Friday, January 30, 2009

Role Model of The Week-Part Three

I really like to showcase the people in this country who's actions who go unnoticed or overlooked. This week it is Jeff Skeie. Jeff is a police officer from Kalama, Washington. He valiantly risked his own health and welfare to save a dog from a sewage treatment plant. Imagine dragging a wet dog out of a frothy vat of waste products. That, my friends, is truly a selfless man who is willing to do whatever it takes to make his community a better place. However, I hope that he was smart enough to keep an extra uniform in his locker. He may have been covered in it, but it's all roses to the Chocolate Lab that he saved from a olfactory death.

Following along this theme, I would like to talk about what constitutes a role model. To me a role model is a person who makes the world a better place. A person who is a benefit to society. You don't have to save all of your buddies in a firefight to be a role model. You don't even have to save a life at all(but it helps). You merely have to make this world a better place.

If you find an article or story about someone you feel is a modern day role model, please e-mail me or leave it in comments. I will do my best to get them the honor they deserve.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Ammo Inventory

Lately it seems that the number of rounds that you keep on hand has been making the blog circle. My general rule is 500 per handgun, 100 per bolt action rifle and 1000 per semi auto rifle. Shotgun maintains at least 250 rounds. These were my guidelines for a long time. Than I started shooting competitively, and some of my round counts went up.

Here is what I keep on hand:

22lr-2000 rounds, right now it's closer to three

22 Mag-200 rounds

38 special-500 rounds, If I start up in SASS this will go way up

357 magnum-300 rounds

357 maximum-50 rounds, I don't shoot as much of this as I would like, I have brass for 300, but it doesn't make any sense to load it all up.

40 S&W-1000 rounds, 500 factory, 500 reloads

223-1000 rounds

25/06- 100 rounds

308 Win- 100 rounds

30/06- 100 rounds reloads, 100 rounds factory

338/06- 60 rounds, right now I only have 30, but it's my custom elk rifle, if only because the wife says I can't shoot anymore deer with it(It's brutal, I have pics).

I feel like I'm forgetting something... got it now.

12 Gauge- 100 rounds birdshot, 50 rounds steel, 50 rounds 00 buck, 50 rounds slugs, and about 20 rounds of specialty ammo 'cause it makes me feel good.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Where Were You When?

Twenty three years ago today, I remember crying for the first time about something that did not involve myself. Twenty three years ago today I realized that there was more important things than life. Twenty three years ago today seven people gave there lives for something bigger than themselves. Not willingly, I'm sure. However they knew the risks.

I sat in the living room of my home, eight years old and brimming with enthusiasm of youth. I regularly watched all of the shuttle launches, fantasizing of what it would be like to experience the raw thunderous power of the launch and the weightlessness of space. I played with my toy space shuttle as the large clocked counted down to zero. My imagination took me there. The television merely a portal transporting me from California to Florida. I watched as the rockets lifted that beautiful bird into the sky, taking it where no living bird could fly.

Imagine my shock and disbelief when the first booster blew, followed quickly by the other. Maybe a part of my dreams died that day, maybe a part of me realized that sometimes good people were sacrificed in the pursuit of excellence. Regardless of what happened to me, seven brave people died in the name of science and exploration. Seven people died, advancing the United States and the world.

Thank yous go out to Jay and Tam

Monday, January 26, 2009

A Reality Check

Instead of a new stimulus plan where the government sends me money, can they send me to a shooting school instead? That may sound odd so allow me explain. I went to two matches this weekend, one private match and a USPSA match. The private match is the same one I shoot every month. The rules are a combination of USPSA, IDPA, and ICOR. There is a higher premium placed upon accuracy over speed, however, the targets are close so you can go fast anyways. I won that match. I won it by 15% over the second place guy.

Now I've been practicing my draw and dry firing. I'm steeping up my round count to somewhere around 750 rounds a month. I'm training for Double Tap in March, it's a run and gun match, and to win, I'm going to have to be at the top of my game.

So Sunday, I go and shoot the local USPSA match. They have alot of run and gun stages set up in anticipation of Double Tap. My performance was less than stellar. I did not lose by any means. My times were up among the fastest shooters but my hits weren't there. I had alot of Deltas and a few misses, 4 out of 120 rounds to be exact. I know what my problem is. It's the same problem about once a year. I'm trying to go to fast. So whats the solution? Mental Discipline. I have to tell myself, "Slow and smooth, and smooth is fast." Basically when I slow down I'm about 2 seconds behind the leaders with as good, if not better hits. That doesn't always win but it comes close. We will see how the scores come out for yesterday, but I'm sure I need to slow down. Probably a 4th place finish out of 20 shooters.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Role Model of the Week-Part Two

This weeks role model hails out of Channing, Texas. Now Channing is a little town North West of Amarillo. Last weekend a state trooper was trying to reach his ticket quota for the month(one more and he woulda had a toaster!), when he was shot at while making a traffic stop. The officer returned fire and terminated the suspect (read shit-bag). During this process the nameless trooper was shot in the leg. Enter our illustrious hero, the cook, from a local restaurant. Bill Cullum did not see the shooting but went outside to investigate. He saw one man lying on the ground and the trooper holding his leg. He helped the trooper bandage the leg, remarking that the wound "didn't look that severe."

Bill won the award this week, not because he helped, but because he didn't have to. He could have stayed in the kitchen flipping burgers rather than help his fellow man. It is people like Mr. Cullum who make this society what it is. People who are willing to risk their own safety to assist another.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

January Range Report

Post inaugural inspection has shown that the range is still open and functioning.

Sorry for the light blogging but I have been busy with work and trying to develop a accurate and non-smoky lead bullet load for competition.

I have gotten fairly close- here is the starting load. Recoil was stout and accuracy was marginal. However it wasn't smoky. All pictures are at 25 feet. This seems to be the customary gun blogger distance. I was not very impressed with the load. As a little bit if history, I've gone thru three powders up til this point and they have not been acceptable for indoor shooting.


Here is that same load with very, very fast double taps. Sight recovery seemed to take a lot longer than normal. I am just not happy with this load. Back to the drawing board.












So I dropped the powder charge by .3 grains. Accuracy seems to have improved and the sight recovery is alot faster. Recoil is nowhere near as bad. I also shot a 25 yard group, that was around eight inches. I'm not happy with the accuracy, my pistol likes jacketed bullets alot better. However I find it hard to argue with $74 per thousand for lead bullets that I can push at major power factor.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Presidential Inauguration

Twelve years ago tomorrow I participated in the second inauguration President Bill Clinton. I had been stationed at Ft. McNair in Washington D.C. in September 1996, I was assigned to 'A' Company Third US Infantry regiment, The Old Guard. We were just one of many assigned to do the presidential cordon along the parade route. Members of all services were there and we were positioned in order, one army, one navy, one marine, one air force. I cannot remember if their were any members of the coast guard present, we generally forgot about them anyways(sorry Ahab).

We lined up at about 5:30 am, it was dark and cold as we marched into place. Blue dress uniform overcoats was the uniform, with a wool scarf and a campaign hat (think pilots hat for you non-military types). We were positioned every six feet, standing directly on the curb with our back to the sidewalk. The temperature was 22 degrees at noon. The most interesting part of the day was Dr. Ruth. Remember Dr. Ruth? Valiant Israeli sniper and resident sex-pert? She was standing behind me, she introduced herself, of course I didn't respond, and held a hot cup of coffee against my cold gloved hands. I never got to thank her, but I'm sure she knows.

We stood at parade rest for hours, patiently waiting for the Presidents motorcade to drive by. We anxiously awaited it, not for a glimpse of the President, but for the opportunity to move. You see, when I said we were standing at parade rest, I truly meant that we were not moving. Six hours in one position is enough to cause most people to collapse. Not us, we were the best, the elitist of all soldiers, soldiers in trusted with the protection of the President and the defense of Washington D.C.

Since the revolutionary war we had been performing our duty. Originally hand picked by General George Washington from each of the thirteen colonies to be his personal escort. The importance of this post was not lost to history. Every soldier in our unit knew the importance of his duty. Just as they knew that should the capitol city be invaded by any force, foreign or domestic, we would be the first to defend it. All romance aside, we were also the dog and pony show, the pretty boys with the impeccable uniforms and staunch discipline. We would do cross training with the Buckingham Palace guards, and at night try and determine who had the better discipline. However, I am off track, allow me to return to my point.

Six hours without moving, we marched off for lunch at noon(who says an army doesn't move on it's stomach?), Marched back in at one and the President came by about three. What is important about that day is not that I was there, it's that alot of people were there. Tomorrow, when looking at all the pomp and circumstance surrounding a man that was simply elected to an office buy a countries citizens. Remember the soldier that gave him that opportunity. I t does not matter whether it is the soldier standing watch over a lonely bit if Afghanny desert, or a soldier standing watch over a busy piece of DC sidewalk. They are the people who made all this possible. Think of them as we watch Barrack Hussein Obama take the oath of office and swear to uphold the constitution of the United States. Think of all the great things we have accomplished as Americans, and of all the great things that we will accomplish in the future.

God Bless America.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Whats in your pocket?

So my question to you is this: Whats your every day carry(EDC)?
Mine varies upon the perceived situation.

This is my lowest level, it contains one knife, phone, wallet and keys. I use my J frame as my pocket pistol, with ten rounds of ammunition.
Generally I carry the pistol in my weak side front pocket. Draw to first shot at three yards is about 1.75seconds. The reload is incredibly slow, but that is not this guns purpose. I consider this gun to be used for the immediate defense of mine or my families personal well being. It is not for stopping a gun fight that looks like something out of a Hollywood movie.


We have reached the point where people start to think I am strange. This is the point I max out on my concealed carry gear. Notice that most everything is doubled up. Two phones and two knives. Two magazines for the primary pistol, two reloads for the S & W.

The primary pistol is a Sig P226R in 40 S & W. It is gassed up with Winchester 165gr hollow points. I have found that they shoot excellent in this pistol and the recoil and muzzle blast is very reasonable. I used to carry a certain 'golden bullet', they to were awesome, however they would blind you at night. The snubbie is stoked with 125gr +P ammo. The recoil is stout, however, I can count on the bullet to expand at slow velocities.

Also note that I carry a Multi-tool knife. You are more likely to need a pair of pliers before you need a pistol. I also carry a flashlight. Honestly, it's the last thing to be put on, but it is also the most used, when I have it.

So what are your thoughts, too much? Too little? Am I a paranoid gunnut that doesn't know any better? By the way, if you think this is alot you should see my car bag!

Friday, January 16, 2009

New series

I have been searching for a way to make this blog more distinctive. I'm up to three readers now and I feel a strong calling to help enrich their lives. As such, I have decided to start a series that posts on every Friday. The series will be titled:
"Role-Model of the Week", not to be confused with role-playing of the week, it's a completely different thing. I will select a person out of the weeks news that best embodies the American spirit and is contributing to society rather than taking from it.
Today's Role-model is 19 year old Brittany Catanzaro, she is the youngest ferry boat captain on the Hudson River, and yesterday she showed us what it meant to do the right thing and be a good human being. The world is a better place because of her. Thank you Brittany for your quick thinking and action.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Linky Love

Many thanks to my good friend Jay G. Jay is man I trust to watch my back, but I won't trust with my daughter.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Economy Enhancement

I found these two posts today from:
1. A blogger
2. A newspaper article at http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_11444354?_requestid=7527720"(sorry, blogger didn't like the link)
They both cover the same thing, the eminent collapse of the Mexican government. I can see why our military considers it something worth watching. It also reassures me that our government considers it to be worth watching.

My thoughts are muddled about these articles. They talk about the possibility of a sudden collapse of Mexicos government creating a failed state. Yes, things can always get worse, however, think about it from a United States economic standpoint. How many people would we have to put on our border to protect it from a failed Mexican state? Alot. How many people are currently unemployed in the U.S.? Alot. Am I the only one that is seeing this correlation? It could be like the new new new deal, only more productive. We could stop all kinds of bad things from coming over our very porous border.

I realize that I am probably going off on a very weird tangent with this article. What kind of effect would a failed state have on our economy? Would it be a lasting drain on our already tenuous budget? Would it force the recall of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan to protect the motherland? I'm not entirely sure what the outcome would be, however I don't think it would be good. But it's probably as likely as Mexico trying to reclaim Texas.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Dating Daughter

Have ya'll wondered how your going to handle your daughter dating? Have you considered chastity belts, bodily harm, physical threats and intimidation?

I remember when I was about 16 years old, I was dating a charming blonde girl. She shall remain nameless for the sake of the story. Her father was a truck driver and never home. We had been dating for about three months before I had the pleasure of making his acquaintance. I walked into the house and there he sat, cleaning his Remington 1100 shotgun. One brief aside, I have been around guns all of my life, there is nothing evil or threatening about them. They are simply a tool, a fun tool, but still a tool. He looks at me and said something that has been lost in my aging (31, where does it go?) mind. I replied. The funny thing about firearms is that when they are apart, they don't work. His response? At 16 I never saw this one coming. "That's why I keep another in my pocket." Hmm, smart man.


So what is a father to do? A daughters virtue is something to be protected. Hence, the short questionaire:


A: If I were shot, the last place I would want shot would be:

B: If I were beaten, the last bone I would want broken is my:

C: A woman's place is in the:

D: The one thing I don't wantyou to find out about is:

E. What do you want to do IF you grow up?

F. When I meet a girl, the thing I always notice about her first is:

F. What is the current going rate of a hotel room?

G. What are your plans for military service and then college?


Daddy's Rules for Dating

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure not picking anything up.

Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three:
I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants t en sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.

Rule Four:
I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a “Barrier method” of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.

Rule Five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is: “early.”

Rule Six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.

Rule Seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process than can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with strong romantic or sexual themes are to be avoided; movies which feature chain saws are okay. Hockey games are very okay. Old folk’s homes are better.

Rule Nine:
Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.

Rule Ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a inbound RPG whizzing across the rooftops in Baghdad. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit the car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safe and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

So what are your ideas for defending virtue? By the way, I have time, she is seven.
Rules came from here

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Muzzle Braked Shotgun

My online friend, Steve, over at The Firearm Blog, recently had a post about a new Mossberg scattergun. The gun is interesting, what is exciting was the illustration that went along with it: clicky to embiggen



Here is the photo of the shotgun:

I'm not a huge fan of Mossberg shotguns, however, it seems like an excellent marketing ploy to suck in both pirates and ninjas.
In a past lifetime I had to pleasure of insert proper adjective here: use, train, borrow, rock, pull the trigger on, a 14" ported barrel 870, there was nothing faster/ I could put five full power slugs on target in about 2 seconds. I have been debating porting or braking my home defense 870. More to follow on that later.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Personal Panic Buying

Here is my personal panic buying. I didn't need much, I may want a new EBR, but it is not in the cards. The credit cards, that is.

Thank you, Midway USA for backordering $10 AR magazines and sending me an early Birthday present.

Amazing Peanut Butter

What can't this stuff do? Here's how the conversation went:

Sigboy Jr: Dad, You forgot to make sure I took out my gum before I went to bed.

Me: When did it become my responsibility to look in your mouth?

Jr: I don't know, but it's all in my hair.

Me: Do we have to shave your head?

Jr: (pleading) No Daddy, please no.

Me: You know the rules.

Mrs. Sigboy: I don't want to shave his head.

Me: We could try peanut butter.



Success!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Four Rules Violation

Funny Pictures
Funny Videos

Can anybody tell me of this fox has his finger on the trigger? Everybody knows that you don't put your finger on the trigger until the bolt is closed.

Monday, January 5, 2009

What time is it?

It's time to get your entries in for the annual Double Tap match held in Witchita Falls, TX. For those of you who have never heard of it (gasp), it's a huge USPSA match, this year is 13 stage 320 rounds. They generally have a movie theme, last year was James Bond and this year is Indiana Bones & The Double Tap of Doom. They have huge run and gun stages, excellent props and some interesting shooting problems. I made plans last year to shoot this match, not knowing that I'd be living much closer to it. Tonight I must thank the shooting gods! Entry fee is 140.00, worth every penny as I've heard the prize table is pretty awesome.


Come out and have fun. I'll be there. So in the meantime I will be working on my draw, practicing reloads. Not to mention dry firing, alot of dry firing.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Nuke 'em!

I found this on Snarky Bites Blog and absolutely had to re post it.
I decided to Nuke my old South Dakota home. I figure that if I can't have it, nobody else can either.

Yep, that ought to do it. I wonder if the explosion will melt the ice on the lake?
It's amazing what 340kt of raw radioactive fusion will do.
Thank you Carlos Labs, for giving us such lovely bits(and bytes) of programming.

Blogger Fail! I can't get it to post the picture I want! Does any body have Googgles address? I've got something to send them.....
 
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