Barnes Pneumatic - Daily Briefing Page

Seems to work. It "Autoplays" though. I don't like that - sorry. I'l have to learn how to fix that, so you choose to play it instead. (You can use the little Square Button to the right of the Play button, to stop the play).

In the clip, I took out the dead spaces between shots. The gun is a single shot.

Hope you enjoyed it. I'm relearning the movie stuff for this new computer and format.

Sorry, that range session quickly showed me that I needed to make some adjustments. And then, I never got back here. However; here's some pics for you. This is the 45 Nitro Express which is just about ready to ship.

I'm sorry I forgot yesterday, to thank all of our veterans for their service. Kelly and I very much appreciate your service to our country. God Bless you.

I did get to go shooting Saturday afternoon as well. Jerry came by. We had to do some service work to the molds he casts for all of us. By the time we got to the range, we were loosing light. After setting up, we just turned his truck lights on the targets and shot from the War Wagon for a couple of hours. We had a good shoot and printed some good targets too! I'll grab a couple to show you later with today's pics.

Getting as much done as possible. Some rough spots with pain, but overall, feeling pretty well. Thanks.

Keith (from Miami) was able to drop by and pick up his rifle. We were able to take the War Wagon out for a quick range verification before he headed to the airport.

Hey ... you like the crazy background stories of what makes these come together ...

Well, I dashed out to verify my final work with a quick range session. As things would have it, the mounted scope bell, struck the breech cover as it retracted. Nutz. Well, I'll shim it just a bit. I open the wooden tool box cover, and the container of super-glue had decided, at some point, to leak into the tool tray. Gluing all the tools together, and to the tray. Lovely. ;?) So, I chip free the allen wrench set.

Here's a pic, out the back of the War Wagon, from over it's shooting bench. Fortunately, the 50 yard backer was somewhat more visible than this, but let's say, it was "late dusk".

But, the rifle performed well. I got it sighted in, and all was well. And, that's how ya make a PCP rifle. ;?)

Even got to attend a shoot I was invited to, and deliver the rifle in person. Here's Karl making friends with the beast he ordered from the ledger, way back when. And, how about that ... we're still friends. It can be done. ;?)

I had a nice weekend shoot down south where it was warm! And, back to cold and dreary up here in Md. today.

Changed out my fuel oil tank for the shop (it rusted out if you can believe it) ... and I'm waiting for fuel oil while working with no heat! Burrr. Cold nose and aching hip!

Just a note. My e-mail is fouled up. Reason unknown. Near as I can tell, it's with the ISP. We'll get it sorted out. If you've tried to contact me yesterday or today ... I didn't get it. Just hold the mail and resend in as soon as they sort it out. I've done all the checking on my end, and notified the ISP. No reponse (which tells me they are having trouble).

I've been feeling somwhat better, and burning alot of hours. Let's see ... one of the things was ... a 45/08 light hunting rifle format ... (Louis)

I rolled out the War Wagon right before dark the other evening. Just enough light to get a couple of chrono readings and proof the bullet/power/accuracy.

It shot the 290 grain Bishop @ 814 fps for 427fpe. That's over spec. Let's see ... that was @ 3,000-3,100 psi I think.

These are the first out of the box numbers. I've not tuned a thing. Hey - I must have done this before!!

Shot just fine too. That's with a 4X shop shotgun scope slapped on the rail. The holes look "smeared" because the backer was shot up, and provided lousy support for the tag board overlay. It had to compress the paper before punching it - thus the double smear look.

Never to be trusted with a sharpie in my pocket ... this dragon appeared. I just guesstimated the aim spot as the "ball" at the left.

Fired off three @ 50 yards with the 4X scope. (Hey ... ya can't see very well with 4X!!) I better spring for a couple of new shop scopes.

I also have a couple that are so close they hurt. The 100 fpe Delta Ranger (Brown), and the Stainless Appaloosa (Groot). If your name isn't here, it's not lost. I'm keeping the lights on, working every hour I can, and making sure I never enjoy anything. I've made a committment to stay miserible until every ledger order is shipped. ;?)

I ran across these pics while working the site. I've had a couple of e-mail conversations with a friend regarding carving. Thought I'd post these pistol grip pics again.

Well, that was two years ago. I should've known not to post anything that resembled me enjoying anything.

I try to keep the site here, as something you might enjoy reading when you sit down from your day. I don't think you want to hear an endless string of whining. Don't think you want pics of me leaning on my cane. Maybe sorting thru eight prescription bottles. Maybe a shot of me in one of the little hospital robes with the back ou..... No? O.K. Just checking. ;?)

So ... we move on. I get the epidural injections as often as the medical establishment will allow them to pump my spinal canal full of steroids, without killing the surrounding bone. I eat the pain pills and go back to work.

A reminder. I've never gotten a "tip" from any account. I get the cost, to the penny, and when that's come in a few dollars at a time ... I'm done. It's paid for. I hold the price. Now, if it's not done then (and yes ... it's not) ... then I'm on my own. The living expenses are mine. The medical expenses are mine. No tips. Therefore; if anybody worried I was getting rich ... add on another year or two of living expenses and medical bills to the equation - starting with the same money ;?)

So, now ... would anybody like to see what the hands will still do, once the pain has been beaten back for a time ...

I thought it wouldn't hurt for me to revisit a nice memory form a couple of my visits there. Hope you enjoy seeing the pics again.

Well, I could use some of this again. An evening around the fire after having decided to give all the deer a break in the woods for the day. ;?)

My host, and one of the 4WD electric buggies in which we rode the logging trails. Note ... we were heavily armed!

One of the ponds my host dug on his property. How's 30' deep sound to get you thru dry weather.

Tomorrow, I go get Epidural Injections again. The second set in this series. Oh Joy.

So - I decided to treat myself to some more range time this evening. I rolled the war wagon out about 6:30 pm.

Thought I'd try some longer ranges with this 58 Hornet Slug. I shot one out there to get an idea of the placement. Tossed up a target and shot a group. I misjudged my exact placement on the target ... but how's that for 3 slugs at 80 yards ... with a 4 power scope yet!

Sure ... I knew you'd demand 100 yards ... Here's the prepared target face when I moved the backer from 80 to 100 yards ....

And I went back to the trailer/bench and printed these 5 on it. Lots of enjoyable walking to a range session.

The 4X is getting hard to see at 100 yards. That top hole is just an eye-lash difference in hold on 4X. Yeah - if I'm gonna take this hunting rifle and shoot target, I need more glass.

Yes ... I'm pretty pleased with that. For laying the gun across a bag with a 4X scope ... hehe. Not too shabby.

When I leave the range as dusk approaches ... I expect to see deer. (Middle of the pic). Hummmm ... 'bout 100 yards I'd say ..... ;?)

Well, the trailer set-up is letting me go to the range more often. That's great fun.

I decided to go shooting this late afternoon. I towed the "War Wagon" over to the range field. I've made a few changable additions in order to use this box trailer as a mobile range platform. Helps alot with all the dragging around of materials.

I was going back to the shop for another cycle last night. I walked out of the house .... and into another world!

Look at that sky!! Full moon behind quilted clouds .... stunning. Who can doubt there's a God when confronted by the evidence.

Jim wasn't gonna keep his group. He thought he'd missed #4 badly, so didn't concentrate on shot 5 (bottom left). Well ...

Jim located a fine Delta 45. He brought it by the shop to check it out before putting it in the field. Jim bought a "new old stock" Tasco side wheeler for it. That's just the way I had it set up for SS3, when this rifle was used in the competition shooting.

The 235 grain Shrike was developed for this gun. I found that I had some on hand, and the rifle it right up to (and actually over) spec. from my shop manuals. It's set up to give 5 level shots off of it's internal reservoir.

It only takes a very few images from that day, to drive straight into my soul, and revive a host of emotion. Mostly, I realize the unhealing gap left by the sudden removal of loved ones, so cowardly removed from us.

My utmost thanks go out to the tens of thousands of focused individuals who have worked together, to prevent any additional attack on our soil in the seven years since 9/11/01. We would never have believed that it could be possible to prevent additional loss on our soil - to such a 100% success. God Bless all involved in our daily safety.

I survived. ;?) Yet another experience straight out of the Inquisition. Tied to a rack, head in a hole. Driving spikes into my spine while asking to tell them where exactly it hurt. As I muttered my muted responses thru clinched and grinding teeth, an accomplice would translate to the one twisting the spikes. He'd then twist and shove them alittle deeper. Just as I was expiring from the endless ordeal, he'd inject some concoction of fire and I'd flop like a fish on a beach.

Then, it was over once again. The gristly implements were withdrawn, and my near lifeless body was rolled onto a cart. I swear I heard a voice calling ... "bring out 'yer dead" in the distance.

"Other than that" ... it was successful. I was pain free this am. I've been working all day, and it began hurting again, so I'm taking a break and recharging with some meds. I'm trying to cut the meds way back, in an effort to lessen their effects. A little game we play - the pains, the drugs, and me. ;?)

That stainless Appaloosa 25 for Groot, and the moderated 32 Ranger Delta 100 fpe for Brown, each are within 40-50 hours of finish. However; I have to go back and bring up the Drewke 45 Nitro, and the Overmyer Hoss 45. If you're not here, you are in good company. And, I'm fully aware that I'm a worthless slug.

The day has arrived for me to get the epidural injections I've been waiting for. The plan is for the injections to calm the pinched nerves in my spinal column, and allow me to get off of some of these pain killer meds. The meds tend to cause dizziness and fatigue ... neither one is a big help in a machine shop! haha. ;?)

I've been working every day, but these injections will definitely make the days less painful.

I recvd. some new pics from customers who were shooting recently. I love to share these with you.

I hope that you and Kelly had a great weekend. I got a chance to go to the range, on Saturday, with the Hoss .45. What a nice afternoon!

Enclosed you will find some pictures from the range session; The first and second photo shows the Hoss pistol for those that haven’t see it or those who don’t remember how it looks.

Usually I shoot the Hoss from a tripod on the rifle range. This time the rifle range was closed and I had to move to the pistol range. Here the most distant that you can place a target is at 25 yds. So it was time to try some standing shots. Since I was on the pistol range, nobody was resting their pistols to shoot. To warm up, I started shooting at 15 yards, although you can only see 7 holes on that target, actually there are 10 shots. Then I moved to 25 yards, again standing off, there are 12 shots on that target. On the next few targets I shot five shots per target at 25 yds. On the last target I did something different, I rested the Hoss on the tripod and disconnected the Hoss from the regulator. Here I shot 4 shots from the reservoir.

I had a great time! I’m the proud owner of a magnificent piece of art, which also shoots round balls at 740 fps and is deadly accurate.

Julio told me that Saturday, he also did some deep sea fishing with some friends. They were about 2 miles off-shore, and he took this sunset pic. That sounds like a fine Saturday indeed! ;?)

Julio is in Puerto Rico. One of his Barnes PCPs is the "Hoss". A 45 caliber pistol of + 200 fpe which I made 6 or 7 years ago. I'm pleased to see it out at the range.

Here, Julio has the Hoss tethered to a carbon fiber tank. Makes for some nice easy shooting.

This is a style of holding a large pistol that I developed some years back. Julio finds that it works well for him too.

The targets certainly show that it's a good technique and provides for a steady aim. I know that I didn't get all the narrative and targets matched. You can see that Julio (and the pistol) are doing very well. ;?)

Jerry has been been improving his bench shooting set up. You see a great long range mil-dot scope with internal level. You note that he'd also set it up with a bi-pod. It's looking very serious.

And, a bit later, he shot this one! Excellent 5 shots @ 43 yards with the Prairie 3 (on low power).

And, he says it shoots like a laser off the bench at home. He can't wait to get it out in the open range for distance. At home, his solid backer is 43 yards from the house.

Thanks very much for sending in your pictures. I love to share them. Love to see the guns in the field.

This was a quick post (about 90 minutes) ... hope I picked the best of the pics.

This Scout 45 was in the shop for a tune-up. I decided to take it to the range to unwind a bit.

It was doing nicely with these light weight 45 slugs from about 10 years ago when ...

I quickly retrieved a target frame I had out in the field, and the machine baled the wind row which when by my truck. As he rounded the corner, the beast disgorged this mammoth bale of hay. Hummmm ...

And, I want to share a pic of our brand new grandson ... Nathan. He's about 2-3 months, and he's gonna be a big boy. Folks says he looks like me! (Except he has more hair! .. ;?)

After my commitments for the day, I decided to go spend an hour or two shooting. I'd cast some slugs from one of my shop molds, and it was a beautiful late afternoon.

The field to the left there, is planted in quality hay. I couldn't go driving or stomping around in there, so I set up here on the shoulder of this dirt road. There was a convenient "tractor tire" scar in the field, where I could walk in a big arc, and end up about 50ish yards out. That's perfect. I went out and posted a sheet of poster board, and drew a circle.

I came back and got ready to shoot. Just bagged the rifle on the truck tailgate, and sat on that little step ladder. The evening was really nice, and I felt relaxed for the first time in awhile. The pain was turned down, and the afternoon had been good. I line up with a shop gun shooting a 469 grain 58 caliber Barnes slug. Steady ..... squeeze ... BANG!

And .... I don't see a hole. Last I'd shot, I'd shot some round ball. The 4X Simmons shotgun scope was about on. I figured the slug should be close. I studied the image in the scope. Wow ... I can't understand how I missed the whol..... wait .... when I drew that circle .... I didn't draw a dot in the middle .... ;?)

I walked back and got two more slugs ready. As you may know, consistency is what brings about accuracy. So, interrupting a group by strolling out 53 yards, taking a pic, and walking back between shots isn't to be recommended. But ... I settled back in and it felt about right. I shot #2, and ... hummm, I think that spot just got bigger. I shot #3, and I still didn't see anything in the 4X scope, except the one hole.

Here's a backer I made to take to the field for posting paper. Here's the 3 shot group.

I walked back, and settled in for two more shots. No other hole appeared in the scope! So, I figured the bullets were not coming out of the barrel, or I was missing the whole backer. haha. ;?)

And I found two more slugs overlaid. I'd shot out the numeral 3, and took out the paper at 1o'clock in the bull.

Here's an altered exposure so you can see the trace lead smear rings where they hit.

Well, that was fun. With the walking and pics, that was a slow group! haha. But, worth recording.

The link from down below was broken. I'm sorry. A couple of you told me and I was too swamped to fix it. Here it is again, and it's fixed below too.

I may never get it right ... good Heavens! "Shoot Off - Shoot Out" ... I just can't get it right .... let's try again.

Let me mention an FYI while I'm here please: Maybe you'll want to get a cup of coffee ;?)

I really try to balance what I show you here. When I've been really busy, or dealing with things, I haven't posted as much. I found that depressed readers, because they wondered if things were getting done. I find that when I post pics, and don't label the project (customer name), I get mail asking who it's for, is it mine? That sort of thing. If I do post pics, and label them, I get alot of mail wondering if perhaps they've been pushed back or accidentally overlooked. It's a very tricky balance to achieve. I wish each post would portray what each reader would like to see, but it can't. I can assure you that nobody's project is lost.

I speak of "the pipeline", and that's literally 50 guns that are in various stages of progress. I know that the classic image might be more of one long gun on a beautiful solid wood work bench, beautifully polished tools, soft leather apron, warm light thru a multi-pane window. Classic white haired craftsman with rimless glasses, carving microscopic steel chips from the receiver of a nearly complete, engraved rifle. ;) Well, I have the thin grey hair, wire rim glasses, and white beard right! And the old leather apron too. Alot of my tools are handmade - but I don't take the time away from "your project", to make turned rosewood and brass handles for them. haha. And, the one "perpetually 99.8% complete" gun in the wood screw vise, doesn't happen. ;?)

The gun projects are in hundreds of parts, all over the shop. They are in paper tubes to protect finishes. They are in upright closets to keep the shop dirt off of them. They are in bins - labeled with project names. They are in bins and racks without names; because they are inventory bins. The bins are not walnut, nor dovetailed I fear; but the parts within them are each extremely well made.

I have to do as much as I can, in the way of "multiplying my efforts". I have to make several of an item which will be used in many different formats. I have to make barrels together, in groups. I have to sand and polish great numbers of parts together, in order that a huge number of parts can go into the bluing tanks together. I have to set up the shop differently to do woodworking. So I do multiple units, whenever possible. I don't have the luxury of infinite floor space, so I do the best with what I have. These things, and a hundred more, make it impossible to just work on one project only. I know that's the standard classic impression. The linear flow. One guy is in front of another guy. The line, where each guy at the front is being handed his rifle.

Think of this. Over a period of ... say 30 months, I get five guys who all ordered Yukon rifles. They've paid along on their contracts for awhile. Now, would it make sense to take out, use, and then put away; the tooling to make each part of each of these five similar guns? That would probably double the build time for each. And push everybody else on the ledger backwards. Or would it be logical, realizing that I now have five orders for similar guns, to make ... say 6 of each part, while the tooling was out and set up for those parts? The shop even gains some parts as well, if I do this. I'll either replace a lost problem part with the extra unit, or it will go into inventory. Now, once I get these groups of parts to say ... 80% of the required build, then I can branch off and go pick up the first guy - and spend the additional weeks of work to bring that 80% of loose parts, into 100% of a completed rifle ... and then test it to 110%, and ship it out.

And, this is the way it goes. Somewhat against the typical vision I guess. Hardly a factory effort. And the products show a vast choice of designs. Yet; it's not the true linear progression of one gun from start to finish. So; when you see a group of yet another batch of five guns, you might wonder where the last batch went. Well, most likely (for example the last batch of 5 you saw ... were at maybe 10-15% build) ... the last batch might now be in those bins and closets, at 35%. Another group will be somewhere at 50%+. It goes like that. And now, I am breaking off singles and finishing things. That's the fun part.

That little 25 you saw, was at ... maybe 70%, but just assembled and taken to the range anyway. Usually, parts of that completion stage won't be assembled at all. They'll just keep moving down the pipeline, until each individual part is at it's 100%.

Of course, the pipeline doesn't move the parts from station to station, each with it's own individual white haired craftsman. I'm the only guy here, and "I move" from station to station. Actually, I clear a spot - and create the next station wherever I can. haha. ;?)

The final thing is, the state of my chronic pain isn't linear. So - I really don't know how often it is gonna sandbag me in a week. How often I'll need to do some pain maintenance. Talking about it is a hard balance to strike too. Too light, and it's easy for a reader to think I just need an aspirin or something. Too heavy, and I might give the impression that I'm on my last leg. haha. (I'm not). I do find that it's difficult for readers to get an idea of the "reality" of this sort of pain, so long as I can sit here and type rational thought. That's somewhat masks then reality. When this sort of pain breaks thru, it stops you where you are. So, it's a balance of meds and injections to keep the beast in it's cage. We do pretty well. But, if I mention that I've fought alot of pain this week, it means that I did alot of work to meet my obligations, when I really needed to be sitting down and resting somewhere instead. We're all moving along together. The work is getting done.

Hope this coffee break helps everybody understand a little bit more about what you see here, and how I work. And how one guy produces everything you see on the site here. It's alot of work. Most of the glitter doesn't show until very late in the game.

Thanks for the e-mail and comments regarding the back pain issue. I finally heard back from my pain Doc’s office up here. I’d been waiting for him to get back from vacation. They re-opened Monday, and I’m sure they were swamped with people like me … in serious pain … at a pain clinic … imagine!!

I was able to get an appointment for epidural injections in two and a half weeks. I guess that’s relatively immediate in the scheme of things. Can’t say sooner wouldn’t have been nice, but I understand "busy".

I’ve been slogging through this extreme afternoon/evening pain for a couple of weeks now already. Eating all the pills I can, within the limitations of my instructions. I’m also scheduled for another series of epidural injections two weeks after the first. So, September is going to be a real joy. ;) Be kind. haha.

Just FYI

Gary

I had a chance to go shooting Saturday. It worked out that 3 friends/customers were able to join me. One from Connecticut, one from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and one from Towson, Md. We had a great day. Used the whole thing too! We were all beat by the time we packed it up.

We went to my buddy Tom's farm. Beautiful day, but we soon needed shade. That's Bill F. at the lower bench - shooting Jerry's Prairie III @ the 100 yard backer.

Here he's contemplating which wooden "critter" target he's going to lay to waste with his 45 Scout!

Jerry had both his Woodsman with the 32 caliber insert and his 32 Prairie III (this pic).

Another group of Jerry's. Not sure if this was the Woodsman 32 or the Prairie 32.

I had Kelly's unfinished High Plains Carbine in 25 caliber. It's stayed unfinished so nobody sweet talks us out of it! haha. That's a used walnut forestock off the original Chaparral 25 pistol (was later changed and this one hit the shelf. Hummm ... that fits. The back stock is figured mahogany (yeah - they'll match eventually) and the back stock is raw/rough wood. The steel is raw too. But this little 25 will shoot! It has a few prototype features on an old school frame.

It cracks out a Diana Magnum pellet (20 grn. I think) @ 1314 fps. How's that for you
"Velocity Hounds!" haha. ;?)

Boy, you talk about a Supersonic Crack! It resounded off the surrounding hills. Sounded like a high power rifle!

But ... the real reason for this rifle is Barnes Slugs, of course. It's a great test bed for the 25 Pellets that we went public with via

They cast slugs from Barnes Molds. The current offering of 25's are from approx 57 grains thru 84.6 grains. You have to have a stout 25 to handle them. If you do, they will dramatically raise the energy potential of your PCP rifle. They also have Barnes 45 molds and can fix you up with .308s (from a commercial mold) as well. They're good guys. Give them a try.

Kelly's High Plains Carbine 25 shoots the 84.6 grain Barnes 9 ring slug @ 886.6 fps for 147.7 Foot Pounds of muzzle energy!

Here's a trophy group I shot yesterday with the 25 Carbine and it's 84.6 grain 25 caliber Barnes Slugs.

Those 25's were tearing up lumber yesterday. That's 2 by 6 framing lumber. Look at the destruction ... and knots didn't stop it either!

Bill F. arranged during the week to stop in, and found us over at the range. He slid in under the 25 and shot this group. He warmed up with some 6 rings, and we switched him to the 9 rings. I mentioned that they'd hit about the same place - but he started by aiming high @ 50 yards .... and hitting high @ 50 yards. hehehe. ;?) He corrected his aim and finished the group. We all wished he'd have started again on a new target ... but this way you get a story with the pic! The slugs/barrel/gun just plain SHOOTS.

Jim was on the mark with his Scout 45 too. He's got that laser guided Leupold glass on there too ;?) so ... it's pretty deadly!

Even though it's a "front stuffer", and groups involve some real work being done. ;?)

We had a great day. It was wonderful to get out of the shop and spend time with some buds.

Here ya go my friend. (I was asked to find this pic for someone) .177 Ranger FTS circa 1997.

Hello - thanks for reading. I have another report from a Barnes owner. You recall Julio (from Puerto Rico). He sent in this fine account:

Last Sunday I went to the range to do some shooting with the Yukon II. My plan was to do some target shooting, to test a new scope that I mounted on the Yukon, and to compare the results with the other results obtained using the 4X scope. This new scope is a Bushnell 6-24x40mm Elite 4200 series, so it’s supposed to be good. I know that is not a fair comparison, but what I was trying to find out is if the new groups using this expensive scope justify the expense.

After zeroing the scope at 50 yds., I noticed that at 110 yds someone had hung four bean cans, at different heights, along the 110 yard line. It was very tempting and I decided to give it a try. Aiming a few inches higher, bam! There goes the first shot and it was a direct hit on the lower edge. You should have seen the can swinging like crazy from one side to the other. After a few hits to the different cans while they were still, I decided to shoot a second shot to a can that was swinging. This was the real fun, the timing needs to be perfect and after a few missed shots I got the trick, and started to hit the same can on two consecutive shots (the second while the can still moving).

Now, having hit two shots in a row on the same can, the next thing, obviously would be trying to hit it three times (easier said than done). I did it at least two times. Here the issue is to reload, cock the rifle and acquire the target as fast as possible and this gives some additional difficulty to this drill.

The most important thing is that I had a lot of fun, and also the feeling of accomplishment. At the end, my conclusion on the new scope is that shooting further than 50 yds., this new scope has the edge. If that is reason enough to buy it? Don’t know yet, I need to test it further and I will report the results later.

I wrote back and told Julio that I was glad I wasn't competing against him! haha. ;?) That's some mighty fine shooting!

This got me thinking ... do you remember the great shooting contest that took place at Standing Stone 3? Here's the link. I just re-read it the other day. The rifle, the Delta 45, was recently re-sold, unfortunately as a result of the previous owner's passing. I recalled the fact that I'd made the rifle for myself to use during a Fall Boar Hunt. Afterwards, our friend Roy had purchased it, and enjoyed owning it for some years. We're very sorry for his passing. His estate placed his guns on the market, and here's another part of the Delta 45's Legacy.

BTW ... I understand the estate also has a ledger entry unfinished Appaloosa slot for sale. Check American Airgun's classified pages.

One more issue I need to address. I might as well do it while I sit here waiting for some pain pills to kick in. I'm waiting for my pain Doc up here in Maryland, to return from vacation. Then I can get the epidural injections I very much need. My hip/leg have been killing me for the last week/10 days. It's time again. The pills are not handling the chronic pain. And, of course ... I'd pick his vacation break ... ;?)

The topic is this: Previously owned Barnes guns. Here's a short run thru of the subject....

Some folks see my work and my person, as nearly inseparable. They enjoy the work, and have enjoyed becoming friends as well. Those people stay in touch. When they stay in touch, their guns stay in touch. I know what the guns are doing ... what condition they are in. They also send in some data and pics from time to time, to share on the website.

Other folks see me as a vending machine. The "Carbon Unit" they have to go thru in order to purchase the gun they want. When I ship the gun, I never hear from them again. I don't know any more about them, I have no idea of the condition of the gun I labored to make and proof.

Those are the extremes, of course. And, some combinations exist ... closer to one extreme or the other. To the degree that people stay in touch, and share their guns here on the site; I know a lot, or a little about their guns. Some only resurface when they want to re-sell their guns. This poses a problem. If I have known nothing of them or their guns for ... say ... the last 8-12 years, then I know nothing of the condition of the guns. If I become involved in re-selling them (by pointing potential buyers their way) .. then I am (by inserting myself) "vouching for" the gun of unknown condition. I can't do that.

If someone wants to actually involve me to "broker" their gun (meaning I go over it for a fee, and I am offered a commission for making a sale), then I have an opportunity to learn of the gun's condition, and I am paid for my time and efforts. I'm sure you can see that I don't "owe" a nice painless resale profit, and ready buyer for every gun I've made in my career. Wouldn't that be nice. I have a few things I've bought thru the years that I'd like to immediately resell for a tidy profit too ... humm. ;?)

Another issue comes up occasionally. I get the e-mail telling me that "so and so" has a gun or two of mine for sale. Says they are "AS NEW". Wonderful. Only, I've seen the guns in years prior ... and they were NOT in "as new condition" then. I doubt they've improved much in the year's since. AND ... I just happen to have another gun I built, back in my shop ... being refinished for the new buyer ... who purchased it advertised in "AS NEW CONDITION" from the same seller. So .... Houston, we have a problem. The newly interested party in the e-mail, wants me to be excited about his "exceptional find". I don't really care to become involved between a "he said, she said" story. AND ... I surely don't want to have the newly interested party calling ME a week later, when his "AS NEW" gun shows up all scratched and rusty. ;?(

So; as I've said since 1974 in business .... "If you care to be a friend, and stay in touch, I will know about your Barnes products, my readers will know about them, and you'll have an easy re-sale market at some point when you may want it." My readers will have seen the gun, in use, and know it's condition. They will have been introduced to you, and they'll know the specs. on the rifle. Will have seen the targets printed by it. Matching up someone who's always wanted it, would not be too hard.

However: If you see me as a vending machine that drops a gun, and you then disappear with it for ten years; there's nothing I can do for you, except start at the beginning again when you re-surface (with something fair for my time and efforts).

Now ... this doesn't mean that all guns being resold are suspect. I'm explaining the reasons why "I" may not be involved in finding them all a new home. If buyers match up with previously owned Barnes guns, in good condition; then I'm always very pleased to meet the new owners (and help them with their needs).

I got a nice mail from Mike R. this morning. Mike purchased the Southwest Scout, you recall, when we did the auction to help our buddy John, with his medical issues. His generous offer was much appreciated by John and his family.

This target caught two groups. Boy - those bullets were flying straight. Notice the holes look like they were drilled! ;?)

I was shooting the custom cast bullets (Raptor 221 grain), I
> received, and they shoot very well. Here are a couple groups. My
> first group shows that I was struggling to get comfortable. I had
> a much better rhythm on the second group.
>

Mike tried these Barnes Raptors from Surefire Casting. Remember, Mike's Scout is muzzle loaded. That changes the whole nature of shooting groups. Each group is interrupted by standing, loading, and getting reseated and settled to take the next shot.

A variety of old school orders. Lots of steel, lots of single point lathe threading.

During all the computer troubles of the past couple of months, I'm afraid I got used to not posting as much. I apologize. I'll try to do better on that count.

I have some pics for you here, of some of the things I've been doing. I know everyone always likes the work done on stocks, so here's some pics pulled from the last month ...

I profiled this Appaloosa stock (going to Holland) from a nice plank of figured mahogany.

Afterwards, I sliced off the side, so there would not be as much to plane to thickness. (And, it will give me a nifty pattern for next time - better than the old brown paper one!) ;?)

The blank is clamped up in the milling maching to begin matching the action for inletting. I'm removing bulk waste here.

And, quite a few operations later, we have a great fit of this action to the stock blank. You can see that there's some fine figure to the wood. The finish process, and then a couple of years of age, and this stock will simply "glow" with rich color. Every one of these mahogany stock I've seen later on, amazes me with it's richness. Everyone who sees them also tells me that the pics just can't do them justice.

On the other side of the coin, there's been alot of activity/need on the ongoing estate mess I was court ordered to manage for my late parents. In addition, Kelly faces alot of responsibility regarding the care of her elderly parents.

We're healthy though. The regiment of medications I take do a very good job for me. They're expensive. Our small business insurance doesn't cover everything. But, they work. If you've wandered in and are not familiar with this topic; I have 4 bad discs in my lower back. They pinch the nerves and cause chronic pain. However; I'm finding patterns to deal with it. Took time to find, but it's helping alot.

Just wanted you to know that I'm on the new laptop. It's great so far. I can get up and walk around in here! haha.

My e-mail is normal again. I've been taking care of business from a couple of different accounts during the switch over. Just telling you that all's up and running. Everything functional. Work is progressing.

That polished Stainless Appaloosa action is really sweet! Shoots great. Great trigger! I'll get pics asap. With everything that's been going on, I'm trying to burn some shop hours.

I got the BEST e-mail from Julio this morning. He shoots his Yukon 2 in Puerto Rico.

Yesterday I went to the range to do some shooting with the Yukon II. It was funny because when I arrived there was this guy shooting with a Colt 45 some targets that he had made. The targets consisted of 5 and 10 pounds iron disks weights. Like the ones used for free weight lifting. So this guy welded an iron cap in the center to tap the hole and also welded a base so the disk will stand still and painted them in white color. Also he built some stands in order for him to place the iron disks at different distances and different heights.

The way he set his range was 8 iron weights placed between 10 and 20 meters at 3 ½ or 4 feet of height. The funny thing is that when I arrived and started unloading my stuff, the guy saw the carbon fiber air tank and started making jokes on me, asking if I was going to scuba dive. I saw him shooting for a while and after 2 clips, aprox. 16 bullets he only tripped two iron disks. He was shooting at the larger ones, the 10 pounders. When he hit them the disk just dropped to the front of the base, I was expecting more from a 45.

I took the Yukon out of the rifle case and the guy stopped shooting and started asking the usual questions, you get the idea. I showed the 450 grains slug to the guy and he was impressed with the size and weight of the bullet. I asked him for permission to shoot at one of his targets; he told me that it was ok to shoot. I selected the further 5 pounds disk at about 20 meters. Also I aimed at the base of the disk trying to create a better target reaction. And BAM!, the 5 pound disk flew 1 to 2 feet into the air and flipping like a quarter then it dropped 2 feet behind the stand. I asked for another shot and he told me to shoot the 10 pound disk. It was standing at maybe 18 meters, BAM! The 10 pound disk jumped from the stand and flipped twice before dropping behind the stand.

I told the guy to place one disk at 50 meters and the other at 100 meters. Yes, two for two, the rifle was zeroed at 50 yds. The first shot was an easy shot, on the second at 100 meters I did some guessing with the compensation and the disk dropped with authority. Lucky I guess.

The guy was impressed with the power and accuracy of the Yukon. The curious thing is that the center iron cap welded on the disks broke and flew away on every disk that was shot with the Yukon II. That is a testament of the energy transferred to them on every shot.

I won't respond to this e-mail program for a couple of days. I'm having a new hard drive installed, and the data restored on this, the laptop I mostly use for business. Timing depends upon the tech.

I'll check e-mail, remotely, from another PC. But I hate to answer from there and have my response record chopped up in various places. Yeah, I can forward a cc to this account, but then it's not in the sent mail, etc., etc. Thanks, I'll figure it out. It will just be a couple of days ...

A sincere thanks goes out to our military. This is a great country. I'm aware of the multitude of blessings we have. Life in 21st century USA is simply magic stacked upon heaps of magic. Most of what I count upon, I don't begin to understand. But, I believe it's there, and it works.

Remembered that I'd neglected to show you the Stainless Appaloosa action that I'm finishing up.

I'll probably get the action shooting today. It's been here pressurized for some time.

I got to go shooting yesterday, with a couple of buds. I have a bunch of pics pulled here, that I hope you will enjoy.

I'll be back later to post the pics and narrative. Got some errands to run, and I've been hours already, preparing the pics.

This post features a couple of different weekend shoots. Jerry was able to join me once, when Jim could not. Jerry, Jim, and I ... are the core group comprising the "Barnes Rich Snob Society" (New Windsor chapter) ... haha ;?) Footnote: My customers (the ones that were disciplined enough to take advantage of buying my guns for a few dollars a day via my ledger) used to be pegged as "Rich Snobs". So; we just "embraced the misconception - and smiled while we shot our guns". ;?)

Here Jerry and I enjoy a steak and egg breakfast on the patio prior to shooting. Ahhh ... we wondered what the "little people" were doing that morning .... hahah ... ;?)

Last weekend, Jim and Jerry set up at the range. Great day with ALOT of shooting!

Some of the equipment we take along and set up. A nice spotting scope, couple of nice shooting benches, couple of fine digital cameras, and endless sand bags.

Jim got the Scout 45 muzzle loader after this fella. This is Jim's Scout that he bought on the internet classified. Shooting here with Round ball. 5 at 50 yards. Come to mention it ... Jim ALSO bought his Alpine 45 off the net classified.

Jim and I had both had our fill of computers last week! I quickly drew a couple of "laptop" computers for targets! Jim put the hurt'in on this one with five muzzle loaded Bishops.

Remember: Anyone shooting a muzzle loader has a "routine" of fill, load, reacquire their shooting position ... to go through. So - any "group" is an interrupted group - for sure.

Jim did some spotting for Jerry. Jerry was shooting 100 yard groups with his Prairie 3. Exploring settings of the power adjust, and various slugs.

Great Shooting Jerry. That's a trophy group - you bet. I'm gonna bet that's .35-.37" c/c or darned close to it.

Couple of BTW notes: Jim's shooting his Alpine ... it's making something around 530 foot pounds of energy, and shooting this accurately with one of my little Simmons 4X shotgun scopes stuck on there. Jim's Leupold is in a box in my shop (waiting for a custom - long range "drop adjust" scope rail. I mention this to show you that accuracy and power can be found combined.

Jerry is shooting his Prairie 3 at about 250 fpe with his 177 grain Totem Pole Barnes slugs. There's a 215 Barnes torpedo slug, which gives him over 280 fpe at 3,200 psi ... but the gun likes the Totem Poles better. Some of his groups were shot with various Barnes slugs in the 115 grain range.

BTW ... Jerry manages Surefire Casting. They make slugs for my customers and also offer some of my slugs for commercial use. I made 45 Raptor molds and sizing dies for them (Raptors have a 10+ year record of superb accuracy). Jerry and his sons also offer a version of heavy 25 caliber slugs for some of the hotter 25 caliber commercial guns. They've been noted to do well in the Condor modifications, and some Korean guns with the choke removed from their commercial barrels. We're talking serious 25 slugs. If you have a commercial 25 or 45, give them a shout @ jboyenga@md.metrocast.net

Oh .... in addition to the BTWs ... you don't see me shooting a rifle. There's a reason for that. I'm making yours and I don't have one.

Saturday, we placed targets @ 50 and 100 yards. Fortunately, this hay field had just be cut - so we had access again briefly.

The sun tracks across our FOV. A bit longer sunshade was in order. You see here, a Barnes Custom sunshade!

The previous session, we didn't have access to the field, so we based ourselves off in the brush/weeds of the farm road shoulder. We'll shoot where we can. ;)

My wife Kelly dropped by with coffee and an ice-cream bar, in the afternoon. She casually sat her coffee on the hood of her van. I smiled and laughed. She said ... "What?" .... haha. I've always said ... she lives in a "different world" than I do. hehe. God love her - she should have good luck for putting up with me. ;?)

Speaking of rats .... hehe ... I drew up some "rat" targets for the guys. Here, Jerry landed a nice three shot 100 yd. group on one of the vermin (Pic is a section of his back behind the head).

Examining the back of the 100 yard backer ... 3/4" treated plywood. Note the way the 32 slugs blast thru @ 100 yards.

That got us thinking of a grand finale. I drew up some targets and we stuck them on the backer that we'd already carried in from 100 yds, and dropped at about 30 yds.

We turned Jerry's Prairie 3 Magnum down to low power. At such, it was nearly silent. Just perking along at between 90 and 100 fpe. It was like shooting a nice FT gun.

We had a fine day. And then, a storm blew up in a jiffy. We got to tear down everything as the storm gathered and blew. Jim literally caught the leg of the canopy as it lifted off. He was nearly in Kansas, had I not also grabbed on.

And, during the last three minutes of the load into the trucks, we all got soaked.

We had our guns and targets in the trucks though. We were ready for coffee back at the house.