Who was it who said "There's nothing you can't fix with $700 and a .30-06."
I was told that it was Col. Jeff Cooper that said:
“There ain’t many problems that a man can’t fix, with $700 and a .30-06!”
I don't think he ever said that .
I did hear an nearly identical version from a conversation with a crusty old hunting guide up in N.W. Montana in the late 1980's.
His saying was . -"There ain't too much that can't be fixed with 180 grains from a 30-06 ".
That fellow pretty much thought anyone who hunted Elk with less was either a Queer or a Communist.
I did not agree with his logic on that , but he was not wrong about the 'O6.
He also liked his 180 grainers to be Nosler Partitions
Found this on line.
Remember "With $700 and a .30-06" I've heard and read this phrase many times and never knew where it came from. The whole quote is:
"But ain't many troubles that a man cain't fix with seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six."
Well I just found out where it came from. It was a poem was written by Lindy Cooper Wisdom, Col. Jeff Cooper's daughter, in December of 1995. It is called..."Grandpa's Lesson."
Here is the entire text of the poem:
Pappy took to drinkin' back when I was barely three. Ma got pretty quiet. She was frettin', you could see. So I was sent to Grandpa and he raised me up real good. He taught me what I oughta and he taught me what I should. I learned a heap 'o lessons from the yarns he liked to tell. There's one I won't forget because I learned it 'speshly well. "There jist ain't many folk who live a peaceful, carefree life. Along with all the good times there'll be lotsa grief and strife. But ain't many troubles that a man cain't fix With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six." Grandpa courted Grandma near the town of old Cheyenne. Her daddy was cantankerous - a very greedy man. He wouldn't give permission for a fancy wedding day 'Til grandpa paid a dowry--biggest ever people say. Her daddy softened up when Grandpa said that he could fix Him up with seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six. Grandpa herded cattle down around Jalisco way. Ended up behind some iron bars one dusty day. Seems the local jefe craved my Grandpa's pinto mare. Grandpa wouldn't sell her so he lit on out of there. Didn't take much doin' 'cept a couple special tricks plus seven hundred dollars and his thirty ought six. Then there was that Faro game near San Francisco Bay. Grandpa's cards was smokin' hot and he took all one day. He woke up nearly naked in a ditch next early morn'. With nothin' but his flannel shirt, and it was ripped and torn. Those others were professionals and they don't play for kicks. He lost seven hundred dollars and his thirty ought six. He begged some woolen trousers off the local storekeep there Who loaned him both a pony and a rifle on a dare. He caught those thievin' cardsharks at another Faro game. He got back all his property and also his good name. He left one bleedin' badly and another mostly lame. My grandpa's trusty rifle shoots just where you choose to aim. Grandpa's slowin' down a bit and just the other night He handed me his rifle and a box sealed up real tight. He fixed me with them pale grey eyes and this is what he said, "You're awful young but steady too and I will soon be dead. I'll bet this here old rifle and this honest money too Will come in mighty handy just as readily for you. There jist ain't many folk who lead a carefree, peaceful life. Along with times of happiness, there's always woe and strife. But ... aint many troubles that a man cain't fix with seven hundred dollars and his thirty ought six."
