I know I haven't written much lately. December is a busy time for me, what with a slew of family birthdays all between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There have been a few minor things I wanted to comment on but just could not find the time.
Speaking of which I sincerely hope that everyone's Christmas was joyful and triumphant.
The bad news is that it will continue for at least another week. The wife and I leave in the morning (Thursday)for a long anticipated wild hog hunt in Oklahoma. We will be spending New years eve together at a nice lodge in what will hopefully be a bit warmer climate.
Aside: For those of you that are interested in such things, yes I am taking "Thor's Hammer" (see a previous post for the explanation of the hammer) with the 12 gauge rifled barrel on it and will be using the Remington 3" Copper Solids that worked so well for me a few weeks back during deer season.
After that we will take a few days in Texas to visit some friends and be back home next week sometime.
I anticipate that after this bit of planned recharging I can get back to some regular posting.
May all of you have a wonderfully safe New years Eve celebration and a joyous and prosperous 2006.
Thank you all for reading my blog and for the comments both complimentary and critical this past year.
Gunscribe
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Almost Seven Million Dollars
Projections for the Capital City indicate a 6.8 million dollar shortfall even if many of Madam Seng's pet projects are flushed.
Word is that the culprit is a lack of increase in sales tax revenue. The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that sales tax revenue supports over 40 percent of the annual budget and that income has stagnated.
Apparently the city anticipates a 3 to 4 percent growth in in sales tax revenue on a yearly basis, and that just ain't happening this year.
Well DUH, is it any wonder why?
There is not much, if anything being written in the press about why the sales tax revenue has flatlined, but anyone that listens to local radio knows the score.
More than one public official has indicated that the smoking ban implmented by the People of the "No Nose Tribe" is more than partially to blame. One guest on a local talk show agreed that it could be as much as 4 million dollars. And that is probably just sales tax revenue that has not been generated, that might not even include the 14 cents on every dollar the city is losing from Keno that is not being played.
Aside: Keno is legal in the state of Nebraska and the city of Lincoln. Keno is gambling. Keno, alcohol and cigarette smoke go together like the three legs of a stool; cut off one of the legs and you fall on your ass.
THE CITY OF LINCOLN HAS FALLEN AND CAN'T GET UP
It is not only the loss of 14 cents for every Keno dollar played that the city is losing; It is the sales tax on the food and beverages that the players consume. There has also been some tracking as to how other non-Keno local restaurants and bars have been fairing.
Observations from this tracking revealed that food and beverage sales are down all over the city as compared to years past. Some businesses have cut their staff even further reducing the amount of taxes generated by the city and state.
Whether you are for or against the smoking ban it is hard not to aknowledge the economic impact that it is having on the city. When you cut the slaughter one of the cities cash cows, you are obligated to find another cow.
Between the lost revenue from Keno and the lost sales tax revenue from the sales tax on food and beverages the city of Lincoln has fallen into a financial money pit.
So how does our glorious leaders plan to compensate for this debacle? Why tax increases of course! The plan being formed now is to replace the single huge cash cow with a whole herd of little teeny weeny itsy bitsy little cows; i.e. the individual tax payers of Lincoln.
There is already talk by City-County Planning Director Marvin Krout of raising property taxes, wheel taxes and imposing an occupational tax on gasoline.
1400 KLIN radio is also reporting that City Budget Officer Steve Hubka says rate increases for water and sewer are also possible.
To that I say NO THANK YOU.
I think that everyone that voted to "cut their nose off to spite their face" ought to step up and identify themselves. Then the number of people that voted for the ban can be divided into the amount of the deficit and made to write a check for their portion of their ignorance.
You Do-gooders wanted smoke free bars and restaurants; well now you got them. It came at the expense of the cities infrastructure and no now you want me to pay for your shortsightedness?
YOU WANTED THIS, YOU GOT THIS.
IT WAS YOUR DUMB ASS HOLIER THAN THOUGH MENTALITY THAT GOT US IN THIS MESS YOU PAY YOUR OWN WAY OUT OF IT.
I am not saying the there would not be a deficit if the ban had not gone into effect, but I believe that the shortfall would be negligable or even virtually non-existant if it had not.
GET YOUR OWN CHECK BOOKS OUT AND COUGH UP FOR YOUR OWN IGNORANCE.
ITS YOUR STOOL, YOU BROKE IT, FIX THE DAMN THING YOURSELF.
Word is that the culprit is a lack of increase in sales tax revenue. The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that sales tax revenue supports over 40 percent of the annual budget and that income has stagnated.
Apparently the city anticipates a 3 to 4 percent growth in in sales tax revenue on a yearly basis, and that just ain't happening this year.
Well DUH, is it any wonder why?
There is not much, if anything being written in the press about why the sales tax revenue has flatlined, but anyone that listens to local radio knows the score.
More than one public official has indicated that the smoking ban implmented by the People of the "No Nose Tribe" is more than partially to blame. One guest on a local talk show agreed that it could be as much as 4 million dollars. And that is probably just sales tax revenue that has not been generated, that might not even include the 14 cents on every dollar the city is losing from Keno that is not being played.
Aside: Keno is legal in the state of Nebraska and the city of Lincoln. Keno is gambling. Keno, alcohol and cigarette smoke go together like the three legs of a stool; cut off one of the legs and you fall on your ass.
THE CITY OF LINCOLN HAS FALLEN AND CAN'T GET UP
It is not only the loss of 14 cents for every Keno dollar played that the city is losing; It is the sales tax on the food and beverages that the players consume. There has also been some tracking as to how other non-Keno local restaurants and bars have been fairing.
Observations from this tracking revealed that food and beverage sales are down all over the city as compared to years past. Some businesses have cut their staff even further reducing the amount of taxes generated by the city and state.
Whether you are for or against the smoking ban it is hard not to aknowledge the economic impact that it is having on the city. When you cut the slaughter one of the cities cash cows, you are obligated to find another cow.
Between the lost revenue from Keno and the lost sales tax revenue from the sales tax on food and beverages the city of Lincoln has fallen into a financial money pit.
So how does our glorious leaders plan to compensate for this debacle? Why tax increases of course! The plan being formed now is to replace the single huge cash cow with a whole herd of little teeny weeny itsy bitsy little cows; i.e. the individual tax payers of Lincoln.
There is already talk by City-County Planning Director Marvin Krout of raising property taxes, wheel taxes and imposing an occupational tax on gasoline.
1400 KLIN radio is also reporting that City Budget Officer Steve Hubka says rate increases for water and sewer are also possible.
To that I say NO THANK YOU.
I think that everyone that voted to "cut their nose off to spite their face" ought to step up and identify themselves. Then the number of people that voted for the ban can be divided into the amount of the deficit and made to write a check for their portion of their ignorance.
You Do-gooders wanted smoke free bars and restaurants; well now you got them. It came at the expense of the cities infrastructure and no now you want me to pay for your shortsightedness?
YOU WANTED THIS, YOU GOT THIS.
IT WAS YOUR DUMB ASS HOLIER THAN THOUGH MENTALITY THAT GOT US IN THIS MESS YOU PAY YOUR OWN WAY OUT OF IT.
I am not saying the there would not be a deficit if the ban had not gone into effect, but I believe that the shortfall would be negligable or even virtually non-existant if it had not.
GET YOUR OWN CHECK BOOKS OUT AND COUGH UP FOR YOUR OWN IGNORANCE.
ITS YOUR STOOL, YOU BROKE IT, FIX THE DAMN THING YOURSELF.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Awwww I have been infected with a dreaded Meme
Jed over at FreedomSight Meme'd me. This infestation would remain on my Blog until I posted my responses to the 7 X 7 Meme that he sent me. I know this is a fun thing thing and I thank Jed for thinking enough of me to pass it my way.
It has taken me awhile to complete it, because I had been thinking of some of these things as of late and see this as an opportunity to post my thought out and meaningful answers to the Meme.
Here goes;
Seven things to do before I die (not necessarily in any given order)
Hunt the Water or Cape Buffalo
Celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary
Return to Alaska to Fish
Catch a Marlin (the fish not the gun)
Win the Lottery
Hunt for a full curl Ram
Get to know my Great Grand Children
Seven things I cannot Do
Tolerate the liberal mind set
Stay away from the firing range
Make a decent pancake
Violate a confidence
Speak Chineese
Bungy Jump
Think of one more thing for this list
Seven things that attract me to .... (the outdoors)
The Sunset
The Moon
The Sunrise
Fresh air
Wild Game
Fish
Campfires
Seven things I say most often
Yes Dear
As you wish Dear
In a minute Dear
Get your ass outa my chair
Dumbass
That's a car not a phone booth your driving
Don't threaten me with a good time
Seven Books (or series) that I love
John Grishams Lawyer Novels
John Axlers Death Lands Adventure Novels
Ann Colters How to Talk to a Liberal (If you must)
Bob Barrs The Meaning of Is
Shotgun News
Bill Jordons No Second Place Winner
Massad Ayoobs In Gravest Extreme
Seven Movies I watch Over and Over again
Quigley Down Under
The Outlaw Josie Wales
Hard Target
Hearbreak Ridge
Tombstone
The Shootist
Rooster Cogburn
Seven Suckers I want to infect
TFS Magnum
PTG
Abe
Ryne
Kevin
Head
Merri
Thanks Jed I only hope the people I infect are as greatfull as I am.
It has taken me awhile to complete it, because I had been thinking of some of these things as of late and see this as an opportunity to post my thought out and meaningful answers to the Meme.
Here goes;
Seven things to do before I die (not necessarily in any given order)
Hunt the Water or Cape Buffalo
Celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary
Return to Alaska to Fish
Catch a Marlin (the fish not the gun)
Win the Lottery
Hunt for a full curl Ram
Get to know my Great Grand Children
Seven things I cannot Do
Tolerate the liberal mind set
Stay away from the firing range
Make a decent pancake
Violate a confidence
Speak Chineese
Bungy Jump
Think of one more thing for this list
Seven things that attract me to .... (the outdoors)
The Sunset
The Moon
The Sunrise
Fresh air
Wild Game
Fish
Campfires
Seven things I say most often
Yes Dear
As you wish Dear
In a minute Dear
Get your ass outa my chair
Dumbass
That's a car not a phone booth your driving
Don't threaten me with a good time
Seven Books (or series) that I love
John Grishams Lawyer Novels
John Axlers Death Lands Adventure Novels
Ann Colters How to Talk to a Liberal (If you must)
Bob Barrs The Meaning of Is
Shotgun News
Bill Jordons No Second Place Winner
Massad Ayoobs In Gravest Extreme
Seven Movies I watch Over and Over again
Quigley Down Under
The Outlaw Josie Wales
Hard Target
Hearbreak Ridge
Tombstone
The Shootist
Rooster Cogburn
Seven Suckers I want to infect
TFS Magnum
PTG
Abe
Ryne
Kevin
Head
Merri
Thanks Jed I only hope the people I infect are as greatfull as I am.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Pointed Bullets in a Lever Gun???
Hornady has done it again.
Headquartered in Grand Island Nebraska, Hornady Manufacturing has introduced a pointed bullet round that is safe to load in lever actions with a tubular magazine.
Calling it "LEVERevolution" Horandy has added a soft ballistic tip to pointed bullets in the 30-30, 35 Remington, 444 Marlin, 45-70 and 450 Marlin calibers.
Since the inception of the tubular magazine fed centerfire firearms we have always been cautioned to NOT load pointed bullets in these guns. In a tubular magazine the rounds are stacked on top of each other with the point of one pressed against the primer of the one in front of it. When the firearm recoils with pointed bullets loaded in the magazine this can and will fire the primer/s of rounds in the magazine with devastating results.
That is why until now there has been an industry wide caution on using only roundnose or flatpoint bullets in firearms that have a tubular magazine.
There is some claim with this new ammunition, that also boasts improved ballistics that the 30-30 is now a genuine 300 yard gun. I'm sure some of the claims Hornady is making with this new inovation will be proved in the field and it is an exciting new product.
Pointed bullets in a tubular magazine are really nothing new to me though as I have been using them for years.
There are a number of companies that have made bolt action, semi-auto, and pump action guns in the venerable old 30-30 caliber that do not use a tubular magazine. Loading information in the several of the loading manuals has for years listed pointed bullet loads for the 30-30, and yes I have used them with great success in lever action firearms without incident.
There is one caution I have must offer in regard to using any other poined bullets except those specifically designed by Hornady for use in lever action firearms;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
In most hunting situations you won't have time for more than one or two shots at most anyway.
Back in the mid 70's I did a great amount of experimenting with pointed bullets in a lever action Model 94 in 30-30 caliber. Most of the shooting that was not at paper was done on the Southern New Mexican out-of-control Jack Rabbit and Coyote populations with great success.
Even given the powders available then, and keeping within the standard pressures for the cartridge, we were able to accomplish some pretty long range shots at these vermin.
At that time the pointed bullets were designed to function at higher velocities and I do not believe that the speed with which the 30-30 shoots was enough to ensure reliable and consistant expansion. Since our target species was rabbits and coyotes expansion was not a concern. My main goal was better accuracy and a bit longer range and that was accomplished.
Much of the loading data I used involved the 130 and 150 grain Speer bullets and data from Speer's reloading manual # 9.
The effect these rounds had, or would have had on deer was not known to us as only one time can I recall using one of these loads on deer, and it was well within the normal range of the 30-30 anyway. Since the projectile exited the deers body it was not recovered for examination. It did the job though.
I'm sure I am not the only one that did this kind of experimenting, but I did have a lot of fun with it and have considered again loading some of those types of rounds in the last few years.
I may not have to now, this Hornady ammunition looks promising and I can't wait to try it.
If you do decide to experiment for yourself with pointed bullets in a tubular magazine please head the following Century old advice;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
The new round from Hornady would be an exception to that, of course.
Headquartered in Grand Island Nebraska, Hornady Manufacturing has introduced a pointed bullet round that is safe to load in lever actions with a tubular magazine.
Calling it "LEVERevolution" Horandy has added a soft ballistic tip to pointed bullets in the 30-30, 35 Remington, 444 Marlin, 45-70 and 450 Marlin calibers.
Since the inception of the tubular magazine fed centerfire firearms we have always been cautioned to NOT load pointed bullets in these guns. In a tubular magazine the rounds are stacked on top of each other with the point of one pressed against the primer of the one in front of it. When the firearm recoils with pointed bullets loaded in the magazine this can and will fire the primer/s of rounds in the magazine with devastating results.
That is why until now there has been an industry wide caution on using only roundnose or flatpoint bullets in firearms that have a tubular magazine.
There is some claim with this new ammunition, that also boasts improved ballistics that the 30-30 is now a genuine 300 yard gun. I'm sure some of the claims Hornady is making with this new inovation will be proved in the field and it is an exciting new product.
Pointed bullets in a tubular magazine are really nothing new to me though as I have been using them for years.
There are a number of companies that have made bolt action, semi-auto, and pump action guns in the venerable old 30-30 caliber that do not use a tubular magazine. Loading information in the several of the loading manuals has for years listed pointed bullet loads for the 30-30, and yes I have used them with great success in lever action firearms without incident.
There is one caution I have must offer in regard to using any other poined bullets except those specifically designed by Hornady for use in lever action firearms;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
In most hunting situations you won't have time for more than one or two shots at most anyway.
Back in the mid 70's I did a great amount of experimenting with pointed bullets in a lever action Model 94 in 30-30 caliber. Most of the shooting that was not at paper was done on the Southern New Mexican out-of-control Jack Rabbit and Coyote populations with great success.
Even given the powders available then, and keeping within the standard pressures for the cartridge, we were able to accomplish some pretty long range shots at these vermin.
At that time the pointed bullets were designed to function at higher velocities and I do not believe that the speed with which the 30-30 shoots was enough to ensure reliable and consistant expansion. Since our target species was rabbits and coyotes expansion was not a concern. My main goal was better accuracy and a bit longer range and that was accomplished.
Much of the loading data I used involved the 130 and 150 grain Speer bullets and data from Speer's reloading manual # 9.
The effect these rounds had, or would have had on deer was not known to us as only one time can I recall using one of these loads on deer, and it was well within the normal range of the 30-30 anyway. Since the projectile exited the deers body it was not recovered for examination. It did the job though.
I'm sure I am not the only one that did this kind of experimenting, but I did have a lot of fun with it and have considered again loading some of those types of rounds in the last few years.
I may not have to now, this Hornady ammunition looks promising and I can't wait to try it.
If you do decide to experiment for yourself with pointed bullets in a tubular magazine please head the following Century old advice;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
The new round from Hornady would be an exception to that, of course.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)