MacGyver

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.

Everyone who got me their address should have received their member. Feel free to shoot me a note with any questions. Mac

Proof that the greatest gifts are ones that cannot be bought.

That lady is a class act.

Waiting on a couple of addresses. Names should go out by tomorrow regardless.

Don't cook bacon without a shirt on... King of England is my favorite of little Timmy Wilson.

I did a turkey on the BGE. Injected with Tabasco. I did it out of novelty one year when I was doing several turkeys, and now it's one of those things that I can't get away from. Everyone always wants it. I also smoked a picnic ham while I had the smoker going. Same prep as a shoulder, but it still has the bone in so you get more dark meat. That's where I'm going to be today.

Truly my favorite holiday. I hope each of you is able to enjoy the time with family and friends - either the family you were born with or the family you choose. I go into this holiday with profound gratitude for all the family and friends in my life.

Oh, he gets that part. I'm not sure he totally gets the difference between a deer and reindeer, though. Because he did follow up with, "Santa is going to be so sad."

My youngest who's five was sitting beside me this morning while I was looking at this thread. He looked at this deer and said, "Oh man, dad. Mom and I saw that deer on the road the other day. I'm so glad your friend found it and brought it home."

I'm going to leave enrollment open until the Saturday after Thanksgiving and then send out the names. So, if you want in you need to get me your particulars by this weekend.

Hey, thanks! At the end of the day, I guess I'm really just an engineer who's interested in people and the ways in which things work. I'm long on this American experiment, and I suppose as a father, taxpayer and business owner I've got some skin in the game. The thing I absolutely love the most in life is getting to watch people do stuff they're awesome at - and I really don't care what it is. Whether you're researching cancer vaccines or running conduit in perfect rows doesn't make a difference. I'm just as fascinated by someone who can run heavy equipment setting bridge trusses as I am in meeting with world leaders. It doesn't matter. If you're good at, I'm interested. One of the things I really love about this board is getting to know individual member's stories. Because truthfully, I'm certain we've got hundreds of really fascinating folks on here. Frankly, that's why I encourage good debate. I expect we've all got something we can learn from folks on here.