Gun Thread (9-22-2013)

Reloading Revisited

A few weeks back, we had a discussion of the economics of reloading. I included a caveat that there were many ways to influence the cost per round outside the example presented, and the main thing I had in mind when I wrote that was bullet casting.

The only bullets I've cast myself were soft lead maxi-balls for my dad's .54 cal. muzzle-loader, but molds and materials are available for pretty much every caliber. Cast bullets are great in low pressure handgun rounds (although they can introduce a leading problem that you'll need to address in your gun cleaning regimen) but they can also be used with gas checks to load high pressure handgun or rifle rounds.

The Cast Boolits forum is good resource to get you started, and I know we have some bullet casting readers who'll put us some more knowledge in the comments.

America's Real Mass Shooting Problem

In the wake of the Navy Yard shooting, where yet another mentally disturbed person went on yet another shooting spree, there are some encouraging signs that people are assessing the situation and correctly identifying the root cause: e.g., Reason, Krauthammer, and this survey by Gallup:

Forty-eight percent of Americans blame the mental health system "a great deal" for mass shootings in the United States, unchanged from January 2011. At the same time, fewer blame easy access to guns now (40%) than two years ago (46%), making the mental health system the perceived top cause of mass shootings.

Of course, some people will never get the message.

Related, via @ComradeArthur: The Central Planning Solution To Evil

More On Starbucks

If you've listened to this week's podcast, the first hour or so of which is gun-related, you know my position on the Starbucks kerfuffle: open carry advocates foolishly overplayed their hand and forced Starbucks to react. You also know I support Starbucks' right to make whatever policies they want and let the chips fall where they may.

McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts appear to see a business opportunity ... at least, that is, until people who feel like they have to make some sort of statement make asses of themselves and cause these businesses to reconsider too.

Gun Of The Week

(answer below)

Marksmanship Award

Gun Of The Week - Answer

That's the Mauser K98 or some variant thereof. I never was into these much so my knowledge of them is rather cursory. My little brother, on the other hand, knows about everything there is to know about the Mauser down to proofmarks, etc.

Under New Management

Speaking of business decisions and the consequences flowing therefrom, you may remember the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA. The show's organizer, Reed Exhibitions, banned Evil Black Rifles™ and vendors, led by Cabela's, began pulling out in droves causing the show's cancellation.

In case you missed it, because I sure did, the show is back with a new name, "Great American Outdoor Show", and a new organizer (hit the link and scroll down for the reveal).

Related: I know I've mentioned this before, but if you have an iPad and are an NRA member, I encourage you to get the NRA Magazines iPad app.

Tips

If there are topics you're interested in seeing in the gun thread, please send them to AoSHQGunThread at gmail. You can also send them to me on Twitter at @AndyM1911.

The owner's manual for your concealed carry permit: The Law of Self Defense

Defend the Second Amendment. Join: The National Rifle Association * Gun Owners of America * The National Shooting Sports Foundation * Your state's second amendment org.

Celebrate America's firearms heritage: participate in Project Appleseed.

posted by Andy at 09:45 AM

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