After seeing your post I dug out my old Danner made combat hikers like you posted to wear shoveling snow. Like you said they arent perfect but they sure held up amazing over the years.
Solomans are great and but they wear out faster than I like.
Been wearing AKU for couple years now and they are excellent.
I have high arches so a lot of boots dont fit correct.
Just my opinion only on the gas guns more specifically 7.62mm ones from personal experience I like 4-16 NF, 5-20 S&B, 3-12 S&B in no particular order. I dont need 1/2 moa accuracy and require fast follow ups including positional and weak side. YMMV.
The NX8 and VUDU 5-25 are good scopes but IMO both scopes have compromises for the compact optical packages.
The NX8 has pretty good glass but a tight eyebox especially the 2.5-20 and I found it pretty underwhelming for use on a gas gun.
The VUDU 5-25 has decent glass..not quite as good as NX8...
Moras are good light/medium duty knives but Ive replaced it with Varusteleka Jääkäripuukko knives. Cheap enough to buy several to stash. Same 80crv2 as my Winklers and seems about as sturdy. Yes they are ugly and look like something elves would use.
I know of several well known commercial "sniper rifles" that could'nt pass the the minimum TOP 3-2-045 mil testing to even qualify for a submission.
One of them rhymes with Salvage.
Sig M17= For amatuers that cant shoot glocks straight. And ive seen some of these Army testers shoot them.
I believe the Govt pays around 183 bucks a piece for them. How? Ask where all the MIM parts come from and broached barrels are much cheaper to make than CHF from Austrian or Aubert& Duvall...
Went from Acraglass to marinetex or devcon many years ago on the the Garand and M1a and there seemed to be a real improvement in longevity.
Also im certain the hoppes was eating the acraglass.
WTT brand new in box 6-30 Athena mil scope for quality scope in lower power. 3-15 steiner M or Preimere 3-15 or something similar. I can add cash. No chinese scopes please.
I have two of these and only need 1. Very nice LOW made Jap scope...
I read a book by Herbert Mcbride many years ago and Im thinking hes not full of shit nor is the late great Gunny..
Nick aint hard to get a hold of so why dont you just contact him yourself and decide for yourself.