always know who you are following!

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 103 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include:

First Prize:

  1. The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000.
  2. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value),
  3. Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value),
  4. A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo,
  5. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  6. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A course certificate from onPoint Tactical 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,
  2. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  3. Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value).
  4. Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC,
  5. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value)
  2. A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value),
  3. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 103 ends on November 30th, 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.

Choosing a Practical Antique Rifle – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit

(Continued from Part 1.)

Antiques versus Modern, Cartridge Pressures, and Barrel Length

The long barrel could be awkward to handle when hunting, yet the long barrel produces higher velocities, as much as 300 feet per second (fps) higher in velocity over carbine length barrels.  This is a very important consideration if the rifle might be used for long-range targets. The higher velocity is also beneficial when using standard soft point ammuntion for game at ranges between 100 and 300 yards, and larger big game inside of 200 yards, such as elk. The 29-inch barrel adds approximately 100 fps over the velocities stated in reloading manuals that are typically determined by using a 24 inch test barrel for this cartridge. This means the trajectory will be flatter than modern military rifles that have barrels that are 24 inches in length, and shorter.

Antique rifles, relative to modern rifles, are lower-pressure cartridges.  Yet lower pressure does not mean that a firearm is unsafe, it is merely another standard we have to work to.  Lower pressure also means lower recoil and longer barrels to compensate for the lower pressure cartridge to get the bullet to higher velocities that can better compete with modern rifles.  A longer barrel is not necessarily a bad thing, but shorter barrels are handier than long barrels. Some antique rifles with the longest barrels can use most of the bullets found in modern ammunition, yet if carbine-length rifles should be use for hunting, softer bullets designed to reliably expand at lower velocities should be used, and we should limit the shorter rifles to hunting ranges of no more than about 100 yards to take game decisively. When choosing a carbine-length rifle, we should give ample consideration to bullet construction, its weight, and subsequent velocity for best results.

As an example, Hornady’s reloading manuals lists appropriate bullets for the cartridge, and the range of velocities that are appropriate. Keep in mind that antique rifles will likely produce lower velocities, thus we should be certain that the bullet used will expand adequately at those lower velocities.  Flat point and round nose bullets are superior to spire points in this regard.  Finding a spire point bullet that maximized trajectory and down-range energy can require extra effort during the selection process. This is of particularly problematic and a major concern when loading for carbine length barrels. If the rifle will be used for hunting in the brush or woods, or continuously carried, or for home defense, then a short carbine length barrel is desirable.  However, if we intend to use the rifle for longer-range shots, then the longer barrel is much more desirable as the trajectory will be much flatter, and the target much easier to hit.Continue reading“Choosing a Practical Antique Rifle – Part 2, by Tunnel Rabbit”