Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 19, 2024

On May 19, 1935, British archaeological scholar, military strategist, and author T.E. Lawrence, whose life inspired the epic film Lawrence of Arabia (1962), died at age 46 following a motorcycle accident.

On May 19, 1643 Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut and New Harbor form the United Colonies of New England.

On May 19, 1796, the first game law was approved in the United States. The law created penalties for hunting or destroying game within Indian Territory. Modern American fish and game laws make “living off the land” nearly impossible, outside of Alaska.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, 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.

A Subsonic 5.56mm AR – Part 2, by R.A.O.

(Continued from Part 1.  This concludes the article.)

AMMUNITION: STOCK UP ON 5.56 SUBSONIC AMMUNITION

I like to use Beck brand subsonic ammunition as they are good quality cartridges and best for this scenario. Subsonic means that it doesn’t break the sound barrier so there is no secondary boom (or “crack”) when firing. The first boom (from the powder charge) is silenced by the suppressor, and there is no secondary hypersonic boom, beyond the suppressor. Hopefully, that makes sense to everyone. Use subsonic ammunition in situations where you need to be nearly silent.

One caveat is that subsonic ammunition is not powerful enough to push the bolt carrier group on the AR-15 of the upper receiver all the way back to cycle the next round to allow semi-automatic fire. But you can work around this issue. Fire your sniping shot from your subsonic ammo magazine. (My magazines have green tape at the bottom to ensure I know they are not for semi-auto use.) Then manually cycle each cartridge by pulling the charging handle back, and releasing it.

Should a Close Quarter Battle (CQB) ensue and you need rounds that can cycle the bolt carrier group in the upper receiver for fast semi-automatic rifle then you simply swap that magazine out with your supersonic ammo magazine. (One without the green tape). But do not forget to cycle the bolt carrier group manually once, after the magazine is swapped out.  That will ready your rifle for semi-auto fire.Continue reading“A Subsonic 5.56mm AR – Part 2, by R.A.O.”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:

Our Leftist Mass Media Tells Us That Protestors Can Freely Burn Flags as “Freedom of Speech”

But If Justice Alito’s Wife Flys One Upside Down, It is an “Ethics Violation”

News Links:

Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks!

Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” – Hebrews 10:1-10 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 18, 2024

On May 18, 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington state triggered the largest landslide in history, killing 57 people and causing over $1 billion in damage.

—

May 18th, 1825 was the birthday of Daniel Baird Wesson, of Smith and Wesson fame.

—

Unless a preliminary injunction is issued in the pending Texas v. ATF case, the ATF’s grossly-expanded redefinition of “Engaged in the Business” will go into effect on Monday, May 20th.  I strongly recommend that my readers be very cautious about making any sales of post-1898 guns or receivers without an FFL. Intrastate private party sales at gun shows, via newspaper classified ads, or through online sites such as gun forums, Armslist.com, and GunBroker.com will surely be closely scrutinized by the ATF. Anyone with a high political profile will be at particular risk of prosecution. This is because Federal law enforcement has been weaponized for political purposes by the Bidenistas. Thankfully, pre-1899 guns are still Federally exempt.  And 80% complete frames will also continue to be exempt, if the current injunction stands. Stock up, while you still can.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, 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.

 

A Subsonic 5.56mm AR – Part 1, by R.A.O.

PROLOGUE

There are deep state characters who are pulling the strings on the senile installed puppet in the Oval Office. That same man who reportedly received “the most votes in any presidential election.” Yes, that installed President.

“Ultra MAGA” is a term now utilized by the Antichrist principled in power to further divide the US population. It is a group of people that are placed into a bucket to vilify by the Leftist media and the Biden administration. Last I thought, the President of the United States should unite a nation not call out to half the country as MAGA Republicans as evil Americans. This is sort of like Adolf Hitler speaking of Jews as lice. It will only get worse.

Kamala Harris has stated that January 6, 2021 was akin to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. She also stated that the BLM riots needed to be ramped up. These rioters murdered police officers, torched shopping districts across America costing $100 billion dollars to repair, looted stores, throngs blocked traffic, and then harmed/harassed/assaulted common Americans, for “social justice.” Not one of these Leftist Rioters have seen the inside of a federal prison. However, the Grandmothers waving American flags, not touching a thing inside the Capitol building on January 6, AD 2021 are still in prison today and have seen solitary confinement.

On the other side of the coin, only Republicans go to prison and Democrats get off scot-free from crimes they have committed. Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Gen. Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, Allen Weisselberg (Trump’s corporate executive), and the entire host of January 6, 2021 election protestors at the US Capitol have all been sent to jail. President Donald J. Trump had his mug shot taken at the Fulton County Jail recently and currently has over 100 felony charges against him.Continue reading“A Subsonic 5.56mm AR – Part 1, by R.A.O.”

Editors’ Prepping Progress

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

Jim Reports:

A local buyer came with his stock trailer to take delivery of two of our yearlings: A heifer and a steer. That went smoothly, with no real rodeo required.

I had to make a trip to town, for some grain and other supplies.  I also bought a 25-pound sack of juicing  carrots. We use those as training aids, for our horses and cattle.

We dehorned and elastrated a week-old bull calf.

I helped Lily with more manure hauling and rototilling.

I turned the water back on, to our fenced orchard/garden. (That part of our water system had been drained, for the winter.)

I’ve also been very busy, adding a backlog of pre-1899 antique cartridge guns to my Elk Creek Company online inventory. At the risk of sounding self-promotional, I want to mention that a whopping 19 antique cartridge rifles have just been added. They include:

  • A Restored Winchester M1892 Carbine in .45 Colt, with Half-Magazine
  • A Ludwig Loewe M1895 .45 ACP Scout Conversion Supressor Host Carbine
  • A Fine Winchester Model 1894 Round Barrel .32-40, Made in 1898
  • A Chilean Loewe M1895 Mauser 7×57 Boyd’s Laminate Stock Sporter
  • A Ludwig Loewe M1891 Argentine Mauser Scoped Sporter
  • A Scarce Pre-1899 Schmidt-Rubin M1896/11 Rifle, 7.5 Swiss
  • Two Turkish M1893 Mauser 8x57mm Mauser – Ankara Arsenal Rework Rifles
  • A Nice Finnish Valmet M39 Mosin-Nagant on an 1896 Receiver
  • A Remington Rolling Block 7×57 Mauser Rifle – Circa 1896
  • A Chilean Loewe M1895 Mauser 7×57 Iron-Sight Sporter
  • A Winchester M1892 .44-40 with 23″ with Round Barrel
  • A Sporterized Swedish Mauser, 6.5×55 with Weaver Scope
  • An 1895-Dated Swedish M1894 Carbine 6.5×55 Semi-Sporter
  • A Winchester M1894 .30-30 Saddle Ring Carbine — Made in 1897
  • An Early Winchester M1892 .38-40 with 23″ Barrel
  • A 7.62mm NATO-Converted Ludwig Loewe Chilean Mauser
  • A Ludwig Loewe M1891 Argentine Mauser .308 Winchester Scoped Sporter
  • A Ludwig Loewe M1891 Argentine Mauser Scout Sporter (7.65mm Argentine Mauser)

I haven’t yet posted photos of all of them, but please take a look at the Elk Creek Company website.

Now, Lily’s report…

Continue reading“Editors’ Prepping Progress”

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“And the Lord spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the Lord.

Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof;

But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land.

And the sabbath of the land shall be meat for you; for thee, and for thy servant, and for thy maid, and for thy hired servant, and for thy stranger that sojourneth with thee.

And for thy cattle, and for the beast that are in thy land, shall all the increase thereof be meat.

And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years.

Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family.

A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.

For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field.

In the year of this jubile ye shall return every man unto his possession.

And if thou sell ought unto thy neighbour, or buyest ought of thy neighbour’s hand, ye shall not oppress one another:

According to the number of years after the jubile thou shalt buy of thy neighbour, and according unto the number of years of the fruits he shall sell unto thee:

According to the multitude of years thou shalt increase the price thereof, and according to the fewness of years thou shalt diminish the price of it: for according to the number of the years of the fruits doth he sell unto thee.

Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God:for I am the Lord your God.

Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.

And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.” – Leviticus 25:1-19 (KJV) 

Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 17, 2024

On May 17, 1897, the first successful submarine that could run submerged for any considerable distance and combined electric and gasoline engines (USS Holland, SS-1) was launched in the US by its designer John Philip Holland.

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On this day in 1769, George Washington launched a legislative salvo at Great Britain’s fiscal and judicial attempts to maintain its control over the American colonies. He brought a package of non-importation resolutions, drafted by George Mason, before the Virginia House of Burgesses. This initiated a chain of events that led to Britain’s House of Lords demanding that men involved in the extra-legal Massachusetts convention of towns be tried in England. Britain’s plan backfired and created an American identity where before there had been none.

—

Sale Ends Tonight! All of my knife and bayonet inventory is on sale, at Elk Creek Company. This sale ends at midnight Pacific Time, tonight, Friday, May 17th, so order soon.

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Today’s feature is a short guest piece selected by JWR  that was authored by metals analyst Hubert Moolman, of South Africa.

—

We are seeking entries for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, 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.

Silver During a Debt Crisis and Monetary Reset, by Hubert Moolman

The 1944 Bretton Woods agreement established a new international monetary order after significant international events.

The creation of the Federal Reserve Bank and the so-called Second World War were among the most important events and actions that contributed to bringing the world to a situation where a new international order was required and possible due to excessive debt levels.

The world was in a vulnerable condition, and therefore some key nations could force upon it a new monetary order—one that was not in the best interest of the majority but of those few of a special ownership class.
Below is a long-term chart of interest rates:

 

 

In the chart, I have attempted to show some of the key events and actions that led up to the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement and how this rhymes with “Peak Debt.” Furthermore, this forms a pattern that appears to be setting up for the next monetary reset.

The creation of central banks all over the world was a key element in setting up this control structure. Just like the US dollar is the pivot in the current world monetary order, setting up the Federal Reserve Bank of the US was crucial for the success of this enterprise in taking control of the world.

Central banks are useful tools for the proliferation of credit. The creation of the Federal Reserve Bank (and others) was the mechanism by which debt levels could be significantly increased to the point of vulnerability required for a monetary reset.

From the creation of the Federal Reserve Bank to the bottom of interest rates in 1941 (0 to 4) a series of events are highlighted, which are now possibly being replicated, starting from the 1971 gold bankruptcy (0) to where we are today just after the all-time low of interest rates (4).

It is very plausible to seek a new start (Jubilee) after debt levels reach a certain amount of saturation (the point of vulnerability). After years of credit proliferation, the world is again ripe for a new monetary order that could be forced upon it due to exceedingly high debt levels and the spoils of war.

In many ways, the current war between the West and Russia (and others) is for dominance of the next world monetary construct. We should be looking for this “reset” as US dollar dominance decreases and this current war concludes.

It is almost inevitable that gold will play a major role in the future monetary system or monetary systems. However, the big surprise is likely to be silver. I have explained many times how silver is the opposite or antithesis of debt; therefore, it will naturally feature heavily when there is a massive debt problem to be solved.

During the previous reset (1944), silver was at a different point of its cycle, which probably prevented it from playing a concrete part in the new monetary order. However, now silver is more likely to be appreciated for its monetary properties and could therefore feature heavily in a new reset (a reset that will actually work). See this article for more on the coming monetary reset as well as the role silver could play.

Below is a chart showing the performance of gold, silver, the S&P500, and the Dow Jones after the last major interest rate bottom (1941).

 

 

 

Silver outperformed gold and the stock market at least a decade after the major interest rate bottom. There is also a very good chance that this will be the case again.

The 2020 and 1942 all-time lows in interest rates are extremely important events that line up with other key inflection points, and this is critical for understanding issues regarding the coming monetary collapse. I discuss this and more at my new monetary reset blog substack.

—

Editor’s Closing Note:  Since 2018, I’ve posted five articles written by Hubert Moolman, with his permission. His analysis is sound. Hub offers a Premium Service (by subscription) as well as a Silver Fractal Analysis Report if you are a serious investor in the gold and silver markets.

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. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at some moves in commodities markets. (See the Commodities section.)

Precious Metals:

China and India seem to be driving the precious metals markets this year, with some consistently strong buying.  I’m sure that this dynamic is frustrating the institutional short sellers, here in the United States.  Silver and gold both saw nice spot market gains today, starting in the Asian markets. When I last checked:

  • Gold
    $2,412.60, up 0.82%
  • Silver
    $30.64, up 2.66%

o  o  o

As the Dollar Falters, Gold Becomes Insurance, Not Speculation.

o  o  o

Gold’s Action Last Week Strongly Points to China.

o  o  o

Why We Are At The Start Of A Multi-Year Gold Bull Market.

o  o  o

U.S. Representative Introduces Bill To End Federal Taxation On Gold And Silver.

Economy & Finance:

From Forbes Advisor: May 2024 Stock Market Forecast.

o  o  o

CNN, by way of X/Twitter: “On the question of who voters trust more to deal with the economy, Trump has a 22-point lead over Biden … This marks a 15-point bump for Trump compared to the same poll in 2020.”

o  o  o

From The WSJ: Suddenly There Aren’t Enough Babies. The Whole World Is Alarmed. Here is a pericope:

“The world is at a startling demographic milestone. Sometime soon, the global fertility rate will drop below the point needed to keep population constant. It may have already happened.

Fertility is falling almost everywhere, for women across all levels of income, education and labor-force participation. The falling birthrates come with huge implications for the way people live, how economies grow and the standings of the world’s superpowers.

In high-income nations, fertility fell below replacement in the 1970s, and took a leg down during the pandemic. It’s dropping in developing countries, too. India surpassed China as the most populous country last year, yet its fertility is now below replacement.”

o  o  o

Archegos boss to go on trial for fraud.

o  o  o

Why Wednesday’s CPI report is taking on outsize importance in the financial market.

Continue reading“Economics & Investing For Preppers”

Preparedness Notes for Thursday — May 16, 2024

On May 16, 1920, French heroine Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XV.

—

On May 16, 1997, Zaire’s president, Mobutu Sese Seko, ended 32 years of dictatorial rule, giving control of the country to rebel forces.

—

SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present another entry for Round 112 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 $2,000.
  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. A Peak Refuel “Wasatch Pack” variety of 60 servings of premium freeze-dried breakfasts and dinners in individual meal pouches — a whopping 21,970 calories, all made and packaged in the USA — courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $359 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses.
  5. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.

Second Prize:

  1. A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679
  2. 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).
  3. A $200 credit from Military Surplus LLC that can be applied to purchase and/or shipping costs for any of their in-stock merchandise, including full mil-spec ammo cans, Rothco clothing and field gear, backpacks, optics, compact solar panels, first aid kits, and more.
  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. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. A $300 gift certificate from Good2Goco.com, good for any of their products: Home freeze dryers, pressure canners, Country Living grain mills, Emergency Essentials foods, and much more.
  3. 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)
  4. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

—

More than $875,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. Round 112 ends on May 31st, 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.

Practical Prepping, by K.F.

I’ve heard it said that you can make a small fortune in horse breeding, if you start with a large fortune. Prepping is a lot like that, too. You can be ready for almost anything if you throw enough money at the problem set that is prepping.

But what do you do if you don’t have much money? What can you do if you live on a quarter acre lot, and you have no chance of ever upgrading? About fifteen years ago, I met somebody like that who has given me some answers to these questions.

C.L. was the first prepper I ever met. She is a CERT team instructor, which is how we met. We have a shared faith in Jesus, and a shared interest in amateur radio, which led to a discussion of prepping. She was the first person I met who used the terms “prepping” and “bugging out”. Given my upbringing by frugal immigrant parents who grew up during the Great Depression, much of what she talked about resonated with me, and caught my interest.

We didn’t agree one hundred percent, though there was plenty of common ground. When she talked about bugging out, I was struggling to find a diplomatic way to say “you’re out of your mind”. In the end, I didn’t say anything, but later, I invited her to go camping for two days for an amateur radio activity. While she did a great job on the radio stuff, it was pretty obvious that camping was difficult for her, and not something she enjoyed. In a subsequent discussion, she recognized that bugging out probably isn’t the best idea if she finds camping difficult and stressful.Continue reading“Practical Prepping, by K.F.”