Berkey Filter Problems

Apparently the Big Berkey black filters had manufacturing problems from the end of 2010 to mid-2011, as noted on APN and SB.  That sucks for people who thought they'd buy the Berkey system and put it away for SHTF: right when they need it, it might be unusable!

I'm glad I tried mine, which I got in April before the price hike, because one of the filters busted.  However, I have the additional problem that I have several units that I gave to family members for put-away purposes, so I need to go through the hassle of having them check.  Or perhaps I should just supply a tube of silicone caulk, although somehow I doubt that's food safe....

Cases for .50s

I saw an ad in VHP magazine for SKB's new .50-cal case, model ATA 50, so I had to look up the price.  Ouch.  $450 is a lot of money for a large piece of plastic.  Pelican's large case, model 1770, is similarly priced.  For that much, the Americase Aluma-Trans aluminum-shell case, model AT-50CalW, seems like a better buy.

PBF

The Perry Bible Fellowship has to be the most disturbing webcomic I've yet to come across.  Given that statement, it's probably a good thing that it isn't posted regularly.

Brass Case Weight

The approximate weights of fired cartridge brass, from a post on THR:

• 9mm, 59.46gr/ea, 117.7cases/#, 8.5#/1000
• 38spl, 68.06gr/ea, 102.8cases/#, 9.7#/1000
• 40s&w, 70.1gr/ea, 99.9cases/#, 10#/1000
• .357mag, 78.3gr/ea, 89.4cases/#, 11.2#/1000
• .45acp, 89.58gr/ea, 78.1cases/#, 12.8#/1000
• .223, 95.28gr/ea , 73.5cases/#, 13.6#/1000
• .44mag, 114.38gr/ea, 61.2cases/#, 16.3#/1000
• 50bmg, 865.26gr/ea, 8.1cases/#, 123.5#/1000

All weights are uncleaned fired cases with the primer remaining.

Obama's Halo

A while back, I saw seen an index photo of a bunch of press shots of Obama with a halo.  I haven't been able to find the same picture recently, but I did find a page showing a bunch of the original images.  No media bias, none whatsoever.

Have they forgotten that Obama said himself that he'd be a one-term president if he didn't turn the economy around in three years?  We'll see, eh?

Practice Rifle Grenades

Searching for some practice rifle grenades for an M4 (even though they usually have the M203 launcher), I found a forum post on Arfcom that linked to a set on Numrich.  Unfortunately they're out of stock at the moment, but it'd definitely be neat to play with, given enough room to shoot them (a few hundred yards, at least).

The description from the poster:

Current military issue. Used by the IDF for training purposes on M16 and Galil .223 rifles. Fully-inert 14" grenades are patterned after the IMI BT/AT-44 dual-purpose rifle grenade. New set is packaged in the original wooden crate, dated 1-98, includes 6 grenade assemblies and the following repair parts: 40 plastic fins, 32 body tubes, 12 outer sleeves, 30 spacer rings, 24 locking nuts, 2 nut wrenches, 1 key wrench, 20 M16 ladder sights and 30 Galil ladder sights in 35/60/85 meter graduations (197 pieces total). Weight, 27 lbs.

Copycat KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce

Might be worth trying:

Secret Recipe #1 for KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce:

This copycat recipe is supposed to be a close version of the original Masterpiece BBQ sauce.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 Tbls. molasses
• 3 Tbls. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. liquid smoke
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/8 tsp. paprika
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Directions:

1. In a saucepan over medium high heat, bring all ingredients to a boil. Be sure to stir constantly.
2. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for about 45-60 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Secret recipe #2: Copycat recipe for KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce:

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I like that it has Agave Nectar which I use all the time now in place of sugar.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup agave nectar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 3 teaspoons molasses
• 3 teaspoons turbinado sugar
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 tablespoon paprika
• 1/8 tablespoon garlic powder