Recent content by Dirty Bob

If looking for the (brief) story in the media, try Sugar Pine San Antonio shooting The problem I see is that the world has changed. In the old days, in the small town where I grew up, the thieves would have beaten feet out of there the moment a porch light came on, or the someone yelled at...

One of my neighbors responded to a phone ping at 4am on Friday night. He discovered his car (parked in front of one of his neighbors' houses for unknown reason) was being burgled by two "yoots." He went out front and yelled at them. They left, but as they were leaving, one turned and fired...

Great newsletter, with lots of useful information! Many thanks!

Thanks for the info and the kind words. I haven't messed with the mixes, but I guess that's the next phase. The paper caps are only suitable for use with black powder, but calibers like .45 Colt are awesome with good old gunpowder (black powder). I really want to shoot more with black powder...

The first two parts of my article, "No Ammo, No Primers, No Problem!," are up on survivalblog.com. The article will cover my experiences recharging rifle/pistol primers, as well as shotgun primers, and it includes some infographics I made to show how I charge primers with paper roll caps. It...

Yes, rattan is also an excellent choice! Deceptively strong for its weight. Like bamboo, it will need a crutch tip at the bottom to prevent premature wear. Leave the skin on for character, strength, and impact resistance.

I’m in south Texas also. Pecan trees are common here, and the wood is similar to hickory.

Thank you very much for that warning on plastic wads. I wonder if some cork or cardboard in between the powder and plastic would prevent the melting. I have to do some testing!

Bamboo is an underused wood for sticks, as long as self-defense is not the reason for the stick. It's strong enough to put weight on, but somewhat weak laterally. It's also light enough for a pair to be used as trekking poles, and strong enough to use them as poles in a tarp shelter. I love the...

I made a "bundle bow" (like Arnold's bow in Predator), though mine is of bamboo and draws about 30 pounds. I got eager to try it out before the bamboo had seasoned properly, and it took a set. Still works, though, and it was EASY to make. I think there's a pic of one in one of the Traditional...

Dogs are a real -- and potentially deadly -- threat. The only time I've drawn a handgun was against a very large, very aggressive, loose dog that charged me from across the street, IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD! I made a very quick draw, by some miracle, and had the gun in low ready with the laser...

Ian, at Forgotten Weapons, calls it the Worst Gun Ever. His Zip 22 videos are a must-watch. How far USFA fell! It really makes me wish they'd stuck with what was working so well! Sad. :( Forgotten Weapons: "USFA Zip 22: How a Garbage Gun Destroyed a Good Company" Regards, Bob

That. Is. Sweet! Fantastic score! I'm very happy for you! Great to see a beautiful pistol fall into the hands of someone who appreciates it as much as you obviously do. Thank you very much for sharing!

I find it easier to make paper cartridges -- especially since I was interested in classic "musket" loads of ball, buck and ball, and buckshot. Making the cartridges was also fun, and they're easy to experiment with. I also find the whole muzzleloading thing enjoyable, and I was able to share it...

Anybody other than me try a Short Lane (gunadapters.com) muzzleloader insert? You can make your own by cutting the plastic off a high-brass shell and hand-turning a quarter-inch drill bit in the primer opening so primers can be removed with a fingernail while leaving the adapter in the breech...