In fact, the proceeds from that strange looking piece of hardware was the majority of what we sent to the NRA that first year. Naturally, the less informed among us quickly became more informed after that. So have every Tom, Dick and Harry as well as Sally, Sandy and Sara; witness the demand for AR type rifles for the past year or so, and especially since November 8, 2008.
Photo by Larry McMillian
Each year since the first, Bill has delivered one or more upper assemblies or lower receivers for us to auction or raffle. They have contributed mightily to the $23,000 total we have sent to the NRA over the years.
Last year, however, due to extreme short supplies, we received a gift certificate, but it was for an early delivery position for their hot new 6.8 mm SPC Upper Receivers. That turned out to be one of the most desired items at the auction.
About this time, news reached us that DPMS owner Randy Luth had sold his St. Cloud, MN based company to a big conglomerate, Cerberus Capital Management, who also owned Bushmaster and Remington Firearms. Bill warned me it might be the end of DPMS's support for our activity
So, during the SHOT Show in Orlando in January, I went to see Mr. Luth to thank him for his support over the years and tell him how much we'd accomplished. Much to my surprise, he assured me he is still running the company and so long as he is policies remain the same.
This year we'll have something very special, considering the scarcity of ARs, DPMS ARs in particular and especially DPMS 308 Type ARs. We will actually have a genuine DPMS 308 Lower Receiver Assembly to ogle, then bid lustily for until one man among men will win the favor of this maiden and take her away presumably on a honeymoon with Brownells Catalog #4 to shower her with magnificent gifts there from for the rest of their lives together.
I decided to fire form some 243 Ackley Improved cases this weekend from 243 Winchester that began life as LC 64 Military brass. Although it had served well as 243 Winchester when used twenty some years ago, four rounds through the new chamber yielded cracks in necks and gapping holes in the shoulders in a couple. Knowing the solution is a couple winter days of tedious annealing the several hundred cases involved, but hoping to get the rifle in play yet this summer, I called Dennis Ottmar, who has forgotten more about reloading than I'll ever know.
Dennis referred me to an article by
Jim Harris and
Ken Light titled "The Art and Science of Annealing" at:
http://www.6mmbr.com/annealing.html. These guys sound like the types who like to shoot one hole groups half way across the county, and the article confirmed the job isn't any easier than it used to be. But, they do like gadgets and have developed a $350 machine that appears to take much of the drudgery out of the job. See the video clip. Does anyone want to buy one and loan/rent/lease it to me for a couple of days? How about you guys/gals who load .223/5.56 ammo by the bucketful?
There have been enough comments about long range handgun shooting, rock chuck hunting, Ruger 44 Specials, Elmer Keith books, revolvers vs. autos for long range shooting and trajectories as well as politics and availability of ammunition that I'm sure "lying and bragging hour" Saturday evening, June 6, will be lively, indeed. Bring a chair. Oh yes, the evening air gets cool, actually cold. Bring a warm coat...AND A CHAIR.
Will DeRuyter
