Recent Posts

31

Down Range Cafe / Re: Tools and Tool Boxes

« Last post by alfsauve on December 11, 2025, 09:55:48 AM »

In the bag on the left are cleaning patches and some pipe cleaners.  I keep several red pipe cleaners hanging on my range cart for a) check for block barrel b) as an emergency ECI in case somebody forgot theirs.  Also, for no good reason I keep a couple of zip ties in the tool box. 

I was wondering about the Leatherman tool.  The only thing I need it for is the pliers.  I'll look for USA made long nose pliers.  For field repairs I don't need large pliers.  I have those in the truck tool box. 

32

Cooking & Recipes / Re: What's the last thing you ate or are currently eating?

« Last post by Big Frank on December 11, 2025, 05:56:37 AM »

A whole package of Cashew Nougat Christmas Cookies.

33

Down Range Cafe / Re: Tools and Tool Boxes

« Last post by Rastus on December 10, 2025, 10:09:35 PM »

Good info guys. 

I keep this for screws, etc.: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1026653778?pid=566001

Somtimes this punch set:  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018248140?pid=258460

One of these if there is AR work to do:  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/102305607?pid=502227

Some assorted allen wrenches...mostly from scope mount kits.  And that's about it.  I like the wrenches idea.  Cleaning rods...I never have kept them around but with 22's that's a great idea.  I do keep some silicone cleaning cloths around along with various gun oils.

And, oh yeah, since Frank mentioned them I have received some pipe cleaners that were ordered.  I'm going to drop a couple of those in the shooting bag.

34

Upcoming Events / Re: Competition 2025

« Last post by Rastus on December 10, 2025, 10:00:40 PM »

That's great.  What do you think happened to cause that feed issue?  Cold weather gumming up the works? 

35

Down Range Cafe / Re: Tools and Tool Boxes

« Last post by Majer on December 10, 2025, 07:13:05 PM »

I'll have to try to remember to dig my tool kit out of my gun cart and take pictures of it.I have everything I need for most repairs on my CAS guns.

36

Down Range Cafe / Tools and Tool Boxes

« Last post by alfsauve on December 10, 2025, 01:42:35 PM »

 For going to the range I assembled one of my Plano boxes with an hodge-podge of this and that.  Random screw drivers, a small assortment of Allan wrenches.  Never really needed it much, until three things happened.  Another shooter needed to borrow a wrench and turns out it was the one size I didn't have.  Then someone had a squib and was leery of using my aluminum rod to drive out the bullet.  Finally my red dot came loose during practice and I realized all I had to tighten it was the plastic tool that came with the sight.  Rather embarrassed by my junky tool box.

For years I've had a small Chapman screwdriver set on my bench.  I decided that would be the start of outfitting my range box.  I printed a more compact holder for the bits.  (Oh and ordered my self a slightly larger Chapman set for the bench.)  Got new Allen wrench sets and pared down the holder eliminating the industrial sizes.  Got rid of the junk.  Have a "professional grade" squib rod.  Below is a picture of the new set.  Only thing missing are the Torx wrench which Miss Kitty is giving me for Christmas.

I really feel good about have Made in USA Chapman screw drivers.  They are hollow ground and the best for not marring up screw heads.  I know most autos don't need screw drivers but us revolver shooter use them frequently.

37

Upcoming Events / Re: Competition 2025

« Last post by alfsauve on December 10, 2025, 12:20:30 PM »

A couple of month back we shot the ICORE International Postal Match.  Clubs can shoot it until 12/31.  They posted partial scores through October and I'm 14 of 94 in Classic Division, 2nd in Classic Division Snubby and 1st Classic Grand Senior.  Of course there will be two more months of scores, plus some clubs hold the match multiple times trying to improve or beat posted scores.

December's local Steel Challenge was cold.  We tried out the provisional stage call Trifecta.  Boo.  Has 3 shooting boxes and takes too long to shoot.  I'll vote against that one.
Then we only shot 4 standard stages. I didn't set any new Personal Bests.  Also had a Failure to Feed on a stage.  Didn't feel like I did well at all.  Chalked it up to the cold.  However, turns out I came in 2nd of 14 in RF Pistol.  Wow.  I like coming in near the top, even if it is on account of the gear.

38

Down Range Cafe / Re: California is garbage

« Last post by Rastus on December 10, 2025, 05:49:35 AM »

Good to have you back.

39

Cooking & Recipes / Re: What's the last thing you drank or are currently drinking?

« Last post by Big Frank on December 10, 2025, 02:33:11 AM »

Cherry Coke, Zero Sugar mixed with Dr Pepper & Cream Soda, Zero Sugar. I have one Cherry Coke zero left, to mix with spiced rum when I'm done with this in a few minutes.

40

Down Range Cafe / Re: Shortwave radio help?

« Last post by Big Frank on December 10, 2025, 02:30:15 AM »

FRG-7 sounds like a type of anti-tank rocket.

I heard of a Beverage antenna but couldn't remember what it was. A Beverage antenna consists of a horizontal wire from one-half to several wavelengths long (tens to hundreds of meters / yards for shortwaves; up to several kilometres / miles for longwaves) suspended above the ground, with the feedline to the receiver attached to one end, and the other end of the wire terminated through a resistor to ground. The antenna has a unidirectional radiation pattern with the main lobe of the pattern at a shallow angle into the sky off the resistor-terminated end, making it ideal for reception of long distance skywave (skip) transmissions from stations over the horizon which reflect off the ionosphere. However the antenna must be built so the wire points in the direction of the transmitter(s) to be received. It reminds me of something I saw for an early detection or missile command radio system or something of that nature i saw pictures of someplace within the last couple of years. I think one was 10 or 20 miles long, right through the woods in the middle of nowhere.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage_antenna