How prepared are you right now?

[BillMasen]

Overall general consensus in the US , UK and East and West europe that the Leshey 2 is the best airrifle in the northern hemisphere, I want one, wife says no.

 

[tmttactical]

OK lets work within your budget, the Avenger has a good reputation in the US but it can be improved usually with an after market REGULATOR, I dont know what sells in the US but the very best are the Huma regulators from Holland, they are far better than ANY factory regulator. so more full power shots per fill, more consistant pellet velocity, and a longer sweet spot. Do you have better quality after market magazines available in the US for the Avenger?? thats always an improvement. I use CARM magazines from Europe.

You need to find out by experimentation which pellets work best with your gun, it takes time and effort to find the best.

.22 or .25 give the best overall result but I know you Merkins like .30 in your 45 ft pound plus air guns.

Also please watch this video

https://www.airgun101.com/index.php...nturi-avenger-22-full-tuning-guide?Itemid=405

I had already watched and recorded the video. Very good channel, I am a subscriber. I do expect to have some parts to upgrade. I am not going to get the best components for $300. My problem is I have to get a high pressure compressor and they ain't real cheap. A hand pump will be purchased for emergency (shft) but I won't be pumping 140 pumps on a hand pump to charge the rifle, if I can help it. I do know there will be a lot of trial and error tuning the rifle and finding out which ammo (pellets / slugs) it likes. That will be part of the challenge and I am looking forward to it. I figure that between the rifle, compressor, scope, bi-pod and pellets, I am looking at over $1,000. That is a big hit to my weapons budget. I had to push back the purchase of a shotgun as both weapons are not in the current budget. I am really hating the ammo shortage. I had scheduled the air rifles for much later next year. But since I can't get firearm ammo, I will move forward with the air rifle.

Thanks for the tips on after market parts, greatly appreciated.

 

[simpleman]

So my question is, if the SHTF, how will you feel up the air bottles? I have several of the old fashion pump .22 and .177 rifles, good for taking squirrels, rabbits and such. If need be I could possibly hold someone off from entering my house with them with good head shots. There is a show on the outdoor channel for air rifle competition, they are some really nice guns and Very accurate! Being on Disability, it is something I can't go after, but maybe some nice person will will me one, buy me one, give me one?

 

[simpleman]

To answer the thread title, I was prepared food wise for at least 2 years with current household until my own SHTF and now I am down to maybe 6 months worth. Rebuilding sucks but hopefully I can get back up there before anything does happen. We have plenty of water sources around, both for drinking water and fishing, but do really need a better filtration system. I also have rain barrels at each gutter downspout. Ammo I think I am good for awhile. Plenty of firewood for heat, cooking and such. Two generators with enough fuel for a while with conserving. Medical good with only 1 or 2 major incidents happening for now. Plenty of clothing. Garden getting better and neighbor has fruit trees that he never picks, just lets me take what I want. Survival mode kicks in I am sure I can go longer than the very least of 1 year I have stored now. I hope!

 

[simpleman]

Not sure I will ever feel 100% prepared for a permanent grid down situation.

Shelter is good. Location is good. Water is plentiful and numerous sources on property and close to the house, as well as plenty of ways to filter it.

With our chickens, rabbits and lake filled with fish I feel pretty set with protein. But I have on my First Day Disaster List to go directly to neighbor who has beef cattle and buy one to process right away. Have money stashed for that and other purchases, before money is worthless. Saving silver and gold for after the money is used for TP! Will then head down the road the other way and see about a goat or two and some sheep. If they won’t sell, will be okay, but would rather have them...unless it is winter.

I keep pounds and pounds of heirloom seeds put away. These are rotated and replaced every spring. Have bags of dent corn, rye and oats to use for animals. Wheat for us and sweet corn for us too.

Have plenty of long term storage food for our entire group and some neighbors for a couple of years. Including canned veggies and 10# cans of dried butter and cheese. Think I’ve overdone it with the red and white wheat berries. Since it keeps forever if stored properly we’ve got a few thousand pounds.

Our fruit trees are finally old enough to be putting out quite a bit of fruit as is our vineyard. The green house is great, but would need to add some cold frames and a high tunnel for extra veggies. Have put away lots of wood and materials to build those. Praying our small tractor and rototiller will still work! We do have many hand tools if not.

We have lots of propane and a generator. Considering a back up that would run just the chest freezer, fridge and LED lights, which would use less propane. Hubby is finally going to purchase a solar system and backup for it. Think he’s getting nervous guys?

Not too cold here, but would need to install the wood stove we have to keep us from freezing during December, January and February. Lots of woods on our property so we would be okay in that respect for some years.

With our large group coming, there will be more than enough weapons Shoot:ar15: and ammo for at least 2 years. Would really like to have more and also loading equipment. I see that as PERFECT!

Thankfully none of us have medical needs. Praying it stays that way. I do have plastic containers filled with medical supplies, pain meds, allergy meds, antibiotics, aspirins, Neosporin, iodine etc, and a large, well stocked medical bag.

We have lots of lanterns, wicks, fuel, batteries, flashlights and a few kerosene heaters with a lot of fuel for them. Backup for the woodstove.

ive gathered plenty of sewing items as well as lots of material,
patches, thread, hooks and buttons.

Watch out GeorgiaPeachie! I may need reservations at your place! j/k

 

[MNwr786]

The ammo shortage is coming to an end. I was recently able to find 9mm ammo for the first time in months. They said that they had just got a big shipment. There are millions in back order ammo and that is causing manufacturers to invest in more equipment to meet demand. I recommend getting to the stores earlier in the day. Give them time to stock the case, but come 8:30 or 9am, get in there ~ it don't stay long. You will be getting some ammo soon. I've always disliked L&M Fleet Supply due to their 80-100% markups on manufacturer price, but with bullets, they havent added a dime due to the demand. For that, I gotta give them points.

 

[MNwr786]

There was actually a full shelf of .22LR the other day too, and that was in the evening!

 

[DrHenley]

So my question is, if the SHTF, how will you feel up the air bottles?

If you get a scuba yoke adapter you can get it filled up at a dive shop. They do make hand pumps specifically for pumping up PCP air rifle cylinders.

 

[MNwr786]

If SHTF and an air rifle is on your go-to list, why not invest in a muzzle loader? You can easily buy a bucket of lead alloy tire weights from the local shop (or used car batteries if you like to get messy) and a cast for bullets. Black powder (and much more powerful powders) can be readily made at home with very little research. BTW, there is DEFINITELY NOT a shortage of shotgun ammo.... And they have bottles upon bottles of triple base in town. No shortage of powder or lead. Just the popular (easy and convenient) stuff is gone.

 

[tmttactical]

So my question is, if the SHTF, how will you feel up the air bottles? I have several of the old fashion pump .22 and .177 rifles, good for taking squirrels, rabbits and such. If need be I could possibly hold someone off from entering my house with them with good head shots. There is a show on the outdoor channel for air rifle competition, they are some really nice guns and Very accurate! Being on Disability, it is something I can't go after, but maybe some nice person will will me one, buy me one, give me one?

As a back up, I will have a manual hand pump. It is just a not a task I want to do on a regular basis, just for target shooting. Now a real SHTF event and no power, I will be pumping. Slowly but pumping. LOL

 

[tmttactical]

I reload center fire cartridges and there is no powder, primers or brass to be had, at a reasonable rate. No 22 Lr. either, at a reasonable rate. I will not encourage price gougers by paying those rip off prices. 25 caliber pellets $0.05 per round, certainly works for me. A small markup to compensate for over time shifts, yes, double, triple and quadruple price markups, not going to happen. I have plenty of firearm ammo but I am not going to burn it up at the range. When the ammo, primers, bullets, powder and brass is sitting on the shelves, then I will go back to my firearms. Till then, it is air gunning for me.

 

[BillMasen]

I had already watched and recorded the video. Very good channel, I am a subscriber. I do expect to have some parts to upgrade. I am not going to get the best components for $300. My problem is I have to get a high pressure compressor and they ain't real cheap. A hand pump will be purchased for emergency (shft) but I won't be pumping 140 pumps on a hand pump to charge the rifle, if I can help it. I do know there will be a lot of trial and error tuning the rifle and finding out which ammo (pellets / slugs) it likes. That will be part of the challenge and I am looking forward to it. I figure that between the rifle, compressor, scope, bi-pod and pellets, I am looking at over $1,000. That is a big hit to my weapons budget. I had to push back the purchase of a shotgun as both weapons are not in the current budget. I am really hating the ammo shortage. I had scheduled the air rifles for much later next year. But since I can't get firearm ammo, I will move forward with the air rifle.

Thanks for the tips on after market parts, greatly appreciated.

Instead of a compressor ( a decent one costs $1500) is there anyone in your district who refills DIVE BOTTLES ?? if you you can recharge your PCP from a dive bottle the way most of us this side of the pond does. A 3, 5 or 7 litre bottle costs about $200 including the fittings. For basic hunting needs a 3 litre will last a year before needing a refill, for full blown prepping duty, hunting, target practice, security duty a 7 litre bottle (or two) is better. To refill a big dive bottle is under 20 bucks. Refilling a PCP from a dive bottle takes 20 seconds.

 

[BillMasen]

So my question is, if the SHTF, how will you feel up the air bottles? I have several of the old fashion pump .22 and .177 rifles, good for taking squirrels, rabbits and such. If need be I could possibly hold someone off from entering my house with them with good head shots. There is a show on the outdoor channel for air rifle competition, they are some really nice guns and Very accurate! Being on Disability, it is something I can't go after, but maybe some nice person will will me one, buy me one, give me one?

I keep 3 x seven litre dive bottles to power my air rifles, that equates to many thousands of shots at 12 ft pound, its going to be less for the more powerful US market air guns but the shot count still runs into thousands. You can refill em for years by a compact budget 12 VDC compressor or if fit a stirrup pump.

 

[tmttactical]

I will look into the tanks. The ones I have seen on line, were pretty darn expensive. They were in the $600 + range. I may need to do some more research. Unless it hits the fan, almost all my shooting will be at the range. A couple of 3 litre bottles seem just about right. One on the gun and one at the dive shop, type of setup. I will have to do some home work to see what is available and what I can afford. I have already ordered a cheap compact 12 volt high pressure compressor. The hand pump will be next and then if affordable, the bottles. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[BillMasen]

I will look into the tanks. The ones I have seen on line, were pretty darn expensive. They were in the $600 + range. I may need to do some more research. Unless it hits the fan, almost all my shooting will be at the range. A couple of 3 litre bottles seem just about right. One on the gun and one at the dive shop, type of setup. I will have to do some home work to see what is available and what I can afford. I have already ordered a cheap compact 12 volt high pressure compressor. The hand pump will be next and then if affordable, the bottles. Thanks for the suggestions.

FYI Scuba tanks for precharged airguns | Air gun blog - Pyramyd Air Report

Shop around air gun kit in the US usually matches UK prices $ for £, I think you should be able to source a 7 litre for around $200 and perhaps 50 or 60 bucks for the valve and pipe.

OK this is important, ensure your budget compressor has at least TWO stage moisture removing filtration, if not buy one for your compressor. NEAT compressed undried air will wreck the inside of your gun through rusting. You MUST use DRY air.

 

[simpleman]

I keep 3 x seven litre dive bottles to power my air rifles, that equates to many thousands of shots at 12 ft pound, its going to be less for the more powerful US market air guns but the shot count still runs into thousands. You can refill em for years by a compact budget 12 VDC compressor or if fit a stirrup pump.

I never knew a 12 V compressor would fill those tanks! Had I known that I would have been filling my son's paintball tanks years ago!

 

[tmttactical]

Bill Mason, Thanks for the filter tip. I did plan to purchase additional in-line filters. I have worked around compressors and seen the amount of water / oil they can produce. While this compressor is water less /oil less, I do understand that during the compression cycle and cool downs, moisture is generated.

 

[Jayson]

I've got enough shotgun shells in both 12 and 20 gauge to join a trap league!

Even enough ammo for this weapon....

 

[Flying lead]

As a back up, I will have a manual hand pump. It is just a not a task I want to do on a regular basis, just for target shooting. Now a real SHTF event and no power, I will be pumping. Slowly but pumping. LOL

Instead of a compressor ( a decent one costs $1500) is there anyone in your district who refills DIVE BOTTLES ?? if you you can recharge your PCP from a dive bottle the way most of us this side of the pond does. A 3, 5 or 7 litre bottle costs about $200 including the fittings. For basic hunting needs a 3 litre will last a year before needing a refill, for full blown prepping duty, hunting, target practice, security duty a 7 litre bottle (or two) is better. To refill a big dive bottle is under 20 bucks. Refilling a PCP from a dive bottle takes 20 seconds.

check out a fire company, most have the compressor to fill Scott bottles. A volunteer co. Would be better they are always looking for a donation

 

[BillMasen]

Bill Mason, Thanks for the filter tip. I did plan to purchase additional in-line filters. I have worked around compressors and seen the amount of water / oil they can produce. While this compressor is water less /oil less, I do understand that during the compression cycle and cool downs, moisture is generated.

The moisture is naturally present in the air, unless you live in Death Valley ,, and as well as wrecking in the inside of your gun it would also wreck the inside of a dive bottle.

 

[BillMasen]

I never knew a 12 V compressor would fill those tanks! Had I known that I would have been filling my son's paintball tanks years ago!

To be clear these compressors we are referring to are NOT Tyre (tire) inflation tools they are purposely designed for very high pressure filling of guns and pressure vessels, ( Tyre inflators run up to 100 PSI Air gun compressors up to 3500 PSI) Many of the imported one you can only run for five or ten minutes at a time. Sooooo if you are refilling a dive bottle its done five minutes at a time with ten minutes cooling between running.

The bigger and more expensive water cooled compressors can run longer and fill larger vessels.

YMMV depending on type of compressor and size of vessel / tank being charged. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS carefully because over this side of the pond more than a few folks have wrecked their hobby compressors by trying to refill big diving tanks in one go.

Compare the AVERAGE air guns air tube / bottle 180 to 300 mils in capacity then look at dive bottles 3 to 12 LITRES . You can see how much harder a budget compressor has to work filling a dive bottle.
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If you live far away from where scuba diving facilities, as someone else wisely points out check out who locally refills your fire fighters air bottles, some fire houses have their own, others are visited by a mobile service or a local company carries the contract.

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I have a 12v budget compressor set aside for if TSHTF, but I normally operate my guns from the three dive bottles and get them refiled as and when at the local airgun club who have a much larger professional compressor with three states moisture filtration and theirs can fill a 12 litre bottle in 15 minutes (they charge about $10 a fill but one fill lasts me a year on average)
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One or two other benefits of PCP airguns are when fitted with a moderator they are also silent, and they have NO recoil of note which makes them ideal for smaller and more nervous family members.

 

[BillMasen]

FYI Check out HADES pellets they are superb when used in full power US market air rifles. These are being used in a Leshey 2 in this test and producing 58 Joules (UK is limited to 16 Joules) thats 42 ft pounds in Americanese More than enough to kill a Coyote and to really ruin many a two legged critters day.

 

[BillMasen]

HTH


Scuba Professionals of Arizona
4.5 (51) · Dive shop
Peoria, AZ, United States · In Olive Business Park
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 602-314-6650
Scuba shop providing equipment, rentals & training in a heated pool. Also leads guided trips.

The Dive Shop
4.9 (12) · Dive shop
Tucson, AZ, United States
Closed ⋅ Opens 12PM · +1 520-326-3483

ScubaTechs.com
5.0 (2) · Dive shop
Mesa, AZ, United States
Closed ⋅ Opens 10AM · +1 877-837-7637

Their website mentions refill cylinder

Airguns of Arizona
4.4 (320) · Gun shop
Gilbert, AZ, United States
Closed ⋅ Opens 9AM · +1 480-461-1113

Their website mentions scuba tank and refill

In-store pick-up

 

[DrHenley]

Even enough ammo for this weapon....

Just watched this movie last night LOL

 

[user 7704]

One of my doctors is retiring on Friday, so he gave me prescriptions for prednisone, antibiotics, queaziness, and tubes of ointment for sores. I'm happy to get those in my preps. Going to vacuum seal them to keep them fresh.

 

[Amish Heart]

Nice doctor!

 

[kenv1950]

medication . I've been skipping meds twice a week for 3 yrs. now and still doing it. (stock piling )

 

[tmttactical]

I was stock piling my meds but it has turned out useless, as they are no longer working. I am one step away from becoming a type 1 diabetic. If the new meds don't work, I will have to shift to insulin. Such is life in the big city or even the little towns. LOL

 

[Amish Heart]

My husband uses insulin. Not fun.

 

[TexasFreedom]

There are alternatives to insulin. Search for "Bee Tea" in Brazil. Many people crush 10 bees & steeple it like tea. One study found it more effective than insulin itself. (I am not a doctor)