SunflowerAmmo.com Photo Contest

SunflowerAmmo.com Photo Contest

Customers at SunflowerAmmo.com receive a SunflowerAmmo.com sticker with ever purchase.  E-mail us a picture of what you did with your SunflowerAmmo.com sticker.  Send your emails to customerservice@sunfloweroutdoorsports.com.  Contest will run thru the end of the year. The best picture will receive a prize package worth over $125 including:

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Survival Kit
Gerber Option 50 Flashlight
Gerber Shard
Gerber Ceramic Pocket Sharpner
Aquamira Frontier Emergency Water Filter
Cold Steel Urban Pal

note - entry into the contest gives SunflowerAmmo.com the right to publish your picture and add you to our newsletter.

127 Hours - The Movie and being Prepared

I recently watched the movie, 127 Hours.  It is based on the true story of a hiker in Moab, Utah.  He was hiking alone when a rock fell on his arm leaving him trapped.  After 127 hours, he cut of his own arm in a final attempt to free himself.  He survived and went on to write a book about his ordeal upon which the movie is based.

As I was watching the movie I was more concerned with what he did wrong right and before and during his ordeal than the movie itself.  My thoughts are as follows:

Mistakes
1) Heading solo into the wilderness.  I only call this a partial mistake because I know many people love the solitude and reflection available on a solo trip.  You just have to remember that a solo trip is deadly serious and prepare accordingly.
2) He set out on a trip without telling anyone where he was going or when to expect him back.  This is critical when venturing into the wild but can be just as critical in everyday life.  Did you let anyone know the last time you took a weekend road trip?  Do you provide your spouse with a copy of your travel plans when you take a business trip?
2) Gear Quality - He broke a cheap, Chinese made multi-tool and had trouble with gear not being accessible when he was trapped.  There are certain items that have to work when needed.  A few that come to mind are firearm, ammunition, knife, batteries, flashlight, watch, compass, backpack, rope, canteen, vehicle etc.  Most of us are tempted by inexpensive gear.  Just remember to determine if that inexpensive gear is cheap.
3) Gear availability -  Some of his gear was not available for use due to how he was trapped.  He had access to most of the gear on his person.  Do not keep all of your gear in your pack.  Two is one and One is none.  Spread your gear between your person and your pack.  This rule applies everyday so keep this in mind when selecting your EDC gear and if you carry it on your person or your computer bag/briefcase/vehicle.

Positives
1) He kept a positive attitude for the most part and visualized why he wanted to live.
2) He was very resourceful in utilizing what gear he had available.  The 127 hours was spent trying to free himself multiple ways before resorting to cutting off his arm.  At one point he set up a pulley system with his climbing gear in an attempt to move the rock.

While watching the movie I thought of the "I Survived" television series on the Biography channel.  I end up going thru the same negative/positive analysis when watching this series.  The two things that stand out in every story are the will the survive and resourcefulness.  Your are going to have to be resourceful in any survival situation but the better prepared your are with gear and knowledge the better your chances of survival. 

Use the Coupon Code "freebracelet" to Receive a Free Paracord Bracelet

One of our vendors ran a special on generic paracord bracelets with a survival whistle in the clasp.  They are not the same quality as the Survival Strap Paracord bracelets we sell so we are giving them away!  The bracelets are 9.5" and will fit a 7.5" to 8" wrist.  Bracelets are brown, woodland camo and ACU camo. Color will be random.  Use the coupon code "freebracelet" on a $20 purchase and you will receive a free generic paracord bracelet.  The coupon code will work as long as we have free bracelets available.  No rain checks.

September is National Preparedness Month!

"It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” — Howard Ruff During the month of September we are offering the following offer on select Wise Food products: Buy a 1080 Serving Package, get (2) 72 Hour Food Kits FREE (retail value of $69) Buy a 1440 Serving Package, get (4) 72 Hour Food Kits FREE (retail value of $138) Buy a 2160 Serving Package, get (6) 72 Hour Food Kits FREE (retail value of $207) Buy a 2880 Serving Package, get (8) 72 Hour Food Kits FREE (retail value of $276) Buy a 4320 Serving Package, get (10) 72 Hour Food Kits FREE (retail value of $345) We are now also carrying Chef's banquet long term storage food in addition to Wise long term storage food.  The largest difference between the two brands is packet size.  Wise foods come packaged in 4 serving packets.  Chef's Banquet comes in 5-10 serving packets.  The Chef's Banquet line is less expensive primarily due to the economy afforded thru reduced packaging. FREE Shipping on all long term storage food at SunflowerAmmo.com ·Cookies are disabled. In order to shop on this Web store, you must have cookies enabled. For instructions on how to enable cookies, please see the help section of your browser. Once cookies are enabled please refresh the current page.

Basic Emergency Supply List

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth. Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit: Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both Flashlight and extra batteries First aid kit Whistle to signal for help Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) Local maps Cell phone with chargers Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit: Prescription medications and glasses Infant formula and diapers Pet food and extra water for your pet Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container Cash or traveler's checks and change Emergency reference material such as a first aid book Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate. Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate. Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners. Fire Extinguisher Matches in a waterproof container Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels Paper and pencil Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Invest in Tangibles NOW! Gold and Silver at Record Levels.

Gold and silver are trading at record levels.  What does this mean to the average person?  Gold and silver is in demand as a hedge against inflation and the falling value of the US Dollar.  Commodity inflation is at 20% and food inflation is at 30% over the last 12 months.  The value of the US Dollar is approaching an all time low.  The immediate impact on the average consumer is that every dollar you earn will buy less and less everyday.  Any dollars that you may be lucky enough to have saved are slowly shrinking day after day.

What can the average American do to safeguard their future?  It is too late to buy gold or silver.  Gold and silver average 20-30 years between record highs and lows.  Hedging with gold and silver is ineffective if you are buying at the highs.  If you hold gold and silver you should be selling off a percentage of your holdings, when the markets are at their highs, to effectively hedge your dollars.  You need to remember today's economic climate and purchase gold and silver when (hopefully not if) it cycles back towards a low.  What do you do in the meantime?

There is a popular saying that in order to be prepared an individual should have "Beans, Bullets and Band-aids".  I cannot argue with this logic.  If you look at the current inflation rate of 30% for food goods, you can achieve a 30%  rate of return on food items stocked in your pantry.  The same formula applies to "Bullets and Band-aids".  The advantage of investing in "Beans, Bullets and Band-aids" versus gold and silver is three fold.  First, gold and silver should be purchased at market lows as previously discussed.  Second, commodities such as ammunition, food, first aid supplies do not see the market downswings like gold and silver.  "Beans, Bullets and Band-aids" are in a constant inflationary state.  Third, "Beans, Bullets and Band-aids" can you used on a daily basis and are critical in an emergency situation.  It is difficult to feed your family, defend your home or mend a nasty cut with gold or silver. 

SunflowerAmmo.com is a small, family owned business that exists to bring you the best products at the best prices.  We use what we sell.  Look at the following when deciding how to safeguard your family and dollars from inflation.

Wise 1080 serving package - 4 adults 3 Month food supply

 

Federal XM193 5.56x45mm 55 Grain FMJ 500rds

 

Elite First Aid Military IFAK

 

 

 

Federal .45 Auto ammunition Recall

Federal and American Eagle product warning.

SunflowerAmmo.com has not sold any of this ammunition but want our customers to check their ammunition purchased from other vendors.  
Certain lots of recently manufactured 45 Auto ammunition may contain an incorrect propellant charge. Use of product from these lots may result in firearm damage and possible serious injury.  If you have in your possession any 45 Auto with the following brand names and part numbers, check to see if your ammunition package contains the lots numbers 38X628 through 38X765 and 38T401 through 38T414 : American Eagle® (AE45A, AE45N1, or AE45A250), Champion™ (WM5233), GoldMedal® (GM45B), Hi-Shok® (45C, 45D) and Federal® Personal Defense® (C45C, C45D). 

If you possess ammunition from any of these lots, or have questions concerning this warning, please contact us
at 1-800-831-0850 or 1-800-322-2342 and ask for Product Service. Federal will provide replacement product and will cover the cost of returning the affected product. 

Californians get your ammo before Feb. 1, 2011

AB 962 requires that beginning February 1, 2011 all California ammunition sales must be face to face transactions thus eliminating the option of California residents purchasing ammunition by phone, mail or the internet.  AB 962 requires that Californians purchasing ammunition complete a form with their personal information, type of ammunition purchased and a copy of their right thumbprint.

Cabelas has stated that they will discontinue CA ammunition sales on January 31, 2011.  It is believed that CA ammunition prices will increase at remaining retailers.

Residents of the other 49 states should make any upcoming ammunition purchases before the end of the year if possible as ammunition manufacturers update their pricing on January 1st with price increases being the norm. 



Get your Ammo today at SUNFLOWERAMMO.COM

Black Friday Sale at SunflowerAmmo.com

We are having a Black Friday Sale at Sunflowerammo.com. We decided to have the sale because 4Sevens extended their Black Friday sale to their Dealers.  We have awesome prices on the 4Sevens Mini AA2, Quark 123 tactical and Maelstrom G5.

We also have some Independence .380 ACP and 9mm Luger ammo on sale along with some mil surplus items.

November 2010 Camping trip

I did a quick video of my latest camping trip.  It got down to about 30 degrees F overnight but my Snugpak Sleeper Lite sleeping bag keep me warm as usual. 

I used my Fenix HP-10 headlamp for the first time and I was really impressed.  It was the first time I had used a headlamp. It was very handy to have a hands free light around camp especially when Liberty the Weimaraner decided to walk across the back of our shelter at 3AM.

The last new item I used was the Aquamira Frontier Pro Water Filter.  It is cheap, small and effective.  Filtered pond water tasted like bottled water.   I like it because you can place it directly in a water source and drink without filling a container.

Pheasant Season 2010 - Opening Day

I went Pheasant hunting in Western Kansas last weekend and thought I would post a couple of pictures.  A great time was had by all.

 This is my view as a "blocker" while pheasant hunting in a cut milo field.  The specs on the horizon are the "walkers" in our group.

Group photo with birds from Saturday.  We got the same number of birds on Sunday with half as many hunters (29 birds each day).

Overland Park, KS Gun Show Oct. 16 & 17 2010

SunflowerAmmo.com will be at the Overland Park, KS gun show on Oct. 16 & 17.  It is a great chance to save on those shipping charges and look at our gear in person.  It should be fun as it is our first gun show.

The gun show is at the International Trade Center 6800 W 115 St Overland Park, KS 66211.  Here is a link to a Google map of the location.

Here is a link to a $1 off coupon for admission to the gun show.

Luthers Jerky

There are a few simple pleasures in life......cold beer on a hot day, a good cigar on a still summer night and Luther's Jerky.  I am not affiliated with Luther's beyond being a dedicated customer.  Comparing Luther's jerky with the garbage jerky sold at your local convenience store is like comparing a soy burger to Kobe beef.

Luther's is based in LeRoy, Kansas population 568.  Luther's jerky is also available at various locations in SE Kansas.  If you do not plan on visiting LeRoy, Kansas in the near future Luther's has a website that allows you to have the Jerky of the Gods delivered to your door. http://www.jerkyusa.com/

I recommend buying in bulk and storing in your freezer for freshness.  My favorites are the hot beef jerky and the teriyaki beef jerky.  Both flavors come in traditional strips and "popcorn" style.  I recommend getting both as the strips are thick and meaty while the "popcorn" allow you to moderate your intake.

Mo-Rod Ruger Mini-14 Barrel Stabilizer / Accurizer

Sunflowerammo.com is the first dealer for the Mo-Rod Ruger Mini-14 Barrel Stabilizer / Accurizer!  We are excited about our new relationship with Mo-Rod.  We have been very successful selling the Accu-Strut but Accu-Strut has suspended production without an ETA for a new production run leaving us sold out of our inventory.  I wanted our customers to have access to Ruger Mini-14 accurizing products so we expanded our product selection with the Mo-Rod.
The Mo-Rod utilizes CNC machined clamps that increase heat dispersion  from your Mini-14 Barrel in addition to the amazing accurizing effects.  I will have a video of the Mo-Rod installation process up next week.

Power Outage

A thunderstorm popped up last night causing a power outage at my home. I waited a few hours to see if power was going to be restored quickly. After seeing that only 10 homes were affected I determined that power was going to be off for a while so I got out my emergency generator.

I do not have my electrical distribution panel wired to accept a feed from my emergency generator so I utilize 10ga extension cords to distribute generator power to items I want to power in my home. I ran power to my freezer, refrigerator, sump pump and a light. I left my generator running overnight in case my sump pump was needed. Power was restored the next morning. I came away with the following concerns following my short power outage:

Positive
1) I had plenty of 10ga cords, of sufficient length, to distribute power. I have a 10ga 3 outlet cord end to run multiple small items like a fan and light in the same area.
2) I have a cable lock for my generator. I placed my generator outside my garage and backed my truck up to the garage. I locked my generator to the class III hitch on my truck. This set up worked well.
3) My generator started on the first pull. I test it every fall and use Sea Foam additive in the gas.
4) I have a large zero turn lawn mover so I keep multiple 5 gallon gas cans which also provide fuel for my generator.

Negative
1) While my generator is set up to power my gas fired furnace during cold weather it is not big enough to power my heat pump during the summer. It is less common to have power outages due to summer storms but I will have to consider upgrading to a large generator that will power my heat pump.
2) I do not have battery back up on my basement sump pump. It has been on my to do list but I have delayed purchase. I did replace my sump pump this winter under preventive maintenance. I had to run my generator continuously to power my sump pump. If I had battery back up, I would only have to run my generator every few hours to keep my freezer and refrigator cold and potentionally charge a sump pump battery. I am shopping for battery back up to add to my sump pump.

Nothing like a minor emergency to let you test your gear in a real life situation.

M1 Garand Part 1 & 2

Blake did these videos with a friend and his M1 Garand.  As always you can get your ammo at Sunflowerammo.com. Enjoy.

Snugpak Sleeper Lite Video

You can purchase this sleeping bag at Sunflowerammo.com .
I use this bag myself and it is hard to beat at this price.
  

After action gear report

Homemade alcohol stove

It took about 10 minutes to boil 1.5 quarts of water.

Fire starter field tests

Camp set up - Simple Shelter