Shotshell Reloading: Improvised shot

Welcome! sorry i didn't post yesterday, I have been having internet problems, but they seem to be fixed. If you were looking forward to an article yesterday, I am very sorry, but sometimes shit happens. Don't be looking forward to an article Saturday or Sunday either, due to the weekend... Waiting for Monday won't kill you... :)

 Buck shot has a usage, birdshot has a usage, and Slugs have a usage, but what happens when these simple projectiles can’t be purchased? Answer: You make your own.

My grandfather once said that with a shed roof, a metal pail of hot lead, a ladle, and a bucket of water you could make your own birdshot. He said he could never get the shot perfectly round using this technique, and most droplets of lead seem to look like tiny tadpoles with tails. My improvised journey didn’t involve a homemade shot tower, but instead household and hardware store materials. Let me explain each and every experiment:

1.) Wire- My dad brought a large roll of field wire from Tractor Supply about eight months ago in order to build an electric fence for his goats. He gave me the left over wire, and with a pair of Lineman pliers I cut the wire into tiny little pieces. It was time consuming, and my hand ended up with blisters but the result was decent. These little devils would travel at high velocity, and would mangle up a soda can. I would compare it to #11 or #12 shot due to their size, and they would stick into ¾ inch plywood. Each piece of wire was around 1/16^th of an inch long.

2.) Lead fishing sinkers- These little sluggers make damn good improvised shot. They are the closest to the real thing, but the cost is the true downfall. Make sure to close them shut before reloading with them.

3.) Five balls of death- this reloading technique involves using five round lead sinkers and each of them snapped to a single piece of 10lbs test fishing line. I refer to it as the “five balls of death” because it comes out of the barrel like a bolo. Getting them to fit correctly inside the wad is the only trouble.

4.) Standard BBs- This is the easiest and cheapest alternative to the real thing. I use Daisy brand BBs, and a container of around 1,000 is fairly cheap and about the same size as #1 lead shot. This is my preferred alternative.

5.) Airsoft BBs- The plastic airsoft BBs make a perfect less than lethal projectile. These BBs are a bit bigger than standard zinc coated metal BBs, and their range is limited due to their weight. Perfect for scaring off stray dogs that tear out your garbage, just make sure the BBs don’t hit them in the eyes.  

6.)  Homemade Slug- I have yet to try this method, but I saw a YouTube video once where a boy drilled a hole in a small board and poured hot melted wheel weight lead into it. The end result was a makeshift 12 gauge slug.

7.) Rocks and Pebbles- This method works well with limestone gravel about the size of a fingertip. Measure it out properly using the measuring spoon that comes with the Lee Loader, I have yet to see any ill results but the sharp edges might scratch the inside of the barrel.

If I get time I will take a few photos of some simple cardboard improvised wads I made awhile back, and do a How-To post on how to make them. With my busy schedule, don’t hold your breath. J

Until next time---- Travel Trailer Hermit---- Signing off----

P.S- The hermit will NOT be held responsible for any accidents. If you blow your fucking face off, kill the neighbor, etc. etc. it is your fault, not mine. You should have been more careful, my condolences

Why a travel trailer?

            Why a travel trailer? This was a question I asked myself over and over again when I was first considering the “escape the rat race” lifestyle, and my reasons were based on a few different principles. One of my first considerations was a small 14x14 cabin just like the one mentioned online at simplesolarhomesteading.com. The thought of building a permanent cabin for $2,000 didn’t really tickle my fancy, so to speak. When I was turned onto the travel trailer ideal my mind depicted a large 28 foot dual axle home on wheels with black water holding tanks, 12volt backup battery supply, micro shower, and the possibility of accommodating any typical 80 year old couple. I told myself that I didn’t need all of these unnecessary luxuries, and I wasn’t sure if my v6 F-150 would tow a miniature home. I scanned through hundreds of Craigslist ads when I finally came across a 12ft White Star single axle travel trailer that was located in Oneida, Tennessee. The price was pretty cheap, the trailer was in good shape, and the location wasn’t too far away, so I had my sights set. The guy originally wanted $1,200 for it, but with luck I got the price down to $950, I hitched it my truck, and I towed it back across the state line. Most people think because it is less than 100 sq.ft. that a normal human can’t live in it, but they don’t know the power of minimalist mindset. The reasons why I picked the 12 footer:

·        It takes less energy to heat a smaller area.

·        It takes less energy to cool a smaller area.

·        The floor plan is efficient, and allows for normal daily activities.

·        Travel trailers are mobile.

·        Travel trailers come furnished.

·        The less you have, the more you appreciate what you got.

·        I sleep better in a single bed.

·        Finding a place to park is easier with a short trailer.

·        My basic ½ ton pickup can tow it. No need for larger truck.

·        Easier to clean small spaces.

·        Smaller trailers are cheaper to buy (in most cases).

·        Keeps me from buying unnecessary items due to my lack of room.

 

Not having a permanent bathroom does have its limitations, and the lack of storage space does slow down my prepping, but these are the only two cons I have yet to notice.

HERMIT<> 

Shotshell Reloading: Basic and Simple

            I have been reloading shotgun shells for quite a while, and I have always been fascinated by “improvised” shot and projectiles. Anyone with two hands and access to needed supplies can reload shotshells, and I was lucky enough to find a cheap Lee Loader on Ebay about two years ago. These little hand loading kits are no longer produced, and almost everyone these days have switched over to the simple reloading press. Believe it or not, these little devils are still around and they are several available on Ebay as I am writing this. The specific one I got is for 16 gauge shotshells, but mine will easily reload 20 gauge shotshells as well. Below I have listed the required materials:

Empty Shotshells- Buy a box of shotgun shells at Wal-Mart or your local sporting goods store and when you shoot the whole box, just keep the empty shotshell hulls. It really is that simple.

Shotshell wads/cups- These are the little shot cups that hold the shot together and helps separate the shot from the powder, but it also creates a gas seal that is needed to propel the shot from the hull. As a beginner and with the simple Lee Loader method, a great shot pattern is not required so the specific brand of wad doesn’t matter as long as the wad is the correct gauge. For example; if you are going to reload 20 gauge shotshells, you need 20 gauge wads.  

Powder- This is what drives the wad and shot from the shotgun shell. I personally use Alliant Red Dot powder; however with a few Google searches you might prefer a different brand. Like I said before, I have been reloading off and on for around two years I have yet to go through a pound of smokeless powder.

Primers- This is what the slap pin/firing pin hits when you pull the trigger, then it ignites the gunpowder and starts the whole process. I use Winchester and CCI 209 primers, but I find the CCI primers are a bit easier to obtain in my area.

Shot- this is what hits the target, everyone should know that. On several occasions I have created improvised shot with average success, but for a noob I would prefer you buy factory made lead birdshot.

This is all you need to successful manufacture a shotshell. I will write a post about improvised shot and wads in the future, but for now I would recommend sticking with factory components. When you decide to buy your Lee Loader it should come with proper instructions on how to use it; however they are several websites on the subject if for some reason you can’t find one with adequate paperwork.

Until next time---- Travel Trailer Hermit---- Signing off----

P.S- The hermit will NOT be held responsible for any accidents. If you blow your fucking face off, kill the neighbor, etc. etc. it is your fault, not mine. You should have been more careful, my condolences.

The Black Majority and Society

My weekend was great, but waking up this morning I realize today is yet another mindless holiday. The banks, public schools, county clerk's office, etc. etc. is closed, and all in thanks to Mr. "why can't we all just get along". I don't support segregation or violence toward the stereotypical "African American", but they must know where they stand in today's society. However, they don't! They continue to destroy clean protestant neighborhoods, listen to loud vulgar music, partake in interracial relationships, etc. etc. But what can you expect from a group of humans that came out of slavery less than 200 years ago? And before slavery, they were still living in primitive African jungles. Yet, every January we celebrate a national holiday for so-called "reverend doctor martin Luther king, Jr.", and every February is declared "black history month" because God knows white land owners treated the “out of date” farm equipment in a cruel manner. Do we really know what this man supported? According to various websites, a federal judge sealed the FBI files on King until the year 2027. Why would you hide information on a national hero? Let me tell you one thing, Dr. "I have a dream" was nothing but a plagiarizing communist. According to various sources; one particular night in January 1964, FBI audio bugs reportedly picked up 14 hours of party chatter, clinking of glasses, and sounds of illicit sex which included Dr. King saying "I’m f---ing for God" and "I’m not a negro tonight". What kind of man would say these things? If i am not mistaken, this incident was published in Newsweek Magazine, but plenty of info on the subject is available at www.martinlutherking.org. Blacks have taken over society, and now the whites are becoming the "minority". We can thank the Gays and Blacks for HIV and the AIDs virus, and all because society said it was "okay". It is "okay" for the media to portray the Black population as normal, law abiding, and "cool", while real Negros are raping white women on a daily basis. However, don't worry, because we will turn a blind eye to it and nigger loving society will classify it as "normal". Blacks are not normal, and mainly because they are not developed. They behave like animals, and they look like humanoid Gorillas. My case is closed...

HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY!!!!!

Sincerely, The Hermit...     

Damn Automobiles, Snow, and Politicians

Well, another week wasted working for the “man”, yet it doesn’t disappoint me. Today we got snow fall, and the roads are currently covered with black ice and it makes me question my two wheel drive truck. I got home about 4 hours ago, and after letting 10 PSI out of my rear tires, it managed to pull itself through the thick sludge. The county highway department can’t wake up a few hours early and salt the damn roads, in result it puts motorist in harm’s way, and I saw three accidents on the way home. We got around two inches of ice and snow, and this is one occasion where I wish my truck was a four wheel drive. Maybe I should just invest in a set of nylon snow straps that slip on the tires like snow chains, but I don’t think they would do much good. As far as my truck is concerned, the cold weather makes the starter “grunt” and “drag”, and it has been doing this for well over two month. I tested my battery and alternator in October; the battery is in good condition, and the alternator is pushing 14 amps, which is what it is rated at. The culprit must be the shitty O.E.M starter. When the time comes, and I invest in another vehicle, you better believe I will go the 4x4 route. On another note, I have yet to receive a “guest article” from a loyal reader, and this disappoints me. I guess I will continue to spit up words Monday through Friday, which reminds me to let you all know that I will not be posting tomorrow (1/19/13) or the next day (1/20/13) due to the fact I don’t do shit on the weekends. Other than annoying cold weather and truck problems, my week has been great. From what I saw on CNN yesterday, Obammy is really cracking down on our 2^nd amendment rights and the NRA isn’t helping matters. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. A typical liberal is out to ban our nation’s protection from foreign invaders, while letting gays and abortion loving sluts rule the roost. Gays and blacks are people too, and if liberal cunts believed that themselves they might get off the “civil rights” topic and on with the subject of national crisis. Who cares about gay marriage, we got peak oil around the corner! Let Steve and Stan get married, who gives a dirty dog fuck, us realistic people know a true marriage is between a man and a woman. Not our fault they like it up the ass, now Mr. African American president can handle the real problems. Meanwhile, we all know religious zealot Romney would have been just as bad.

HERMIT<>         

Hermit's Beach Vacation

As a kid, my mommy and daddy would always drag my sister and me to over expensive theme parks, and beach vacations. Don't get me wrong, I loved it as a child. It all started out with yearly visits to DollyWood, and then as money became a surplus (when mom got a promotion) we started venturing to Myrtle Beach, SC and King's Island in Cincinnati, OH. When my mom and dad got divorced about 3 years ago, and my mother remarried, these trips became more and more common. They all consisted of the same "fun" and the same "accommodations". We would all pack up in a rent-a-car, and spend 2-11 hours driving to our destination while stopping every hour or so to eat, drink, bathroom, etc. Our vacation would usually start on a Saturday and end on the upcoming Saturday, and the ride back home was always terrible. We always spent our week of paradise at a decent hotel, which I always hated. I hate hotels and motels. Tourist flock them, and the prices are always outrageous. As a result, today's post is about The Hermit's perfect yet SUPER cheap beach vacation. This is just an ideal of the perfect vacation; I plan on making this dream a reality within the next 2-3 years. Let's begin!

It would all start out with me requesting a week off from work, preferably, Monday thru Sunday, a full seven days. I would sleep in late Monday morning, get up around noon and have my packing done by 2:00pm and out the door by 3:00pm. I would pack a basic yet super cheap array of bologna and tuna sandwiches which would allow me to drive without stopping for lunch. In this perfect situation, I would have a reliable E-150 or E-250 full size Ford van with "van dwelling" accommodations. I would have two coolers, one for the above mentioned sandwiches, and the second one for ice cold Dr. Peppers and bottle waters, and my sights would be set on Myrtle Beach, SC or other local beaches. Upon arrival, I would enjoy long walks on the sea shore, chilling at the local restaurants, deep sea fishing, etc. etc. Yet, most days would be spent sitting on the beach reading a romance or western novel. The cool breeze would blow through my hair, and the smell of salt water would fill my nostrils. This would be a vacation to remember, with no one around to bother me, and after having the perfect week of relaxing solitude, I would fire up the ole' van and head back to the meek travel trailer homestead. My wallet would still be full of cash, with fuel being my only true expense. Life is Good.

Sincerely, the travel trailer hermit…

Candles

Candles play a vital role in off-grid emergency lighting situations. I will depend on cheap battery operated LED lights for the most part, but a small stockpile of cheap tea lights might come in handy during TEOTWAWKI. A bag of small tea lights can be acquired at the local Wal-Mart for around five bucks, and I know for a fact that a single flame can light up a small room. You won't be able to read or shave in this type of light, but it might provide enough to allow you to complete other needs such as food preparation. On one occasion I left a small tea candle on my computer desk, and after 6 hours it still remained lit. A plus associated with candles is during colder months they supply a tiny amount heat, but in a survival situation that single BTU might save your life. I did have an ideal up my sleeve, which would involve using a piece of aluminum foil as a reflector. In theory, it might maximize the light output of the tiny candle. Sorry about today's post being short, I haven't been feeling well, must be the cold weather, and the fear of peak oil. The temperatures have dropped, and my job which consists of working the drive thru window doesn't help. I am starting to feel a little bit better, but not as fighting fit as I had hoped.

Until next time…. Travel Trailer hermit… signing off……

Minimum Food Storage

Today I want to bring up food storage and how a simple yet basic stockpile can save your life if the shit hits the fan. I have been quite lazy and stupid for not already starting with food storage, mainly because I was waiting until after I moved into my travel trailer. We all know famine or peak oil could hit at any time, so let me give you an insight on my future survival pantry. My plan will consist mostly of canned goods, flour, rice, oatmeal, beans, and maybe a grain grinder and a bucket of wheat. I wish my modest 12ft travel trailer had room for several years’ worth of food, but it just isn't possible. My food storage plan will only consist of enough food for 183 days; however I plan on expanding in the future. If I consume the bare minimum of 2,000 calories per day, my 6 month requirement would be around 366,000 calories. A stockpile of One-A-day men's daily vitamins will help supplement my diet without relying on fresh fruit and veggies. I hope to store most of my grub inside the trailer, but then again space is very limited so most dry goods will be stored under the trailer. Last month I saw 20lb bags of pinto beans at Food City for around twenty bucks. A single pound of dried beans is 1575 calories; therefore a 20lb sack of beans would consist of 31,500 calories. White rice has slightly more bang for the buck, at around 1600 calories per dry pound. I hope to fit four 20lb bags of both rice and beans under my trailer, stored in large plastic containers. This would guarantee me 254,000 calories worth of basic grub, however I don't know for sure if 80lbs of dry beans and rice will fit under there. The 122,000 calorie difference can be made up of cheap canned goods, oatmeal, flour, corn meal, etc. I am also considering a cheap van or enclosed trailer for extra storage, on the other hand I don't know if extreme weather conditions would play a role with shelf life. If I go the wheat and wheat grinder route I will more than likely store my wheat outside on a cheap homemade pallet, and pray to God the temperate peaks don't hurt it. In the long run, I feel minimum food storage of 6 months should be enough to allow for proper stock rotation. A self-sufficient approach would be a decent garden and several chickens and rabbits, and I do plan on investing into agriculture once I become familiar with my new lifestyle. Until then, I hope my worthless money is still able to buy weekly grub.

On another note, if anyone knows a better way to store food items when storage space and funds are limited, please let me know, I am new at WTSHTF food prepping.

Until next time... Travel Trailer Hermit… signing off...

Non-related Bonus Post: Willy Wonka

This post is not associated with survival, frugal living, or any other subject usually posted on my Hermit blog. For you serious readers and animals of habit, don’t worry, I will post a normal post right next to my non-related bonus post. Enjoy! 

I got home from work last Friday and decided to watch an old classic. It had been nearly three years since I had seen the movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” starring Gene Wilder. I am not taking about the new and ugly one with Mr. Depp, but the real one. The classic one from 1971 directed by Roald Dahl. As a child I watched it with an “innocent” and “simple” mind. This time I felt different and the movie had a strange “change” to it. The first thing that hit me was when the school let out due to the fact Mr. Wonka had reopened his nasty and dirty candy plant. That is not a reason to let kids miss out on CorpGov education. Even though the candy plant was in full production, no one was allowed to leave. How is this possible? My first thought was the plant was automated, however it turns out to be the plant is fueled by a bunch of “little people” called Oompa-Loompas. How is this possible? Do these Oompa-Loompas live with Mr. Wonka? Do they get paid or is it slave labor, with sir Wonka wielding a bull whip. The world did not know, and after the movie I still wasn’t sure. I mean, they seemed happy, but who knows what goes on after the cameras go away. Sorry, I am getting off the real topic here. After the school lets out, a young boy named Charlie Bucket goes into a candy store. The cashier working there starts singing and gives candy to everyone there, except Charlie. The “candy man” can, but he decided not to. What a “brat” this candy man is! For one, he doesn’t look like he owns the store so he should not be giving candy away to a bunch of kids. The candies will rotten their teeth, and then out of nowhere he decides Charlie must pay for his candy. During this time, this Mr. Wonka is hiding golden tickets inside candy wrappers. I understand the promotional ideal, but why only five of them? Personally, I think he should have just hidden a “free candy bar” coupon in every other or every three wrappers and called it quits. But he doesn’t, because he is more than that. He is Willy Wonka for crying out loud, and he owns the best candy production plant in the entire world. However, I disagree with Wonka’s candies being the best. During the movie, the little workers never washed their hands or changed their gloves. If this wasn’t bad enough, little Violet Beauregard nearly exploded after eating one of Wonka’s mysterious “candy treats”. Another thing that really threw me a loop was during the news reports some strange guy with a scary scar was shown whispering to the children. This guy could be a kidnapper, or maybe he is trying to get the golden tickets. During the end of Charlie’s expedition into the chocolate factory, he messes around with some fizzy lifting drinks. I mean, could you blame Charlie or Grandpa Joe for stealing a sip of Fizzy? Sure, it almost got them killed, and I understand why Wonka was mad. I mean, he could have been sued if they got hurt. However, instead of kicking Charlie and grandpa out, he decides to give them the factory. What a dummy this Wonka is. Personally, I think Augustus Goop would have been happier with the factory. I mean, he sure did love that chocolate water fall. What was on my mind at the end was why he gave the factory away? Was he tired of bossing around a bunch of little people, or was he declaring bankruptcy? The main thing is, it really doesn’t matter because the person who wanted it the most got the most out of it. I just want to say one thing. Good luck Charlie, give us a smile.  

Sincerely, Travel Trailer Hermit……..     

The .22 LR

Hello loyal readers, I just want to let you know that my main goal is to keep traveltrailerhermit.blogspot.com updated with a new post Monday through Friday. I spend my weekends resting, relaxing, and picking the brain for the upcoming weekday articles. This usually means that I won’t post during the weekend, however if something truly special comes up I will post regardless of what day of the week it is. What I am really trying to say is that I love writing for you guys, and you can expect a post every weekday and at least twenty posts a month. That is unless I get a bad case of Carpel Tunnel and I am forced to pay someone to put me down like a horse with a broken leg. J   

          Anyways, after cleaning out my sock drawer I came across an old box of Winchester Wildcat 22LR’s I had stashed because I ran out of space on my shelf. I got thinking about the world’s most popular firearm cartridge, and it sparked today’s article. It’s cheap, lightweight, and the most popular round on the market. Almost every shooter is familiar with this humble little plinking round; however most people under estimate its “stopping power”. With proper shot placement, large game can be taken quite clean with this little guy. Hell, ask any game warden and you will find out real quick what a poacher’s preferred caliber is. The modest little .22LR is perfect for teaching kids and women how to safely operate and use a firearm, as well as keeping the average shooter’s skills honed. I have owned three twenty-two caliber rifles during my life, and my favorite is the Marlin Model 60. The Marlin was my first rifle, and after 2,000+ rounds it is still going strong. Most people are quite familiar with the Ruger 10/22, however I don’t understand what the hype is all about. Don’t get me wrong, Ruger makes a damn good rifle but for the price of one 10/22 you could almost buy two Marlins.

            The only difficult part about dealing with the .22LR is finding good dependable ammunition. The cheap bulk 550 round boxes you get at Wal-Mart don’t cut the cake when it comes to reliability. Last summer I brought a 550 round box of Federal 36grain copper plated hollow points for around twenty bucks at my local Wal-Mart, and after a week’s worth of shooting nearly 1/3 of them “snapped” the first time they were fired. They caused a minor jam each time in my trustworthy Marlin 60, but after racking back the slide, the dented cartridge would fly out. Not that big of a deal when you are out plinking, but what if that meant the difference between eating or going hungry in a survival situation. You would be up shit creek without a paddle. CCI’s line of 22LR Mini-Mag ammo seems to be the most accurate and reliable cartridges on the market. These little copper plated hollow points work real smooth in my Marlin, and I have yet to have one disappoint me. For the sake of survival, always remember to store your ammo in a cool dry place. I recommend storing them in gallon Ziploc bags; however the factory packaging seems hold up well against moisture. For around two hundred bucks anyone should be able to snatch up a decent twenty-two caliber rifle and a few hundred rounds of cheap ammunition.

Keep the brass flyin’, Sincerely, the Homestead Hermit…..           

Hermit Coffee

Hello loyal readers, the Hermit’s weekend was satisfactory, I spend it at my dad’s house, and we mostly talked about politics and The Andy Griffith Show. On another note, I feel I have been spending way too much on cigarettes, and I decided to switch over to my old favorite; the cheap filtered cigar. I think I mentioned it in a previous post, I can’t remember, so I shall mention it again. I have been smoking “Winston full flavors” for the last three months, and even with my consumption at around five per day, the thought of paying $4.11 a pack is starting to bother me. I have been secretly smoking since I was sixteen, and my preferred smoking experience started with low-priced cigars. The most popular brand in my area is “Red Buck”, which can be acquired for less than $1.50 for a pack of twenty, and they taste pretty damn good. They come filtered; yet the only way I like to smoke them is with the filter cut down or ripped off. Don’t get me wrong, from time to time I might splurge and buy a pack of “Black and Mild’s” or “swisher Sweets”, but my taste buds are still set on cigars that look like cigarettes. They are something about a cigar that really fulfills me, they do something for me that overpriced cigarette never will. It might just be the smell and texture, who knows.      

Today’s post isn’t just about my smoking habit; it also covers my Coffee drinking addiction. I LOVE COFFEE!! I wish I was able to drink it “black”, but the only way I find it enjoyable is with plenty of cream and sugar. I am not accustomed to fancy pots or “percolators”, but instead the simple method. The only equipment you need is a kettle for water, a coffee cup, one tablespoon of ground coffee (I prefer Maxwell House or Folgers), and a paper filter. You pour eight ounces of cold water in the kettle, place it on the stove, and then add your tablespoon of coffee to the water. You let the water/coffee simmer over the heat until it starts to form tiny bubbles, the same tiny bubbles that form right before water starts to boil. As soon as these bubbles form, remove the kettle from the heat; whatever you do, don’t let the water begin to boil. Once you remove the almost boiling water/coffee from the source of heat, prepare your cup by placing the coffee filter inside it; carefully pour the coffee into the cup.  The paper filter should catch all the coffee grounds, and the end result should be a wonderful cup of coffee. This is by far the best way to make coffee, and it doesn’t require any bulky equipment. A word of advice; make sure the coffee doesn’t reach a boil, or it will taste sour and bitter. Throw in a splash of milk and a teaspoon of sugar, and treat yourself to a hot cup of Joe. I am not sure if this method has a name, but I call it “Poor Man’s Java”. From my experiences, I find that a coffee maker often makes the coffee taste bitter or burnt, but I personally have never had a cup made with a percolator or French press. Live simple coffee drinkers.

The coffee drinkin’, cigar smokin’ Hermit…. Signing off------                

10 Reasons why I don’t go to College

My dream of “Guest Article Friday” has fell through the rat hole, so once again the Hermit must entertain his readers with another mind boggling post, and maybe next week my “Guest Article Friday” will come true. Today has been fantastic and I have stumbled upon a tobacco store that sells Swisher Sweet filter cigars for $2.11 a pack, and I have made this my new permanent choice. God knows I love cigars, and the Swisher Sweet brand really pleases me. Let me get off my cigar addiction and on with today’s post which for your information, I pulled out of my ASS in under eleven minutes. Please enjoy…

10 reasons why I don’t go to college

1.) The 13 years I wasted between kindergarten and 12^th grade seems like enough. Why would I waste another 2-8 years?

2.) I am lazy and would rather spend my time sitting on the couch with a bowl of Frosted Flakes.

3.) College graduates typically make 1 million dollars more in their lifetime then non-graduates. However, with tuition at an all-time high and fiscal cliff just right around the corner, I can see this number dropping.

4.) Hearing a dumb ass professor preach about stupid shit for several hours while sitting in an uncomfortable chair while being forced to take notes with a dull pencil doesn't appeal to me. Thanks anyways.

5.) Staying in a dorm room full of the same gender reminds me of prison movies and may result in homosexual acts.

6.) I hate waking up early in the morning, and therefore I work the “hoot owl” shift at a wage slave job.

7.) A young boy named Ted Kaczynski went to college, got mentally abused by a professor, sent bombs via the Postal Service, and later became known as the “Unabomber”. I don’t want this to happen to me.

8.)  I feel the public school system didn't give me enough knowledge to further my education at a university. My personal experience involved a zealot Mormon Algebra teacher that was going through a divorce while preparing me for College math. Long story short, I didn't learn anything that year. Every time I hear "Hey Joe" by Hendrix, or "Losing my religion" by R.E.M I think about this particular Algebra class.   

9.) I don’t want to become over educated and forget how to tie my shoe, use the bathroom, etc. The world has enough over educated idiots, we don’t need anymore.

10.)        I don’t know if I mentioned it, but I am lazy. I believe in taking the easy way out, and making due with less. Fuck you government funded public schools for brainwashing little kids into thinking they can be whatever they want to be. A blind and deaf kid with ADHD isn't going to become an underwater welder or a nurse, so quit telling him that bullshit. Teach them the real world, not a world filled with unicorns and fairy dust. If Little Timmy is in 5^th grade and he still can’t spell his name, NASA isn't going to want his dumb ass.

For those of you that go to college. Keep up the good work; God knows we need more bankers, lawyers, and politicians. I hope your $30,000+ student loans are not affected by that nasty “fiscal” cliff.

Just as a side note, I will not be posting tomorrow (1/12/13 SATURDAY) or the day after (1/13/13 SUNDAY). I plan on re-reading “Walden’s pond” for the third time, because they say the third time is the charm. J

HERMIT <>

30-06 Springfield: The universal cartridge

The 30-06 Springfield cartridge (Pronounced "thirty-aught-six" or "thirty-oh-six") was introduced to the United States Army in 1906 and was used until the early 1970s.  It replaced the 6mm Lee Navy, the 30-40 Krieg, and its own parent cartridge the 30-03. This no-nonsense rifle round was the US Army's main cartridge for over 45 years. It served in two world wars, Korea, and Vietnam. It was chambered in the M1903 Springfield, the M1917 Enfield, the M1 Garand, and the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). When the 30-06 was replaced by the 308 Winchester (very similar to the 30-06) a large amount of ammunition was brought as surplus by civilians. Later on, hunters realized the use of this powerful cartridge on deer and elk size game. Finally, companies such as Winchester, Remington, and Federal started making ammunition and rifles chambered for this cartridge.           

           

            I would recommend this cartridge to anyone considering big game hunting or long range protection in the event of civil unrest.  It has semi-mild recoil compared to most rifle cartridges. As long as you follow through with shot placement, it will successfully drop any animal in North America. The one main characteristic that places the 30-06 over all other cartridges is the large choice of bullets. If you need a round for Coyote; look no farther than the 150 grain. If you are heading after white-tail or Elk; the 165 grain will do the job. For those of you big on rifle cartridge reloading, I have seen a few bullet companies that sell 200 and 220 grain bullets, and these bad boys could do magic on grizzlies and Moose (This might help out you wild ass Canadian eh.)

            I currently own a Rossi single shot chambered for this amazing round. My preferred brand of ammunition is Federal, only because it is usually cheaper than other brands. The 150 grain Soft point seems to be the most common bullet in my area, and a good scope is also something to consider, however I prefer iron sights because I find them to be more reliable. My little Rossi has been with me through thick and thin, and has been successful in dropping two whitetails (a spike and a four point), all with the aid of a 50 dollar 3-9x Tasco scope. 

    

Stay safe out there readers, and until next time, Homestead Hermit—signing off……..   

        

Hybrids, On-Star, and Carburetors

Everyone wants a new car, the soccer moms are tired of the old minivan, and they want this year's model. They want 40mpg+ hybrids with fancy satellite radio and factory installed GPS.  The 100,000+ mile warranty sounds nice, but what happens when you hit 150,000+ miles? You better trade it for a newer one, because you got to be a NASA engineer to work on a hybrid automobile. During my junior year of high school I managed to save $2,000 and I wanted a classic car. I didn't want a Nova or Mustang, instead I wanted a 60s model Ford Thunderbird or Fairlane 500. I wasn't picky, and I decided on a 1963 Ford Falcon with a factory 170cid straight six. I had spotted it on Craigslist, and dad and me went and picked it up. I paid $1,800 for it, and dad let me drive it home. The body needed a paint job and it burnt a little oil, but other than that it was a reliable old car. The 3 speed manual transmission was on the column (3 on the tree) and the little one barrel Holley carburetor would flood like an S.O.B. but that didn't stop me from driving it every day. Some people loved my old car, but others hated it. To my surprise, the majority of people who hated it were girls. Who could hate an old car? On one particular afternoon before school let out, my English teacher asked me how many miles per gallon my old Falcon got. I told him 28mpg-32mpg, and I could tell he thought I was lying. Why would I lie about something like that? My little sedan would top out at about 50mph, and if the fuel air mixture was right I could easily get 30+mpg. Major auto makers create junk that is over complicated and lack fuel efficiency for a reason. Just another way to line some pockets, waste some fuel, and charge hard working Americans in the process. About 6 months ago I started having some brake and motor problems out of my little car. The previous owner told me the car had around 265,000 miles, and I drove it nearly 50 miles a day, so I figured it had close to 300,000 miles. At that time my mind started to become set on a motorcycle. I thought about it for almost two weeks, and I decided to list my car for sale on Craigslist. A car collector from Knoxville, TN seen the ad and offered my $2,500 for it. I took the offer, and within a week I had my sights on a Kawasaki vn800 street bike. I gave $1,500 for the bike, and I am still very happy with it. I get roughly 40+ mpg, and the thrill of the open road is amazing.

Sincerely, Homestead Hermit… signing off….

Guest Article Friday

Hi, I just want to let all my loyal readers know that I am currently taking guest articles. If anyone has something that might look good posted on traveltrailerhermit.blogspot.com feel free to hit me up via email, and I will convert my normal Friday into Guest Article Friday. The only thing I ask for is the article must be a minimum of 500 words. The guest writer will get full credit for his/her work, and I look forward to seeing a flood of emails…

My email is travel.trailer.hermit@gmail.com