Writing Contest Prize Winners Announced for Round 117

We’ve announced the winners of Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.

The top three prize winners will each receive some great prize packages. The winners for Round 117 are…

First Prize Winner:

First Prize goes to M.B., for:  3D-Printed Gun Components, for a six-part article posted March 11-16, 2025.  See:  Part 1, Part 2,  Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6.) He will receive as prizes:

    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. 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 $350 value),
    4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
    5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.
Second Prize Winner:

Second Prize goes to J.M. for his three-part article titled A Disaster Laptop Computer, which was posted  March 26-28, 2025. See: Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3. He will receive:

  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 TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  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 gun purchasing privacy!
Third Prize Winner:

Third Prize goes to “Lodge Pole” for his four-part article titled: Fuels for Cooking, Warmth, and Comfort, posted February 11-14. See: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.) He will receive:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail 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. A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun.

The writers of the Round 117 Honorable Mention articles will each receive a transferable $100 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 in most states, making them the last bastion of gun purchasing privacy!

Honorable Mention Prizes

There were six Honorable Mention prize-winning articles in Round 117. They are:

Get Busy Writing!

Round 118 begins today and runs for two months, so please get busy writing and e-mail us your entry soon. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic. 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. Thanks, – JWR

Helping Liberal and Elderly Family Members, by M.J.

As has been written many times here at SurvivalBlog, we preppers can’t do it alone. We need people we can work with, whether it be neighbors, friends, or family. Yet it’s frustrating to see one’s family and friends not taking prepping seriously. Their lack of preparation would make them an extra burden on us during a real emergency.

If there’s one thing that my IT career has taught me, it’s that our computerized worldwide system of just-in-time delivery of goods, as well as utilities such as power, telecommunications, and water are extremely fragile. Even authorized updates to software apps can wreak havoc; a hacker bent on causing trouble could do even more damage. I keep canned food and water at my home, as well as extra toilet paper and other supplies. For me, I think it’s enough for about two months. (The water is for drinking only; not enough for washing or cooking.) Continue reading“Helping Liberal and Elderly Family Members, by M.J.”

March, 2025 in Precious Metals, by Everett Millman

Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover gold’s performance and silver’s performance and examine the factors that affected the metal prices.

WHAT DID GOLD AND SILVER DO IN MARCH?

Silver enjoyed a great performance in March. Yet it was easy to miss when gold kept setting new record highs every time I looked up.

The metals got off to a solid start to the month, posting gains on each of the first three days of trading. Silver rallied 70 cents higher on Wednesday, March 5th to $32.63 per troy ounce—already more than $1.50 higher compared to where it ended February. Meanwhile, gold held above $2,900/oz until back-to-back losses on Friday, March 7th and Monday, March 10th drove the yellow metal back to $2,888/oz. The silver price likewise drifted back lower to $32.07/oz.Continue reading“March, 2025 in Precious Metals, by Everett Millman”

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 located in the American Redoubt region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, news about Idaho’s new immigration enforcement law.

Idaho

U.S. district judge temporarily blocks Idaho immigration enforcement law hours after it’s signed. The aricle begins:

“Hours after Governor Brad Little signed into law a controversial immigration enforcement bill, a United States district judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the enforcement of the law.

Judge Amanda K. Brailsford of the United States District Court for the District of Idaho granted the TRO in response to a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho over House Bill 83.

House Bill 83 requires law enforcement to focus on illegal immigrants who are detained, investigated, or suspected of criminal activity, through which officers would record the documentation status of individuals arrested throughout their normal police work.”

o  o  o

Idaho Fish and Game relocates moose on the loose in Chubbuck.

o  o  o

Kohberger’s essay about crime scenes could be used against him in U of Idaho student murder trial.

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

The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Perhaps the fact that we have seen millions voting themselves into complete dependence on a tyrant has made our generation understand that to choose one’s government is not necessarily to secure freedom.” –  Friedrich August von Hayek

Preparedness Notes for Monday — March 31, 2025

Lyman Cornelius “L.C.” Smith was born March 3, 1850. Lyman Smith was the namesake of the famous L.C. Smith Shotgun. In 1877, L.C. and his older brother Leroy joined forces with an established firearms designer, William H. Baker, to form W.H. Baker & Co., and for the next three years, the firm produced Baker designed shotguns. However, in 1880, Leroy Smith and W.H. Baker left the company, and founded Ithaca Gun Company. The defection of Leroy Smith and Baker from the company did not hamper business, as they were replaced by Smith’s younger brother, Wilbert, and a new designer Alexander T. Brown. The company was renamed the L.C. Smith Shotgun Company of Syracuse and went on to produce several popular breech-loading shotguns. In 1886, the company produced its first hammerless shotgun. This proved to be their most successful design. Despite the success of the company, Smith decided to sell the manufacturing rights for the entire line of L.C. Smith shotguns to Hunter Arms Company in 1889. Hunter Arms would produce the line until 1945, when they sold it to Marlin Firearms Company. Marlin halted production of L.C. Smith shotguns in 1950. Smith later went on to found the Smith-Premier Typewriter Company, which would later become Smith-Corona Typewriter Company. Smith Corona or the SCM Corporation is a US typewriter and calculator company. Lyman Cornelius Smith passed away on November 5, 1910.

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March 31 is the birthday of the late economist Dr. Walter E. Williams, PhD., who was born in 1936. He passed away in 2020. His book American Contempt for Liberty is highly recommended.

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A fan of SurvivalBlog is one of the organizers of a real estate raffle for a 32-acre parcel of waterfront land in northwest Montana that looks quite retreat-worthy.  I generally shy away from raffles and any sort of games of chance.  But because this raffle will benefit a good cause (an animal shelter in that area), and because the property would be quite suitable for building a retreat, I’ve decided to give this some publicity in SurvivalBlog. The raffle ends on July 31, 2025. For details, see: DreamPropertyRaffle.org.

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The last day! Our big one-week sale at Elk Creek Company ends at midnight, Pacific Time, tonight. We’ve put all of our pre-1899 Mauser and Carcano sporters as well as all of our Pietta percussion revolvers on sale. Also, take note that I’ve boosted our pre-1965 silver divisor to a very generous 25.1 times face value, if you’d like to pay in pre-1965 junk silver.  Get your order in, today!

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Today’s feature piece is a review written by SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson.

Charter Arms Double Dog in .357Mag/9mm, by Thomas Christianson

The Charter Arms Double Dog is a sturdy, weather-resistant, and reliable revolver that can alternately utilize two different cylinders: one chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, and the other chambered in 9mm. This gives the user a great deal of versatility in ammo selection. That could be a real advantage during an ammo shortage.

The most remarkable feature of the Double Dog is the extraction system on the 9mm cylinder. Rounds can be loaded directly into each chamber in the cylinder without the use of moon clips. Then when it is time to unload the revolver, the cylinder can be swung opened and a simple push on the extractor rod is sufficient to clear the rounds from all of the chambers quickly, smoothly, and simultaneously.

The stainless steel revolver has a 4.2 inch ported barrel, beautifully glossy walnut grips, and adjustable sights. It is also 100% made in the USA.

At the time of this writing, the Double Dog had a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $659. That is an excellent value for such a durable, quite versatile, and reliable revolver.Continue reading“Charter Arms Double Dog in .357Mag/9mm, by Thomas Christianson”

Recipe of the Week: Easy Cheese Bread

 

The following recipe for Easy Cheese Bread is from SurvivalBlog reader “Tractorguy”. He says:

“If you have read any of my article submissions then you know that I love nothing more than fresh hot bread as an accompaniment to a meal. Here’s another fast bread recipe, it’s a baking powder bread so it doesn’t have to rise at all. You can have hot fresh bread in less than an hour.”

Ingredients
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp. chopped herbs (parsley, basil, chives, or a mix)
  • 1/2 c. shredded cheese (your choice)
  • 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 c. buttermilk, or 1/2 cup. whole milk with 1 1/2 tsp. vinegar added to sour it
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tblsp. melted butter
Directions
  1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 F.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, cheese, and herbs and set aside.
  3. In another container, beat the egg, and add melted butter and buttermilk or soured milk. Add to dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
  4. Pour into a small greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
SERVING

Allow the loaf to rest for ten minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

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Do you have a well-tested 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 recipes, slow cooker recipes, and any recipes that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic:  Which Counties are the least diverse (most homogeneous)? Graphic courtesy of Reddit, based on U.S. Census Bureau data.

The thumbnail below is click-expandable.

 

 

 

 

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Please send your graphics or graphics links to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.

Preparedness Notes for Sunday — March 30, 2025

Vincent Van Gogh was born March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands.  He died on July 29, 1890, two days after shooting himself in the chest.

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Please pray for the earthquake victims in Myanmar and Thailand. The massive quake measured 7.7 on the Richter scale, and was felt as far away as India.

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SurvivalBlog Writing Contest

Today we present the final entry for Round 117 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. 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 $350 value),
  4. American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Their course catalog now includes their latest Survival Gunsmithing course.
  5. HSM Ammunition in Montana is providing a $250 gift certificate. The certificate can be used for any of their products.

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 TOUGHGRID.com (a $287 value).
  3. A Laptop EMP Shield and a Smartphone Faraday Bag (a combined value of $200), courtesy of MobileSecSolutions.com.
  4. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson.
  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 gun purchasing privacy!

Third Prize:

  1. A Berkey Light water filter, courtesy of USA Berkey Filters (a $305 value),
  2. 3Vgear.com is providing an ultimate bug-out bag bundle that includes their 3-day Paratus Bag, a Posse EDC Sling Pack, and a Velox II Tactical Backpack. This prize package has a $289 retail 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. 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 $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 117 ends on March 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.

The Winds May Blow So Hearts Can Grow, by St. Funogas

Some of the recent rough weather in March spawned a lot of high winds and tornadoes. After seeing some of the stories in the media, a buddy and I decided to pack up our chain saws and take a little road trip.

It was o’ dark thirty and we were in pretty jolly spirits as we pulled out of the driveway. We were drinking coffee from thermoses like the coffee gods intended, not from those newfangled insulated travel mugs.

Spring was springing, the pastures were greening up, the peach trees were just starting to flower, and the bees were so happy they could hardly stand it. We talked about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, all of the recent news, how the world was shaping up, and whether the JFK files would really be all there was or if they were still holding back some.

We shared some experiences of being old geezers. Recently I was drawing up some plans for a new shed. As I was thinking about whether to use treated lumber in one section or not, the thought crossed my mind, “Am I going to live long enough or will the untreated lumber work just as well?” Wow, that was the first time I ever had that kind of thought. My buddy told me about how many different ways there are to screw up making coffee with a coffeemaker, all of which he’d experienced first hand. Everything from forgetting to add water before hitting the on switch, leaving the pot on the counter after using it to fill the water reservoir, or losing count to how many scoops he’s already added. Mind you, there are only three scoops of coffee needed for his small pot. He was just starting into the 18th way to mess it up when I decided to stick with my French press until the day they haul me off to the geezer home kicking and screaming.Continue reading“The Winds May Blow So Hearts Can Grow, by St. Funogas”

JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR:

Meme Text:
Single Gals: If You Really Want To Find a Husband…
Then Do Some Addition and Wear a More Sexy Number

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:

“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” – Galatians 3:6-18 (KJV)

Preparedness Notes for Saturday — March 29, 2025

Today is the birthday of comedian Eric Idle, in 1943. From the Infogalactic Wiki:

“He was a member of the British comedy group Monty Python and the parody rock band The Rutles. Idle studied English at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and joined Cambridge University Footlights. He has received a Grammy Award as well as nominations for two Tony Awards.

Idle reached stardom in the 1970s when he co-created and acted in the Python sketch comedy series Flying Circus (1969–1974) and the films Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian, (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983) with Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Known for his elaborate wordplay and musical numbers, Idle composed and performed many of the songs featured in Python projects, including Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”

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Today’s feature article is an essay by SurvivalBlog’s founder and Senior Editor, JWR.

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We have a full roster for Round 117 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest, but we need entries for Round 118. More than $950,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 118 begins on April 1st, 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. In 2023, we polled blog readers, asking for suggested article topics. Please refer to that poll if you haven’t yet chosen an article topic.