For your BOB, do you prefer 45 acp, or 9mm? I've been wondering this just for how much space the ammo for each take up. I haven't actually made a BOB yet, but I've been planning to and haven't decided on what all I'd like to include as far as a side arm, or even if I do want to include one (just stick with whats in EDC + extra ammo). But from what I've been comparing, given limited pack space, the 9mm may have the advantage. I plan on having my 45 as an EDC, but I may decide on a 9mm for the BOB.
Anybody else have an opinion?
Ringo,
I plan to bug in until forced to leave. At that point my BOB gun is a .45ACP. and backup 9mm.
I currently carry two 9mm in my EDC bag. Now that I have my CCL I will carry only one in EDC bag.
You cannot go wrong with either one. At first I was going to get a smaller .45ACP, but decided I would be better off with 2 different calibers in the long run.
I am in the process of building and planning one as well. Two things I think in general are important.
First, whatever is in this bag is not used for anything else. As well backpacking I use duplicate gear for day hikes, car camping, and kayaking. I have bags that are unique for each. Invariably, I am out and find an item is home sitting in another bag. If you "borrow" something from the bug out it is likely not to be there when you need it.
Second, for all gear there is a cardinally rule- if you have two, you have one, and if you have one, you have none. Everything eventually fails, breaks, or gets lost. Critical gear requires a back up(s), which is what BelieveIn is doing with two calibers.
Yeah I think I'd agree completely. Either works perfect, but if can take both calibers you double your chances of finding ammo you can use. I also agree with bugging in. After that I'd rather try and take my car.. Then down to the bag. I like to get second thoughts on most things just to give me a little extra to think about.
Do you keep extra space in the bag for your rifle ammo? Or carry that separate?
Ringo,
When I am forced to bug out, it will be with a full plate carrier, with 8 rifle mags on the plate carrier, 2 backup pistol mags, and a leg holster (1 extra pistol mag) for the Bug out gun. I will carry 2 extra rifle magazines in the BOB. My BOB is 41 lbs. The plate carrier (and helmet) and ammo load out is another 33 lbs. And then there is always the rifle. I hear that the typical load out for military can exceed 120 lbs easy. Anything I can do make things lighter I will. I wish I could find a small titanium cup sized coffee maker, I'd sacrifice something else for that. I figure my total weight is around 90lbs with rifle, which is a lot.
For a BOB coffee maker you may want to try a coffee press. I have a few glass ones but I'm sure you can find a metal one. Otherwise get some cheese cloths or coffee filters, boil water in a small pot, put coffee grounds in, boil to taste, cloth over a mug, and pour slowly ..Yuck...but in extreme cases it works. I know how it is, I need my coffee too. Also for a filter, good paper towels work great too.
I have 4 oz of coffee in my BOB. I'll just have to do it camping style. Pour grounds in small cup, add water and boil to taste. Although coffee filters do have a lot of uses.
1 OZ total weight. Backpacker Editor's choice award. I works perfectly.
http://www.rei.com/product/726094/msr-mugmate-coffeetea-filter#tab-specs
I was planning on packing a single cup pour over coffee Brewer. Still need the filter, but it's light and durable!
The REI Backpacker filter looks great. It's now on my must have list.
lol... I just ordered one...
Post up what you think about it when you get it! Would definitely be an impenitent over anything else I've seen
Dutz I'm assuming you've had one for a little while? Worked pretty good so far?
Yes, it's made my coffee from Devil's Lake to Isle Royale to Glacier NP.
It's best if you grind your own coffee (ahead of time) as you want the grounds to be course and take it in a ziplock. If you don't have your own grinder most large stores have whole bean that you can grind in the store.
Fire up the jetboil, put the grounds in the filter and pour in the water. Coffee in two minutes.
If you want to just drip you have to hold it over the mug or get a tall mug and set it so the sides rest on the mug top. The mouth of the mug cannot be two wide for that.
We have shallow mugs and set in on the mug. This allows it to steep for a while which makes the coffee richer.