Going to learn a new skill.

[sclead]

I am going to take a course in how to make voltage step up and step down transformers.

This will allow me to have a system where I can generate 220 single phase power and be able to run up to 600v 3 phase machines.

Why? Well if things go wrong one of the things that we had better be able to do is to run industrial machines so we can start getting things back together. If we can start producing parts and work for people again we will be heading in the right direction.

So instead of trying to build a major hydro production plant I plan on being able to produce industrial levels of power from house hold power production. This would run an whole plant but if you can a machine or two going to get things started again that would be good.

Anyway that is my view and I thought I would mention it.

[sclead]

Sorry I was meaning to say that "this would NOT run a whole plant ..."

[WiseOwl]

I want to learn how to hunt and clean "mobile food"
Also, I want to learn how to shoot more accurate and how to properly clean my guns.....

My tasks for this year.

[Benn Gleck]

I want to learn how to hunt and clean "mobile food"Also, I want to learn how to shoot more accurate and how to properly clean my guns.....

My tasks for this year.

Thats not mobile food, it's fast food ... ever see a deer or rabbit run? :)

[Klayton]

@wiseowl: I will give you a good start, as my Dad use to say!

1) Steady Position (do not pick a position that you feel pain in anyway, whether it be pain on your elbows, knees, or bad joint positions)

2) Aim Small, my Dad had a different meaning for this than most, what is the smallest thing in your sight picture, the front sight post, this should be the only thing perfectly clear, all others, rear aperture, and the target should be slightly out of focus, then put that perfectly clear front sight post dead center of your target (this is for DEFENSE, not hunting, so you would want to aim at said animals kill zone: silhoutte of a deer, 2 " behind the front shoulder joint, and 3" up from chest line is a heart/lung shot) This can be practiced with a buddy with an aiming box.

3) Breath Control, there is a natural pause in your breathing after your exhale, this is when your firing position is at its steadiest. After some practice you can "hold your breath" for that 2 seconds of last aiming before trigger squeeze. You should not be actively inhaling or exhaling if making a ranged shot with a rifle (this does NOT pertain to lifesaving spray and pray with a handgun obviously)

4) Trigger Squeeze, surprisingly I still see "macho men" doing this at the range, place TOO much finger on the trigger
The first section of your trigger finger, preferably dead center of that section, is what should be on the trigger.
Do NOT JERK the trigger, do NOT anticipate the BANG, Dad use to say, when the gun goes off, it should almost be a surprise when it goes off. This will prevent flinching (moving the hit of your bullet left or right). If you got a buddy, practice the dime technique.

(BOX TECHNIQUE) (GUN IS NOT LOADED) draw a small round target on a paint stirrer, free from Lowe's :) and you will drill a hole dead center of the circle you drew on this stick. Now, while YOU are in the prone position, aim at the CENTER of a piece of paper that is taped to a box or the wall if indoors, and have your buddy "move" the target until it is where YOU think it is dead center in your sight picture, YOU DO NOT MOVE YOUR AIM. Give him simple directions, up, down, left, right, GOOD! etc etc Then he marks the spot with a pen, through the hole he drilled in it. Move the "target" to the opposite side of the paper and starts to "move" the target until YOU think it is dead center again. Do this until you have 3 dots on your paper, get up, walk down to your buddy and see where your HITS marked. Obviously the closer your 3 fake shots are the more "CONSISTENT" you are with your sight picture.

(DIME TECHNIQUE, aka washer technique) while in the prone position, have a buddy balance the dime on the end of the rifle barrel (GUN IS NOT LOADED) and practice trigger squeeze. When you can pull the trigger smooth enough to keep the dime from falling, you have atleast a "satisfactory" trigger pull. To make this one harder, fire from a kneeling or sitting position unsupported, then harder again, a standing position unsupported.

Hope this helps. :)

[WiseOwl]

Awesome Klayton, thanks for the tips.

I have an ex SEAL teaching me "dry shooting" (since at this time, i cant afford anymore .40 ammo). He is teaching me the push and pull method, and how to reduce and exterminate the quiver. I have decided that dry firing and practicing is nice but until I am really firing at the range it wont help as much. But, with all of my "indoor" practice, I bet when I get on the range, my shot will be better than it was.

Once I get a rifle this year, I am going to practice religiously. I want a 10/22 for this purpose so I can sit on the back porch and shoot targets along the woodline.

[Klayton]

You are very wise my friend. :)

And don't knock dryfire practice, heck the best Indian Archers practiced drawing their bow at age 4 and werent allowed an arrow until age 6 (sometines age 8) according to the research I did back in high school. Man, was that a loooooong time ago. LOL Do kids still do research papers in high school?

[Cimarron]

Ham

I am going to attempt to try for my amateur radio license...again.
I have never took the test but have studied for it a few times.
I feel like having the license/equipment/experience before the crunch would be valuable..I just gotta do it.

[Boyd]

You are very wise my friend. :)

And don't knock dryfire practice, heck the best Indian Archers practiced drawing their bow at age 4 and werent allowed an arrow until age 6 (sometines age 8) according to the research I did back in high school. Man, was that a loooooong time ago. LOL Do kids still do research papers in high school?

I don't know what it is now a days with the "dont dryfire you guns.. hurts the springs etc.." blah blah blah

Maybe I'm wrong, but I have a few mirrors in the house using my reflection as the target. When the wife and daughters aren't home I get my pistol out, draw, sight acquire, fire... and practice practice practice... till I can pull the gun and aim with the sight picture in my head and my eyes are closed. Once I can do that, and verify my muscle memory is in good shape I quit :) For me, shooting is a perishable skill when it comes to hand guns. I went a year one time without practice (handguns), and although I was ok, that year off hurt, it really did.

For rifles, that doesn't seem to apply as much for some reason (for me) ?!

Klayton, thanks for explaining the box and dime technique ;) Going to try that soon.

[biathlon]

Wyoming "fast food"http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wildlifemanagementpro.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/pronghorn_120607.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wildlifemanagementpro.com/2007/12/05/wyoming-offers-great-pronghorn-hunting-on-public-land/&h=352&w=380&sz=44&tbnid=HKjzWoKXBYxp6M:&tbnh=114& tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dphotos%2Bof%2Bpronghorn%2Bantelope&zo om=1&q=photos+of+pronghorn+antelope&hl=en&usg=__q_ It9n1AuABhsqmh7SvBiiY_rwg=&sa=X&ei=yQ0lTcbNE8TInAe 7h7nXAQ&ved=0CCAQ9QEwAQ

[biathlon]

I have a Wyoming Master Electricians license and learned this trade from my dad. You have embraced one of the absolute most valuable PAW lessons there are. Modern life, pre or post TEOTWAWKI is/will be completely impossible without electricity.

Always connect your grounds FIRST! This prevents YOU from becomming a load! Lemme know how this goes.