Just a quick note to say (once again) that this blog is not yet defunct.

We had a pleasant holiday with the wife's family last week, and are now beginning preparations for the annual gift giving holiday just around the corner.

I had opportunity a few weeks ago to visit with a friend I don't get to see often enough, and spend some time turning money into noise with a nice variety of handguns. Further, I have plans to do the same with another friend in a few weeks, only with rifles. All of us are attempting to identify the proper shooty school Firearms Training Academy to attend in 2010.

My boss is strongly encouraging me to use the little vacation time I have left before I lose it to the end of the year, while simultaneously blocking my efforts by throwing me into a year-end audit and requiring several weekends of off-hours maintenance work. Ah, the glorious life of a professional computer geek.

And a link: If I ever get around to building a home, I still think something like Quad-Lock ICF is the way to go!

It's been no secret around here that I've been yearning for a big bore rifle, possibly built on the AR platform. I've always assumed it would be a .50 Beowulf, because it's a .50 caliber, and the name is cool, screaming "Epic Beastslayer of Legend!" After extensive research, I've changed my mind, and placed an order for a new AR upper. Except for the name, which screams "Playstation Kiddie", the .458 SOCOM offers more potential than the Beowulf.

Both rounds are expensive and only offer factory loadings from one manufacturer. To get the most from either round while maintaining any kind of economy, hand loading is necessary. The SOCOM allows for many more options, ranging from 250 to 600 grain projectiles, including "Dangerous Game" style solid rounds. The SOCOM uses rifle bullets, instead of the handgun bullets fired by the Beowulf. The SOCOM puts more velocity and energy out of a 16" barrel than the Beowulf does out of a 24" barrel for a comparable bullet. The SOCOM uses unmodified GI magazines, while the Beowulf requires slight modification to the feed lips. Lastly, the SOCOM has suppressors available.

I've placed an order for a Rock River Arms upper half, and have placed orders for loading dies, brass, and assorted projectiles. It will probably be a few months before I receive the upper. In the meantime, I'll need to spend some time reviewing various loads, then I'll need to acquire the proper powder - unfortunately nothing I have in stock should be used to propel this round. I've got some Winchester large pistol primers, but might need to pick up something else.

I think for now I will keep this as a "spare" upper, rather than matching it permanently to a lower receiver.