I know there are many Jon Sundra fans on the Campfire, who might be interested to know he just published his first book--with a title that's obviously a play on Elmer Keith's autobiography. It was published by Safari Press, and includes a good-sized section of color photos from 50 years ago to the present.
Jon and I have been friends for quite a while, but he's been in the gun-writing business far longer, since he decided that's what he wanted to do in his 20's, while I kind of stumbled into it in my 40's. Subtitled "Fifty Years a Gunwriter," the book takes you from breaking into the business to his hunting trips all over the world.
While the book is all very interestng, among the most fascinating parts to me were his encounters and adventures with other writers of the era. One section contains entire chapters on various gun-writers. The first is Elmer Keith, andits very interesting that Jon and Elmer got along great, despite having very different upbringings, with Elmer growing up in a rural family as a meat-hunter, while Jon's family didn't hunt, and he prefers fine cuisine (which he's very good at cooking) to Elmer's basic subsistence hunting. But they were kindred spirits in other ways.
There are also chapters on Jack O'Connor (who Jon didn't get along with as well as Elmer, but once sent Jon a nice note on his writing, reproduced in the book), Charles Askins, Bob Milek and Bill Jordan, along with personal encounters with various oter writers of a previous era. They're all interesting to those of us who grew up reading gun/hunting magazines in those days.
Then there are the hunting stories. Jon's gone on more than 100 hunts in other countries around the world, including taking all of the African Big Five with, as I recall, single-shot rifles. He's been on so many hunts in the U.S. he can't count 'em, and long been an avid wildcatter--and sports car nut, a combination not unknown in the business. He's the only gun writer I know who drives a Lamborghini....actually, several Lamborghinis.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
I knew he was into fine sports cars. I liked the Jon Sundra Classic stock that Boyd carried for a time. Boyd later dropped that offering. I really like the shape, built a 6.5-284 Krieger/Pre-64 using that stock. Wish it was still available.
I got my copy yesterday and have really enjoyed his stories. The chapters on the old time writers was especially interesting. I started reading Sundra back in the 70's when he was with Shooting Times and he's still got it!
Always liked Jon's writing. Exchanged a couple e-mails with him, and he was very pleasant and helpful. I'll have to pick up that book.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
I’ve been a fan of JRS since the 70s EVEN tho he cost me a lot of money. He’s the reason I have a 6mm Rem, 7 mm RM & 8 mm RM. I learned a lot from his writings and experiments.
I was reading JRS and the others you mentioned before I knew who you were. That was only because of the time differential you mentioned about your beginning later. Actually I had almost dropped all my Mag subscriptions before I ever knew who you were.
Thnx for this heads up. I’ll be looking for my copy ASAP.
His name doesn't show in the pic but J R S wrote that intro of the Rem Big 8.
Well, there's another "time differential" between me and Jon aside from when we started gun writing: He's about a dozen years older than I am. Put that together with him starting to regularly write for gun magazines in his late 20's, and me not starting until around 40, and you get a gap of about 25 years!
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
Then there are the hunting stories. Jon's gone on more than 100 hunts in other countries around the world, including taking all of the African Big Five with, as I recall, single-shot rifles. He's been on so many hunts in the U.S. he can't count 'em, and long been an avid wildcatter--and sports car nut, a combination not unknown in the business. He's the only gun writer I know who drives a Lamborghini....actually, several Lamborghinis.
Then there are the hunting stories. Jon's gone on more than 100 hunts in other countries around the world, including taking all of the African Big Five with, as I recall, single-shot rifles. He's been on so many hunts in the U.S. he can't count 'em, and long been an avid wildcatter--and sports car nut, a combination not unknown in the business. He's the only gun writer I know who drives a Lamborghini....actually, several Lamborghinis.
I've spent more of my limited retirement check now!
Geno
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
Didn’t get along with O’Conner......hell, that’s reason enough to buy his book! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
There are also chapters on Jack O'Connor (who Jon didn't get along with [/b]as well as with Elmer[b], but once sent Jon a nice note on his writing, reproduced in the book),
That surprises me a little given Jon’s propensity for high velocity, even as MD alluded to their other preferences.
Started selling magazine articles in my early 20's, and been making most of my living as a writer since my late 20's, just like Jon--but not strictly as a gun writer, as he did.
Have written about far more subjects, for a wider variety of magazines, including National Geographic and Sports Illustrated, including "natural" and human history. Have also published 10 books on more widely varied as well, on subjects from flyfishing to bird hunting (including one on shotguns for wingshooting) to hunting stories
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
Jon Sundra wrote 25 posts on the campfire before his last visit five years ago. His user name was 7mm JRS. I'm looking forward to reading his book.
In a thread from about 2008 Sundra posted a photo of himself with his Lamborghini. . . One hopes he didn't learn by experience about the need for padding in front of the muzzle on a car rooftop, especially on a Lamborghini.
If there is available a copy of his "Complete Rifleman" magazine, 11th edition from the year 2000, please contact me. My accumulation is otherwise complete. Thanks.
Jon was into sports cars from young adulthood, including doing some racing.
As I noted ealier in this thread, "performance" cars aren't an unusual addiction for rifle loonies, but they obviously don't use them for hunting. (Though Jon might have been shooting groundhogs, as they're known in the East, from the roof of his Lamborghini.) I know of a couple other well-known gun writers who're into sports cars, along with several non-writer rifle loonies, and one really well-known gun writer is really still into American "muscle cars," though I believe he's also in his 70's now. Brad O'Connor, Jack O'Connor's son, really likes fast Italian cars. In fact he drove one from his home near Seattle to his last prairie dog shoot in Montana, though once he rode into the PD country with friends in their pickups.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
Think long legged blonds, redheads and brunettes! Won't take it home to moma but it is a nice looking Lambo .Had promised myself a new Corvette when my son graduated college. Went shopping and found myself thinking this is cool but. Can't pull the horses and trailer , won't hold 4 ice chests a tent my bow or rifle. Still liking my 4 door short bed 4x4 truck.
Never take life to seriously, after all ,no one gets out of it alive.
I got my copy yesterday and have really enjoyed his stories. The chapters on the old time writers was especially interesting. I started reading Sundra back in the 70's when he was with Shooting Times and he's still got it!
Ken
The first ST article of Jon Sundra's that I can recall, was an article of his on the .22Mag. vs. the 5mm Rem. Mag., way back when the 5mm was new and available. He went thru the virtues of both cartridges, and how the 5mm outshined the WMR.
It was an interesting article, for the time, and I could only dream about the rifles, as in rural Missouri, even the .22 Mag was exotic and uncommon. He also had a very good article about the .222 that I found interesting ( a case shaped like a miniature .30/06!).
I read his articles with great interest, but only because I knew I could never afford those "fancy" things, and could only dream of them. I was pretty lucky our little Rexall drug store even carried a couple of gun magazines (ST and G&A) on the magazine rack directly under the stuffed moose head, so I didn't have great dreams.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
When I was in college most of my elk hunting was done in far western Montana, close to the Idaho line. Usually camped out for a few days during open week.
One trip I had just come down off the mountain after killing something, a big mule deer if I recall correctly, and was hiking back down a Forest Service road toward camp when a new Cadillac stopped, full of orange-vested hunters. Two middle-aged guys sat in the front seat, and two teenage kids in the back seat. The driver asked if I wanted a ride, and since I'd just done close to 10 miles I said sure. He also asked if I'd like a cold beer, and I said yes again. He opened the trunk, which was absolute crammed full of stuff, not just a cooler of beer and soft drinks, but their rifles in cases, "spare" hunting clothes and other stuff. If they'd killed something there wouldn't have been any place to put it.
I believe it was the next year when I was hiking down the same canyon road and ran into a guy with one of the early Subaru 4-wheel-drive station wagons. He'd just killed a spike elk on the steep mountainside above, and after dragging the gutted elk downhill to the creek next to the road, was trying to use a length of cotton clothesline tied to his Subaru bumped to pull it across the creek. He'd ease out the clutch and the elk would move maybe a foot before the clothesline would pop, and he'd get out and tied the clothesline together and try again. I helped him drag the elk across the creek, but don't what he did after that, since there wasn't much room in the Subaru, though more than there was in the Cadillac trunk. He said he'd figure something out.
Also once saw a similar Subaru in Bozeman the last week of the season, a few years later, with a bull moose strapped to the roof. The roof had caved in somewhat, which probably helped the moose stay up there. Was curious what the story was, but the Subaru was parked in front of a store with only other gawkers nearby.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
When I was in college most of my elk hunting was done in far western Montana, close to the Idaho line. Usually camped out for a few days during open week.
One trip I had just come down off the mountain after killing something, a big mule deer if I recall correctly, and was hiking back down a Forest Service road toward camp when a new Cadillac stopped, full of orange-vested hunters. Two middle-aged guys sat in the front seat, and two teenage kids in the back seat. The driver asked if I wanted a ride, and since I'd just done close to 10 miles I said sure. He also asked if I'd like a cold beer, and I said yes again. He opened the trunk, which was absolute crammed full of stuff, not just a cooler of beer and soft drinks, but their rifles in cases, "spare" hunting clothes and other stuff. If they'd killed something there wouldn't have been any place to put it.
I believe it was the next year when I was hiking down the same canyon road and ran into a guy with one of the early Subaru 4-wheel-drive station wagons. He'd just killed a spike elk on the steep mountainside above, and after dragging the gutted elk downhill to the creek next to the road, was trying to use a length of cotton clothesline tied to his Subaru bumped to pull it across the creek. He'd ease out the clutch and the elk would move maybe a foot before the clothesline would pop, and he'd get out and tied the clothesline together and try again. I helped him drag the elk across the creek, but don't what he did after that, since there wasn't much room in the Subaru, though more than there was in the Cadillac trunk. He said he'd figure something out.
Also once saw a similar Subaru in Bozeman the last week of the season, a few years later, with a bull moose strapped to the roof. The roof had caved in somewhat, which probably helped the moose stay up there. Was curious what the story was, but the Subaru was parked in front of a store with only other gawkers nearby.
I'd have paid good money to watch them get the bull moose up onto the roof!
Back in my very younger rabbit hunting days, 16 yrs old, the only way I could haul my five beagles was in a 1964/4 door chevy. You should have seen two-three of us in the front with five beagles going from front to back. It's seven wonders we didn't wreck and kill all involved....And when you got back home you wondered why "momma" asked you why you "stank" so bad.....LOL
"Pride is the only disease that makes everyone sick except the one that has it"
When I was in college most of my elk hunting was done in far western Montana, close to the Idaho line. Usually camped out for a few days during open week.
One trip I had just come down off the mountain after killing something, a big mule deer if I recall correctly, and was hiking back down a Forest Service road toward camp when a new Cadillac stopped, full of orange-vested hunters. Two middle-aged guys sat in the front seat, and two teenage kids in the back seat. The driver asked if I wanted a ride, and since I'd just done close to 10 miles I said sure. He also asked if I'd like a cold beer, and I said yes again. He opened the trunk, which was absolute crammed full of stuff, not just a cooler of beer and soft drinks, but their rifles in cases, "spare" hunting clothes and other stuff. If they'd killed something there wouldn't have been any place to put it.
I believe it was the next year when I was hiking down the same canyon road and ran into a guy with one of the early Subaru 4-wheel-drive station wagons. He'd just killed a spike elk on the steep mountainside above, and after dragging the gutted elk downhill to the creek next to the road, was trying to use a length of cotton clothesline tied to his Subaru bumped to pull it across the creek. He'd ease out the clutch and the elk would move maybe a foot before the clothesline would pop, and he'd get out and tied the clothesline together and try again. I helped him drag the elk across the creek, but don't what he did after that, since there wasn't much room in the Subaru, though more than there was in the Cadillac trunk. He said he'd figure something out.
Also once saw a similar Subaru in Bozeman the last week of the season, a few years later, with a bull moose strapped to the roof. The roof had caved in somewhat, which probably helped the moose stay up there. Was curious what the story was, but the Subaru was parked in front of a store with only other gawkers nearby.
I'd have paid good money to watch them get the bull moose up onto the roof!
Was thinking the same and wondered why not quarter the bad boy, make life easy.
Never take life to seriously, after all ,no one gets out of it alive.
Believe it or not, I know a bunch of Montana hunters who don't know how to quarter a big game animal--or don't want to. Instead they get it into a vehicle somehow, then drive it to a processor ASAP.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
Lamborghini used to make tractors, farm tractors. That's how they got their start, making tractors for Italian farmers. Sorta like an 8N Ford, about the same time frame.
They STILL make tractors, apparently........................................and so does Ferrari, which I didn't know about.
Jon got me started on my collection of 7mms....he also had a fondness of fine wines
He was also very influential in my interest in the 7 mm RM. I’ve had enuff of them to know that a good 7 RM would not be a bad choice as a 1 and done c f Rifle. <for me> In fact my T3x 7 RM is very satisfying. Edit to add : ^^^ Lite SS & DM
ruraldoc: Let me see if I can put a complete set of the Complete Rifleman together -- 1989-2011. I know I have only a few of the first couple editions, but quite a few of the latter years. However, in all honesty, I have no idea what to ask for a complete collection, or even individual copies for that matter. I've never been much of a businessman. Regards,
ruraldoc: Let me see if I can put a complete set of the Complete Rifleman together -- 1989-2011. I know I have only a few of the first couple editions, but quite a few of the latter years. However, in all honesty, I have no idea what to ask for a complete collection, or even individual copies for that matter. I've never been much of a businessman. Regards,
I want to get an autographed copy of your new book for sure,and whatever else you can scape together will be fine.
I also have a set of Patrick F McManus books autographed,but I'm not sure what that says about my taste or your writing.
I still have The Complete Rifleman volume 1 number 1 1989 and volume 2 number 1 1990 and one from 2011. I'm going to order Sundra's book, Sure would like an autographed copy though.
Figures don't lie, But Liars figure Assumption is the mother of mistakes
Just ordered a copy. Looking forward to reading it.
“Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person” -Fred Bear
Jon Sundra wrote 25 posts on the campfire before his last visit five years ago. His user name was 7mm JRS. I'm looking forward to reading his book.
In a thread from about 2008 Sundra posted a photo of himself with his Lamborghini. . . One hopes he didn't learn by experience about the need for padding in front of the muzzle on a car rooftop, especially on a Lamborghini.
If there is available a copy of his "Complete Rifleman" magazine, 11th edition from the year 2000, please contact me. My accumulation is otherwise complete. Thanks.
--Bob
Well, for what it's worth I used to own a Miata...
I read it tonight straight through. I did put it down during supper, but returned to it immediately afterward.
If I may, I was struck by the discussion of Sasha Siemel, whom I read about decades ago. At that time, I conjured him being at a NYC cocktail party and responding to a question of "What do you do for a living, Sasha?" with a reply of "I hunt jaguars with a spear." That would be hard to top.
I am just a little younger than the author, so I can relate to the magazines and authors that JRS brought back to mind from a different perspective. I appreciated them being brought back to mind.
Jon, I would say a great writer. Thanks to your writing I have 2 7RM's and 2 280's. 270 and 30-06 have not been shot for over 20 years but as they are from family I will always keep. The logic you communicated so well is why my other one is a 6.5 x 55. All are efficient at what they were designed for. Just want to say thank you. I have 3 of your annual editions and have read them several times. Moved more than once over 2,000 miles but they still are with me. Enjoy your life; you have given enough enjoyment to others to have truly earned it. A pleasure to find you are here!
... Well, for what it's worth I used to own a Miata...
Pat- I still own a 1968 Datsun Roadster 1600. It looks sort of like the one in the linked image below, but mine has large attractive patches of Bondo, stock wheels, and trim that most people mistake for rust. It does run, though. --Bob .
... Well, for what it's worth I used to own a Miata...
Pat- I still own a 1968 Datsun Roadster 1600. It looks sort of like the one in the linked image below, but mine has large attractive patches of Bondo, stock wheels, and trim that most people mistake for rust. It does run, though. --Bob .
Small sports cars are fun - responsive and quick handling, like a nice lightweight rifle. It was great fun driving the Miata through the Sierra Nevada on a nice day, with the top down. But I swear that car halved the IQ of surrounding drivers. I had one incident after another where people either cut me off or otherwise nearly ran over me. A couple times it was obviously deliberate on their part.
I also went down Hwy 46 in California one time, and stopped at the memorial to James Dean, the actor who died in 1955. Dean was killed in his Porsche when another driver failed to see the small silver two seater at twilight, as the highways merged. Small silver cars blend into the road and are not obvious to other drivers, and yeah mine was also silver, just like Dean's.
I might get another, but it will be red or some other bright color.
... Well, for what it's worth I used to own a Miata...
Pat- I still own a 1968 Datsun Roadster 1600. It looks sort of like the one in the linked image below, but mine has large attractive patches of Bondo, stock wheels, and trim that most people mistake for rust. It does run, though. --Bob .
Small sports cars are fun - responsive and quick handling, like a nice lightweight rifle. It was great fun driving the Miata through the Sierra Nevada on a nice day, with the top down. But I swear that car halved the IQ of surrounding drivers. I had one incident after another where people either cut me off or otherwise nearly ran over me. A couple times it was obviously deliberate on their part.
I also went down Hwy 46 in California one time, and stopped at the memorial to James Dean, the actor who died in 1955. Dean was killed in his Porsche when another driver failed to see the small silver two seater at twilight, as the highways merged. Small silver cars blend into the road and are not obvious to other drivers, and yeah mine was also silver, just like Dean's.
I might get another, but it will be red or some other bright color.
Speed trap radar cops are attracted to red sports cars like bugs to a light...
Jon Sundra wrote 25 posts on the campfire before his last visit five years ago. His user name was 7mm JRS. I'm looking forward to reading his book.
In a thread from about 2008 Sundra posted a photo of himself with his Lamborghini. . . One hopes he didn't learn by experience about the need for padding in front of the muzzle on a car rooftop, especially on a Lamborghini.
If there is available a copy of his "Complete Rifleman" magazine, 11th edition from the year 2000, please contact me. My accumulation is otherwise complete. Thanks.
--Bob
Well, for what it's worth I used to own a Miata...
I still do, tweaked a bit for better handling and performance. As to the original topic, my book should arrive next Tuesday, just in time to head to the beach Friday. Perfect beach read, I'm thinkin'.
Last edited by shootinurse; 06/22/18.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
When I was in college most of my elk hunting was done in far western Montana, close to the Idaho line. Usually camped out for a few days during open week.
One trip I had just come down off the mountain after killing something, a big mule deer if I recall correctly, and was hiking back down a Forest Service road toward camp when a new Cadillac stopped, full of orange-vested hunters. Two middle-aged guys sat in the front seat, and two teenage kids in the back seat. The driver asked if I wanted a ride, and since I'd just done close to 10 miles I said sure. He also asked if I'd like a cold beer, and I said yes again. He opened the trunk, which was absolute crammed full of stuff, not just a cooler of beer and soft drinks, but their rifles in cases, "spare" hunting clothes and other stuff. If they'd killed something there wouldn't have been any place to put it.
I believe it was the next year when I was hiking down the same canyon road and ran into a guy with one of the early Subaru 4-wheel-drive station wagons. He'd just killed a spike elk on the steep mountainside above, and after dragging the gutted elk downhill to the creek next to the road, was trying to use a length of cotton clothesline tied to his Subaru bumped to pull it across the creek. He'd ease out the clutch and the elk would move maybe a foot before the clothesline would pop, and he'd get out and tied the clothesline together and try again. I helped him drag the elk across the creek, but don't what he did after that, since there wasn't much room in the Subaru, though more than there was in the Cadillac trunk. He said he'd figure something out.
Also once saw a similar Subaru in Bozeman the last week of the season, a few years later, with a bull moose strapped to the roof. The roof had caved in somewhat, which probably helped the moose stay up there. Was curious what the story was, but the Subaru was parked in front of a store with only other gawkers nearby.
I'd have paid good money to watch them get the bull moose up onto the roof!
HuntnShoot; Good afternoon to you sir, I trust all is well in your part of the world.
While this photo has been up here many times previously, with apologies I'll re-post for the sake of a couple thousand words on the matter.
On the subject of hunting out of a car, my first whitetail buck was shot just east of the Torch River in northern Saskatchewan and it ended up folded up whole into the trunk of a '74 Corolla - well mighta been a '73. I must confess it was a woolly bugger getting it out of there when it had rigored up a wee bit.
Lastly, I'll have to see about ordering Jon's book as I always enjoyed his writing and honestly it was his influence which led me to running fixed 6X scopes on my big game rifles for the past 35 odd years.
Anyway, again just some random Canuck thoughts on a hot Sunday afternoon and nothing more. All the best to you all this summer.
In 1997 I was one of several writers who put together a book titled THE COMPLETE HUNTERS CATALOG, and among other things we solicited short essays from a few dozen well-known writers. One was a Canadian, the late Jerome Knap, who along with writing quite a bit became a well-known booking agent for hunting and fishing trips. (I am sure Jon knew Jerry, who I also contacted, asking him to write a short essay on handloading. He did, and it's in the book as well, explaining why handloaders always spend more money than non-handloaders.)
Here's Jerry Knap's story:
When still a young fellow I served a stint as a forest ranger in some of northern Ontario’s best moose country. One fall afternoon I was driving down a logging road in my government pickup when a scarlet-clad hunter jumped out of the bushes and excitedly flailed his arms about. “Boy, am I glad to see you!” he shouted excitedly. “I just got a great big moose over there!” “Congratulations,” I answered,” but what’s the problem?” “The problem is I don’t know what to do,” the hunter stammered. “I’ve shot deer before, but no one told me how big a moose was. Can you come and show me what to do? And maybe take a picture of me with the moose? I’d be glad to pay you.” The man’s hands shook like poplar leaves in an autumn breeze. “Yeah, I guess I’d better show you what to do,” I replied, shaking my head. “Payment won’t be necessary.” The first problem was finding the moose. The man couldn’t remember exactly where to look, but eventually found the young bull, not very big as moose go. The second problem was finding the rifle. While trying to take a picture of his moose, the man had laid his rifle down and couldn’t remember where. I finally found it 30 feet from the moose in a pile of slash. After emptying the magazine, I posed the hunter and his .300 Weatherby with the moose and took a roll of photos with his camera. Next I dressed the moose, while the hunter marched around saying, “This animal is bigger than a horse.” It turned out he was a farmer from Indiana who’d had a bumper corn crop, so had decided to go moose hunting. He’d heard northern Ontario was full of moose, so drove up. “How are you going to get this moose home?” I asked. “Oh, I have a car on a side road up a ways.” “Once this moose is cut up and wrapped, you’ll be able to get him into your car,” I said. “Are you kidding?” the farmer said. “I’m taking this moose back whole! I want everybody back home to see him.” I suggested he rent a U-Haul trailer, and that a few $10 bills would probably get a tractor with a fork lift from a nearby logging camp to load the moose. With that I left to do my job. Returning a couple hours later, I found the Indiana moose hunter on the logging road with a tractor and a couple of lumberjacks, just finishing a bottle of Old Moose Hunter. The moose was tied to the roof of a big, late-model Buick. The animal hung over the roof on all sides, and there was no way it would stay on for the ride down the logging road, let alone the trip to Indiana. Even worse, the moose had completely flattened the Buick’s roof. “Well, that was a stupid fool thing to do,” I said, in slightly more colorful language. “It’ll cost a lot to get that roof fixed.” “Don’t worry about that, son,” said the farmer. “In Indiana we got lots of Buicks, but we ain’t got no moose!”
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
My wife, after her recent divorce, wanted to keep her sons involved in hunting. As she had, no other vehicle, she took them antelope hunting in her old work car.....a ‘76, Pontiac Bonneville Brougham. memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
I remember getting strange looks during hunting season on poorly maintained, mountain top roads by hunters in 4x4 trucks while driving them in a 1996 Honda Civic hatchback. I took that car many places it probably shouldn't have been taken, on roads that it shouldn't have been able to traverse...
It carried more than one recently deceased critter in the back of it (deer & turkey from what I remember), but no moose. You had a decent amount of space in the back of that thing once you laid the rear seats down...
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” ― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear
Jon Sundra--would you mind doing a write-up in a separate post here on the 'Fire extolling your favorite 3 to 5 rifle chamberings and give us the "whys and hows" of each? Something interesting and fun to read, like they used to publish in real magazines of the 70s and 80s?
DakotaDeer: I'll run the idea past the moderator, as I am not familiar with what's involved in writing article-like posts on this site. Thanks for your interest. JRS
“Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person” -Fred Bear
I was wondering what happened to the Boyd Jon Sundra sporter stock. I used one to build a custom pre-64/Krieger 6.5-284. It turned out well; I really like the stock shape and ergonomics.
Boyd no longer lists that stock. I don't like their current classic stock nearly as much.
I designed that stock when I was consulting for them. When they decided they didn't need me anymore, they removed my name and it morphed into a slightly different geometry. Even when it wore my name, it was thicker in the wrist than I specified. JRS
I designed that stock when I was consulting for them. When they decided they didn't need me anymore, they removed my name and it morphed into a slightly different geometry. Even when it wore my name, it was thicker in the wrist than I specified. JRS
Well, you designed a good one. I did some thinning and shaping on this one until it suited me.
What they now offer is OK, just not the same league as yours. They just thought they didn't need you anymore...
“Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person” -Fred Bear
Got my copy a week ago, finished except for the bear chapter. Read a couple or so chapters each night. It was a good read, and I especially enjoyed the chapters on the old guard of gunwriters! I indeed recommend this book for anyone who likes a) guns, b) hunting, and c) reading!
Was reading on the beach today. Great writing, great stories. Trying not to read anymore tonight, so I have something to look forward to tomorrow.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
Believe it or not, I know a bunch of Montana hunters who don't know how to quarter a big game animal--or don't want to. Instead they get it into a vehicle somehow, then drive it to a processor ASAP.
Not a Montanan, but certainly in the “ or don’t want to” category. Bad enough field dressing in frostbite weather. Happy Trails
Life Member NRA, RMEF, American Legion, MAGA. Not necessarily in that order.
"After a while the camaraderie of good people becomes as important as the hunt itself." From the photo caption on page 107. Truer words have not been printed.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
Enjoyed the book very much. Took my time reading it, chapter or two per evening to extend the experience. Will have to look in my reloading room as I believe I have a JRS stock for a LA 700 that needs a home.
Never take life to seriously, after all ,no one gets out of it alive.
Just finished reading the book. Great read. I’m not sure I agree with his best rifle musings. I’d loved to have hunted a tenth of the exotic hunts he’s been on.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
Since that car's all wheel drive, why not use it? If I could, I would. Get you home for beer in a helluva hurry, too.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
I do like that cover. Makes Jon look like an eccentric, cantankerous ole fart.
But, I'm sure that doesn't fit him in the least...
DF
I see what you did there - little play on Elmer Keith’s book. Kinda funny. Appreciate original humor as much as I do good writing (whether I agree or not).
Glad to see you around JRS.
Bob Enjoy life now -- it has an expiration date. ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Just ordered 2; one for my brother in law. Been reading Mr. Sundra's articles since he started writing, because he used a lot of Ruger No.1s. At SHOT a few years back, I got to meet him. Only because I was close enough to read his name tag! Great short conversation and I managed to talk him into selling me one of his No.1s. It was a custom, one of the 7mm Lazaronis and I can't remember now which one. I do plan to hunt it and shoot somnething with it some day, if I live long enough.
El Numero Uno a Serious Collector of the Ruger No.1 rifle; a Modern Classic Sporting Arm
I got to the part when you were at the 1981 NRA Convention in New Orleans and Joyce Hornady's twin engine plane crashed into Lake Ponchartrain.
I was there, too. I remember the announcement over the PA system and the hush that fell on the crowd. It got real quiet as people reacted in disbelief to what had just happened. Mr. Hornady was on approach to Lakefront Airport when his plane hit the water. I remember seeing pictures of boats and the recovery operation on the lake.
I was also there in 1970, remember seeing Elmer at the Ruger booth. Mr. Vogle, Bill Ruger's son-in-law, was there. Elmer wandered in wearing his big hat, was shown the Security Six they had just rolled out. Elmer handled it, aimed it briefly a time or two, gave Mr. Vogel his blessing, told him to "wrap it up". Mr. Vogel was a real gentleman, was very courteous to all of us.
My brother had one of the first .41 Mag Blackhawks, loved that gun. He double charged a Unique load, split the the cylinder. He sent it back to Ruger, stating what had happend, bragging on how strong the gun was, didn't even hurt the top strap. I mentioned it to Mr. Vogel. He remembered, said it was the first time a customer didn't blame Ruger. They rebuilt that gun, no charge. It's the slickest factory Blackhawk I've ever handled. My brother still has it.
I also remember Charley Askins, heading from the Hilton to the French Quarter, alone at night. I thought about telling him I wouldn't do that, but he was already moving out. After reading "Unrepentant Sinner", I don't think he needed my advice. If the locals had accosted him, he'd have had them stacked up, ready for NOPD to haul them off. And don't you know, he WAS packing....
JRS was always one of my favorites when I was madly consuming everything "rifle" I could get my hands on in the 70s.
Jon - any chance you will be at DSC or some such, signing books?
I had the pleasure of watching Jim Carmichel sign a couple of his books for me at DSC and would love to have the chance to buy from across the table, so to speak.
And FWIW, I love the pic of the rifle atop the Lambo!
Tim
USMC 0351
We know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
I've tried sending a photo but don't know how to do it.
When I tried to open the first link, it took me to a log on screen for google. I don't have a google account. Not sure if the link is the problem or if google has restricted access.
Try opening the photo on your browser. Then right click with your mouse pointer directly over the image itself (i.e., not in the address bar), select "copy image location" from the drop down menu. Then "paste" that image location into the IMG tags and see if that works. If it doesn't, then the google account is not a good image host for sharing pics. You can either use another image host like imgur or create an Image Gallery in that forum towards the bottom of the 24hourcampfire forums list, then do the same procedure after establishing that gallery.
In 1997 I was one of several writers who put together a book titled THE COMPLETE HUNTERS CATALOG, and among other things we solicited short essays from a few dozen well-known writers. One was a Canadian, the late Jerome Knap, who along with writing quite a bit became a well-known booking agent for hunting and fishing trips. (I am sure Jon knew Jerry, who I also contacted, asking him to write a short essay on handloading. He did, and it's in the book as well, explaining why handloaders always spend more money than non-handloaders.)
Here's Jerry Knap's story:
When still a young fellow I served a stint as a forest ranger in some of northern Ontario’s best moose country. One fall afternoon I was driving down a logging road in my government pickup when a scarlet-clad hunter jumped out of the bushes and excitedly flailed his arms about. “Boy, am I glad to see you!” he shouted excitedly. “I just got a great big moose over there!” “Congratulations,” I answered,” but what’s the problem?” “The problem is I don’t know what to do,” the hunter stammered. “I’ve shot deer before, but no one told me how big a moose was. Can you come and show me what to do? And maybe take a picture of me with the moose? I’d be glad to pay you.” The man’s hands shook like poplar leaves in an autumn breeze. “Yeah, I guess I’d better show you what to do,” I replied, shaking my head. “Payment won’t be necessary.” The first problem was finding the moose. The man couldn’t remember exactly where to look, but eventually found the young bull, not very big as moose go. The second problem was finding the rifle. While trying to take a picture of his moose, the man had laid his rifle down and couldn’t remember where. I finally found it 30 feet from the moose in a pile of slash. After emptying the magazine, I posed the hunter and his .300 Weatherby with the moose and took a roll of photos with his camera. Next I dressed the moose, while the hunter marched around saying, “This animal is bigger than a horse.” It turned out he was a farmer from Indiana who’d had a bumper corn crop, so had decided to go moose hunting. He’d heard northern Ontario was full of moose, so drove up. “How are you going to get this moose home?” I asked. “Oh, I have a car on a side road up a ways.” “Once this moose is cut up and wrapped, you’ll be able to get him into your car,” I said. “Are you kidding?” the farmer said. “I’m taking this moose back whole! I want everybody back home to see him.” I suggested he rent a U-Haul trailer, and that a few $10 bills would probably get a tractor with a fork lift from a nearby logging camp to load the moose. With that I left to do my job. Returning a couple hours later, I found the Indiana moose hunter on the logging road with a tractor and a couple of lumberjacks, just finishing a bottle of Old Moose Hunter. The moose was tied to the roof of a big, late-model Buick. The animal hung over the roof on all sides, and there was no way it would stay on for the ride down the logging road, let alone the trip to Indiana. Even worse, the moose had completely flattened the Buick’s roof. “Well, that was a stupid fool thing to do,” I said, in slightly more colorful language. “It’ll cost a lot to get that roof fixed.” “Don’t worry about that, son,” said the farmer. “In Indiana we got lots of Buicks, but we ain’t got no moose!”
Now that's funny! Twice I brought Moose home whole from New England just so the folks back here could get to see what one looks like.
Wow, what a treat to have JRS added to our illustrious list of contributers.
I also am a long time fan. I enjoyed my annual hunt for "The Complete Rifleman". The copies are still stored in a box under the bed with old copies of ST and Rifleshooter. I longed to have my own 24 in barrel chambered in 7mmJRS. But I had hungry kids needing shoes in those days and custom barrels were not on the table. I made up for it a few years later with the purchase of a rifle in a chambering developed by another of my favorite gunwriters. The chamber is in 7mmSTW.
If I remember correctly, JRS once wrote about a hunt to a remote area which once was a part of USSR. While exiting the nation, border guards confiscated his rifle. But the author was amused that the thieves had aquired a rifle chambered for a wildcat for which they had no possible way to gain ammunition. And to top it off, the bolt for the rifle was packed in a different bag which made it home.
That has been one of my favorite gun writer stories. Please correct me if I have attributed it to the wrong auhor.
People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
You will enjoy it! My only complaint is,Jon Sundra has a picture of him and a lion he killed with a .284 Winchester,but he does not tell the story of how he killed it. Other than that it's a great read.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
I wish I could have met him and some of the other writers he wrote about. Order is in. Thanks
I shared a camp with him for a few days on Anticosti Island about 2000 and enjoyed his company. Jon is well versed on a number topics not limited to guns and cars but food and wine. Italian Amarone was his favorite at the time.
He also showed me how to get a full size bolt rifle in a shorter travel case by simply taking it out of the stock and voila! You have a break down rifle. If the rifle has good bedding, it returns to zero. I've done it a number of times with success, and caring a shorter case through airports and in cars is a blessing.
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
I had to laugh out loud at this one. I knew Jerome Knap as he booked my first African trip for me. Great guy.
]
Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Dwayne,
In 1997 I was one of several writers who put together a book titled THE COMPLETE HUNTERS CATALOG, and among other things we solicited short essays from a few dozen well-known writers. One was a Canadian, the late Jerome Knap, who along with writing quite a bit became a well-known booking agent for hunting and fishing trips. (I am sure Jon knew Jerry, who I also contacted, asking him to write a short essay on handloading. He did, and it's in the book as well, explaining why handloaders always spend more money than non-handloaders.)
Here's Jerry Knap's story:
When still a young fellow I served a stint as a forest ranger in some of northern Ontario’s best moose country. One fall afternoon I was driving down a logging road in my government pickup when a scarlet-clad hunter jumped out of the bushes and excitedly flailed his arms about. “Boy, am I glad to see you!” he shouted excitedly. “I just got a great big moose over there!” “Congratulations,” I answered,” but what’s the problem?” “The problem is I don’t know what to do,” the hunter stammered. “I’ve shot deer before, but no one told me how big a moose was. Can you come and show me what to do? And maybe take a picture of me with the moose? I’d be glad to pay you.” The man’s hands shook like poplar leaves in an autumn breeze. “Yeah, I guess I’d better show you what to do,” I replied, shaking my head. “Payment won’t be necessary.” The first problem was finding the moose. The man couldn’t remember exactly where to look, but eventually found the young bull, not very big as moose go. The second problem was finding the rifle. While trying to take a picture of his moose, the man had laid his rifle down and couldn’t remember where. I finally found it 30 feet from the moose in a pile of slash. After emptying the magazine, I posed the hunter and his .300 Weatherby with the moose and took a roll of photos with his camera. Next I dressed the moose, while the hunter marched around saying, “This animal is bigger than a horse.” It turned out he was a farmer from Indiana who’d had a bumper corn crop, so had decided to go moose hunting. He’d heard northern Ontario was full of moose, so drove up. “How are you going to get this moose home?” I asked. “Oh, I have a car on a side road up a ways.” “Once this moose is cut up and wrapped, you’ll be able to get him into your car,” I said. “Are you kidding?” the farmer said. “I’m taking this moose back whole! I want everybody back home to see him.” I suggested he rent a U-Haul trailer, and that a few $10 bills would probably get a tractor with a fork lift from a nearby logging camp to load the moose. With that I left to do my job. Returning a couple hours later, I found the Indiana moose hunter on the logging road with a tractor and a couple of lumberjacks, just finishing a bottle of Old Moose Hunter. The moose was tied to the roof of a big, late-model Buick. The animal hung over the roof on all sides, and there was no way it would stay on for the ride down the logging road, let alone the trip to Indiana. Even worse, the moose had completely flattened the Buick’s roof. “Well, that was a stupid fool thing to do,” I said, in slightly more colorful language. “It’ll cost a lot to get that roof fixed.” “Don’t worry about that, son,” said the farmer. “In Indiana we got lots of Buicks, but we ain’t got no moose!”
"The Democrat Party looks like Titanic survivors. Partying and celebrating one moment, and huddled in lifeboats freezing the next". Hatari 2017
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." Han Solo
I recently came across a older article by JRS in a Sporting Afield USA titled "Are you over scoped?" . The most intelligent and common sense article on rifle scopes that I have ever read. Glad to be a member of the 24 hour campfire; where writers of his caliber are contributors. Thank you sir! I can see where you and Mule Deer would share a common views on a lot of issues! Maybe that is why I enjoy the contributions and insight from both of you fine writers! CJ
My wife of 43 years gifted me your book for our anniversary, love that gal. I long ago read "Unrepentant Sinner", so I snuck ahead in your book, as I was eager to see what you said about Charles Askins. An honest assessment in my opinion on your part. I truly believe in this day and age he would be in jail for some of the killing he did. One thing is for sure, successful gun fighters are not bashful about pulling the trigger. I have often wondered if he ever met Frank Hammer.
I believe you may have had some influence on the return of CRF rifle actions, which is mostly what I grew up with here in Alaska. Your articles on DGR's made me yearn for a BRNO action, but I was fortunate to have access to old Mod. 70's and a 03A3 Springfield. A rifle firing the 7mm diameter bullet seemed to be of great interest to you, with good reason. An internet acquaintance of mine is and accomplished long range shooter and his choice for that when hunting is a 7mm Win. Short Mag. firing one of those high BC low drag bullets. Elmer Keith's articles and living in Alaska made me go the other route. So it has always been a 30-06 or .338 Win. for me.
From the picture it appears as though you have done well for your self, good for you. I was also very touched by the wonderful words you have for your wife, my wife is my greatest treasure. It is good to see you take the time to share on this forum, I hope it goes well and some thing tells me it will.
My wife of 43 years and me leave for a week of caribou hunting today. Rain is predicted for five of the days, but we have good gear and can pick blue berries in he rain. If it is to bad I can lay in bed with your book and a good cup of coffee. We are bringing the 36' Toy Hauler instead of the wall tent, the wisdom of old age!
Our rifle of choice for this up coming hunt is a Tika Superlite in 6.5 Creed, I like the darn thing in spite of the lack of walnut and blue steel. It is a definite departure from the type of rifle I prefer, but the good 100 yard groups with the 127 grain Barnes LRX bullets should work well on the caribou, or about any thing else Alaska has.
Best wishes and thanks for a good book and many fine articles.
My wife of 43 years gifted me your book for our anniversary, love that gal. I long ago read "Unrepentant Sinner", so I snuck ahead in your book, as I was eager to see what you said about Charles Askins. An honest assessment in my opinion on your part. I truly believe in this day and age he would be in jail for some of the killing he did. One thing is for sure, successful gun fighters are not bashful about pulling the trigger. I have often wondered if he ever met Frank Hammer. .
There’s a relatively new biography out on Hamer that mentions his doing some “consulting work ” with federal agents in El Paso during the 1930s. Been a few months since I read the book but the part that stuck out was Hamer couldn’t figure out how the feds we’re losing so many officers until he heard they were yelling “hands up” as soon as they encountered smugglers. To teach the error of their ways Hamer supposedly led them to a ambush site on the river where he opened up on a group of smugglers with his Rem model 8 and then yelled “hands up”. So wouldn’t surprise me if they’d met in that time period and that AskIns got some ideas from him
Jon's experiences when traveling to hunt helped me a lot when I started traveling frequently in the late 1980's. In fact it didn't take long to acquire a take-down case, a lightweight model found at a local store, to use with bolt rifles with the barreled action removed from the stock. Eventually wore it out (probably Ingwe's fault, since he borrowed it for one safari) and now have a heavy-duty molded-plastic case from Browning that's a lot sturdier--and heavier, though it has wheels to make getting around easier.
John also inspired me to pare down my other traveling gear to a minimum, something I've also become obsessive about over the years. When hunting you never know when luggage carts and other handy devices might be absent. Once spent a month in Africa with my take-down case, my daypack (which doubled as a carry-on) and a 12x15x20 inch duffle bag. Of course it's easier to do that in Africa than Alaska, but the same principles help even there.
Jon also inspired me to try 6x scopes, which I found great for general big game hunting--and tougher than most variables.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
To teach the error of their ways Hamer supposedly led them to a ambush site on the river where he opened up on a group of smugglers with his Rem model 8 and then yelled “hands up”. So wouldn’t surprise me if they’d met in that time period and that AskIns got some ideas from him
Do unto others before they do unto you.
Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Jon also inspired me to try 6x scopes, which I found great for general big game hunting--and tougher than most variables.
Thanks to Jon and John, I have several of these, and find them to be extremely reliable and useful.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
Just want to thank all those who've had good things to say about my book. I am humbled...but then those of you who know me know that I'll get over that in a NY minute! This year I'll again be at SHOT and at the SCI thing, so if our paths cross, don't be shy about saying hello. JRS
Great reading, thanks for bringing it to our attention JB! Looks like he lived just miles away from where I was raised, and frequented the same gunshop as my dad and I, and didn't know it! Read and enjoyed his columns when I was growing up.
Bought a copy off of Amazon and received it this past Tuesday. Very enjoyable and easy read. One book that I feel should be given to a pre-teen to early teenage male to instill in oneself the desire and fortitude to chase your dream, no matter the naysayers. Jon's graduation from Highschool and College and his path to being a gunwriter is good advice and the taking advantage of opportunities that opened the door for other things.
I appreciate JB in sharing this and the other's that contributed.
Just finished Sundra's book as well as both volumes of Gungack in recent weeks. Had not occurred to me, until reading Mr Sundra's, that I had lived through a sort of golden age (60's-90's) of gun journalism. I enjoyed Barsness' and Sundra's peek inside their trade, and have come to give great weight their opinions. At any rate, quality writing is getting harder to come by, and these 3 books were a clear reminder of what good writing can be. The current digital world seems to have brought forth a plethora of truly light weight reading, rarely worth the time it takes to read. These books were a great respite, in other words, 100 buck well spent.
Imagine your grave on a windy winter night. You've been dead for 70 years. It's been 50 since a visitor last paused at your tombstone..... Now explain why you're in a pissy mood today.
I designed that stock when I was consulting for them. When they decided they didn't need me anymore, they removed my name and it morphed into a slightly different geometry. Even when it wore my name, it was thicker in the wrist than I specified. JRS
“Thick wrists” are not desirable on gun stocks or....women.
I have to add that I admire fellows that were not only smart enough to make a better than average living out their personal passions, but are/were regarded well enough to impact the industry.
Imagine your grave on a windy winter night. You've been dead for 70 years. It's been 50 since a visitor last paused at your tombstone..... Now explain why you're in a pissy mood today.
Just want to check in to say "Hell, I'm Still Here." Still Field Editor for SCI's SAFARI Magazine; Contributing Editor to RIFLE SHOOTER, and I do gun stuff and the food/wine articles for BALLISTIC Magazine and some other Athlon Publishing mags. Just had a knee replacement done October 13 and almost back to 100 percent. Recently had my silver Huracan (my third Lambo) wrapped in Burnt Orange. The attached pic was taken by a pro for the company that did the wrapping job. I did a piece on the project for the current issue of BALLISTIC. (sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to post a pic. Maybe someone out there could help me).
Just want to check in to say "Hell, I'm Still Here." Still Field Editor for SCI's SAFARI Magazine; Contributing Editor to RIFLE SHOOTER, and I do gun stuff and the food/wine articles for BALLISTIC Magazine and some other Athlon Publishing mags. Just had a knee replacement done October 13 and almost back to 100 percent. Recently had my silver Huracan (my third Lambo) wrapped in Burnt Orange. The attached pic was taken by a pro for the company that did the wrapping job. I did a piece on the project for the current issue of BALLISTIC. (sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to post a pic. Maybe someone out there could help me).
Always good to see you in print and even better here. Glad you recovered well from knee surgery.
That was one of the first mags I bought off a shelf. I wore mine out and found this one at a Gun Show... go figure. I still have it and I have a BDL 8mm RM.
Good to hear your knee operation went well! Everybody I know who's had one hasn't had any problems--which is encouraging since my right knee (the one that was severely dislocated in 2013) is starting to "crackle" considerably....
Can help you post a photo. The directions Rick posted are OK, but don't make it sound as easy as it really is.Will send you an e-mail....
Best, John
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
Good to here from you, Jon. My wife had her knee done almost two years ago, and has been doing very well. PT and regular exercise are key. Looking forward to the Lambo pics. As exciting as rifles to me. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
Must say I'm a fan from Downunder and seeing as you shoot off your Lambo you have acquired Legend status! Always looked forward to your articles in Shooting Times!
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." Robert E. Howard
Sorry for the disjointed post in which I wanted to let Fire people know that I'm still alive and writing, and then referred to pics of my latest Lambo, but couldn't figure out how to post the pics. Thanks to Dirtfarmer, they're now posted.
Always enjoyed your writing, Jon. Will you put your book on Kindle/Nook/Play, etc.? We're into downsizing and estate planning, can't deal with physical books all that well anymore...
Sorry for the disjointed post in which I wanted to let Fire people know that I'm still alive and writing, and then referred to pics of my latest Lambo, but couldn't figure out how to post the pics. Thanks to Dirtfarmer, they're now posted.
Need pictures of you shooting off the top of the new, orange Lambo.
I learned a lot from his writings and experiments. 
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