The dangerously incompetent CDC has yet again allowed a U.S. physician who was exposed to Ebola back into the U.S. for observation. [...]
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A large-scale Centruylunk outage has knocked out internet, 911 cal centers, ATMs and banks throughout the country. [...]
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The Department of Homeland Security is asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch an investigation into the large number of sick migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. [...]
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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sent panic through the financial world, by issuing an unusual statement that he had called the CEOs of the nation's six largest banks to make sure they have ample liquidity and credit to extend to American businesses and households. [...]
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Like the occasional sore throat or stubbed toe, factory 10/22 triggers are just a fact of life we live with. They crunch and grind along through their take-up. Then they hit 
a wall until the pressure on the trigger shoe dents the finger pad. The kra-chunk of the release is less of glass breaking, and more of opening a can of beer. We lowered our expectations due to the reliability and durability of the 10/22 trigger, but never gave up hope. Ruger heard our cries for help and released the aftermarket BX trigger upgrade. Ruger’s drop-in trigger module swapped out completely the entire factory trigger unit. For those of us who drank the BX Kool-Aid, we were impressed. Not necessarily how good the BX replacement is, but more of how bad the factory trigger really was. And compared to other trigger upgrades in our ARs for example, we knew it could be even better.
By Doc Montana, contributing author to SHTFblog and Survival Cache
Enter the Ultimate 10/22 Trigger Upgrade from TandemKross. An exquisitely machined and presented trigger parts group that literally turns the 10/22 into an entirely new gun. From the aggressively textured wide flat shoe, to the polished tool-steel sear and hammer, to the precision spring, the entire Ultimate Trigger Kit is everything a top-shelf trigger must be. And the older your 10/22, the bigger the difference in upgrade experience.
By any standard, the aftermarket components for the Ruger 10/22 is deep. So much so that its easily possible to replace every single piece of a Ruger 10/22 with non-
Ruger parts. Kind of like my favorite axe. It’s always been the best axe I’ve ever owned even though I’ve replaced the handle three times and the head twice. In fact, on one of my 10/22 builds, I’m just a few parts shy of a non-Ruger Ruger 10/22. And even if I swap out those final few parts, the non-Ruger will still be my favorite Ruger.
Also Read: Magpul X-22 Rifle with TandemKross Upgrades
One part in particular has always defined the 10/22 and that is its exceptionally consistent trigger. No, not that the trigger consistently delivers, but that it consistently disappoints. The crunchy 10/22 factory triggers were just something we put up with, likely leveraging the low 10/22 price point to defend our low trigger standards. Even Ruger seemed not to care. It was as if a poor trigger was just another part of the 10/22 Rite-of-Passage that nearly every gun owner passed through. The Ruger 10/22 snuggled in nicely between the Schwinn Varsity and the high mileage F150. You know, somewhere between grade school and your first real job. Iron sights and minute-of-tin-can accuracy were plenty for those days, but now that we know that precision and accuracy should be givens, not dreams. The dated philosophy behind the archaic 10/22 trigger has come to an end.
By using electrical discharge machining (EDM) for the finer points on the hammer and sear, TandemKross in collaboration with Brimstone Gunsmithing has brought the mid-20th century 10/22 fully into the 21st century. Brimstone Gunsmithing, located on the opposite end of country from TandemKross (in Washington while TK is in New Hampshire), has tremendous experience with triggers of the 10/22 variety among others. Compared to many aftermarket triggers, the starting price of $135 for the TandemKross Ultimate Trigger hardly induces sticker shock. Many triggers at twice that price are common.
The installation of the TandemKross Ultimate Trigger is straightforward with just a few places where choice matters. There is an excellent video on Youtube that walks 
you through the process. For those gunshy about the inner workings of your guns, I suggest two things: First, do work on your gun but start with the outside stuff and work your way to the inside stuff as you gain skill, confidence and tools. Second, anyone worth their prepper salt should have at least passing knowledge of how a bolt group and trigger system works in common guns like the 10/22 and AR 15. And the easiest way to learn them is by doing an upgrade.
The video for the TandemKross Ultimate Trigger walks you slowly through the disassembly and reassembly of the 10/22 trigger group. The only hiccup I noticed is the orientation of the hammer spring. On the video, the spring is blocked in view so it takes a moment of sleuthing to make sure it’s oriented correctly. It’s one of those things that makes perfect sense after you know how to align it.
Related: SW22 Victory Squirrel Pistol
The first time I installed a TandemKross Ultimate Trigger it took me about 25 minutes, partially to do it right, but mostly to savor the wonderful experience of upgrading
a gun with my own hands. The second time I did it, again in no hurry, took about 15 minutes. The video does the main trigger work in about 12 minutes of the 19 minute video. And for those new to 10/22 disassembly, the trigger group/receiver assembly may not fit back into the stock unless the safety selector button is halfway between on and off. Forgetting that is a common point of frustration.
Two version of the TandemKross Ultimate Trigger are available, each in two different colors, red and black. The standard TandemKross Ultimate Trigger is for the factory 10/22 trigger group. The other offering is a TandemKross Ultimate Trigger with an extra part for upgrading the Ruger BX Trigger group. Which of course begs the question of why upgrade and upgrade? Easy answer. Because it truly is an upgrade to the upgrade. The entire feel and operation of the trigger is improved including the aggressive and colorful flat-faced shoe. Sadly, the $89 BX trigger that Ruger sells within its own aftermarket catalog should really be the standard trigger that every 10/22 comes with. It’s a good starting point with still plenty of room for improvement.
Also Read: The Ultimate Survival Arm
The days of substandard out-of-the-box performance should be over. But alas, Ruger, like many gun manufacturers, still sleeps well at night knowing that many of it’s
guns could be so much better with just a little elbow grease and a few drops of polishing compound. As evidence of this Ruger has no shame in comparing its stock 10/22 trigger with its own BX trigger in a graph that highlights just how bad their own original trigger really is. In fact firearms seem to be one of the last strongholds where our tolerance for low manufacturing standards are still alive and well. Imagine if your truck or phone or hiking boots had disappointing flaws from the get-go. And worse, there is an entire segment of the economy devoted to fixing your just-purchased gun problem.
Anyway, at least in our current 10/22 reality, that’s how it is. Or perhaps not? During my upgrading of two different 10/22 rifles with TandemKross Ultimate Triggers, I noticed that my most recently purchased 10/22 was considerably more polished and smooth in finish work that the other one that was from the 1990s. In fact the earlier one was shockingly crude inside compared to the more current one. So that means that the older your 10/22, the bigger the perceived upgrade.
According to TandemKross, “The design of the factory spring and plunger requires a heavier spring in order to have consistent, positive resets. The “Ultimate” Trigger 
Kit does away with this design, replacing the spring and plunger with a single coil of music wire spring that flexes and rebounds with zero friction, binding or other trigger “noise.” This is absolutely true. In fact, so wonderful is the TandemKross Ultimate Trigger that it makes your 10/22 perform like an entirely new gun.
Also See: Best Water Filter Pitcher
In my scientific trigger pull tests, the TandemKross Ultimate Triggers constantly broke at 3.2 pounds with very limited take-up and almost no overtravel. Comparing the TandemKross Ultimate Triggers to the stock trigger was more Venus and Mars than night and day or apples and oranges. The factory Ruger 10/22 trigger broke weakly at almost twice the poundage, and three times the travel. And the ride was pretty bumpy along the way. In my force vs. displacement tests, the stock trigger broke at just under six pounds, and 0.15 inches of travel. The 3.2 pound snap of the TandemKross Ultimate Triggers happened at around 0.1 inches of travel (I forgot to zero the displacement sensor so the travel is from -.05 to +.05). Further, my graphs clearly show a distinct difference in break.
The TandemKross Ultimate Triggers is instantaneous while the factory Ruger trigger seemed to need some time to think about breaking as indicated by the slope of the line rather than a vertical drop. While the factory trigger may sound to your ear like it’s obviously made up its mind when it’s time to break, the graph shows some hesitation. Compared to the redesigned sear, hammer and spring of the TandemKross Ultimate Trigger, the Ruger trigger takes its sweet time to punch the firing pin while the Ultimate Trigger shows no detectable hesitation.
Related: How to Build a Hurricane Katrina Rifle
Furthering the TandemKross Ultimate Trigger experience is the glorious aluminium shoe. By increasing the face area as well as flattening it, the index finger has a solid 
and predictable resting position that can pull evenly with little risk of slippage or rolloff. The textured surface provides a solid purchase whether skin or glove, and ensures a defined trigger shoe edge to work with. The shoe is similar to other TandemKross offerings including the Victory Trigger for both Ruger Mark and 22/45 pistols and the Smith & Wesson Victory .22 pistol.
So put a TandemKross Ultimate Trigger into your Ruger and fall in love with your 10/22 all over again. It really is that good.
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Bump stock owners will have the difficult decision of either destroying or surrendering their valuable property-- or else risk felony prosecution. [...]
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Having potable water in a survival/bug out situation is crucial. One can survive up to 40 days without food but only 3 days without water. Last time I checked I believe it was recommended that a
person drink a gallon of water a day. Of course activity and temperature will effect this but roughly a gallon is needed to be properly hydrated. Water is also very heavy. At roughly 9 pounds a gallon, this is not something you will want to carry on your back for very long. Hence you are going to need a way to clean the water that you find to make it potable because no one wants any pathogens in their gut. This brings us to the many options of processing water from boiling to chemicals to filters. When I first set out to practice my survival skills I opted for a filter and that filter was the Sawyer Mini.
By Grimm, a contributing author to SHTFBlog & Survival Cache
What attracted me to the Sawyer Mini at first was that it was simple and back flush-able. It also didn’t hurt that it was made in America. When I back packed with my father we either boiled our water or we used a different filter, but I remember the lever breaking on it. Once that lever was broken the filter was useless. Boiling water is very effective but takes time and can give away your position. With no moving parts and no need of a fire the Sawyer Mini was looking rather nice. Then take into account that it is very light and small and you have a simple yet effective filter. Later on I realized how versatile it was. I can use it like a life straw to get a quick drink from a pocket of rain water or hook it up with my bladder. Finally at just under 20 dollars for most models you can afford to purchase a bunch for redundancy if needed.
Related: Do Britas Water Pitchers Work?
With its simplicity and function it does come with some drawbacks. The main one in my opinion is that because there is no mechanical advantage, just you squeezing a bag or sucking on a straw, the filtering process will be slower than those with a crank. I have not found this to be a huge problem myself but it needs to be noted. Also this model does not filter out viruses. If you live in a first world country then you have little to fear but you need to understand this because if you travel abroad or if your drinking water gets contaminated by sewage then you will have to add another step to make sure the water is potable. Another drawback is that since it is a hollow fiber filter it is susceptible to freezing. If it freezes that filter is no longer safe. Once the filter has been used even once just assume there is water in it. Keep it by your body or sleeping bag to prevent freezing during the colder months.
After 4 years I am still using the same Sawyer Mini. I back flush it after my trips and it just keeps going. I have never gotten sick after any of my trips either and there has been a few times I have had to process water from some very questionable sources. In a survival situation you want results and reliability. With the Sawyer Mini it takes a lot of the guess work out of the equation with its simple yet effective design. You might prefer another filter or method of processing water but at the end of the day you should always have multiple ways of cleaning you water. Add a Sawyer Mini to you kit. You wont even notice its there until you need it, then when you do, you will be thankful you have it.
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania government officials are attempting to ban semi-automatic firearms, ammunition, and large-capacity magazines. [...]
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DHS is warning that the electric grid is now the “prime target” of terrorists, and says Americans need to be prepared for up to six months without electricity, transportation, fuel, money, and healthcare. [...]
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It is an interesting paradox that teeth are the hardest part of the human body and often seem to succumb first to dietary and lifestyle imbalances. Of course, this is for some obvious reasons: like 
that they are exposed (where bones are hidden within the body) and that it is their hard design in which the dentin and enamel is so saturated with calcium and other minerals rather than the regenerative tissue of the rest of the body. Since the teeth are so easily eroded by sugar and lack of care, it is certainly important to emphasize prevention.
By Nathaniel Whitmore a Contributing Author to SHTFBlog and SurvivalCache
Follow up article to: 5 Emergency Toothache Remedies From Wild Plants
Keep the teeth clean! In the absence of modern dental care supplies like toothbrushes and toothpaste (this is not the place to get into the subject of fluoride, but do your research), you should use fresh sticks from non-poisonous trees. (Get to know your trees!) I recommend Birch (Black or Yellow, Betula lenta and B. alleghaniensis), Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), or Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) for their pleasant tastes and antimicrobial properties. Of course there is also, though not some common in my area, the Toothache Tree, or Prickly Ash, (Zanthoxylum).
Sassafras makes a tasty toothpick!
When prevention fails, you can consider these five natural remedies. Before you scoff at the possible benefits of natural remedies for toothaches, please allow me to mention that I do have a bit of first-hand experience with the subject, both in treating my own toothache and in helping others. Certainly, it is noteworthy that tooth problems can be very dangerous and one who suffers should seek appropriate care. The following remedies are offered for consideration as adjunct treatment, when in the wilderness, and otherwise to empower people to take care of themselves and to be prepared for any problem in any situation, including when far away from professional dental care.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). Several Artemisia species are used to make moxa, a dried Mugwort leaf fluff that is burned in moxibustion therapy. Many Artemisia species are used as herbal remedies to treat toothache and many other ailments, generally in the form of infusion (“tea”) or poultice.
Pain is a vicious cycle in that it produces tension that decreases the movement of energy and blood and therefore contributes to the discomfort and inhibits the healing process. So, the reaction to pain often adds to it! Moxibustion, shiatsu, and acupuncture can be very effective for treating the pressure points involved in toothache. There are two types of moxibustion. Indirect moxa includes using a moxa roll, which is like a cigarette or cigar of moxa. The moxa roll is lit to produce a nice ember that is held close to the acupoints in order to treat them with heat. In direct moxa the moxa is place on the skin, lit with incense or a hot stick from the fire, and then snuffed out. Moxibustion has been revered since ancient times for the treatment of many illnesses and problems. At various times it has been used alongside acupuncture. But, this is fading in modern times because we are less accustomed to the smoke and because it can be a time-consuming therapy. For pain, though, it can be very effective.
It is also interesting that Native Americans utilized moxa-type therapies, such as the treatment of acupoints with the glowing embers on sticks from the fire. Western tribes, at least, also utilized Artemisia species besides as toothache remedies.
Recently, I saw a dental product being advertised that utilized the charcoal of Coconut. Presumably, you could prepare a survival remedy in the wild with use of wood charcoal from the fireplace. Although charcoal is largely reduced to carbon and has much of the source material’s properties removed, I assume it would be wise to know the source of materials before preparing remedies from charcoal. I wouldn’t want to use charcoal from poisonous or contaminated sources. Hopefully, though, if you are in a survival situation you are not huddling over and cooking with a fire of poisonous or contaminated wood.
Calamus is a Native American toothache remedy.
We should take a moment to discuss the word “herb”. Botanically “herb” refers to the herbaceous, or non-woody growth of a plant. Woody plants are those with stems that persist. Trees, shrubs, and vines have woody, perennial growth. While herbaceous plants are those without perennial woody portions, though they may have perennial roots (such as Pokeweed, which sends up fresh stalks year after year from a large root, and Japanese Knotweed, which does the same). Usually in medical herbology when the part of the plant used is defined as the “herb” (sometimes “aerial portions”) it refers to the leaves, flowers, and herbaceous stems. Generally, though, “herb” in the sense of a “medicinal herb” refers to leaves, roots, rhizomes, flowers, seeds, stems, and other parts used as herbal medicine. In many herbal traditions, insects, minerals, and animals parts are also loosely considered “herbs” (as in medicinal substances) and included in “herbal formulas”. The first toothache category I mentioned above, the trees, is separated from this group simply based on the trees being able to provide us with toothpick and toothbrushes (or, more properly, brushing sticks), and because it is interesting to consider all that trees, as a group, provide us for dental care.
Here, regarding herbal toothache remedies, we are including herbs, roots, and other plant parts. Especially roots are employed for toothaches because of their substantial form, which can contain much medicinal substance and which can easily be held in the mouth or packed into a dental cavity. Probably much of the reason Calamus (Acorus) was favored by Natives as a toothache remedy is because of the form of the rhizome could be easily cut to various sizes for application. This is, of course, besides its medicinal virtues, which include a strong aromatic property. Just as in Chinese medicine, Native remedies for pain are often aromatic herbs. (Calamus was revered in many herbal traditions, including Native, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and European.)
Osha, or Bear Root (Ligusticum porteri) is one of my favorite herbs for toothaches and other infections, including throat. I hesitate to mention it because of its increasing popularity and limited availability from wild sources. But, hopefully cultivated sources will become more available for public use. Definitely, those living the the Rocky Mountains should know about Bear Root for emergency use, as it is a remarkable herb.
Elder is a Native American remedy for toothache.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) is a tasty root (though not to all) that can be readily obtained through Chinese and American herb stores and is increasingly being cultivated in this country. It can be purchased in a whole form, rather than sliced or ground, that works for a brushing stick. The sliced form also works nicely for tucking into the cheek.
With these roots and herbs, including Toothache Plant, Echinacea, and others mentioned above and in the linked articles, it is best to chew them in order to keep the herb local (near the toothache). Taken internally as beverages, tinctures, or capsules, the herbs will have to be taken in through the digestive system, filtered with the blood, and circulated through the blood vessels before arriving at the afflicted area. Best is to tuck the herb into your gum near the toothache and keep it there, chewing on occasion to release the medicinal virtues and otherwise letting the herb juice soak into the gums. Dispose of the herbs when they seem used up or just to give your mouth a break and then repeat later. The duration and repetition will have to be felt out, allowing some lag-time for the effects to sink in, because of the variability regarding herb choice and severity of the toothache.
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