Ted's daily small talk

[Hatchdog]

15 years ago I had my choice of a half dozen DNR properties that I could shoot on. I bought a portable shooting bench and build a target stand. The advantage of shooting at these locations was we could shoot as we wanted. Draw from holster, shoot gongs or bowling pins or whatever as long as it was safe. These places would get pretty trashy with the lowlifes shooting junk like TV’s and leaving the crap behind. A local group of shooting enthusiasts I’m part of would coordinate with the DNR and do volunteer cleanups. Sadly between all the slobs shooting garbage and shooting unsafely and the increase of homes being built in the area has caused all of these locations to be shut down to shooting.

Another great experience gone to selfish people (the shooters not the home builders)

Ted I like that that range has steel targets available. So much more fun than punching holes in paper.

[DsGrouse]

It's one reason why we bought this property. I put a 70 yd pistol range, and this year we finished a 250yds rifle range. Today, a family member and I did a bit of weed whacking and trimming. We also sank 5 t-posts, and put 3 targets on 3 of the posts, and two targets each on the remaining.

[dave77]

Ted I like that that range has steel targets available. So much more fun than punching holes in paper.

When I used to go to black powder Rendezvous' most of the range shooting was at paper targets but they always had a trail walk where you would shoot at all kinds of different targets. Even had one that was rifle, pistol and tomahawk (even had to set a medium sized trap) and it was a timed event.

I was always pretty proud of this shot even though it was mostly luck. You had to split the card completely in half for it to count.

[cooperhawk]

I can shoot off my deck if I want. Only place I can't shoot is by the highway half a mile from the house.
At the end of the lake lives a Baptist Preacher and he and his son have won championships for pistol shooting.
I hear them most every day. I just tell guests the preacher is shooting sinners.

[Ted124]

I have a knack for shooting ranges, good ones. I'm running to the store and get stuff for the weekend.
Meanwhile, I had to take a selfie. One of the early days I drove up there. Maybe the first time, for sure around 20 years ago.



The way it came about, I was looking for my first .357 mag. Had to drive from Thousand Oaks to Ventura, small store at the corner of Thompson & McMillan. He didn't have anything on display. What happened, this elderly folk in prospector jeans asked me: "do you like to shoot?" I said "yes". He handed me a hand drawn map on a regular sheet that said 7-Shoot, all are welcome, date. They did that once a year. Club members would be there and let try out some hand guns, or even an AR. I went there, it was fun. Next thing, I gather info for the Club and show up at the next general meeting.
They have a probationary period during which a new applicant has to absolve 3-5 tasks than, a sponsoring club member would sign off and you're in!

[Ted124]

Alright. Back in the saddle.

I had to take a few days off. Didn't feel particularly happy.
I sold the BB Brass .45LC. My ad was still up. Got an offer. Not a particularly good offer, but I went for it. Rifle transferred 2 days ago.
Ironically, just a few days after I bought a couple of boxes of HSM Cowboy Ammo.

It's all good. Now I can find another gun for the 100 rounds of .45 Colt ammo.
I shouldn't have said that. As the Romans said: nomen est omen, or, if you bring your umbrella, it's going to rain.

[Sir Henry]

It’s raining here and I don’t own an umbrella.

[DsGrouse]

I'm still reloading and schlepping my collection on the local gun forum. I want to do some expensive work on the WRX, and I really couldn't justify spending the household cash. So, I took a long, hard look at the three safes and decided to let go of everything that isn't easily suppressible since 99% of my shooting is suppressed.

I did get in two shooting benches this week. The storm blew over my canopies. So I need to get one replaced. I need to order 15 railroad ties (to put the benches on.

[Ted124]

I wouldn't mind some cool rain. Just for an hour. Summer is here all of a sudden. California Sun.
I am not as heat resistant any more as I used to be.

What year WXR? I used to work for a Subaru dealership here in Ventura. Kirby. https://www.kirbysubaruofventura.com/
That was 2014-16. Great manual gearbox in a WRX! The STis are not shabby either. I had a couple of Outbacks and an Impreza for some years.

[DsGrouse]

Ted its a 2024 WRX TR. We bought it with 6 miles on it and, in 15 months, have put 46k on it.

It's heavily modified. The limitations of those mods are the split-case transmission that the 22+ WRX comes with. It can't hold more than factory torque at lower RPMs.

Right now, the car sits at 400 whp and 350 lb-ft of awtq. The issue is that torque has to be brought in well at 4k. Most of that is done with tuning.

The STI driveline swap is the transmission, center diff, rear diff axles, and drive shaft. The STI trans is solid up to about 600lft. That's more than enough for my build.

Right now, with tune, I could see 425 to 450 whp and 550 to 525 lb-ft, with torque starting much lower at around 2500 rpm due to the twinscroll design of my big turbo. If I went flex fuel, you could add another 100 to each of those.

400 hp is a good number. It's the torque I'd like to fix. As for a toque, number 450lft would be about perfect.

For reliability, I'm also planning to have ARP 550 head studs installed when I have the walnut blasting done.

The last mod I'm considering is either a center LSD or a rear LSD on the car. I am leaning rear. But you never know. They are both a chunk of change.

Pix





How the car currently sounds, it's a little long, but bear with it.
https://youtube.com/shorts/tWlUai93qyM? ... OR5zWtOUpn

[Sir Henry]

Sweet sounding ride!

[DsGrouse]

thank you

[Ted124]

OMG! That color! Holy smokes! Not that I understand all the specs, but I know WRX owners trick out those machines quite a bit.
Just make sure you don't blow the bottom out of the engine, it's still only a 4-cylinder boxer.
Btw, those are Launch Edition wheels, very nice!

[DsGrouse]

The wheels are aftermarket. The TR came with 19s. I live down 1.5miles of dirt road and a half-mile driveway, all at the very edge of a county via county one-lane backroads. 19's would not have been an enjoyable ride. I downsized to 18s for an all-season tire. Everyone thought I was nuts for going with Subaru gold rims on an orange car, but those who know, well, they know.

[Ted124]

I think the wheels look great.

[Sir Henry]

So do I.

[Ted124]

I've got to get my head out of the hole.
I want to buy a gun, but I don't want to buy a gun.
I just came back from Turner's. That's how far I made it.
Friday traffic. But also, I left my DL there. Good thing I noticed half way to Camarillo.
It's not fun to do anything on a Friday. Traffic is a disaster, too many people at the counter.
So, I had to go twice to Turner's. Both times I could not get myself to move forward.
I think I am tired of being taxed out of my mind every time I feel like buying a gun.
But, I am also undecided.
Ruger has a Gen II Scout rifle. Very cool.
Even the stock is not too bad. Has a wide channel with plenty of room for a free floating 16" barrel. Iron sights plus rail.
Considering a second Henry Single Shot in 223/556 Nato. A Homesteader and a Ruger 10/22 International, that's a Mannlicher stock version.
A Taylor's & Company 1873 w/ a 7.5" barrel, nice colorcase w/ brass, blued cylinder & barrel. It's .45LC, because I have 100 rounds of ammo now.

[Ted124]

I am on the phone now with my firearms advisor.

[daytime dave]

I wouldn't mind a 10/22 with a Mannlicher stock. I like their looks.

[DsGrouse]

First rifle i shot is a pre 68 international. My dad almost sold it of, i snagged it from him. It's a fine shooter.