Darrell

I've been giving some serious thought to buying a used tracked skid-steer. From what I've seen so far, it looks like a well-used, but still good, machine is going to cost $20K to $25K. I'm just looking for something to use on my own wooded property, primarily to run a brush cutter to clear between the trees. I have a tractor and brush hog, but it's not as maneuverable as I'd like in the brush. I want a tracked machine because I have some slope to my ground and there are places that can get soft and wet. I know a little bit about heavy equipment, but not a whole lot. I know one thing for sure, that making a mistake when buying a used machine can be EXPENSIVE, and I want to avoid that. So I know I need to check for smoke at start-up, take a look at the pins to make sure everything is tight, make sure that there's plenty of life left in the tracks, all obvious stuff. I also expect that if I find a machine I like that I'll take an oil sample and have it analyzed. Do any of you experienced guys have any specific things I should look for? Thanks!

Maybe we can work a group buy. I have "enough" .22's, but this one might be a nice addition to the herd.

I would love to do it, but there are always other things to spend my pension on.... groceries, gas, guns..... But a Cape Buffalo or a lion would be a dream.

I ordered a new base pin and latch from Belt Mountain and installed both last weekend. The base pin stayed in place through shooting a couple dozen rounds, which was the desired result. HOWEVER.... when I tried to remove the base pin to clean the revolver after shooting, the pin didn't want to come out! It would move in and out 10 or 15 mm or so, but no further. I finally had to use a wooden dowel and a hammer to tap the pin out. The base pin latch had distorted the notch in the base pin just enough to keep the pin from being withdrawn. I was able to use a jeweler's file to remove the burr, and once again the pin is easily inserted and withdrawn, but I'm more than a little disappointed that the notch was so easily deformed. I hope that little bit of filing was all that's required, but I'll run some more ammo through the revolver and see if the pin deforms again.

I read through some of the comments attached to the story on the FOX news site, and I was surprised at how many NRA members (at least they said they are) still support ol' Wayne. It's been very clear to me for many years that WLP was milking the organization like a 60's union boss, but a lot of members still seem to think he's a fine fellow. Go figure.

I've been in Tennessee for over five years now, and today I finally put up an antenna, an end-fed Zep supported by one corner of my barn and a nearby tree. It took a couple hours to get it all installed, but this afternoon I made contacts with people in Kentucky, New York, England, and Italy! This with a 20-ish year old radio and a long piece of wire for an antenna. I appreciate that you folks motivated me to get back on the air. I'm now officially jazzed about it!

Even gas with ethanol stores just fine so long as the container is full and the cap is left on tightly. The problem with ethanol is that it absorbs water, but if there's no water to absorb it will last for years. I use stabilizer in things like my generators that I can't seal against the outside air, but I also make sure to turn the the petcock off and run the fuel out of the carb.

Please tell me that's from a rest!

I am very pleased that I no longer drive every day, but when I do I try to be on one of four motorcycles. If the weather doesn't allow that, either my F250 or 350Z. Heck, I guess I don't have an EDD!

20 years ago I bought a saxophone and was determined to learn to play it. I managed to make some noise, but that was all. My brother was a good enough bass guitarist to try to make a living at it, but he eventually decided it would be better to eat regularly.

Are you pressing the sizing die all the way to the shell holder when you operate your press? Your case should be entirely within the sizing die at the end of the stroke. I live too far from Memphis to invite you over, but if you want to send me one of your sizing dies I will size a couple of my empty cases to test the die for you, then send it back with the sized cases.

Just one more thing: Be sure to use a properly measured amount of the correct gun powder for the bullet weight you select. Reference a reloading manual, or the load sheet that came with your Lee dies. They will list a range of loads, listed in grains, of different powders for different bullets. You should not exceed the maximum amount of powder listed for any particular bullet weight, and you'd be wise to start with a powder weight at the lower end of the scale and work your way up. DO NOT substitute a different powder from those listed in the manual.

OH MY! You could have cut your finger on a sharp edge, contracted lock jaw and DIED! Thank goodness that you survived it! (I survived mine as well, but it's been long-gone for half a century plus)

I think you're failing to size the neck of your brass. The Lee dies have an instruction sheet with them. Without a case in the shell holder screw the die in until the die just contacts the shell holder. Then lift the handle and screw the die down another 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Lock the die in place with the locking ring. Then run a case through the die. You should feel the handle go over-center at the bottom of the stroke, something like a click or a thud. Try that and see if the bullet still drops through the sized case.

Thanks for the tip on Belt Mountain pins. I filled out their order form, and apparently they will get back to me. A little unconventional.... But it looks like the solution to my problem.

I'm struggling a bit with a problem with my .44 Mag Super Blackhawk. The base pin will back out after four or five shots, which isn't a good thing. I don't shoot super-heavy loads through the revolver, but it IS a .44 Mag, so there's a good deal of recoil. I bought a heavier replacement spring for the base pin latch, thinking that recoil was letting the latch move, but that hasn't cured the problem. The base pin appears to be fine, and so does the base pin latch. Neither shows any wear. When I push the base pin home and it's latched I cannot cause it to slide forward by pulling on it or wiggling it while pulling. But it consistently backs out after those four or five shots. I'm thinking that my next step is probably to replace the base pin and base pin latch, but before I order parts I thought I'd run it past the group here to see if any of you have any suggestions. Thanks!

You fellas talking about getting your ticket has motivated me to get my HF rig set up again. I've been in this house for about four years now, and haven't been on the air except a little 2-meter. I've had an antenna in the box for a couple of years, but today I ordered some brackets and coax and will get it up. Thanks, guys!

I need some primers, but YIKES!, $100/thou!

UPS had a serious backlog during the recent snow-event. The UPS driver who delivers out here told me that they had trailers-full of stuff (about a week ago). I would think it's still possible, if unlikely, that your ammo will show up.

I'll generally buy once-fired and load my own. But I've bought new ammo and kept the brass.

American Reloading has some 9mm projectiles in stock. I've purchased from them in the past and was satisfied. They have 500 PULLS for $39 right now, plus shipping I suppose. https://americanreloading.com/product/9mm-115-124gr-jhp-mix-pulled-500ct/ They have other 9mm in-stock, too.

What's missing, just assembly?

Isn't this a great group? It turns out that Papa61 makes holsters, and he's offered to custom make one for me. I'll post a pic or two when it's done. Thanks Papa61!