Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Non variable background:
Rifle: CZ 550
Caliber: .308
Barrel: 26″ heavy
Optics: Leupold Varix-II 3×9
Stock:H-S Precision Kevlar, barrel floated
Rings: Steel CZ

Todays variables:
Temp: 58 degrees
Weather: overcast, some wind
Distance: 100 yards, shooting seated from bench using ammo box as rest

Load data:
Cases: Rem. once fired, fireformed and neck sized, trimmed to 2.010″
Bullet 1) 30 rounds using Speer 165 gr. BT SP
Bullet 2) 10 rounds using Nosler Ballistic Tip 165 gr.
Powder: 41.5 gr. IMR 4895 run through a Redding BR3 measure
Primer: CCI LR
OAL: 2.807″ with Speer, 2.812″ with Nosler

I measure from the two most distant holes in the paper, inside edge of one to outside edge of the other (which averages to a center-to-center measurement) in fractions. For figuring mathematical averages Im converting them to decimal.

And, just for fun:
Average 4-shot group using Speer: 1.37″
Average 3-shot group using Speer: 0.884″

Average 4-shot group using Nosler: 1.75″
Average 3-shot group using Nosler: 1.0625″

Yes, hardly scientific since the sample groups were different in size, I know….

Some of the horizontal stringing, esp. group #3, came when I shifted my grip and rest.
If youre doing the math, that leaves four rounds unaccounted for. I took two Noslers and two Speers and shot them at the steel tanks at 300 yards. Missed the first two until I recalled that I needed to holdover about a foot..at that point they rang quite nicely.

Im annoyed at the flyers. I thought they were from being the first rounds off the magazine but that wasnt it. Im betting the problem is me. Im going to order upo someLapua brass, some Fed BR primers and some Sierra MK's and see where it goes from there. I also want to try some Varget and and some BLC-2. I think this rifle has good potential, it just needs to be played with. At this point it has about 140 rounds through it. Also need to go through it an make sure all the screws are tight….that horizontal stringing pisses me off.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Ah, it is good to be back in Great Northwest. Empty freeways, guns everywhere, no sales tax and damn near zero crime. (Not to be confused with Zero crime, which is when I do something wrong.)

My trip to Philadelphia did impress upon me one thing….theres a tool that is sorely lacking from my plans and if you live in an urban center I highly recommend it:Wonder Bar …. 'cause sure as god made little green hand grenades, youre gonna need to jimmy a door or two. Of course your average 30″ wrecking bar (”crowbar”) would work even better but its nowhere near as portable.
=====
Feels good to no longer be more than arms reach away from impressive firepower. We of the preparedness bent get tagged as camo-wearing gun nuts alot but sometimes the simple truth is that you need overwhelming firepower if youre going to be happy and safe. Although my hosts in Phildaelphia very kindly offered me the use of the G17 I didnt feel comfortable with that….and it was also the first time Id been in a household that did not have more than one gun for every person in it. Still, in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king and in the  land of the gunless the Ruger 10/22 owner is king. Point: any gun is better than no gun.
=====
Still playing around with the Mountain House info packet. The freeze-drieds are nice for convenience and long-term storage (as well as portability), but they are only a small part of the plan. In additon to the FD stuff, we've got hundreds of MRE's. barrels of rice and wheat, a very lovely supply of canned goods, and then theres the stuff thats in the regular kitchen cabinets. All told, I'd say its at least several months worth…or, it was until the girlfriend moved in…that pretty much cut everythingi n half (well, really closer to 2/3 since she's small and doesnt eat much.) So, I do need to upgrade and add to the food lockers.I've been finding some good stuff lately in the supermarkets…stuff thats packaged well, has long shelf life and isnt too bad. The Idahoan potatoes spring to mind…also some of the Uncle Bens flavored rice dishes as well. And, although I wasnt that thrilled with it, the vaccuum sealed ground beef still needs to be experimented with more. (I am not going through the apocalypse as a vegetarian.)
=====
Took the .308 out for a spin yesterday. There will be a post on that later and will, in fact, be a topic under 'memories' dedicated to my experiences with it. In short, I loaded up some ammo and shot four-shot groups. Seemed like everything was within an inch and then *whammo* a flyer. Then again, some groups strung horizontally but I suspect thats because i radically shifted my shooting position for that string. Anyway, Im not as pleased with the .308 CZ as Id like to be..I dont believe the problem is the gun, I know its me and probably also I need to spend alot of time at the loading bench. Sure wouldnt mind getting that IOR scope while Im at it too.

Ah, it is good to be back in Great Northwest. Empty freeways, guns everywhere, no sales tax and damn near zero crime. (Not to be confused with Zero crime, which is when I do something wrong.)

My trip to Philadelphia did impress upon me one thing….theres a tool that is sorely lacking from my plans and if you live in an urban center I highly recommend it:Wonder Bar …. ’cause sure as god made little green hand grenades, youre gonna need to jimmy a door or two. Of course your average 30″ wrecking bar (“crowbar”) would work even better but its nowhere near as portable.
=====
Feels good to no longer be more than arms reach away from impressive firepower. We of the preparedness bent get tagged as camo-wearing gun nuts alot but sometimes the simple truth is that you need overwhelming firepower if youre going to be happy and safe. Although my hosts in Phildaelphia very kindly offered me the use of the G17 I didnt feel comfortable with that….and it was also the first time Id been in a household that did not have more than one gun for every person in it. Still, in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king and in the  land of the gunless the Ruger 10/22 owner is king. Point: any gun is better than no gun.
=====
Still playing around with the Mountain House info packet. The freeze-drieds are nice for convenience and long-term storage (as well as portability), but they are only a small part of the plan. In additon to the FD stuff, we’ve got hundreds of MRE’s. barrels of rice and wheat, a very lovely supply of canned goods, and then theres the stuff thats in the regular kitchen cabinets. All told, I’d say its at least several months worth…or, it was until the girlfriend moved in…that pretty much cut everythingi n half (well, really closer to 2/3 since she’s small and doesnt eat much.) So, I do need to upgrade and add to the food lockers.I’ve been finding some good stuff lately in the supermarkets…stuff thats packaged well, has long shelf life and isnt too bad. The Idahoan potatoes spring to mind…also some of the Uncle Bens flavored rice dishes as well. And, although I wasnt that thrilled with it, the vaccuum sealed ground beef still needs to be experimented with more. (I am not going through the apocalypse as a vegetarian.)
=====
Took the .308 out for a spin yesterday. There will be a post on that later and will, in fact, be a topic under ‘memories’ dedicated to my experiences with it. In short, I loaded up some ammo and shot four-shot groups. Seemed like everything was within an inch and then *whammo* a flyer. Then again, some groups strung horizontally but I suspect thats because i radically shifted my shooting position for that string. Anyway, Im not as pleased with the .308 CZ as Id like to be..I dont believe the problem is the gun, I know its me and probably also I need to spend alot of time at the loading bench. Sure wouldnt mind getting that IOR scope while Im at it too.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

As I mentioned ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/commander_zero/55619.html ) I sent off to the folks at Oregon Freeze Dried (Mountain House) a request for dealer pricing and whatnot and, son of a gun, they sent me their dealer package. Got it today.

So, as I suspected – this stuff is way overpriced at retail. How much? A very nice 50%. MSRP is twice what dealer cost is. Nice margin if you can get it. So, my beloved #10 cans of FD spaghetti with meat sauce that MSRP at $18.20 per can now cost me a mere $9.10. More importantly, freeze dried meat!!! FD beef, normally $45.53/can are $22.77/can. Hmmmm..

I need to email the local LMI's and let them know so we can start ordering this stuff up by the case. (Six cans/case..must order in case lots.) This way we can split the case lots so I dont wind up with a bunker full of spaghetti instead of the more appetizing variety of foods.

Whats available in the #10 cans, you ask?

30105         Rice & Chicken (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $20.36                  
30108         Spaghetti with Meat and Sauce ( Serving 10 – 1 cup)         $18.20                
30111         Chicken ala King (Servings 11 – 1 cup)         $32.10                
30113         Vegetable Stew with Beef (Servings 8.5 – 1 cup)         $23.37                
30114         Hearty Stew with Beef (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.76                
30119         Beef Stroganoff (Servings 10 -1 cup)         $21.83                
30121         Chili Macaroni with Beef (Servings 10 – 1cup)         $22.50        
30123         Beef Teriyaki with Rice (Servings 11 -1 cup)         $28.27        
30127         Lasagna with Meat & Sauce (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.77                
30131         Noodles & Chicken (Servings 16 – 1 cup)         $28.00                
30132         Wild Rice Mushroom Pilaf (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $25.13                
30134         Sweet & Sour Pork with Rice (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $33.93                
30135         Turkey Tetrazzini (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $32.68                
30137         Pasta Primavera (Servings 9 – 1 cup)         $28.27                
30138         Oriental-Style Spicy Chicken Veggies (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $30.75                
30143         Seafood Chowder (Servings 17 – 1 cup)         $33.00                
30146         Chicken Stew (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $31.75                
30425         Eggs Scrbld w/ Ham, pre-cooked (Servings 17 – 2/3 cup)         $31.13                
30447         Eggs with Bacon, pre-cooked(Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $28.02                
30449         Granola with Blueberries & Milk (Servings 27 – 1/2 cup)         $34.73                
30122         Diced Beef (Servings 15 – 2/3 cup)         $45.53                
30142         Diced Chicken (Servings 14 – 3/4 cup)         $42.35        
30305         Garden Green Peas (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.52                
30306         Green Beans (Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $20.83                
30308         Corn (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.38                
30584         Pilot Crackers (Servings 70 crackers)         $15.22                
30542         Blueberry Cheesecake (Servings 12 – 1/2 cup)         $20.87                
30117         White Rice – Instant         $15.88                
30541         Raspberry Crumble ( Servings 12-1/2 cups)         $20.87        
30158         Mac & Cheese (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $21.80        

There is a discount on the pouch stuff (including their new vaccuum-sealed pouch which uses less space) but its closer to 40%.

Needless to say, Im going to have to start socking some money away and upgrade my long-term food supply.

As I mentioned ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/commander_zero/55619.html ) I sent off to the folks at Oregon Freeze Dried (Mountain House) a request for dealer pricing and whatnot and, son of a gun, they sent me their dealer package. Got it today.

So, as I suspected – this stuff is way overpriced at retail. How much? A very nice 50%. MSRP is twice what dealer cost is. Nice margin if you can get it. So, my beloved #10 cans of FD spaghetti with meat sauce that MSRP at $18.20 per can now cost me a mere $9.10. More importantly, freeze dried meat!!! FD beef, normally $45.53/can are $22.77/can. Hmmmm..

I need to email the local LMI’s and let them know so we can start ordering this stuff up by the case. (Six cans/case..must order in case lots.) This way we can split the case lots so I dont wind up with a bunker full of spaghetti instead of the more appetizing variety of foods.

Whats available in the #10 cans, you ask?

30105         Rice & Chicken (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $20.36                  
30108         Spaghetti with Meat and Sauce ( Serving 10 – 1 cup)         $18.20                
30111         Chicken ala King (Servings 11 – 1 cup)         $32.10                
30113         Vegetable Stew with Beef (Servings 8.5 – 1 cup)         $23.37                
30114         Hearty Stew with Beef (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.76                
30119         Beef Stroganoff (Servings 10 -1 cup)         $21.83                
30121         Chili Macaroni with Beef (Servings 10 – 1cup)         $22.50        
30123         Beef Teriyaki with Rice (Servings 11 -1 cup)         $28.27        
30127         Lasagna with Meat & Sauce (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.77                
30131         Noodles & Chicken (Servings 16 – 1 cup)         $28.00                
30132         Wild Rice Mushroom Pilaf (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $25.13                
30134         Sweet & Sour Pork with Rice (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $33.93                
30135         Turkey Tetrazzini (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $32.68                
30137         Pasta Primavera (Servings 9 – 1 cup)         $28.27                
30138         Oriental-Style Spicy Chicken Veggies (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $30.75                
30143         Seafood Chowder (Servings 17 – 1 cup)         $33.00                
30146         Chicken Stew (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $31.75                
30425         Eggs Scrbld w/ Ham, pre-cooked (Servings 17 – 2/3 cup)         $31.13                
30447         Eggs with Bacon, pre-cooked(Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $28.02                
30449         Granola with Blueberries & Milk (Servings 27 – 1/2 cup)         $34.73                
30122         Diced Beef (Servings 15 – 2/3 cup)         $45.53                
30142         Diced Chicken (Servings 14 – 3/4 cup)         $42.35        
30305         Garden Green Peas (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.52                
30306         Green Beans (Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $20.83                
30308         Corn (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.38                
30584         Pilot Crackers (Servings 70 crackers)         $15.22                
30542         Blueberry Cheesecake (Servings 12 – 1/2 cup)         $20.87                
30117         White Rice – Instant         $15.88                
30541         Raspberry Crumble ( Servings 12-1/2 cups)         $20.87        
30158         Mac & Cheese (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $21.80        

There is a discount on the pouch stuff (including their new vaccuum-sealed pouch which uses less space) but its closer to 40%.

Needless to say, Im going to have to start socking some money away and upgrade my long-term food supply.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

has a post ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/smjayman/266827.html ) about $15 Glock mags if anyone needs to pick up a few extras.

Crossed to

smjayman has a post ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/smjayman/266827.html ) about $15 Glock mags if anyone needs to pick up a few extras.

Crossed to survivalist

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Wandering the streets of Philadelphia is an interesting experience when your good Commander is on an expedition. Having not lived in the confines of a city for a very long time I had forgotten how much welded steel and iron fencing people can slap up over their windows and doors. And riot gates…I had almost forgotten what riot gates look like. (And, now having been reacquainted with them, I may have to get some for the someday Rancho Ballistica). Id also forgotten what its like to walk and be around people whose main concerns in life seem to be having louder car stereos than their neighbors, wearing as much team-logo-festooned clothing as possible, and buying useless crap. Sadly, when Things Get Ugly these same people will be the ones expecting government to 'do something' and if those needs arent met will be the ones pulling apart that welded steel and iron fencing that is so decoratively covering someones basement windows.

For me a trip to the city is like spearing your hand in and out of a candle flame….if its fast and youre quick..in and out as fast as you can..you probably wont get hurt. But if youre too slow or stay too long youre going to get burned.

All things considered, Im not in a bad situation. The folks Im staying with have a small(!) amount of firepower and they are tucked away and hidden in a quiet neighborhood…but I'd feel better with my Glock, AK, armour, a supply of chemlights and radio gear.

I think the biggest cosmic practical joke that could be played on me would be the end of the world when Im 1,991 miles (according to my GPS) away from my happy, fortified, well-armed home.

Wandering the streets of Philadelphia is an interesting experience when your good Commander is on an expedition. Having not lived in the confines of a city for a very long time I had forgotten how much welded steel and iron fencing people can slap up over their windows and doors. And riot gates…I had almost forgotten what riot gates look like. (And, now having been reacquainted with them, I may have to get some for the someday Rancho Ballistica). Id also forgotten what its like to walk and be around people whose main concerns in life seem to be having louder car stereos than their neighbors, wearing as much team-logo-festooned clothing as possible, and buying useless crap. Sadly, when Things Get Ugly these same people will be the ones expecting government to ‘do something’ and if those needs arent met will be the ones pulling apart that welded steel and iron fencing that is so decoratively covering someones basement windows.

For me a trip to the city is like spearing your hand in and out of a candle flame….if its fast and youre quick..in and out as fast as you can..you probably wont get hurt. But if youre too slow or stay too long youre going to get burned.

All things considered, Im not in a bad situation. The folks Im staying with have a small(!) amount of firepower and they are tucked away and hidden in a quiet neighborhood…but I’d feel better with my Glock, AK, armour, a supply of chemlights and radio gear.

I think the biggest cosmic practical joke that could be played on me would be the end of the world when Im 1,991 miles (according to my GPS) away from my happy, fortified, well-armed home.