Winter Blues
- Thread starter thane
- Start date
Not much I'm afraid. Up until 2004 I'd go shooting in the winter, even when it was snowing. It's nice to have a 567 acre range all to oneself, indoor benches at 100 outdoors to 600. But that was then, this is now and I no longer live in a gun-friendly state. The temp may hit 70 Monday and Tuesday and maybe I'll go shoot but it's hard to get into any sort of rhythm when it goes from 70 to the 30's and back. Basically I've been sitting and wishing. Still, I'll wager that Sunday afternoon I'll start piling stuff into the van, leaving only the guns and ammo to be loaded up Monday morning.
Speaking of which! I've been lugging all my gear around in this huge rubbermaid container. The thing has lasted me for 10 years or more but it's also gotten outrageously heavy, on the order of 60 pounds. Normally I walk with a cane so lugging this beast has been a challenge. Two weeks ago I was at Wally World and they had these 24" Stanley toolboxes on sale for 10 bucks. I bought one, brought it home and loaded some different items in it to see if a handful of them would be suitable, and sure enough they are just fine. So I went back and picked up 3 more. Ammo into one, cleaning chemicals, patches, towels into another, targets, stapler, chrony and other more delicate stuff into another and finally real tools in the last one. It's great!
If I go out Monday I'll be load testing and working with the new Sightron 36x on the 6BR and if I have the time/energy I need to fireform about 50 cartridges in the 700...I kinda messed up on a shoulder bump and had to correct them on loaded rounds... -Rod-
Speaking of which! I've been lugging all my gear around in this huge rubbermaid container. The thing has lasted me for 10 years or more but it's also gotten outrageously heavy, on the order of 60 pounds. Normally I walk with a cane so lugging this beast has been a challenge. Two weeks ago I was at Wally World and they had these 24" Stanley toolboxes on sale for 10 bucks. I bought one, brought it home and loaded some different items in it to see if a handful of them would be suitable, and sure enough they are just fine. So I went back and picked up 3 more. Ammo into one, cleaning chemicals, patches, towels into another, targets, stapler, chrony and other more delicate stuff into another and finally real tools in the last one. It's great!
If I go out Monday I'll be load testing and working with the new Sightron 36x on the 6BR and if I have the time/energy I need to fireform about 50 cartridges in the 700...I kinda messed up on a shoulder bump and had to correct them on loaded rounds... -Rod-
Usually this time of year is spent re-barreling or building rifles for myself & customers, but I'm spending a whole lotta time waiting on blanks this winter. Krieger's wait time was long enough before the BR guys discovered them - now it's gotten so long that I need to order a supply of 6mm blanks for next winter in the spring. To a slightly lesser degree, same goes for 6mm blanks from Bartlein & PacNor. With all the current interest in 6mm cartridges,BR & variations, 6x47, 6XC, etc.), this should come as no surprise.
Actually, the past several winters have been pretty mild, and that's spoiled me - I could go set up at 600 or 1000 on my range to get chrono & accuracy data just about anytime it was warm enough to be comfortable. This year, we've had two major ice & snow storms - the 2nd one knocked out electrical power for more than 2wks. in some spots - mine was out for only 8 days. I've got a bunch of loads to chronograph and test at 1000, but it's just going to have to wait until things dry out enough to avoid tearing up the trail to the range. Not that I'm complaining - we've been through seven years of drought, and this is just what we need! While I'm waiting on barrels, I'll spend some time on the mill figuring out set-ups for making some scope bases.
Actually, the past several winters have been pretty mild, and that's spoiled me - I could go set up at 600 or 1000 on my range to get chrono & accuracy data just about anytime it was warm enough to be comfortable. This year, we've had two major ice & snow storms - the 2nd one knocked out electrical power for more than 2wks. in some spots - mine was out for only 8 days. I've got a bunch of loads to chronograph and test at 1000, but it's just going to have to wait until things dry out enough to avoid tearing up the trail to the range. Not that I'm complaining - we've been through seven years of drought, and this is just what we need! While I'm waiting on barrels, I'll spend some time on the mill figuring out set-ups for making some scope bases.
Spotcheck_Billy
thane said:
Wait for backordered Lapua brass and bullets instead of cranking out lots of ammo like I should be doing!
I am glad to see that I am not the only one that has the winter blues....I do not like cold weather anymore. We have had a very mild winter down South so far... Still too cold to shoot or reload in an unheated basement...
I have bought a bunch of stuff that I will not ever use....
I have quit smoking after 50 years, 50 days ago,, that might be the real source on my craziness..
Next Saturday going to go out and shoot the hell out of some quail and chucker, that always makes me feel better.
What would really make me feel better would be to shoot 250 PD's
Still too early to shoot them dogs!!!
I have bought a bunch of stuff that I will not ever use....
I have quit smoking after 50 years, 50 days ago,, that might be the real source on my craziness..
Next Saturday going to go out and shoot the hell out of some quail and chucker, that always makes me feel better.
What would really make me feel better would be to shoot 250 PD's
Still too early to shoot them dogs!!!
Speaking of Quickload: If anyone has a copy they aren't using or can't use, I have Load From a Disk for Windows that I'd be happy to trade. I also have an extra full copy,not the upgrade) of Windows XP Home that I could toss into the trade. I REALLY want to explore Quickload but there's no way I can afford it. LFDW is great but won't give me the nodes.
Ponder it if you like and PM me if interested. -Rod-
Ponder it if you like and PM me if interested. -Rod-
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.