Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Am I the only one to read a Dave Scovill article.

And when I get done think WTF did I just read.

No, and its getting more and more that way it seems.

I thought it was just me. Lately the articles seem to ramble blindly in three or four directions.

Hmmm. Thought it was just me, too...

He has always sucked IMOP.

Lefty C

When I read his articles I find that if eggs are over cooked to the point of the egg being hard that burnt sienna is my favorite crayon.

another scovill fan. NOT!!

Ed

When reading something by the author of interest, vice other writers, there are certain things that wear on me.

Always read them. No problem with sundry subjects.

Yeah, he does seem to tracking rabbit trails (all over the place), but then, he's got the job, we don't.

I don't think I have ever read one complete article he has written. They just can't hold my interest

Same here. They just seem to wander with no real purpose...more like he is just waxing eloquent about how much he accomplished decades ago.

Well then I guess it isnt just me. I used to enjoy them he was opinionated but the stories where ok. Now its like what the hell we were talking about .45 acp and suddenly we are in Africa with a 416 rigby.

I have some old copies of Rifle and Handloader containing his articles. Articles then were longer and more detailed which if not about something you're into, could be pretty tedious. When he became the editor, his piece at the front of the magazines became more of a column that covered this and that, rather than a pointed article.

Scovill knows his stuff, and has the background and technical ability to go into more detail than many, including me sometimes want, but when he says something, I believe him because he bases his statements on actual experience. He has a lot of accomplishments, and he really likes to point them out, over and over and over to the point it gets pretty annoying sometimes. If I read about how he designed the RCBS 270 grain bullet for the .45 Colt one more time, I think I'll explode. He seems to be largely dismissive of lesser mortals in general and pretty full of himself. In short, his writing leads me to believe he's probably someone I wouldn't care to know personally. That could be a false impression, but it's how he comes across.

Well said, Pappy348. I can usually slog through his column, but it is hardly ever something of major interest and he is all over the board in his train of thought, stream of consciousness, or however he writes.

I lost most of what little respect I had for him when he went off about Jack O'Connor and how he didn't have to read O'Connor to know anything. A thick headed guy that thinks he can't learn something from those who have gone before him isn't too bright.

I think John Wooters said, "Thems that can write, write! Thems that can't write, edit!"

Scovill was just one of the reasons I quit subscribing and then buying Wolfe.

That O'Connor stuff hit me the wrong way too. Scovill apparently grew up around lumber camps, worked his way through school and had a couple of good careers including a stint in the Navy. I give him full credit for his accomplishments and success. His comments about O'Connor seemed like he was taking shots at him, which seemed silly and petty, especially given that he admitted that he hadn't read his stuff and therefore couldn't know much about him or his background. I think O'Connor's accomplishments, even before he became famous, surpass anything Scovill has ever done, and his beginnings were just as challenging. The whole business just smelled like a jealous rant. Everybody makes a jackass out of themselves eventually and I guess it was his turn.

That was the article that got me also. After reading it, I cancelled. Scovill is way too arrogant for my tastes.

I wouldn't cancel over the editor having a hissy fit a time or two. Those magazines are too enjoyable and valuable to me. In case no one's noticed, a fair number of gun writers, especially old ones, have attitude issues at times. Old Jack, though it didn't show up in most of his writing, apparently could be difficult himself.

Not everyone can be as sweet-natured, patient, and helpful as our buddy, JB. 🙄