Jamie Jackson

I watched some of it. I understand the concept within the parameters he prefaced. But Man, talk about Ninja Skills. I realize he's Force Recon. I'd kill myself trying some of the feats he pulled. If after a total TEOTWAWKI situation, I guess I could understand scavenging where I could... especially in regards to medications needed for those I care for. For myself, I think I would want to be far away form a major city. I found The History Channel's After Armageddon : Flu Pandemic more interesting...even if I did yell at the TV a time or two.

Good Thread! It's also good to hear/read some local & regional perspectives on the possible scenarios, and thoughts on "What to do if...?" It's tough. We have all of the commitments and responsibilities of every day living in front of us. Most of us have families that we must provide for and care for...short term and long term. Tin Foil Hat / Conspiracies? I agree that the MSM has way too much mis-direction and B.S. content to be very useful. You really have to look closely to see or hear truly worthwhile information. But I think we all agree: Times are more perilous than they were. We (collectively) have shirked our duties and responsibilities thus allowing a group of incompetents to run our Great Country and they are rapidly bankrupting us all. Interesting Times, Indeed. We have to do the best we can to care for those we love, and to make the best sustainable lives for them and ourselves that we can. Prepping is a means to that end. "Game Planning" and working several alternatives to various SHTF situations is another means. Redundancy helps, in all areas of our Preps. I don't think the "Black Helicopters" are circling. I don't think the "Gubbermint" is planning on raiding my home and taking my food and guns. But the incompetence I'm witnessing on Federal and State levels reinforce to me that providing for myself and my family is more of a challenge daily, and of a greater necessity than I ever would have thought. Naive? Maybe... I greatly appreciate the contributions by all of this thread. Reading the well thought replies, "What if's", and suggestions makes me glad I chose this part of the country to make my home. There's a lot of like minded, sensible, and preparedness minded folks around and about. That's a "Good Thing". Regards, Prag FWIW: I find Frugal's forum and Rawles Survivalblog useful. I do occasion WSHTF and a few other, but read more than post. Life is a learning situation. Just my $.02 worth.

A few years back it was LEO/Mil only, with approved Instructors through Simunitions. The handguns we used were Glock 17-T's. There are a few instructors around using Sims. Another option may be UTM. UTM may only sell to professional training organizations as well. I have no personal experience with their products, but I've heard positive things from folks that have used them. Safety, and inadvertently interjecting live rounds into scenarios, are such a huge concern (understandably in our litigious society), guidelines are generally pretty strict. Sims are great for training. But realistic scenarios and stringent safety protocols are a must. Just my $.02 worth. Good Luck. Regards,

Unique, W-231, & AA#2 all work for me.

FWIW in the Knoxville area: I picked up several new 55 gal. barrels from them a couple of years ago for rain barrels and fresh water storage. They were $35.00/each. I used a 3x3 sheet of plywood and some 2x2's and metal wheels I had around to make a movable platform for the fresh water barrels. A water barrel siphon pump is really helpful. Volunteer Drum | barrels | drums | hazardous waste containers | plastic | fiber | steel | stainless | trash cans | carbon | new | used | reconditioned | drum | oil | chemical | hazardous | container | open head | closed head | IBC | Closed Head 7A Co Volunteer Drum 3311 E. John Sevier Hwy Knoxville, TN 37914 (865) 673-9396 (865) 673-9308 FAX

I'm a bit confused on the price as well. I agree with glockster. I've had my Dillon 550B since 1988 and it runs like a champ! I originally ordered it with the 45 acp setup (at no additional cost) and added other calibers over time. The Dillon is really a great investment and will save you money and headaches over time, imho. A single stage press is also great to have. I also have an old Lee single stage that I've loaded many thousands of rounds on since the mid-80's. Good Luck with your decision.

Walmart Turkey Creek @ 0800 this morning (7/25) had about 12 boxes of Federal 40 S&W. No 9mm, .38, or 45acp. (I don't shoot 40, so it was there as I left.) & 2 Boxes of Rem 7.62x39 in the 20 rd box. & a good bit of .308 Rem I didn't note the prices as I was just passing through.

Unique and/or W 231. I've been using these 2 for years now. I'm working with AA#2 right now and it looks pretty good, and will cover the calibers you listed.

I've had good luck with 9mm, 45acp, & .38/.357 from Berry's Bullets as well. Fair price, good quality, and good service. I no longer reload .40, so can't speak from experience on those.

Apparently Walmart at Turkey Creek had a good bit of ammo last PM. (7/13) I buddy of mine phoned me at work and said he picked up several 100 rd boxes of WWB 9mm and even grabbed me two 50 round boxes of 45acp HP's. He told me there was still a good bit of 9mm there when he left. I'm headed to work again...anybody checked out Turkey Creek Walmart today?

All 3 are good suggestions, imho. The P-DEWC is my choice in .38 ammo. Jim Cirillo was a strong proponent of this type of round. Fuzzy Fletcher used to produce Safestop rounds based on the Cirillo concept. The sharp cutting edge of certain Plated DEWC should cut relatively cleanly vs pushing aside elastic human tissues. Cirillo wrote they were less apt to "skid" off the skull during headshots. That the sharp edge wound gain purchase and allow penetration. I've seen folks that had RNL .38's skid off their noggin, so I'm a believer here. The low recoil allows for fast and accurate followup shots. Rapid and accurate repeated placement into vital organs are always a sound goal. They shoot well in my J Frame, and hopefully, they'll do if I'll do.

While not fmj, but plated, I've had good luck with Berry's Bullets. As their website states, the wait for shipping is about 5-6 wks. I run their bullets through my Glocks without issue. The Rainier's are gtg, imho. FWIW, Montana Gold has a good rep for quality bullets. I haven't tried them yet, but they'll probably get my next order. Good Luck.

We have a mixture of canned goods (short term storage), MRE's (intermediate term and convenience of use), and LTS (Freeze dried #10 cans of Provident Pantry & Mountain House, 5 gallon buckets with mylar bags & o2 absorbers, etc.) We have several raised beds for gardening and grow things we like to eat and cook with. We can and dehydrate most of the garden foods. We live in suburbia, so the raised beds and containers work well for us. And they aren't really that much work. We keep at least 100 gallons of water on hand, and have a couple of 55 gallon rain barrels for water collection. A good, quality water filter is a must. We also keep at least 3 cords of firewood seasoning. Cooking with wood is not as convenient as the microwave, but sometimes you simply don't have electrical power available. Every Day is a learning experience. But the less I am dependant on the "system", the more I can protect what rights and freedoms I have left. I have a family that depends on me and they are my primary motivation. Hunting, fishing, and living "off the land" sounds great, but I can't see it as very practical, especially in a real SHTF situation. I don't want to be where a hundred other goobers are when they are all armed and shooting at everything that moves. Preparations are never wasted. They are probably the best insurance investment we can make. These are interesting times, very uncertain to say the least. Tappan on Survival, while a bit dated, is a really good read on the subject, imho. Dare to Prepare by Holly Deyo is an excellent resource book for those starting out on preps. Great thread!

I certainly hope so. But is this something you heard from your distributors? The folks I talk with in the shooting/training industry and per e-mails to various distributors and manufactures don't seem as optimistic. I hope they are wrong, and you are right. Most seem to think it'll be mid-2010. The companies that produce ammo in the U.S. are busting their butts to meet demand. But, If our twits in Congress or the Obamanation stir up more anti-Second Amendment rhetoric, Who Knows? Regards,

Monday 6/8/09 0800 AM Oak Ridge Walmart has Federal 9mm @ $9.00/50 round box. They also have some .357, but I didn't price it. Limit of one box at O.R.

I usually order mine from Sportsman Guide. They usually have some in stock and the quality has always been good.

Much obliged. Regards,

Does Walker Springs Walmart have a purchase limit? I know I've seen it posted, but can't locate it. Thanks in advance. Regards,

I've used thousands of Federal Primers in my Lee Auto Primer (handheld tool) with no problems. I much prefer the Auto Prime for any of my single stage press work! Like musicman said, they are the softest, but I prefer them for my revolver loads. Good on you for finding some of them!

As of 0830 AM (4 June 2009) Turkey Creek Walmart in West Knoxville had 6 boxes of 40 S&W Blazer Brass @ about $12.00/50 rds. I don't shoot 40 S&W, so they were there when I left.

I wouldn't even consider going into a bank unarmed. I'm not paranoid, but Banks get robbed. That'd be like going into a Shop-n-Rob unarmed and without first looking through the windows. Condition Yellow, for a longer and healthier life.

I have a friend that's LEO. He mounts his shotgun in an OverHead Rack in his truck. The darkly tinted windows help. I'm not suggesting it, but it is an option. This under seat storage system has promise. The more I search, the more options I keep finding... Cabela's has several listed... I have room behind the seat of my truck, and my SG or Carbine would still be easily accessible. I've carried a LG behind the seat in more "long gun" friendly states that I've lived or worked in. Hopefully TN will soon be one of those. even Walmart carries them...whaddaknow..

I would second the AA#2. Low flash and accurate loads. I generally use it for my .38 snubby loads. My masochistic tendencies run a bit shy of the .357 loadings...

It is frustrating. There are a few online site that sporadically have 9mm in. It's not inexpensive, but 9mm is challenging to come by, to put it mildly. "Ammunition to go" has Fiocchi 147 gr 9mm for $29.95/50 rds as I type this. I tend to miss the shipments that make it to wallyworld. I check several websites, at least every other day. The ammo that arrives is generally sold out in 8-10 hours. Cabela's and SG list that they will have some in the next month or so. I do have some on backorder with a few vendors, and I tend to get deliveries periodically. This may be an option for you. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I reload... primers are as hard to find as 9mm ammo is. Good Luck!

Good for you! I've been running one for nearly 20 years now. Quality! and great customer service...rare these days...