flatland1 said:

I've called my Athlon sales rep several times in the past couple of weeks to try to place an order for at least a couple of the Gen 3 Ares BTR scopes, but have yet to hear back from him. Wondering if the trade war/tariff situation isn't causing problems?

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Could be the rep as one of the reps from Athlons wife had a baby last week. If it's him that could be why.

I put this rabbit-hole research I did in the Panama Canal thread, but it probably goes here as general info.

So doing some research further on Blackrock buying the ports on both sides of the Panama Canal, it bought a 90% stake of CK Hutchinson's global port portfolio. This is somewhat important, if not immediately obvious with its implications. Blackrock has made investments in Chinese companies via its funds AND partnerships in Hong Kong and mainland China. They also have funds that focus on equities of Chinese companies.

The timeline is interesting. Trump talks about the Panama Canal being "repatriated" and is talking about tariffs. Blackrock has Chinese investments and buys not just these Panama ports from a Chinese company but also others around the globe CK has. The negotiations between Blackrock and CK Hutchinson BEGAN in 2025. That's rocket fast. While the deal is still going through due diligence and terms are being finalized, its being touted by Trump as an America first purchase. Except it isn't. Blackrock isn't really American, it's an international, global corporation. It could be argued that this is a pro-China protectionist move.

IMO, Blackrock has done this to enable it to keep its investments in other corporations shielded as much as possible from tariffs, as well as controlling the international supply chain, and has done it under Trump's approval and sold to the US as a pro-American move. This is the same underlying methodology that they have with respect to Ukraine. Blackrock will now potentially have access to the control of free trade zones and the ability to raise prices on port entry costs as they see fit. And this is a company that has fully signed on to the WEF and ESG agendas.

This isn't the America First move it is touted to be. All that occurred was a Chinese company that owns the ports was bought by a company that has a vested interest in keeping its Chinese investments profitable as they move goods around the world. China is still defacto controlling or at least influencing the Panama Canal.

Globalism via corporatism is alive and well.

Thanks.

I've called my Athlon sales rep several times in the past couple of weeks to try to place an order for at least a couple of the Gen 3 Ares BTR scopes, but have yet to hear back from him. Wondering if the trade war/tariff situation isn't causing problems?

C130 said:

Definitely doesn’t make sense. My two last Thursday were submitted within a minute of each other, approved two days apart. Still approved very quickly and such a huge improvement over my last ones a couple of years ago but still lots of varying times. I assume different people get each file but it just seems if a person has multiple applications they’d approve all of them at the same time. But, we know that's not how the government works. Saying that, overall they are getting approved vey quick now.

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They are much faster for sure. My first can many years ago took 14 months. I got spoiled with the 2 - 3 day approvals of just a couple of months ago. Just wish there was some form of tracker to see where the hold up was.

Pm sent

Still available

Was on my way in to work this morning and saw this little heifer playing in the highway near two Mennonite dairys. First thing that I noticed about her was her ears looked odd.
As I got closer a border collie that I hadn't seen yet comes out of some bushes and herds her off the road.
It was then I saw why her ears looked funny, she's had her ears pierced and is wearing earings.
Guess she belongs to one of the dairy owners.

$1,225 shipped for 680 rounds

176gr ATIPS


price drop to $1,125 shipped for 680 rounds.

offers?

So doing some research further on Blackrock buying the ports on both sides of the Panama Canal, it bought a 90% stake of CK Hutchinson's global port portfolio. This is somewhat important, if not immediately obvious with its implications. Blackrock has made investments in Chinese companies via its funds AND partnerships in Hong Kong and mainland China. They also have funds that focus on equities of Chinese companies.

The timeline is interesting. Trump talks about the Panama Canal being "repatriated" and is talking about tariffs. Blackrock has Chinese investments and buys the not just these Panama ports from a Chinese company but also others around the globe CK has. The negotiations between Blackrock and CK Hutchinson BEGAN in 2025. That's rocket fast. While the deal is still going through due diligence and terms are being finalized, its being touted by Trump as an America first purchase. Except it isn't. Blackrock isn't really American, it's an international, global corporation. It could be argued that this is a pro-China protectionist move.

IMO, Blackrock has done this to enable it to keep its investments in other corporations shielded as much as possible from tariffs, as well as controlling the international supply chain, and has done it under Trump's approval and sold to the US as a pro-American move. This is the same underlying methodology that they have with respect to Ukraine. Blackrock will now potentially have access to the control of free trade zones and the ability to raise prices on port entry costs as they see fit. And this is a company that has fully signed on to the WEF and ESG agendas.

This isn't the America First move it is touted to be. All that occurred was a Chinese company that owns the ports was bought by a company that has a vested interest in keeping its Chinese investments profitable as they move goods around the world. China is still defacto controlling or at least influencing the Panama Canal.

Globalism via corporatism is alive and well.

Im running a 7 twist 22 creed currently (previous barrel was a 7.5), and im running 90 atips at the moment @3075 with a 20" bartlien. Previous barrel (20" bartlien 7.5 twist) I mainly shot 60gr TMK's @3600 fps. It was a hammer, was able to sling 75 elds @3400 . I'm seriously considering pulling this current barrel and putting a 7.5-8twist back on. My thermal lived on this gun 90% of the time. I bought my 8yo son a 8twist preferred barrels barreled Kelbly action, it will not stabilize 90gr atips.

I dont think youd go wrong with an .218 bore 8twist barrel. Hard to go wrong with a bartlien 5r barrel.

Pm sent

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot said:

learned to do lead work from his videos.
View attachment 8632816View attachment 8632817

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Tinning… maple paddles and beeswax….

Beautiful work. 100x better than Bondo!!!

Sirhr

BTT

It really makes zero sense on the timing of any of these. The first 2 I put in a couple of weeks ago I'm still waiting on. All of the 3 that have been approved were put in after 2 that I am still waiting on. Zero rhyme or reason.

Bump

Bump

Jackomason said:

It'd be sad to see that happen, but it also seems like the market is saturated with companies making decent SPR barrels.

If mine doesn't shoot I'll probably order a Geisselle.

Has anyone shot theirs yet?

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It has nothing to do with SPR barrels, John Hollinger is the Godfather of High Power Competition Match Barrels.

And in regards to Geissele SPR Barrels...

Guy Montag said:

Who built this

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A local gun did the barrel for me and I put it together.

Nik H said:

I can't count the number of ways we are winning.

1. Throwing that utter POS Al Green out for being disrespectful was just awesome. I would have taken that gold headed cane and stuck it up his ass after beating him to a bloody pulp
2. Watching Pelosi not knowing what to do.
3. Watching the Democrats with their little protest signs. I bet David Hogg thought that up
4. DOGE!

List your favorites

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I like how he mentioned he could come up with the cure to a horrible desease, solve all crime, and one other thing and the democrats would never cheer for it.

He's right, the man could go outside, a laser could shoot out of his ass, into space to annihilate a planet killing space rock, and democrats would bitch and moan about it.

Fuck democrats.

If only barrel was threaded - wanted to run my suppressor. Bump for what looks like a good deal!