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Fritz, We've weathered a few twisters up our way here in East Texas. The last one I was aparty to knocked a big red oak over on my house, on my room! It was raining like hell and the wind was howling like mad. I was sitting in my room tying fishing flies and ignoring the upteenth thunderstorm to hit the area that year when all of a sudden the house started shaking a little from the wind which had kicked up harder. Amidst the chaos outside, I heard a snap, a whoosh, and a thud, and then I couldn't see out my window anymore due to the tree obscuring my view. Now I've always been told that a tornado sounds like a freight train sans the sirens - I believe that! I heard what sounded like a freight train passing the house. I found out later that a twister had tried to form in our little neighborhood, did some damage, but touched down about a half mile down the road and ripped up a couple houses and mobile homes. I'm told that we got off easy with 3 cords of wood and new roof. So in response to your question, yeah I think you could describe as a big diesel engine sound. Its definitely a big roaring noise. I'm glad it didn't hit your property - tornadoes make a bloody big mess! You wouldn't believe some of the storm damage I've seen riding around with my father, who is an electrical lineman, after one of these B A thunderstorms passes through. A bloody big mess! And how about all this rain? I bet the pastures are green and the cows fat! Things are perking up around here too. The guy across the street just got a cutting of hay and in a about four weeks, he'll be at it again if this rain holds like it has. You can almost watch the bahai grass grow! Jason

How am I coming along with this one? I would like opinions on how this one is shaping up. This is a scrap 98/22 stock that I am whittlin' on to try and stream line it a bit for my 8x57 project. I plan to make either Cape style or Mannlicher style open sighted rifle. I further plan to trim down and utilize the steel buttplate even if the length of pull is just right for someone half my size. I have planed the long areas and rasped areas the plane couldn't get into. I'm trying to get my shaping done before I move to the sanding phase. Also, how do I go about getting more of the oil out without creating further headaches? Since I'm going to use bits of wood to fill in holes here and there, I may stain this stock so everything comes out evenly colored. However, I'd like to get the oil in and around the action area out if I could. Any low-tech solutions? Thanks for looking and for your opinon. Jason

Gentlemen, I'm not saying things are bad, just bland. And things may be improving; the lady found some time. Swamprat, I have some parts to and I'd be happy to help you in any way I can. If you need some parts, let me know and I'll see what I can do to help you. Have a nice weekend everyone!

Reckon the fellows over at Bill's site feel like we do about loosing those precious previous posts? We lost an invaluable resource when our server when south on us. With as many members as Bill maintains over there, I'm sure they lost a lot of vauable stuff too. Bummer....

Gentlemen, I'm bored. Its 22:06 and I'm about to go eat supper. I've been whittling on my 30-06 stock all evening after running my butt off at work and I'm thinking a scotch with my chicken sounds good; I'm about give out. My aquarium filter cratered on me last night so now I have a plumbing project awaiting me tomorrow evening once I finally finish work for the week. Then I may wire up the new speakers in my truck to replace the blown out ones I've been ignoring the last seven months. I did have a date with an old flame, but her boss nixed that by requiring her to work 3-11 tomorrow evening. Then I guess I can work on more gunsmithing stuff till I keel over. All my buddies are either out of town, studying, or too wrapped up in their girl to get away for a while and I'm too broke to go out and go honky-tonkin'. I live in a tiny mobile home in the country away from everything but the neighbor. All in all, its shaping up to be yet another exciting weekend at Jason's house. So tell me; who's got me beat? Surely one of you fine gentlemen (or ladies) has something going on worth talking about. Or are we all just that broke and that busy? Jason

Guys, IF you have a C&R license, don't go into the commercial gunsmithing business. I don't think anyone is saying you can't dispose of any firearms, C&R or otherwise. I have always been told to merely log the altered C&R out of log book as it is no longer a C&R. Whether its a C&R or not, why can't you still sell it? C&R holders may sell their collection at any time as well as buy/sell/trade to increase their collection. As a non-licensee, I can dispose of any and all firearms I own so long as the person I'm selling to is legally able to purchase them. I'd think the same applies to a C&R holder. Let us just make sure we're not getting too carried away here. C&R's are supposed to be a common sense thing. The BATF doesn't hate collectors of old bolt action rifles. At worst, as a licensee you may be audited and be held accountable for where your collection went. As long as it doesn't look like you were running a business or conducting other activities that would require an 01 FFL, you'll be fine. Moreover, do what I do and take the easiest way out of all this; don't sell anything. Let us all step back from this issue for a few minutes and consider it. I'd doubt the BATF is going to kick your door down and drag you off in chains for putting a scope on your Mauser. There's too many real criminals out there to occupy their time. Just follow the rules and don't do what they explicitly tell you not to do when modifying your rifle and have fun. Jason

DT, I would but I already have something just as special planned. I think a 8x68s would be just as nostalgic without worrying about locating brass. And yes, I cringed too when I saw that bulged '06 case. Is that guy completely out of his mind or does he just wish to go blind soon? Thank you for the link sir! Jason

I remember reading somewhere that current US 5.56x45 production capabilities ranges up into the millions of cartridges per day. If that is true, I don't think we'll run out any time in the foreseeable future...

I may be misinformed, or perhaps I'm just hung up on the classics, but am I the only person who feels fairly strongly that all the useful rifle and pistol cartridges were invented a long time ago? Stepping further out on a limb, Europe gets the nod for inventing far more useful rifle cartridges than the US. I think the US holds the record for the most handgun cartridges, but then, we're a handgun culture. Am I wandering the dark all alone?

That is not a Garand. That is a travesty! And may the fleas of a thousand camels nestle in the shorts of however did that to this old solder!

Karl I understand your frustration. When I bought my .357, the same pawn shop had a little snub nosed S&W 38 right next to it for $100. 38's are underpowered and I needed that one like I need a another hole in my behind, but for the price...I could've afforded. Why not? So I convinced myself to go back and get it. Only, it was gone. And the next lowest price on a revolver was $300 something...way more than I had or wanted to pay for anything. So it slipped through my fingers. Oh well. That's a $100 I spent in gasoline communting to the junior college I attended to pass my algebra class. That's also a $100 I spent dating a very lovely blonde for a little while. So even though you missed out on the mouse pistol, it all evens out eventually. Just keep you eyes open you will see another in even better shape for less money and that's the one that will be yours! Jason

Thanks for encouragement fellows. And thank you Karl for the advice. Though I'm tired of being broke all the time, money isn't everything for me. I seek a "happy medium" somewhere and somehow. I'll keep you guys posted on the job search thing. Please pray for our British comrades. Jason

Good gosh almighty!

FC, All things equal, I would much rather pursue a career as a naval officer.

Guys, Its official! I passed my algebra final this morning and successfully completed the course! All I have left is to get some paperwork from the junior college to the university and transfer my three credit hours and I will be eligble for a diploma; finally! After my long, hard struggle with college algebra last semester, I ended up being forced to retake it after I graduated to get my diploma... but I'm all finished now! I'd like to thank all of you, especially Fritz and z1r, for all the words of encouragement you've given over the last few months. You guys are one of the handful of things that have prevented me from yanking my hair out on numerous occassions. Its nice to have someplace to escape to - even online. Now I'm working the next evolution - a career. I'm still in the process of getting my paperwork through the Navy and I'm also following up on an opportunity with State Farm. Hopefully someday soon I'll have a little more money to devote to my hobby? Anywho, thanks a million guys! Regards, Jason

DT, From what little I know about the original FN safeties, they are as scarce as hen's teeth. I have seen them from time to time on eBay and couple of the gun auction sites. I believe them to be one of those parts you just sorta have to know what you're looking for and keep your eyes for. Z, I believe has a couple and claims them to be pretty nice, if not expensive. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Jason

Jerry, Go for it! Look around the shops up your way. I have seen several down here in East Texas so I'm sure if you looked around the D/FW area you could find as many as you wanted without paying for shipping and transfer fees. Every gunsmith I've ever had Mauser business with recommended Arisakas as being virtually indestructable! Go for it! Jason