Rat thoughts

While helping my roommate clean up the basement, I came across several really old hard drives.  I tried using my primative data recovery equipment, but I couldn't even initialize the drives.  They were dead dead dead.  But they still could contain data accessable through more exhaustive means, so I decided to render them permenantly unreadable.  With a vengance!

The first drive was a Conner Peripherals 425 megabyte hard drive.  Yeah, that's an oldie.

The bullet I selected was a .45 Colt Winchester Super-X 255 grain lead-round nose in target/range loading.  The gun is a Taurus "Night Court" Judge with 2.5 inch cylinder and 3 inch barrel.  This was actually the first time I've fired this pistol.

My first shot was a bit wide.  I was firing single-action (that is, cocking the hammer, then aiming and pulling the trigger), and I was caught off-guard at just how light the trigger pull is.  My second shot hit the target perfectly from a distance of about 20 yards.  The bullet pierced the light upper cover, which was ripped clean off by the impact and thrown about 6 feet away.  The bullet severly distorted the drive platter, heavy back casing and circuit board, but failed to penetrate.  If I'd been using a jacketed bullet, it probably would have gone through.  The divot on the platter is nearly an inch across.









I want to try this again with my .30-06 sniper rifle, but I don't have any FMJ ammo, only jacketed soft-points which wouldn't penetrate as well.  Plus the rounds cost almost $1 each.

I tried firing various weapons at a phone book today.  I was curious about the power of an airsoft gun versus a steel BB gun, then I decided to throw in an air rifle and .22 rifle just for fun.  Don't try this at home, kids.


First I tried a Crosman Stinger spring-powered airsoft pistol, firing Crosman 6mm .12g plastic BBs.  It penetrated only about a dozen pages, or less than 1/16th of an inch.  The pellet clearly bounced off.


Then I tried a Marksman Repeater spring-powered BB pistol, firing Crosman Copperhead 4.5mm steel BBs.  It penetrated only slightly farther, a little over 1/16th inch.  The pellet clearly bounced off.


The third weapon I tried was a Crosman Phantom .177 spring-piston air rifle, firing Daisy QuickSilver pointed field pellets.  This penetrated to a depth of 5/8ths of an inch, enough to kill most small varmints (gophers, pidgeons, rats, etc).  I did not recover the pellet; it must have bounced out of the hole.


Finally I tried my Marlin 795 .22LR rifle, firing Remington high velocity 36gr plated hollow points.  This blasted completely through the yellow pages and half-way through the white pages, a depth of over 650 pages, or about 1-7/8th inches.  I was able to recover what was left of the bullet, but it was smashed beyond all recognition and fragmented into several pieces, some quite tiny.


I didn't dare try this with my .45 Colt or .30-06, as those would have blown completely through the phone book.  I wanted to try various other combinations of ammo (flat-nosed pellets, darts, etc.) but it was too hot today.







Two fragments of the bullet I shot into the phone book, along with an intact .22LR round for comparison.

The past week has had HORRENDOUS heat, with heat indexes as high as 118°F.  I didn't dare try going outside to do any shooting.  It was a bit cooler this morning, a mere 80°F when I went outside.  I figured this would be as good a time as any and after chasing the goats away from my target area, I set up a few cans and plastic bottles and a paper target to shoot at with my new Marlin rifle.

Almost the instant I fired the last shot the sun came out full blast.  Before I could finish loading the two magazines, the temperature shot up at least 10 degrees and I started sweating profusely.  Ugh.  So much for doing any more shooting.


The grouping is about 5 inches at 40 yards using the stock iron sights and standing upright and unsupported.  Not bad, but not great.  The sights are obviously crooked and pulling about 6 inches to the right.  No wonder I couldn't hit any of the soda cans.  The owners manual says to adjust for windage, I have to bang on the rear sight with a hammer.  WTF?  These sights have got to go.

I searched around on Amazon and found a non-magnified electronic sight that looks like it'll fit the Marlin.  It's about $40 including a rail adapter.  Ouch, especially since the rifle was only $115.  (And now I know why it was so cheap.)  I should have the new sights by Saturday, hopefully there will be a break in the humidity soon after.

Thank goodness this ammo is dirt cheap.  I dread trying to zero in the scope on my Springfield.

I have an old .30-06 rifle, two 12 gauge shotguns, a .45 Colt revolver, a couple air pistols and a high-powered .177 air rifle.  Ammo for the .30-06 is insanely expensive, about $1-1.50 per round.  .45 Colt isn't much better, about 50 to 75 cents per shot.  12 gauge shotguns are a bit limited in what you can use them for, and while .177 pellets are super cheap (a few dollars for hundreds of rounds), the air pistols and rifle that I own are single-shot, and the rifle's break-action is a real bear to cock.

I was at Scheels today, looking at the firearms, and I saw a Marlin 795 rifle on sale, normally $150, but with sale and a mail-in rebate, down to just $115.  Then I saw a box of ammo, 555 rounds of .22LR for just $22, about the price for just 20 .30-06 rounds.  That sold me on it.

This is my first semi-automatic firearm.  Everything else I've owned has had a bolt or slide, or fired only a single shot.  The closest thing I've had was my double-action revolver.  This rifle promises to be fun, and possibly useful.  I used my air rifle to take out the flock of pigeons that were damaging the barn, but it was a lot of work, cock-load-aim-fire, cock-load-aim-fire, cock-load-aim-fire, over and over again.  This rifle has a 10 round magazine (hopefully I can buy more), so I'll be able to take 10 shots without losing my bead on the target.


While at Scheels I saw a couple other rifles I'd really love to own.  The first is a Henry Big Boy lever-action repeater chambered in .45 Colt.  I love the design of Henry rifles, and having one that's chambered in a round I already use (and a very powerful round at that) would be nice.  Alas, it was about $850.

The other rifle I was lusting over, and probably the next one I'll buy is the Rossi Circuit Judge.  Like my Nightcourt Judge pistol, it's chambered for both .45 Colt and .410 shotshells, but uniquely, this rifle has a revolver action!  It looks like a normal revolver pistol, but with a full stock and a loooooong barrel.  It's a more reasonable $550, which is still more than I was willing to spend right now.  It would be so sweet to take that rifle to a firing range and have everyone oohing and aahing over its unusual design.

I was out walking this afternoon when I saw something shining on the ground.  There in the gravel roadway was a gleaming brass rifle cartridge.  The design looked familiar, too.  I picked it up and checked the base.  Sure enough, .30-06 Springfield.  The cartridge was in excellent condition, clean, uncorroded and undamaged.  Then I saw another.  And another.  And still more.  I found 6 cartridges total, two appeared to have been run over but the others were in perfect shape.

This tells me several things:

1.  Someone near here was out hunting.  The markings on the cases indicate the brand of ammo was Federal.  In .30-06, this brand runs about $35 to $45 per box of 20.  Most people won't go firing off $10 worth of ammo unless they're aiming at something.

2.  Someone near here was hunting from the roadway, which is illegal just about everywhere.  In Nebraska, it's a Class III misdemeanor.

3.  Someone near here was hunting out of season.  Deer season here starts November 14th.  In Nebraska this is a Class III misdemeanor.

4.  Someone near here is a really lousy shot.  Assuming they were using a legal firearm, they discharged their entire magazine. (NE law prohibits deer hunting with a rifle with greater than 6 round capacity)

I let the dogs out to do their business tonight.  I always keep an eye on them so they don't get into mischief.  I carry an insanely bright flashlight that can illuminate the entire property, and I carry my spare 6-iron in case I need to separate the dogs or break up the ice in the water buckets. 

As soon as I stepped out the door, the flashlight beam lit up a pair of eyes just outside the fence.  The dogs raced towards the fence barking madly, and something outside the fence started running.  I followed it with my flashlight and was able to make out that it was a coyote!  I could see more eyes in the woods.  In theory, the coyotes shouldn't be able to get through the fence, but I didn't want to take any chances.  A 6-iron wasn't going to cut it, so I left the dogs to guard the fenceline while I ran back inside to get the Judge, my .45LC/.410 revolver.  I loaded it up with shotshells, which I figured would be more effective against a swiftly moving target.

I ran back outside and over to where the dogs were pacing in front of the fence.  I could hear a coyote nearby, but I couldn't see it and I wasn't about to fire blindly into the woods, so all I could do was stand there listening to the dogs and coyotes trade insults.  Eventually the coyotes stopped replying and I heard a lot of distressed mooing coming from the neighbor's cows.

The sheep are apparently unfazed by the whole thing.  I hope the wild rabbits are OK, since they tend to live outside the fence. 

Someone on my friend's list posted a link to a parody site offering a Hello Kitty M-16 and a My Little Carbine. Someone's idea of a joke, guns painted pink, hahaha. right?

Well, no, someone else is serious about it:


Retailer Encourages Participation, Promotes Firearm SafetyST. PAUL, Minn., Oct 29, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- The latest craze for the hunting enthusiast is now in a bold new color -- pink. In addition to the traditional firearm hues, Gander Mountain stores are now selling an exclusive line of firearms that come in the hot new color for all things outdoor.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071029/AQM240)

While the male sector of the hunting community may stick to more muted colors, the new pink firearms have been welcomed by those who want to add a feminine touch to their shooting practice.

"Women are a growing segment of the outdoors customer, and we want to be able to offer them the products they want, in the colors they like," said Gary Buescher, Vice President for Hunting and Firearms. A 20 GA pink shotgun first hit the shelves last year and sales were strong enough that Gander Mountain decided to add a wider selection of pink firearms.

In addition, Buescher notes they are seeing more and more girls attending hunter safety courses with their parents.

"Girls are actively participating in family hunting traditions, but some may want to have a little more fun with it by getting a pink shotgun," said Buescher. The junior shotgun offered is made specifically for the young beginner, while the pink pistols offered are for adults.

Gander Mountain, with 115 stores in 23 states is the number one retailer providing firearm safety courses. To find out more about classes offered at your local store, see http://www.gandermountain.com

For those looking for their own new pink firearm for the fall hunting season, Gander Mountain currently offers a selection of five exclusive pink firearms:

    Remington(R) 870(TM) Junior 20-Ga. Pink Shotgun
    Remington(R) Model 597(TM) 22LR with Pink Laminate Stock
    TAURUS Millenium Pro 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol
    TAURUS Millenium Pro 380 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol
    TAURUS Millenium Pro 32 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol

Stopped into Wal*Mart today and bought a bicycle. It looked really nice, and it probably would have been a great bike... for someone a lot shorter and lighter than me. The handlebars couldn't be adjusted, forcing me to hunch over to ride. And bikes with suspension systems really aren't a good thing for someone of my weight. (And it felt really weird to ride) So I ended up taking it back. For some reason, they gave me my money back in cash, rather than putting it back on my debit card. They really didn't have anything else I was interested in.

I did get a couple of other items on my disaster preparedness list, though. A couple more of those wind-up flashlights and a first aid kit. I also picked up another box of .30-06 ammo, and a full set of dummy rounds so I can practice working the bolt without worrying about putting holes in the wall.

And about 3 years later, I FINALLY got around to upgrading the RAM in my laptop. Got a full Gigabyte now. Yay!