Ah, it is good to be back in Great Northwest. Empty freeways, guns everywhere, no sales tax and damn near zero crime. (Not to be confused with Zero crime, which is when I do something wrong.)

My trip to Philadelphia did impress upon me one thing….theres a tool that is sorely lacking from my plans and if you live in an urban center I highly recommend it:Wonder Bar …. ’cause sure as god made little green hand grenades, youre gonna need to jimmy a door or two. Of course your average 30″ wrecking bar (“crowbar”) would work even better but its nowhere near as portable.
=====
Feels good to no longer be more than arms reach away from impressive firepower. We of the preparedness bent get tagged as camo-wearing gun nuts alot but sometimes the simple truth is that you need overwhelming firepower if youre going to be happy and safe. Although my hosts in Phildaelphia very kindly offered me the use of the G17 I didnt feel comfortable with that….and it was also the first time Id been in a household that did not have more than one gun for every person in it. Still, in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king and in the  land of the gunless the Ruger 10/22 owner is king. Point: any gun is better than no gun.
=====
Still playing around with the Mountain House info packet. The freeze-drieds are nice for convenience and long-term storage (as well as portability), but they are only a small part of the plan. In additon to the FD stuff, we’ve got hundreds of MRE’s. barrels of rice and wheat, a very lovely supply of canned goods, and then theres the stuff thats in the regular kitchen cabinets. All told, I’d say its at least several months worth…or, it was until the girlfriend moved in…that pretty much cut everythingi n half (well, really closer to 2/3 since she’s small and doesnt eat much.) So, I do need to upgrade and add to the food lockers.I’ve been finding some good stuff lately in the supermarkets…stuff thats packaged well, has long shelf life and isnt too bad. The Idahoan potatoes spring to mind…also some of the Uncle Bens flavored rice dishes as well. And, although I wasnt that thrilled with it, the vaccuum sealed ground beef still needs to be experimented with more. (I am not going through the apocalypse as a vegetarian.)
=====
Took the .308 out for a spin yesterday. There will be a post on that later and will, in fact, be a topic under ‘memories’ dedicated to my experiences with it. In short, I loaded up some ammo and shot four-shot groups. Seemed like everything was within an inch and then *whammo* a flyer. Then again, some groups strung horizontally but I suspect thats because i radically shifted my shooting position for that string. Anyway, Im not as pleased with the .308 CZ as Id like to be..I dont believe the problem is the gun, I know its me and probably also I need to spend alot of time at the loading bench. Sure wouldnt mind getting that IOR scope while Im at it too.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

As I mentioned ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/commander_zero/55619.html ) I sent off to the folks at Oregon Freeze Dried (Mountain House) a request for dealer pricing and whatnot and, son of a gun, they sent me their dealer package. Got it today.

So, as I suspected – this stuff is way overpriced at retail. How much? A very nice 50%. MSRP is twice what dealer cost is. Nice margin if you can get it. So, my beloved #10 cans of FD spaghetti with meat sauce that MSRP at $18.20 per can now cost me a mere $9.10. More importantly, freeze dried meat!!! FD beef, normally $45.53/can are $22.77/can. Hmmmm..

I need to email the local LMI's and let them know so we can start ordering this stuff up by the case. (Six cans/case..must order in case lots.) This way we can split the case lots so I dont wind up with a bunker full of spaghetti instead of the more appetizing variety of foods.

Whats available in the #10 cans, you ask?

30105         Rice & Chicken (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $20.36                  
30108         Spaghetti with Meat and Sauce ( Serving 10 – 1 cup)         $18.20                
30111         Chicken ala King (Servings 11 – 1 cup)         $32.10                
30113         Vegetable Stew with Beef (Servings 8.5 – 1 cup)         $23.37                
30114         Hearty Stew with Beef (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.76                
30119         Beef Stroganoff (Servings 10 -1 cup)         $21.83                
30121         Chili Macaroni with Beef (Servings 10 – 1cup)         $22.50        
30123         Beef Teriyaki with Rice (Servings 11 -1 cup)         $28.27        
30127         Lasagna with Meat & Sauce (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.77                
30131         Noodles & Chicken (Servings 16 – 1 cup)         $28.00                
30132         Wild Rice Mushroom Pilaf (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $25.13                
30134         Sweet & Sour Pork with Rice (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $33.93                
30135         Turkey Tetrazzini (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $32.68                
30137         Pasta Primavera (Servings 9 – 1 cup)         $28.27                
30138         Oriental-Style Spicy Chicken Veggies (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $30.75                
30143         Seafood Chowder (Servings 17 – 1 cup)         $33.00                
30146         Chicken Stew (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $31.75                
30425         Eggs Scrbld w/ Ham, pre-cooked (Servings 17 – 2/3 cup)         $31.13                
30447         Eggs with Bacon, pre-cooked(Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $28.02                
30449         Granola with Blueberries & Milk (Servings 27 – 1/2 cup)         $34.73                
30122         Diced Beef (Servings 15 – 2/3 cup)         $45.53                
30142         Diced Chicken (Servings 14 – 3/4 cup)         $42.35        
30305         Garden Green Peas (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.52                
30306         Green Beans (Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $20.83                
30308         Corn (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.38                
30584         Pilot Crackers (Servings 70 crackers)         $15.22                
30542         Blueberry Cheesecake (Servings 12 – 1/2 cup)         $20.87                
30117         White Rice – Instant         $15.88                
30541         Raspberry Crumble ( Servings 12-1/2 cups)         $20.87        
30158         Mac & Cheese (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $21.80        

There is a discount on the pouch stuff (including their new vaccuum-sealed pouch which uses less space) but its closer to 40%.

Needless to say, Im going to have to start socking some money away and upgrade my long-term food supply.

As I mentioned ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/commander_zero/55619.html ) I sent off to the folks at Oregon Freeze Dried (Mountain House) a request for dealer pricing and whatnot and, son of a gun, they sent me their dealer package. Got it today.

So, as I suspected – this stuff is way overpriced at retail. How much? A very nice 50%. MSRP is twice what dealer cost is. Nice margin if you can get it. So, my beloved #10 cans of FD spaghetti with meat sauce that MSRP at $18.20 per can now cost me a mere $9.10. More importantly, freeze dried meat!!! FD beef, normally $45.53/can are $22.77/can. Hmmmm..

I need to email the local LMI’s and let them know so we can start ordering this stuff up by the case. (Six cans/case..must order in case lots.) This way we can split the case lots so I dont wind up with a bunker full of spaghetti instead of the more appetizing variety of foods.

Whats available in the #10 cans, you ask?

30105         Rice & Chicken (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $20.36                  
30108         Spaghetti with Meat and Sauce ( Serving 10 – 1 cup)         $18.20                
30111         Chicken ala King (Servings 11 – 1 cup)         $32.10                
30113         Vegetable Stew with Beef (Servings 8.5 – 1 cup)         $23.37                
30114         Hearty Stew with Beef (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.76                
30119         Beef Stroganoff (Servings 10 -1 cup)         $21.83                
30121         Chili Macaroni with Beef (Servings 10 – 1cup)         $22.50        
30123         Beef Teriyaki with Rice (Servings 11 -1 cup)         $28.27        
30127         Lasagna with Meat & Sauce (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $29.77                
30131         Noodles & Chicken (Servings 16 – 1 cup)         $28.00                
30132         Wild Rice Mushroom Pilaf (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $25.13                
30134         Sweet & Sour Pork with Rice (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $33.93                
30135         Turkey Tetrazzini (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $32.68                
30137         Pasta Primavera (Servings 9 – 1 cup)         $28.27                
30138         Oriental-Style Spicy Chicken Veggies (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $30.75                
30143         Seafood Chowder (Servings 17 – 1 cup)         $33.00                
30146         Chicken Stew (Servings 10 – 1 cup)         $31.75                
30425         Eggs Scrbld w/ Ham, pre-cooked (Servings 17 – 2/3 cup)         $31.13                
30447         Eggs with Bacon, pre-cooked(Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $28.02                
30449         Granola with Blueberries & Milk (Servings 27 – 1/2 cup)         $34.73                
30122         Diced Beef (Servings 15 – 2/3 cup)         $45.53                
30142         Diced Chicken (Servings 14 – 3/4 cup)         $42.35        
30305         Garden Green Peas (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.52                
30306         Green Beans (Servings 20 – 1/2 cup)         $20.83                
30308         Corn (Servings 22 – 1/2 cup)         $18.38                
30584         Pilot Crackers (Servings 70 crackers)         $15.22                
30542         Blueberry Cheesecake (Servings 12 – 1/2 cup)         $20.87                
30117         White Rice – Instant         $15.88                
30541         Raspberry Crumble ( Servings 12-1/2 cups)         $20.87        
30158         Mac & Cheese (Servings 8 – 1 cup)         $21.80        

There is a discount on the pouch stuff (including their new vaccuum-sealed pouch which uses less space) but its closer to 40%.

Needless to say, Im going to have to start socking some money away and upgrade my long-term food supply.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

has a post ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/smjayman/266827.html ) about $15 Glock mags if anyone needs to pick up a few extras.

Crossed to

smjayman has a post ( http://www.livejournal.com/users/smjayman/266827.html ) about $15 Glock mags if anyone needs to pick up a few extras.

Crossed to survivalist

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Wandering the streets of Philadelphia is an interesting experience when your good Commander is on an expedition. Having not lived in the confines of a city for a very long time I had forgotten how much welded steel and iron fencing people can slap up over their windows and doors. And riot gates…I had almost forgotten what riot gates look like. (And, now having been reacquainted with them, I may have to get some for the someday Rancho Ballistica). Id also forgotten what its like to walk and be around people whose main concerns in life seem to be having louder car stereos than their neighbors, wearing as much team-logo-festooned clothing as possible, and buying useless crap. Sadly, when Things Get Ugly these same people will be the ones expecting government to 'do something' and if those needs arent met will be the ones pulling apart that welded steel and iron fencing that is so decoratively covering someones basement windows.

For me a trip to the city is like spearing your hand in and out of a candle flame….if its fast and youre quick..in and out as fast as you can..you probably wont get hurt. But if youre too slow or stay too long youre going to get burned.

All things considered, Im not in a bad situation. The folks Im staying with have a small(!) amount of firepower and they are tucked away and hidden in a quiet neighborhood…but I'd feel better with my Glock, AK, armour, a supply of chemlights and radio gear.

I think the biggest cosmic practical joke that could be played on me would be the end of the world when Im 1,991 miles (according to my GPS) away from my happy, fortified, well-armed home.

Wandering the streets of Philadelphia is an interesting experience when your good Commander is on an expedition. Having not lived in the confines of a city for a very long time I had forgotten how much welded steel and iron fencing people can slap up over their windows and doors. And riot gates…I had almost forgotten what riot gates look like. (And, now having been reacquainted with them, I may have to get some for the someday Rancho Ballistica). Id also forgotten what its like to walk and be around people whose main concerns in life seem to be having louder car stereos than their neighbors, wearing as much team-logo-festooned clothing as possible, and buying useless crap. Sadly, when Things Get Ugly these same people will be the ones expecting government to ‘do something’ and if those needs arent met will be the ones pulling apart that welded steel and iron fencing that is so decoratively covering someones basement windows.

For me a trip to the city is like spearing your hand in and out of a candle flame….if its fast and youre quick..in and out as fast as you can..you probably wont get hurt. But if youre too slow or stay too long youre going to get burned.

All things considered, Im not in a bad situation. The folks Im staying with have a small(!) amount of firepower and they are tucked away and hidden in a quiet neighborhood…but I’d feel better with my Glock, AK, armour, a supply of chemlights and radio gear.

I think the biggest cosmic practical joke that could be played on me would be the end of the world when Im 1,991 miles (according to my GPS) away from my happy, fortified, well-armed home.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Got the new Blackhawk catalog today. Although I am loathe to buy stuff made in Vietnam, they do have a few things I havent seen elsewhere and that would be the only reason I'd buy from them. Prices are comparable at Tactical Tailor and a few other MadeInUsa outfits.
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In my civillian life, Im trying to get dealer status with the guys at Mountain House. If that happens, I'll be interested in seeing what the discount is on their stuff. While you can buy the pouches of fodd at any camping store, the #10 cans, which keep much longer, arent exactly available everywhere. Mountain House will sell directly off their website with free shipping on orders over $50, but I still am curious what the discount is on dealer pricing….esp. on the FD meats.
=====
At some point over the summer, i should jump on eBay and pick up an extra Eureka USMC Combat Tent…spares are always nice to have and its proven thus far to be a very good tent…esp. at the prices you can find them for on eBay.

Got the new Blackhawk catalog today. Although I am loathe to buy stuff made in Vietnam, they do have a few things I havent seen elsewhere and that would be the only reason I’d buy from them. Prices are comparable at Tactical Tailor and a few other MadeInUsa outfits.
=====
In my civillian life, Im trying to get dealer status with the guys at Mountain House. If that happens, I’ll be interested in seeing what the discount is on their stuff. While you can buy the pouches of fodd at any camping store, the #10 cans, which keep much longer, arent exactly available everywhere. Mountain House will sell directly off their website with free shipping on orders over $50, but I still am curious what the discount is on dealer pricing….esp. on the FD meats.
=====
At some point over the summer, i should jump on eBay and pick up an extra Eureka USMC Combat Tent…spares are always nice to have and its proven thus far to be a very good tent…esp. at the prices you can find them for on eBay.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Theres a couple schools of thought on the idea of keeping gold (or other precious metals) in your stockpile of supplies and gear. On belief is that since it has no practical use (you cant eat it, shoot it, heal with it, etc) its not worth keeping. The other side of the coin (so to speak) is that gold always has a value and is worth having.

Im of the second camp. Heres why:

Yes, you cant shoot gold, eat gold, heal with gold, burn it for fuel or anything like that. Golds purpose, to me, is twofold. It preserves wealth and it is a universal currency.

The Bad Things that are coming dont happen overnight. Its usually a gradual slide (picking up speed) into chaos. When that happens, a few things almost always happen – credit becomes fairly worthless (cant run your credit card if theres no electricity and if theres a chance your bank no longer exists), checks are utterly worthless, and cash reigns supreme. Now, what if your cash suddenly starts to be worth less and less and inflation starts taking its toll? We've all heard the stories of Germany's hyperinflation…a bottle of wine costs 50 marks in the morning and in the evening the empty bottle was worth 5000 marks. Did the value of the bottle increase? No, the value of the money decreased. So if you get $500 a week and then it starts taking $500 to buy what cost $400 last week, thats your dollar being worth less.

Im very bad at explaining this and I know there are people here who could explain it better than I can.

But really, I see it mostly as a hedge against inflation. If I stick $100 in the safe, in ten years it will only buy, maybe, $85-90 worth of stuff. If I throw $100 worth of gold in the safe, in ten years it will probably buy exactly the same things that it would have bought ten years ago…

Its hard for me to explain, but yes I think gold has a place in anyones preparations but as a long-term strategy. (Although in the short term its great for getting past a roadblock in Checnya, bribing border guards in Mexico, buying antibiotics in Baghdad or C-4 in Idaho) Should you buy as much gold as you can? I dont think so…I think you should first spend money on the things you need to prepare with…land, food, fuel, clothes, meds, ammo, guns, education, etc…then I think you should have ready cash available…and then, when all thats done, I think you should start salting a little bit of gold away. A couple coins every month or so….

Im the first to agree that there are times when, literally, gold will be worthless but thats the whole 'prepared' part of 'preparedness'. If the world turns inot Mad Max, Ive got food and ammo…if it turns into a Soviet-style or ARgentine economy with people on line for toilet paper and food..well, thats where gold looks mighty good.