The kind folks at Clarksville Guns and Archery have kindly donated this Hard Shoot Target for demonstration purposes. This is a unique target as it is a photo, with dye packs instead of scoring lines. You can hit this target over and over, but you are not successful until you hit the dye.
I think this is a really good idea, and quite useful on a training range, however, the dye is very thick, and if you are not careful it can make a mess.
Because of this some ranges do not allow the use of hard shot targets, which is a shame, because I feel that when used properly, they make wonderful training tools – as they teach to shoot until you get a stop – watch the background for innocents (their are several innocent bystanders printed on the various targets), and to make situationally appropriate shots.
It was pretty fun shooting this target, and the realism is pretty good for a static target. I am sure the argument could be made that the dye packs and the photographic targets without obvious scoring rings, and bystanders in the background make this a very effective training target.
Through twitter I was introduced to some really cool guys that run a new Prepper Reality Radio Show.
What is different about these guys is that their hosts specialize in particular topics so instead of having one host with a longer show that covers a lot of topics, they have shorter but more focused shows.
That works for them because they are focusing on teaching topics, so you can listen live or download only what you want to, and don’t have to listen to topics you my not be interested in to hear what you want.
But what really got my attention is that the lead host Maha33, coined the term prepsteading, which is homesteading for preparedness. As soon as I heard the term I focused i, because that is exactly what I am doing, but never thought to label it.
Right now we are working on scheduling a time that I can come on as a guest to talk about firearm issues for preppers.
I look forward to learning more from these guys and I have posted their website addresses below so you can check them out.
Prepper Reality Website: www.anythingprepping.com
New site (under construction): www.prepperreality.com
The following guest post shows some affordable upgrades for your shotgun.
Everyone likes to have accessories and modify their shotgun in one way or another. Some people will never modify or upgrade the gun, but those same people will buy a precisely fit sling or unique protective case. Those that do upgrade will add any number of add-ons available depending on how they plan to use it. When thinking or accessories or upgrades the best thing to do is to look at all of the products made available for the most popular shotgun in the world, the Remington 870, and then see if that same item is made for the shotgun you own.
The reason you look to the 870 is because the 870 has more accessories and upgrades available than any other shotgun. This way you are not limited to imagining items available for your specific shotgun, you are seeing the entire breadth of available products and then if it is not made for your shotgun, you can have it made.
Some of the accessories available for any gun include shell holders, slings, cases, and cleaning kits. They also include special storage and safety locks. Upgrades include everything from magazine extensions through adding a full length tactical rail. For example, if you are making your 870 into a tactical shotgun, there are hundreds of Remington 870 tactical accessories and upgrades available. Muzzle brakes, pistol grips, other stock configurations, attached shell holders, and even red or green dot sights. You can even upgrade an 870 to do everything you would expect from a Saiga 12 drum combat shotgun, save for the semi automatic action, if that is your goal and at the same time enjoy the widespread availability and affordability of parts. This is the same for any shotgun, not just the 870.
If combat or tactical use is not your goal then while looking at the options for the 870, you can see that any upgrade or option imaginable has already been thought of and put to use. Different barrel lengths, replacement fore-ends, heat shields, unique stocks, and mounted flashlights are common upgrades that make any shotgun unique.
The important thing to remember is that you can get accessories or upgrades all shotguns. Some will have to be custom made or ordered if you do not own an 870, but looking at what is available for the 870 opens your mind to the possibilities
Trapping gives much more meat per unit of energy expended than hunting does. Using snares is a passive activity; you can set several traps in multiple locations and check them once a day leaving you free to do other useful work while still gathering food. Hunting requires active attention; you cannot stalk a deer while tending a signal fire.
Snares are also relatively lightweight, cheap, and easy to pack.
Today’s video shows how to make and use a Survival Squirrel Snare using bailing wire or 20 gauge galvanized steel wire.
A roll of this wire is about $5.00, makes several dozen snares, is relatively lightweight, compact, and can be used for other survival uses.
How to Build a Survival Squirrel Snare
Cut a length of wire approximately 18 inches long (length depends on how you are going to attach it).
Make a small loop at one end of the wire
Run the wire back over itself and through the small twisted loop you made. This makes a larger loop “lasso”. The wire should run freely through the small twisted loop you made at the end of the wire. The loop this forms should be approximately the diameter of a coke can.
With the small twisted loop at approximately the “10 o’clock” position, run the free end of your wire snare down and attach it to your squirrel run.
The squirrel run is a straight stick relatively free of limbs and 6-10 feet long. It should be about the same thickness as a man’s wrist. This branch has one end resting on the ground, and the other resting on the trunk of a tree. It should intersect the ground at an approximate 45 degree angle.
Is possible you want to pick a tree that has a squirrel nest in it, or is an oak tree – that way squirrels will be naturally drawn to it.
The idea is that a squirrel will choose to run up the stick to get to the tree trunk, as that is easier for them to get on the tree than jumping the 90 degree angle to move from ground to trunk.
If a squirrel runs up the pole they will have to move through the snare. They won’t mind as it looks flexible and they can see through it. As they enter the snare, their head goes in, but their body cannot. The snare tightens around them as they run; they hit the end of the wire and fall off the branch in their struggle.
Be Careful How You Place the Snare
If the wire is placed appropriately, they will hang themselves and will not be able to climb back up.
You can place multiple snares on a single run, just make sure they are all high enough that a snared squirrel will hang free and not touch the ground, and that there is enough space that they cannot touch each other.
I do not know where you live, but obviously you need to look at the game laws in your area. In my state of Tennessee this is illegal, and not something I would do as long as I can go to the grocery for food. But in the event nothing else was available and I would starve otherwise, there are many squirrels in my subdivision (or nearby parks) and they could mean the difference between going hungry or not.
In the 50’s Time magazine published an article called Ethics at the Shelter Door. This article discussed bomb shelters and the ethics of letting your neighbors in, even if it meant your family would not have enough to survive.
A friar named McHugh wrote a dissenting article. He explained how the Christian thing to do in the event of a nuclear attack would be to get your family inside and lock the door. Even if that excluded your neighbors from safety.
Obviously his opinion controversial. Some even believe the uproar caused the Kennedy administration to move from helping build individual family shelters to building fewer community shelters.
Not too long ago I mentioned that to a friend of mine and he expressed STRONG feelings about that idea.
He was loudly vocal on “What Would Jesus Do”. He could not comprehend how excluding someone from your fallout shelter was Christian.
Here are the assumptions of the article:
There is a well-known threat, the 50’s was the civil defense era. The duck and cover video was played in schools and at the start of movies. Civil Defense (later FEMA) gave out scores of pamphlets on how to build a fallout shelter in your home.
Everyone was told to prepare, not everyone did. What if you choose to build a shelter while your neighbors choose to buy boats, better cars, season tickets, or just go out to eat more than you.
Similar resources, dissimilar values
If you built a bomb shelter you are limited by your resources as to how big it could be. Resources determine how it was stocked. Both determine how long you could stay inside. Once you’re out of air, food, or toilets you have to come outside – even if it’s not safe yet.
Your family is your responsibility. If you let extra people in your shelter you are reducing the safety of the people who you have a duty to provide for.
“Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent.”- Adam Smith
So it’s pretty easy to see why a man would decide that after all his work and sacrifice that he would be justified in locking the door to his shelter.
If you have ever spent time around me you have heard me say “I love everybody, but I love me (and my family) more”.
I would have tears in my eyes as I did it. Most likely I would never sleep well again. However, if you choose not to prepare and bombs were falling, I would let you and yours die. At least I would do so rather than let my own son suffer for your lack of planning.
The Bible has several verses that deal with preparedness. The Bible is clear on a man’s role as the protector of his home.
God also gave us a set of rules that if we followed them we could have everlasting life with him. Since no man can follow those rules he sent His Son to die for us so that if we have faith we can still go to heaven.
If we choose not to have faith and to disregard what God has done for us then we suffer the consequences.
Anyone who has read the Book of Revelations has the image of Jesus smiting the world for not believing. The world during Tribulation and Apocalypse is very reminiscent of the world in a nuclear holocaust. The Bible is clear in Romans 6 23 “The wages of sin is death”.
God loves us and wants us to follow his word, However, he gave us free will so that our love would be real and not contrived. If we choose to disregard his warnings then he allows us the choice to die alone.
God clearly tells us to work and save and prepare for lean times. He gives strict instructions for men to take care of their families.
If commit a crime and go to jail would you let your kids go hungry to feed mine? No, you would say, “I am sorry about the kids; they have a really crappy dad”. That is not to say I would not give extra to feed your kids. I would not let mine go hungry to do it.
I believe in charity, and have made provisions for it. I try to get others to prepare for future disasters both small scale and catastrophic. But my charity ends at the last box of noodles.
My wife and my son get taken care of first. Anyone that does not think my life and work should go to my family needs to see if they are willing to give their life and their work for mine over theirs.
If not, then they are not just a hypocrite, they are a thief and a looter.
“But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Timothy 5:8
The following guest post shows some affordable upgrades for your shotgun.
