Bullet Shortage.

I usually load my 454 rounds with 240Gr Hornady XTP/Mag at about 1800F/S.  I'm down to 25 rounds and no more 240Gr bullets.  I do have 300Gr XTP/Mag, now loaded into a box of ammo that runs about 1600F/S. 

I'm now out of bullets for the 454.  Regular bullets designed for the 45 Colt don't shoot worth a damn at 454 velocities and pressure. 

I don't shoot the 454 all that much.  It has the very real tendency to cause a flinch, as well as swelling of the hand.  The problem is that, at least for me, regular practice is necessary to retain any sort of proficiency.Always wait until the end of the shooting session, and limit the count to 25 rounds.

Oh Well . . . Just For Fun

When moving to the new house, we gained several horses as neighbors.  The eldest grand-daughter wanted to learn about horses and to ride.  I suggested she ask the neighbor if she could exchange labor for riding lessons.  As it turned out, the neighbor runs a 4-H club dealing with horse care and riding.

The county fair started last weekend and runs through this week.  Today I snuck away from work to watch the 4-H horse showmanship competition.  As a beginner, she did exceptionally well.  The club leader thought she might have even won, until the results were announced.

As it turned out, when getting the horse to back-up, her hand accidentally touched the horse.  That was enough to drop her out of the top 5.  Bummer.

Armed and Honest

Robert Heinlein has been credited with "An armed society is a polite society."  And then in a micro sense I've observed that an armed society is an honest society.

When at the range, I've found everyone to be very polite and honest.  This last weekend was no exception.  Valuables such as car keys, wallets and guns were left laying around without anything being bothered.

As a group were we more honest than the average, or did 20+ people with shotguns, and some with side arms, have anything to do with it?

250 in 2 Days

I can't imagine a more enjoyable weekend than I just had.  Two full days of "tactical shotgun" training at TDI.  I learned tons of stuff from great trainers, 2 of which are active LEOs/swat team members.  Learned new skills, and improved most of them throughout the 2 days.  I still have problem shooting on the move without stopping, and I'm not entirely happy with my 3 shot time.

We were timed going from low ready to 3 target hits the first day.  My best time was 2.08 seconds.  The next morning my time was 1.4 seconds.  At least I improved.  My most noticable issue was getting my finger from the safety to the trigger.

I will admit that 250 rounds through a 12 Ga in 2 days, in 90+ temperatures with high humidity is damn tough on an old man.  Would have shot more if I didn't spend so much time drinking gallons of water. 

I wanted to go through the live fire house a second time, but we were short on time, and I was exhausted.

My eldest son and I did this together.  We'd both like to do it again.

Never for Me

The trainer of trainers I shot with the other day has attended some sort of Glock school.  I think it had something to do with getting certified as a Glock trainer.  Anyway he had a real world, practical complaint with Glock pistols.  That little blade in the middle of the trigger chewed up his finger.  Apparently he wasn't the only student that had the same issue.

Other than not fitting my hand, that's another reason I'll never spend my hard earned money on one of those.

Shotgun Training

Been looking forward to this coming weekend at TDI learning to use a shotgun as a defensive weapon.  I have plenty of bird shot and buckshot, but not a slug to be found in the house.  Other than the training, I have no need for slugs.  It's getting harder and harder to find the old Foster style slugs for smooth bores these days, at this time of year, in the present market climate.

I'm not looking forward to Ohio late July weather.  Spending 2 days out in humid 90s is not my idea of fun.  Unlike others I'm getting less and less tolerant of heat as I get older.

Not Guilty - - No Kidding

There was nothing in the way of evidence to convict.  Any other verdict would have been a travesty of justice.

Having said that, if the gun toter started the confrontation, he would be in the wrong.  No evidence either way.  As it is, many lives were effected.  One lost and many others railroaded by racist politician.

Have you noticed the guilty of racism are the ones claiming that of others?.

That Was Close

The UN ATT failed to pass the senate by just 4 votes.  Of those voting to give away our rights 2 were independent and the rest were Democrats.  None were Republican.  So why do Democrats dislike our country?  They're constantly trying to negate every aspect that has made this country unique and great.

Second Thoughts

Has the trial in Florida caused anyone to second guess their decision to carry a weapon?  I've certainly re-evaluated my decision to carry.  It didn't take me long to reach a decision.  I'd rather be alive and persecuted than dead leaving a widow.

Lint & Crust

The Shiba was at the door barking a little while ago.  That's nothing new, since she's our early warning device.  She whoofs at just about any sound that's unusual.  What was different was that this time she growled.  I grabbed my Ultra Carry and investigated.  The nearest driveway had an idling Harley there.  That was the unusual sound she didn't like.

When replacing the little 45 I noticed the hammer area had collected some lint.  I hadn't fired it in several months, but it was dirty from just carrying it occasionally.  I don't carry it much in hot weather because of my extremely corrosive sweat.  So I gave it a quick cleaning.

Out of curiosity I checked the Kahr PM9 and found it to be worse than the Kimber.  It didn't look too bad externally, but the internals were actually crusty.  I haven't fired this one in a while either, but it gets carried more in this weather.  I prefer the 1911, but my sweat will corrode some stainless steels in short order, and I don't know how it will effect the anodized aluminum frame..  As I type this, some of the PM9 parts are soaking in oil.

I then checked the Llama 45 I keep in a soft case under the seat of the truck.  My place of employment has a no-guns policy.  It's probably been there for a year without cleaning.  It looked excellent, but I gave it a wipe down and a couple drops of oil anyway.

It appears that carry guns, that are fired little, require cleaning just as often as the weapons that are used more often.

Independence and Liberty

There were many reasons for the declaration of Independence, the document that thumbed noses at the British empire.  It's been several decades since school, but I remember most of the reasons having nothing to do with the spark that started the war.  The British was escalating their iron handed authority, but all the colonists did was grumble and take it.  Then the spark was ignited by attempting to disarm 'the people'. 

Today most states are becoming more arms friendly, while the federal government is tending the other way.  The administration has been ignoring laws, attempting to control our lives in total, and trampling on the rights of the people.  And all we do is grumble.  I wonder when and if there will be another spark.