preppernewstoday

[preppernewstoday]

img#mv-trellis-img-2::beforepadding-top:56.171983356449%img#mv-trellis-img-2display:blockSHTFPreparedness may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.Even after getting punched in the head and losing her right eye, Bianca Palomera told KTVU-TV she wouldn’t undo standing up against a man she saw bullying a special-needs boy last weekend.“Deep down, there will always be a little regret, but I wouldn’t take it back,” the 19 year old added to the station.What happened?Palomera was working her job — assistant manager of a Habit Burger in Antioch, California — last Saturday afternoon when she noticed a man in the restaurant bullying a special-needs teen, KTVU said.“I hear the threats going, him having a problem, saying ‘who are you looking at, stop looking that way,'” Palomera recounted to the station.So she stood up for the boy and confronted his tormenter.“‘Hey, you know, what you’re doing is wrong. It’s not right at all. He’s special needs. He doesn’t know what he’s doing,'” Palomera recalled telling him, KTVU said.Her confrontation didn’t back the man down; instead he escalated things.Surveillance video shows the much larger man getting right in Palomera’s face. The station said he yelled slurs at her. She was seen jawing back at him.Image source: KTVU-TV video screenshotThen he landed a brutal punch to her left cheek.“I didn’t expect him to punch me at all,” Palomera recalled to station.She briefly slumped on a chair then stood up and went after the attacker — but he swung harder and hit her apparently in the head.Palomera told KTVU she believes that second punch is the one that destroyed her eye — but the station said she initially didn’t know how badly she was hurt.“I just remember grabbing my eye,” Palomera told KTVU. “I thought I was crying at first, but then after I saw that I had blood dripping down my shirt, you know, down my cheek.”‘Sometimes I think it’s all like a nightmare’Doctors performed emergency surgery on her eye but couldn’t save it, the station said.“Sometimes I think it’s all like a nightmare and try to open my eye, but regardless, I can’t see anything,” Palomera told KTVU.Antioch police are investigating and trying to identify her attacker, the station said, adding that he was seen leaving the restaurant others in a BMW X3.“We’re very proud of her,” Palomera’s sister Erika told KTVU. “She did the right thing. Her heart was there when she did it. Just that we feel like she’s getting the short end of the stick.”Palomera noted to the station, “At the end of the day, if you won’t do it, nobody else will. I felt like I had to step in.”Bonus: Root Cellar That Can Be Used as a BunkerDo you remember the old root cellars our great-grandparents used to have? In fact, they probably built it themselves, right in their back yard.If you want to learn how to build a backyard bunker like your grandparents had, without breaking the bank, then you need Easy Cellar.Easy Cellar will show you:How to choose the ideal siteCost-effective building methodsHow to protect your bunker from nuclear blast and falloutHow to conceal your bunkerAffordable basic life support optionsEasy Cellar will also reveal how a veteran, with only $421, built a small nuclear bunker in his backyard.Also included:

[preppernewstoday]

The following spicy cornbread recipe comes from reader S.A., as a follow-on to her previous recipe article on how to expand on standard storage staple foods. I love cornbread, I’m a southerner. I’ve spent a lifetime making muffins from scratch, but here’s an easy way to expand your cornbread. My preference is sweet, jalapeño cornbread with small corn kernels for added texture and calories. Ingredients 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix 1 Can white shoepeg corn 2 teaspoon sugar Dehydrated jalapeños, to taste.  (Use more or less to match your tolerance for spiciness)Directions Grease or PAM-spray a 12-muffin tin. Mix cornbread per directions with egg and milk. Add the sugar and at least 1/4 cup of corn. Shoepeg is preferable to regular corn as the pieces aren’t so clunky. With a molcajete, grind however much dried jalapeño as you wish to use. Place some jalapeño bits in the bottom of each slot in the muffin pan. Pour in the batter, dividing it to make 12 muffins. Bake as directed, for 12 minutes. S.A.’s Comments: “These cornbread muffins are very tasty, especially served with butter right out of the oven. They nicely extend any meal, or make a yummy snack. Be ready, be strong, be kind. Remember to practice!” — Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

[preppernewstoday]

img#mv-trellis-img-2::beforepadding-top:56.171983356449%img#mv-trellis-img-2display:blockSHTFPreparedness may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.A new scientific study claims to have found little to no health risks related to eating red meat. The study says previous studies that claimed there was a link between red meat consumption and health issues are based on “weak evidence.”Researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) released a study titled: “Health effects associated with consumption of unprocessed red meat: a Burden of Proof study.” The paper was published in Nature journal in October.The scientists declared, “We found weak evidence of association between unprocessed red meat consumption and colorectal cancer, breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. Moreover, we found no evidence of an association between unprocessed red meat and ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke.”The authors of the study noted, “While there is some evidence that eating unprocessed red meat is associated with increased risk of disease incidence and mortality, it is weak and insufficient to make stronger or more conclusive recommendations.”The scientists developed a star rating system ranging from one star (no correlation to health risks) to five stars (the most dangerous). The study out of IHME determined that none of the numerous studies linking red meat to health risks rated higher than two stars. A two-star rating would mean the behavior is associated with health risks between 0-15%.Dr. Steven Novella, a Yale neurologist and president of the New England Skeptical Society who was not a part of the study, penned an article about meat consumption and cited the study.“The health effect of meat eating at this point are fairly clear. A recently published meta-analysis of health risk factors contains a good summary of this evidence,” Novella wrote. “The evidence for a direct vascular or heath risk from eating meat regularly is very low, to the point that there is probably no risk. You have to eat large daily amounts of processed red meat before a risk becomes measurable.”He noted that there is a health risk of “eating too few vegetables.”“That is really the risk of a high-meat diet, those meat calories are displacing vegetable calories,” Novella warned. “For personal health considerations I think a reasonable summary of the evidence is that people should eat most of their calories from fruits and vegetables with some grains, but also include some meat protein. Meat has some vitamins that are hard to get elsewhere and contain high-quality proteins.”“You can have a healthy vegetarian or vegan diet, but it is challenging, and not possible for some populations,” he added. “The bottom line is that health were the only consideration, the optimal diet would contain a modest amount of meat.”Dr. Emmanuela Gakidou – professor of Health Metrics Sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and a lead author of the study – said, “In addition to helping consumers, our analysis can guide policymakers in developing health and wellness education programs, so that they focus on the risk factors with the greatest impact on health. Health researchers can also use this analysis to identify areas where current evidence is weak and more definitive studies are needed.”The scientists stated, “More rigorous, well-powered research is needed to better understand and quantify the relationship between consumption of unprocessed red meat and chronic disease.” [embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=wB8NG2SkPh0&rel=0[/embed] Bonus: Root Cellar That Can Be Used as a BunkerDo you remember the old root cellars our great-grandparents used to have? In fact, they probably built it themselves, right in their back yard.If you want to learn how to build a backyard bunker like your grandparents had, without breaking the bank, then you need Easy Cellar.Easy Cellar will show

you:How to choose the ideal siteCost-effective building methodsHow to protect your bunker from nuclear blast and falloutHow to conceal your bunkerAffordable basic life support optionsEasy Cellar will also reveal how a veteran, with only $421, built a small nuclear bunker in his backyard.Also included:

[preppernewstoday]

(Psst: The FTC wants me to remind you that this website contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase from a link you click on, I might receive a small commission. This does not increase the price you'll pay for that item nor does it decrease the awesomeness of the item. ~ Daisy)If you’re looking to bump up your food production during the winter months, why not consider learning how to grow mushrooms with sawdust blocks? This is a fun and easy means of putting some extra food on the table even when nothing is growing outside. Want to learn more? Read on. Why sawdust? Mushrooms are commonly cultivated on a supplemented sawdust substrate that’s been made into blocks. Many, many species can be grown in this way, from oysters to lion’s mane to shiitake and more. Our mushroom course gives one recipe along with instructions for making these blocks, and I’ve learned a few finer points along the way. I’ll discuss those points in this article.  With respect to recipes, there are quite a few out there. The one given in our course is pretty standard: oak pellets + wheat bran + water = supplemented sawdust block. Stamets adds gypsum to his; one teaspoon per 5-pound block. Gypsum is a metabolism enhancer, much analogous to humans drinking caffeine. Another recipe tweak is using what’s called Master Mix, aka Fast Fruiting Mix. This is 50% oak pellets and 50% soy hulls, available in bulk from stores such as Mushroom Media Online. Having worked with both, I find the fast fruiting mix worthwhile. Remember, mushroom mycelia don’t compete well with contaminating organisms. Therefore, the more quickly the substrate is colonized, the less chance of mold settling in. Using a fast-fruiting recipe and some food-grade gypsum can give your species the edge. Heavy inoculation of your substrate can also help.  How we make our bags matters. In addition to having a good recipe, there’s a matter of technique. Plan ahead: do you intend to inoculate using grain spawn or liquid culture? If the latter, then you can try pre-sealing the bags before sterilizing them. Be aware that the bags can burst during this process, however! My research showed about half of the posters reported bursting, and half were fine. I use 6-micrometer thick bags and pack them tightly in my canner, so I’ve been fine. Fold your bag such that the filter is on the inside of the fold and won’t be submerged in water. Those jar rings I use to keep my bags from direct contact with the bottom of my canner have been oxidizing and making an ugly mess! I don’t want any of that in contact with my substrate. Thankfully it scrubs well between uses. Also, be sure to deflate your bag as much as possible while folding. You’ll re-inflate at the point of inoculation so the mycelia will have the oxygen they need to grow and make mushrooms.  A standard food sealer such as a Nesco or Food Saver will work well to seal bags, whether it’s done before sterilization or after. Wipe the inside of the bag so it’s clean of those sawdust crumbs that happen. I use a paper towel sprayed with alcohol. Also, dry plastic seals better than wet. I have my sealer set to Extended Seal. While rubber bands can work to close your bag, I find this works better.  Self-healing ports can be anything from a piece of micropore tape to a fancy reusable rubber gizmo similar to what’s used in a specialized lid. I prefer the simple route myself. Be aware, however, that the humidity inside of your tent will likely dislodge a lesser glue, giving contamination a way in. Done this, been there. Use tape with a good glue and cover your injection site with the same. Silicone will also work, but you’ll have to wait 24-36 hours for it to set before use. If you’re flush with cash and don’t mind the expense, bags with ports are available from several sources. If you’re planning to inoculate from spawn, you’ll need to leave the bag open during sterilization. One thing you can try if you’re doing everything right but still having a problem is a Tyvek sleeve.

These are available on eBay in several sizes and fairly cheaply. They look and feel like thick coated paper. Put them on top of your block inside of the bag before sterilization. The rationale is that anything entering your bag when you open for inoculation will hit the sleeve, therefore not embedding into your substrate. Be sure to remove the sleeve within your still air box before inoculating your bag. And yes, they’re reusable. I rinse mine off and store them once dry with the rest of my small items.  (How do you survive a winter storm? Will you know what to do? Check out our free QUICKSTART Guide to learn more.) Inoculation is an art form. Ah, inoculation! The art of introducing the desired species to substrate that’s also a major point where contamination can be introduced. It can happen even while using a still air box. This is why I wipe all of my surfaces with either alcohol or bleach repeatedly, including between bag inoculations. I also leave my bags in the canner until I’m ready to inoculate. Remember: hot substrate will kill your mycelia. I leave my bags to cool inside the sealed canner overnight. A thermogun is also helpful.  There are two ways to inoculate: liquid culture and grain spawn. If you followed my instructions and made your own master cultures, you’re in a great position to use liquid culture. This is one way to lower the odds of contamination: just inject via the self-healing port, tape it over, and watch the bag colonize. Be aware that it’s still possible for bags inoculated in this way to become contaminated, however. Too high humidity in your Martha tent or mold endemic to that area can and will do it. Done this, been there. In fact, for a time, every one of the ten bags I made became contaminated. It happened so fast I thought that spontaneous generation wasn’t so debunked after all! It turned out that both too-high humidity and endemic contamination were at fault. I now bleach out my tent regularly, about once per month, and adjust the humidity to 75%. I have four species fruiting as of this writing, and they’re delicious! I tend to inoculate heavily, using 5-10 ml of culture. The culture won’t last forever anyway, so it might as well be used, especially if you can give your desired organism an edge.  Inoculating from spawn most definitely needs to be done in a still air box. Video instructions for doing that are contained within the course. Stamets also shows this being done in his book. Basically, just shake the spawn into the bag, then seal the bag. I find it helpful to use a sanitized butter knife to break up the spawn before shaking, as I find the spawn inside of the jar becomes a tight mass during colonization. Have an alcohol wipe or paper towel soaked with alcohol inside of your box. I wipe my blade between uses, even in the same jar, and wipe the spawn jar lid and upper jar area before closing if I haven’t used all of the spawn. Because still air boxes are small, I inoculate one bag at a time and sanitize everything between bags.  (Want uninterrupted access to The Organic Prepper? Check out our paid-subscription newsletter.) So that’s it! A few practical tips for making and inoculating your own supplemented sawdust blocks. Who says gardening can’t happen during a subzero winter! Do you grow mushrooms yourself? Have you learned a few things along the way? If you’re not growing mushrooms, what’s stopping you? Do you have questions? Please share your tips or ask in the comments below!  About Amy Allen Amy Allen is a professional bookworm and student of Life, the Universe, and Everything. She’s also a Master Gardener with a BS in biology, and has been growing food on her small urban lot since 2010.

[preppernewstoday]

The average home is heated by devices that require grid power to operate. When winter weather knocks out our power, our homes can become dangerously cold. It is not only a matter of comfort; if the temperature drops too low, our pipes will be in danger of bursting as they freeze. There are many DIY options for heating sources, and often, they are simple to build, but they often are not as effective as the off-grid heating options, which are widely available in-store and online. Safety First When we are trying to heat our homes without the aid of the electrical grid, we often must rely on devices that burn fuel that radiates heat. Unfortunately, the major issue is that burning these fuels will generate carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, tasteless, and lethal gas. Related: The Best Places Where You Can Store Fuels Safely In An Emergency Therefore, it is critical that any backup heater you buy is certified and that you adhere to all the manufactures instructions regarding safe use and ventilation. Carbon monoxide is a massive threat, but it is not the only problem these backup heaters can pose. Anytime you introduce an alternate heat source into your home, you run a significant risk of fire. Therefore, you must stay vigilant and keep all flammable materials away from your heaters. When buying backup heaters for winter power outages, choose models with tip-over protection and an oxygen depletion sensor. These two features could save your life and your home. Problems With Backup Heaters There is one massive problem with using smaller backup heaters, which does not have to do with safety. These heaters are designed to heat small areas and, therefore, will not heat your entire home. Consequently, you will have to consider which areas of your home require heating and purchase heaters specifically for those rooms and spaces. Wood Stove Millions of homes around the planet rely on a wood stove for heat and cooking, and it serves these families well. However, while this is an option for heating areas of your home, it comes with some problems that you will need to solve well before using it. The most significant issue is that the stove will need its chimney vented to the outside of your home safely and effectively. This is not something you want to whip up on the fly after the lights go out; the stove pipe chimney must be in place and adequately installed first. The second issue is that a wood stove requires a lot of wood which you will need to have on hand before winter takes away your electricity. For most of us, keeping a healthy supply of firewood is simply not practical unless we regularly use a wood-burning stove, fire pit, or fireplace. Another issue is that wood stoves are not portable, so it would only be effective to heat the room that the stove is installed. Wood stoves have the advantage of being able to be used for cooking food and heating water. With a bit of ingenuity, you can mount water tanks to the side of a wood stove or wrap the stove pipe in copper tubing, for hot water on demand. Here’s how you can make a simple water heater that provides you with free hot water each time you use your stove. Wood Burning Fireplaces A fireplace is a decent way to provide heat to a room; after all, it was the go-to method for much of history. However, wood-burning fireplaces have similar disadvantages and safety issues as wood stoves. One of the most significant issues with a wood-burning fireplace is that unless your home already has one in place, it is not practical to have one installed. Related: How to Get a Year Supply of Firewood for $10! Like wood stoves, fireplaces also require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep them operating safely and effectively. Propane Heaters Propane is a safe and stable fuel source that is always widely available. Many backyard grills use propane as a fuel source, and if you have a propane grill, it makes sense also to use a propane heater as a backup heat source. There are many models of propane

heaters on the market in various sizes and BTU ratings which means that you will be able to find an option to suit any space in your home that you need to be heated. An advantage of some propane heaters is that they use the 1-pound cylinders that you would often see used to run camp stoves and lanterns. If you do a lot of camping, or use a propane camp stove as a part of your preps, you can stock a surplus of these 1-pound cylinders to use for your heater. You must remember that any heater you choose must be rated for indoor use and follow all the manufacturer’s directions to ensure safe and effective operation. Related: What’s the Best Fuel to Stockpile for Survival? When using a propane heater with a 20-pound or larger cylinder, keep the gas cylinder outside the home in case any gas escapes. Propane is heavier than air and will settle in the lowest areas of your home, resulting in a significant risk of explosion. For portable and off-grid heating, propane heaters are a good option worth considering. Kerosene Heaters Kerosene heaters are less desirable but still viable options for off-grid backup heating. These heaters usually use a wick that draws the kerosene from a fuel tank. The wick is lit, and the heat generated is harnessed and directed to provide heating. In some cases, these heaters will use a battery-operated fan to push the heated air into the room. Many kerosene heaters are rated for indoor use, but they still carry risks you must be aware of before relying on them for emergency heat. Kerosene heaters have similar carbon monoxide risks but have the added risk of potentially toxic fumes from the kerosene evaporating. In addition, as kerosene burns, it can also release sulfur and nitrogen dioxide, which can become dangerous without proper ventilation. Clean kerosene can also be hard to find and will need to be rotated regularly to avoid having the kerosene go bad. So, unless you have other equipment which uses kerosene for fuel, or you plan to use kerosene heaters for heating outside of an SHTF situation, buying a kerosene heater is probably When the power fails during the chilly winter months, it is critical for us to have alternate methods of heating our homes, as well as keeping our plumbing from freezing. In these cases, small portable heaters are precisely what we need to get through those cold and dark winter nights. You may also like: Delicious Recipes Using Cattails – “The Supermarket of the Swamp” 70+ Projects That Help You Survive Long-Term Without A Grid (Video) The Black Walnut Hull Remedy That Cleans Your Intestines Of Parasites The Mindset of Freedom: What Every Prepper Can Learn from Atlas Shrugged Easy DIY Light Trap For Insect Pests

[preppernewstoday]

“Progressivism was imported from Europe and would result in a radical break from America’s heritage. In fact, it is best described as an elitist-driven counterrevolution to the American Revolution, in which the sovereignty of the individual, natural law, natural rights, and the civil society—built on a foundation of thousands of years of enlightened thinking and human experience—would be drastically altered and even abandoned for an ideological agenda broadly characterized as “historical progress.” Progressivism is the idea of the inevitability of historical progress and the perfectibility of man—and his self-realization—through the national community or collective. While its intellectual and political advocates clothe its core in populist terminology, and despite the existence of democratic institutions and cyclical voting, progressivism’s emphasis on material egalitarianism and societal engineering, and its insistence on concentrated, centralized administrative rule, lead inescapably to varying degrees of autocratic governance. Moreover, for progressives there are no absolute or permanent truths, only passing and distant historical events. Thus even values are said to be relative to time and circumstances; there is no eternal moral order—that is, what was true and good in 1776 and before is not necessarily true and good today. Consequently, the very purpose of America’s founding is debased. To better understand this ideology, its refutation of the American heritage, and its enormous effect on modern American life, it is necessary to become acquainted with some of the most influential progressive intellectuals who, together with others, set the nation on this lamentable course. Given their prolific writings, it is neither possible nor necessary to delve into every manner of their thoughts or the differences among them in their brand of progressivism. For our purposes, it is enough to expose essential aspects of their arguments.” – Mark R. Levin, Rediscovering Americanism: And the Tyranny of Progressivism

[preppernewstoday]

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. Most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor, JWR. Today, we look at precious metals recycling. (See the Precious Metals section.) Precious Metals: Precious Metals E-Waste Recovery Market Size Worth $18.7 Billion by 2030 | CAGR: 7%: AMR.  This piece begins: “According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global precious metals e-waste recovery market garnered $9.4 billion in 2021, and is estimated to generate $18.7 billion by 2031, manifesting a CAGR of 7.0% from 2022 to 2031.” o  o  o The Silver Institute: The Silver Institute 2022 INTERIM SILVER MARKET REVIEW. Economy & Finance: From The Heritage Foundation: Lame-Duck Omnibus Would Double Down on Stagflation. o  o  o From the pro-Bidenista CNN: Yet another key economic report is showing inflation pressures are easing. o  o  o From the left-wing Detriot Free Press: Mild recession ahead in 2023, U-M economists say. o  o  o At Wolf Street: Home Sales Plunge, Investors Pull Back Too, Prices Drop 8.4% in 4 Months, Active Listings & Price Cuts Rise Further. Commodities: Howe Street radio Interview: Sean Brodrick: Gold, Copper, Battery Metals. o  o  o ING: The Commodities Feed: Macro pressure. “The commodities complex came under further pressure yesterday from a stronger USD and hawkish comments from Fed officials.” o  o  o OilPrice News reports: Oil Rout Intensifies As China Cuts Oil Purchases. Derivatives: IBT: Trading In Crypto Derivatives Surges As Investors Hedge Positions After FTX Shock. o  o  o EU considers tighter rules for commodity houses after margin turmoil. The article’s intro: “European Union policymakers are considering extending some of the tough rules applied to banks to commodity firms to prevent a re-run of the problems they faced in meeting collateral payments after this year’s gas price surge, a document showed. Commodity markets have long been governed by relatively light regulation, but the EU document seen by Reuters said waivers for big commodity players from rules that govern banks could be scrapped.” o  o  o Report from the FSB: OTC Derivatives Market Reforms: Implementation progress in 2022. Forex & Cryptos: At Currency Thoughts: Somewhat Softer Dollar but Equities and Sovereign Debt Yields Ending Week on Front Foot. o  o  o TeleTrade’s latest FOREX update. o  o  o Someone is echoing JWR’s long-standing “Use a hardware wallet” (self-custody) advice: Crypto Exchanges Record Massive Outflow Of Bitcoin, What Does This Indicate? o  o  o This Crypto Venture Capital Loses Almost $1B On FTX, When Will This FTX Fiasco End? o  o  o William Suberg: Bitcoin sees record Stock-to-Flow miss — BTC price model creator brushes off FTX ‘blip’. Tangibles Investing: A David McAlvany video interview from back in May: Investing In Hard Assets During Elevated Inflation. o  o  o 16 Strange Things You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Invest In [2022]. o  o  o AR500 Armor (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running a pre-Black Friday special, with discounts of up to 55% off their body armor plates and plate carriers. If you don’t yet own body armor, then this is a great opportunity. Provisos: SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investing counselors or advisers. Please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers. News Tips: Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant because they come from folks who closely watch specific markets. If you spot any news that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers, then please send it in. News items from local news outlets that are missed by the news wire services are especially appreciated. And it need not be only about commodities and precious metals. Thanks!

[preppernewstoday]

The following spicy cornbread recipe comes from reader S.A., as a follow-on to her previous recipe article on how to expand on standard storage staple foods. I love cornbread, I’m a southerner. I’ve spent a lifetime making muffins from scratch, but here’s an easy way to expand your cornbread. My preference is sweet, jalapeño cornbread with small corn kernels for added texture and calories. Ingredients 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix 1 Can white shoepeg corn 2 teaspoon sugar Dehydrated jalapeños, to taste.  (Use more or less to match your tolerance for spiciness)Directions Grease or PAM-spray a 12-muffin tin. Mix cornbread per directions with egg and milk. Add the sugar and at least 1/4 cup of corn. Shoepeg is preferable to regular corn as the pieces aren’t so clunky. With a molcajete, grind however much dried jalapeño as you wish to use. Place some jalapeño bits in the bottom of each slot in the muffin pan. Pour in the batter, dividing it to make 12 muffins. Bake as directed, for 12 minutes. S.A.’s Comments: “These cornbread muffins are very tasty, especially served with butter right out of the oven. They nicely extend any meal, or make a yummy snack. Be ready, be strong, be kind. Remember to practice!” — Do you have a favorite recipe that would be of interest to SurvivalBlog readers? In this weekly recipe column, we place emphasis on recipes that use long term storage foods, recipes for wild game, dutch oven and slow cooker recipes, and any that use home garden produce. If you have any favorite recipes, then please send them via e-mail. Thanks!

[preppernewstoday]

Today, I’m going to cover something a little bit different in the cutlery world. it is a nice fixed-blade fighting knife, made in Pakistan out of Damascus steel, and marketed by Valley Forge Cutlery. Damascus steel-bladed knives used to be all the rage and it was pretty much restricted to the custom knife-makers’ realm. First, a little bit of history is called for: Damascus steel-bladed knives go back to Damascus, Syria some centuries ago. The development of this steel began perhaps as early as 700 AD, but most point to closer to 900 AD. But “authoritative” sources vary widely. Most modern Damascus steel knives are made out of 1095 carbon steel, with a little bit of chrome mixed in. What is involved in a Damascus blade is a forging process. The steel is heated – red hot – and then pounded. This used to be done by hand, but today it is a little bit easier with automated trip-hammers. When the steel is pounded, it is then folded over onto itself, and the process starts all over again. Some Damascus blades had folded over on themselves hundreds of times during this process. The knife under review here has about 200 layers – and that is more than sufficient to give the steel added strength. In the past, some custom knife makers boasted that their blades had 500 or more layers before it was shaped. I don’t know if that makes the blade any stronger or not. In the past, a Damascus steel blade would run you about $100  per inch – and that’s a lot of money. I once had a folding pocket knife that boasted 500 layers of steel – I didn’t see that is was any stronger than other blades, so take it for what it is worth. The Damascus blade under review today came from Cutlery Corner and that might raise some red flags. If you have watched their infomercials on television, then you will recognize this style knife. Many, but not all of their knives are rather inexpensive and the poor quality shows. However, they do offer some really good knives at bargain prices. So, buyer beware! The model I ordered was only about $50. That is quite a deal, and I wasn’t expecting much for my money. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this fighter. It was made in Pakistan, and they are turning out some great knives these days, at bargain prices. This one is marked “Valley Forge” and has a stock number VFD-76B/H. I couldn’t find any flaws in the knife. With a blade slightly over 6-inches long, and an overall length of 13-inches, it is quite a fixed blade. The bolster is stainless steel, and the pins are also stainless. The handle is made out of buffalo horn, it is dark brown/black in color. It is a full-tang fixed blade – that means the blade goes all the way through the handle. A nice leather sheath comes with this knife – not the best, but it is still a decent sheath. A word about Damascus steel blades – and take it as a law: NEVER store a Damascus steel blade in the sheath. If you do, you will find that it rusts in very short order. ALWAYS keep a coat of some kind of oil on the blade, to help retard rusting. I used Barricade – and I used it on all my knives – even stainless steel blades – and all my firearms – to make sure they don’t rust. It only takes a little bit of Barricade on a patch. Wipe the gun or knife down, and it will surely help your knife or gun from rusting. That is cheap insurance! This fixed blade knife came fairly sharp, right out of the box, but not as sharp as I’d like – so a few minutes on a set of croc sticks had it razor sharp. During all my testing I never once had to touch up the blade’s edge. Damascus steel holds an edge a good long time, and is easier to touch up than stainless steel blades are. There is a handy lanyard hole in the butt of the knife. No lanyard came with it. However, a piece of 550 para cord will work nicely. When it comes to Damascus steel blades, they can be made in all manner of patterns, and no two are exactly alike. So, be aware, if you order one of these knives – what you get will be different from the pattern that I received.

So, how do they manage to produce Damascus steel knives so affordable in Pakistan? Well, they don’t manually hammer the blades, and fold the steel over on itself. Instead they use hydraulic hammers – once the blade steel is heated up, it is hammered over on itself, and then heated up all over again, and the steel is hammered over onto itself again and again. This is still a very time-consuming process. Buf this was done by hand – the hammering and folding – over and over again, then this knife would easily cost $600, or more. This isn’t a “camp” knife per se. Instead, it is meant to be a weapon – and it will defend you nicely if you have to use it – a well-made blade, with a great edge on it will easily but off an arm or a leg without much trouble. You could, in a pinch, use this as a hunting knife – but be advised that the blood from the livestock or wild game will easily stain the Damascus look. During my testing, I was down with the Covid, and couldn’t get all my regular testing in, since I was severely weakened. Still, I managed some “abusive” testing…the knife easily sliced through everything I threw at it – and I did my best to damage the blade – didn’t happen. It was no chore to cut through 1-inch hemp rope with a single swipe. The blade was scary sharp and I used a lot of caution with cutting material. After each use, I cleaned the blade and gave it a good coat of Barricade to help prevent any rust from starting. If you’re in the market for an old-fashioned Damascus blade knife, then this would make an excellent end of the world knife. And even if the blade picks up some rust, it won’t affect the usefulness of the knife. It’s really not that big of a task to wipe the blade dry and add some oil or Barricade on it. Damascus steel knives are known for their strength, and this sample was no slouch – it will do all that you want it to – and with a little bit of care, it will last you a lifetime. Plus, if you know someone who is into collecting knives, this would make a great present for them – and they’ll believe you spent hundreds of dollars for it. Just use caution when buying a knife online from Cutlery Corner – I’m not saying that all of their knives are “junk” but a lot of them are. When they advertise 150 knives for a little bit of money, you can be sure many of the folders have plastic handles and don’t come sharp – nor can you sharpen them. I do resent that they refer to many fixed blade knives as “Bowie” knives – never saw one – I’ve seen some Bowies knives over the years, then again, Cutlery Corner has several hosts that are from the “south” and to them, every big knife is called a “Bowie”, for some reason. Cutlery Corner has a great website – more knives you can look at over the course of several days. Of course, many of these cheap knives are made in mainland China so avoid those like the plague…they look good on tv or their website, but they aren’t worth a buck if you ask me. Just my humble opinion – spend your money carefully and do some research before you buy something that sounds to good to be true. A lot of people don’t know the difference between a good knife and one that isn’t good at all. I used to not only haunt gun shops, but knife stores as well. And, I had never seen a reasonably-priced  Damascus blade – from any source, that comes close to the quality of this Valley Forge Damascus steel blade. You can shop online and I don’t think you’ll find anything that matches this Damascus steel blade fixed blade knife, in this price range. So, why not treat yourself to a quality knife, made out of “ancient” steel – like this one is, I think you’ll be more than a little pleased. And, if a knife you purchase from Cutlery Corner isn’t up to your expectations, you can return it for a full refund if it is returned within 30 days. I’ll be testing and reporting on another Valley Forge Damascus steel knife in the very near future, so keep checking SurvivalBlog.com for this coming report.

[preppernewstoday]

On November 21, 1916, Britannic, the sister ship to the Titanic, sank in the Aegean Sea, killing 30 people. In the wake of the Titanic disaster, the White Star Line had made significant modifications to the design of the ship, but on its way to pick up wounded soldiers near the Gulf of Athens, it was rocked by an explosion causing even more damage than that which had sunk the Titanic. Many of the dead were from some of the crew who attempted to launch lifeboats while the Captain tried to run the ship aground. The lifeboats were sucked up into the propellers, killing all of those on board. The cause of the explosion is still unknown, but many suspect that it hit a mine. — Ready Made Resouces — our most loyal advertiser — is running a special on refurbished AN/PVS-14 green phosphor night vision monocular/weapon sights. This will save you $1,100 off the cost of a new PVS-14. — Optics Planet (one of our affiliate advertisers) is running a short-term 10% off sale, for several Nightforce rifle scope models. At their site, search for: NightForce NXS and NightForce SHV. — A special note courtesy of AmmoLand for readers in Oregon about Measure 114: “Separated by about a percentage point at this writing, it appears that Oregon’s Ballot Initiative 114 is going to pass. And despite assurance by those who lie about guns and those ignorant and/or biased enough to believe them, a lot more than “common sense” inconveniences will result. In effect, it will be shutting down gun sales. “Based on the passage of Oregon Ballot Initiative 114 and its expectation to take effect on December 08, 2022, Sportsman’s Warehouse currently understands the following impacts to Oregon residents,” the outdoor sporting goods retailer announced on its website. Sales will be shut down. – December 07, 2022 (Wednesday) will be the last day to purchase a full capacity firearm magazine (magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds). – December 07, 2022 (Wednesday) will be the last day to purchase a firearm equipped with a full capacity magazine (firearms equipped and sold with magazines holding more than 10 rounds). – December 07, 2022 (Wednesday) will be the last day to purchase ANY firearm without a valid Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit. – If a firearm customer’s background check is delayed (goes into the “OSP que [sic]”) and the approval comes on or after December 08, 2022 (Thursday) – the customer will need a valid Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit to take possession of the firearm. – On and after December 08, 2022 (Thursday) all firearm buyers must have an Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit to purchase ANY firearm. At this time there are no known OR law enforcement agencies issuing the Oregon Firearm Purchase Permit.” JWR Adds: Since the mechanisms for setting up fingerprinting, training, and gun permit issuance may not be established for many months, Oregonians are advised to stock up heavily, now, especially on 11+ round magazines. Your window of opportunity is about to slam shut! Two weeks, and counting. Thankfully, pre-1899 antique guns and blackpowder replica revolvers are exempted, so I will continue to be able to mail guns to folks in Oregon, from Elk Creek Company. — Today’s feature article was written by our Field Gear Editor Emeritus, Pat Cascio. Please keep Pat in your prayers, since he has recently been in very ill health.

[preppernewstoday]

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”  – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (KJV)

[preppernewstoday]

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: You’d Be Crazy to Not Agree With Dave Chappelle But You’d Also Be Crazy to Publically Admit That You Agree With Dave Chappelle Video Link: Dave Chappelle Stand-Up Monologue – SNL

[preppernewstoday]

(Continued from Part 3.  This concludes the article.) Powder Choices for Reloaders A 140-grain bullet weight is popular for the 6.5×55, because it is the best all-around weight for just about anything this cartridge can do, and do at its best.  For flatter trajectories and for lighter game, decisive kill shots are better with 120 to 123 grain bullets.  However, the 140 grain will likely be the most accurate bullet passed 300 yards.  Top velocities and the greatest accuracy is found with most 140-grain bullets and a maximum charge of RL22. However, RL22 is temperature sensitive and results can disappointing as the weather changes. RL23 might be a good substitute for RL22. Norma MRP and WXM are now discontinued. We can also use powders normally used for magnum rifles such as H1000, or IMR7828. To streamline our powder inventory, Varget, H4350, and H4831 are the most temperature stable powder that work well with most bullets weights, and provide consistent accuracy even as the temperature changes. These are my top powder choices for the 6.5×55. As an example, While IMR 4064 provides good velocity and good accuracy for the 120s, Varget is best choice for top speeds with the lighter bullets, and it is more temperature stable than IMR4064. The slower-burning H4350 and H4831 powders are best with the 140-grainers and are also very temperature stable. This mean we can maintain accuracy with a single load as the temperature swings from hot to very cold. To reduce the number of bullets and powders on the shelf, it is best to limit our inventory and use 140 grain bullets and either H4350 or H4831. H4831 produces accuracy at the lower end of the charge wieghts and slower velocities than H4350. Which powder would be the most accurate in your rifle is unknown until you work up a load, but it is likely that any of the powders will produce MOA, or tighter groups with any the mentioned bullet weights. It is best to chase accuracy rather than velocity, but if we need a flatter trajectory for 500-yard shots, Varget and H4831 can do the job, as well as other powders.  In this day and age, when and where our favorite powders are hard to find, there are plenty of choices that will work well in the 6.5×55. If you came up short a few years ago, now is the time to bridge that gap as powders are now coming back on the market. Bullet Selection The 6.5 bullets not only have high ballistic coefficients, but also high sectional densities and therefore tend to penetrate deeper than expected for the mass (weight). This makes bullet construction more of an issue as the design must strike a balance between an ability to expand in a controlled way, and an ability to penetrate.  The most accurate bullet is not necessarily the best bullet for hunting. Most believe the 140-grain bullet works well enough for most situations that it can take larger game without issue. However, I should mention that the moose in Sweden are not like the big moose in Montana.  Swedish moose are about the same in size as our elk. Good shot placement is more a factor for success than is the ability of the 140 grain to penetrate. If you are a skilled subsistence hunter, then you are a superior hunter who can get in close and take large game with a peashooter. Yet is the common man just as good of a hunter? For most folks, larger in diameter bullets are a better choice for elk and heavier game. While the sectional density of the 140 is about the same as a 195 grain .30 caliber bullet, and can penetrate just as deeply, and while the 140 6.5 does punch above its weight class, it is outclassed in terms of killing power by a great margin by the .30 caliber round.  There is no substitute for a greater level of mass and energy on target that the larger calibers provide. 7mm Mauser has a .284 diameter bullet versus the 6.5 bullet that is very close in diameter at .264.  Yet the energy that a 160-grain 7mm bullet delivers is a far better choice for elk.  With a well-placed shot inside of 200 yards, the Sweed can take elk, but our margin of error is uncomfortably narrow.

  If I get that rare shot at elk, I’ll use enough gun to get it done, a 180-grain round-nosed Remington Core-lokt, or better yet, a 200-grain Nosler Partition out of a .30-06. If we are going to push the limits with 6.5×55, use a premium bullet, or an inexpensive round-nosed Remington Core-lokt. 6.5×55 is a solid long-range deer rifle, but if elk is on the menu, then extra effort and attention to detail is advised.  For very long-range shots on deer, the 140-to-143 grain Hornady A-max or ELD-X bullets are some of the best choices. For ranges inside of 300, the 140 grain SST, and Interlocks, and any standard and inexpensive cup and core bullet is a better choice.  Nosler Ballistic Tips are similar. 7mm Mauser (7×57) Beware that commercial ammunition is not held to strict standards and some commercial ammunition is too high in pressure for antique 7x57mm Mausers. I advise all readers to contact the ammunition manufacturer directly to obtain factory pressures for a particular ammunition type before testing it in your rifle.  Explain that you intend to use it in an antique rifle with a maximum allowable chamber pressure of 46,000 CUP. Most reloaders seek top velocities and subsequently high pressures, that wear out brass and barrels, stress old actions, and the recoil can wear out the shooter too. Along with 6.5×55, the 7×57 Mauser’s recoil is mild, yet it is an effective big game cartridge when heavy bullets at moderate velocities are used. The 7×57 was at one time more popular than 6.5×55 among Europeans for hunting in Africa. In my opinion, a 175-grain 7mm bullet, because of its increased ‘meplat’ (cross section-frontal area) and its great weight, launched at the same speed as the 160 grain 6.5 bullet, does more damage to the vitals of game animals making ethical taking of game more likely. The 7mm also has a higher sectional density relative to .30 caliber bullets, and penetrates better than .30 caliber bullets of the same weight. A 175-grain 7mm bullet shot at 7×57 velocities is roughly the equivalent of a 200-grain .30 caliber bullet shot from a .30-06, in terms of both velocity and sectional density. but of course the 200-grain bullet is more destructive because it is larger and puts more energy on the target. 7mm Mauser does usually recoil with more force than 6.5×55 when bullets heavier than 140 grains are used. It is however a better all-purpose game-getter.  To keep chamber pressure below 46,000CUP and to produce a flat trajectory on par with the U.S. Army’s 7.62NATO match load or M80 ball, then we should use a 140-grain bullet. Good powders for this round are H4831, and H4350, but the most accurate powder that produces the highest velocity at a modest pressure is Varget. As a maximum load, use 40.5 grains of Varget under a 139 or 140-grain bullet for a velocity of 2,741fps with a pressure of only 43,700CUP.  This is an outstanding load discovered in an old Lyman reloading manual. Varget is well known to be very temperature stable as well and is fast becoming my favorite all-purpose powder, second to H4895. If brass is needed for the cartridge, it is easy to reform .30-06 cases into 7×57 cases. The neck will need be trimmed a great deal, but I have a small pipe cutter that quickly and cleanly cuts off most of the excess neck off and then trim using a trim gauge and a cutter on a handheld drill.  I use M1 ball cases that are much thicker and heavier brass, yet it reforms easily.  If military brass is used, reduce the maximum listed charge by about 1 grain because the military case has less internal volume. If we can find Varget, here is a table that compares this load with M80 and M118 7.62×51 ball. The results speak for themselves.  The 7mm Mauser is still relevant today, and perhaps why the military is transitioning to a very high pressure round that is the 6.8×51. 6.8mm is only slightly smaller in diameter than the 7mm.  The modern 7-08mm  duplicates 7×57. 7-08mm could also be called the 7×51. This is a variation on one

of the oldest smokeless cartridges devised, yet it is being reinvented and redeployed in a modern rifle.  I can certainly appreciate why.                                     Range    Drop   Windage    Velocity  Energy 7mm Mauser                  500    -46.8   10.2 1875.7  1085.6   140 grain Hornady SST @ 2,740fps, 24 inch barrel 7.62 Nato m80 Ball          500    -56.2   16.1 1557.2 807.5   150 grain @ 2,750fps, 24 inch barrel, 7.62x51mm M118              500    -52.8″  10.9″        1770.5  1217.8   173 grain, 24 inch barrel A Comparative Analysis of Antique Versus Modern Rifle Trajectories Using the results from the well-respected JBM ballistics calculator, this is the expected trajectory of M118 out of this rare Chilean Mauser as compared to the trajectory out of the U.S. Army’s M21 rifle, both chamber in 7.62 NATO. The table indicates estimated trajectories for M118 ammunition, and are useful for only comparitive purposes.  The data was generated assuming a 200 yard zero, and a full value cross wind, a 90-degree 10mph cross wind. The advantage goes to the Chilean Mauser as it has 29-inch barrel that is assumed will generate an additional 100 fps of velocity over that of 24 inch barrel of the M21 rifle. The M118 cartridge creates the same amount of pressure in both rifles.  Typically, as barrel length is reduced, there can be on average as much as 25fps loss per each inch it is reduced. There are execeptions, and other contributing factors, so this can only be a rough estimate. In any analysis, the Chilean Mauser would generate no less velocity, and would be equal to, and likely greater in velocity from 50 to 125 fps greater.  It is safe to say that the trajectory would be at the least be about the same, if not flatter shot out of the Chilean Mauser.                                                      Range    Drop   Windage   Velocity   Energy Converted Chilean Mauser           500    -48.4:  10.2″     1851.1        1331.3  Ammunition, LAKE CITY 7.62x51mm M118, 29 inch barrel M21                                                500    -52.8″  10.9″     1770.5    1217.8  Ammunition, LAKE CITY 7.62x51mm M118, 24 inch barrel The table below is the expected performance of the Loewe Spanish Contract M1893 Mauser Sporter in .300 Savage using Hornady’s ammunition. For the sake of comparison, 7.62 NATO (M118 ammunition), the 6.5 Creedmoor, and the M96 Swedish Mauser, set a benchmark high standard, so these cartridges are included. The estimated trajectories are useful for only comparitive purposes.  The data was generated assuming a 200 yard zero, and a full value cross wind, a 90 degree 10mph cross wind at 500 yards. Just for fun, let’s see how our .300 Savage from an antique rifle compares with a modern 6.5 Creedmoor load, and an ideal handload for 6.5×55:                        Range  Drop  Windage  Velocity  Energy .300 Savage    500   -50.7  12.4      1738.1   1006.1  Ammunition, Hornady, Superformance .300 Savage 150 Grain Super Shock Tip, 22″ barrel 7.62×51 Nato   500   -52.8″ 10.9″     1770.5   1217.8  Ammunition, LAKE CITY 7.62x51mm M118 (173 grain bullet), 24 inch barrel 6.5 Creedmoor  500   -46.9   9.6      1900.1   1122.1  Ammunition, Hornady, 140 gain Super Shock Tip, 24″ barrel 6.5×55         500   -43.2   7.6      2047.1   1330.4  Handload, 46.5 grains RL22, Hornady 143 grain ELD-X (Extremely Low Drag- –                                                               eXpanding) bullet used in a 29″ barrel. The trajectories, or drop at 500 yards, are so similar as to be nearly irrelevant as it is relatively easy to adjust for elevation. How well the cartridge bucks the wind is more the reason the shooter hits or misses.   The winner in this comparison is the 6.5×55 using a top-notch handload. In all fairness, if the 6.5CM ammunition used the same bullet, it would have performed just as well. The point is that modern rifles are not necessarily superior in performance. Modern ammunition and especially hand loads in antique rifles, can level the field.

Choose the right tool for the job Perhaps the best way to wrap up this article is to show readers that these old rifles are not by any means obsolete, or cannot be competitive with modern-day rifles. While this video demonstration is performed by a very talented and experienced marksman with exquisite eyesight, it required an exceptional marksman to remove all doubt about the rifle’s ability. The rifle that I used is an as-issued service grade M96 Swedish Mauser rifle in 6.5×55 produced in 1900.  It was intended for regular infantry of the Swedish Military.  It is not an accurized sniper rifle with special sights, it like any rifle that might be purchased from Elk Creek Company, or elsewhere, and similar in design to the Chilean Mauser in .300 Savage, sans the barrel.  It is of the same vintage as my own 1905 M96 Swedish Mauser, yet it is not altered, and has the standard heavy military trigger, and none of the advantages that my scoped rifles possess. He is using some of the most accurate factory ammunition that can be purchased from Lapua.  I use Lapua brass, because it is the best known to man. This Lapua ammunition, however, is not carefully handloaded ammunition that is tuned to the rifle used in the demonstration. Yet the rifle performs amazingly well, quickly and easily hitting all targets, all the way out to 500 yards, and then performed a grand finale at 1,000 yards with iron sights!  The same shooter, using a scoped M4A1 (AR-15 style) that shoots 5.56 NATO, has the same difficulty at 450 yards as did his iron-sighted Swedish Mauser did at about the same distance, and on the same shooting course out to 500 yards.  For the proof, roll the tape!  Seeing is believing. Video Demostration #1 Video Demonstration #2 Scopes Are A Game Changer If buying rifles in your state means that it must be registered or leave a FFL dealer paper trail in any way, then I would recommend that you own at least one antique rifle. If we mounted a good scope on an antique rifle, it would be a game changer. My favorite rifle for this application is my 1905-dated M96 Swedish Mauser in 6.5×55. If it were only six years older, it would legally be an antique. If the Swedish Mauser in the video had a good military-style scope, the M4A1 rifle would not have even been in the same league. The M96 could have hit beyond 1,000 yards, and would provide fire superiority over AR-15 class, or 7.62 NATO/.308 Winchester rifles. The Arken SH-4 4×16-50 is still on sale for only $314 with the discount code REX170, if the very desirable accessories package is ordered, there is a savings of $170.  In My Estimation (IME) it is a fabulous bargain for this poor boy.  And at this price, others could very well afford buy 3 to 4, or more, rather than a single example of a $1,500 to $3,000 scope. Yet, I am certainly no expert. See expert reviews by tiborasauasrex on YouTube. Arken SH-4 4-16×50 Gen II compared to SWFA, S&B, and others?, and Arken Best Value Scopes in 2022. One Way or Another, Get the Training I also recommend the excellent instructional video series on ELR (Extreme Long Range) shooting in 101 parts: Sniper 101 by tiborasuaursrex.  Although I cannot afford to get the training offered at Rex Defense, I would if I could.  At least I have the ammunition to aspire to this level, and my equipment is capable. We should strive to become a nation of riflemen, and strive to “aim small, miss small” (The Patriot), at whatever range, or the longest range our terrain allows.

[preppernewstoday]

Today is the birthday of Ed W. “Too Tall” Freeman (November 20, 1927 – August 20, 2008. He was a United States Army helicopter pilot who received the United States military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. During the battle, he flew through gunfire numerous times, bringing supplies to a trapped American battalion and flying dozens of wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman was a wingman for Major Bruce Crandall who also received the Medal of Honor for the same missions. — On November 2, 1920, the radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh produced what is often cited as the world’s first commercial broadcast. However, it is noteworthy that an experimental station in San Jose, California was operated by Charles “Doc” Herrold, much earlier. Herrold started broadcasting daily from 1909 to 1917 — long before the advent of KDKA. He began playing record albums on the air in 1912. Herrold’s station was licensed as KQW (in 1921) and later KCBS. I n the fall of 1916, after the De Forest Radio Telephone & Telegraph Company began operating an experimental radio station, 2XG, in New York City. They were the first broadcaster to operating commercially, airing advertisements. — Palmetto State Armory (our biggest affiliate advertiser) is running a short-term special on Toolcraft Non-Logoed Premium 5.56 Nickel Boron AR Bolt Carrier Group (Complete) with Carpenter 158 Bolt for just $79.99. That is quite a discount as they retail for $179. It is always great to have a complete spare BCG.  To find this deal, search on SKU51655116634 at the Palmetto State Armory web site. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 103 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists at Quantum Harvest LLC  are providing a store-wide 10% off coupon. Depending on the model chosen, this could be worth more than $2000. A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for any of their one, two, or three-day course (a $1,095 value), Two cases of Mountain House freeze-dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources (a $350 value), A $250 gift certificate good for any product from Sunflower Ammo, American Gunsmithing Institute (AGI) is providing a $300 certificate good towards any of their DVD training courses. Two sets of The Civil Defense Manual, (in two volumes) — a $193 value — kindly donated by the author, Jack Lawson. Second Prize: A course certificate from onPoint Tactical for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses, excluding those restricted for military or government teams. Three-day onPoint courses normally cost $795, A SIRT STIC AR-15/M4 Laser Training Package, courtesy of Next Level Training, that has a combined retail value of $679 Two 1,000-foot spools of full mil-spec U.S.-made 750 paracord (in-stock colors only) from www.TOUGHGRID.com (a $240 value). Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security, LLC, A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. There is no paperwork required for delivery of pre-1899 guns into most states, making them the last bastion of firearms purchasing privacy! Third Prize: Three sets each of made-in-USA regular and wide-mouth reusable canning lids. (This is a total of 300 lids and 600 gaskets.) This prize is courtesy of Harvest Guard (a $270 value) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21 (a $275 value), A transferable $150 FRN purchase credit from Elk Creek Company, toward the purchase of any pre-1899 antique gun. — More than $750,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest. Round 103 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how-to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.

[preppernewstoday]

(Psst: The FTC wants me to remind you that this website contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase from a link you click on, I might receive a small commission. This does not increase the price you'll pay for that item nor does it decrease the awesomeness of the item. ~ Daisy)By the author of The Dark Secrets of Survival and  the online courseOne Year in Hell I read the latest statistics here about inflation, salaries, expenses, and whatnot. In a bunch of information, I read one of the most interesting statistics for me, and it is info that people here spend around 45 percent of (average) salary on food only. And it is like very essential food, not fancy or dining out. Statistics are a funny thing, so it makes sense also to mention that majority of folks get much less than the average salary. But there is also a percentage of people (politicians, and others on the government ‘tit’) who receive salaries 5-6 times larger than the common folks. So “average salary“ is a funny number actually. But, statistics work that way. You do not have to be a mathematic wizard to realize (based on these numbers) that a huge number of people are struggling every month to cover expenses only for food, and covering anything else is like science fiction for them. Those are folks who work and got some salary for it. The unemployment rate goes from 30 to 50 percent, depending on who you ask –  government or nongovernment sources. So, there are a lot of hungry people here. The government and statistics do not mention them. I am not sure about the numbers in your region and the place where you live, but I am positive that there are no good numbers anywhere today, only bad numbers and statistics. Everyone everywhere is struggling. Where are preppers in all of this? I see us through the prism of two important things: 1.) What to do (from the physical side of things) 2.) What to do (from the psychological side) The physical side This is clearly a time when you need carefully to think about what you are doing with your own money. Actually that time is here for quite a while already. Also, this is a time when you carefully need to think and re-think something that I mentioned many times, and that is necessity vs. comfort (luxury). You as a prepper should know what is really necessary and essential and you should aim for that. These are not times to throw money away on not necessary things. Keep in mind that the survival industry is also a selling industry, so no matter how something in the Preppersphere looks cool for you to buy, you need to think twice about whether you are going to buy it. Because maybe you can find it for free somewhere, and also keep in mind that buying prepper stuff just to get peace of mind usually only lasts for a short amount of time. Choose carefully. On the other side, I do not necessarily advocate sitting on your money (if you have some amount). In times like these holding a certain amount of money for quick solutions when SHTF makes sense, and for regular expenses while there are still regular expenses. BUT if you are sitting on a bigger amount of money maybe it is time to invest it in something that is more “shielded” against troubles. (How can you get your food preps better squared away? Check out our free QUICKSTART Guide to learn more.) Remember that the best preps do not require money. Since many of us live from paycheck to paycheck if we are lucky enough to have job-we do not have the “troubles” of handling larger amounts of money. If you are asking yourself, “what can I do these days? I can not afford to invest anything in my prepping?“ then remember that best preps do not require money. The best preps are skills and plans. Start with those that are free, if you are beyond those steps then go back and again. Recheck your plans and strategies, stashes, and preps…for example go again through your plans about what to do if the SHTF, how and with who. Go through it with your family, and simply do it in the spirit of the latest events worldwide.

Maybe you did not plan for something that is happening now. Talk and discuss and work on your plans. Test and retest. There is nothing like bringing it as close as possible to the real stuff, so after you went through the steps mentioned above, and noticed or not changes, do exercises like going through the bug-out route, or testing how fast and when you can meet with your family members if something bad happens. Simply check what works and what does not work with your equipment. Learn… Yes, there is still time to learn stuff, and yes there is lot of stuff that is actually free. Invest time in learning new skills that you find useful for the coming SHTF. Exercise. I know it is easier to say than to do, but it is free. Work on your fitness. You’ll be thankful for it one day. The psychological side There is a local saying here from one of the public figures that goes like this (paraphrasing): “Daily problems about politics, hate. and the nation’s problems are for the people with very low income. People who have a bit better income discuss nice furniture, gardens, and similar. People with average income discuss healthy food, nice living, etc. Folks who have very good income talk only about love and highly spiritual things.” The message of this is that if you are living normal and wealthy life you do not give s..t about hate, problems, fear and similar or you simply discuss those topics from the point of philosophy. If you are very poor, or hungry, you live in fear and you can be easily manipulated and driven into hate, rage, and all the bad stuff.You are dependent and you can easily be manipulated by a lot of things, with promises or fear. Guess what? There are more and more poor and hungry people, and there is more and more manipulation, hate, promises, and fear. So, as a result, there are a lot of bad things possible to happen, since in my opinion there is a larger mass to be manipulated. You may be saying it is not true from the point that lot of wealthy people are into hate and wrong things. But the point of the saying is basically, are you dependent and scared? Now, what you as a prepper could do? You need to keep that common sense and healthy judgment. Don’t allow yourself to be led in the wrong direction and manipulated. No matter how times are bad, how low is your salary, or how big are the promises, you, as a prepper in your own core need to be free to judge not based on fear, but on facts and information that you collected alone. Otherwise, what’s the point of being a prepper or survivalist? (Want uninterrupted access to The Organic Prepper? Check out our paid-subscription newsletter.) What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the saying that Selco mentioned about how the people who are more desperate are the easiest to manipulate with hate and fear? How are you proceeding with preparedness if money is tight? What can we do when we can’t afford to buy preps? Let’s talk about this in the comments. About Selco: Selco survived the Balkan war of the 90s in a city under siege, without electricity, running water, or food distribution.  In his online works, he gives an inside view of the reality of survival under the harshest conditions. He reviews what works and what doesn’t, tells you the hard lessons he learned, and shares how he prepares today. He never stopped learning about survival and preparedness since the war. Regardless of what happens, chances are you will never experience extreme situations as Selco did. But you have the chance to learn from him and how he faced death for months. Real survival is not romantic or idealistic. It is brutal, hard, and unfair. Let Selco take you into that world.

[preppernewstoday]

“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord. And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.” – Genesis 12:1-9 (KJV)

[preppernewstoday]

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those –or excerpts thereof — in this column, in the Odds ‘n Sods Column, and in the Snippets column. Let’s keep busy and be ready! Jim Reports: Aside for a trip away from the ranch to do some refresher CPR/AED training, we had a fairly quiet week at the Rawles Ranch. It has mostly been overcast or clear and cold. There is just over an inch of compacted snow still on the ground and it is slowly melting.  With the holidays approaching, I’ve been busy packing knife and antique gun orders for Elk Creek Company. I appreciate the patronage of so many SurvivalBlog readers. Please say a prayer for Pat Cascio! His wife just wrote to tell us that Pat is back in the hospital with a serious condition. Now, over to Lily… Avalanche Lily Reports: Dear Readers, This week the weather was cold in the highs in the twenties and low thirties and lows in the teens and twenties. One night we had a low of 10 degrees F. Mostly cloudy but no precipitation to speak of, with some sun. This week, I cleaned out the hen house, sort of, twice.  Let me explain. The last time I cleaned it, I put in way too much grass hay on the floor.  I started to clean it out in the beginning of the week, but the hay was so thick and matted together that the manure on it made it extra heavy and I struggled with it.  It frustrated me, so I only half cleaned it out the first time in the front and one back corner and I did not lay down more hay.  Later in the week, when I felt more energetic, I went after the really thick manured hay in the other back corner and removed it.  I scraped the floor and laid down a much thinner layer of hay and spread it out better.  I  would far rather clean out the coop two to three times a week and have the job be quick and light work, than struggle with the matted, weighted mess, and possibly hurt myself in the process.  I know many people let the manure build up over the winter and let it decompose in the coop for added warmth, but I cannot stand the ammonia smell and know that it is not good for the birds, either. And the mold and dust cleanup in the spring is awful! Wood chips are not viable for us.  We like to use hay or straw. This week the three of us took a CPR course.  It was really good to get up to date, since it had been about thirty years since both Jim and I had taken that course. The training now includes how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). We always carry a Philips HeartStart in our vehicle. Miss Violet enjoyed learning CPR for the first time. We plan on taking a general First Aid course in the New Year and then later hopefully, taking a Wilderness First Aid course.  At one time in life, I was certified in the Red Cross Advanced First Aid.  Jim, of course, had Army First Aid courses. I refilled several of my seasonings jars. We are celebrating our Thanksgiving this weekend with two of our adult kids and the grandchildren.  The other three are unable to come for various reasons, but we might be able to get four to them together in December for a meal… Therefore I spent time at the end of the week, house cleaning and cooking yummy food for us to enjoy together. I worked out quite heavily this week, crosscountry skiing on a a two mile ski around our neighbor’s meadow, walking, sit-ups, weights, stretching, and working out with the elastic bands.  I have been running up and down the staircase in the shop on purpose, for additional workouts.  We live in the flat of the valley and we do not have any sizeable stairs in the house.

We have mountains all around us, but I prefer to stay close to home when we have so much work to do and don’t have time to go off-ranch. I am slowly working my way through the book of Isaiah, reading it in Hebrew. I am in chapter four.  I am just reading and studying a few verses at a time, not setting goals of the amount to do each day, because I never live up to them, long term.  Something always interrupts the flow and I don’t get back to it. So a little here and a little there is better for me to have consistency. Our dog and cats have been super cute lately.  The cats, two years old now, are not too happy being out in the cold for too long these days. Therefore they have pent-up energy in the house that they need to expend.  Our male kitty, Mr. M has been finding objects to play with and chase in the house.  The other morning, while H. was still in Miss Violet’s bedroom he knocked down the tray on the windowsill that was holding the hazelnuts where they were drying out.  He chased one of the winged nuts all around the floor.  Another morning, while Miss H was outside, (while the dog is out, the cats will play) he found his toy mouse and began throwing it all around and chasing it.  He brought it up to me and I threw it for him over the couch towards the hallway.  He took off running, leaping up on the couch and over it, (It is in the middle of the room and divides the kitchen from the livingroom) and chasing it down the hall and brought it back to me putting it down under my bent legs, (I was sitting on the floor leaning up against our hearth in front of the wood heat stove), asking me to throw it again. I took it from him and threw it again.  Again he brought it back to me for another round.  This is the first time we have played fetch with the mouse in over a year.  I am delighted to know that he remembers how to play the game and even still wants to play it.  What a great cat he is. Another time this week, when H. was in the house, and I was this time sitting on the hearth with my knees together. Female M went under my legs.  I opened my knees just a little to look down at her and reached down to pet her. She looked up at me with this really pleased look in her eyes. Pleased to be hiding under my legs and to have some attention from me.  Suddenly our dog H. saw all this and got jealous came over and tried to nose her to get her to play with her.  M grabbed my legs with her claws and began to hiss and slap at H. and they started to have a real brawl under my legs.  I yelped and leaped up and let them have at it with each other without me in the middle of it. When I beat up some eggs for the cats, the dog has been sticking her nose into the bowl with the two M’s and all three of them are eating together without any growling, hissing, or fighting.  I’m so impressed with their peaceful complacency concerning food.  It’s really cute to see how polite they are with each other while eating together. May you all have a very blessed and safe week. – Avalanche Lily, Rawles o o o As always,  please share and send e-mails of your own successes and hard-earned wisdom and we will post them in the “Snippets” column this coming week.  We want to hear from you.