Scout Rifle Concept

First lets get the links out in front. Caleb wants a scout rifle that takes AR mags. Steve over at The Firearm Blog had visions of it, Tam ran with it, and http://www.saysuncle.com/2009/06/26/stuff-i-dont-get-small-caliber-scout-rifles/said to do it with a real caliber.
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I personally dont understand what is wrong with that Remington pump Model 7615 It takes AR mags, it even has a Tacti-cool Knoxx stock.

But onto a bolt gun idea, Caleb talked about Mausers this morning, and I remembered my own plans for a Scout Rifle. The German Army made 'trench magazines' for a very short time. They were 20 round magazines that installed into you Mauser bolt action and loaded from the top with stripper clips. There is a listing here. This would allow you to use any cartridge with a case head similar to the Mauser cartridges, this would include anything in the 308 and 30/06 family. My personal choice would be 7mm/08 or possibly 358 Winchester. My idea was to build a short scout rifle around this magazine. It would not be detachable, which makes for a hunting problem, but I was planning on solving that problem with a block of some sort, or another magazine. A Leupold 4x scout scope. Follow this with a good quality synthetic stock and we are set. In Texas hog country I would put a small piece of rail on the right side to mount a flashlight and it would be set.

Upon reflection, I think it's time to start thinking about this rifle again. Good thing my wife loves me.

The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles: Plagerizing OBS Bloggers

The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles: Plagerizing OBS Bloggers

A Friend in Need

Hopefully Albert won't be too upset over my liberal use of the word friend. You see, he has a problem. Somebody is plagiarizing his blog, almost word for word. I know that I am not the best blog writer around, however, what I write is mine, nobody elses. I am also proud of my work. It sickens me when I see somebodies work stolen.

Friends, Albert needs our help. Please go look at his blog and see if there is anything you can do to help. If you have some of the answers he is searching for, please share them.

Since I'm plugging him, while you are there look at his posts. He is a Sportsman and an Outdoorsman, and there are precious few of those left anymore. Besides, he enjoys wild boar, and we all know how awesome free range bacon is!

Role Model of the Week: XVII

Today we could discuss the effectiveness of restraining orders against abusive spouses. Or we can look to the real world for guidance.

Last weekend a woman in Capitol Springs, Md, had to defend herself against her husband. Her husband, Richard Wilson, was in violation of his protective order when he attacked her. Acting to defend herself, she shot him. Police found him sitting on the front porch when they arrived. He later died at the hospital.

There are two lessons to be learned here:

1) Anybody worth shooting is worth shooting twice. I realize that it is a cheesy cliche, but it's the truth. He could have continued to hurt her until he succomed to blood loss.

2) A protective order from a judge is just a piece of paper. It is not a magical shield. It means nothing until the police show up to enforce it, and how long can that take?


h/t Fox News

Review: 5-11 Tactical boots

I know that nobody wants to hear about my feet. But I needed a new pair of lightweight boots for shooting. I also wanted them to pull double duty as a hiking boot. I have modestly large feet (11 1/2 or 12), rather wide, with a extremely high arch. I have a hard time getting shoes to fit.

I happened to try on a pair of boots from 5-11. They are incredibly light, and comfortable. I normally put insoles in every pair of boots that I own, these don't seem to need them. The website says that the boots don't need a break in period. I find that they are a little stiff, and I hope that they will loosen up over time. They are also roomy in the toe area. No worries about ingrown toenails here! I bought them in size 12, the vendor did not have a pair of 11.5's to try on, they probably would have fit. Here is the link for the 5-11 boot promo video.

I shot a indoor defensive pistol match last night with these boots on. The floor is polished concrete and is very, very slippery. I did not slip once. My footing was solid all night, and I forgot that I was wearing a pair of full size boots.

In conclusion, if you want a sturdy pair of lightweight boots, you can't go wrong with 5-11.

Cowboy Rules

This has been making the rounds lately, thought I would pass it along.

Cowboy rules for Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Idaho, and the rest of the wild west are as follows:

1) Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

2) Turn your cap right, your head aint crooked.

3) Lets get this straight: it's called a 'gravel road.' I drive a pickup truck because I want too. No matter how slow you drive, your going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4) They are cattle, that is why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-10 and I-40 go east and west, I-15 and I-25 go north and south. Pick one and go.

5) So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have 250,000combines that are only driven three weeks a year.

6) every person in the Wild West waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7) If that cell phone rings while a bunch of geese/pheasants/ducks/ doves are comin' in during the hunt, we WILL shoot it outta your hand. You better hope you dont have it up to your ear at the time.

8) Yeah, we eat trout, salmon, deer and elk. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

9)The 'Opener' refers to the first day of dear season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

10) We open doors for women. That's applied to all women, regardless of age.

11)No, there is no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak, or you can order the chef's salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.

12) When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper and ketchup! Oh, yeah...We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat. It ain't real chili!

13)You bring 'Coke' into my house, it better be brown,wet and served over ice. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

14)College and High School football is as important here as the Giants, the Yankees, the Mets, the Lakers and the Knicks, and a darn sight more fun to watch.

15) Yeah, we have golf courses. but dont hit the water hazards, it spooks the fish.

16) Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't music anyway. We don't want to hear it any more than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1.

Role Model of the Week: XVI

My deepest apologies about not posting this on Friday. I was deeply embroiled in a three day weekend. I'm sure you understand.

Last Thursday, Fox news reported a story about a mother that saved her daughter from a mountain lion attack.

The girl and her mother Maureen Lee were walking on a wooded trail with their dog when the cougar pounced.

"All of a sudden it just flew on her, rolled her a couple of times and grabbed her," Lee told CBC.

"She was on her back and (the cougar) had his paws on her head, and I just knew I had to react quick.

"So I just jumped in there and wedged myself between the cougar and her on the ground."

Then "I just got up and threw it off my back and grabbed" Maya and ran, she went on

Your children our your greatest responsibility. No matter what. I am glad to pass on this story. A story not about a cougar out looking for a little snack. But about a mother who was willing to risk it all, defending her charge against a kitty that just didn't want to play nice.

Fathers Day

I have been blessed with many powerful father figures in this life. I cannot imagine life without mine. I cannot imagine my children without theirs. One thing has stuck with me this year. A very simple concept. My responsibility is in raising my children. To teach them right from wrong. To make the correct decision and live honorably.

This is what a father does. No matter what.

Thank you.

Parental Gun Control

Todays popular blog content is toy guns and children. Do they mix? Do real firearms and toy guns mix? Marko started this, Jay G followed, and now I am jumping on the bandwagon. Marko wants to know whether toy guns are acceptable for children.

I left this comment:
I was raised without any toy guns in the house. My fathers logic was that I can have a toy gun when I was old enough to know the difference. When I was old enough, I had real guns, so what did I need a toy gun for?
I was always allowed to ‘make’ toy guns, that was over looked. I even made my own rubber band guns around ten. Amazingly, I was allowed to have rubber band wars as long as I used the proper safety equipment.
I am a grown man now, with children of my own, my son just turned six, and is not allowed to have toy guns, imaginary guns and squirt guns are overlooked. Both my children know the four rules, and know not to touch a firearm without supervision. They shoulder rifles, dry fire pistols, and practice getting a proper sight picture.
Lately I have been considering changing the rules to allow toy guns under the presumption that they are just toys, I also don’t know how far to take it.

The wife and I have discussed this before and I have been pondering it lately. My current feelings on the subject is this:
1. Boys have an ingrained desire to defend home and hearth. This desire is expressed in the games that they play, fighting monsters and saving princesses.
2. Boys will make toy guns out of anything and everything. I encourage my children to use their imagination while playing, would a toy gun help that?
3. If toy guns are allowed, should the safety rules be used like a real firearm?
4. If toy guns are allowed, how do squirt guns, airsoft and paintball fit into the mix?
5. Speaking of airsoft, I occasionally practice my self defense tactics with airsoft guns, and shoot other people. Does this make me a hypocrite for playing with fake guns and shooting people? Or am I exempt because I am supposed to know the difference?

Marko wrote this far more eloquently than I. I encourage you to go visit, remember to check his comments. They contain many valid thoughts and opinions.

Sunday, Puppy Sunday.

The poor handicapped puppy has firmly ingrained himself into the life of his new family. It has been over eight weeks now, he torments the children and loves Mrs. Sigboy more than anything else in his small world. He rushes over to the door when she comes home, tail wagging and jumping ecstatically.

As one of my three loyal readers know, Commander Rex was born completely deaf and with a almost useless left eye. All I know is that he is a typical puppy, he just happens to be a puppy that cant hear you when you yell at him.

Role Model of the Week: XV

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. There is no rhyme or reason, they just, well....happen. Sometimes a person will give their life to save another. To me, whether willingly or unwillingly this is a noble trait. Not the most noble way to die but fairly close, easily enough to get you into Valhalla, provided that you went with some pizazz.

Search and rescue provides a way for people to help others. Some are paid for this, others are volunteers. Unfortunately, sometimes the SAR team member will lose his life in the pursuit of saving one. Sgt. Andy Tingwall gave his life when the chopper he was piloting crashed into the side of a mountain. Sgt Tingwall had just rescued Megumi Yamamoto, a physics student from UNM, when he lost control of his airship.

Next time you hear of someone lost in the wilderness, think of the kind people out
there trying to make a difference in our world, one lost person at a time.

More details at Fox News.

Wasted Braincells?

I have alot of skill sets that don't get used anymore. I no longer am required to get a dragon missile into action in less than thirty seconds. I no longer have to perform a field sobriety test, much less at night with flashing lights all around me. I will probably never set off another claymore mine. I don't even have to remember what the pinky thumb thing is all about. Or even to double lock handcuffs(yes, there is two locks on them). I remember exactly what to do if I ever became a 'hung jumper'. All of this knowledge is all but useless to me, and yet I still know it.


I pulled out my Army Field manual the other day and started thumbing thru it. I still remembered exactly how these tasks were to be performed. I am positive that I am still proficient at them all. Not an expert, able to do it blindfolded, but definitely acceptable. I could put a claymore mine into action without blowing myself up, always a useful skill set.

My point is this: When you train to the point that your subconscious and muscle memory take over, you will be able to perform those actions for the rest of your life. I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to put a drunken neighbor into a rear wrist lock, I did it with out thinking, I haven't even practiced one in years. I personally have many well rounded and yet useless skill sets using perfectly good neural pathways in my brain. Would I get rid of them if I could? Probably not. Good quality training is priceless, even if you are not currently using it. After all, the zombies may come, or, I may have a need to protect myself from a nuclear blast or a chemical weapons attack.

Is Green Politically Correct?

This weekend found me at Palo Duro Canyon, great fun was had by all. I hiked a few trails, I put alot of miles under my belt. I also came to the conclusion that I am no longer 25, or even 30. If I hike the hard trail up the cliff face, I will pay for it the next day.


It was a comfortable escape from the rigors of real life. The weather was beautiful, slight breeze, temps in the high eighties. I took the kids on a few short trails to wear them out, and even demonstrated a kid friendly water crossing technique.