Time to start the thread.

weekend of july 25th.

Root'n toot'n shoot'n...

Let's get it on.

Kent

Counting the days even though I may have to drive myself.

WOO HOO!

I plan to be there, again. Looking forward to seeing all the folks. miles

Don't know if I can make it this year. As the rondy gets closer I'll have a better idea.

Even bought a new truck so i know I can get there!!!

I would like to attend one but will be far north in July.

I'm planning on being there, but it's still to early to be 100% sure.

I'm thinking on bringing more of my old wooden stocked fence post tampers than I did last year!!!! Maybe even a shooter or two as well. Got one of them Browning 1895 Winchester copies I haven't had a chance to take to the range yet! In .30 Govt. 1906 cartridge!

Oh and several bottles of good hootch!

I am planning on being there. Bob, I am going to bring the .450 Howell, so we can shoot it.and some other guns don't know which one's yet. rio7

Well Blue, I'm looking forward to busting a cap on that .450! I'm glad it's held together for you! How's that bluing holding up?

Bob, it's holding up great, and it has not been hiding in the safe, I told Ed and Miles, during deer season that Ken, would kick my ass if he saw the 450-H covered with mud and rain, they said (Hell No} Ken, would love it that way. I do try to keep it clean but S.Tex. is hard on everything. and the .450 is hard on pigs. rio7

That's Great Blue!!!!!

I am planning on being there. Likely with Brandy and both kids in tow.
Looking forward to seeing everyone. Its been too long.
Tom

Looking forward to seeing you again Tom. rio7

Likewise sir!

And one doe deer that I know of. miles

REAL hard on that doe.

Ed

Shot a yellow sow with black spots that was just over 200# last evening with the .450 hit behind the ear, her head became unhinged,the .450 will kill a deer if you hit it in the right place.--- grin--- Rio7

I would have loved to see that. I might have laughed. miles

I want to shoot Blue's .450 Howell. Got the itch for a .416 or .458 cal rifle.

I shot it back in January and it is surprisingly easy to shoot for such a large bore rifle. I will be bringing the .280 RCBS that Ken gave me, with enough ammo for anyone to shoot it, that wants to. miles

Music to my ears and Judy will cry!

Might have?

The load Blue is using effectively duplicates a .458WM. The .450 Howell will duplicate the .458 Lott in a shorter, beltless case if loaded to the upper end. The .458WM level loads just happen to be the most accurate.

It is a great shooting, comfortable rifle!

Ed

Is it a .404 Jeffery necked up and shortened?

Yes, sir. Ken got it right when he designed the cartridge. It met every spec he wanted, including staying under 50K PSI at max.

Although it might over-penetrate, it is an excellent varmint rifle.

Ed

I would post a photo of it, but now photobucket is giving me the same pop up trouble that this site used to!!! Can't win for loosing!!!

Ed,

I just texted you the pics of Blue's .450 if you wanna try to do anything with em!

It's as I finished assembly. W/o scope

Thanks Ed.

Bob,posting pics of the rifle is cheating!

Unless there is some sort of emergency, I will absolutely be there. I've gotta scout for my 15-25 september elk hunt in that unit!!!

Jon

Bob, I got the pictures just fine. The problem I'm having right now is my phone won't let me transfer them.

I'll keep working on it and see if I can't get them up.

Ed

You ARE bringing the lovely Mrs. Graham, aren't you?

Ed

Another good elk tag! I still regret missing last years, and this year I'm going with Enrique here in that same time frame.

Is that archery or ML?

Kent

E-mail them to your self and open and save on your computer.

Ta da!!! Hope you don't mind me posting this Blue!!!!

Lovely,just lovely!

Bob, OK with Me,I am very proud of the .450 and can't thank you and Ed, and Miles. enough for helping with it. I will bring plenty of ammo to N.M. everyone that want's to shoot can, you will be amazed how it shoots.

THANK YOU!!! kEN

Blue, I am just proud that you and Ed let me hang out with you. I had a great time. miles

Yessirr, she'll be in tow, along with Miss Kaydence. She'll be needing some shooting help on her little pink cricket .22 from some of you guys.
I'm going to pencil in some leave and drive down early friday morning to help with the set up.
Looking forward to seeing this group of riff raff. Hopefully I'll be dragging along my new toy. Looking at getting a Honda Pioneer 700 to blast around the woods in. There are trails for days around Armijo Springs.
Kent, its a archery hunt. It'll be my first time chasing elk with a stick and string. I hope i'm up to the challenge.

You do have the luck with elk tags...

Before I make a commitment to Quemado I need to know...

Is Dennis bringing his scary dog?

(AZ joke)

I'm planning to make the gathering this year! Really looking forward to it.

Oh no! Not another Texan.

Yes! Another Texan!!!!

As long as you Texans bring BBQ and rifles you're welcome.

Well,,,, ok!

That's what I've been trying to do. My phone won't bring up the email option anymore. Maybe time for a new phone.

Ed

Thanks for the thread, Kent - and good to see so many good guys chiming in.

Crazy circumstances nothwithstanding, I plan to take full part this July. Will provide various stuff needed for the camp setup, and, as needed, will honcho the setup so it's done before noon Friday. For that, old farts and good natured troops will be welcomed - and appreciated.

Kent, Maddy and I have talked - we will be prepared to do the Friday evening dinner aided by another couple with us.

Blue, good to know that rifle is a success story and looking forward to it being in action out here.

Miles, remember to conserve room so you can carry away the "cabinette de bois"

Dennis, should we now agree to organize and run the rifle shoot contests?

Yep, and a bed to put in your tent for her!




_________________________


Sure, why not.

I am assuming that is New Mexican for bee hive. I will remember. miles

No, that dog is bringing Dennis.

THIS!

Hey Rick,could you make this a sticky?

And come to the shindig. miles

Excellent idea.

Due to today's crazy schedule and the stuff that hit the fan today, we may or may not make it to Quemado. Depends on how much we get done.

Need help from my Quemado friends.

I have a dilemma.

I was given a box of these...



And 2 boxes of these...



Now the dilemma is...

Do I trade them for something I can use?

Get a 22 Hornet dispensor?

or...

Have a fellow 'fire member attending Quemado talk me out of them?

Dang...

What's a fellow to do?.....

Scott F has a 22 Hornet...

maybe he can give you the name of his barber in exchange for them and schedule ya an appointment...

Scott has a "k" Hornet...

Otherwise I would have to get suntan lotion for my fresh shaven skull...

I think after the hatchet throwing thread the other day, that we should talk Bob / Kaywoodie into teaching a class on the art of Hatchet Throwing while we are there!

Neal about the only thing I throw these days is up.

Too much Hamms????

Sorry, when given a straight line like that one just must...

Iv'e got some throwing knifes around here some where I can bring along, sorry no axes, Bob, watching me throw a knife will make anyone throw up. rio7

I know where one of my good Hawks is. It's kinda heavy. Joe de la Ronde made it. But I think the boys all made off with my others. Has an old H&B forge I bought in '72. Think oldest some made off with it.

Those will still shoot thru his K Hornet...

and I sure we can make sure you've got suntan lotion. for that fresh chromedome

If I wind up with a chromedome I will grow pork chop sideburns.

Dang...

I could become irresistible to the womenfolk...

All three of those eventualities are way more than I care to imagine...

Brian - I have three .22 Hornet rifles - does that give me an edge? I bought more than a few boxes of that Western stuff back in 1962 when I got the first Hornet - was not yet into loading.

Come on Paul... there are a group of us that want to see Brian with the Chrome Dome and the Elvis side burns...

maybe a little gotee with it...

I think it was Ken Howell who said he would supply the suntan lotion so Brian's Dome didn't get sunburned...

The hornet is a great little rifle if you can stand the recoil. I think you really need to shoot those in your own hornet.

Well I have a .22 Hornet handgun. A revolver no less. That I bought from Ken Howell....
Surely that gives me ALL the edge there is to be had here.

Well,I don't have a .22 Hornet,so that would be an excuse to buy one.

You have to shave your head to shoot a hornet or the recoil will just snap all the hair off right at the scalp. It really hurts when that happens.

Owned a Ruger No.1 in .22 Hornet and could handle the recoil. Hair grew back too.

Well, if anyone feels mighty having conquered the Hornet, we'll let them try a Bee

Uffda...

I am sure am glad I wasn't gifted some 375 H&H ammo and asked here what to do with it...


The outcome coulda been...well...uh...interesting

Have a Hornet and a K-Hornet. Hope to make the shindig but after all the flooding up here I might be a tad busy.

There is only so much punishment the human body can stand!

Took a friend on a spring turkey hunt awhile back he shot a real nice gobbler right in the eye with and old win. 22 hornet, about 85 yrds, first time I ever seen anything killed with a hornet,cute little gun. rio7

A .22 Hornet with 40 gr NBT's works very well on ground squirrels.

I load my 223 quite often with 40 grainers and an MV equal to the old Hornet... works just fine out to 250 yds or so... which is the distance 99.9% of the shots I'll take are at...

why shoot at one at 300 yds when there is a zillion of them in between you and there...

C'mon July!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, Thomas with his Hornet revolver may be the best candidate for Brian's ammo. Then again, looks like Keith, Scott and I all have K Hornets and could fire form the stuff.

Speaking of "K" and fire forming, I just finished getting a .222 Kilbourne ready to shoot. If anyone happens to have some loads for that, anyone interested can try it in July. (BTW - I could really use a .22 universal neck sizing die if anyone has one).

tex n cal - do you have a Bee?

Keith - did you have bad flooding in Douglas, or do you also have property in Texas?

yep



Probably gonna look for a bigger scope for it, though, maybe a fixed 12x Loopey

Very nice !!

I was only teasing about the Hornet ammo.
Though I will likely bring mine along to Quemado this summer. I might even stick a scope on it again. Its a fun curiosity.

my son when he was still alive use to swear by his 30.06 loaded with 130grain hollowpoints for the very same job. Usually was enough gun.

If you guys are talking about those long/skinny 13 striped ground squirrels that sit up tall and gaze around, a 30+ gr. .22 rimfire works great at 50 yards and pretty good out to about 75 as well as long as there is no strong cross wind - but normally I can't hardly find 'em past that distance.

Up

How do folks like andouille and boudain? We've got a place that makes real good sausage here in the valley. I was thinking on bringing some for a lunch or a dinner maybe?

Tom, are you an old dancer? I thought that Andouille and Boudain were a French disco act in the 70s. If they made sausage too, we probably should try it.

I am not even a young dancer my friend!

I'm in! Bring it!

I would love to try it.

Not sure if I can make it, but I am going to try my best!

Btw compadres, I passed on a nice Hornet yesterday. Ruger #3 with an older Burris 3 x 9. Just didn't do anything for me. It was a bit overpriced on my standards. I mean for what it was.

by your standards? i keep thinking of that hamm's beer thing.
found four boxes of 45/70 loaded with ffx in 1992, 70 grains.
do you think that will make enough smoke up there?
I am trying to get a nother modern gun by some standards, ready, a .50/90. Don't know if i get do it in time tho.
Pretty sure a real krag carbine is one the agenda tho.
I am pretty sure b.c. colorado is going to bring that ruger revolver, so gots to get some black powder ready.
if i can gather enough ambition, maybe next week when it's scheduled for 107, to cast some 58caliber minet balls for a 1855 springfield maynard tape rifle that probably hasn't been shot sinc 18 65, to keep invading yankee's at bay.

I will have a Krag with me. Mebbe a couple. Dunno yet. And a 30 Govt 1906 or two.

Just can't get excited about 45/70. Owned several. No thrill. Always opted out for that modern whiz bang Krag ctg!!!! What a daisy!!!!

ok that made me ROR!

Oh you guys!

be thankful bob, i am already leaning on a guy that it would be real nice if he made a new buttstock for that springfield/remington 1870.
I don't think you are in the shop right now so you are probably safe.

No. I dunno if or when I'll get back. Btw, got a email from S & S firearms. Appears they got in a bunch of stocks, spring fields, Krags, etc. Lately they seem to be ending up with Bannermann stuff!! Wonder if it was stuff they bought years ago and had stashed somewhere????? Just dunno???

DRAT!!!

Every time I get my head above water som bastard raises the level in the pool. I just broke a tooth eating a piece of soft bacon.

This means our trip to the gathering is out.

See you all next year.

Confirmed. $1200 for a crown, got in and have a temp, get the permanent in a couple of weeks.

One of these days we'll all be healthy enough to have a huge event.

Kent

What did you get it fixed for, it's only one tooth, you have a few others left i think, maybe?
you broke it chewing soft bacon?

S&S reminded me of something. Have you had any experience with their kit for a spencer to convert from rimfire to centerfire?

I think there is too much stuff to dig out and haul up to quemato, but tempted to bring up a krag that i was told was most likely a bannerman conversion to a carbine. You would probably know by looking at it.

By the way, I'm definitely in...not sure yet if my brother will make it.

What shooting contests are we having?

No I haven't.

Yep, split the whole back half off. Kind of made my trip money disperser in one bite.

If the VA comes through before next year we will have a newer something to drive and the old one is getting real tired.

I am sure sorry to hear of your problems, does nobody have a lender pair of dentures or partial plates you could borrow?

I'll stick with what I've got!

Have a crown that came loose a while ago, still in place, but will lift if I am not careful, but still working, so wont be much to get fixed as still have coverage, but not looking forward to when I do decide to pull the plug, am almost five years past my early retirement date, waiting till daughter finishes her 13th year transition courses and go from there.

Should not be a big deal to get it replaced. The bad part was done the first time.

Patrick - Dennis and I will be working on the shoot contest plan fairly soon, I hope, and will post the info as soon as settled. The 200 yard PD shoot seems to be a mainstay for some folks as does that fun "gong show" that Dennis creates - with variable distances/sizes.

If you, or any others, have suggestions or ideas for shoots or improvements of the above, please post them here soon.

Paul, There always seems to be a large group of people that enjoy the pistol shooting, I brought my pistols last year and never took the time from rifle shooting to shoot them, hope to fix that this year. also how about a big bore shoot? There are a good number of people that enjoy shooting big bores. and I think more would bring their big bores,if we had some kind of shoot for them. Rio7

At Ed's gather we had lined up a "dangerous game shoot" which was for iron sighted rifles in safari calibers, using full power loads. IIRC it was one shot offhand at 50 yards, another at 25, quickest time wins, but both shots had to hit a 6" circle.

The weather of course turned scary and I don't know if they ran that or not. Doubles and bolt guns have the advantage of course, but I'll still probably bring my .458 #1.

I think the fancy "Safari training courses" have moveable target carriers. I am halfway tempted to find a cheap RC car, big enough to mount a target carrier, and we could have the targets move toward us.

Oh Ron?????

I'm getting ready!!!!!

Bob, that load will not last until the end of June, much less July. miles

Uh oh! You're prolly right Miles.

I'll hit the store again before I leave!

I guess one could go on either side of it, but i have some things to be thankful. My heir apparent in the air farce has this thing for hypenated big name imported beer. In my day, it was anything that alcohol in it and was cheap.
College graduation we are sitting at this sushi restaurant, me thinking wonder if they have hamburgers. He orders some fancy dang beer. I grabbed the bottle and started chuckling. In fine print it was brewed by anhauser bush. On the other hand, I have to give thanks that he doesn't sink to the extremes of that bear urine. So odd, a guy that can recite poems, likes the Bard, and consumes that stuff.

It must be that south texas heat.

I think I am going to have to bring up a collection of local brews with the hopes of educating you out of the morass of that stuff.
I just got to thinkin, Hamm's might be top of the heap in beer in south texas. I bet you drink tecate too.

And I don't eat raw fishes!!!

Least you tried for a burger!

you must made me think of something, that i haven't seen for years. Many moons ago i was in a bad place in mexicali. Drinking something called pulque beer. It was green and made from cactus.
have you ever seen it for sale in your neck of the woods? If you run into it, buy a six pac and bring it with you.

Nope. I don't see it. But then again, I don't go looking for it.

Pat, I can bring a couple of steel plate targets, or the little pig we shot at Ed's last year. also a 3-diamond steel target that I paint 3- different colors and see who can get all 3 the fastest, and I have a bunch of pistol targets that we can staple to a pallet, you guy's figure out what we need and if I can get it in my pickup I will bring it.
Miles, I still have the Dickel and Blanton's you and Ed, worked on last hunting season, Maybe we could give Bob, a sip or 2. just to mellow him out. GRIN (Thinking Mec Beth) Blue

Oh Blue!! "Mine eyes are made the fool o' the other senses!"

Bob needs to help us out. We failed in the drinking department while there. Too busy to do much of it. miles

I don't know that anyone got to shoot the dangerous game match due to the late start we got on Saturday. It got dark before we could do that and the El Presidente match.

Well, I still have 20 .458's, each loaded with 500gr bullets and a fistful of Varget. So that would work for me

[quote=kaywoodie]No. I dunno if or when I'll get back. Btw, got a email from S & S firearms. Appears they got in a bunch of stocks, spring fields, Krags, etc. Lately they seem to be ending up with Bannermann stuff!! Wonder if it was stuff they bought years ago and had stashed somewhere????? Just dunno??? [/quot

Any thing in the for a 1917? Thanks for your time Cheers NC

I didn't see any. The stuff did go pretty fast!

the only 500gr.is fmj, but I have 350gr-400gr-450gr, loaded about like a 458 Lott, load for the 450 Howell, and 400 gr loaded for the 45-70, and 320 gr loaded for the 405 win. I think I have big bore covered.If my right hand gets better I will shoot them, If not someone else is welcome to shoot them. Rio7

He could go to the funeral home and get a new pair of dentures!!

Getting ready, too!

pistola chootin...

I will try and load up a bunch of zombie loads for 38 special

local company in the Springs makes "zombie green" 158 lswc bullets.

and red, green, blue .pink....

Let me think about that, NO

Oh!!! That will be nice!!

Blue and Patricxk - thanks for the replies on shoot stuff. Would it not make sense to combine your thoughts and have the big bores (limited to BIG) do the "action/timed" type of contest noted by Patrick and using steel like Blue can bring? And, if we are sufficiently inventive (and can locate the stuff), we very well may be able to rig a moving/charging target setup for the bigs.

I think a handgun contest could be excellent, although in the past folks have seemed happy to move down the line a bit and bang away informally with their revolvers and pistols. Any ideas there - anyone wish to set up a handgun contest?

Ron, years ago seems like that pulque stuff enjoyed some limited popularity down in SW Arizona nearer the border. There was one strange joint in Yuma that catered to fairies and queens - owner said the customers loved guzzling that stuff. How much did you like it?

Paul, all of the contests seem to take a lot of time to unfold. Time limits and guns already sighted in, need to be enforced. miles

Hi!
I want to second Miles on the time limits and presighted rifles. Just can't seem to get even simple stuff done with the number of people who are almost ready [who, me?] Yep, I am guilty, too, but will do better if I can come. Got some health issues and a new job, so not sure yet.

If you are going to have a big bore shoot, how about including 375's? I would like to try out a new one if I can get it going.

As far as the handgun shoot goes, let's just do something simple: 45 autos, 41 and bigger wheelguns, 9mms and smaller. These three categories could be shot at 25 yds, probably in 30 minutes each, no sighters, 1 minute per shooter.

I will send target stands for the handgun stuff even if I can't go.

Would like to see another 100yd 22 rimfire match, same time limits, no sighters. When we tried at Ed's, 50 yd groups were so small a caliper would have been needed. Not so much at 100yd, as the wind blew a little.

Thanks Leonard and Miles - you are on the mark. Dennis and I have noted the "timing" issues at the bench and some frustration for those waiting. Your suggestions will become protocol - reasonable time limits will be set and some sort of 'dinger" in play.

Leonard - good thoughts on the handguns. We just need a handgun enthusiast to set up/run those shoots. (D and I are plenty busy with the rifle stuff). I sure hope that you can come.

I was thinking maybe .375 as the minimum dia. for big bores - how do others feel?

Mebbe 9,3? I know several who have something in that area. Ben???

Never having been to the Quemado gathering, I have a few questions...

What about camping areas-- tents is what we'll bring.
Water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and the occasional bath?
Restroom facilities?
Ice availability?
Will a generator be needed? extension cords? electric lights?
Nearest gasoline?

Any advice/ideas/suggestions are appreciated.

Campsites with nonflush toilet houses, typical forest service campground.

Bring personal water, we will have jugs for washing dishes and such and can get more water from CCCC's, so don't bring multiple jugs unless you want to.

Ice can be had at Quemado or Snuffy's at Quemado lake.

Gas and stores in Quemado about 30 miles north.

If you happen to forget something, we have lots of extra stuff, don't sweat it.

Kent

Well, the 9.3x74R is definitely a medium, but they let me shoot it in the open sight "big bore" match a couple of years ago. I would probably ask for an exemption again this year (which I suspect would be granted based on how poorly I shot it with open sights the last time).

Heck! I doubt I'll even bring my 9.3's being I shoot them more than most of my other rifles. I've got new stuff I have t even fired yet!!

Like;

Randy - that was good info from Kent (Q is actually about 22 miles from camp).

Please, no generator. If you bring one, please don't run it.

I don't see any reason why the 9.3 couldn't be allowed in - as long as those shooters use .375 or greater dia. bullets.

.405 Win?

No sir. Only an /06

Bob, Bring the win. lever gun, my grandfather had one like it,he killed enough critters with to fill Noah's ark,I would like to shoot it. Blue

Well let's see Paul, I had to read your remarks a couple of times. Since I don't know of such an establishment but you obviously do having talked at some point to the owner, why don't you tell me. By the way GFY.

Thanks for the info and it's no problem not to bring a generator. Just thought if one was needed, I got one we could use.

Thanks Kent for the info. Sounds like, except for the 'high-class' potty, it's gonna be sorta remote. What about fire wood, propane/burner for cooking, etc?

I'll bring both my 95's, Blue! The other is .30 US Army.

Great Bob! I've never shot a 1895, either. Always wanted one in 30.06. I would love to shoot it, too.

The 06 is an almost Winchester. It's one of the 80's production Brownings.

Hi Ron - I don't know how to do that. Just reporting what the proprietor said. I was an elementary/jr high school teacher - was not allowed in those places - never tasted the pulque. Want me to see if I can find some out here?

Hi Randy. Mostly just kidding, but sometimes the noise of those things coming from someone else's camp can be a nuisance.

No need to bring firewood - superabundance here. Indeed, Kent is the guy for reply about the cooking equipment.

Looking forward to seeing you. Will Jo be along?

Jo? Hmm... Jo?

Oh, you mean Rattlesnake!

Naw, she cant make it, got a job and has to work... he,he, he!

Just be my son and I.

You guys are getting me all fired up to come to N.M. spent the afternoon cleaning up my camper trailer, haven't moved it sense I got home from N.M. last year, little over a month to go, thought I would get an early start. Bob, bring your 30 gov. I have never shot one sounds like it would be great fun. looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting new people. rio7

Blue, I am starting my planning too. I assume that you will be early again. miles

Miles, since I got me a new truck and Wifey is doing well, I plan on leaving here on the 21st for a leisurly trip out!!!

Thinking I will arrive Thursday afternoon with the daughter and her kids.

First year that I went, Blue and I were early and hung out for a couple of days. That was pretty cool. Last year, he was out at the camp ground early, but I did not know and spent the night in town. We still had a day or almost, then Brian showed up. Just a few people makes visiting easier. Not trying to keep anybody away cause more time with friends is good. miles

So...

You're tellin me not to show up early???

Read my last line.



I do enjoy your company too. miles

Had to double check and make sure the smilies posted...

Was just pullin your chain Miles.

I know. I just wanted to make sure everybody else knew my intentions on my post. miles

375 is NOT a big bore. .40 caliber minimum to get the recoil to a level that makes it meaningful.

Ed had good rules; 40 caliber, barrel sights only, no light loads...

my 340 Wby kicks harder than any .375 I have ever fired!

I an planning on being there early, I am leaving the ranch the 10th, and going to the { OLD TIMERS} get together in Ft Worth, a bunch of old cowboys sitting around telling each other how great we used to be, but it's great to see them again, that is the one's of us that are left. then to my son's in Colo. for a few day's, then to N. M. That will be enough driving for one trip, by the time I get home. Blue

For the smilin' record, you guys can go ahead and figger out how much recoil (therefore bullet dia.?) is required to qualify something as a big bore for that shoot. Don't make me no noleeyassee.

I'll be happy to help with whatever you think best for the setup/targets/shooting scene, etc. Am still thinking about that big bore moving target idea Patrick mentioned.

To those traveling the l-o-n-g roads - Blue, Miles, Patrick/Leonard, Bob, Brian, Randy, Ed and any others who come from way distant, let me venture thoughts by the "locals" here in the SW. This gathering is more excellent because you seek the same experiences we do - and undertake the extra effort and expense to be here with us. Appreciated !!

Amen!

I don't see anything wrong with a big bore shoot being restricted to .40 and above using full power loads. I guess that means I'll need to go shoot in the heat and finally dial in the irons on my 450/400.
Oh darn.

If someone wants to put on a match that includes 9.3s and 375s I don't have a problem with it but it won't be a "big bore" match. I think the theme is that one needs to be able to make a timely follow-up shot with a heavy recoiling rifle. I don't think you are going to see PH's backing up sport hunters shooting pachyderms with 375s and 9.3s. There is a big difference between stopping rifles and hunting rifles. Look how many elephants Bell killed with a 6.5 or 7mm whichever it was. Doesn't mean that it was a good rifle to stop a charge!

Dangerous game match simulates a charge best we can.

Is the big bore irons only? my 450-H, does not have any iron sites, but I can use my 45-70 or 405#1, you guys make the rules, what ever works. But I will mention the 375 Mag. and the 9.3 are used on D.G. the world over, I don't have either one, just a thought. the more people we get involved the better. just my 1 1/2 cents worth. Blue

Dennis, Ya know you just might be right on the big bore starting with a .4, you guy's decide and I will be happy to go along with what ever you decide. Rio7

That's why I had specified .40 caliber and above, stopping rifle "type", no light loads.
Two 8" round "Shoot-n-See" targets pasted onto the backs of paper plates, then stapled onto the target base.
One target at 35 yards, the second at 15 yards, slightly offset from the first.
Shooter begins with rifle shouldered but muzzle pointed down in the "low ready" or "guard" position as if looking for the charge.
At the signal, the shooter fires two shots, first at the 35 yard target, then the second shot at the 15 yard target.
Scores are determines by shortest time AND accuracy. Missing as fast as you can looks good, but you lose, just as in life.
Accuracy trumps time if times are tied.

Yes, this would favor double rifles, but then most PH's favor them for that reason, too.
Perhaps double rifles get a separate match? Or a shoot-off between the fastest repeater and the double guns?

Ed

Blue. Got more 30 Army ctgs today! Will bring a Krag and a 95 to shoot!

I'm getting pumped!

I'm thinking a .405 Winchester with full house loads would be the minimum for a "stopping rifle". (no I don't own a .405). I'm on the fence about a lever action .45-70 with warm loads. I could possibly borrow one of those.

The .458 #1 weighs 9 lbs sans scope, and shoots decently well with 500gr Hornadys. The .475 Turnbull #1 shoots better, but weighs less than 8 lbs sans scope. Both rifles have previously been to Quemado.

One of the local funstores has a Ruger Safari rifle in .416 Rigby, which has yummy Circassian wood. So far I have resisted the temptation to buy it.

And I ain't buying a double rifle just for this match. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Bob, Sounds like great fun, I have spent the morning gathering up steel targets,little pig and turkey, would like to bring more but don't have a lot of room in my truck for all the stuff I would like to bring. What with all the other stuff I think I need to camp out for a few days, might have to load up the back seat. Blue

Pat, I have a 45-70 marlin lever gun you can shoot, with full house loads it's a hand full but very accurate. Blue

Question for Mil-surp collectors.

A decent K31 Swiss worth $299?

Probably.

That seems to be the going rate when I see them in the AIM Surplus ads. Walnut stock is usually little more money.

Ed - how 'bout single shots?

I'll try to attend.
"The Warden" wants to attend - with or without her obstreperous live-in!

Damn Mark! I gotta look that word up!!!

PS - in the handgun shoots - I vote we put Paladin in his own class (just to be fair to him) hehehe

Ed to many letters might give him a run. miles

I can bring one or two of mine for comic relief just to keep it loose..

I have been looking around for some D.G. game targets, you know Rhino, Buff, Ele, Lion, the kind that are charging and ugly, anyone know where to find them? I have 2 moving target stands that we can make go front to back or side to side on rough ground they are a challenge to shoot, and they come at you as fast as you move them.I can put them on the top of my little camper and leave my 4= wheeler home.

What do you guy's think? Rio7

Know anybody with a CNC plasma cutter?

Norma used to make those. We had some at the shop. Next time I drop in I will
Look and see if they still have a few. Dunno these days.

Nope, The way we use this targets is with 2 2x4s and a plywood sheet and staple a target to them, they are real simple, and work for rifle or pistol, we just tape the holes till we need to change targets. but I am out of D,G. targets,haven't been able to find any, I have a lot of handgun targets. Rio7

I will look at Sportsman's whorehouse. I thought you meant steel targets.

Yeah. I was refering to the big paper, photo quality, DG targets. I'll try to get some.

Can't target be printed off the internet, and then just taken to a print shop and ask them to print up what you want?

if nothing else they can break something down into quarters ( 4 equal sizes, not 25 cent pieces )... and then print each on an 11x 17 piece of paper....

then with plywood backing, put then together?

or if someone has a fancy printer at work or home that will print 11 x 17, then they can just do it at home...

just a thought... that would give you a target 44 x 68

Well I just got two packs of the Norma DG targets. That's ten targets. Two of each. Buff, elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino.

Yall can turn em into Swiss cheese!!!!

Bob, Yer the man, Paul has the 2x4s and plywood, I will bring the rolling target stands and the other stuff we will need, and a bunch of pistol targets, and some shoot and see's we will have to rake a path to run them on about 35 yrds for the rifle and and 20 yrds for pistol, just to get the sticks off the surface, should be a lot to fun. Blue

We are a month out, let's talk food.

Friday evening, saturday/sunday breakfast and saturday night, plus lunch stuff at the shoot saturday.

Ideas and volunteers?

We also need to know how many for each dinner as there are usually more for saturday night.

Kent

Kent-- My son and I will probably come out a few days early (at least that's the plan), so what ever we need to bring/get for meals will probably need to be bought locally.

Just tell me what you need and I'll see what I can do.

Randy

PS- no gila monster soup!

Kent, I will be on the road for about 10 days before I get to N.M. but I can bring paper plates, cups, paper towels, trash bags, a few cases of water, and some soft drinks, and coffee. Blue

Kent,
I'm going to try to be there Thur. I don't have any pigs to bring this year as I have not been able to get away from the house or hunt. But I will have extra condiments too. Water etc.
I will also be available for any toting, washing, cleaning chores. I'll definitely have some snacking stuff like chips, cookies, bread, and them little white powder donuts. Kids seem to like them! . Likely have a some extra groceries too. Potatoes, onions, garlic.

Is there anything special I might could bring???
Bob

Kent, you know my song - if cattle don't interfere, we'll be there.
What is needed besides "The Warden"? Might be able to bring/send cedar posts/firewood.

Firewood! Thanks Mark! I'll throw in some mesquite I got cut.

Also my son James that was with me last year will be along with his family.

I think that I will be pulling a small trailer, so I could bring some pecan, or hickory. miles

I should have added that I will bring what I can that is needed. It will have to be something that travels well on ice. miles

Yeah same here Miles! Just need to know what extra might be needed.

Beer--- lots of beer!

Hi Kent. On 5/30 I posted the following:
Maddy and I have talked - we will be prepared to do the Friday evening dinner aided by another couple with us.
So, unless someone else wants to do it or there are other plans, Friday evening dinner is covered. We will need a close count a day or so before. Please LMK on both.

If anyone is planning to bring firewood from home, he must be figuring we need good stuff for grilling food, etc. To bring wood for the camp fire would be like carrying coals to Newcastle - there is an abundance of ponderosa/pinyon fire wood adjoining camp.

I should be more clear. Mostly us local guys supply the meals, travelers just get here. Normally I pretty much supply the main stuff and other locals add their share to the pot. Last year I had everything ready and had to bow out which left my friends in a pinch. The feb get together Dennis shared responsibilities and it worked well.

So local guys that want to supply a dish or food to be cooked by me, chime in and we'll get a menu together.

Meals at camp will be fri night, sat all day and sun morning.

Those coming early and staying late, Snuffy's at Quemado lake and the Largo motel/cafe in Quemado have good food, if you don't want to cook.

Again, those traveling don't worry about bringing stuff, let us host you. paper plates and stuff are always appreciated.

I also will have plenty of cooking equipment for those wanting to use it.

Bring your coffee cup and drinking water, though we often have an ice chest with plenty.

Thanks

Kent

Paul, do you have an idea what you will make, I don't want to double up for saturday?

Kent

Ok Randy!

Thanks Kent!

the only .450 Howell on the planet. Correct?

As far as I know, it is. I was lucky enough to help with the first loadings for it. And I got to shoot it a few times. I also got to see a deer get hammered with it. miles

That is why I was thinking that if I pull the small trailer, I could bring pecan or hickory for Y'all to use or take some home for later. miles

CCCC-- If nobody has volunteered and you still need the help, my son and I will help with the Friday meal.

Bob-- Gene and I like Samuel Adams' Utopias!

Kent-- Thanks!

Randy,
Is that like Hamms?

Randy - thanks for your willingness. If we need some help, I will holler.

Miles, if'n you bring some Arkansas hickory, I will be prone to grab a piece to make a hatchet handle. But, don't hitch yer trailer just for that.

Well, I gotta get my beehive. miles

CCCC, Don't count on me to cook unless you have a can opener and a microwave. without them I would starve to death. Rio7

Katie and I will be on ready with the cast Irons on saturday morning to cook the bacon!

We'll also bring a couple lbs along with us.

-Jon

Jon,

Should I bring a camp stove for you to use?

Excellent Jon, we'll set Brian to making green chili eggs.

Kent

Yes, you do. But you gotta take these %^#@&*@ million bees with it.

I will just get in the truck with the windows up, while you load it, then drive fast. miles

I got to hammer on it!

Brenna is having surgery Friday, then we are going to Quemado. Unsure of Frank or Ken making an appearance at this time. Since I'm driving from Las Cruces to Albuquerque then to Quemado, I can't bring anything perishable. Let me know what we can bring.

Just get you and Brenna there in one piece--we'll take care of the rest.

Deleted

as far as I know no one said anything about a handgun competitions, I said I would bring a moving target the hand gunners could use and some handgun targets. as far as I know up to this point we are having a P-DOG SHOOT, some kind of BIG BORE SHOOT, and Dennis, usually sets up a RIFLE SHOOT, of some kind,informal shooting has been the most fun part of the get together for me and others, that and the visiting. rio7

Blue..

never mind...been a long week...

I will bring or send a couple of target stands for the handgunners, as they [we] have suffered mostly without.

Still uncertain if work will allow me to come, but there will be plenty of places for paper or whatever for the handguns.

If I come, we can figure out a schedule of handgun stuff Friday.
Think it would be great if there were a 45 [1911] set, and one for 41 and up wheelguns. Add an open class centerfire, and I think that's covered most of it. If there are enough 22's, maybe that as well.

Paul and I will set up the PD shoot, 200 yd shoot and the hidden steel shoot. The rest will have to be up to others. Handgun area will be same as usual and not at the same place as rifle shoot.

I know that I will be in the minority, but I much prefer the informal shooting to the organized shoots. miles

I will try to get at least one target stand set up by Friday AM so that folks can shoot/test/sight rifles informally any time that day. And, there should be some informal time early Sat - before the shoot contests - and after as well. Sunday AM will be wide open - and during the entire weekend there is a BIG forest out there for anyone who wants to use it. Let's have fun.

The informal stuff is the most fun of all but it is still nice to have a little 'friendly competition'. We may have to make Miles the judge!

With regard to interesting handgun shooting, Ken Howell sent the following message.

From Ken:
"Ed Bryant (APDDSN0864, [email protected]) doesn't expect to be here for next month's rendezvous. Too bad! He and I have for sometime been ping-ponging ideas for a stand-up "Old West" shoot-out between pairs of pistoleros.

Whoever's willing to honcho such a game next month should consult Ed to see what he has come-up with. Please pass this along to anyone whom you think might be interested
and qualified. I'd love to do it but just can't offer anything except ideas.

I think that he's been ginning-up some sort of rig for such a"shoot-out." He has some very good insights, based on both real LEO field experience and practical group rifle-shooting
exercises that he has organized.

If you or a likely, willing, and able candidate would like, I'll be happy to discuss what Ed and I have come-up with so far. The contest that we envision would be suitable for any
kind of handgun in any caliber from .22 rimfire up (except shotshell, of course). It would test both quickness and skill.

I'd hate to see such an opportunity for a good handgun match get little or no consideration. I'm (or was) a long-range rifleman — also was a long-range and competitive pistolero (in
years sadly long gone and irrecoverable). Let's hope that long experience is still worth a bit more than an old fart's reminiscing! "

I hate to hear that Ed might not make it. Somebody needs to talk to him, sternly. miles

Miles, I agree. Very sternly.

agreed...

Yeah Ed....

if I can drive from Oregon to Texas.. you should be able to make it from Texas over to New Mexico....

I would very much like to see Ed, make it N.M. also, As for the big bore shoot I will be happy to set it up for anyone that wants to shoot big bores for fun and the hell of it. should be a good time had by all, and if some one with something other than a big bore wants to join in the fun you will be welcome. It will be off hand at some fairly close ranges. hopefully at moving targets. Blue
P.S. Come on Ed.

Plans are to be up there Thursday before the event and be available to help CCCC get set up. In the past we brought a large ice chest with drinks on ice. If acceptable we will plan to do that this year. Plan to stay Monday to help clean up or whatever. Let me know if I need to bring something else.

Mark

Nice Mark, much appreciated.

Mark does always have a bunch of water/soda on ice for all.

Kent

Nice!!!! Thanks Mark!!!

Dennis and I are talking pull pork plus bbq chicken for saturday, I make potato salad, if anyone wants to bring some tubs of coleslaw that's fine, I can't stand the stuff so always forget about it. Oh and we'll have beans also.

Kent

John, et al, I fly home from a training conference in Charlotte, NC on Friday, July 24. I arrive at DFW at 21:00hrs (for you Air Force types, Mickey's big hand is on the twelve, his little hand is on the nine).

By my GPS, the quickest route from DFW to Armijo Springs is 776 miles, estimated driving time 12 hrs, 8 minutes. If I don't sleep or stop, I can be there around 09:00 hrs. (AF Guys, looking at the clock, this looks just like the 21:00hrs, except it's daylight outside. )

Sanely, I don't see a way to do it and be coherent enough to enjoy your company.

This is the second year in a row that a training conference has blocked my attendance and it's getting old.

Ed

Ed - sorry 'bout that - I (et al) sure will miss you.

Ed, I am surprised you are not trained yet! Blue

He's making progress.............. he "goes" on the paper over half the time.

You need a chauffeur. Just don't pull a Curdog. miles

On a serious note, Ed I could come by and get your guns that you want to shoot and other things, if you wanted to fly in somewhere closer. Not sure where you could go to except Albuquerque.That is a pretty long drive from camp, but doable. miles

Ed, if you can get into ABQ, I would be willing to come and get you. You'd probably have to ride home with Miles, though, so you might want to give it more thought before pulling the trigger.

Ed - if you flew into ABQ - there would be a line of volunteers to get you to Q, me included.

Is Quemado International Airport closed for that Jade Helm exercise?

No they moved it over to the VLA east of Datil awaiting the mother ship's return.

I'd give him a ride home (in the back of the truck)!

Miles will too, he needs someone to look after the bees!

Ed, if you'll fly into ABQ, we'll figure out a way to get your guns and whatever else you want to Quemado and get you back home.

Sure good to see these fine offers - hope Ed can be with us,

There is an airport in Quemado, and Jade Helm has not affected it at all - they can't seem to find it. Then again, many pilots may not be able to find it either. Requires at least one low pass to make certain there are no elk, antelope or deer on the strip.

Must be a brother to the one in Hampton, Arkansas. I did a survey to build a road to the airport there. I was 1 1/2 miles of new location, through small pines and brambles. Nice airport, but all the while that we were working, I never saw on plane land or take off. I did see lots of deer and turkey using the runway for a loafing area. miles

are you renting out one of your pastures to the County again, for use as an airport there Paul?

No John, our place is for rotary wing stuff. The airport in Q is just WSW of the intersection of US 60 and NM 32.

Some nice afternoon/evening rain each of the past four days - so things are beginning to look more green in these parts. Bodes well for the gathering. For the sake of shooters, hoping the afternoon rain stuff takes a break for that weekend - at least for Saturday.

We've had lots of elk hanging around until now, but they don't seem to like to be around cattle and a local rancher now has some mexican yearlings grazing on the FS lease which contains the campground. Am hoping that nuisance will be ended before the event.

Shoot info will be posted soon.

Somebody is going to have to post directions to the gathering place. We may get to come out a few days early and it would be nice to wind up in the right place.

If some of the locals don't, I will give it a try in a day or two. miles

when you see an "elk crossing" sign, slow down.

• Turn off Interstate 25 at Socorro (Exit 147) onto
US-60 West.

• Drive west about 105 miles to Quemado, then
though town (a couple of miles farther) to NM-32.

• Turn left (the only choice!) onto NM-32, and drive
past the road to Quemado Lake (about 18 miles) to
a Forest Service road on your left (with a cluster of
mail boxes on your right and a Forest Service sign
beside the road to Armijo Springs camp ground,
which you can “visit” on-line here —
campground

Driving directions to gathering

From the north and US 60 at Quemado, take NM Rte. 32 south about 18 mi. past mile marker 24, look for intersection sign (+) and sign for Armijo Springs. After those signs, turn east/left onto CR A021 (gravel road) and drive approx. 4 miles, then bear right at "Y" and sign for campground, travel short distance and look around.

From the south and NM Rte.12 at Apache Creek, drive north on NM Rte. 32 about 23 miles and past mile marker 23, look for intersection sign (+) and sign for Armijo Springs. After those signs, turn east/right onto CR A021 (gravel road) and drive approx. 4 miles, then bear right at "Y" and sign for campground, travel short distance and look around.

At night, and especially at the edges of the day, be careful and watch for wapiti near/on the roads.

Thanks Miles and CCCC!

Just follow the smell of bacon and coffee in the morn,the sound of gunfire in the afternoon, and later in the day laughter and story tellin and you will soon be upon the camp.

Gee, last time I went, Scott F and I stopped and got gas in Quemado, something to drink and just followed the rainbow to Paul's place...

the campground is just a mile or so up the dirt road from there...

just like they told us it would be there at the store..

OR

if ya get into town on Wednesday or Thursday, just hang around the parking lot at the one store in town....

I'm sure someone will stop to gas up before going out to the campground, and recognize you... so you can just follow them out to the Springs...

That is what Scott F and I did the first time.... we were there only like 36 hours out front drinking beer when a local sheriff said we looked like those types that were there for the 24 Hour Campfire ShinDig.... so he lead us out there, then told us to stay off the highways for the next 72 hours....

We never figured out why... did we Scott??

My first time out, I was sitting at the cafe early in the morning, drinking coffee and talking to an older indian man. He asked what I was doing, and when I told him, he said that there was a fellow in here yesterday going to something like that, and there he is now. Blue (RIO7) was walking in the door. The rest is history. miles

Meeting Miles, at the Largo Cafe was like finding a new brother, we had a wonderful time visiting, and we went on a coyote hunt with one of the locals, went to visit Richie, who owns the motel and see his lion and bear dogs, then to the springs and met Paul and Maddy, met Ken Howell, and many others, what a wonderful group of people, counting the day's until we all get together again. rio7

Don't know what that guy's problem was. We both could almost stand on our own, almost.

Spoke with my daughter just now. It will be just her and my grandson Jace this year. She is bringing a big mess of pulled pork and some barbecue sauce, so I guess that we can kick that into the mix on Saturday. I will try to bring another few dozen green chile burritos, if I can get my wife to slow down long enough. We have a lot of ground elk that we need to use up.

Getting close, so I will bump this to the top. Looking forward to seeing everyone. miles

Yup,getting close.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Getting stuff piled up.

Pulled the scope off of my 450/400 last night, and going to verify the sights today. Reserved a room at the Largo yesterday. It's getting close folks.
It will be Brandy, the kids and I. Also it looks like my cousin Colin and his daughter will make it.

We are planning on bringing plenty of water and soda for all. Plus snack stuff, and likely some andouille and boudain to share as well. Also helping with odds and ends too.

Ben, Miles, Ken, Bob and Thomas - so much looking forward to seeing you and yours - and several others - again soon.

And I y'all!!!!

Paul, I too am really looking forward to it. You, Dennis and Kent need to let me know what I need to pick up along the way, or bring from home. Or, I can give money to Y'all to get what is needed. miles

bring a jar of those pickled penies...

miles

Reservations are made for 2 of us. Unsure about the boys though. We will be in Albuquerque on the 23rd and driving to Quemado after Brenna's appointment on the 24th. Let me know if we can bring something.

Miles, that confuses me too. Maybe they use odd spelling down where he lives but if it is what that seems to mean, I've never heard of the things being pickled. Then again, maybe it's an Arkansas thing and he knows what he wants. Good luck with this one.

Paul, Miles, makes the best peppers that look some like a string bean, penies, he also makes the best Jalapeno's I have ever eaten, every time my ranch hands eat me with at my house, they want Miles's peppers, they are all experts on peppers, Latino's know their peppers. and so does Miles. Rio7

Thanks, Blue - helps clear up the "penie" thing and sounds like we should be begging Miles to bring 'em. Ok, Miles, how about loadin' up some pickled penies and some of those Jalapenos.?

I will have to see what I have left. Took a bunch of cayenne to Curdog down at Ed's blow and it is too early for this years crop. I usually bring some pickled cayenne, Pickled jalapeno, jalapeno relish and some wieners pickled in jalapenos. I will bring some or all of that. miles

Good man !

I got a favor to ask of anyone that's coming to the Quemado gathering.

If any of you have a night hunting light that mounts to a scope, please bring it. I'm going to buy one so I can hunt hogs at night, but there are lots of brands and, of course, they all claim to be the best.

There are several that advertise you can 'see to shoot' (positively identify the target and see the scopes crosshairs) at 150 yds or more with a green lens and that is the lens I think I want and the range I will be shooting.

I dont know what New Mexico's laws are, so dont get us in trouble. I dont want to shoot at night, just check out the light and see what it will do.

Thanks

I have a couple of Browning lights that have green LED's. I bought them for night-time hog hunting (legal here). Mounted with a rail mount, on an AR forend.

Even with an illuminated reticle scope, I found they were marginal at 150 yards, trying to shoot small pigs. I think they would probably work okay at 100 or less. I'll bring it if you like.

This one is larger, and has more range. Costs more too.

http://elusivewildlife.com/xlr-250.html

Randy, am thinking I might still have a 12v headlight from an old Jeep - mounted it in a small box and fixed it on a pole to help find big frogs in AZ irrigation ponds back in the 60s. The wiring is kinda' long.

If none of these modern/fancy lights do the trick and you want to try it, I will go diggin' and try to find it for you. Just let me know.

Still hoping to make it to Quemado.

With high hopes of making this years adventure I have been loading up some 22lr so Ron can shoot a couple of my 22 revolvers...

Brian, sure hope you can make it to the gathering. As for the .22LR, what powder/bullet combo are you using? Will you have any for sale?

When are we going to start the PM about who's bringing what?

-Jon

Hey Paul, sure lookin forward to visiting with friends.

About the 22 loads...

They are from an obsolete reloading book so we will have to see how they work. It would be too "risky" to share that load with others

Will have plenty of over the counter 22lr to share though.

I was sorta wondering what you used for priming compound...

We don't do the PMS anymore, just discuss it here. Mostly everything's covered... Just bring a bag of laughs and fun...

Kent

I thought Jon was supposed to bring 100 lbs of prime ribeye. miles

T&C, The XL 250 is one of the ones I was looking at. If its not too much trouble, bring what you've got, so I can look at them.




CCCC, Let me take a look at the others before trying to find your lite. I'm really looking for a lite to mount on the rifle, without having to use duct tape.

Oldman, I have about a couple laying around here, I will try to remember to bring. rio7

Blue Star Cartridge and Brass in Searcy, Arkansas used to have empty, primed .22 LR for sale, but sadly they are no longer in business. I saw them with my own eyes a few years back, and asked about them. They said that lots of target shooters loaded their own. miles

Thanks Blue!

And, if it isn't too much trouble, bring you laptop so we can look at pics.

See you soon
Randy

I remember seeing them years & years ago, too. I also remember thinking 'why would anyone want to reload .22 lr, they're only $.75 a box'. Wish I had bought a trainload, at that price.

A number of years ago (okay, 35 years ago) Uberti made a few 1866 replicas in .44 rimfire. Dad and I discussed how we'd load ammo for one. The phrase "fulminate of mercury" came up and we decided that some things are best consigned to history...

Oldman, I will bring my lap top and some green lights, trying to load up all my guns and ammo, and camping stuff now, I keep saying to my self, do I need all this crap for 1 weekend??? Rio7

The answer is no, but anything that you don't bring will be something that you need. miles

You can never have too much stuff!!!

If you dont use it, your friends can and will!!!

I have been trying to decide which guns to bring and settled on 5 rifles and 4 hand guns, 5 ammo cans of ammo, some targets and camping stuff and 2 Yeti's, lots of coffee, that should just about cover what I can bring from home anything else I can pick up along the way. hope some more guy's want to shoot the big bores as I am bringing 3 big bores. Rio7

Blue, if I can't turn one up between now and then, I would like to shoot one of yours in the "big bore" shoot. I promise not to get it bloody.

Ben

Damn... I still feel bad about that...

Kent

You and me both Kent...

No reason to feel that way. It was my own damned fault for not using the isosceles stance.

I have the .45-70 case that Tom gave me for a souvenir at eye height on my reloading bench to remind me.

Mudhen, You are welcome to shoot my rifles, I am bringing plenty of ammo, whats this about blood I guess I missed it??
Should I bring my big First Aid Kit?? Rio 7

Blue, I have seen no mention of Smoke. Is She doing OK? miles

At the first Quemado get-together, I tried a hot hand load in Tom's .45-70 Contender pistol. I didn't have a good grip and it bumped me right between the eyes. No need for a first-aid kit--I am a single trial learner. Thanks for the offer, though.

Miles, Smoke, is doing fine and getting fat sense hunting season is over, we put on fat in the summer and work it off in the winter.
Mudhen, My 45-70 Marlin, bumps me pretty good, no way could I handle 45-70 in a contender. bet that left a smart mark! I will bring my small First Aid Kit anyway. Rio7

I seem to recall one of Paladin's pistols getting Jon in the face one day too. miles

Took scope off my .405 yesterday and put the skinner peep back on it, I am a little sore from sighting it in from the bench. shot it a couple of times at 1/2" steel plate,blew a couple of holes thru it that looked like I shot it with a 50 BMG, guess I got this load about right. Rio7

Well it will be good to get to shoot! Since I left the shop in January I haven't had the chance to shoot at all! Except for one round I used to dispatch a grinner here in the yard.

All of this gun/shooting talk portends a fine event and lots of enjoyment.

Ben, guess that little bloody incident had slipped from my mind - but now remember that you took it like a man. I think that fellow Isosceles died about the same time as Socrates and Pythagoras, so it's nice that Kent and Thomas have accepted responsibility and feel bad about it.

For anyone who would like to bring something to help, and if you will arrive by Thursday or early Friday, will probably need some strong string/twine to tie up/off corners of the big tarps intended to shelter the main sitter and the rifle shoot areas.

Paul, I will have my usual assortment of rope and tarps. miles

I can have some cordage available as well!!!!

I need to pick up some anyway.

Thanks guys. I have acquired a rather huge tarp to cover the sitting/eating area (including a long main support rope), and a fairly big tarp to shade the rifle shoot station. Will need to measure/cut three or four support poles from stuff in the slash piles. Your cord should get the corners done. Someone please remind me to bring a ladder.

Well its not like the trip back home would be a killer. miles

If he walked back?

I had 45-70 contender and think it was a lot less punishing that the same load in a rifle.

Dennis and I have gotten together the criteria and info for the Saturday rifle shoots, as provided below. I will help him run the Steel shoot and he will help me run the Prairie Dog and Turkey Rim shoots. We hope/plan to have a sighting target station set up by Friday but, for the sake of an excellent overall group experience, both of us recommend that shooters get their rifles sighted before arrival at camp, if at all possible. No sighting-in or practice shots during any shoot, and we will use a timer/dinger in order to keep it moving and in fairness to all.


JULY 2015 NEW MEXICO CAMPFIRE GATHERING RIFLE SHOOTS (Saturday AM start - order and times for shoots will be announced at camp.)

Turkey Rim Shoot

Shooters may use any .22 rim fire sporting rifle with any sight from any hunting position – but NOT FROM A BENCH OR STATIONARY REST. Sitting, prone, free-standing shooting sticks or tripod, etc. are OK. Once at the firing line, total time allowed for shooting is 4 minutes.

Target will be a reduced-size picture of a turkey, at somewhere between 30 and 50 yards, with a 1/2” dot at a vital place. Smallest 5 shot group HAVING AT LEAST ONE SHOT WITHIN THE DOT scores highest. There may be second and third place winners.


Prairie Dog Shoot

Shooters may use any firearm, any sights, and shoot from any position. Total time allowed once at the bench is 3 minutes.

Shooters will fire one shot from a cold barrel at a simulated PD with 1/2" dot on chest at a distance of approximately 200 yards. Shot closest to the center of the dot is the winner. There may be second and third place winners.


Steel Shoot - varying sizes and ranges for varying points.

The intent is to make the steel targets very visible for everyone so, once the steel is up, everyone will have a chance to see where all targets are positioned. Shooting order will be determined by hat draw at the announced time. The targets will be color coded and scored accordingly. Each low value target can be shot only one time.

Once at the firing line, the shooter will have a total of 6 minutes to take 5 shots. Shooting will be done from ANY improvised position one might use while hunting - prone, standing, shooting sticks, bipod, tripod, etc., but NOT USING THE BENCH.

Rifles must be sporting rifles - no match rifles – and cartridges will be limited to non-magnum rounds with case capacity similar to or less than a 30-06 (to save the steel). There will be no coaching - shooters must set up and shoot alone - and there will be no spotting help by others. The match director can call out a hit or a miss should the shooter not be able to determine.

OK - load 'em up, start squinting, shoot your best, and let's have fun.

I assure that this was much more punishing than a rifle...
The 405gr factory loads were pretty mild. The load Ben touched off was a 325gr leverevolution that was pushing the limits of a Contender. When you fired from the 11" barrel it pulled one hell of twist that wanted to wrench the gun from your hands, and batter your knuckles.

My barrel was a 14" but I shot home swaged 500 grain grab your hat loads. I do have a scar on my traffic finger of my left hand from learning how to use a two hand hold on a contender.

I am a PUSSY, when it comes to heavy recoil in a hand gun, my right hand has 35 old fractures, looks like a bag of cracked ice in the ex-rays, my days of shooting anything bigger than a .45 acp are over. and i am not wonderful with a .45 after a few rounds. that's my reward for a life time of ranch work.Rio7

That bust be tough Blue. I may stagger when I walk but I can still handle recoil.

The sad part is I have a collection of really nice pistols that I enjoy shooting, those day's are over. Rio7

I'm with you, Blue. I am terminally right-handed. If you cut my right arm off I would probably starve to death, so the right one gets all the punishment.

I have broken most of the bones in my right hand twice and some three times. Have a lot of arthritis in the hand and wrist, as well as advanced carpal tunnel. Add an ulnar nerve resection that resulted in chronic weakness in the third and fourth fingers and a thumb that hasn't been able to bend since I was 7, and I wonder why in the hell I wasted my time trying to shoot handguns. I had to sell my .44 mags a couple of years ago--just couldn't take the pounding anymore. I can still shoot the .45 auto, though.

Mudhen, Broke my thumb, index finger and middle finger on my right hand last year, when the x-ray tech and the doctor were looking at the ex-rays they got laughing, and I said what the hells so funny, Doc said we are counting old fractures, let us x-ray your other hand and see what it looks like.
They counted 19 old fractures in my left hand, Doc said you left hand looks great except for your index finger, kinda looks like a fish hook. must have been a slow night in the E.R. Blue

Ben and Blue, I also have some decent revolvers and pistols and would like to shoot them well, but am not real good at it. However, I don't have bad hands/fingers like yours as a genuine reason. Even with about 60 years of heavy outdoor adventures and some rough construction and mechanical work at times, I've always seemed to manage protecting the hands/fingers because of the keyboards and wind instruments in my life. Still always wear gloves when dealing with the barbed wire fences. I've just not worked hard enough in learning to shoot handguns well. Maybe someone good can teach the old coot.

Paul...

It was Ed too many letters and Paladin that really improved my handgun shootin.

I loaded up an ammo can of 38 specials for folks to play with, gonna be fun...

Show me how to use those new fangled scopes on them rifles and we, as in me and those that really know how too shoot pistolas, will get ya on target...

They just know when they've got a rare specimen, so they slow down and enjoy it. Soon enough, they'll be back to colicky babies, panic attacks and the odd knife or gunshot wound.

I'm going to bring a quart or two of green chilis- no they're not from Hatch but from Virden NM. Maybe I will pickle some penies if Miles doesn't have any!

Mudhen, You know I never thought of that, guess Doc's get tired of the same old shootin and stabbin. Blue

Paul I know Ed's not coming this year have you heard from Paladin? they are both very good handgun teachers.Blue

I haven't looked for canned ones yet, but the ones in my garden are late. Bad weather in the spring and all the first ones died. I will tell you my method if you want. very simple. miles

If someone is going to give lessons on any kind of shooting...

Count me in. I need all the help I can get!

Every time i go to this gathering I learn something about shooting I didn't know when I got there. Rio7

I shot pistols some today. Let's just say I'm glad there's no formal pistol competition. I get the shakes just aiming the darn things

Shot the .270 some at 200 yards. I'm glad there's one more weekend before the gathering

Questions about the planned shoots...

Turkey Rim Shoot

.22 rim fire sporting rifle... is a bull barrel allowed?

Why not? - as long as it's not a target type rifle/stock. "Sporting" is the key.

Ok, thanks!

Me too. I went and cut the grass on my shooting place yesterday, so that I could see all the way to the 200 yd line. I just hope that I can find time to use it. I will have to mow the yard twice this coming week, along with other things and the temp has jumped to 100-101 with lots of "wind chill". Saps me worse than it used to. miles

yeah, it was 95 and humid yesterday, and the mirage was kicking up occasionally. I took a towel and used it a lot, even though I was in shade.

I wont cut my grass until late in the week, so that's a plus.

95 and humid here yesterday, also. Predicted 98 today, gonna be a hot one.

What's this talk about 200 yd line and mirage?

"I shot pistols some today. Let's just say I'm glad there's no formal pistol competition. blush I get the shakes just aiming the darn things."

"Sandbagging" among friends is in poor taste.I've seen you shoot.

Randy........ crawdads won't boil at Quemado altitude.

I was intending to just show up unexpectedly, but got too many Dr. visits scheduled. Gettin' rid of my cataracts and getting my back fixed.

I'd sure like to eat some more of Kent and Keith's cooking.

Sorry that you are not coming. For me Cataracts went real good, but the back remains a problem. I got an inversion table and it seems to be helping. I haven't had it long but it feels good when I get off of it. I can even walk good without a stick. Doesn't last long though. I am hoping over time it will. It would probably help if I took it a little easier on the back, but I got things to do. miles

Damn Gene! Was lookin' forward to seeing you! Good luck withthe Doc!

I spect they would, but crawfish season is over... cant get any!

And, since you not going to be at Quemado... dont be trying to stir the old pot!!!

PS-- Sorry you wont get to see me, and I hope all goes well at the docs. Keep us posted!

Dang, sorry to hear that Gene, hope you heal up quick!

I finished another project yesterday that I might have to bring along. It's a Ruger tang safety in 7x64mm Brenneke. I am pretty pleased with how it came out too!

Well, Tom, that's really, really nice - but maybe not so nice that there will again be a young whippersnapper with a fine new rifle to make us old farts look mediocre. I'm glad you are coming this time - hope you bring that 77.

Gene - get on over here next weekend - have not seen you for a year and a half and was looking foward to your grinnin' carcass. I do hope the doctoring goes well - but still wish you would show up.

Miles I thought inversion tables were used in some fancy math - but if that one helps your back, it has to be good. Maybe you should try some Calculus while you're at it. To help your back feel better out here next week we could borrow Jon Graham's old hammock (the one he shared with "K" - told us the GHW was well over 300 pounds if you didn't move around too much) and we could sling it inverted between two strong junipers. Wanna try it?

Gene, I am very disappointed, you are not coming we are getting to old to miss these chances to get together, that only come once a year.

Thomas, that's a great looking rifle, bring it along so we all can leave fingerprints all over it.

CCCC, I have a rope and a come along we can hang Miles, by the ankles in a tree for a while every day, that should fix him up. GRIN Blue

Inversion table helps your back and Calculus hurts your head. I am afraid if You and Blue get me strung up by the ankles, you won't let me down. miles

Miles, your fears may be justified.

Blue, we can leave Miles hangin' up there just long enough to attract a few turkey vultures - then lower him suddenly. When I get there, I'm going looking for a strong-limbed Ponderosa near camp - maybe one with ants so we can test his manhood.

Run Miles, run!

Thanks for the compliments on the rifle. It's nothing fancy. I received a pretty nice .270 tang safety. I've never been a fan of the .270 Winchester after a goat rodeo with one a few years back. So I started looking at options when I found a factory take off barrel in 7x64.
The barrel was blued, but the finish was not in the best state though the bore and crown were perfect. After my 'smith installed the barrel I gave it a coating with Aluma-Hyde II in stainless(what I had on hand). I rubbed some tru-oil into the stock and that was it.
I am pretty happy with it, and I was able to do it all on a budget.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone!

Gene- bring that truck- I want to see that new hood!

Paul?? Blue, Where's Miles?? Paul, He's hanging around here some where ???

Reminds me of back when I was working. I got a new crew member, a woman. The first one that I had had on a survey crew. Anyway, the other members were quizzing Her about things, and somebody asked her what Her Dad did. She replied "Nothing much, He just lays around on my Mother." That was the first time I ever heard of burying two people in the same grave. miles

Miles, are you certain that's what she meant?

Miles- that is TFF.

Not unusual in S. La. -- In a mausoleum and they put the latest deceased, in a coffin, on top of the others.

Also in graveyards where there are no more spaces, they have a family plot and is used this way.

Yepp. I made sure that I understood. She was a very strange person. Good worker, but strange. She would sit around and read a book with it held upside down. She could also read books from the mirror image. She was dyslexic with numbers and that is not good when Surveying, but she tried hard to overcome it. She was also very talented at drawing stuff. She had never had any training but I talked her into taking some classes at a community college. She was doing water colors when I retired. miles

In Germany they bury people as much as five deep.

Would hardly know where it is safe to dig around some old towns in Europe - they've been burying people five deep for centuries and using every available parcel, one would suppose. Wonder what the ground water can be like.

Ongoing old native customs out this way are much more sensible and ecologically sound - creamate bodies on a big pile of flaming wood or put them up on a stand where the flying scavengers can deal with them.

Not easy to make a living as a mortician.

Ya got to remember that they did not have shovels Yet, much less a backhoe. miles

I have chosen the former, although the big pile of flaming wood probably would not fly. My wife would prefer the latter, but we don't think that the powers that be would allow it, either. She is opting instead for no embalming and a simple pine coffin (that will probably last a lot longer than she would like in our arid climate.)

Stuff you think seriously about as we age...

Well Crap!!! I'm not going to be able to make it this year! I spent over $7 K today on a new AC unit for the house!
So there goes all my traveling and fun money for a while! Sure was looking forward to meeting every one. Guess it'll have to be next year. Hope everyone has a great time!

Sorry to hear this - was looking forward to meeting you. Keep tryin'.

Damn, me too! Better make it next year...or we may have to come looking for you.

Dammit Neal! You can do w/o AC another week or two!

The weather looks good for next weekend if the rains keep off. Friday and Saturday are 50/50 for rain with temps in the middle 70s.
We'll see what we get.

Paul you getting showers in the afternoons?

Hope so,and he's using soap.

Yep - shower almost every afternoon - fairly green up here. This afternoon we had 3/4 inch of rainfall in about 90 minutes. Good stuff - but I did forget to bring soap.

The packing has started. Picked up whiskey yesterday. (Needed another bottle for house too). Cleaned some gear. Finding all the stuff I don't wanna forget. And got a few things I wanna check on. Yard mowed yesterday. It should stay short in the heat and dry!

And Wifey told Me to go ahead and leave a day earlier so I can have more time!!! Woohoo!!!!

She meant so she can have more time... gotta love a polite woman.

Kent

!!!!

Yup

Making a list and checking it twice... Yep, just like a little kid at Christmas.

Cant wait to get started. Been pulling out stuff we'll need for the trip.

But, I'm beginning to think like Blue, "Do I need all this stuff?"

Reloaded a few bullits today, dining room floor is full of stuff (Rattlesnake just rolled her eyes and picked her way thru)

Gonna finish getting eveythng together tomorrow, pack the truck Sunday and pull out early Monday.

Cant wait to see old friends and will get to meet new ones.

Dennis brought canned chilies over last night, wife made fajitas and I'm like a stuffed tick right now... he might bring some next weekend... lol

Kent

Got me a new Turkish carpet for my tent!!!!! I forgot to get another bottle of absinthe so I'll pick it up in the morning. Then I'll hit the grocery store one more time again.

Randy, I'm leaving around midnight Monday night/Tuesday morning. So I'll see you when I get there. I think I got everything!

I'm bringing mine with me, so she can't say I can't go....

Pretty Crafty on my part, isn't it?

Might be that she's just 'keeping a eye on ya'!

There no doubt she's up to something! LOL!
She went and walked in town (Bastrop) today on River walk trail!!!! Just a little with daughter. First time to really got out and do something like this since The strokes in January. She can get in and out of daughters car easier!!

I think Ive got everything. Now I need a batman to load all my stuff in the truck!!!

Kent - do you need any food items? If all of the peripherals are covered (plates, bowls, utensils, drink cups, paper towels, garbage bags, grill/fuel, etc., etc., etc, and you still have folks wanting to know what to bring - someone might want to think "dessert" for an evening dinner. For example, Maddy and I have everything for the main part of Friday evening dinner, but no dessert plan.

You guys driving the long miles and trying to escape home early, take your time - be safe.

All - the afternoon/evening rains have continued and our part of the forest is looking really good. The A021 road has been muddy in places and one little creek was running across it a day ago. There are about 7 RV units at the campground this weekend and some of those guys were in 4wd and fishtailing trying to drag the larger rigs in. Good news is that the road dries fairly quickly with some sun and breeze - if we get a break in the rain the road should be fine for your entree. First ones in should give fair warning to any "non-campfire" folks who might wander into there - let 'em know there will be beehive activity, many campers, and a big bunch of shooting on Fri/Sat/and some of Sun.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Raining here now. The west valley has been hammered. Wickenburg over 4" this afternoon and evening.

Been holding off to see if I would be able to make it. Got the call this morning a job has finally come through so once again work interferes with play.

You guys have fun, be safe, and keep yer powder dry. Take lots pics for those of us that can't make it.

David

Damn it David... was hoping you'd be there.... a lot of guys I was hoping to make it can't....still looking forward to seeing the ones that will be there....but still miss a bunch who won't be able to make it...

on the other side, Congrats on the job coming thru...

gotta make money and all to afford to do these fun trips...

Dennis and I have the main part of saturday dinner taken care of. We will have two breakfasts, if anyone wants to bring eggs or breakfast meat chime in so I don't buy too much.

Kent

Damn it, you and Ed need to get your priority's straight. Play comes before work. Stay safe my friend and we will see you when we can. miles

Kent, I can grab some bacon or sausage, or both. Let me know what and how much. miles

Brenna and I can bring something store bought as desserts.

We are leaving Thursday for her appointment in Albuquerque Friday morning, then to Quemado.

Frank has FFA, (plus the soon to feed) and will not make it.

Glad to hear everyones getting ready to meet in N.M. My luck has not been so good, wheel came off my camper trailer in no where Tex. wheel went out thru the brush and started a big brush fire, I am now on a first name bases with all the cops and fire dept. of Eden,Tex.tore the hell out of the trailer,
Got a wrecker from San Angleo, to haul it to a trailer repair place, they need parts from Salt Lake City, So I loaded everything in my trailer in the truck and left it behind,No room for moving targets, left them behind, I am going to Colo. to pick up another trailer from my son, should be in N.M. Hope to see everyone soon. Rio7

Damn Blue!!!! Glad you are ok!

David! I'll miss you bud!!


Kent, Dennis, same here as Miles, if I need to bring some extra bacon/ sausage. Shout out now so I can hit town!

Bob

Check with Brian 'bacon boy' El Jefe, he rules the bacon cartel.

Sausage would be great also.

Kent

Ok. I'll pick up a a few extra. Package or two of both. Not like it won't get eaten. Lord know I have the room in that big azz cooler!!

Kent & Paul
Brandy and I will cover desert for Friday night. I am thinking I'll make a couple of Tx. buttermilk pies, and probably Brandy will make a good sized pan of brownies.
Tom

Also I will grab a couple things of sausage from my butcher.

"wheel went out thru the brush and started a big brush fire, I am now on a first name bases with all the cops and fire dept. of Eden,Tex."

And the adventure begins for Quemado 2015...

Lord have mercy on NM... here we come...

Kent

Im gettin' hongry!!!!

Blue??? That was t that new trailer you had at Quemado last year was it????

I need to put on my reading glasses.... I didn't see that G in there, and reversed that R and N before I squinted.....

Will be happy to pick up what is needed along the way.... too far to buy it here and try to keep it from spoiling before getting there....

Winslow is about the last town with a decent supermarket in it, before we get there... if I need to pick up something, someone managing this affair, give me a PM and I'll let ya have my mobile phone number.....

Blue, stay safe out there.... and hopefully there will be no more drama along the way....

You far travelers don't need to bring anything and neither does anyone else. But some like to and I don't want to inhibit folks. Just if you're bringing some post it so I don't overbuy from here.

I'll get the eggs and buscuits, some pancake mix. Looks like there will be plenty of meats.

Thanks

Kent

At this point I regret labarr and I will have to bow out as well, due to work conflicts. In my case there's too much going on that I can't hand off, and he's in a similar situation.

Was looking forward to getting up in the cool mountains, so I'm bummed about it. If there's another gathering in Arizona this winter I may try it then. You guys travel safe, and have a good time!

Thanks Kent!

So we don't overbuy, put me down for one bacon and one roll of sausage! Not a problem to haul.

I gotta hit the store here again anyway to get some stuff for Wifey.

Bob

I still have biscuits in my frig from the 'last time I bought biscuits' Last year...

IF I make it to Quemado,going to bring my SS Winchester M 70 chambered for that varmint cartridge de jour the .375 H&H. Have some 260 gr loads to shoot up.

I'll feed them to DARBY... he'll eat anything... hell, he let a black widow bite him on that one gathering, just to watch it die from blood poisoning...

Kent

Looks like plenty of bacon and sausage making the trip, so I'll get the eggs.

How many?

Kent, with Dennis too, always do a great job with the food plan and prep - can't thank them enough. And, the volunteer spirit among those traveling far is excellent.

Thomas - thanks to you and Brandy - looking foward to the desserts. And, the bacon/sausage lovers are doing their part, as always. Thanks.

Seafire - depending on your route, there are decent grocery stores (Safeway, etc.) closer than Winslow - as in Holbrook, St. Johns, Show Low, and Springerville. Safe travels.

Patrick, Leonard, David, et al - sorry you can't make it this time - we sure will miss you.

Blue - sorry for the mishap with that fabulous trailer. A buddy had a "hot box" like that once when we were pulling his BIG boat/trailer across open country and that wheel/hub took off too - but no brush fire. It was met by an oncoming semi, and that driver was not happy. Sorry you had to abandon your trailer and some stuff we were going to use for fun, but you are the important component. Glad you have a back-up trailer available - see you soon.

Bob - try to not eat all of the bacon and sausaage before you arrive.

Ken - hope you can make it too.

Going to do my best to get up there.

Also will bring a .17 HMR.

And I thought I was the only one stuff like this happened too!

Normally we have 40+ attendees, but this year with David and his clan not making it, Pat and his brother, Ed, plus a few others. I'm guessing 25 to 30. 8 dozen total for two breakfasts.

Don't try to bring them all! It's just one year we ended up with 8 dozen too many because we didn't communicate well enough... and I like eggs but not that many leftovers before they spoil.

Kent

You had that hub go out in your truck in the desert and I had a trailer tire blowout plus hose bust going to my turbo in the middle of no where.

Chit happens...

Kent

Darby's mission in campfire life is to make sure the eggs don't spoil. I commend him for that.

Much as I would like to be there, too many things have came up that are deterrents so all I can do is wish y'all a great get together!

Ivan

Ok--- I'll bring 4 doz with me and if we see we need more, I'll make a run to town. (Want to see as much of the country as possible, anyway)

You blink and you'll miss most towns in that part of New Mexico.

thats why in West Virginia, they put sharp turns coming into town and leaving town.. so people don't blink and miss them...a lot of them don't have post offices any more.. but there is ALWAYS a place in 'town' to stop and get beer...

New Mexico ought to consider that.... would certainly help beer sales in rural areas...

I really don't think there's any issue with beer sales in New Mexico, John!!!

I live in a 1 store (grocery, cafe, gas, laundry mat, and baitstand combination), 3 churches, a PO, and 1 caution light town.

Oh yeah, they do break the speed limit down to 45, going thru town.

Small aint the word for it!

Besides, what other excuse can I come up with to see the countryside... beer run? wimmins? getting eggs sounds good!!!

Crystal is sending along a large peach cobbler that we can have for dessert one evening.

Ben - that is great - Crystal is going to get a big hug when finally I get to meet her.

Made it to my sons place, getting other trailer ready to go, will be headed that way soon, so far this has been one hell of a trip, see you all in the next few days. Rio7

I bet you are singing that old country song "You Took A Long Time To Leave Me Loose Wheel"

Glad you made it Blue!

Be careful. See you soon!

Drive safe, Blue.

I think Miles is on the road today, if not today, tomorrow.

I'm packed and will leave about 2 am in the morning and drive to Quemado. Figure to make it around 6 or 7 pm, spend the night in the motel, and drive on out Tuesday morning to the campground.

I wont have my laptop, so I wont be posting anymore. All you folks drive safe and we'll see yall soon.

Randy

Travel Safe Randy! I'll be there sometime Tuesday afternoon.

Randy, if Blue is not at the campground, I will stay in Quemado tomorrow night too. I am in Amarillo, right now.

If Y'all want me to get sausage or bacon, or both, I will need to know tomorrow when I go through Albuquerque. I will stop and check this thread and/or my messages. miles

Plus we got told that we could not water the trees. miles

Paul, I have 3 blocks of Hickory for you and lots of pecan for the cooks. miles

Sounds like enough. Then I won't pack any mesquite.

You guys travel safe, and look out for idiots! See you Friday.

Thanks for bringing the hickory Miles. Take your time and travel safely. Blue did not say when he is leaving Colo, but maybe he won't be in until Tues or Wed.

I will be getting some some unwanted dental attention on Tues and won't be done until late, so will look for you on Wed.

If I can get out of town should be there late Wednesday afternoon

"Inherited" 4 grandkids - age 4-14 and son wants to come down.
"The Warden" and I are still tying to figure out logistics.
Gonna try to be there once more. More than will fit into the travel trailer, may need to buy a tent, iff'n I don't still have one from the olden days.

Mark,

I believe Ken has a tent available for anyone who cares to use it.

Might send him an email.

I am sitting reading all this fun while my fife texts me pictures of her climbing Gold Mint trail at Hatcher Pass in AK. She will be there for two weeks while I batch it at home.


You all drive safe and have a great time.

Yes he does, a big new Teepee type with 4 sleeping bags and mats, all new, needing residents.

Kent

Thanks, David - I'll do just that.

anyone coming that lives near Flagstaff?

potentially need a little assistance in the area after Quemado...

Spent most the day switching tires on the truck and 4 new tires on the RV. Cheryl wants to come so no sleeping out in the open on a cot.

Granddaughter helped Ugly 'Ol Pappy put on the trailer tires.

Thanks, Kent - just PM'd Dr Howell.

Hopefully she didn't have to show you how again this year Kent!

Mark, bring 'em all--we'll find places for them. Looking forward to seeing both of you again and meeting your tribe!

I was going to stop and grab it friday on the way in from his house and put it up. If you are arriving early go ahead if not I'll get it.

I guarantee he will be tickled pink for someone to use it.

Kent

nd it's an 18 ft'er, big enough for grandkids...

Kent

Yep... she said, righty tighty lefty loosy, Pappy... exasperated...

Kent

Wish I had some grand kids to help me with all that complicated stuff....

I think oldest son is ready to sell a couple if your interested.

I think you met one last year!

Heck, I loved that kid....

Tell your son I have a Buck and quarter burning a hole in my pocket as we speak this very moment!

John, in a bidding war on that kid, you will have competition. My 2 Grandsons are too young to do much with, yet, and they just moved farther away. miles

ya know Miles....

it hasn't been mentioned before...

We all talk about some of the great folks we get to meet via these campfire get2gethers.... but no one has mentioned...

of all the kids that are brought to these shindigs, I have yet to meet ONE that is "not being brought up right" by his parents or grandparents...

in today's world and the standards ( or lack thereof) that many kids are raised in... everyone of these boys, and girls are just like the way we were when we were kids...

they know how to have fun, are pretty darn respectful overall, and have a decent set of values...

any time I have told one of these kids to do something, its always "yes Sir"....instead of the usual " you're not my dad, you can't tell me what to do!"

just a point I thought should be brought up... Kudos to the kids, and Kudos to the Campfire Members who are raising the next generation to represent everything Good about this nation....

Looks like we are at 35 probables at this time. Still a big crowd.

Kent

Kent - haven't seen a list, but we may have a couple more than being anticipated. Would it be helpful to publish a list and seek confirmations?

It will be Donelle, Jace and me for sure. Jace wants to bring a friend, but the boy spent the last week shooting at the state 4-H shotgun championship. He is frantically baling hay this week, to honor a commitment to his uncle. If it doesn't rain, there may be one more young teenager. I wouldn't worry about it except, at that age they eat about as much as two of us senior citizens.

It will be Brandy, myself, and the kids. My cousin Colin and his daughter are unable to make it.
So four here.
Tom

I'm leaving in about an hour. Be by myself.

I don't think son and his crew are coming.

Safe travels!

Sure wish I could be at this one. I'm going to miss you guys. As I mentioned previously, take lots of pics.

Thomas, after missing the last couple of gatherings, you are going to make it and I won't. Dang the luck.

In my group are Jeff P, his wife Bunny, Jeff H and his wife Peggy.

5.

Maddy will be in camp in the evenings.

Mark and Marcia Lee are coming as well.

We know that Blue and Miles are enroute, as well as Randy and his son, and Seafire and wife are enroute.

Am pretty sure that Brian is coming

Me- 2+ maybe Mia
Dennis- 5
Tom- 4
Ben- 3
Judy- 3
Paul- 4
Joe
Ken
Ron
Mark-6?
John- 2
Miles
Brian
Blue
Jon- 2
Bob
Randy- 2

Ok, 40 probables... and I probably forgot somebody.

Kent

Correction. We may be 6.
Something changed for Colin and his daughter Avery. I will know in a couple of hours.

Looks like a "hoot-'n-anny" is a brewin'!

Just heard from Colin. Six it is!

Signing off, and hitting the road...

me and the wife will be MIA until we show up in Quemado day after tomorrow....

we have plenty of money to have a good time along the way...

we just won like $50 billion or so in some Nigerian Lottery...

see you Rowdys there!

oh, and if anyone forgot the kitchen sink, don't sweat it...

we brought one...

Miles, Blue and Randy are at the site - getting settled nicely and prepping for the rest - like, raking the turf so it will absorb as much BS as possible. They all look good, and happy. Bob should be along soon.

Well, guys - everything went to pot (timing-wise)
Cattle were supposed to ship today, but it rained late last evening. Buyer wants to take delivery Friday.
Only way it's going to work is - "The Warden" takes grandkids and trailer to ABQ, picks up son (who's been itching to attend)and he drives down. (He's better at backing and keeping or getting out of tight spots) This old geezer comes down after the job is done.
Please help them get set up, as I can't.
Kent - if you could get the teepee, and help my family get situated, I'm sure "The Warden" would help cook
I'd surely appreciate it, and will make a point of visiting with my friend Ken, again.

Leavin tomorrow early morning.

Poor car is a saggin...

even loaded up horseshoes...

Absolutely, we'll get there sometime friday afternoon.

Kent

If someone thinks about it, we can probably use some charcoal. I left all mine at that Tonto basin camp and by the time I went back it was gone. We're going to fire up a couple of ovens for some biscuits.

Dennis just regular old matchlight/kingsford type stuff or hardwood lump charcoal?
I can grab a big bag...

Regular briquets- not match light, not lump. Briquets work best for dutch ovens.

That will work. I will grab a bag, and bring it out to camp Friday afternoon when we come.

"The Warden" and crew will be there Friday afternoon, barring misfortune. I hope to make it late Friday night.
Any last minute needs?

Saturday we are making pull pork BBQ, chicken, probably some fish and I'll make potato salad. I don't eat cole slaw so if someone wants some bring a tub.

Kent

Be leaving' this afternoon and see you fellas tomorrow.

Got water for pecan trees and cotton yesterday at 9:30 pm and finished at 2:45 am this morning. That along with a 4 hour drive,I'm gonna be cranky,grumpy and downright tired.

Going to bring a .375 H&H,.243 Win and Judy has the .17 HMR,cause I didn't know if I could make it at the time she left.

Turn that frown upside down...

Headed in a little bit, be up there this afternoon.

Kent

Is this different than normal?

Yup,usually just cranky and grumpy.

Well I'm on my way up to quemado... and adios...

Kent

I had hoped to pop over with my son, since it is only 160-170 miles from where we now live, but for some reason my gun safe combination is not working, so I cannot access my non-scoped big bores –– and one of the cars is in the shop so I don't want to leave the rest of the family car-less.

Hopefully, next time I will be a little batter organized. Have a good time, everyone.

Had GREAT time at Quemado 2015!

Some pics.

Me shooting at a steel pig at 177 yds with my SS .375 H&H. Blue with a T/C 7mm Rem mag.

Jon shooting "his" .22 in the rimfire match.



Better pic of Jon with "his" .22.




My daughter in a hammock with her friends.

Some more pics.

Thank you everyone! We all had an amazing time, and it's good to be back with some friends after far too long. I'll get some pics up though I didn't get many. Also there are a few that DARBY has threatened me with death if they make the 'fire!
I don't know what that's about?...

He told me today he expects that it will show up. He has plans for it now himself!

I got home about 2 hours ago. Was nice to get a shower and see my wife and dog. Ruby was still letting me know that she wished she had come along!

Traffic was pretty bad today. Worse than the 4th of July weekend for idiots!

Was good to see everyone again. I hope Miles makes it home without too much fanfare!

This was undoubtedly the best one yet! Those of you who weren't able to come missed out on a great weekend. Lots of shooting, lots of kids and wonderful camaraderie. Saw some old friends who weren't able to make it the past time or two and some new ones that will be back next year.

Stuck around and helped police the campsite. Left about 2:30. Have lots of pictures but am too bushed to download them tonight. Will get them sorted out tomorrow.

P.S. I don't understand what Joe is upset about. We saw a side of him that we hadn't seen before, but he is still the same old Darby to us.

Joe pulled my trailer to Springerville so I could pull my new camper. I dropped the camper there and switched to my trailer.

While I've been to four or five campfire gatherings now, I concur with Ben. What a great time was had by all. Seeing old friends and making new friends too.

Looking forward to seeing many of them in February at Roosevelt Lake, AZ.

Best wishes to Miles. Get well soon my friend.

Thank you to Dr. Howell for the conversation. It's always a pleasure.

A huge thanks to Paul and Matty and everyone for the many hours of time and effort spent before, and after to make this gathering a success.

And another thanks to Ken and Cheryl for the time spent cooking, cleaning, and making sure that each of us were well feed and taken care of.

Thanks to Dennis and Jeff P. for setting up the firing range. A great time was had by all. Too bad for me that I failed to shoot well again. Maybe next time...

Hoping that I have not left anyone out.

Jeff

We had a record 54 attendees, 11 kids and 14 women... and that's what I actually counted with all the constant activity. We might have had a few more. We had a great mix of generations.

The family participation is something we've been working on and it paid off huge this year.

I want to thank all my old and new friends for attending.

Some pictures from Northern Az and camp in NM.

I caught up to you guys before Springerville... Dennis in the lead, then Joe, then Jeff.

All of us made it home this evening, with no problems.
Grandkids are beat - but very happy, and want to attend again.
Thanks for all the volunteer help, for looking after the little heathens!
Hope everyone has a safe, uneventful trip home.
Prayers sent for a good outcome for Miles, and for Bob's wife.

Young Mr. Alan asked if I wanted some Hootch...

You mean like shine...

Yes sir...

Like from a still shine...

Yes sir...

Never had any, let me get a glass...

Oh, you don't use a glass, just sip from the jar...

Chit was smooth as water, luckily they live in Louisiana, or I might turn into an alcoholic...

Kent

kent- I saw you pull off at the Circle K in Springerville.

Salt River Canyon sucked today. Some real losers driving!

Very smooth! Some of the best I have ever sampled.

Looking forward to seeing them again--soon.

Yeah that shine was REALLY good!

We took the 260 down just to do something different. Boy was that a mistake. Bumper to bumper creeping along from outside of Star Valley all the way to the junction with 87.

I didn't dare salt river canyon pulling my trailer with the traffic. Though I wanted El Reys after cooking all weekend.

260 is faster from my house anyway.

Tom, next time if it's backed up to star valley, which it was for us also. Turn north at the light by Payson concrete, it swings around to 87 at Home Depot. We wanted mexican food at Swiss Village anyway.

Kent

Still thinkin' of how to get Blue's .450 Howell and .300 Wby into my grubby little hands.

You're not git'n the lyman either...

Kent

Schit!

As a few know, I showed up at the last minute, coming down from the ABQ area, so that technically makes 55.

For those of you in the convoy I passed, that was me in the old green Land Rover. There were only 6 or 8 left when I got there, but they were around for a while packing up. All great folks, including the six-year-old that is the same age as my daughter.

I came alone so I could at least scope out the location for next year, and to shake down the recently acquired LR, which handles fine, but came out of the shop with emissions issues that we're working on.

What spectacular scenery coming down on 117 through the reservations. I told the family that they would really regret missing that and Quemado, but none of them were willing to wake up early.

BTW, I finally got the gun safe open and brought some goodies for show and tell. Those included my 1906 H&H .500/450 double express rifle that Jim Bell brought back from India and was the start of his obsolete cartridge business, and the custom .375 H&H on a LH Remington 700 action on which Butch Searcy had installed a Winchester 70 claw extractor and ejector. I can bring them next year too, if anyone is interested.

By the time I left, there was quite a bit of rain and lightning all the way back home east of Albuquerque.

It's really a bother waking up to elk chirping and bugling around camp for an hour. Some huge herds this year but few calves.

There were some wolves around also.

Kent

Rolled into the driveway at 2:17 this morning. Uneventful trip home!

More later!!!

Bob

Home Sweet Home!

Ok! Got things checked out here at the place!

The last week was great!! Met new friends and hoorawed the camp with old friends!!!!

Kent, Dennis, Mark, Paul, Maddy and several other ladies did a great job with meals and camp life!!!! Thanks you a heap! Those folks make you feel right at home! (Sorry if I forgot anyone!!!! ).

Kent was right! Hard to sleep every morning with all the elk making that racket! LOL!!! Really added to the camp!!!!

The hooch was pretty tasty!!!! I will admit! Look forward to more next year!

And with the likes of Blue and Oldman03 (Randy) in camp there is no shortage of sid splitting stories!!!!

Thanks again to all campers and woodsmen for a great week!!!!!

Looking forward to next year!!!

Looks like a good time was had by all.

If I'd not been so busy, it would have been a welcome break.

Pics are great! Keep 'em coming!

Bob, I found a sack under the table, full of laughs, snickers, giggles, guffaws, twitters and groans... I think they belong to you...

Kent

Heck! Just pour em out when you get home and let everybody get em a handful or two!!!!

!

I know Miles was up a bit before we left, but are there any updates!

Very true. I saw a cow elk that had been hit by a car on 117 just above 36 yesterday. It had been there a while so maybe was hit during the night.

Glad to hear all had a good time, and traveled safely, wish we could have made it!




The first year I nearly hit a BIG bull elk on that road south of Quemado. Luckily I was going pretty slow, and dodged left. He was a smart old bull, and luckily spun a 180 and didn't try to beat me across. I missed him by 3-4 feet. I have the distinct memory of looking up at his head, from the seat of a 4x4 Ford pickup.

Y'all keep mentioning Miles as if he had some sort of health difficulty.

Did his back play out after the long trip?

It's a reason I didn't sneak in.

Looks like some good weather and a great time had by all.




That's an inviting looking camp for sure. I used to have a shaker back rocking chair with a cane bottom that I used in camp. All the rangers would laugh when they seen it setting out in the middle of nowhere. They told me they always knew who's camp it was.

Gene,

We think it was a kidney stone. Starred doing its thing Wednesday evening. He came out and partied a little Saturday night. Bunch of us got him all packed up Sunday. But I dunno what the final out come was. Whether he went to Albuquerque and medical attention or is taking his temgetting back. I thin Randy and Allen can follow him most of the way.

Miles was bedeviled by a very painful kidney stone or stones, and he was not able to move around much at all. He was, however, his usual cheerful self.

Miles is my buddy, I appreciate everything Randy is doing for him and hope for a favorable report.

Kent

I was pulling the green trailer and pulled over to thank you for letting us by. You should have hailed us and introduced yourself!

Swamp cooler is on the blink--pump went out. Too hot to sit in the office and wait on Photobucket. Here are a few:

Getting acquainted on Friday night




Dinner is up.




Kent (krp), John (Seafire) and their lovely brides. Bcolorado (Brian) and Blue's son Jude in the background.

For anyone with a youth hunter interested, you can buy OTC youth cow elk tags for 26-30 Dec for that unit right now.
Might be a fun trip for some of you guys and your kids/grandkids. If anyone would like any help let me know. All that is needed is a hunters safety course and a muzzleloader.

-Jon

Just to let everyone know--

Left Sunday, headed for Albuquerque. Miles didnt want to stop, so we kept going east. Spent the night in Shamrock, Tx., got up and drove to Conway, Ar., that's about 45 miles from where Miles lives. He drove on home from there and should have arrived about 4 pm. I called this evening and he made it home, took a nap, and was doing ok. Alan and I made it home about 7 pm this evening.

In the last two days, we solved all the political problems, killed half the deer in S. AR and N. LA, filled the boat with fish, and planned to do it again next year...

Randy