Goodbye Columbus. Goodbye Smith & Wesson
8/29/2023 – Jack Benny was an old time comic, old in the sense of physical age and old in the sense of a long time ago. Part of his shtick was to insist on playing the violin, loudly, persistently and badly. In his personal life, his love of the violin […] [Read More]
Winchester XPR Sporter Part I
I apologize for the low quality picture of Skippy’s backhoe, Chucks trailer and a hole in the ground. All were captured by my Samsung Galaxy, too big to carry, Android phone… which otherwise meets its original purchase criteria; makes/receives calls, send/receive texts, low cost. I began excavating a hole with […] [Read More]
Ruger's 41 Magnum Blackhawk Part II
08/20/2023 – I took this picture with my phone, a Samsung Galaxy something or other. It’s big, about the size of a brick, with a screen to match, and it takes truly crappy photos. Anyway, my latest home project is digging a hole… excavating as it were. While hole digging […] [Read More]
Ruger's 41 Magnum Blackhawk Part I
08/20/2023 – In a world that poses the question, “Is a rifle chambered for the 30-06 Springfield sufficient for whitetail deer?”, I was elated to see a box of Winchester 41 Magnum ammunition labeled for deer and black bear hunting. Power in a small package… Ruger New Model Blackhawk Manufactured […] [Read More]
Browning Stalker Long Range - 300 Winchester Magnum Part II
08/06/2023 – Every year I try find a new challenge. Something that takes me out of my comfort zone. No, besides writing. I used to ride motorcycles. Started in my teens, rode into my late 50s, early 60s, then stopped when my wife and I completed the move to Maine. […] [Read More]
Browning Stalker Long Range - 300 Winchester Magnum Part I
07/30/2023 – I have learned that music can have a profound, if temporary, effect on mood. As an example, this morning, I had a breakfast of Great Value low carbohydrate, high sodium, frozen waffles, made digestible with make believe maple syrup… containing lots of carcinogenic artificial sweeteners. No, that isn’t […] [Read More]
The Children - Grandchildren Effect
Editorial 07/23/2023 – Most people do not understand the destructive nature and result of chipmunks. Two of my summer projects have been and, to some extent remain, rebuilding steps and walkway foundations, where chipmunk tunneling has cause sink hole damage. How much damage could one of those furry, Christmas caroling […] [Read More]
Ruger's Blackhawk In 256 Winchester Magnum Part II
The bold, the brave the few… Handloaders For me, this is an exercise an independent study that may, or may not, lead to a practical conclusion. It doesn’t matter, as I like the handloading process and that is often its own reward. Handloading can be an exercise in production; a […] [Read More]
Ruger's Blackhawk In 256 Winchester Magnum Part I
I decided to write this article in two parts. Yes, almost like a firearm duology. Part 1 addresses the firearm and it’s initial performance. Part II addresses fabrication of 256 Winchester Magnum ammunition, optimization for revolver use and additional firearm performance. I could not get my head around all of […] [Read More]
Big Deer, Mini Rifle
I thought I was getting caught up with this year’s projects. Not a chance. I attempted to wash off the porch’s rim joist and found surface rot where the granite slab front step had been bearing against the wood. Trapped dirt and moisture took a toll. At 1,400 lbs, the […] [Read More]