Trying Reloading the Economical Way

If you have ever wanted to try reloading your own ammo, but was turned off by the cost of the traditional reloading equipment required there is another option.  LEE Precision, Inc. makes LEE LOADER kits for some of the more common calibers.  No press, scale, or any special equipment is required.  Everything you need comes in a small kit for about $40 per caliber.  The only thing additional required is a rubber mallet and the materials for the ammo (brass, primers, gun powder, and the projectile).   I have two of these so far, the .44 mag. and the .270 win.  They both are producing more accurate ammo than factory and are fun and easy to use.  The kit comes complete with instructions and a chart with tested combinations.  You just select the combination of powder and projectile from the chart and it will work.  Since you are reloading your own, you can test different combinations to see which one(s) work better for you and your gun.  The kits are somewhat limited in that they neck size only so they are not recommended for semi, pump, and lever action guns.  With that being said, I’m not having any issues running reloads through my .44 may semi automatic rifle.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions.

At the end of the day, these kits are great to try out reloading without breaking the bank.  If your are just doing a few now and then it may be all you will ever need for reloading.  Or, it might have confirmed your desire to get started with a full-blown set up.  Either way, for the money if you are half way interested in trying reloading this is defiantly a good way to get started.

View the video I made for reloading a .44 mag. to see how they work.

Save The Acorns,

Brent Watkins

Review - Permethrin Tick Killer



Hands down, my least favorite thing about the outdoors is....seed ticks. I never got them growing up in Oklahoma, but the first weekend I moved up here my legs were covered in sores for weeks. I remember laying awake at night because they itched so bad. Some how I stumbled upon Repel Permethrin Spray. It is about $8 and will do about 3 sets of clothes. You spray it on your clothes and let it dry. It actually kills bugs unlike DEET products which repel them as it evaporates. DEET will last for a couple hours of repelling, but the permethrin will kill bugs for several months even after washing. I had gone through a few cans of the aerosol permethrin when one day at tractor supply I noticed this concentrate. It was about $6 and would dilute enough to last years. I am still only about halfway through my first bottle after about 4 years. This stuff works too. We have had many instances of permethrin/non-permethrin hunting trips and the non-permethrin trips have ended up with us picking off seed ticks for the next few days. Try not to get the liquid directly on your skin or breathe the vapors. It is still a chemical, but once it dries it is not harmful to humans. The old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is magnified to "8 fl oz of tick prevention is worth 2 tons of cure".  

 

 

Rebates - Redfield Battlezone and Flicker Shad

I will start off by saying that I chose these products based on the quality and their anticipated use. They just happened to have rebates available.  I wouldn't buy something that had a rebate and try to find a use for it in the future to justify it.

Redfield Battlezone
I found a scope that I wanted for my 308 at Cabelas, but it was $199 plus tax. When I got home, I started searching for the same one online. I found it at Black Bear Sporting Goods for $132+$10 S&H. I also found a rebate at Redfield for $45.
http://www.redfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Battlezone_rebate_pad_April_June_2014_45_back.pdf

Total cost $97.



Flicker Shad
These baits are another instance of "You get what you pay for". We have caught a lot more fish since we started trolling with these. Crankbaits are expensive, but trolling open water you are not very likely to loose them, especially with 20lb braid. I found the rebates online before I actually went to the store. Miranda actually pointed out the sign to me. It was right in front of my face and I never saw it. The math is listed below.

11 cranks = $48
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Berkleyreg-Flicker-Shad/1416025.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dflicker%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=flicker&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

Rebate - $15 off $40 = $33
http://www.cabelas.com/assets/pdfs/berkley_buildown_15rebate_6-30-14.pdf

Rebate - Free braided line +S&H = $19
http://www.cabelas.com/assets/pdfs/free_berkley_fireline_5-31-14.pdf

Total = $1.75 each




I didn't get a picture of the other rebate sign. There are forms on the back side.

3.99 is still cheaper than the Rapalas.

I can already taste the fish.

I had accumulated a few crankbaits, but nothing that dives over 8'.

Review - Electric Smoker

This was an end of the year sale at Academy. I like smoked meats, but don't really want to spend an entire day tending a smoker. With this smoker you just put some chips in, set it, and eat when the thermometer says its done. I don't think I would change a thing. I don't even really use the grill anymore. Our meat is either cooked in a cast iron skillet or in the smoker.

 

 

It is about the size of a mini fridge.



Thanksgiving turkey.

Deer sausage.




Half a deer sausage




Front shoulder

Deer summer sausage




I don't remember if this all fit in one batch.