My friends

[jthbjr]

Dusty Glad to hear that all is well with you and yours. It is beautiful out in Mason county right now. Mason is having a mini epidemic now. 29 cases so far in a County with only 4000 people (half of whom don't leave the ranch gate on most days). I had a scare about it myself but so far so good. My ranch neighbor had to get tested but came back negative. So I didn't need to test. Be careful. I'm going to tell the Mason county epidemic story over in the Longbranch.
John in the still in the fort.

[Montana Slim]

Glad to hear health is good for you all. I'm "lucky" I guess, as I still get to go to work every night. Where I work, Anchor Harvey Components, we are an aluminum forge shop. We make essential parts for the medical field, so for the time being, we are open. Business is very slow tho, last week the company asked for voluntary layoff. But mostly our business is making upper and lower for AR15 and AR10's, therefore we are essential for providing to the military and police force. We got 11 letters from various government agency stating we must remain open if at all possible. Upwards of 40,000 uppers and lowers get forged every WEEK!! So if you have an AR upper with this little AH on the right side, chances are I made it. Lord only know where 40K plus a week are going. 
As far as my wife, she is a nurse in a nursing home, right across the street from our house, so she is obviously still working.  All in all we are healthy as is all our family an hope to stay that way. Every piece of brass in my house is loaded and ready, waiting for the day to unleash! 
KM.

I'm somewhat familiar with those forging marks, location, size, vendors & every minute detail the average person would never think of on a firearm. I managed the engineering data, including all the changes/improvements (& a lot of other "stuff") for the US militarys most popular weapons, including those self-loaders. My name and/or initials pasted on all the official dwgs. Retired a couple years ago. When I had opportunities to hang out with military teams, testers, etc  inevitably talk turned to hobbies & such. Many folks tickled by the disparity between my deep interest in old iron & black powder & what I did for "work".

Salute to to all our folks behind the scenes making "stuff" for our military!
Regards,
Slim

[dusty texian]

Sure is quiet out there . I know John is doing well and glad to hear it and hope the same for the rest of you . I'm hoping that no new's is good new's . My guess is that everyone is well and doing what they can to get along . All is well with me and mine , besides me getting fat .  Thinking about a mail -  in match with the 1876 rifles . When you can  , shoot a 10 shot group with your favorite 76 and load at , what do y'all think 50 yd . or more ? And post a pic . All for fun . What do Y'all think ? Any suggestion's or changes ?  Would be something to do . ,,,DT  PS  I wont use my EHB 76 , heck that would be cheating lol .,,,,, DT

[greyhawk]

Sure is quiet out there . I know John is doing well and glad to hear it and hope the same for the rest of you . I'm hoping that no new's is good new's . My guess is that everyone is well and doing what they can to get along . All is well with me and mine , besides me getting fat .  Thinking about a mail -  in match with the 1876 rifles . When you can  , shoot a 10 shot group with your favorite 76 and load at , what do y'all think 50 yd . or more ? And post a pic . All for fun . What do Y'all think ? Any suggestion's or changes ?  Would be something to do . ,,,DT  PS  I wont use my EHB 76 , heck that would be cheating lol .,,,,, DT

I'm in ...............its gettin a bit quiet around these parts
And yeah USE that EHB gun --we wanna see what it can do - how about 100yards bench ? no ? 50 yards offhand ? no ? aw heck just shoot ten and tell us what ya did ......sounds like some fun.

[jthbjr]

We are doing well. Staying in town. Starting to move around more.
Just read that one of the markers of the Wuhan virus is the loss of your senses of smell and taste. First part of February my wife and I both had a terrible upper respiratory virus of some type. She completely lost her ability to smell or taste. This was so strange that she told her doctor about it and he said basically " that is strange". She has recovered her ability to taste and smell but it took a while. So we are going to see if we can get an antibody test. We may be on the other side of this plague already.
With all this time locked down, I hate to admit that I have done no reloading, no shooting except with a rifle with the casting marks pictured above, and not even picked up a '76. At my level of activity it will take about 3 months lead time to shoot a group for what used to be called a "postal match".
John marked safe in the fort.

[Black River Smith]

Well just an update on our situations here.  The fear I mentioned in my first post did happen.  Our daughter was tested positive.  She had several symptoms like aches, pains in joints, fever and fatigue.  She was isolated in her bedroom for two weeks until all symptoms have passed.  Then her husband and children were 'stay at home' for two more weeks.  All this time was still within our county stay at home lockdown timeframe.  All has turned out well for all.

Where I live is the hot spot for the state of Missouri.

Dusty I would like to take part in your match but all in-door and outdoor ranges are closed and I really do not think the suburban neighbors would appreciate me shooting across several yards.

While I have looked at and handled the '76, I have not had a chance to shoot out to 100 yards since buying it.  During this time I did reload 45-70's for my different rifles.  Will use the same smokeless in all, just because so I can shoot them at an in-door range.

Good luck to all through the rest of the time.

[pinto beans]

Hey Mr. Dusty!  We hanging in here.  Things going along so far so good.  Hate to admit it but I haven't done ANY shooting the past months but has more to do with taking care of elderly parents and grandchildren than being locked down.  If'in I can catch a day at the farm without it raining, a rare event this spring, will see if a ten shot group can be captured in a pic - hopefully will be a group and not a pattern!!!  Warmer temps and green leaves make things look and feel better here in Tennessee.  Hope this finds the rest of ya doin well.

P.B.

[Slamfire]

 DT,, 50yds. " I'm IN ",, as i'v mentioned in the past , I made a Vernier sight for my 76 ( have posted pics. ),, but didn't have no windage adj. ,, so I made a new tang piece w/ a dove tail slot , and dove tailed the old base ,, drilled & taped the base installed a " small screw ",, now have windage adj. & don't have no knob sticking out. Marked center of tang & base as reference points.  Will test in the next few days,, After the rain this week. And all here are staying safe ,, we even disinfect the cats ( lol ).

  coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[dusty texian]

Sure glad to hear from Y'all , and  also glad to hear we are getting through this even though it's been a struggle . Lately I have seen people making sacrifices for others and that makes me proud to be an American . In my immediate family so far we have not been infected , as far as I know  . My First cousin Lynn has been sick with this for over two months , I grew up with him like a Brother . He told me yesterday he has lost 41 lb. and is week as a cat . I have not seen him for two and a half months so I'm expecting to be shocked when I see him . Lynn is a big stout man and not a complainer , he told me yesterday he has never been this sick . I pray he get's better and we are climbing around in the wild again soon .  About the Shooting Match , OK its settled we can shoot whatever distance we want and any way we want . And for those that cant shoot now Y'all can catch - up  later and critic the targets all you want while we shoot  . Deal ?  Myself I'm gonna shoot at 50 yd . Off Hand and 100 Bench , 10 shot group's . I'm gonna start with the 40-60 WCF and then the 45-60 WCF next the 45-75 WCF and last the 50-95 WCF . May not do it all in one day , but I'll do it . Time for another cup , Disinfect  the cat's  ( What ta  Hay ) Indian talk  LOL ,,,, DT

[King Medallion]

Been wet up here, no shooting. Will as soon as possible. Sad day today, burying my mom today. She passed peacefully in her sleep Friday morning. Best way to go. At least it's not raining today. Maybe shoot Thursday.

[dusty texian]

Been wet up here, no shooting. Will as soon as possible. Sad day today, burying my mom today. She passed peacefully in her sleep Friday morning. Best way to go. At least it's not raining today. Maybe shoot Thursday.

Oh my goodness , So very sorry to hear the bad news . You and your family are in my prayers today . God rest her soul .  ,,,,,,Ron

[Black River Smith]

King,

Very sad to hear that.  Losing a parent is very hard and changes your perspective.  Lost both of mine in the 1990's and my wife's in early 2010's.

Prayers are coming your way.  Hang in there for now.

[jthbjr]

King, I'm really sorry to hear of your loss. Its been 19 years since I lost my Mom. 21 years since my Dad. They are still the first thoughts I have in the morning and the last thoughts I have at night. I know how hard it is. Please accept my condolences.
John

[pinto beans]

You and your family are in my prayers in this time of loss.


P.B.

[Slamfire]

 The sadness & sorrow will soon pass ,, but the memories " last forever ", prayers  for ya'll.



coffee's ready ,, Hootmix.

[King Medallion]

Thanks, guys. The service obviously was a sad time, but the family time afterward with cousins not seen in ages was a great time. Life after death is guaranteed, one way or another. Thanks again for your thoughts. Back to our love of the 76!