Jamie Jackson

Just chiming back in to say thanks to Sidecarist. That's interesting info about your experience with the jar lids. As I mentioned above, I'm currently using o2 absorbers and had excellent results with new lids. But as we eventually transition to a Food Saver brand unit I'll definitely be using a jar attachment, so I'm filing away this tip for later on. Much obliged.

I 100% agree with CHL (Randy) and Omega that having anatomical knowledge...the knowing why we are shooting at what we are shooting at is a necessity. The rapid incapacitation areas of the human body are pretty darn small. That's good and bad. Good for us if we're the target of incoming rounds... Having a working knowledge of human anatomy and realistic expectations of ballistic injury to those targeted areas is invaluable imho. In training and practice those targeted areas Randy mentioned, and Omega's excellent targets represent are great. I know I sound like a broken record, but I also find shooting Dot drills (OPS or Tactical response on search) and the Dot Torture (Todd Green) are extremely beneficial. The F.A.S.T. (test) is also a good option. http://pistol-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/fast-target.pdf http://pistol-training.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dot-torture-target.pdf

This ^^^! 100% agree as it's my practice as well. Just doing my part to make it easier for my peers.

I don't own a Food Saver brand (wish I did) but have a 12 year old Black & Decker model. I don't have a jar attachment for it. So why the heck is Prag posting this!? I still vac seal dried foods in jars by tossing in one 500 cc o2 absorber into pint jars and two 500cc o2 absorbers into quart jars, place the new lid on and screw the ring down. I get an excellent vac seal this way. I've opened a couple of jars within the past month that I initially sealed in 2011 and the vacuum was well intact and the foods in excellent condition. I keep the o2 absorbers vac sealed (I purchase a few hundred at a time), prep my jars, open the o2 absorbers and toss the appropriate number in my jars, lid 'em and reseal the o2 absorbers ... this has worked for several years now. fwiw these are the same o2 absorbers I use in my Mylar bags & buckets for food storage. I just wanted folks that are considering storing foods that there are additional options available. Of course when the B&D unit finally dies, it'll be replaced with a Food Saver brand unit...one day...

Congrats Dolo! The Good Lord works his magic and does it quite well. Sam's a great looking dog. And very fortunate.

Best wishes in regards your surgery Grunt. Heal fast. As Jocko Willink says, now you have an "opportunity to learn", and with what you said: "old Army motto", "improvise, adapt, overcome", you'll do great! Do keep us posted. We'll learn as well.

I've been guilty of the same CZ! Kinda makes you wish you could time travel doesn't it?

Well, the OP was made in 2015. Current 2017 pricing, from what I see, is in the $800.00-$850.00 range. But that was a great sale price. fwiw the Aimpoint PRO's are running around $400.00 at this time. I own one and find it to be very functional for my needs.

Jab; I do dehydrate, but have no experience dehydrating meats...but I pressure can the devil outta meats! I've pressure canned everything from smoked sausage, beef, venison, pork, turkey, chicken and even figured out how to pressure can bacon bit & pieces. I know that's not what you're asking and just wanted to mention the option. We have 2 chest freezers and of course generator backups. But we, as you mentioned, accept the unreliability of electrical appliances. I too would be interested to learn of other's experiences with dehydrating meats and the usable lifespan they expect. I'm interested in trying my hand at biltong, but honestly can't afford current beef prices to experiment with the process. South African biltong: http://www.sa-austin.com/blog/2014/04/making-traditional-south-african-biltong-1400.html

Not to side track or anything, but what bags are you folks using? I've only ever used Food Saver brand, and they work well. But I just received a 3 roll order off Amazon and they've gone up in price $6.00 since my last order in Aug. 2016.

Thank you Raoul. Much obliged.

I used this software for posting some items for the first time today....from starting to completing a sale. I like it! I'm a devout technotard and still found it extremely easy to use. Much appreciated David!

Thank you mootw. No need to trouble yourself. I just have a special fondness for hammer shrouded Colts. And yours is a beauty! I carry a S&W 640 with Barami Hip Grips, have since '92. Would love to have an Agent to go along with it. After seeing your collection I reckon I better start searching LOL.

Great collection! Man, I love the Agent with the shroud and Barami hip grips! Is the hammer shroud a Waller & Sons?

Good suggestion on the double seal from peejman. I do the same and have found it makes a significant difference. When we find good "loss leader" buy on meats, life whole fryers or Boston Butt pork roasts, we'll pick up 40-50 pounds of them and vac seal them. We have 2 chest freezers and one is dedicated strictly to meats. I've found that vac sealing, with the double seal, has enabled us to keep these meats in good condition without freezer burn for 12-18 months. fwiw I always date the bags and usually include the sale price as a reference for myself. We also use the vac sealing for tablet or pill form medications except aspirin containing products. If you folks have seen the S.L.E.P. or Shelf Life Extension Program you know the wisdom and value of this. The pdf comes and goes off the interwebs, but the info is worth digging around for. I'll try and insert the pdf but I am a technotard... Our unit is an old Black & Decker I purchased for use in making BOK's that I sold a dozen years back and it's still going strong. SLEP.pdf

I agree 100% with the chronograph suggestion. I have and use a ProChrono and find it invaluable. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph Those are 3 of my favorite powders for 9mm and .38 spl. As we cast and PC, we had to learn to adapt OAL and bullet weight and extrapolate from the listed data to come up with safe and accurate loads. I've also found e-mailing the various powder manufactures has been extremely helpful during our load developments. I've been able to get data that simply isn't, for whatever reason, published, but served as a great starting point. But Chrono use has allowed us to safely develop some great loads. We had some loads in the past that exhibited key-holing. We had to tweak the velocity based on the OAL for our particular slugged barrels. This was with Green Dot powder and 130 gr .38 cal bullets resized for our barrels...worked great, even though we are no longer casting those particular bullets, it's great data to have on hand.

$499.00 ? I'm impressed brother! I look forward to meeting "her".

Very nice GTG! Good for you. Hope you will bring it out on Sunday.

lock n' load; I'm a 9mm guy myself. But if the .40 S&W Ranger T-series you are referring to is the RA40T it does make Dr. Gary K. Roberts (Doc GKR) list as a recommended carry round for that caliber. Here's one of many links to the same info: https://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/#mozTocId759557 That's a good price, and if it shoots to POA and is reliable in your handgun, I'd consider that a good purchase. FWIW and imho most modern premium self defense ammo is quite adequate. The expanded talons do look wicked. I have seen the original Black Talons both expand and not expand in human beings. This was back in the 1990's and bullet technology has advanced considerably since that time. But seeing a few of those points (talons) protruding through the skin (transthoracic chest shot) does indeed look wicked!

Sorry for your loss Bresa. God Bless. You are fortunate to have been able to share the time you had with him, and him with you. That's a Blessing good Sir.

Save the C4 for a better project LagerHead LOL. My 550 is pushing 30 years old and Dillon did a rebuild on it a few years back. But I had the same problem you mention at one time. Dillon replaced my primer tube and sent me several new tips for it as well. All for free after I sent an e-mail explaining the issue. I keep a brass brush on my table and use it to keep the primer seating cup clean of residue. I tend to get "funk" buildup on the outside edges of the primer seating cup that will prevent the cup from coming completely back underneath the primer tube causing a very slight misalignment preventing a primer pickup. I just make sure I knock off that debris about every 1K-2K rounds. I also disassemble the primer pickup bar mechanism every 5K rounds or so and clean it up the same brass brush...no lube..and my 550 runs great. I am only loading 9mm on it at present and load at least 10 k per year. Works great for me. There's better uses for the C4!

I already had, and shot my S&W 686 and Colt Series 80 45 acp in '87 when I started handloading. I initially started simply because I wanted to learn the process and develop options. I handload now because I can craft ammo to meet my perceived specific needs or wants and I can at this point actually save money doing so. As a group of three we cast, powder coat, and handload primarily for 9mm. These loads are tailored to the velocity and accuracy that we are all quite pleased with. I realize some folks complain, or at least express concern over the time involved. I thoroughly enjoy the process of handloading...it's my "Zen" thing. But we can produce 9mm for at or less than most .22 LR sells for. Bulk purchased components allows us to not have to worry much about shortages during the last 2 panic periods...they'll show up again I venture to guess... I can also load quality accurate 5.56 brass cased ammo (purchased projectiles on sale with free shipping) for around $0.17/round. I'm happy with that. So I guess I already had the "chicken" and have added a few over the years...but really enjoy working with the "egg".

The owner is obviously not married...

Thank you Randy for providing this opportunity! This is an incredible value. imho, having standards, whether an agency’s or your own, is the only sensible and realistic way we can gauge or measure our progress…and these “quals” are fun and a challenge to shoot as well! I’m looking forward to this. Hope to see some fellow TGOer’s as well. And Thank you GTG for hosting this session.

Of course Brother! Prayers sent. You know you can call me if you need anything my friend.