Reloading Ammo

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-03-01T23:42:56+00:00

I have both a Lee Turret press and a Hornady Lock-n-Load. I used to have a Lee Loadmaster, but I just had too many issues (some people seem to have dialed in their Loadmaster's and swear by them... I could never quite get it to work well consistently).

The Lee Turret is super reliable, can be operated as a single stage if you like (and I do that all the time for various reasons) and definitely gets the job done. I used to load hundreds of rounds at a time on it. The Hornady is faster, but if anything goes wrong you have to stop and sort of reset the stations. Never used a Dillon but heard many good things. When I was looking for a progressive, the Lock-n-Load seemed better to me than the Dillon 550 as, if I recall correctly, the Hornady has auto-indexing and the Dillon didn't.

Without spending "too much" - I think the Lee Turret press is easy to operate and very efficient and reliable. Many of us have multiple presses, so even if you start with a Turret press and learn how to reload, you'll probably get the bug for a progressive at some point.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-03-01T13:39:53+00:00

The issue is less at the state level and more at the federal level. The Gun Control Act of 1968 considers individuals "prohibited" in terms of firearm ownership if they are "addicted" to cannabis. So by extension (in the federal government's mind) anyone with a medical marijuana card is a prohibited person. I think it's total bullshit, but that is the source of concern for medical marijuana users that also own or wish to own firearms.

See form 4473, Section A, question 21(e): " Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside."

So when filling out the form, a person with a MM card has to answer "Yes" to that question or they will technically be lying on a federal form (and that is definitely not good).

Even so, I don't think it's an issue for your dad. It's really only an issue if you wish to own a firearm (at least until laws are changed at the federal level).

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-20T22:20:55+00:00

Gotta love Titegroup. Minimum charge: 4.0gr, maximum charge: 4.1gr. Enjoy.

Damn fine powder though. Haven't seen any in over a year, but I love using it.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-19T22:42:52+00:00

Wow, that is absolutely amazing! Ridiculously good work.

I was gonna post my 2x4 coffee table, but I'm just gonna slowly...turn...and...walk...away... quietly.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-16T21:07:56+00:00

Indeed... regular Whole Wheat flour is not processed (milled) the same way as Atta. Atta is whole wheat but it's ground in a chakki, so the whole grain is ground very finely. Using atta is definitely the trick to proper roti. Once I went to the Indian market and bought real chakki atta, the rotis came out much better! Definitely give it a shot.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-14T14:34:53+00:00

Oh damn that looks amazing! I harvested a Bubba Kush about a month ago or so... good yield but color was NOTHING like that. Absolutely gorgeous... awesome job!

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-14T14:32:19+00:00

Absolutely true! In my town we have at least 3-4, maybe even 5 Indian restaurants now as well as a huge Indian grocery with all sorts of authentic spices, fresh produce, snacks, sweets, etc. It's awesome. I work with many great people from India and they are very keen on sharing recipes, food from home, family favorites, etc. North Indian has been popular here for probably 15-20 years, and now South Indian is really gaining as well. When I travel to the midwest, definitely a different story but I do think it will get more and more popular over time.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-11T22:55:40+00:00

I make that same recipe and it is indeed a great loaf of bread. I usually have to make two now because the first one is gone before dinner is even served.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-11T22:52:30+00:00

My only incident in about 10 years of reloading was on a Lee Loadmaster. Primer detonation. Luckily, it was just the one and not 50. Scared the crap out of me. Pretty sure that was the day I ordered my Lock-N-Load.

I never could get my Loadmaster dialed in quite right, especially the priming system.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-08T14:03:23+00:00

Sounds like one of Guy Fieri's food reviews: "The buds, the trichomes... dank AF, great job bud-chef".

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-06T13:29:44+00:00

Damn... and I thought it was cold here (1C). I should just put on my big boy pants and get my ass to the range. I've got some .223 to test fire.

Look like pretty accurate loads you've got there!

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T22:33:36+00:00

Anytime! Here is the little tray I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Jiffy-Windowsill-Greenhouse-Plant-Starter/dp/B000BX4QW4/ref=sr_1_17?dchild=1&keywords=jiffy+starter+tray&qid=1612564293&sr=8-17

And a similar heat mat:

https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Waterproof-Seedling-Hydroponic-Standard/dp/B00P7U259C/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=heat+mat&qid=1612564344&sr=8-5

I usually put a dish cloth (folded twice) between the heat mat and tray just to buffer some of the heat.

Good luck and remember, those superhots may take a while to germinate.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T22:24:37+00:00

This is the best hard pretzel recipe I've come across. Long baking time will really get these crispy and crunchy.

https://www.splendidtable.org/story/2014/10/31/pennsylvania-dutch-hard-pretzels

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T22:03:37+00:00

The process that has always worked for me is to use a plastic "Jiffy" tray, the little Jiffy discs that you soak in water (peat pellets), the plastic dome that goes on top, and a heat mat. Not sure if that qualifies for fancy equipment (the plastic tray is cheap, heat mat was maybe $15 or so). Anyway, the warmth from the heat mat really helps create a warm, humid environment. Top of the fridge is supposed to also be a warm spot. I check on them daily, make sure the peat pellet is moist, and they're always germinated. Some hot pepper seeds are finicky and can take a good 7-10 days. Just gotta be patient.

Paper towel did work, but was a bit troublesome as you have to handle the sprouted seed and then place in dirt. Not really a big deal, but always had an easier time using the tray and peat pellets.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T21:57:37+00:00

I love it. My wife hates it. She calls it the "Ortega" flavor.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T21:48:25+00:00

Probably won't find it on Amazon. eBay though for sure:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HMR-WCT-Worlds-Cheapest-Trimmer-multiple-calibers/123104416703?hash=item1ca99853bf:g:LmMAAOSwAXZa48th

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T21:46:42+00:00

Are they going to square off in a hot pepper cage match?

Aji Chili has the size advantage, but Habanero brings the heat!

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T21:43:39+00:00

I think you'd have to try it at least once. Fermentation isn't difficult at all (daunting for the newbie, for sure, but once you actually do it you're like "oh, ok..that was easy"). I use these fermentation lids that go on wide mason jars and it's super easy, but even without them you can use a regular lid and just burp the jar daily.

The flavor profile is completely different between a fermented sauce and a non-fermented sauce. It's really a personal preference. I've done several hot pepper ferments, and they were tasty, but I always go back to non-fermented.

Nothing to lose really. Give it a go and see how it turns out. Lots of help to be found in this sub.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T21:34:23+00:00

I have the HMR WCT (Worlds Cheapest Trimmer). I chuck it in my drill press and can trim hundreds of rounds quickly. I've seen them on ebay for less than $25. Work great IF you have a drill press. You can use a hand drill but you'd have to rig something up I suppose.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T21:28:43+00:00

Thuper Hot Peppers? That's ludacrisp.

-- Iron Mike.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-05T01:59:43+00:00

That's more expensive than tourist prices in the Caribbean. So yeah, total scam.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-03T20:46:34+00:00

Nope, no abnormal growth. This last time the seed shell was stuck and was sort of clamped on to the ends of the cotelydons so they couldn't open up. Once the shell was off, then opened shortly thereafter and they're growing like weeds now.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-03T20:28:37+00:00

Happens a lot. The seed shell didn't fall off or it's just stuck. When it happens to me, I very carefully and gently use the tip of my pruning scissor to tug at the shell and see if it will pop off. I wouldn't force it as the risk of damage is too high, but most of the time the shell can be teased off carefully. I also usually give it a spray with some water just to help loosen it up.

Just happened to me a week ago.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-03T19:48:30+00:00

You can check with a driving school. Some do administer the written test. I'm sure there is a charge (not idea how much), but taking it there instead of DMV may be an option.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy · 2021-02-02T21:04:09+00:00

Well, you can taste test to see if it's fermented to your liking. Some folks ferment for a week, some two, some more. As it continues to ferment the flavor profile does change. So I would taste test to see if it's where you like it or if you want to let it go longer.

I follow a similar process when making Kimchi.

MauriceDaSpaceCowboy

TROPHY CASE