MacGyver

It's sure good to see Jeff Quinn on the mend. He started the year off in a world of hurt. Glad to see him recovered.

I'm interested in your findings with your dad's smokeless muzzleloader. I bored and threaded a 45/70 Handi Rifle and put a stainless breach plug in it to go smokeless. So far, accuracy is awesome. Good enough that I'm not too concerned about velocity. But, the data would be awfully interesting nonetheless.

There are few things I love more in life than watching folks who know what they're talking about geek out over something.

You might need to work on your game. A real prepper would have taken everyone else's bones home too...

I'm happy to play courier if y'alls times don't match up.

I built my first several with some mechanical aptitude, caution and some hand tools and good walk throughs. I think I built at least the first three with no dedicated gunsmithing tools. These days I have some specific (way more expensive than they need to be - but supply and demand - whatever) tools for the rails that I have an affinity for. But you can do plenty if you go slow. A good AR barrel wrench/multi tool, a vice block (assuming you have a vice to put it in), some roll pin punches and a roll of blue painter's tape would probably be the go to tools to get you started that if you look around ought to be less than $75.

Now the kids rifle can be all decked out just like dad's...

As far as I know they're a low volume online only retailer. I've bought several things from them over the years and inquiries were answered by the owner. Great folks with an awesome product.

This has been my go to pocket light for a couple of years. I can't say enough good things about it - especially for the price. Good to see you back on!

Neat setup. I wasn't familiar with that model.

The Woodlands is great. I've got friends that eat there weekly.

I bet this guy's neighbors have some strong opinions about him: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/worlds-coolest-dad-built-backyard-star-wars-act-playhouse

I figure if the job's worth doing, it's worth doing right.

This is from Michael Hayden, the former Director of the NSA and head of the CIA under both Bush and Obama. Just a reminder that when it comes to "counterterrorism" you don't have many friends. I'll just leave this here: http://www.wsj.com/video/hayden-2nd-amendment-changes-could-boost-security/46C5012C-D43B-4935-B41B-4376472595BA.html

I'm okay with them keeping their misconceptions. It keeps the pressure down out there. I've got an uncle down in South Georgia that HATES hogs - primarily because they come into his fields when he's deer hunting and bring gators with them. Nothing like being surprised by a gator at 0500 in the morning on the way into your stand He shot a pretty decent sized pig with a .32ACP pocket pistol and it never took another step. Makes me think that .45/70 might be overkill or something...

I sometimes wonder if I'm overconfident with .22 mag? Mind you, I don't think I'd try it on a big monster, but every pig I've shot in the neck with one has dropped on the spot. Honestly I worry more about some big hog coming after me with just the .22 mag than anything else. If you're down Atlanta way anytime soon, the Cabela's in Ackworth had a lot of it in stock last week.

You and @DaveS are my go to authorities on all things hog killing. In all seriousness, are there shots that you would take with the 17WSM that you wouldn't attempt with a .22 WMR? It's got a little more energy, but I don't know that the mass trade off is worth it. It's not like I'm sniping hogs out on the plains. I don't know that I've ever shot one more than 60 yards out.

Agreed. Savage typically pays attention to that stuff. You'd think they'd at least sand down the molding sprues. The Ruger is decent shooter, and would likely be consistently sub-MOA with a decent trigger.

I got to handle an 1885 in 17WSM the other day, and man was it pretty! So was the Ruger M77/17. I know what you mean about the Savage. I've been on the lookout for a Hog Hunter in 338 Federal since they announced them two years ago. I finally got my hands on one the other day and couldn't bring myself to buy it the build quality was so poor. Everything about that factory stock is awful. I finally decided to just build what I wanted from the ground up.

I've kind of got a crush on the WSM for hogs in all the small game / rimfire only type applications, but I just can't seem to justify it over .22 WMR which seems to do just fine in typical brush environments and ranges. I'll be interested in performance data if you pick one up.

You're wasting your time on what ifs. You need to spend a few dollars on getting an honest diagnosis of what's wrong with the system. Then - and only then can you make an informed decision about how to move forward. A system installed in 2008 isn't that old - many do have 10-year plus warranties on parts these days. It's been sitting for a while - and unused systems degrade - but you need to actually have someone diagnose the problem. Are you upside down in the house? If not, I'd consider a small home equity line of credit to fix the system. That's going to get paid first upon the sale of the house, but the discount you'd take on selling the house without working HVAC would far outweigh the cost of putting a new system in or repairing the old one. That's assuming a buyer could even get a loan funded without a working system. Are you working with a realtor? Situations like this are where they're worth their money. They ought to have some good, reliable contacts. Mine does.

No warranty is going to cover a known pre-existing condition.

Just in case anyone missed it...this is a super bargain.

Glad to see you back!

If it's not going to be delivered by Christmas, let me know so I can let the recipient know.