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Magnum Man,

About 10-12 years ago Eileen and I went pheasant hunting in South Dakota. We drove our then 5-year-old pickup, the predessor of the F350.

We were already friends with our host, but some friends of his came along to hunt with us. One friend drove a brand-new 3/4-ton pickup--extended cab, all the bells and whistles, etc. etc. Another couple drove a 5-year-old compact pickup.

As we got to know each other over a couple of days, they found out we had spent two weeks in Namibia that June. The guy with the new pickup couldn't believe we could afford it--but it also turned out that when he bought his pickup, his wife got jealous and he had to buy her a new one just like. He ran some sort of fairly successful business, but wasn't independently wealthy. In fact he had never hunted outside of eastern South Dakota, though dreamed of hunting elk in Wyoming.

The couple who drove the 5-year-old pickup was very intrigued with going to Africa, partly because he was a taxidermist and had alwasy dreamed of working his own kudu head. We talked about it and a year or so later they went to South Africa and had a hell of a good time, sending us a batch of photos.

Everybody spends their money on different stuff.

"paid for" makes anything drive a helluvalot better. My truck is a '87 Chevy SWB 4WD "Paid For", pre-scratched and dented. We also have a 2001 Tahoe 4WD when we want to up-scale a bit, "Paid For". Still can't buy all the guns I want but have more than I need. But when both kids get out of college.......

I got the one I wanted - a fitted Heym 88B in .470.

(and I'm glad I got it when I did. they're up to about $17,000 now)

I almost went for a Heym double about 3 years ago, but eventually decided to spend the money elsewhere. But they still are among the best bargains for big-bore doubles, even at $17K.

yeah, I remember you talking about it as I was vacillating between .450 & .470.

it was a long year-and-a-half waiting for it!

For some reason, a Holland built 375 would suit me just fine- maybe a touch of engraving.

I'm seriously considering swearing off gun-buying for the next two years to afford a full custom Mauser by Duane Weibe.

I bet that was a long wait--but it appears to be worth it!

Probabably won't ever get to Africa,but sure can understand those high end dbl guns...For an American made high end production gun seems like a guy would really have to stretch to find any nicer and well built than Montana's very own Shiloh Sharps built by the Shiloh Rifle Co. of Big Timber. I have 2 a Long Range Express and a Saddle rifle. Some of you probably know and some don't,Google up their website and cruise thru it. It is a feast for the eyes.
JB 10-12 years back? I was still doing the prairie every weekend both days, all fall in a 12 year old Ford 1/2 ton 2wd worth about $1000 . With a Benelli M1 Super 90,2 Browning Superpose O/U's, and a Sweet sixteen a-5 carried in cases behind the seat. Yeah 5-6k worth of shotguns, in a 1 k truck but the really priceless gear was in the back, a Llewellin strain tri color setter bitch and a black lab male second to none. Sharpies,huns, pheasants, and waterfowl 60-100 bird falls. Don't ever remember breaking down or not getting some birds cause my truck was a clunk either. Magnum_Man

Magnum_Man,

I am right with you on Shiloh, as well as some other traditional single-shot rifle companies. I bought a High Wall from Ballard in Cody back in their earlier days (for only $2000) and it wss super-great. Have also owned a High Wall in .30-40 Krag from Shiloh that I still kinda regret selling.

Your years with the Llewellyn sound great. Mt present bird dog is half Lab and half Llewleyn, from a guy I know in Arizona who raises and trains and guides with Llewelyns. His one Lab and one of his best girls had a party one night (through a chain-link fence) and I got one of the 11 puppies. A bird-mut but all bird dog!

I spent many years with an old pickup and hard-hunting dogs. Life was great!

The only itch in that realm that I scratched was for a tricked out 45-90 Long Range Express by Shiloh Sharps. Excellent workmanship makes them worth it.

I would like a #1A with a Exhibition Turkish walnut stock,engraved and Case colored receiver in 6.5X55.

Huntz: If we are dreaming here, I'd like the same in a 22LR with a Kepplinger single set trigger.

Dakota Model 10 in 7x57 would be neat.

A BM-59 at the local assault rifle emporium, and one of those semi-auto 1918 BAR's would be nice also.