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I have nothing against Seyfried and really don't care to know the dirt. May he live long and prosper! He had things to say but was often bogged down in a pompous tone and lacked the primary prerequisite for being a gunwriter; the actual ability to string sentences together in a gramatically sound fashion! I'll bet he gave every editor he ever worked with fits.

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gperry
That was one of the best posts I have ever read. Thanks. FWIW, I like RS writings and hope that he surfaces in any one of the rags I read.
Stay well,
Paul


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gperry, that was a great post. I wish I could/would have written it. Thoughtful and full of insight about how I feel too.


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horkin yorkin--

I can assure you that it was not Ross's lack of "shilling" that caused the separation. Any magazine is to a certain extent beholden to its advertisers, but of all the gun/hunting magazines I've written articles for (and that's most in the business), the Wolfe magazines are the least advertiser-sensitive. Which is one reason I work for them.

As a matter of fact, I recently became aware that a certain American firearms firm had liberally screwed a subcontractor, who happens to be a friend of mine. I called the editor at Wolfe, Dave Scovill, and told him I could no longer in good conscience write about that firm's firearms, and also told him why. Dave understood completely, and backed me up. His level headed-response was to not write about them for the immediate future, but also to wait and see how the situation worked out.

I can also assure you that Ross's stuff didn't get edited very much at all, as that was part of the deal when he signed on at Wolfe. I know this because I was one of the people that encouraged him to come on board. Ross isn't independently wealthy, but he never did have to worry much about putting a roof over his head either. This allowed him a certain degree of independence in his writing and lifestyle. He is to a certain extent a recluse, and became even more of one after he moved to the ranch in Oregon six years ago. But he is indeed a very avid shooter and warms up quickly to anybody else who shares his passion.

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I subscribed to Rifle, Handloader and Successful Hunter initially for the Ross Seyfried articles. I have developed a tremendous interest in old rifles and how to load for them in the last few years. Ross' articles were great - always informative and "fun." I even wrote him once about a rifle I had in .375 2 1/2" flanged express and he sent me back a real nice letter with all the load data he knew about. He was (and is) a straight shooter. I will miss him.

My subscription is up for these magazines and I'm going to think hard about whether I want to keep getting them - not that there weren't other articles that I enjoyed by other writers, but none as much as Ross'. I looked forward to them every issue.

I have read Venturino, and he's pretty good, but he seems to be limited to American arms, mostly of the 19th century. I'm all for hunting with old lever actions or big Sharps but I have a feeling all the great British and Continental firearms from the same time period and into the 20th century will never be considered again.

John


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I don't know or care what the problem is between Ross and his publisher. I do know that I always seemed to find his writing interesting and often useful in my own shooting. I will miss his work and wish him the best. I'm not sure that if I had a nice place in Oregon I wouldn't become a recluse as well.

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Gperry,

I have been thinking about the content of your post for several days now. But I wanted to be careful how I put it into words. Likely, You did it much more eloquently than I would have. I have a tendency to be a bit blunt occasionally. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As we all know, a writer cannot be everything a reader wants to all the readers. I have read some of Ross' stuff that I enjoyed. (And some I didn't care for)

You are absolutely on the mark comparing them to hero worship. I know I've been guilty of that very thing myself. Also, I think we have a tendency to compare them to some of the past writers of our younger years. I often think to myself what Elmer might have said about some comment a current writer makes.

In contrast, what I like about the writers on board here is that they seem exactly the opposite of what I am used to. They are down-to-earth and in touch with us almost personally. I very much appreciate being able to talk to them on even terms.

At various times I have subscribed to all of the mainstream publications. But now Rifle and Handloader are the only ones I subscribe to. But over the last many years I have seen a lot of writers come and go. I lament the loss of Sam Fadala, Jim Wilson, Wayne VanZwoll, and others that I can't think of at the moment.

But what I dislike the most is that Wolfe used to publish a lot of unknown writers and ones who are just starting out. I don't see that anymore and I particularly lament that loss. But I'll stick with them anyway. That being said, I particularly enjoyed Chub Eastman in the last Handloader. So I guess there is a bright side...Just my $.02...the9.3guy


"As you walk thru life, don't be surprised that there are fewer people that you encounter seeking truth than those seeking confirmation of what they already believe!"


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I first was exposed to Ross when I went to Gunsite the first time (in the Orange Era when Jeff Cooper owned and operated the school). There was a life-sized image of Ross on the classroom wall celebrating his winning of the IPSC world chanpionship, IIRC (with the saying "You can't miss fast enough".) I understand he was on the staff for some while in the early days.

I have read Ross' stuff in the Wolfe magazines for some years, and I came to regard him in the same way I did Skeeter Skelton. I was always uninterested in handguns, but I always read Skeeter's stuff and I came to regard handguns as interesting as rifles because of his writing. I now regard those old rifles that Ross has illuminated as interesting too. For example if you haven't, take a read on his article on the Davide Pedersoli flinter. That is my idea of a hunter's primitive rifle in contrast to the flock of cheap inline MLs on the market.

From time to time I would disagree with Ross, but not very frequently -- and over what would seem minor arcana to most.

Overall I find his work wonderful, but then I don't know the person. I think I will bug the publications editor at SCI to consider Ross.

I must be on the SCI Board for some reason. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

jim


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Steve NO; Jaywalker; CCMDoc; Rolly; martinbns; 9.3 Guy: Thanks for the kind words. I guess the thing for me that made Ross hero-worthy was his ability to use stories and photos in a way that made me say "I want to grow up and be like him." No matter whether he was writing about revolvers, double-barrel shotguns, or custom rifles, he had a certain captivating style that made me want to experience that, too. He also had probably the broadest range of expertise of any gunwriter in history. He was an African professional hunter/world champion pistolero/Elmer Keith protege who could tell you how to make paper-patched bullets for your Holland & Holland rook rifle, build screamer coyote loads for your custom .22-250 Imp. or design blackpowder goose loads for your damascus-barreled shotgun. If anybody ever had the right to be opinionated, it was probably him. I shouldn't make fun of Clair Rees, because even though I doubt his stories inspire anyone to want to be just like him, at least he had the guts to say "I want to be a gunwriter," and then went out and did it, whereas the rest of us wannabes just linger on the sidelines.

Hunter Jim: Somewhere in my collection of old gun magazines, I have an American Handguner from the early 1980's that has a subscription advertisement picturing a young and determined Ross Seyfriend sporting a baseball cap, ear muffs, gaudy flowery western shirt straight from the 70's, and a moderately customized 1911 jumping off a barricade during an early IPSC shoot. You have to look hard to recognize him, but it's definitely him. It makes me laugh when I think of seeing people like Rob Leatham on American Shooter on TV all decked out in flashy sponsor's clothing and making a huge amount of money as a professional competitor, shooting instructor and product endorser. Nothing against Rob Leatham, but times sure have changed!

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Some interesting thoughts here on this subject. GPerry, good job.

Ross is not my hero, but I followed his interest into the world of odd old European firearms, and understand his passion for them. My recent acquisitions are all more than twice my age, and I wonder what led gun builders to forget the art our forebearers new so well. 4#6 for a double barrel shotgun is so...elegant.

Ross did one thing that gets my BP up whenever it crosses my mind. HOW did he paper patch roundballs so neatly? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> He never explained it, and that is cruel and unusual. I am all thumbs...but my conicals do well. Thanks Ross.

Well, he'd be welcome at my campfire, and I wish him well. Hope he stays on board with DGJ. Muledeer, you're in the same league if not stadium. Hope Mike can back you up at HL and Rifle. In a figurative way, I think you're in need of some help there.

Regards,

Dan


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Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain


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Clair Rees seems to be a nice guy but I can't think of a recent article of his that did not suck and on numerous levels. The same goes for Stan Trzoniec and Brian Pierce.


Actually, I like Stan's articles for one reason-the photos... I assume he does them-he's often pictured with a camera. In my opinion, he does the best gun photos of anyone today.

That said, I shall miss Ross. I really enjoyed reading about the "old ones"... Ventroino (sp?) will probably be a good addition to Wolf Publishing, but I have just never warmed up to his writing-probably because I have no great interest in what he writes about...

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Ross was one of very damned few,that I looked forward to reading.

My perception was/is,that he doesn't blow smoke. I can respect that and thought that he communicated his insight well.

None of the rags are worth a [bleep] anymore IMHO and that too,is troubling.................


Brad says: "Can't fault Rick for his pity letting you back on the fire... but pity it was and remains. Nothing more, nothing less. A sad little man in a sad little dream."
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Ditto what Stick just said about R.S., and 99.9% of the rags....

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Pedestal1--

Stan Trzoniec owned a huge profesisonal photo shop in upstate New York until he semi-retired recently. He not only takes supber firearms photos, but does a lot for model railroad magazines!

There are quite a few guys in our business who aren't great writers, but take great photos. The magazines would be dull indeed if they were just words with no pretty pictures....

MD

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When I get a bit older I'll be expecting the "Braille" edition to include lots of Dillon ads...


I am..........disturbed.

Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain


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When I picked up an issue of Rifle or Handloader, I always looked first to see what Seyfried was writing about. His articles often determined if I bought the magazine. I'll continue to look at both magazines, but I'm sure I'll be buying Guns more often than I had been. His writing style can be a bit odd at times, but the subjects always seem to catch my interest. I'm quite happy to hear he'll still be published.

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Ok, MD-that explains it. But please tell whoever is in charge of such things NOT to split a full length rifle photo over 2 pages! Just publish more detail pics! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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... please tell whoever is in charge of such things NOT to split a full length rifle photo over 2 pages!
One of my pet peeves, too.

The bird who does the layouts pastes 'em down (both facing pages) on boards that don't bend in the middle, so those double-truck photos look really sharp on the solid, flat layout boards.

Pointing this out once, I picked-up a magazine at random and riffled through it until I found a double-truck layout that was even worse than I'd been talking about. It was a scene photo, and the cutline below it called attention to a small detail in the center of the photo � which had disappeared into the gutter between the pages. I'm sure that important detail had been easy to see and study on the layout board, but it simply wasn't there in the printed and bound magazine.


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I hate it when they flip-flop the negatives!

Used to happen a lot in bike mags, but I have seen right handed Fred bears, left handed SSA's ,etc. drives me nuts!

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Hold the train, boys. I haven't bought any mags lately. Where was a haiku? I'll buy that one.

Best wishes to RS. His work made good reading about stuff I'm not really interested in, namely historic rifles and making them shoot, and not many folks do that for me. And he never struck me as being one of those fellows with mediocre knowledge of his specialties. Like him or not, the guy is usually interesting.

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