NashvilleStage

I'm an idiot. Turns out that my printer needs 450 cartridges, not 760. Boo... That would have been a good deal for me. Someone else needs to grab these!

I'd be interested in one or two of them. Do you drive up to the Nashville area at all? I'm in the Triune, Brentwood, and Franklin areas fairly regularly. If not, no biggie.

Could you post a link to the chart?

My X-macro (non-ported) has a 6 on the front and an 8 on the rear. What do the numbers mean? Sight height?

I'm going though the (glacial) process of getting a rebate from Winchester on an ammo purchase. Figured I'd pass along some tips I've gleaned for any others who might be going through the same process. - Before starting the process, weigh the amount of the rebate vs. the time, effort, and money you'll spend getting it. The juice isn't always worth the squeeze. - If you bought a full case of ammo, see if they'll accept the case's UPC bar code instead of the UPCs from each individual box. Sometimes it's yes, sometimes it's no. You might be in for an evening of slicing up lots of boxes. - Take a photo of everything before you stick it in an envelope. It'll be a lifesaver if the rebate arrives damaged or missing something on the other end. Plus it'll help jog your memory if everything was done correctly after waiting for weeks on end. - Spend a little extra and send the envelope with a tracking number so you'll have proof of delivery and a date to go with it. If using the post office, go inside and hand it to a teller. The thickness caused by a bunch of UPC codes can sometimes cause issues; usually it's just cost a little more for postage, but it never hurts to ask. Licking a stamp and tossing it into the outgoing mail is no guarantee of success. - You can check the status of your rebate here: https://winchester.com/Support/Customers/Winchester-Rebate-Status. Click on the black box that reads, "Check your rebate status". - Be patient. It can take weeks or months to work through the system. For example, I purchased my ammo on 5-30, mailed the rebate on 6-7, delivered on 6-9, appeared on the rebate status page on 6-21, and a month later I'm still waiting. - If you think something got messed up and want to talk with a human, call Repco Logistics in St. Louis, MO. They're the company that processes the rebates for Winchester. The general number is 314-426-1800. I called them today and was pleasantly surprised. There was no phone tree! The first person I talked to was Kristen, and she was very helpful. After taking my name & confirming my city, she was able to give me the status of my rebate and tell me an estimate of when to expect the rebate card in the mail.

Would you like to shoot better? Want to hear some of our founding history? Ever wondered why Paul Revere was galloping through the countryside late that fateful night? Come to a Project Appleseed class! Learn the techniques of rifle marksmanship & be inspired by stories from the events of April 1775. The next Appleseed is this weekend at the Stones River TWRA range in Antioch. Come on out & join us! Head to http://appleseedinfo.org & sign up. There's plenty of info there, or feel free to ask me any questions.

If you've been wanting to attend a Project Appleseed event, we've got one coming up! It'll be July 14th & 15th at the Stones River range in Antioch. We have a private shooting bay & air-conditioned classroom all to ourselves. If you haven't heard about it, Project Appleseed is a neat combination of a traditional rifle marksmanship class with presentations about early American history, specifically the first day of the Revolutionary War. It's family-friendly and a lot of fun. I've been to several of them, and have started volunteering my time as an instructor. It's a good program, run by good people. It's a great value: Two days of instruction is $60 for adults + $32 range fee or $20 for kids, law enforcement, military, and the disabled + $32 range fee. The course of fire is challenging enough for experienced shooters trying to get the coveted Rifleman patch, yet doable & fun for newbies. The Stones River facilities are quite nice. We have an entire shooting bay reserved, as well as an air-conditioned indoor classroom for lunch & instruction periods, plus clean indoor restrooms (always a plus with the ladies). Here's the website for info & registration: http://appleseedinfo.org. I'll be there as one of the instructors, so I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

If you're interested in coming out to a Project Appleseed event, we've still got a few spots open for next weekend's event in Antioch. That weekend's class is unique in that it's a Friday/Saturday event, rather than the usual Saturday/Sunday. This would be good for those of you who otherwise have Sunday obligations. June 9 & 10 are the dates. In July we have another Appleseed in Antioch, and it's almost sold out. Those dates are Saturday & Sunday, July 1 & 2. If you want to come, sign up quick! Here's the website for more info & registration: http://appleseedinfo.org. I'm also happy to answer any questions.

To answer your question about zeroing at 100 vs. 200 yards, that won't buy you extra elevation adjustment (unless the zero-stop shims on your scope are artificially limiting the range of adjustability; I'm not familiar with the details on that particular model). You'll still hit the limit of adjustability at the same point. If you need more elevation adjustment than your scope will allow, then you'll need to change the scope mounting base to a higher or lower angle so that the scope gets back into its range of adjustment. The distance that you zero at is mostly just a nice reference point to base your calculations on for different distances. You can zero at 100 yards, then use your D.O.P.E. notes to calculate come-ups for further distances. Or, you could zero at 1,000 yards & use the same notes to calculate come-downs for nearer distances. Or zero anywhere in the middle. Use whatever makes the most sense to you. One caveat is that if you're using a BDC reticle & want to use the BDC markings, you'll need to zero at the distance that the BDC was designed for. Realize though, that (unless you have a very specific BDC designed just for your load) BDC reticles are by nature somewhat generic, and may or may not have the accuracy that you need for what you want to do. If you'd like some more information on long-distance shooting, look up "Ryan Cleckner NSSF" on YouTube. Ryan did a series of short videos for the NSSF on the fundamentals of long-range shooting, and they're really good. Ryan also has a book on long-range shooting that I highly recommend. You can find it on Amazon.

For those in the Nashville area who have been interested in going to a Project Appleseed class, there are two classes coming up at the Stones River TWRA range in Antioch. One is Friday & Saturday, June 9th & 10th. The other is Saturday & Sunday, July 1st & 2nd. If you haven't heard about it, Project Appleseed is a neat combination of traditional rifle marksmanship class, combined with stories of early American history, specifically the first days of the Revolutionary War. It's family-friendly, and a lot of fun. I've been to two of them, and recently started volunteering my time as an instructor. It's a good program, run by good people. The cost is easy on the wallet: The two day program is $92 for adults ($60 ticket + $32 range fee) or $52 for kids, law enforcement, military, and the disabled ($20 ticket + $32 range fee). The course of fire is challenging enough for experienced shooters trying to get the coveted Rifleman patch, yet doable & fun for newbies. The Stones River facilities are quite nice. We have an entire shooting bay to ourselves, as well as an air-conditioned indoor classroom for lunch & instruction periods, plus clean indoor restrooms (always a plus with the ladies). Here's the website for more info & registration: http://appleseedinfo.org. I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have.

  There's the Golden Corral on Old Hickory Blvd & I-40 in Hermitage. The TFA holds their meetings there, so it's a known gun-friendly place.   I'm skinny though; buffets don't work in my favor. :bored:   If you want to go larger-scale... Since the warmer months are upon us, we could find a private (or private-ish) outdoor range, a grill, and some meat.  :cool:   A few years ago, we had a TGO BBQ picnic / shoot at Charlie Haffner's place (the private range up top) one weekend. It had a pretty good turn-out. Maybe there's enough demand to do something like that once a month during the summer.

Today was an inaugural day for me: Several years after getting my permit, I finally bought my first handgun! Since the seller was kind enough to include a nice holster, I decided to do the "Wally Walk", too. :D I bought some ammo to commemorate the occasion. For the moment, I'm mostly wearing it around the house & carrying it unloaded until I get comfortable with handling it in a safe manner. Thanks again to forum member Sonny for a great purchase, and a nice piece, too!

  LOL. No worries. We need a <sarcasm> font.  :)

  If it passes, the permit will only be *necessary* for concealed carry. Open carry will not require a permit (beyond the normal requirements of being legally allowed to posses a firearm, etc...)

Yep. This is changing by the hour, as different people try to throw something new in the way. It needs our help, but it's not dead.   This is the latest update from the TFA, issued this morning:   -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Tenn. Firearms Assoc.: UPDATE on Open Carry - Will government lie? Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 11:00:29 -0700 From: John Harris - Tennessee Firearms Association Inc <johnharris@tfaonline.org> Reply-To: tfalac@tfaonline.org To:   URGENT UPDATE!!! Tennessee Department of Safety apparently willing to misrepresent state law to kill Open Carry legislation. Legislators are trying to pass an Open Carry law in Tennessee but leadership and/or the Governor are trying to stop it.  Yesterday, Senator Mae Beavers' bill (SB2424) to allow open carry passed the state Senate on vote of 25-2! However, also yesterday, the House bill by Rep. Micah Van Huss (HB2409), was "delayed" to a point where it may not even be heard on the House Floor.  It was delayed by a subcommittee of the House Finance Committee (which is chaired by Rep. Charles Sargent).  This committee has a "reputation" under Rep. Sargent's leadership for killing bills in ways that preclude votes by all Representatives.   That is right, this bill may die and your legislator will not even be given the chance to vote on it.  If that happens, what good is your right to vote to send representatives and senators to Nashville who are then denied the opportunity to vote on bills of interest to you? Your urgent action is needed to see this bill all the way through to becoming law before they kill it for the year! So, why is this news today? Yesterday, the bill had an "estimated cost" or a "fiscal note" that concluded that the law would not cost money to implement.  As such, there was no jurisdiction in the Finance Committee to even vote on the bill.  Bills without fiscal impact routinely never go to the Finance committee. Then today a yet further revised fiscal note was released which states that the open carry law will cost an estimated $100,000 to implement!   Why? Because the Tennessee Department of Safety (under Haslam's control) has issued an opinion that if this Open Carry law passes that it wants to start printing on the handgun permits that it issues that the permits are "for the purpose of carrying a concealed handgun." Here is what has been said in the amended fiscal note dated April 9: Other Fiscal Impact - The legislation does not require nor will it cause the Department of Safety to make any changes to handgun carry permit cards. If the Department does not make any changes to handgun carry permit cards, the fiscal impact for the bill as amended is not significant. However, the Department has indicated that, based on departmental policy, it will elect to make changes to the permit cards, for a one-time cost of $100,000, to reflect permit cards are issued for the purpose of carrying a concealed handgun. Corrected assumption for the bill as amended: -   According to the Department of Safety (DOS), this bill as amended will not have an impact on the number of permits issued or renewed annually. The bill's fiscal impact to revenue from such permits is considered not significant. - Because of departmental policy, DOS will elect to make design changes to the handgun carry permit card to clarify and designate that such permits are issued for the purpose of carrying a concealed handgun. DOS indicates that it will elect to expend $100,000 on a one-time basis to make such design changes. State law does not have any concealment requirement for the handgun permits.  The Open Carry bill does not create a concealment requirement for permit holders.  Thus, that assertion by the Tennessee Department of Safety, that statement of intent, is a complete and utter misrepresentation of state law.   One could easily infer that it has been made for one purpose - to create a basis for a fiscal note that Charles Sargent's Finance Committee can use to kill the Open Carry legislation this year. The legislature is set to close in just days, so it is CRITICAL that you call and e-mail the following legislators on the House Finance Committee and tell them to IGNORE THE MISREPRESENTATIONS IN THE AMENDED FISCAL NOTE and "PASS HB2409 TO THE FLOOR" It is also critical to call and email the Speaker Beth Harwell with demands that she intervene and bring this bill immediately to the floor which can be done under House Rule 53. Her contact information is: Phone (615) 741-0709 Fax (615) 741-4917 speaker.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov CALL EACH OF THESE LEGISLATORS RIGHT NOW AND TELL THEM TO PASS HB 2409 TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR A FULL VOTE!!!   Let them know you are aware of the proposed misrepresentations by the Department of Safety and that its wrong for a state agency to indicate a willingness to lie about your legal rights and the status of the law. *Charles Sargent, Chair (615) 741-6808 rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov *David Alexander, Vice-Chair (615) 741-8695 rep.david.alexander@capitol.tn.gov *Gerald McCormick (615) 741-2548 rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov *Steve McDaniel (615) 741-0750 rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov *Dennis Roach (615) 741-2534 rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov *Karen Camper (615) 741-1898 rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov *Michael Harrison (615) 741-7480 rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov Joe Armstrong (615) 741-0768 rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov Kevin Brooks (615) 741-1350 rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov Kent Calfee (615) 741-7658 rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov Mike Carter (615) 741-3025 rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov Barbara Cooper (615) 741-4295 rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov Craig Fitzhugh (615) 741-2134 rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov Steve Hall (615) 741-2287 rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov David Hawk (615) 741-7482 rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov Matthew Hill (615)-741-2251 rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov Curtis Johnson (615) 741-4341 rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov Larry Miller (615) 741-4453 rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov Gary Odom (615) 741-4410 rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov Johnny Shaw (615) 741-4538 rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov (The ones with the asterisk* appear to be opposed to the bill or "fence sitting" and/or actively trying to infringe your right to keep and bear arms) Here is an email list if you would like to copy and paste in to your e-mail client: rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.alexander@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov, rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov, rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov, rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov In addition, do not forget to contact your personal House members and demand that they intervene!!!  They can and should sign on immediately as co-sponsors on this bill.  They can and should contact Speaker Harwell to put a stop to this "community organizer" style stunt.  You can look up your House member and his/her contact information at this index:  House Directory In liberty,   John Harris Executive Director Tennessee Firearms Association

I wonder which one is the record holder...

Cross-posted from the other thread: The operative phrase is... LIGHT UP THE PHONE LINES! This is copied straight from the TFA: URGENT ACTION NEEDED - Open Carry in TN on the verge of passing! (anti-gun buddies Charles Sargent and Gov Bill Haslam plotting to take away your rights as seen here) This morning Senator Mae Beavers' bill to allow open carry in Tennessee just passed the state Senate in an unexpected vote!!! The bill, if passed in the House, would allow anyone in Tennessee who is legal to possess a gun to be able to open carry a handgun on their person without a permit, as long as it is not concealed. RIGHT NOW, your urgent action is needed to see this bill all the way through to becoming law before they kill it for the year! Unfortunately several weak-kneed Republicans in the state House, such as Finance Committee Chairman Charles Sargent, are preventing this bill from coming to the floor for a full vote. Rep Sargent, at the behest of Speaker Beth Harwell and Governor Haslam, is trying to run out the clock and stall the bill before they have to take a vote on it. The legislature is set to close in just days, so it is CRITICAL that you call and e-mail the following legislators on the House Finance Committee and tell them to "PASS HB2409 TO THE FLOOR" This is our last chance this year, it is up to you! CALL THESE LEGISLATORS RIGHT NOW AND TELL THEM TO PASS HB 2409 TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR A FULL VOTE!!! (The ones with the asterisk* appear to be opposed to the bill or "fence sitting" and actively trying to infringe your right to keep and bear arms) *Charles Sargent, Chair (615) 741-6808 rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov *David Alexander, Vice-Chair (615) 741-8695 rep.david.alexander@capitol.tn.gov *Gerald McCormick (615) 741-2548 rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov *Steve McDaniel (615) 741-0750 rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov *Dennis Roach (615) 741-2534 rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov *Karen Camper (615) 741-1898 rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov *Michael Harrison (615) 741-7480 rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov Joe Armstrong (615) 741-0768 rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov Kevin Brooks (615) 741-1350 rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov Kent Calfee (615) 741-7658 rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov Mike Carter (615) 741-3025 rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov Barbara Cooper (615) 741-4295 rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov Craig Fitzhugh (615) 741-2134 rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov Steve Hall (615) 741-2287 rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov David Hawk (615) 741-7482 rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov Matthew Hill (615)-741-2251 rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov Curtis Johnson (615) 741-4341 rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov Larry Miller (615) 741-4453 rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov Gary Odom (615) 741-4410 rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov Johnny Shaw (615) 741-4538 rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov Here is an email list if you would like to copy and paste in to your e-mail client: rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.alexander@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov, rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov, rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov, rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov In addition, do not forget to contact your personal House members and demand that they intervene!!! They can and should sign on immediately as co-sponsors on this bill. They can and should contact Speaker Harwell to put a stop to this "community organizer" style stunt. You can look up your House member and his/her contact information here: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/

So the operative phrase is... LIGHT UP THE PHONE LINES! This is copied straight from the TFA: URGENT ACTION NEEDED - Open Carry in TN on the verge of passing! (anti-gun buddies Charles Sargent and Gov Bill Haslam plotting to take away your rights as seen here) This morning Senator Mae Beavers' bill to allow open carry in Tennessee just passed the state Senate in an unexpected vote!!! The bill, if passed in the House, would allow anyone in Tennessee who is legal to possess a gun to be able to open carry a handgun on their person without a permit, as long as it is not concealed. RIGHT NOW, your urgent action is needed to see this bill all the way through to becoming law before they kill it for the year! Unfortunately several weak-kneed Republicans in the state House, such as Finance Committee Chairman Charles Sargent, are preventing this bill from coming to the floor for a full vote. Rep Sargent, at the behest of Speaker Beth Harwell and Governor Haslam, is trying to run out the clock and stall the bill before they have to take a vote on it. The legislature is set to close in just days, so it is CRITICAL that you call and e-mail the following legislators on the House Finance Committee and tell them to "PASS HB2409 TO THE FLOOR" This is our last chance this year, it is up to you! CALL THESE LEGISLATORS RIGHT NOW AND TELL THEM TO PASS HB 2409 TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR A FULL VOTE!!! (The ones with the asterisk* appear to be opposed to the bill or "fence sitting" and actively trying to infringe your right to keep and bear arms) *Charles Sargent, Chair (615) 741-6808 rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov *David Alexander, Vice-Chair (615) 741-8695 rep.david.alexander@capitol.tn.gov *Gerald McCormick (615) 741-2548 rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov *Steve McDaniel (615) 741-0750 rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov *Dennis Roach (615) 741-2534 rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov *Karen Camper (615) 741-1898 rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov *Michael Harrison (615) 741-7480 rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov Joe Armstrong (615) 741-0768 rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov Kevin Brooks (615) 741-1350 rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov Kent Calfee (615) 741-7658 rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov Mike Carter (615) 741-3025 rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov Barbara Cooper (615) 741-4295 rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov Craig Fitzhugh (615) 741-2134 rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov Steve Hall (615) 741-2287 rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov David Hawk (615) 741-7482 rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov Matthew Hill (615)-741-2251 rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov Curtis Johnson (615) 741-4341 rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov Larry Miller (615) 741-4453 rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov Gary Odom (615) 741-4410 rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov Johnny Shaw (615) 741-4538 rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov Here is an email list if you would like to copy and paste in to your e-mail client: rep.charles.sargent@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.alexander@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.mcdaniel@capitol.tn.gov, rep.dennis.roach@capitol.tn.gov, rep.karen.camper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.harrison@capitol.tn.gov, rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kevin.brooks@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kent.calfee@capitol.tn.gov, rep.mike.carter@capitol.tn.gov, rep.barbara.cooper@capitol.tn.gov, rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov, rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov, rep.david.hawk@capitol.tn.gov, rep.matthew.hill@capitol.tn.gov, rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.larry.miller@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gary.odom@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.shaw@capitol.tn.gov In addition, do not forget to contact your personal House members and demand that they intervene!!! They can and should sign on immediately as co-sponsors on this bill. They can and should contact Speaker Harwell to put a stop to this "community organizer" style stunt. You can look up your House member and his/her contact information here: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/

  That's wonderful! Look at that spread, too.

Very nice! I'm partial to good ol' wood myself.   A lever action rifle of some flavor is on my wish-list of stuff to have in the stable. I don't know yet what caliber I'd get, though.

As someone who actually lives in Antioch, I'll try to reclaim some trash-talk from the yuppies on here. :taunt: Yes, Antioch has a reputation. Just like LA has a reputation. It's a mix of good areas & not-so-good areas. However, you only hear about the bad parts, because the good parts stay quiet. It really depends on where you are. In general, east of I-24 is not so good, but has patches of decent housing (especially if it's a newer development). West of I-24 is better, getting gradually better (& more expensive) as you get towards I-65 & Brentwood. The Edmonson Pike area is nice. Going further west over I-65 to Radnor Lake, you start getting in to the pricy section of town. Green Hills is the epicenter of high-income for that area, and Hillsboro Pike from I-440 to Harding Pl. is gridlock hell. I-24 has slightly worse traffic during rush-hour than I-65. Northbound in the morning & southbound in the evening. I'd recommend sticking to the I-65 corridor or the West End area if you can find something within your price range. Vandy & Belmont students take up a good chunk of housing in that area, though. Since you're moving to a brand-new area, you could just rent a place for 6 months or a year & get to know what parts of town you like, and where the "invisible lines" are that separate one part of town from the next. Here's a funny map that someone made. Is it true? In a general sense, but not absolute. My :2cents: .

I'm still running XP Pro. The 2005 Dell laptop that I use is still hanging on. I dread the day I have to upgrade, so I'll probably wait until this machine is beyond repair.

  Other than crying "foul", and spreading the word with the article, it doesn't sound like the GOA is actually doing anything yet.  

That's a sweet little range! Where is it?

I'm a touch smaller than you (5'4", 105lbs), and daily wear an REI standard-size daypack-style backpack, as I ride a motorcycle. It has a sternum strap (which is great), as well as a non-padded hip belt (that I normally leave stowed unless I really need it). It also has a sheet of molded plastic (similar to Kydex) that inserts in the lower-back area that helps keep pressure off the lower spine. I've had mine since 2005, and it's still going strong 9 years later. I've loaded mine with tools, a laptop, clothing & water to 20 or 30 pounds before, and it's as comfortable as a regular pack will get with that much weight. The pack I had before this one was also an REI pack, and it was around 10-15 years old and going strong. I don't think I paid over $100 for either one. They make some good stuff.   As others have said, mosey on down to the REI in Brentwood, and take an afternoon or evening trying on different packs. Have the staff load them with weight, then wear them around the store for a while. It'll take a few minutes, but pressure spots or packs that don't fit your body will start to make themselves known.  :)