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Thanksgiving is a Great Time to Slow Down and Recharge Holidays are here, time to slow it down a bit.  Take time to enjoy our blessings […]

Shotgun Cartridge Components Explained

Shotgun cartridges have similar components to that of a rifle cartridge.  The components of a shotgun cartridge are:

The Projectile

The Case

The Wad

Propellant 

The Head

The Rim

The Primer

Primer                                                                                                                                                   

The explosive center of the shell.

Firing pin hits primer.

Powder in primer ignites.

Ignites the propellant in the shell.

Propellant

Fast burning material that creates a gas expansion in the shell.

This propels the shot down and out the barrel.

Case

The Shell Case is what houses everything.

The common sizes of Shotgun Shells are

10 Ga

12 Ga

20 Ga

.410

What does the “gauge” of a shotgun shell mean?

Gauge originated when cannons and muzzleloaders were common.

The spherical lead ball was a fraction of a pound.

A 10 Gauge ball was 1/10 of a pound.

A 12 Gauge ball was 1/12 of a pound.

The bore was a 10, 12 or 20 Gauge bore… this carried over to the modern shotgun.

A smaller number meant a bigger ball, which meant a bigger bore.

What size is a .410 shotgun.

.410 is designated for a caliber number.

It is slightly larger than a 40 caliber cartridge.

The bore is about 10 mm.

Uncommon shotgun shell sizes

4,8,16,24,28,32

These are either not common or considered obsolete.

The 10 gauge is becoming less common as well due to Lengthening and strengthing of 12 Ga shells.

Common Shell Lengths for Shotguns

2 ¾, 3, 3 ½ inch

Shotguns will have the length etched on them.

You may go shorter than the shotgun length, but not longer.

The Head

The head is the brass around the base of the cartridge.

The Rim

The rim is the small brass ring on the bottom of the shell.

Allows ejection of the shell by the action of the shotgun.

Keeps the shell chambered correctly.

The Wad Column

Made up of 3 components

The Gas Seal

The Cushion

The Shot Cup

Some wads are designed to be all three in one.

The Gas Seal

This is designed to keep the expanding gas from moving behind it.

This keeps all expansion and momentum going forward.

The Cushion

This is the shock absorber

It prevents sudden violent expansion of gas from warping the shot (soft lead)

Shells have different propellant and shot quantities.

The cushion also takes up the empty space so the shell is standard length.

The Shot Cup

The cup houses the shot and keeps it together as it travels down the barrel.

It is slotted, so once it leaves the barrel, it tears away from the shot.

This allows the shot to travel freely in air.

The Projectile

There are two basic projectile types.

Shot, or pellets

Slugs

TPP 128: Shotgun Cartridges and Shells from Ken Jensen

Shotgun Slugs

Shotguns were designed to shoot the ball type shot from the old muskets.  These are called “Pumpkin Ball” slugs.

Since then, slugs have gotten much more sophisticated with design.

Some of the benefits of slugs today:

These new designs allow us to bring some “rifle” qualities to shotguns.

All the force is focused to one spot.

This allows for greater impact or penetration on large...

Shotgun Cartridge Components Explained Shotgun cartridges have similar components to that of a rifle cartridge.  The components of a shotgun cartridge are: The Projectile The Case […]

Veteran’s day used to be Armistice Day.

WW1 was supposed to be the the war to end wars, which was obviously a lie.

At the end of WW1, we agreed on a treaty.  But instead of making it official that day, it was decided to wait over 12 hours.

A decision was made by a fat cat in a suit that we wanted to officially sign the treaty on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

What you don’t know is that there was a large group of soldiers that walked in to death and destruction between the actually peace agreement and the signing of the armastice.

United States Veterans Deserve YOUR Honor and Respect

They serve with a sense of obligation to our country.

They serve with a sense of value.

They serve with humility.

Veterans aren’t happy with their own contributions.

Veterans love you

Our veterans are the ones with character

Our veterans are the ones that children run to.

Stop confusing the acts of Congress with those of our veterans

Anti war doesn’t mean anti veteran.

Veterans Feel Obligated to Our Country. They are More Selfless than Simple Obligations.

They give up part of themselves for the greater good of others.

(Tell Story of Steven PTSD Issues)

Most veterans don’t really understand what it is that they are passionate about.

Many have a sense of duty to the country infrastructure or the flag, but this is only because they haven’t tapped into what made them truly passionate.

The core values that this country was founded on are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for ALL citizens without persecution because they believe differently than their neighbours.  

Freedom RINGS in their minds, whether for speech, religion, or otherwise.

Veterans are PASSIONATE about the CORE VALUES of the foundation of the United States.  This they will almost all agree.

This is why I respect them!

TPP: 127 Veteran’s Day 2016 from Ken Jensen

Veterans Want to be Valuable to Us

Most people that go into military service are knowingly entering into a contract of service for YOU. 

They feel proud when they think of YOU. 

Daily, they wake up, thinking about being able to help YOU.

The very LAST thing any veteran wants to hear is that his job isn’t valuable to the military or the citizens of the country.  Most have a “servant mentality.”

This is why I cherish them.

Veterans are Usually Extremely Modest

Every time we see any person in any armed service or emergency responder uniform, my children and I ALWAYS thank them for everything they have done.

I always see their face light up at the sight of children thanking them and saluting them with big goofy, resisted smiles.

Soon after, I see them drop their demeanor when they say, “you’re welcome.”  Their shoulders and heads lower and so does their tone.

Veterans Desire to Do More for Us

When they drop their head and shoulders, it is because they feel a little humiliated.  Why? 

Because, they know that some gave all. 

They feel that whatever they are doing is not as much as someone else is doing.

Veteran’s day used to be Armistice Day. WW1 was supposed to be the the war to end wars, which was obviously a lie. At the end […]

Different Types of Bug-Out Vehicles (BOVs) Have Different Advantages

There are many other preparedness items that you should look at before changing your Bug-Out Vehicle (BOV), but if you are going to anyways, let’s discuss the different types of vehicles that are great Bug-Out capable machines.  There are always options, such as Four-Wheel Drive, that makes a vehicle better, but I am leaving the options out of this.

Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs)

Trucks

RVs

Vans

Motorcycles

Boats

Other Vehicle Types

Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) Provide All-Terrain Comfort

Provide good all-terrain platform.  

The suspension: designed for and keeps passengers comfortable.

The approach, break over, and departure angles are decent.

Many times, trucks and SUVs share the same frame, therefor have similar frame strengths.

Trucks are Rugged All-Terrain Haulers

Provide decent approach and departure angles, but not as well as many off road designed SUVs.

Biggest Benefit: ability to provide torque for hauling large loads without expensive options.

Designed to put a bunch of weight in the bed on the back of the truck.

The drive train is usually a little stronger than most vehicles.

Even though the suspension is many times stiffer than other vehicles, it is designed for all-terrain hazards.

Vans are Powerful, Comfortable, Weight Haulers

Many vans are sitting on modified truck chassis.

They are designed for a large family and all their gear.

Meant for heavy weight and comfort

People, Groceries, Sports Gear

Family comfort for long trips with children

All that weight plus an additional stack of luggage on the roof rack.

Easily hauls 1500 pounds of people and gear.

Work Vans Carry more, for heavy tools.

Recreation Vehicles (RVs) and Campers Carry Everything!

Take everything I said about vans, and scale it way up.

Powerful engines

Designed to haul tons of weight.

Have to carry everything, including the kitchen sink!

Designed for a family to LIVE in it for short amount of time.

This design makes a very attractive Bug-Out Vehicle (BOV).

Both RVs and Campers provide you with an insane amount of space for storage.

You would be able to store much of your bug-in food in them, meaning less time to pack and leave!

It also means that you will have much more gear and comforts on the go.

Motorcycles are Nimble and Fast Personal Bug-Out Vehicles (BOVs)

Motorcycles are extremely nimble.

If you are bugging out alone, this is a great option

It is much more difficult to get stuck in traffic, which is super important!

They also can generally travel faster, with higher acceleration capabilities than most vehicles.

Road Bikes are more comfortable and carry more gear.

Dirt Bikes or off-road bikes have the ability to go places that almost nothing else can go.

They carry less weight though.

Boats Take You Off-Land, Where Few People Can Go

This category is huge.  What do you want to do?  Just get across the river or live for weeks?  There is a different boat for everything that you want to do.

Just for travel use a simple john boat or bass boat.

They can hold a lot of gear and can quickly get you to your Bug-Out Lo...

Different Types of Bug-Out Vehicles (BOVs) Have Different Advantages There are many other preparedness items that you should look at before changing your Bug-Out Vehicle (BOV), […]

Military Tactical Maneuvers: Individual Movement Techniques (IMTs)

In a tactical situation you will:

Approach an opposing force

Be approached by an opposing force

When these situations occur, you have two choices:

Decide to move

Sit still

You will have next to no time to decide… What do you do?

So when practicing, you will create “immediate actions” that you take in different scenarios.

Hundreds of possible scenarios

Practice for basic movements that will cover a wide range of situations.

These immediate actions are called “Individual Movement Techniques (IMTs)”

Much of what I discuss is for a pair of people or an extremely small group.

Before we get into it, we need to talk about one more item…

Small Group Movements

Remember, this is a military tactic… movement often is paired with suppressive fire.

This principle is called “fire and movement” and this is the first IMT.

Also known as leap-frogging if done multiple times

Fire and Movement

Basic Steps of Fire and Movement:

You provide suppressive fire at an enemy.

Another group or pair advances to close in on the target.

Then they provide suppressive fire at the enemy

Then you advance toward the target.

This allows both teams to advance toward their objective under the protection of suppression.

Now that we have discussed basic movements, we can talk about another Individual Movement Technique.

One of the most common IMTs is taking cover.

It doesn’t matter where the danger is coming from, many times you will attempt cover.

Cover = Invisibility and Shielding (dirt bank)

Concealment = Only being hidden (bathroom door)

The point here is NOT to cover every IMT, it is to give you a training template to determine your own IMTs.

Let’s go over a couple situations…

You Encounter an Enemy Ahead

Instantly, take cover.

They see you? Take cover.

They don’t see you? Take cover.

This may seem like common sense, but is super important for everything else to occur.

What if the enemy has seen you?

Take Cover

Your partner provides suppression.

You attempt to move to a 45 degree angle from him (either his 2 or his 10).

Now you are set up for multi-directional fire, a huge advantage.

If you aren’t satisfied with your positions, suppression and fire may be used again.

What if the enemy has not seen you?

Take Cover

You can decide to move to a 45 degree angle again.

There probably won’t be suppressive fire… you don’t want to give away your position.

As you move, your partner will WATCH, and fire if the enemy sees you.

Once again, you are set up for multi-directional fire.

And again, you can do this over again.

These are two variations of the same exact movements.  With lots of practice and training this can be done safely with very little thought.

You Encounter a Flank Attack

What if you get fired on from an enemy flank?

You may decide to immediately dive behind cover.

Using suppressive fire, everyone scatters

This is a strategic placement, so you have multiple attack directions.

Everyone is now in place, now they look to you for direction.

TPP 125: Individual Movement Techniques from Ken Jensen

The Benefits of Individual Movement Techniques

Let’s get started…

Ballistics, Cartridge, & Ammunition Components P1: Case

The Components of a Cartridge

Called a cartridge, not bullet.

Cartridge is entire thing

Bullet is the projectile

Case is what is left over after it is shot.

I don’t really care, and mess it up myself

Learn the proper names, because it makes research easier.

Again, The whole thing, bullet, case, powder and all is called a cartridge.

 

The Case

The biggest part of the cartridge is the case.

It is the big brass hollow thing that holds your charge.  

The Neck

Part of the Case that resembles a bottle neck is called the neck.

The Rim

The brass ring at bottom flat part of the case is the rim.

The rim will usually have writing on it.

Primers

Small metal circle in the center of the rim is called the primer.

The Primer is hit by a pin and ignites the powder charge

Two different types of primer: boxer and berdan.

Boxer Primers are easier for reloading.

Both boxer and berdan primers today use similar, non-corrosive compounds.

Center-Fire vs Rim-Fire Cartridges

Center-Fire Cartridges have the small primer in the center.

No visible primer is called a “rim-fire” cartridge.

In rim-fired cartridges, the entire rim has the priming compound.

Most Ammunition is center-fired. Here are some rim-fired cartridges:

Powderless .22 Cap rounds

.22 Short, Long, Long Rifle, Stinger, Winchester, Winchester Magnum

5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum

.17 Hornady Magnum, .17 Hornady Mach 2, 17 Winchester Super Magnum

Rimfire ammunition, from left to right, .22 Short, .22 Long Rifle, .22 WMR, .17 HM2, .17 HMR

The Cup

The indention around the bottom of the case above the rim is called the cup.

This is commonly used by auto and semi-autos to eject the case after firing.

Firearm Cartridge Powder, Black Powder

Inside the case is housed the powder charge.

Black Powder

Older cartridges used black powder.

Products of combustion are 55% solid products

Leaves thick, heavy coating that holds moisture and rusts the barrel of firearms.

Until 1920s, primers still used black powder.

124: Ammo Components from Ken Jensen

Smokeless powder

More accurately called propellant

Products of combustion are mainly gaseous.

Not free of smoke, just less smoke.

Ammunition Powders for Reloading

The Bullet

Build up your arsenal with real fire power, cheaply and effectively:

No Firearm is “one size fits all”.

Every type of gun has a purpose.

Different Purposes of having a Firearm:

Home Defense

Personal or Self Defense

Hunting / Utilitarian

Sport

What I look for in a firearm:

Reliable

Reputable Manufacturer

Something that will last

Ballistics are good for the purpose

It is tactically superior

Ammunition costs or availability

Shotguns are a Great First Firearm

Shotguns are cheap and reliable, used ones are even cheaper.

Pellets Spread and if you are using #2-4 Buckshot, it is a great home defense round

Chances of impact damage on your target is higher

Chances of shooting into another room is lower

Home defense rounds are available.

Basic Shotgun types worth purchasing:

410

20 Gauge

12 Gauge

10 Gauge

12 Gauge

12 Gauge Shotgun

12 Ga pump is my favorite for hunting

20 Gauge Shotgun

20 Ga youth model is

Lightweight

easy to maneuver

can be modified with different stocks, like a collapsible one.

I don’t do it, but most can have tactical rails placed on them as well

If I had to choose, I would choose 20 Ga

Same shot sizes in the firearms, 20 gauge fits fewer pellets

 

 

 

 

HandGuns can also be a great first firearm

Handguns are easy to carry, easy to store and great for personal defense.

Basic Handgun types worth purchasing

.45 Cal

.40 Cal

9mm

.357 magnum

22LR

The .45, .40, 9mm, and .357 are the most common police rounds

.357 Magnum shoots .38 Special which is commonly available, but not really sought after during ammo shortages.

.44 Mag is generally available as well

Rifles are great for targets

I personally think that a shotgun and handgun should be considered before a rifle.

Rifle types that are worth purchasing

30-06

30-30

7mm

Ruger 10/22

AR-15 or AK-47

300 Magnum

30-06

Great for White Tail deer

Awesome round, and is the base for many other rounds

Was overly expensive during the shortage, but still available.

123: Firearm List for Beginners from Kenneth Jensen

30-30

Was the go-to-round before the 30-06

Was available, is generally cheap

I recommend looking at a Marlin lever-action

7mm

7mm Magnum or 7mm Mauser are both great deer rifles.

300

“Big Game” rounds… the real stuff

Go with a 300 Win-Mag or 300 Weatherby

Expensive Rounds, but usually available, and you won’t shoot many

Shooting is expensive and taxing on the shoulder

Carbine

Ruger Mini-14 (5.56 mm) or Mini-30 (7.62×39)

Winchester 94 Trapper (.357), Puma 92 (.357/.38 or .44 Mag), Marlin 1894

Go with the Puma 92, it seems to be cheaper than the others, and is known as a very reliable gun.

M1 Carbine (.30) – Civilian Version

Hi-Point (9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP)

The obvious AR Platforms

Stock up on what everyone else is ignoring as far as ammo goes.

12 Ga, 20 Ga

30-30

.357 with .38 Special Backup

8mm Mauser

You must choose the firearm that is best for you:

It must provide what you need

It must fulfill your purpose

You must be able to trust it

It needs to be comfortable