Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Ross Seyfried

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I will miss reading his work in the Wolfe mags. I don't think Mr. Venturino will come close to replacing him.

I've always like the work of Barsness and Scovill. I have books written by both of them.

Brian Pearce gets more interesting as he branches out from Sixguns and Leverguns. Those 2 types of guns are some of my favorites but Pearce's writings on these subjects remind me too much of what John Taffin wrote 10 years ago.

I like Ron Spomers work. Phil Shoemaker's work is always read. Al Miller is worth reading as he has been hunting for many more years than I've been alive.

I'd like to trade Clair Rees off to get Wayne Van Zwoll back.

I've only read Zumbo's books. I don't read any other gunmags (unless Bugle counts) so I can't comment on the others 'zines.

I am quite sorry to see Ross leave Wolfe. Paradox guns, elegant singles and doubles from that wonderful era, a ladies' combination gun, "Seyfried's Theory of Relativity", "Turbocharging the .45 Colt" - so many great articles. He writes of things no one else touches, and his research is thorough. I reread his pieces a lot.

I reread a lot of Mule Deer's verbiage as well. A tip 'o the hat to you, Johnny B.

Stan T.'s photography is outstanding. Brian Pearce writes about things I find interesting. Dave Scovill's cast bullet wisdom is appreciated, and his .44 Special article a couple years ago is an occasional reread. All Miller is fond of 6.5's and .35's, and I enjoy his experienced words. Phil Shoemaker's experiences make his writing interesting and authoritative (not to mention that he plays with BIG rifles). Mike Venturino has a wealth of knowledge, and some S&W handguns to drool over. He is welcome.

BigIron

Mainframe,

You said more eloquently than I, how I feel about Wolfe publishing and it's authors' work- except that while Mike Venturino is very knowledgeable, I don't find his subjects very interesting most of the time.

It looks like Ross may have found a new home. http://www.underwildskies.net/magazine.php Just received the first issue and there were two Seyfried articles in there. One on a cape buffalo hunt and another on his Rigby .577. Looks to be a pretty good magazine, if somewhat pricy.

My .00001 cents worth, and think this would come under the category: Impressions Writers Can Leave With You - The first thing that usually comes to mind when I hear Seyfried's name, is the photo of him demostrating accurate field shooting positions. He is in picture with solid back-rest,leaning back, with big-bore revolver rested against knee Elmer Keith style, with the cylinder gap against his knee.

This was the time he was heavy into writing about the handgun big bores, LBT's, and the fire lapping thing.

Now I KNOW HE HAD TO KNOW BETTER THAN THAT. This is not meant as a criticism, to condemn Seyfried, or the like. I figure it was probably a publishing, editorial, photo, or even writer accident or screw-up due to time constraints or just plain accidental mistake. Never bothered to do the letter to the editor thing or such like, think there is a little too much of that these days. And, it would be funny to me if it wasn't for the fact that I can also picture some beginner or newbie trying that "method" as pictured.

I found his writing very enjoyable, interesting, well done, and really like the variety he seemed to come up with on the same subjects or genre. I am sure some of his stuff will come to be considered classic someday. I think the humor thing to me of the aforementioned picture is "the King appears in public, and his pants fall down". Not laughing at the man, but at the situation. Guess those gunwriters are human after all!

Good evening, all. Since there have been several references to Gary Sitton in this thread, I wanted to chime in briefly. Many of you might be aware of this, if so pardon me. Gary passed on back in October. His ashes were scattered on a west Texas ranch just last weekend (he wanted them to be scattered in the Spring) and there was an informal service with a few friends and family. He will be greatly missed not only as a fine writer, but also a fine friend.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for those of you who didn't know.

Also, I've very much enjoyed dropping in occasionally on the discussions here. Quite informative and entertaining.

Welcome Bart...From another Bart...
Hang around....This place is great.
Bart

Welcome to the fire, Bart...glad to have you.
Thanks for the info on Gary. I knew of his passing and am saddened like the rest. He will be missed.

Feel free to chime in often, you have much to offer.

1flier

Thank you kindly for the welcome.

Word is your Daddy shot a little.

Hope you'll hang out as time permits.

There's some smart heads on here.

Unfortunately I belong to the group with the smart "other end".

Bart
This thread would be enriched by your presence. Hope you hang around.

Royce

Again, thanks. And 1akhunter, my dad was known to burn a little powder now and again. Thank you kindly for remembering.

Since this thread is obviously about Ross, I would like to submit that I've had the pleasure of spending personal time with him on numerous occasions. I believe him to be one of the most intelligent, experienced and honest of the gun scribes still living. He is a gracious and interesting man whose shooting skills and knowledge of the trade cannot be second-guessed. Many of us would be well advised to take notice of his accomplishments and demeanor.

As they say down here in the border country, he'll do to saddle up with.

Well welcome to the fire, hope you stick around.
I enjoyed reading your Dad's works, and of course yours too.
Seems like you may have picked up a thing or two from him.
You will find some very fine folks here, especially the Canuck contingent. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Edited to add:
Hey Rick, this is pretty cool.
Most people have a "Skeleton" in their closet, you get to have a "Skelton" instead.

Most of the popular gunwriters are hacks. It's hard not to be when there is only a limited amount of material that can be covered. This is especially true when there are a lot more people interested in 45 vs. 9mm than there are in reloading for an original Martini-Henry. Repetition is a given and there are some who just can't "hack" it, seein's how they are into being on the cutting-edge and always being original. It is my opinion that these writers burn out quickest, which brings me to my point. Sooner or later, everybody runs out of something to say. Repetition isn't a bad thing, even if some can't bring themselves to do much of it. This is because there are new persons to the shooting world every day. Also because there are always suckers like myself who will read every last article on the 44 Mag., etc. So hacks are needed. Being a hack is not a bad thing, and I ain't accusing RS or anybody else of it...just saying that sooner or later, everybody runs out of stuff to say. Those who remain the longest regurgitate in the best and most interesting ways.

welcome aboard bart. i really like your articles in "down on the border". i also noticed you are doing technical articles. i hope the trend continues. you do a great job, and thank you.

you know it is getting to the point that almost every year we lose another great gun writer. gary was certainly on of those. i'm still not over your dad and bob milek. your dad was always a favorite.

i'll never forget the article he wrote about a hunting trip and it turned into monsoon season. he didn't have anything else to do in camp so he tested a 380 pistol some company had sent him. the thing had 2 mags and one of them had an inordinate amount of rounds. he was not pleased with the pistol and made no bones about it. he didn't say so directly but the pistola was a piece of crap. when he said it was taller than it was long i almost cracked up. he could be so serious and in the next sentence have you rolling in the floor.

he is missed.

best wishes, bill

Re: BS (unfortunate initials for a gun writer)
Of course he's welcome, (Welcome, Bart) but do we have to be nice to this one too? We"ve already spoiled MD. :-)
T

Careful with the BS guys, might stick, and wouldn't be good to refer someone to him in that way. Think he has some of his Dad in him on the writing part.

I'll keep it simple Bart S., your Dad's articles and writing I enjoyed immensely. See some of his in you, wish you success!

As for Gary S., doggone it, how come all the good guys have to go before I do!

Sure appreciate your kind words. I'll keep doing the stories as long as they'll let me.

We all get the hiccups now and again, have bad days, and make mistakes. It's human nature. The best thing to do is admit the error, then go on about your business. Sometimes that doesn't always happen in gun magazines.

As for the loss of our friends, it's a rough deal. The clock is ticking on all of us, I'm afraid.