Jimro

Each click of the rear elevation knob corresponds to 1/2 minute of angle. Because the sights are so far above the bore on an M16A2 it isn't possible to zero the weapon at both 25 meters and 300 meters with the milspec load. The zeroing targets were set up to be zeroed at one click past 300/800 and then clicked back to 300 to set the zero at 300 meters. If you leave the rear elevation knob at the 300/800 setting and zero the weapon on the 25 meter target then you will be shooting high at 300 and higher at all closer ranges. You can still qualify, you just have to aim a tad lower. Since the difference is one half minute, you could theoretically "zero" by turning the front sight post a half turn in the "up" direction if you forgot to zero at a click past 300/800. Jimro

Ok, by now you probably know everything you need, but I'll go through the process for history's sake. To zero the M16A2 at the 25 meter range you mechanically zero the weapon so that the base of the front sight post is flush, the rear windage adjustment is centered, and the elevation adjustment is only one click past the "300/800" setting. Firing three shot groups and using the appropriate zero target adjust the Front sight post for verticle adjustment and the rear sight for windage. If you maintain your sight picture you can zero easily. Changing your sight picture will cause all sorts of problems. I tell my troops to get their head as far away fromt he charging handle as is comfortable, what this does is make the rear sight arpeture "smaller" so that it is easier to keep the front sight post centered in the circle. This works for me and I recommend it for most shooters who want to increase their score. Most days I shoot "Expert" and I've gone 40 out of 40 twice (Both times by the grace of God). Now, once you are zeroed and head over to the 300 meter popup range, click the rear elevation knob BACK to the "300/800" setting, what this does is change your zero from 25 meters to 300 meters. Hold center mass for the 300 meter target. Hold slightly below center mass for the 250 meter target (the most commonly missed target I've been told). Hold about 3/4 down for the 200, 150, and 100 meter targets. For the 50 meter "Fast Freddies" aim for the ground line at the base of the target. Remember the BRASS fundamentals and your score will go up quite a bit. Crosswinds are a beast, but you should never have to "lead" any of the targets except the 300 meter target by half the front sight post unless the winds are really brutal. Good shooting. Jimro

http://www.snopes.com/crime/statistics/ausguns.asp Jimro

I can't believe no one has said this yet... OF COURSE Kalifornia has happy cows, they get to serve in Congress! Politically Incorrect Jimro

Let Tawny the Cat know that many dogs died in the process of discovering insulin.... Chalk another one up for animal research. Jimro

The sodium metabisulfite could oxidize iron to the Fe3O4 oxidation state and be reduced to sodium hydrosulfite along the lines of this reaction... 2S2O6 + 3Fe => S2O4 + Fe3O4 But don't quote me on that.

My activation in 03 sent me to California, we were tasked with supporting the 4th Infantry Division for the Turkey mission to provide a northern front for Iraq. That didn't happen, the 4th ID stayed in boats in the Med. for a long time, and those of us supposed to be airlifted directly to Turkey were on standby all around the states. What nobody bothered to tell us is that we were a decoy force. Over seven Iraqi divisions were pinned in place north of Baghdad waiting for the heavy mechanized force to come through Turkey, or Jordan (the spooks were feeding disinformation to Saddam's forces pretty heavily). Those Iraqi divisions got pounded by precision munitions to the point they were non-mission capable. I only found this out by reading Gen. Franks biography, "American Soldier". I had issues, feeling like I was less of a man because I didn't go to war, watching my buddies go and come back while I did equipment recovery for a mission that never happened. But I've learned being on a decoy force isn't a bad thing, it keeps our buddies alive. A decoy only works if the decoy is a real threat, or you can get the enemy to think that it is a real threat. In todays world of mass media the threat has to be real or some punk reporter would spill the beans. Jimro

I got recommended! Now all I have to do is hope my packet makes it through the national board in Kentucky. Thanks for the prayers, I hope one of ya'll wins the lottery Jimro

Tomorrow I get my chance to go before the OCS board and dazzle them with my brilliant mind and whatnot. Which means I'll take all the help I can get. I'm 26 years old, and this really feels like my "one shot" to get a commission, if I don't get picked up this time around the odds don't improve as I creep toward 29. I get 10 choices and I've asked for all three branches of Combat Arms (Infantry number 1 pick) as well as MP, Aviation, Cavalry, Signal, Engineer, and Chemical. Since I had to list ten so I chose to round it out with ordinance. So I would appreciate any prayers that the OCS board make the right decision regarding a commission and a job field. There are no unimportant jobs in the Army, but I'm sure there are jobs that I could be more effective at than others. Jimro

Same warning signs as a normal rebarrel job, hard bolt lift, "smooshed" brass, primer pushed out, cracked brass. If you are going to fire via string for the first couple I'd use commercial ammo to see how everything holds up to those loads. Jimro

Emul8, I agree, most all Rock is formulaic 1:4:5:1 chord progression with some decoration tossed on top. And I agree, the lyrics leave much to be desired. I think the worst rock song ever from a lyrical standpoint is "My Sharona" Every once in a while real musicians get together and play real music, like Jethro Tull or Metallica (believe or not Metallica can actually play in a minor key!) and pass themselves off as rock&roll. The 80's were a particularly "dry" decade for rock innovation, too many formula bands and one hit wonders. There was a lot of good stuff mixed in amongst the muck, but not as much as much as the 70's. Disco may have reigned supreme in the 70's, but it was a great rock decade as well. Unfortunately I was born in 79, so I had a lot of catching up to do. Jimro

If you want quick detach for a picatinny rail, Valdada has a good set in 30 mm, with optional inserts for 1 inch scopes. www.valdada.com And leupold QD rings work fine with the standard weaver bases. Jimro

Now I know where we get artillery officers.... Jimro

I spent two years in college studying music, and while "Take on me" isn't exactly Mozart, it is a fundamentally sound piece of music. The chord structure is simple but effective, and the decoration provided by the synth is actually really good, reminiscent of "Teenage Wasteland" by The Who. Jimro

How much of it turned blue? As long as the front of the bolt wasn't heated then the bolt will be safe to use and the worst thing that will happen is that you get more wear on the camming surface. Jimro

women are better says the squaw... Sorry Emul8, I couldn't resist the "twofer" (two insults for the price of one). I just hope you find my humor half as funny as I do. Jimro

Karl, depends on the Indian/Native American/Indigenous Person/Aboriginal People that you happen to ask. Most of them I knew didn't worry about the term "Indian" unless it was said in a disrespectful tone. Of course I don't go around calling people "whitey" either, but maybe we should start a trend? Jimro

It looks like it was opened up for a magnum of some sort. I'd have it heat treated and then chamber it for a "modest magnum" like the 376 Steyr, 9.3x62 or 35 Whelen. Jimro

I'm sorry. Jimro

I also think that sticking with the 6.5x55 is the best option. Jimro

I've heard stories about gunsmiths hitting the reciever with a plastic mallet and watching them shatter. So hit the reciever with a plastic mallet, if it doesn't shatter you should be good to go Just kidding, the issue was that those recievers were heat treated by "highly calibrated eyeball" similar to how some of the Santa Barbara mauser actions were heat treated. Could be you got one that was done properly. No way to tell how many barrels it's had in the last 95 years, but if it's the original barrel it probably wasn't shot too often. I'd feel safer if it had a replacement barrel on it, that way it survived shooting out at least the original barrel, and had an inspection before the new barrel was put on. Jimro

Yes you do. Jimro

Deep freeze is not suspended animation, the meat will "decay" at a much slower rate, but for a general rule, six months is the optimal use time for freshness in flavor. That being said, I've used meat that's been frozen for three years. I'm guessing that even being wrapped tightly the brisket will have some freezer burn on it. I don't know how you are planning on cooking this brisket, but as long as there isn't significant freezer burn (which is really just oxidation that affects taste) it should be just fine. Cook some up, if it tastes bad, feed it to the dogs. If you are worried about bacteria, just get the internal temperature of the meat higher than 180 Farenheit for 15 minutes and serve promptly. Jimro

For a low pressure round like the 257 Roberts you can use ANY m98 action, but for the price I'd have to go with a Turk. I've had good luck with K.Kale Turks and while they aren't the smoothest milsurp actions they are plenty good for a hunting rifle. But if you can find a Rem 721 used for 200 bucks I'd jump on it, the cost of an action, barrel, trigger, sights and stock make the price cheaper to buy the Remington. I'd save the Mausers for "labor of love" projects. Jimro

I thought as long as it was a barreled action it was OK for C&R. I thought the only no-no was buying just an action, didn't think the stock had anything to do with it. Jimro