Jamie Jackson

    Great question!   Anything in the near future Spots?

We can for most of the reasons already mentioned. Knowing what is actually in the jar is a good feeling. Not having high fructose corn syrup in everything is an even better feeling. :up:   We garden organically, not tree-hugging-hippie-type-organic, but we use compost we make and Steve Solomon's COF or Complete Organic Fertilizer to enhance the nutrient availability in the vegetables and fruits we grow. The taste is simply outstanding. We avoid pesticides as well. So far so good. Yes, we occasionally loose some of our crop. I just try and plant enough so that it's not a major negative on us.   We also use heirloom varieties whenever we have a choice. I have a German Queen tomato plant still yielding fruit, and the seeds are from the original I purchased in 2009.   Today I've canned 36 pints of green bean and have 11 quarts in the canner as I type this. The rest of the beans that are still on the plants I'll let go to seed for next year.     We too can a variety of meats. It saves us a bundle in that we will purchase 50 pounds of chicken breasts at a time when they are on sale (unfortunately they aren't free range and living in suburbia we don't raise our own), put the meat in the freezer and can it when we have the time. We have canned venison, pork, beef, chicken, sausage, and bacon in our pantry. We also have canned “meals in a jar”….chili, soups, Swedish Meatballs and a variety of other grab and go foods we’ve prepared.   We also take dried beans and pressure can them. They taste much better, imho, than the canned beans you pick up off the shelf. This will work well for older dried beans that are slow or difficult to cook…say from you long term storage foods you are rotating out.     As regards longevity of the canned goods… We regularly eat our home canned foods that are 4-5 years old with no degradation in flavor or texture.   [url=http://grandpappy.info/hshelff.htm] Here’s a link[/url] to a few studies on the “Shelf Life of Storage Foods”…2 on canned goods and 3 on dry goods for those that may be interested.   I can’t see a down side to canning. Like handloading it gives one a sense of self worth. Knowledge applied is never wasted. :2cents:

As always you guys come through with great advice. Thanks!   Greg...For the very reason Leroy mentioned. Sometimes it's a bit of a scheduling challenge for me to make it to the range. But I'll only load a few, check them, then commit to a greater volume. The headspace gage is just a fail-safe check.   I've never seen the linked trimmer setup Dolomite. Much obliged.   btw. I'm using my new [url=http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0004411107] Black Box Remington Small Base Die set[/url].     I'm with you on the safety factor you mentioned when using the Varget Dolomite. I hand weigh loads using the 3031. I've actually used it recently for .30-30 and 5.56. I'm still having a bit of a challenge locating powders sans the HazMat fee...that's why I plan on using the 5 pounds of the above listed powders before buying additional. These will only be practice and training rounds fwiw.     Thanks again folks. :hat:

5.56/.223 Case Prep and Handload Question(s)     I need some advice from the knowledgeable folks here on TGO.   I have handloaded 5.56 before, even recently. I used IMR 3031 (extruded powder), new .223 brass and some once fired .223 brass.   I shoot my handloads out of my old Bushmaster 16” Dissipator with a 1:9 twist.   I plan to increase the volume of my 5.56/.223 handloading…But only to a few hundred rounds per batch. I do not own a brass trimmer.   The powders I have on hand are IMR 3031, Winchester 748, and Accurate 2230. I have Federal and Wolf Small Rifle Primers.         So…My Questions, if you folks would be so kind.     What are your recommendations in regards a brass trimmer?   I am considering a [url=http://www.midwayusa.com/product/614276/forster-original-case-trimmer-kit] Forster Original Case Trimmer Kit[/url].   I have also read the [url=http://www.midwayusa.com/product/997722/little-crow-gunworks-worlds-finest-trimmer-223-remington] Little Crow trimmer[/url] recommended here at TGO….so it is still a consideration…but perhaps for a later time and date. My funds are a bit tight these days, I’m sure most folks are in the same boat…     Which headspace gage do you recommend?   I looked at this [url=http://www.midwayusa.com/product/456614/le-wilson-case-length-headspace-gage-223-remington] L.E.Wilson Case Length Headspace gage[/url].     Anyone with experience using the above powders, especially AA 2230 and Win 748?     Thanks in advance folks.   Disclaimer: I did do a search or two....but my cyberskills are weak... :pleased:

OK...There is medication for you people. :squint:           That being said...Can I tag along as well?  I'll borrow a turban and I think I have a turbine around here somewhere...and I'll bring Red Bull....... :clap:

  Simply engaging in exercising my God Given Constitutionally Protected Rights. That make you a "person of interest" these days. :squint:

Remarkable. Simply remarkable.   :up:

    I don't know if it's a good deal or not, as I too reload 9mm at less than $.15 / round...usually $.11 or $.12, depending on the cost/type of primers. If only I cast my own, the savings would obviously be greater.   That said, I did a quick search and that does appear to be the going price for 9mm reloads.   A shooting buddy of mine recently had some feeding issues with 115 gr JRN Freedom Munitions in his Glock 19...the leading edge of the jacket would kind of peal back and wrinkle...it happened maybe twice out of 200 rounds. I've never had that happen with WWB, Remington Bulk, Wolf, Tula or my own handloads. Could have been a freak issues... :shrug:       Great points from Stegall Law Firm. :up:

Correct me if my math is off...but $.25/round?  50,000 of 'em...   err...I'll stick to handloading Thanks. :pleased:

I'm happy to be a technotard...and my old as dirt flip phone serves it's purpose... And I too have the camera ports covered. My business is just that, my business. :2cents:

What is indelibly etched into my mind were the people leaping from the burning building to their certain death. What a hell of a choice to have to make.   Never forget. Never forgive.     Sadly, look how much of our God given freedom we have handed over for the illusion of security. What is wrong with us? :shrug:   Thank you to all that serve, and have served, and sacrificed so much. My Prayer is that we prove worthy.

I'll be darned.   Thanks Red. :up:

I appreciate the recommendation Spots. It looks like a decent piece of kit, and at a good price.         Tell me more about boiling water in a wax paper cup Red. I wasn't aware it was an option. :stunned: TIA :pleased:

I like the Stanley setup Spots. :up:

    I keep a [url=http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___15749] Blue enamel metal cup[/url] in my Get Home Bag. You can certainly boil water in it. It's relatively small and that sucker get hot...but it serves my purpose. I keep a couple of small ziplock bags with instant coffee, hot chocolate, and instant soup in it to conserve space.   As thin as it is I wouldn't trust it for a protracted situation...months yes, but not years.

I never handled a Kelly Kettle, but the reviews are very positive.   As to the aluminum construction. No worries. My All American Pressure canner is made of aluminum, and as jcj mentioned, many companies made their camping gear of alunimun.   http://www.allamericancanner.com/allamerican930pressurecanner.htm

We have a [url=http://www.basspro.com/Mr-Heater-Big-Buddy-Propane-Heater/product/64858/?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&om_mmc=shopping_googleproductextensions&kpid=64858] Mr.Heater Big Buddy[/url] that's nothing short of outstanding, imho. We also have the attachments and hose for large canister propane use.   I would like to have a kerosene heater for the sake of redundancy though. I have had and use one quite a bit back in the mid-80's when I lived in the Midwest. I never had any issues with it, but I can't even begin to recall the manufacturer.   I'm looking forward to the recommendations and reviews.

Excellent video and a sound argument for "doing the right thing". We have to follow our own moral compass.   If I am forced to shoot someone (I pray that never happens), it is not to kill them...but to halt their violent aggressive action. After that, when I am confident the scene is safe enough, I will render care. It's my choice and my plan.   The other point is to have the gear available and accessible for self-care, or to be used by someone else to treat you. I keep a "mini-BOK" in my right hip pocket. It contains a TQ, Emergency bandage, and a small PriMed gauze (for wound packing). I keep what Yeager describes as their VOK, of my own making, in my rangebag, in my auto's, in my GHB, and rifle cases.   Way back before dirt was invented and I was a Corpsman, I made sure all of the young Marines in my charge had identical med gear in a known location, on their persons, and damn well made sure that each of them knew the what, where, and how of it.   It's just common sense. And it is good to hear it being discussed.   Disclaimer: I am an RN (ER) and long ago had EMT Creds and I have stopped at many, many MVC's (car wrecks) over the years and given care. I have never once been threatened with a lawsuit.   Thanks for posting the vid Robert.   Self Care and Buddy Care should be as much a part of our training and practice as shooting holes in things.  Just my unsolicited and ever devaluing $.02 worth.  :cool:

JAB;   Definitely looking forward to learning of your experiences.   I keep a fair quantity of o2 absorbers on hand...500ml-2000ml. I have only ever used them for room temperature food items.     Some folks caution to use all the absorbers that come in a package at one time.....I think they just want to sell more of 'em. :cool: I use a Black and Decker food sealer (inexpensive Walmart unit) to reseal the o2 absorbers after use. I prep all the items and ready them for the absorbers, open the sealed absorbers, place the needed ones in the cans-jars-bags or whatever and quickly reseal the absorbers. The absorbers maintain very well that way.     fwiw...I have stored a 5 lb bag of granola trail mix for 3 years simply using the vac seal. It tasted great when we started using it. YMMV.   Good Luck.

    Uncle Sam taught us old Sailors that trick as well. LOL. And it flippin works. :up:     btw...Thanks for the link Spots. Looks pretty good my friend.

I haven't seen the bags you mentioned...but I figure a couple of contractor bags otta get me across the one river and 2 creeks I'll need to cross. At least that's the plan.

Excellent advice Spots.   I have a couple of contractor bags in my GHB...I'll rearrange it as you suggest.   Tossing my GHB into one and floating it was my plan...your suggestion will simply have me one step ahead.       I am a ziplock bag junkie...at least according to my Wife. :cool:   Many, many uses. Great stuff and a person can never have too many.

Thanks for the link JAB. Interesting concept and it looks viable.   I generally load up 10-12 jars of dehydrated foods (that we dehydrate) or divide up bulk frequent use dry goods...and add an o2 absorber. The oven canning method you linked to might well work.   If you give it a try, please let us know how it works for you.   :hat:

Great points, concerns and thoughts folks.   Crossing bodies of water will be the greatest challenge, imho.   Even though there are numerous back roads(and I do have several routes mapped out to my home) bridges are relatively few and are natural choke points. Face it, we have a lot of creeks, rivers, and lakes in the SE. Maintaining a small inflatable or flotation device in your "get home" kit is something to consider.   I too live relatively close, less than 20 miles. I agree...unass the area ASAP. But consider how rapidly traffic congests normally, and plan accordingly.   :2cents:

I am a bit confused about what you're suggesting JAB.   Are you talking about oven dehydration as Dennis mentioned? or actually trying to use the oven to essentially sterilize the jar and contents while initiating a seal?     We pressure can, water bath can and use an Excalibur dehydrator...it's running as I type this. :pleased:   I've read of folks using the oven to "can" butter and cheese...but I've also read knowledgeable folks like Jackie Clay advise against it.     I've used this link and it's offshoots many times before: http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can4_vegetable.html     Be safe Good Sir. :hat: