Another great video from The Nutnfancy Project, this one on the basics of using a baton. Of course I don’t think videos are the optimal way to train, but money and time constraints can make finding training difficult. So here are the basics:

Nice four part tutorial on re-manufacturing shotgun slugs out of birdshot, though the first two are the actual process and the last two range testing so i won’t post those. It’s a simple process that may seem like a waste of time at first but the benefits become obvious if you think about it for a second.

The shotgun’s strength is it’s versatility. One shotgun used for defense, hunting, and pest control simply by switching loads, something most rifles and handguns cannot do. Birdshot is what you will probably have the most of laying around, because unless you’re in the middle of Oakland when TEOTWAWKI comes most of your shooting should be opportunistic hunting and the elimination of critters who are coming for your food supply, like raccoons with a taste for your chickens. In 12ga buckshot is the preferred combat load but slugs are very effective on humans and large game or dangerous animals. In 20ga the slug is the best self-defense load simply because of availability – the 20ga is a deer caliber and there are many slugs lining the shelves of your local big box, but very little buckshot.

But slugs are expensive and when budgeting for an ammo hoard it’s more likely you will be stocking more of the various size birdshot than anything else, unless your post-SHTF plan is mayhem and rapine. This skill allows you to stock more of the birdshot you’ll be using for everyday survival with the option of making up slugs if things are getting hairy in the area you’re in. As the video itself points out you actually save up to 60 cents a round doing this which is a nice bonus. The trade off is that the homemade slug has less powder – and thus power -  than commercial slugs. But that also means more manageable recoil with a slug that would still do plenty of damage.

The only slugs I don’t recommend are in .410. I love my .410 but spring for some of the buckshot loads if you’re going to use it for survival. .410 slugs are just too light.

What’s nice about this technique is that it uses minimal tools. A slug mold, cast iron lead dipper and Bernzomatic torch are all you really need to get started. At Amazon these things can be had for under $75 all together.

Part II:

Parts 3 and 4 are range tests which are interesting if you have the time.

This excellent book is written by historical re-enactor Matt Wulff who is part of a “ranger” living history company. His in-depth analysis of the 28 Rules of Ranging issued by Captain Robert Rogers to his irregular troops during the French and India War gives insight into how lightly armed, highly mobile troops could survive in a warzone without external support.

Rogers’ Rangers are considered the precursor to the modern American Army’s Ranger regiments and the tactics outlined by Rogers are still viable today. Wulff not only gives each of the rules a thorough examination but illustrates their applications by using historical documents like journals and battlefield reports and even uses photos from modern re-enactments.

While a wonderful and informative text for the history buff, this book will also serve the small survivalist group well. For families or groups planning to bug out through potentially hostile terrain, or for small groups planning on defending a given area this discussion of old fashioned Ranger warfare, with an emphasis on primitive weapons and equipment, will help readers formulate the plans and logistics you’ll need to operate continuously with little hope for resupply aside from what your wits and hunting ability can gather. It will be especially helpful for those without military experience who will be in areas like the South West or near large cites where guerrilla warfare against armed gangs will become likely in even minor civil disruptions.

h/t Flintlock and Tomahawk