19 Feb

Weaver KV Riflescope

Steven K. Ledin,

This old Weaver KV riflescope was built between 1950-1964. There's a feature on this scope that few people have seen: a third turret to adjust the magnification. It has a power range from 2 3/4-5, and a non centered reticle. The scope rings are made with the scope. Get this: The steel one inch tube was made, then a ring, loosened as much as possible is slid on the scope tube. The turrets and housing are installed, then the second ring is slipped on. The ocular housing comes last. There's no way …

05 Feb

Dogs in the Dirt

Steven K. Ledin,

Our coworker Sean supplies his dad's hunting addiction with products from OpticsPlanet. His dad's name is Patrick, and he's been shooting lots of coyotes lately on his farm near Woodhull, IL. The weather has been cold, and this time of year the pelts are at their prime. Pat's getting 35 bucks apiece for prime pelts right now. His current rig is a Savage 10 in .223 with a Nikon Coyote Special 4.5-14×40 scope, shooting Hornady Varmint Express 55 grainers. He calls his dogs in with the new Primos Alpha Dog game call, currently the best on the market. …

04 Jan

Compass

Steven K. Ledin,

I was up before dawn, and my backpack was still sopping wet from the caribou blood I washed off it from yesterday’s kill before I crawled into my sleeping bag last night. In the tent that morning were seven other hunters sleeping deeply, their non-harmonious snores a cacophony of wheezing and nightmarish sounds, and the combined stink and foul gasses of their rank breath and soured bodies and soiled hanging undergarments after a week of physical exertion with limited hygienic options was stifling and, so help me, visual.

This was the last day of an unguided caribou hunt near …

03 Jan

Happy New Year 2013

Steven K. Ledin,

Best wishes for a great new year to you all!

Santa brought me a new windscreen for my Kawasaki. My Shirley got an ivory crucifix I made her, and a watch.

I finished a shadow box for friends John and Emerald from one of the three guns they found in a junkyard. I gave Roy Jinks, the Smith & Wesson historian, pictures and the specifics,  and he authenticated on S&W letterhead that the gun is a New Model Number Three Target, in caliber .450 Revolver. It was born in 1903 and shipped to a gun shop in Birmingham, England for sale.

13 Apr

Fox Model B Shotgun Repair, Junkyard Gun Treasures, and Classes in Session!

Steven K. Ledin,

Friend John's brother goes to a local junkyard and shoots rats with a 12 gauge Fox Model B shotgun. The stock in places is wafer thin, and it eventually splintered in 5 places. The right barrel also wouldn't work. When I got it, a couple of receiver pins were not in place. When that happens, springs do crazy things to remaining parts. I was able to put it back together, and the reason the right barrel wouldn't work was due to a worn sear / hammer relationship. I could get a new …