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I made it up to Ellis Brown's annual Elephant Hunt event in Northern Colorado last weekend. I had such a good time, I still don't feel entirely recovered yet today. Shot a number of doubles and one bolt gun, ate some wonderful foods, had some truly spectacular conversations, and after the range had been closed, had a few drinks.

First gun was an Isaac Hollis double in 500-465. This was my first ever "heavy". Recoil was notable, but not insurmountable.

Next was a hammer Tolley BPE double in 450-400. This gun was a pleasure to shoot. More push or shove than "kick". Neat old gun.

After that was my 1st bolt gun, a big Mauser action in .416 Rigby (the "real" .416). This one was a little punishing. After 3 rounds I was happy to relinquish it.

Finished-out with a 9x57 Sauer double. Lovely petite gun, moderate recoil. Pleasant to shoot.

If I had gotten started earlier in the day, I would have likely tried a few more but since this was my 1st time at this event I ended up talking much more than shooting. The drink really crept up on me this time, to the point that I had to park my car and arrange a ride home (lack of practice these days, I fear). In the past, all the food would have saved me, but not this time. Getting old really sucks.

But...good fun and good company! The weather has been fall-like here for the last few days and this event really got me in the autumnal frame of mind. Walking every morning now and back to floor exercises again. Got to get-over from the effects of this recent "desk job" of mine.

re: recoil;

this is a story that i heard about 40 years ago....from a fellow who was in his mid 60's, and was telling of something he experienced when 12 or 14 years old....so the occasion referenced is some 90+ years ago.

said he grew up in a rural community outside waco, texas, where there was "an old man" who owned a substantial amount of acreage, with numerous tanks (ponds), pecan orchards, grain fields, etc. onsite. fellow allowed free use of his place to the local youths - as long as they conformed to his sensible rules....so they played, camped, fished, hunted squirrels, doves, etc. the "old man" had been to africa several times, and when he was feeling conversational, they would engage him in stories of his past life. he owned "an old", cased, double rifle, that was "very big, and very heavy".

the story, as told to me, was that on occasion they would convince the fellow to bring out the cased gun, and let the kids handle it....said he had a few cartridges for the gun "that looked like rotan cigars". they would then beg him to shoot the gun - but, he would always say that the ammunition was irreplaceable. so they asked him how it kicked....and the answer, as told to me;

if you're shooting at a paper plate, or a tin can, it kicks right smart....but when you've crawled on your stomach to get 75 feet from a lion, it feels like a daisy air rifle.

best regards,
tom