GOFWG

[Eyesa Horg]

10 hours ago, Doc Shapiro said:

My wife grew up in Shaftsbury, just outside Bennington.

I'm a 20 minutes above White River Jct. 

[Blackwater 53393]

Danged if it ain’t stormin’ again here!!  Fortunately, Hatfield got the dog out for a walk before it hit.  If it don’t quit trying to rain every day, we’re gonna hafta’ put pontoons on the Buick or buy a boat!!

[Doc Shapiro]

It was windy today.  20mph with gusts to 30.  Still, used the new mower.  It was kinda fun, but for the dust.  Sorta like driving a nimble go kart.  Did the acre in about 45 minutes.  Then ran the weed eater.  Got it all cleaned up in under an hour.  Really happy with this purchase. 

 

Now the temps are cooling down, gonna have some rain, maybe snow Tuesday morning.  Honestly, I can't grump on this. Just need to make some local friends.  Thankfully, shooting starts in just under a month.  Range is still closed.

[Blackwater 53393]

Took my hearing aids in to be refurbished under warranty today.  The warranty expires the first of next year, but this will make ‘em like new and extend the warranty for a couple more years!

 

I paid a lot for these because they are top quality and do more than JUST amplify the sound. They have greatly reduced the tinnitus that I have in spades. If I put them in and set them properly, (they’re adjustable through the bluetooth app on my phone) the jets, birds, and bees that took up residence in my ears over the years are silenced and they stay that way for several hours after I take the hearing aids out!

 

S’posed to be back in a week!!  I hope they get here sooner!!

 

Ten more days in the cast!!  Seems like EVERYTHING is “wait a little longer” right now!!

 

GRUMP!!

[Rip Snorter]

My new set has AI - I keep waiting for them to tell me stories or speak in seductive tones.  So far they don't seem to want to go to work.  I find myself trusting the older and only slightly less costly set.  That set's warrantee expires end of May.

[Doc Shapiro]

Wife's aids are now out of warranty, sadly.  They've had to go back twice in a bit over 3 years.  Not real happy with this brand.

[Blackwater 53393]

Mine are from one of the major brands. Like I said, they’re expensive, but outside of me screwing ‘em up and the occasional cleaning, they’ve been flawless.

 

I’ve wondered about these new inexpensive ones you see on TV.  They cost a little more than a single payment on mine, but do they deliver reasonably similar quality?

 

Anybody got any experience with them??

[Doc Shapiro]

20 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Mine are from one of the major brands. Like I said, they’re expensive, but outside of me screwing ‘em up and the occasional cleaning, they’ve been flawless.

 

I’ve wondered about these new inexpensive ones you see on TV.  They cost a little more than a single payment on mine, but do they deliver reasonably similar quality?

 

Anybody got any experience with them??

Wife's were top of the line from Starkey when she bought them. 

[Blackwater 53393]

Belltone here. These are the next to the most expensive model. The difference in them was stuff I would never need.

 

 

[Rip Snorter]

I actually went to Starkey HQ years back, got the full treatment, including the man himself for the final installation.  Good hearing aids, but his spit for lube at the fitting was disconcerting.  They did a lot of good in the 3rd world, and their tech presentation was effective and impressive.  No regrets, worked well.

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

5 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Took my hearing aids in to be refurbished under warranty today.  The warranty expires the first of next year, but this will make ‘em like new and extend the warranty for a couple more years!

 

I paid a lot for these because they are top quality and do more than JUST amplify the sound. They have greatly reduced the tinnitus that I have in spades. If I put them in and set them properly, (they’re adjustable through the bluetooth app on my phone) the jets, birds, and bees that took up residence in my ears over the years are silenced and they stay that way for several hours after I take the hearing aids out!

 

S’posed to be back in a week!!  I hope they get here sooner!!

 

Ten more days in the cast!!  Seems like EVERYTHING is “wait a little longer” right now!!

 

GRUMP!!

I had a new pair about four months ago.  Since then I've taken them back three times to make them fit without pain.  Took them back today and told them to get me some  like I've been wearing for six years.

 

No argument at all.  Should have them about a week from now.

 

BTW, I don't have, and likely never will, a smart phone.  I couldn't see buying one so I could fiddle around with my hearing aids and never use the other functions.

[Rip Snorter]

Departure of "simple" sklls is horrifying.  Earmolds for my newest are medoicre - 3rd try.  The best they could dofor the previous set was to modify some excellent ones from the set before.  Seems like the artistry has all retired and they don't care about customer satisfaction.  Costs of course, skyrocket.

Edited May 14, 2025 by Rip Snorter

[Blackwater 53393]

Been three days since I sent my hearing aids to be refurbished and updated!  I’m constantly asking, “What?” and having to either turn the TV up or just wonder what someone said! 
 

One of the neat features that I miss most is listening to music from the library on my phone or watching and listening to videos without disturbing the rest of the house!

 

Next week may be a really good week because I’ll get the hearing aids back AND they’ll take the cast off my foot next Friday.  At that point, I’ll be able to hear again and hopefully be able to walk without doing any further damage to the foot!

 

I told Schoolmarm last night that it seems like time is REALLY dragging right now!  This week’s been three weeks long. I guess I’m going through “Kid at Christmas” syndrome!! 😡

 

HELL YES I’M GRUMPY!!

 

 

[Doc Shapiro]

This week lasted about 2 months.  Glad it's weekend!  Sadly, I haven't had a good night of sleep in way too long.  Grump.

[Blackwater 53393]

13 minutes ago, Doc Shapiro said:

This week lasted about 2 months.  Glad it's weekend!  Sadly, I haven't had a good night of sleep in way too long.  Grump.

If it wasn’t for sleeping, I’d have gone completely around the bend by now!!

 I go in the bedroom and turn the A/C way down cold, turn the TV on, usually to some western, get myself really bored, (because I’ve seen whatever I’m watching two dozen times) crawl under a comforter, and I doze for a while!!

 

 

[Doc Shapiro]

32 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

If it wasn’t for sleeping, I’d have gone completely around the bend by now!!

 I go in the bedroom and turn the A/C way down cold, turn the TV on, usually to some western, get myself really bored, (because I’ve seen whatever I’m watching two dozen times) crawl under a comforter, and I doze for a while!!

 

 

Naps are glorious.  I foresee at least one in my near future.

[Rip Snorter]

38 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

If it wasn’t for sleeping, I’d have gone completely around the bend by now!!

 I go in the bedroom and turn the A/C way down cold, turn the TV on, usually to some western, get myself really bored, (because I’ve seen whatever I’m watching two dozen times) crawl under a comforter, and I doze for a while!!

 

 

I agree with you on many subjects, and I get my 8 hours every night, but I don't nap unless I am ill.  Plenty or horizontal time later on.

[Blackwater 53393]

1 minute ago, Rip Snorter said:

I agree with you on many subjects, and I get my 8 hours every night, but I don't nap unless I am ill.  Plenty or horizontal time later on.

Never walk when you can ride!

Never stand when you can sit!

Never sit when you can lay down!

DON’T JUST LAY THERE!! GO TO SLEEP!!

 

I’ve ridden or driven over three million miles in trucks and cars and on motorcycles. For work, for pleasure, and just to be riding/driving!  I worked for a race team for fifteen years where I worked a job all day and on the cars  ‘til I fell out.

 

I learned to sleep in any situation, under any conditions, at the drop of a hat, and every time I got the chance!!

 

Still do it!

[Rip Snorter]

2 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Never walk when you can ride!

Never stand when you can sit!

Never sit when you can lay down!

DON’T JUST LAY THERE!! GO TO SLEEP!!

 

I’ve ridden or driven over three million miles in trucks and cars and on motorcycles. For work, for pleasure, and just to be riding/driving!  I worked for a race team for fifteen years where I worked a job all day and on the cars  ‘til I fell out.

 

I learned to sleep in any situation, under any conditions, at the drop of a hat, and every time I got the chance!!

 

Still do it!

Lifestyles!   Let 'er rip!  

[Doc Shapiro]

3am?  Dog has been getting up after 5 all week.  Today, when it's my turn to get up, 3am.  Anyone want a husky/shepherd mix?  Comes with crate, and food bowl.  Today's theme is "more coffee"

[Blackwater 53393]

I’m still not supposed to be spending time sitting up without my foot propped up.  
 

I recently acquired a new to me MEC 600jr MkV for 10ga. I had bought a quick change stand so that I could switch between my Load AlI II and the new MEC.  I also picked up an adjustable charge bar and, yesterday, I got a new primer feed attachment.

 

My oldest grandson helped me put the stand together and set up both presses on their respective plates.  That was a couple weeks ago. He did most of the work. I just supervised.

 

This morning, I woke up around 4:30, thinking about that primer feed attachment and the fifty new 10ga shells I have that needed trimming for use in my old Remington 10.

 

I lounged around and played with the dog until about 9:00 and decided that I could do both jobs without endangering my foot. I unboxed the primer feed and read the instructions, gathered up the few tools, checked to see that everything was there, and set it aside.

 

I took a few minutes and measured out some finished 10ga shells and a couple of empties to get the right length. It took a couple of tries to adjust my shell trimmer to the length I needed and I trimmed those new shells to make 2 7/8” rounds.  ONE TASK COMPLETED!!

 

Now with the table cleaned off, I set about installing the primer feed.  I had to tinker with it a bit, but after carefully disassembling the old parts that are replaced and trial fitting everything a couple of times, I was able to make it fit, operate, and deliver primers reliably.

 

NOT BAD!! If I had powder and shot in the hoppers, I could run me a batch of shells!!

 

If I had me a sandwich and some more iced tea, I’d be a little less GRUMPY!!

 

 

Edited May 17, 2025 by Blackwater 53393

[Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129]

Back from the Rainy B.C. ....

Rained most of every day of the 5 shoot days...

Shooting with wet guns and cold hands make's me Grumpy....

 

Jabez Cowboy 

[Blackwater 53393]

A few weeks ago, my Dillon 750 jammed and I broke the advance ring/cam.  Dillon had the parts to me in two business days, but they arrived the day before my surgery.

 

I’ve managed to do all the stuff that I can do in the reloading room while seated.  I finished up the installation on the MEC and arranged storage for the Load All II, found convenient storage for a new quarter drive socket set, put away a couple of long guns, and set up a container for a batch of 10ga wads.

 

I perched myself on a tall stool and pulled up a video on how to replace the plastic ring on the Dillon.  I had all the tools and parts. Figured, “What the heck!”

 

The video is a little misleading in that he removed some stuff that didn’t have to be removed, but it turned out serendipitous.

 

I got everything off and cleaned up, arranged stuff in groups for reassembly, and found a suitable lube for the ring.  It took me about twice as long as the video, but it didn’t show the reassembly past reinstalling the ring and the platform. (Dillon DOES send the tool to align the platform when you order the ring. They sent two rings too!)

 

The hardest part was reinstalling that itty bitty spring that returns the ring to advance the plate when the press is cycled.  
 

The serendipity came when I went to reassemble the case feed cam. I discovered that the cam that triggers the case to drop had been installed backward from the factory.  I’m kinda new at the Dillon progressives and I was experiencing occasional failure to drop the next case.  I figured while I was messing with it, I’d try to smooth that function out.a little.  After a few cycles and adjusting it between, I decided to turn that cam around and VIOLA!!  It works like it should now!!  I ran a couple dozen cases through and got the powder measure readjusted and it all is way smoother than it ever was before.

 

You’d think that I wouldn’t have much to GRUMP  about now, but now the old case feeder has decided to act up, hesitating and randomly jamming a case!!  I’ll have to wait until I can stand up to check it out and get it running smoothly again!!

 

IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING!!

 

JUST GRUMP ALL TO HELL ‘N’ BACK!!  🙄 😵‍💫

 

 

Edited May 21, 2025 by Blackwater 53393

[Rev Willy Dunkum, SASS # 61027]

Blackwater I've loaded BP on my MEC Jr also but for the 3 1/2" 10 ga shells.  I have a modern spanish double 10 ga with 20" barrels.  Its a howitzer.  I need to tame it down a bit.  Should I keep it at the same setting and just use felt wads? 

 

Now I need to get my hearing tested.  Everyone is asking me "what"?  No one can hear me and I keep turning up the volume.  That gripes me.

[Blackwater 53393]

I probably won’t load Black Powder on the MEC. I shoot in in my brass shells and I build them by hand with the RCBS RCII and CH4D dies. I use an RCBS Auto Prime for them.

 

To lighten up your loads for less recoil AND to conserve components, you can reduce your powder charge by 10% and knock a quarter oz. off of your shot drop.

 

I don’t know what your recipe is, so I really can’t tell you anything more specific.

 

Are ya’ using 3 1/2” shells? You CAN cut ‘em down and use shorter wadding along with the other reductions.  I shoot mostly 2 7/8” shells, (my old Remington won’t take anything longer) and I just finished setting up the MEC to load a batch of new Cheddite shells I bought and shortened for that length.  My plastic shells that have been shot ia few times or with BP get cut to 2 3/4” or 2 5/8” as necessary and roll crimped.

[Blackwater 53393]

34 minutes ago, Rev Willy Dunkum, SASS # 61027 said:

Blackwater I've loaded BP on my MEC Jr also but for the 3 1/2" 10 ga shells.  I have a modern spanish double 10 ga with 20" barrels.  Its a howitzer.  I need to tame it down a bit.  Should I keep it at the same setting and just use felt wads? 

 

Now I need to get my hearing tested.  Everyone is asking me "what"?  No one can hear me and I keep turning up the volume.  That gripes me.

Hey, Rev!! I sent you a PM!

 

Too much info to put in this thread!!

 

As far as the hearing goes, I just got word that my hearing aids are back from the shop where they received a complete warranty overhaul! Good for another three years!!

 

 

[Rip Snorter]

Though I haven't shot black in years, I made a set of scoops with cutdown cartridge cases with heavy copper wire handles.  Just about foolproof for getting the correct volume for full sized cases.

[Blackwater 53393]

15 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

Though I haven't shot black in years, I made a set of scoops with cutdown cartridge cases with heavy copper wire handles.  Just about foolproof for getting the correct volume for full sized cases.

Got a couple of those myself!  They’re handy when I’m reloading my brass shells somewhere besides the gun room!!

 I have a great set of “primitive” reloading tools for just such a scenario.

[Blackwater 53393]

Spent the morning thawing out the middle drawer on our “frost free” refrigerator!!  The repair manual says that the drain is stopped up and the inside back of the unit will have to be removed to clear it.  I’m in no shape to do that right now. 😡

 

Leaving here in a few minutes to go and get my hearing aids and grab a few groceries.

 

It’s now twenty-four hours ‘til I find out whether the surgery worked an if it’s likely that I’ll get to keep my foot!!  I’m kinda’ hoping that it’ll be yes to both!! I received news yesterday that any physical therapy was going to be covered with a minimal copay, so I’m thinking that we can get it to where I’ll manage without having to go any further.

 

Stand by!!

 

 

[Eyesa Horg]

🤞🤞 for a double yes

[Rev Willy Dunkum, SASS # 61027]

Blackwater, sent you a message back.  Tag you're it. 

[Doc Shapiro]

Rained this morning, and of course the roof leaked.  Right around the vent for the master bath.  Roofer will be here tomorrow to fix it, and repair whatever damage there is.  Sheesh, what a mess.

[Blackwater 53393]

It’s a beautiful day outside!  Only going to get to the low 70s F today!

 

It’s a little less than four and a half hours ‘til this cast comes off and we get an idea of what’s going to happen next!!  What I can feel of the foot seems promising. If it doesn’t come unwound somehow, I figure I’ll be headed for some physical therapy.

 

Got my fingers, (the ones that ain’t locked up with arthritis) all crossed!!

[Eyesa Horg]

🤞🤞🙏

Here's some more crossed fingers and a quick prayer.

[Blackwater 53393]

WELL!!  I’m sitting here getting the fifth in a string of casts that I’ve worn.

 

If you read between the lines, that’ll tell you that I ain’t anywhere near being ambulatory!! 😡  The doctor says this one will stay on for three more weeks and then we’ll see how it looks.

 

The X-rays were all good and the bone grafts are taking.  Nothing has shifted and all the screws are still where he put them.  
 

The bad news is that I’ll probably be getting another cast when this one comes off and it’ll be ANOTHER three weeks before I can walk!!

 

SOMEBODY LOAN ME SOME PATIENCE!!  MINE IS ENTIRELY GONE!!  😡😡😡

 

DAMNITALLTOHELLGRUMPGRUMPGRUMP!!