u/MadCowTX

I'm looking to get a .177 rifle and scope for reducing my population of nuisance squirrels. I'm looking for something good enough without spending more than I need to. I'd like to try this out before I invest in anything nice. I'd like to keep it low power since neighbors are close (but I'll only shoot squirrels on the ground). Max range would be 20yds. State law requires minimum 600fps for squirrels.

What rifle would you recommend on a budget? I was considering the Daisy 901. Is it good enough? Is there something better for similar or a little more money?

What's a good enough budget scope for 20yds and under?

TIA!

Hopefully this is allowed, and I apologize in advance if not. I have no affiliation.

Xtool diagnostic scanners are currently on sale from the official store on AliExpress (shipping from USA). In addition, AliExpress is running a sale with coupon codes you can stack on top of the sale price (e.g. $12 off $79+ or $40 off $239+, etc.). On top of that, Rakuten is doing 19% cash back on AliExpress today.

For example, the Xtool A30m is $151 on Amazon, on sale for $129 on the Xtool website. I bought it for $87 from AliExpress, and I'll get 19% cash back, bringing the effective price down to about $70. Other models are also on sale, and the AliExpress coupons get better the more you spend.

If you've never used Rakuten, feel free to message me for a referral code (which will benefit me as well as you, in the interest of full disclosure).

FYI, the cash back rate changes from day to day. Tomorrow it could be the same, it could be even higher (occasionally it does), or it could go back down to 2%.

I'm looking for new tires for my Mazda 3 hatchback. This is for daily driving in Houston, TX (very hot summers, sometimes very dry, heavy rains, no snow/ ice to speak of). Priorities are safety on wet roads > quiet & comfortable > longevity/ value > handling.

I see the following highly rated options on Tire Rack, all in the $450 - $500 range after rebates: Continental SecureContact AW, Vredestein Hitrac, General Altimax RT45, Falken Sincera SN250 A/S.

I guess Continental is the best value based on brand reputation, but I don't need all weather tires here, and I wonder if that makes them noisier than regular all season tires? I'm open to other options in this price range.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/ feedback!

Here's something I just read in an old 5th Circuit opinion that I found amusing:

The Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers Act "applies during the dark of night, at the break of dawn and in the twilight too. And it would be a mistake to find a new twilight zone which surrounds the United States at a distance beyond a marine league from its shores. Twilight by its definition is a time when it is difficult to see. For this limited problem the shorelines of our nation and their relation to federal and state jurisdiction are already obscure enough without our producing a new fog bank to prolong, intensify or increase the dimensions of the reduced visability. We can hope that the 1972 amendments to § 903(a) will burn away the fog." 483 F.2d 577, 884.