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MIG Welder Questions

I am shopping around for a small MIG Welder and thought I should ask some questions along the way.

I know little to nothing about welding but I have done a very little bit of stick welding before. I made some target stands and maybe some other small things but that's it. Hopefully I can get some feedback and learn more from people in the know as I go along.

So far I am thinking about a 120V input flux core MIG Welder. They are fairly cheap in some places but honestly I am not super price sensitive. That said I don't want an expensive machine that gets used 3-4 times per year.

The reason for the flux core is that I won't have to worry about buying gas and all that. My understanding is that the flux creates its own shielding which is similar to stick welding in that regard. Other than that it's generally a plug and play system (I think).

Just for conversation sake let's say I put a price cap of say $500. Obviously I am not talking about top of the heap equipment.

The reason for the 120V is that I can take it anywhere that I can get an extension cord to which would be kind of nice. At least that's my thinking.

Other than those two things, and keeping that in mind, what would the limitations be for a system like that? What are some features that I should look for in a machine?

With a welder like that it's generally going to be for odd jobs and projects that I have. That said what are the limitations on what types of metals I could weld up and more importantly the thickness of said metal? I probably won't be welding anything super thick but the probability of welding thinner things is much more possible.

Any advice or corrections will be welcome.

SOLD Vectronix LRTV MWIR (JIM LR) - SOLD

New here but have +580 feedback on arf. Picked this up in trade and want to see what's out there, not in a rush to sell.

Vectronix LRTV (AKA Safran JIM LR)
-Cooled MWIR (visible bullet trace) + day channel (w/fusion modes)
-IR pointer and laser range finder (10k+ range)
-GPS and compass
*Left eye screen does not turn on

Unit is in great cosmetic shape, has low hours, and works as it should (minus the left screen). Civilian owned, was never gov property. Previous owner believes the issue with the left screen is related to a ribbon cable, cap, or resistor—could be a simple fix for someone in the know. He said it would turn on about 50% of the time, but it hasn't worked for me the few times I've powered it on. Doesn't bother me and the unit works great for my purposes. This model also has a few updates, including 4 different fusion modes, metal battery cage, and bottom mounting bracket.

Here is a link to a write up with more info > Link

Comes as shown, with unit + carry case, video-out cable, manual, batteries (a few don't hold charge well), and charging station. PM me with any questions or requests. SOLD

90° WMLRF mount that fits on scope rail

Sorry for the dumb question but is there a 90° mount that will let me mount an Impact or Fire 4000 under a scope on my picatinny scope rail? I don't want to spend a fortune on new rings or a mount and then a diving board mount to go on that.

I have a spare WMLRF and would like to mount it on one of these two rifles. The .22 has 0.4" between the scope main tube and the top of the picatinny rail slots and the CTR has 0.24" so I'm thinking not.
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I could also use this small plastic rail that came with the chassis but it seems less than ideal:
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Any suggestions for making this work with a Bravo would be welcome.

Varget vs N140

So I have shot Varget with great success, and other VV powders as well. The price of Varget compared to N140 for an 8# jug is almost $100 difference. Anyone switch to shoot N140 instead of Varget? Is the newer formula of N140 more temp stable compared to years past? I'm looking to buy a few 8# jugs for my 223, 22ARC, and 6br. Any compelling reason to choose one over the other? I'm just thinking if I bought 3 8# jugs of Varget, I could get 4 jugs of VVN140 for the same price. its tempting me.

High force pressure on virgin brass

Hey everyone
I have some new starline brass for 6.5 cm.
I cut to length,chambered, full length size(habit) used an expander mandrel and bronze brushed the interior necks. K&m press is giving me multiple things at different times including high high pressure, an initial bullet catch with a drag and or multiple catches. I can't for the life of me understand why.....example no burs, consistent reloading process(though I didn't anneal prior), etc...here is the reloading data

.264 nosler cc 140
Neck bushing to .289
Expander mandrel at .263(bolt gun)
Case necks checked between .013 and .014

Here is my math

.264+.028= .292(no tension)
.289 neck diameter bushing the + .001 for spring back getting me to .290 for 2 thousand neck tension

Use the .263 expander then gets me to 1 thousand for my precision rifle

No idea why I have so much drag/tension/force

Any ideas or advice would be appreciated.

Happy shooting

SOLD Leupold Mk5 5-25 H59

Up is my trusty Mk5. Has spent its life on my impact 6cm for the last few years. I am looking to upgrade and she has to move. Have the original box but lost the oem throw lever (replaced with the flatline lever). Glass is in good shape just dirty (will clean once new solution comes in).

I will let it go for $1600 SOLD shipped with the seekins rings and the flatline throw lever OBO.
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Paypal preferable

SOLD Steiner T6Xi 2.5-15x50 MRAD SCR

Moving a T6Xi 2.5-15x50 MRAD with the SCR Reticle. It was on a rifle for less than 200 rounds. Only removed, because I put a thermal on the rifle that this was on. In very excellent condition with clean lenses. Small stuff on battery cap and the faintest of ring marks from the Vortex Precision Mount it was in. Purchased directly from Steiner. Comes with all accessories and factory box. $1100 Shipped

I also have the Vortex 34mm 20MOA Mount with diving board and original ring cap. $200 Shipped

Please message me if there are any questions or additional photos are needed.

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.300 Win Mag Hornady Tap 178gr ELD

Mods please move if this isn’t the right place.

Curious what kind of results people have experienced with Hornady TAP .300 Win Mag 178gr ELD rounds. Taking my TCOLE Basic Sniper course next month, minimum round count is 500, and the platform I have available is a .300 Win Mag. Was trying to find a reasonable cost / performance match ammo for this specific training, and this Hornady TAP ammo is $1.68/rd which is a much better price point than I have been able to find on somewhat comparable offerings like Federal Gold Medal Match 190gr. It is advertised as NTOA recommended but beyond that I haven’t really seen any postings after searching the forum regarding SD and such or independent reviews on other sites. Please let me know if you have experienced any significant consistency issues and if should look for a different factory route. Thanks!

SOLD Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 NZS Mil-Dot, circa 2004 (MK13 optic)

Up for sale is my NXS 5.5-22x56 NON ZERO STOP, Mil dot reticle, 04/27/2004 dated inspection sticker. Perfect optic for your MK13 Mod 0, Mod 3, or early Mod 5. RINGS NOT INCLUDED

This reticle is tough to find, scope is in incredible shape. Parting with a large portion of my collection in the coming weeks, this is the first thing to go.

$1300 Shipped UPS 2day

PayPal F&F, Venmo F&F ONLY

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Precision Rifle Gear Tripod. The best.

My searching skills just lack in every way. I know the answer is out there. I’m very unfamiliar with tripods, heads and ways to connect to rifle. Assuming I’ll need gun stock work done as well?

I dont shoot or have chassis guns. All my rifles have your typical McMillan hunting style stocks.
I’m looking for the absolute best tripods and heads. Two actually.

One where weight doesn’t matter. Needs to be as stable and solid as there is along with the head.

One where weight does matter. I realize this is where stability is affected.

Also have no idea what’s needed to attach to my stocks. Like mentioned earlier. I’ll probably need stock work?

Price doesn’t matter.

Thanks.

Suppressors SOLVED - New to cans - by far my biggest surprise has been...

Thanks (??) to @Rob01 and my adult son, I've been led into the world of suppressors. Nothing unexpected until...

... I discovered the SMELL.

After the first outing with son's new suppressor and it cooled off, we unscrewed it and put it back in its plastic box. Later, at my house, I took it out of the box and immediately noticed a sharp odor... what is that?.... sniffed the hub end of the can... yowza, the ammonia smell was VERY potent and burned my nose.

I got my own can (Rugged Alaskan 360) a couple weeks later, I found the same thing: Massive ammonia smell, after shooting ammo with a variety of single-base and double-base powders. I never smelled ammonia before in 60+ years of shooting shotgun, pistol, and rifle.

With his suppressor on a Tavor bullpup, he said the ammonia-laden gas wafting out of the action under his chin made him wheeze a bit.

This isn't a gripe. Just an observation. Surprised me quite a bit; I'd never heard of this before. And I'm aware that breathing this stuff as was happening with the Tavor is not a good thing.