I've been super impressed with the Ranger towing this camper. '25 Lariat 2.7L. I have a lifetime towing average of 12.4MPG, majority of that at 65-70MPH, over 750 miles since I bought the truck last year (nearly 14k miles on the odometer).
Granted this camper isn't the heaviest thing, 3800 GVWR, but it's a brick aerodynamically speaking.
Did some testing this weekend, mostly for hunting and shiggles.
Savage MKII FV-SR Stainless, Apache Trigger, Arken EPL4 4-16×, Rugged Occulus 22
Tested CCI Suppressor, Eley Subsonic HP, SK Yellow, SK Red, Eley Tenex, CCI Green Tag.
Assuming my POI selection was accurate in Ballistic-X, here's the resulting data:
All shot at 50 yards:
1 - CCI Green* - 0.722 MOA, 15 shots total
2 - SK Standard Plus* (yellow) - 0.731 MOA, 15 shots
3 - SK Rifle Match* (red) - 0.745 MOA, 28 shots
4 - Eley Tenex* - 0.889 MOA, 20 shots
5 - CCI Suppressor - 1.044 MOA, 45 shots
6 - Eley Subsonic HP - 1.344 MOA, 45 shots
*Denotes boxes that are previously used so I didn't have any more to shoot that day.
Now, of course this data is a bit skewed given the varying number of rounds shot for each ammo, but when combining with a previous range trip, it doesn't change the ordering much. My average grouping for SK Standard would improve, the rest degrade slightly but otherwise nothing notable.
So the question now becomes, do I just buy a shit ton of SK Standard Plus (and hope the lot variations aren't dramatic) and use that as my squirrel hunting round and otherwise everything round? From my research, it doesn't appear that HP's really matter for squirrels, but I would gain a notable accuracy improvement, for a not insignificant price increase comparatively.
The filament, HT-PLA-Pro, is jamming repeatably. I've done a 14 hour print with it, but the print before, and every subsequent print keeps bunching up in the extruder gears.
I've taken this thing apart so many times now that the filament detection wires are barely hanging on to the clips.
This is incredibly frustrating. What am I doing that it can work one print, but not the others? It's the exact same file and print settings so I don't get it.
I just need someone to fact check me here. I haven't even bought consumables yet, so I'm just learning how to use my equipment before even attempting to do anything with powder.
That said, is this how you read 20.2 on the balance? It appears so, but want some validation. Maybe I'm being over cautious, but I'd rather be that than the opposite.
Not finding a whole lot of help directly for the Creality Hi, but does anyone have any advice on how to fix z banding issues on a Creality Hi?
Tried searching online, and most of the results are for other printers saves for software/calibration updates which I'm working on tuning. Does anyone have specific fixes for the Hi?
I have an AR build with a 24" bull barrel I use for precision target shooting. I've been tagging steel plates out to 1,000 yards with varying results using factory ammo (subsonic at that distance so it's a mild guessing game) but I want to see what loads people have developed to start loading my own.
So, what have you guys come up with using 77gr Sierra Matchking and Tipped Matchking rounds?
Lee Turret press and 223 breech lock kit on a cheap harbor freight bench that I don't mind destroying in the process (was surprisingly sturdy to be honest). Grew tired of paying $1.50 for 77gr match ammo. Will eventually be getting 300 dies for subsonic 300 development as well, and eventually 6.5 creedmoor or some other long range round.
I still have quite a bit more tools to buy before I actually load my first round, but I jumped in to get the process started.
What filament dryer is everyone using? I want something dedicated for filaments so I don't have to worry about contamination or microplastics in my overnight/toaster oven/dehydrator.
So far I've been eyeing the Creality Space Pi X4 and Sunlu E2
But I really want to get some feedback on what everyone likes since I don't really trust Amazon reviews.
Title, but I want to make sure I get everything I need for my first setup
Note, I am going to start on 223 as I do some long range/precision shooting with my gas gun. Iill eventually want to do 300BO subs, and want to protect for capability to do 6.5 Creedmoor as well (future rifle build). Obviously those other 2 calipers need their own dies, and I'll get dedicated turret plates for those, but I'm starting with 223 since that is what I shoot most often.
Any advice on what I should add if anything beyond consumables?
I have a Creality Hi, now I know its (supposed to be) open air and it isn't meant for engineering filaments or Nylon in general, but is this capable of handling PA6-CF if I get the hardened nozzle? I mainly bought the enclosure because my wife does a lot of sewing in the same room, so strings of fabric get everywhere, and this just kept the bed from getting unwanted FOD on it.
With the hot bed at 70C, the inside gets int he 30-34C range according to temp/humidity gauge in the top left of the enclosure which is less than ideal I know, but I think it would get in the 40's when I bump the hot bed to 90C for PA.
Trying to decide if I should give it a go, or just abandon the plan all together and buy a bigger/better printer with active chamber temp control. I'm fairly certain the answer is the latter, but figured I'd poke around first and see if anyone has had success before I make a new investment.
My laces decided to break after only 3 months of use, which I've never broken laces before. But, it got me thinking about what everyone's favorite laces and socks are.
Currently I'm using the second pair of laces I got with my boots, which aren't my favorite.
For socks, I'm really enjoying the Darn Tough The Standard Cushioned Lightweight as my everyday wear with my boots, although I think I should've bought one size up.
What's everyone using?
I was replacing my hot end when one of the two screws retaining the hot end wouldn't budge and stripped. The amount of loctite that came out on the other screw was quite excessive IMO.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Parkhurst - The Richmond in Beaver Fur Rambler.
(Almost) 3 months in with daily wear. I've done no cleaning or anything during this time. I do have a brush and Bick oil for when I need to, but haven't seen the need yet.
First picture = June-25
Second picture = April-8 (first wear)
Really enjoying how these are breaking in. Zero discomfort at any point in time over these 3 months and couldn't be happier.
Does anyone have any information on what is being done or how long EB traffic is expected to be closed? I don't see anything about it on the City, County it State websites unless my searching skills are just junk today (which is very likely).
Google says it'll open up at 5pm, but I know that's not true. There was a big concrete section missing as of 7am today, and concrete takes several days if not a week to cure for road use.
Not sure if this is truly an issue or not? Looking for some more experienced than I to chime in and see if I need to notch my handguard with a Dremel or something.
The truck isn't even a year old yet and some of the NVH issues I've experienced with this vehicle are absurd.
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The off throttle tip in has so much drive line shock it's jarring. My truck will SLAM into and out of 4th gear when it's cold so much so that your head will heat the headrest. And now this mode selector has decided it wants to make music, it already is a terrible design to begin with.
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However, those issues aside, I really like this truck. My '25 2.7L has done a great job for me towing and just generally being a comfortable commuter (NVH issues aside).
Took my wife out to the range for her first ever time shooting. Started her at 25, 50, then jumped to 200 (no steel at 100, and we couldn't see impacts since my dumbass forgot my spotting scope)
Anyhow, yes I did dial the scope in for her, but she was ecstatic. There's something so satisfying with essentially only hearing the bolt, delay, then the ping of an impact with 22LR
Rifle: Savage MK II FV-SR Stainless
Suppressor: Rugged Occulus 22
Scope: Arken EPL4 4-16x Mil
Ammo: SK Standard Plus