PRN Episode #24 Interview Glen Meador

PRN Episode #24 Interview Glen Meador

PRN Episode #24 Interview Glen Meador
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Last week’s show was about the basics.  This week we will talk about water purification with one of the most knowledgeable subject matter experts in the business.

Glen Meador is the inventor of the Survival Still.  He comes from a family that runs one of the best water distillation companies in the world.  Their products supply embassies worldwide with pure water free of any contamination.

Glen took his knowledge of water purification and used it to design a non-electric, no moving part water distiller that can function anywhere.

I personally own one.  You may have seen my videos using it on rocket stoves, campfires, charcoal grills, and kitchen stoves.

I have purified urine, salt water, pond water, muddy water, and have even pulled pure water from sweet tea and juice just to see what would happen.

We talk about the mechanics of water, types of contaminates, methods of purification, the FEMA and Red Cross purification suggestions, and of course the survival still itself.

You can learn more about the survival still at survivalstill.com.  Alternatively, on my website https://www.tngun.com/survival-still-review/  I used his device to purify all manner of contaminated water and I used multiple methods of heat.

You can download the episode at this link.

 

Dillon Square Deal B Reloader Review

 

Gear Review: Dillon Square Deal B Reloader
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There are a lot of very good tutorials online about reloading, and Dillon presses in particular, but I wanted to take a couple minutes to tell you about my experience with the Dillon Square Deal B press.

First off, this is a relatively inexpensive progressive press (especially when compared to other Dillon Presses), it costs more than many single stage presses, but at around $350 it gives you the ability to reload a lot of rounds in a reasonable amount of time.

However, the Square Deal B press is a pistol only press, and uses a special set of proprietary dies. This makes the press easy to use, but it prevents you from switching dies from one press to another, or reloading anything other than common pistol rounds.

Get Strong Mounts

When looking at this press, I would definitely recommend purchasing the strong mounts. I have used this press as it comes out of the box, and with the addition of the mounts, and the mounts make a much sturdier platform.

Some things I have done that are not factory standard were to bolt a set of Allen keys on the strong mount, so that when I need to make adjustments to the press, I have the tools well at hand. Dillon makes a pretty set of tools dyed to match the press, but I just used a cheap set from the hardware store.

I also found someone on ebay that uses and injection molding machine to make a plastic knob that press fits onto the bolt head that adjusts the amount of powder inserted into the casing. This makes it easy to adjust powder levels without tools, and the wings give a visual reference point. I strongly suggest looking these up.

Don’t Start with a Progressive Press.

I would also suggest two things:

  • Don’t buy a progressive press as your first press. There is just too much going on at the same time. Learn on a single stage press so you get a good feel for the process. I did not do this, and as my story in the beginning of the video illustrates, I made a mistake (and blew up two revolvers).
  • Work slow.  Dillon recommends weighing every 10th round for consistency. This is important.

The powder measure on the Dillon press is very good, but it is finicky with some powders. It does not work as well with flake type powders as it does with other powder types. When I use power pistol powder, I get inconsistent powder charges and have to weigh much more often than every 10.

Lastly I would recommend anyone new to reloading (especially those new to Dillion presses) to visit Brian Enos’s forums  in addition to being a top tier shooter, Brian is a Dillion dealer, and has some really top shelf advice about Dillion presses – especially in the area of choosing the right press for your specific need.

How to Make a Tin Can Grill

 

Hoe to Make a Tin Can Grill
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Here is an idea for a tin can grill that I got from pinterest.  Basically, it is a small homemade grill made from a can, some foil, and a round charcoal grate.

I think this is optimized for a #10 can, but like most of my projects, once you have the concept you can feel free to experiment based upon your needs and materials at hand.

If you need a charcoal starter – I have one made from a second #10 can

Construction is simple:

  • Mark the top of the can into 10 equally wide segments.
  • Using tin snips cut along these marks until you have 10 strips that are 2/3 as long as the depth of the can (this leaves the bottom 1/3 in one piece to keep the round shape.
  • Bend these strips out so they radiate outwards. Do not press them all the way down, they should form a dish.
  • Place aluminum foil over the can, so that it forms a bowl supported by the 10 strips.
  • Insert charcoal into bowl, and light – take care not to use so much that the mound of fuel rises above the top of the bowl.
  • Place grate on grill, so that it is supported by the metal strips.
  • Grill food and enjoy.

Wax Slugs

Wax Slugs
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If you are in a hurry here is the summary – homemade wax slugs – don’t do it…

However, when I am told don’t do something, unless I know WHY I should not do it, my nature directs me to do it, and so this post will describe the common YouTube practice of homemade wax slugs and why they are incredibility dangerous (as well as a bad idea).

Basically a number of YouTube gun channels describe this process in some detail and many are led to believe wax slugs are a cheap alternative to conventional slugs and/or some devastating defensive or hunting round.

Basically a wax slug is where someone takes a shot round, pries open the crimp, and mixes hot wax with the shot. Either they drip wax into the shell, or they dump out the shot mix it with wax, and then repack it.

What then happens is the wax holds the shot column together longer so that it does not expand as much, therefore acting more like a slug than shot.
However, wax melts, and as it travels down the barrel it leaves a thin coating of wax on the bore. In a previous post about rifling  we talk about the catastrophic effects of constricted barrels. Any observation of the thickness of a shotgun barrel compared to any rifled barrel will show the thin nature of smooth-bore barrels. They have NO tolerance for construction, and wax will very quickly build a dangerous level of coating on your bore.

If you shoot waxed slugs in your shotgun you will eventually blow your gun up, this will not only ruin your gun, but will also likely maim you for life.
I have a very high tolerance to dangerous projects because I am very confident in my own judgment and research skills, but just because something is cool and DIY does not always make it a good idea.

Commercial slugs are not very expensive, are readily available, do not contaminate the meat of game if you are using slugs to hunt, and will not open yourself up to very serious legal questions about intent in a self-defense shooting. They are also much more efficient and useful than wax slugs.
Additionally, shotguns are notoriously finicky about loads, they just do not have the same tolerances for home loadings as rifles or pistols do. Even if you are meticulous about cleaning all the wax out after every shot (which as a candle maker, I know how close to impossible wax is to remove), the changes to the weight of the load will also increase pressures inside the gun.

If you want to make your own loads – buy a shotshell reloader and get the satisfaction and self-reliance capabilities of making your own shells the safe way. Something like a lee load all is very inexpensive, makes a decent quality of shotshell, and allows you to make shot, slug, and buckshot rounds in your own home without risking turning your gun into a pipebomb.

How to Make Campfire Roasted Starburst

How to Make Campfire Roasted Starburst

 

52 Unique Techniques for Stocking Food for Prepper
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We went camping the other day so we could begin the process of learning our land so we could make good decisions on land use – and after a long day of running up and down the raw acres we sat down and enjoyed the campfire.

My wife had never been camping before, so we had to make s’mores – but I wanted to try something new.

I had read about roasting starburst few candy over a fire, but I had never tried it.  Now, I don’t really have a sweet tooth (except for vanilla ice-cream and snickers). but this was good.

I was surprised at how good it was.

Once, I put it over the flame the candy started to bubble and then I let it cool.

It formed a hard shell, and the candy inside almost liquified – it was really good – next time you go camping – you really ought to try it.

I hesitate to show this post on roasted starburst for fear of giving the wrong impression, because I am fat and people may think I eat too much candy.  But the truth is, I don’t eat a lot of candy – I eat a lot of cheese and mayonnaise and have a desk job.  But really I got fat after I got out of the Marines and stopped running – now I don’t really eat a lot (not nearly what my videos would suggest) – I just can’t seem to get the weight off.