Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Col. Askins

Yes.

That's pretty good documentation of provenance right there.

DF

Thanks Dirtfarmer! That was very interesting stuff Bill shared. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I learned some good stuff from our New Mexico contributors.

Thanks guys for sharing local history, photos and general information.

DF

DF, your info from Bill helps put the book in perspective to.

Yeah, Bill give a point by point commentary on this thread from a very unique perspective.

Sorta like Elmer's book, "Hell, I was There"...

Bill definitely "was there"...

DF

Thanks Dirt Farmer...I read the old thread with Howell slamming Askins years ago and it infuriated me. I was new to the forum though, and didn't comment. Askins was a gentleman and a great host, signed my books and talked extensively about the old days when I stopped by. We both had a lot in common...Army Pistol Team, lefthanded, Airborne, etc.

I would have loved to have been one of his senior NCOs in combat or stateside. Would have been a lot of rounds sent downrange.
Bob

That's the next book I need.

MM,you will enjoy Elmer's book "Hell,I was there."

As you recall, Elmer and Charlie were close friends, neither liked JOC. Elmer was critical of JOC, Charlie detested him.

The Major and Elmer were close, the Major helping Elmer get started as a gunwriter. Elmer being friends with the Major just about guaranteed Charlie and Elmer would be buds. And, so it was.

Interesting dynamics.

DF

Bob,

Could you post that link here?

DF

so How about Charles Askins?

That's it. Thanks!
Bob

Elmer and Charlie were pretty close in preferences too. They both preferred magnums over .30 cal. Askins with his .323's and Keith with his .338's.

Bullet technology has changed all that to a degree.

At the time, their choices made a lot of sense.

Today, everything can be taken with a .223AI...

We have that on good authority...

DF

Somehow I missed reading a lot of Askins - but do have his book on order.

I recall one story he told, where he and a PH were walking on a grassy plain, and stopped to look around at various herds, discussing where to go. About a hundred yards away, a tree was full of baboons raising hell, looking at the men. After a few minutes of talking about where they'd go next, suddenly about ten feet in front of them a leopard stood up, appearing from no where out of ankle high grass. Both men were stunned that they could be that close to a leopard in short grass, and not see him. That was why the baboons were raising cain, because they saw the leopard.

It impressed me that he had enough humility to tell the story

Askins was quicker to write about the shots he missed or bungled than his great shots. And beings he killed 700 animals I imagine he made a lot of great shots. So yeah, he had some humility.

Some more great info. The letter from Bill was excellent..Thanks for keeping this going...

You guys are a bad influence on me. The 308 Norma mag of his is coming to live with me.

For real?? Hey that is awesome!! Photos I hope.. If I can find it I have the article he wrote about that rifle..He shot a polar bear with it if I remember right.

Man, that would be a nice touch.

DF