Apparently the new horse dumped the granddaughter 3 times last week. The Boss and I went over there today. Saddled the horse, and the mare went crazy when the Boss even started to mount. The Boss walked her around the pasture for a while and tried again. This time Boss got her leg in the air over the saddle, and the mare twisted aware from her. The Boss slid right off the horses butt and landed on her feet. Expert help was called.
Seems the granddaughter has been riding bare back, on a horse that's never been ridden that way before. The horse is part arabian, so a bit spirited, in a new environment with new people. Seems the granddaughter has caused the issue. It may take several training sessions to fix this. It took the expert about 45 minutes to calm the mare. She stood as still as a rock being mounted. The Boss and the expert took a trail ride while I snoozed in the truck.
The Boss ended up riding a saddle that didn't fit her. It got her bad back hurting, but temporary. We'll see how she feels in the morning.
We're still learning about horses.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Broke no More
In between house projects I managed to get the 454 lever action back together. In the process I learned why it locked up at the range. There is a pin that goes through the bottom of the bolt that keeps the spring loaded ejector in place and is also the connection to the lever. That pin worked loose. It then jammed on the inside of the receiver.
The empty case removed showed no signs of excessive pressure. Having said that, I'm going to reduce the powder charge a little, or maybe find a suitable powder that burns slower than H110. Dropping the 300 Gr bullet to a little under 2250 F/S won't really bother me much.
The empty case removed showed no signs of excessive pressure. Having said that, I'm going to reduce the powder charge a little, or maybe find a suitable powder that burns slower than H110. Dropping the 300 Gr bullet to a little under 2250 F/S won't really bother me much.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Obama = Dickhead
Tried my best to ignore all news programs this last week, but did happen to see a short clip of Obama. He said he didn't have a strategy regarding the ISIS/ISIL situation. What a dickhead he is.
Construction Issues
We got back from our little getaway late Thursday afternoon.
I worked on the deck framing all day Friday. I've personally built 3 decks before, and this is by far the hardest, partially because of what I'm trying to accomplish, the damn hot weather and mostly because of the material supplier. Instead of multiple trips with my little truck, I paid extra for all the raw material to be delivered at the same time.
The first issue is that the railing and spindles showed up gray, when the Boss wanted red. While the son and I sweated, she took the stuff back, argued with the supplier and got the correct color ordered.
Then yesterday I was at the point where I could start installing the flooring. When I cut open the plastic wrap, the color was correct but the type was wrong. It was the cheaper hollow core when I wanted the solid material.
The Boss got on the phone and talked to a manager. The new railing and floor boards will be delivered in about a week. The trucker will take the other back with him. Between now and then, I should be able to frame out the ramp entrance to the deck.
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The horse we bought is at her new home. Took the Boss, granddaughter and one of her friends there this afternoon. I enjoyed watching the girls and their horse. The Boss picket out a saddle while we were gone, and it seemed to fit the horse just fine.
I worked on the deck framing all day Friday. I've personally built 3 decks before, and this is by far the hardest, partially because of what I'm trying to accomplish, the damn hot weather and mostly because of the material supplier. Instead of multiple trips with my little truck, I paid extra for all the raw material to be delivered at the same time.
The first issue is that the railing and spindles showed up gray, when the Boss wanted red. While the son and I sweated, she took the stuff back, argued with the supplier and got the correct color ordered.
Then yesterday I was at the point where I could start installing the flooring. When I cut open the plastic wrap, the color was correct but the type was wrong. It was the cheaper hollow core when I wanted the solid material.
The Boss got on the phone and talked to a manager. The new railing and floor boards will be delivered in about a week. The trucker will take the other back with him. Between now and then, I should be able to frame out the ramp entrance to the deck.
---------
The horse we bought is at her new home. Took the Boss, granddaughter and one of her friends there this afternoon. I enjoyed watching the girls and their horse. The Boss picket out a saddle while we were gone, and it seemed to fit the horse just fine.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Still Here, Very Busy
Took the last of my vacation days starting last Wednesday through next week. Use it or lose it time.
Last Wednesday through Saturday was spent constructing a base and assembling a yard shed for yard tools, and also starting the framing for a deck for the front of the house. All that between the rain and in the high humidity and heat. Been working in soggy clothes from the rain and sweat to the point of feeling like I have diaper rash. I hate it when stepping brings a sloshing sound from my shoes due to sweat.
Took the day off to rest, but went with the Boss to look at a horse for the third time. The pretty little Arabian mare dances a little when climbing aboard. The Boss hasn't been on a horse in decades, but gave it a good try. That's the first time I saw someone fall off a horse, before actually getting in the saddle. We bought that horse anyway. The second time up went well, and the Arabian settles right down. Compared to a quarter horse, she's like riding a cloud, so I'm told.
I got on a little Walker that was so responsive that I had to be careful about the signals I gave, whether intentional or not. It was a strange feeling. The last time I rode was years ago in the Rocky Mountains on a wilderness elk hunt.
Tomorrow we're off to a cabin for a few days of relaxation. Then this coming weekend, I'll be working on the deck again. Hopefully the weather won't be so hot.
Last Wednesday through Saturday was spent constructing a base and assembling a yard shed for yard tools, and also starting the framing for a deck for the front of the house. All that between the rain and in the high humidity and heat. Been working in soggy clothes from the rain and sweat to the point of feeling like I have diaper rash. I hate it when stepping brings a sloshing sound from my shoes due to sweat.
Took the day off to rest, but went with the Boss to look at a horse for the third time. The pretty little Arabian mare dances a little when climbing aboard. The Boss hasn't been on a horse in decades, but gave it a good try. That's the first time I saw someone fall off a horse, before actually getting in the saddle. We bought that horse anyway. The second time up went well, and the Arabian settles right down. Compared to a quarter horse, she's like riding a cloud, so I'm told.
I got on a little Walker that was so responsive that I had to be careful about the signals I gave, whether intentional or not. It was a strange feeling. The last time I rode was years ago in the Rocky Mountains on a wilderness elk hunt.
Tomorrow we're off to a cabin for a few days of relaxation. Then this coming weekend, I'll be working on the deck again. Hopefully the weather won't be so hot.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Crap
Took the new toy to the range Sunday. Brought along some 454 ammo loaded just shy of 1600 F/S out of my revolver with 300 grain Hornady XTP-Mag bullets. My first shot at a weed on the 100 yard bank was a direct hit. Fired maybe half a dozen while standing there and began falling in love with the Rossi lever action.
I then set up the chronograph. Three rounds ran about 2250 F/S with the 300 grain bullet. That's right there with 300 grain 45-70 factory ammo.
Just to see if it will function with 45 Colt, I loaded 3 rounds and fired those with no problem at all.
I then loaded 2more 454 cartridges in the magazine and fired the first one, but not the second. The action locked up. The lever moved a little, but the bolt was, and still is, locked tight. According to the Hornady manual, that load is not maximum, and my chronograph verifies that.
After I got home, examination revealed a round hole in the right side of the receiver where it appears a pin used to be. It appears a pin broke. So why? My ammo is not loaded to maximum pressure. Could the slightly shorter 45 Colt have left something that caused the 454 pressure to increase? Could it be a faulty part? Or will this rifle only tolerate much lighter loads?
Damn. A brand new shiny toy and I broke it.
I then set up the chronograph. Three rounds ran about 2250 F/S with the 300 grain bullet. That's right there with 300 grain 45-70 factory ammo.
Just to see if it will function with 45 Colt, I loaded 3 rounds and fired those with no problem at all.
I then loaded 2more 454 cartridges in the magazine and fired the first one, but not the second. The action locked up. The lever moved a little, but the bolt was, and still is, locked tight. According to the Hornady manual, that load is not maximum, and my chronograph verifies that.
After I got home, examination revealed a round hole in the right side of the receiver where it appears a pin used to be. It appears a pin broke. So why? My ammo is not loaded to maximum pressure. Could the slightly shorter 45 Colt have left something that caused the 454 pressure to increase? Could it be a faulty part? Or will this rifle only tolerate much lighter loads?
Damn. A brand new shiny toy and I broke it.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
New Toy Coming
I guess a 16 inch lever action in 454 Casull is a no go for me. None of the 5 relatively local gun shops can get one. They can be found listed on the 'net, but when contacted the seller doesn't have one. So I have a 20 inch barreled blue steel rifle coming my way. I ordered it through a local dealer instead of using the 'net and transferring through the FFL. I'm paying a few more bucks than absolutely necessary, but I like to support the local establishments.
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