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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,152
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
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Way back in high school, 50 some years ago, I was wondering the riverbank waiting on dad to finish filling the truck with wheat during harvest. That old 1959 Gleaner Model "A" only had a 50 bushel tank and 13 ft header so it took a while to fill the truck for the trip to the elevator. I happened on an illegal trash dump and spotted a copy of Shooting Times in decent shape. As a young gun nut in a family not interested in guns or hunting, it really kindled a fire in this guy. The story that caught my eye was Skeeters article about casting bullets for his revolvers, especially the 358156 and 429421. Man I wish I had a reprint of that old article. I was a lifelong convert, with Skeeter occupying a pedestal just about as high as JOC. Nowadays I shoot more cast than jacketed, I really enjoy the whole process from scrounging the lead to the shooting. Good chance that article is in one of his books. If I was home I'd look. Skeeter's books are pricey nowadays, but they are a good read cover to cover. My favorite Skeeter story is the Dobe Grant tale of putting a SAA together in Grant's workshop using Dobe's stash of parts.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,631 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,631 Likes: 4 |
Skeeter was a good writer. He could actually step away from the real writing and do fiction that was enjoyable to read. (That from me, who is not a fan of fiction.) I wish that someone would write a biography of him. He seems to have lived an interesting life, occasionally giving brief glimpses into it that left me wanting to know more. I liked Skeeter, and read everything of his that passed my way. But I thought most of his writing was based on fiction or imagination...
"Chances Will Be Taken"
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 14,006 Likes: 6 |
His son Bart died a few months ago
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,938 Likes: 11
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 38,938 Likes: 11 |
my favorite writer, have all his books and magazine specials How is Jug Johnson these days?
Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.
Happily Trapped In the Past (Thanks, Joe)
Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,232 Likes: 10
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,232 Likes: 10 |
His son Bart died a few months ago Yeah, age 62. Skeeter died way too young, too. DF
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,884 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,884 Likes: 4 |
Influenced by Skeeter I had both a S & W M624 and a M29 shortened to 5". I also adopted his load of 7.5gr. of Unique in both .44 Special and .44 Magnum, loading 200gr. RNFP bullets in both calibers. Seldom shoot anything else, in fact I built a dedicated powder measure that throws that charge. My favorite Skeeter story is entitled "Bustamonte I hate you" about finding a nice Colt Single Action down in old Mexico, only to turn it over to find where some Mexican had scratched his initials into the frame with what looked like a railroad spike.
Last edited by gunswizard; 09/02/23.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,241 Likes: 31 |
His son Bart died a few months ago Yeah, age 62. Skeeter died way too young, too. DF Yeah, I got to be pretty good friends with Bart. Never met Skeeter but always admired his writing--as I probably mentioned previously in this thread. Learned many things from reading Skeeter, and not just about guns but writing....
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 483 Likes: 1
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 483 Likes: 1 |
I think he had college degrees that greatly contributed to his writing ability. I can't remember what they were. I have several of his magazine pieces, but sadly no books.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,241 Likes: 31
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,241 Likes: 31 |
I have Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey, which is one of several books by older gun writers I re-read periodically. For me it's definitely worth owning, even at the prices copies go for these days.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 12,167 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2007
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Mule Deer; Good afternoon sir, I hope that you and Eileen are having a decent start to the Labor Day Weekend.
Thanks for the nudge to re-read my copy which I picked up when it first came out in the late '80s.
My goodness you're correct over what they're asking for copies of it now, I just looked it up.
As an aside, I've told my good wife and the girls that if I pack it in, they shouldn't just take the library down to whatever book recycling depot is available as apparently some of them are still worth something to others.
Actually that's rather nice to see on several levels as it does mean there's still folks out reading good writing.
When we were a few hours north camping this summer I re-read my copies of your "Life of the Hunt" and "Born to Hunt" which I try to do every few years.
All the best to you both and good hunting this season.
Dwayne
The most important stuff in life isn't "stuff"
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,488
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 14,488 |
My departed uncle gave me a copy of Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey many years ago. Then after he passed I was given his copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapenos. Someone borrowed that one from me and no one will own up to it, so it's gone. I just spent $135 smackers for another copy of my own just this afternoon because I figure I'll never see my original copy again.
I loved Skeeter's "Me 'n' Joe" stories, and still do. They remind me so much of my adventures and misadventures as a kid...I feel like I could be either of those boys, and see it all happening through their eyes as I read the words.
I took my wife to Angel Fire, New Mexico last Fall, and as my habit is now to avoid interstate highways altogether and stay on the more desolate paths, I passed through some unfamiliar and downright lonesome country in the Texas panhandle on the way home. I'll be damned if I didn't drive over a small bridge spanning Tierra Blanca Creek. I didn't have time to loiter (I shoulda made some time) at all...but Skeeter would have been happy to hear that it had water in it and it appeared to be flowing nicely. IIRC, he lamented the creek's poor condition during the latter days of his life. Next time I'll stop and take a closer look at it.
Don't be the darkness.
America will perish while those who should be standing guard are satisfying their lusts.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,152
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,152 |
I have Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey, which is one of several books by older gun writers I re-read periodically. For me it's definitely worth owning, even at the prices copies go for these days. John, you owe it to yourself to get a copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapeños...it reads just as well. I am somewhat embarrassed by what I had to pay for my copy, but don't regret it. Glad I have picked up your books before they command high prices!
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,813 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 17,813 Likes: 3 |
Great shooter and writer. Too many today are writers first and shooters second.
Molon Labe
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 290
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2002
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I have both, want to sell them plus "Ruger and His Guns". Just cannot load pictures. Figure 250 shipped is fair. Great books, always enjoyed his writings. He and Charles Askins are mt favorites.
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,232 Likes: 10 |
Thank you very much for this link. It has some great articles and is a real treasure for those of us into the S&W products from the "Old Days". That is a good link. I also liked that piece on Charley Askins. Lots of good info. DF
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
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This has been another expensive thread....thanks, guys.
"The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that lightening ain't distributed right." - Mark Twain
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,488 Likes: 28
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,488 Likes: 28 |
My departed uncle gave me a copy of Good Friends, Good Guns, and Good Whiskey many years ago. Then after he passed I was given his copy of Hoglegs, Hipshots, and Jalapenos. Someone borrowed that one from me and no one will own up to it, so it's gone. I just spent $135 smackers for another copy of my own just this afternoon because I figure I'll never see my original copy again.
I loved Skeeter's "Me 'n' Joe" stories, and still do. They remind me so much of my adventures and misadventures as a kid...I feel like I could be either of those boys, and see it all happening through their eyes as I read the words.
I took my wife to Angel Fire, New Mexico last Fall, and as my habit is now to avoid interstate highways altogether and stay on the more desolate paths, I passed through some unfamiliar and downright lonesome country in the Texas panhandle on the way home. I'll be damned if I didn't drive over a small bridge spanning Tierra Blanca Creek. I didn't have time to loiter (I shoulda made some time) at all...but Skeeter would have been happy to hear that it had water in it and it appeared to be flowing nicely. IIRC, he lamented the creek's poor condition during the latter days of his life. Next time I'll stop and take a closer look at it. Was that up close to Hereford, TX ?
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,810
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,810 |
I first started reading Skeeter in 1970, he was never boring for sure. One of his articles was comparing a S&W Model 34 to a Walther PPK/S .22 LR with an MMC rear sight (made in Deming).
I just had to try one out.
Of course the Walther was more accurate, Skeeter said so..
I saw a sad looking 624 4” about 15 years ago in a pawn shop for $400, looked like it had been drug behind a gravel truck. I’d have bought it but it was so bad I didn’t think S&W could get it back looking decent.
Brought back my memories of his love for the .44 Special, though.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 11,052 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2001
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I think that I kept my subscription for Shooting Times for only one year after Skeeter’s passing……it just wasn’t the same! 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
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2016
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I feel fortunate that I bought Good Guns & Hoglegs decades ago & having read & re-read them many times. Just good stuff across the board, both fiction & non-fiction. Hell, Dobe Grant stories had my minds eye working overtime picturing the Adobe cabin, lay of the land, the remoteness of it all, etc. Broke my hearty when someone that should know, Taffin, told me that those stories were fictional.
One of my favorites in the day.
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