Preparedness Notes for Tuesday — November 22, 2022

Today is the birthday of Adelbert Rinaldo Buffington, a well-known designer of military gun parts and accessories. Buffington rear sights were featured on many later-generation Trapdoor Springfield .45-70 rifles.

Today is also remembered as the birthday of the late Eugene M. Stoner. (Born 1922, died April 24, 1997.) He was the designer of the AR-7, AR-10, AR-15, AR-180, the Stoner 63, and several other firearms. (The AR-10 was the basis of the AR-15 which in turn spawned the very widely used M16 and all of its variants including the now ubiquitous M4 Carbine.) It has been estimated that as  many as 17 million rifles from the AR-15 family are owned by civilians in the United States, and military production M16 variants worldwide exceed  eight million rifles. As of 2021, it was estimated that 20% of all new guns sold in the US are AR-15 variants.

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We are pleased to welcome our newest paid banner advertiser, Iron Edison.  This company should already be familiar to SurvivalBlog readers that have off-grid or backup power systems. Iron Edison makes state-of-the-art Lithium-Iron and Nickel-Iron batteries.  They also do full power system design and integration. They are offering a 5% off coupon (up to $500) for new customers, with the coupon code FIRSTORDER. Iron Edison provides:

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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.

No Ammo, No Primers, No Problem! – Part 1, by M.B.

Introductory Disclaimer:
Recharging primers and making black powder, while safe in the author’s experimental experience, can be dangerous. The author and SurvivalBlog.com do not endorse recharging primers, nor making black powder, and you do so at your own risk. Making primers and/or black powder could also be in violation of the laws in your jurisdiction. You are responsible for compliance with all laws in your area. Neither the author, nor SurvivalBlog.com, are responsible for your use of the information in this article. The processes described herein are therefore for informational purposes only.

Important Safety Note:
Black powder can be dangerous if there is a gap between the powder and the projectile, when the firearm is loaded. When loading a muzzleloading firearm, be sure to seat the projectile firmly, so there is no empty space above the powder. This includes cap-and-ball revolvers, which can have no space between the powder and the ball or bullet, although wads can be used to fill the space when a light powder charge is used. When loading black powder cartridges, there must be no empty space inside the cartridge, and the powder should be compressed slightly (about 1/16 inches, or about 2mm). You may need to use a wadding or other “filler” over the powder to take up the space inside the case.

INTRODUCTION

This article is intended for people who—like me—are “hedging their bets” when it comes to firearms. I have stocked up on a few good firearms, along with magazines, ammunition, and reloading components, but I know I can’t have considered every possible future event…

I began looking at making ammunition as a backup plan and soon found that every component needed for loading a muzzleloading rifle, pistol or shotgun (powder, bullets, caps, lubricant etc.) could be made at home with little trouble, without much in the way of “exotic” ingredients. Further, many cartridges can similarly be “fed” almost indefinitely with black powder, recharged primers, home-cast bullets, homemade lubricant, and other, fairly simple components.Continue reading“No Ammo, No Primers, No Problem! – Part 1, by M.B.”

SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies of interest to preppers and survivalists that are located in the American Redoubt region. Today, more links to news stories about the stabbing murders of four University of Idaho students, off-campus, in Moscow, Idaho. Please keep their families in your prayers. (See the Idaho section.)

Idaho

Update: Police release new details into the tragic murder of four University of Idaho students.

o  o  o

Bizarre quadruple homicide baffles, terrifies University of Idaho students.

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On Sunday: Moscow Police press conference on University of Idaho student murders.  JWR’s Comments:  I watched this press conference and was surprised to see how many national news outlets had sent reporters, including Fox News and NBC. This is starting to look like a repeat of the press interest in the Gabby Petito case.

o  o  o

Also reported on Sunday, by CNN: A week after four University of Idaho students were killed, there are mounting questions in the investigation and few answers.

o  o  o

‘It makes me sick thinking that person could be right behind us’: Search for Moscow quadruple murder suspect continues as one victim’s mother speaks out.

o  o  o

Idaho Fish & Game gives anglers an early Christmas present by stocking steelhead in the Boise River.

o  o  o

I just heard about Leavittworks Gunsmithing in Hayden, Idaho. They do top-quality work on rifles and handguns. They also offer bluing and color casehardening services.

Continue reading“SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“At the global level, Chinese order would involve seizing the opportunities of the “great changes unseen in a century” and displacing the United States as the world’s leading state. This would require successfully managing the principal risk flowing from the “great changes”—Washington’s unwillingness to gracefully accept decline—by weakening the forms of control supporting American global order while strengthening those forms of control supporting a Chinese alternative. That order would span a “zone of super-ordinate influence” in Asia as well as “partial hegemony” in swaths of the developing world that might gradually expand to encompass the world’s industrialized centers—a vision some Chinese popular writers describe using Mao’s revolutionary guidance to “surround the cities from the countryside.” More authoritative sources put this approach in less sweeping terms, suggesting Chinese order would be anchored in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its Community of Common Destiny, with the former in particular creating networks of coercive capability, consensual inducement, and legitimacy.

Some of the strategy to achieve this global order is already discernable in Xi’s speeches. Politically, Beijing would project leadership over global governance and international institutions, split Western alliances, and advance autocratic norms at the expense of liberal ones. Economically, it would weaken the financial advantages that underwrite US hegemony and seize the commanding heights of the “fourth industrial revolution” from artificial intelligence to quantum computing, with the United States declining into a “deindustrialized, English-speaking version of a Latin American republic, specializing in commodities, real estate, tourism, and perhaps transnational tax evasion.” Militarily, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would field a world-class force with bases around the world that could defend China’s interests in most regions and even in new domains like space, the poles, and the deep sea. The fact that aspects of this vision are visible in high-level speeches is strong evidence that China’s ambitions are not limited to Taiwan or to dominating the Indo-Pacific. The “struggle for mastery,” once confined to Asia, is now over the global order and its future. If there are two paths to hegemony—a regional one and a global one—China is now pursuing both.” – Rush Doshi, The Long Game: China’s Grand Strategy to Displace American Order

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.

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

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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”