Luke E.

I thought really hard about basically the same setup that you've got but just don't do enough to justify the expense. Seems like a really sweet setup though!

Forgot to mention that I use the WFT trimmer when I posted the chop saw link earlier but other than that I think we use about the same setup. I'm sure there's a quicker process out there but any way that I could come up with that was quicker was also prohibitively (for me to justify for the number of cases I convert) expensive. Gordon, do you have the link for that guy that sells the spring loaded (I think it was anyways) jig. I believe you PM's it to me once before but It got cleared out but if I remember correctly the link went to a thread over on arfcom or something.

 I would have to agree that it is a scratch. Looks aside, unless it was cracked before the hole was drilled, I really think the chances are super low that the crack would start up on one side of the hole then stop when it reaches the hole and then pick up and go again on the other side. How's your assembly going?

  Make sure to post your opinions. As soon as my trust is finished I have planned on getting a 30cal suppressor to serve both, my 7.62 and 5.56 needs, and have been curious how much efficiency drop there is using a 30cal on a 5.56. I may hold of a bit even once my trust is ready and give them time to get the E-file system back up and going. That is a rather impressive time frame you received yours back in and I know if I send mine off in a rush they will get E-file fired back up the next day. Enjoy the new tools. 

I have an RCBS die set for blackout. The main reason (other than them being an awesome company with 2nd to none customer service) is because I could buy a dacapping rod for a 7.62x54r and put it in the blackout die for loading cast bullets that are a little oversized. Depending on how much spare time you have and how much you value it, cutting your own will save a chunk of money over time. I guess Im assuming everyone else wants as much on hand as I do and if not it may not make much difference whether you buy or make it. Either way I would suggest buying one of the Caldwell pic rail brass catchers. Don't get the junk one that Velcro's around the handrail because you'll drive whatever distance necessary to get to a cliff to chunk it off of after the first mag.

Here's what I use to cut the cases off with. I just made a little wooden jig to drop them in so that they all get cut off around the same length.  http://www.harborfreight.com/2-in-bench-top-cut-off-saw-61900.html   Dolomite will likely chime in on this one since it is a specific area that he has really done a lot of homework on so he'll probably be able to provide you a link to an awesome jig that a guy makes for this very purpose using this saw. I just haven't ever ordered one but will do it soon because I've got a good bit to cut coming up.

   I had some scrap lumber and a few pieces of scrap sheet metal laying around and used them to kind of test how close to hold the can and how quick to move across it. Also if you are planning to use any leaves, limbs, netting, ect.. as "stencils" it would be good to try it out first. I tried laying the cedar branches on mine and painting of it but that didn't work well at all. I ended up holding the branch or whatever in my hand about 2-3" away from the rifle and the can another 8" back from that +/-. You may have different results depending on what you use but should give you a general idea.   Oh yea, quick short bursts will leave you the smoothest finish.

May I suggest having your wife or daughter did the first spray? Once you get past that you're golden but I swear it's like tryin to get the nerve to jump off a waterfall into really cold water to make that first move.

   I used 3M brake parts cleaner on everything that I painted which was everything from the muzzle brake to the stock ;) so if you're worried about it harming the plastic bits I can tell you that it didn't hurt mine. Anything that dries and doesn't leave a residue should work though.

   This^ is the best way of explaining it as I have found. It generally creates an "ah-ha" moment with the anti trophy hunter crowd unless they have just made their mind up and have decided that even when faced with a perfectly logical they are going to stick to their way of thinking. I rarely hunt for anything that i'm not going to eat unless it's a predator but certainly have no problem with those that do. I would not have a problem taking a trophy animal for just the reason you've highlighted Trickynicky but I don't typically have the opportunity to do so. 

It definitely shouldn't be to big. I really just don't know how their sizing runs.

I look at it right after you posted the link and it was sold out so must have been really quick!

You do realize that this is just a carrier and does not include any soft armor or plates right? I'm not being a smartass but I've seen a number of folks that buy carriers expecting that they will have soft armor built in. That aside, I don't have any experience with this product in particular but as far as bullet stoping capabilities go, if you could tape the armor to you or have it sewn into your favorite Hanes white Tee it woul stop a bullets as well as it would in most any plate carrier. What I'm saying is, things you want to look for in a carrier are things like comfort, how hot will it be, will it allow acceptable mobility, does it have molle attachment point where you want, adjustability, etc...

   That's a good story right there! I'm going to transfer you original most humorous post over to Facebook for others to enjoy.

 HOLY SMOKES what a cat!!! As big as it is it still doesn't carry those thick armor plates behind the shoulders and have skin as tough as a 12 ply tire so i'm not sure the damage caused by a .223 is an apples to apples comparison. But as an argument for your side, I've got a cousin that has been known to regularly go after FL hogs with a .22mag and even a .22lr from time to time. To my knowledge he has not wounded and lost one yet but he will only take a perfect shot. Congrats to your cousin!

   I believe that's right. It's whatever brand TSC carries now. It is a very flat paint as well so there is no reflection whatsoever which I liked. Any day you're going to be in the boro i'd be happy to throw it in the truck for you to put your eyes on or maybe even one day I will have a day off to hit the range with you again.. This 10-12hrs per day 7days, a week business is starting to work on me. This weekend is shot but I was hoping that the next weekend was going to be open and found out today that i'm probably putting in an HVAC unit that Saturday.. I'm holding out hope that it will only take 3-4hrs though  :x:

 That is some nasty looking stuff! Might still shot well though.

   Excellent! It's been dragged over rocks and trees, slid around in the truck and all other manner of "bein' hard on shit" and it actually has held up way better than I really wanted it to. I like the "been used" look when it comes to spray paint but it has held it's own. Right around the ejection port and just below it whare the upper and lower meat there are places that the paint looks a little darker than the rest because of lube getting on it and then the rifle getting hot as hell and baking it on there but I would say it looks very close to the original pictures. I can't vouch for how well other brands of paint would hold up but this one is spectacular. I probably still have enough to spray the rifle again if I wanted and I've used it for other stuff since then as well.

I had one of their 50mm scopes on a 300mag and it wouldn't even come close to holding zero. A buddy of mine gave me this BSA red dot out of his shop and it figured it would make due on the rifle until I ran across a deal on an EoTech. 2-3yrs and thousands and thousands of rounds later it was still on there. I literally just put that rifle back in the safe from swapping it out with the EoTech I picked up from another member yesterday. The only red dot/ holographic sights that I would have bought to replace it would have been what I got or an Aimpoint because I didn't feel like anything else offered enough upside to it to be worth spending anymore money. Mike Gideon has mentioned on more than one occasion that he has a BSA long range scope that performs quite well too.

 Well fever is starting to set in... Saturday when I was leaving my folks property I came by one stand and saw 2 bucks in velvet. One was no more than 30' from me and stood still as I backed the truck up to get a better look. Anyone else seeing any velvet yet?

  Yes sir I do. 

511 has run a sale for dealers and a long time friend picked up a nice plate carrier. He was showing it to me when I stopped by last week and I really liked it. Next thing I know I get a text telling me that he wouldn't be home but there was something waiting for me outside his back door so I swung by this afternoon and this is what I found. [URL=http://s303.photobucket.com/user/lukeduke_03/media/Mobile%20Uploads/13FDA694-013D-4C58-8E46-FA67578054C9.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s303.photobucket.com/user/lukeduke_03/media/Mobile%20Uploads/069D1A48-41A7-4248-8F7B-1E33BBECAC8B.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s303.photobucket.com/user/lukeduke_03/media/Mobile%20Uploads/E66361E6-0E40-4C04-B10D-D2F6057BA473.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s303.photobucket.com/user/lukeduke_03/media/Mobile%20Uploads/44FC6870-568D-4405-A6FE-0D148C993EC1.jpg.html][/URL]

 I might take some flak for this but I've had a BSA red dot on one of my AR's for a few years now and have beat the piss out of it and it has several thousand rounds under it's belt. I've had ZERO issues whatsoever and has held zero every step of the way.. Best part is, one can be had for around $40-$50. If you're just testing the waters to see if you'd like one you''re welcome to borrow it for a while since it just got replaced with an EoTech today.

   That's kinda what I figured from the pictures you posted. Results sure look good.

Congrats! I'm certain that this is a huge weight lifted off your shoulders.