Widder, SASS #59054

Top notch. Thanks ..........Widder

Blackhawk, dont forget to test your crimp. 1. Mark a round. 2. Measure the OAL of your 'marked' round. 3. load the 'marked' round plus 5 more unmarked rounds into your chambers. 4. Fire the 5 'Unmarked' rounds. DON'T FIRE THE 'MARKED' ROUND 5. Pull the marked round and measure the OAL. A .003-.004 bullet movement (Increase in OAL) within the cannelure is not critical and basically confirms a sufficient crimp for those hot rounds. If your crimp is sufficient, you could possibly put that marked round back in the pistol and fire more rounds without the marked round showing more than .001 movement. Good luck. Wish I were there! ..........Widder

Yep, my 'hot' .45 Colt loads have been tried and tested over a period of a few years. I test for powder volume availability using the .45 Colt brass and .454 Casull brass that has been cut down to .45 Colt OAL. To those unaware, the 'cut down' .454 Casull brass has MORE available space inside the case than does the .45 Colt brass. Starline, due to the Casull using SMALL primer (rifle or pistol) has a slight recess in the bottom of the brass, which gives it more space on the inside. The SMALL primer pocket also allows for a slightly thicker web area. Even with some of my hottest loads (which have never exceeded the published load data specifically for the Blackhawks, T/C Contenders, Marlin 1894's), I haven't experienced any pressure signs, split brass, or even flattened primers. Loads can be set up to give good .44 Magnum type performance, all the while creating LESS pressures. I basically use Hornady 240 XTP Mag, 300 XTP Mag, and the 250 XTP (its not listed as a 'mag' bullet). Luckily, I own a plow handled Ruger SBH 'Hunter' with a 5.5" mag-na-ported barrel. And, a 'Bisley' Ruger SBH Hunter with the factory 7.5" barrel. AND, a couple Marlin 1894's in .45 Colt, with 16.5" barrels. Good, hot .45 Colt fodder, loaded up using 'cut down' .454 Casull bass, is my mainstay in those Ruger's and Marlins. ..........Widder

Blackwater, WHO did the work on your bro's pistol? I have 2 of those SBH 'Hunter' models in .45 Colt and have been tempted to hire Bowen to set it up in .454 for me. ..........Widder

As Rainmaker posted, call Bowen Classic Arms (Hamilton Bowen). Heck, he lives just a few miles from me here in Blount County. ..........Widder

No doubt, one of the best action scenes ever. And his look is priceless. ole Hans......trying to fly like a reindeer....... again! ..........Widder

I had a buffalo wing once that was 'furry'. But it wasn't in Ohio. Hey Rey, my TN Vols play your Buckeyes this weekend. I'm a fan of my Vols, but admittedly, I think the Buckeyes will prevail on their home field. TN has a good team, but they have been one of the most inconsistent teams all year long. Their 'heralded' offense has sucked when needed but their 'unheralded' defense has kept them ticking. Should be a good game but I figure the line is about right: Buckeyes by a TD. ..........Widder

Sorri, I should have been a little clearer in my wording. When I stated about the background checks, gun locks, age requirements, etc......... it was in reference to ALL these things we have already done decades ago, and yet very little has changed because of all those 'restrictions' we have already initiated in our laws. Gun owners have abided by those laws and basically, you don't hear complaints about them. It doesn't mean folks agree with them...... its just complaining about them has basically become nil. ..........Widder

Think about this, Pards. As much as I can think of, NO OTHER object has been the subject that immortalize one of the most popular Christmas movies as the BB rifle. (The Christmas Story). For all I know, It may rank higher than White Christmas and Its a Wonderful Life. Many of us are probably not much different than Ralphie. I'm 73 now...... and that Christmas memory is still cherished. ..........Widder

Howdy Pat. Here in E.Tennessee, we were hailed as hero kids when we shot Pigeons and Starlings. The only things the neighbors ask of us was try not to shoot the birds while they were sitting on their roof. The BB's and even .22's, would damage the shingles if we missed the pigeons or starlings. I now go after flocks of starlings with my shotgun. ..........Widder

Good post, Doc. Ah yea....... can shooting. We had some soup cans and cola cans. Back in the early 60's and thereabouts, the cans were thick/harder. And we often judged the power of our BB guns depending upon the ability to penetrate 1 or both sides of the cans. I don't remember the power of mine, but I do remember it was also the 94 model. Some of my friends had the single pump style and a VERY FEW of them had the variable power style they could 'pump up' the power by pump cocking the forearm. Personally, I never thought those were all that good. I preferred my lever action. P.S. - I did get in a little trouble a couple times for shooting a street light and empty Pepsi/Coke/RC glass bottles. Those bottles were worth .02 each but sometimes, boys can't help being a little destructive. ..........Widder

As a young kid of about 8-12 years old, One of my favorite Christmas pastimes was checking out the Sear-Roebuck catalog....... especially the sporting goods section...... especially the BB gun section. I could check out all their guns but I had memorized all the specs of the BB rifles in their catalog. And I even had plans for some of my Christmas money to be spent on a few packs of BB's. The Daisy BB's were 5-cents at the local neighborhood store. I forget how many were in that small carboard tube (with the cardboard cap), but it was a few hundred. We had a good size Sears store in Knoxville and Mom/Dad would take us kids there a few times every Christmas season. I loved checking out their gun section, although I was to young to handle them. YES, it was during one of those early Christmas days that I got my first BB rifle. It was the 'lever' action style. My older brother got his 1st .22 rifle on the same Christmas Day. It was a Remington Nylon 66 in Apache Black. WOW, did we ever enjoy shooting the BB rifle and his .22 rifle. I'm sure many of you have similar memories. ..........Widder

NEWS FLASH: 10 years from now, when you earn a 'P' from shooting a simple 3 plate Nevada Sweep, you'll still feel like a greenhorn. And 15 years from now, you earn a Minor Safety (and a Miss) because you realize you can't count to TEN...and leave a live round in your rifle. The word..."greenhorn" will haunt you again. Best regards... to all greenhorns. ..........Widder

I figure if somebody breaks into my house (day or night), I plan to blow all the walls down with my Beretta 1301 and let the vultures take care of the clean up. ..........Widder

Yep...... its fun for all of us. There ain't no caddy or new gun prizes for any of us, regardless of finishing position. And if ya watch some of those bonafide JEDI's or BORG's, you'll notice they are having a blast also. ..........Widder

Another thought: if you're gonna take the time to 'point' the barrel at the target, why not learn to take the same amount of time learning to 'point the front site'.? ..........Widder

Test your 'point shooting skills'. Put a reasonable size target in front of you, lets say about 18 feet in front of you. The purpose of the test is to point your pistol at the target........ NOW, CLOSE YOUR EYES. And with eyes closed, shoot at that target 5 times. If you can hit that target with a high degree of shots, you may have some good inherent Point Shooting abilities. Once you have mastered that, now hit that target with eyes closed with 5 shots in about 2 seconds or less. Once you have mastered that, now go for 3 or 5 separate targets in 2 seconds.....with eyes open. Once you have mastered that, come back to the Wire and share some of your training secrets with the rest of us..... And if you really want to find out more about 'point shooting', try shooting 10 shots, Gunfighter style, on 5 separate targets with a high degree of hits. There are a few in our game that have excelled in their ability for speed and accuracy...... but I think everyone of them will tell you to use the front sight. Thats the point I'm trying to emphasize. Welcome to a great game, with the best of luck in your endeavors. ...........Widder (this of course, is just my non-champion opinion.)

Of the past few years, many test have been done (and put on YouTube) about bullet 'Penetration'. Basically, penetration of various bullets and calibers...... and of course, the power of those tested calibers. Most all defense rounds penetrate 12-18" in jell blocks. Most all defense rounds penetrate 10-13. 1/2" pine boards. Most all defense rounds blow up a milk jug. So here is my inquiry....... why do competitors run down range, shooting up to 3 or 4 mags of ammo, pretending to hide behind a barrier as they advance the stage, all the while pretending that each barrier is allowing them to SAFELY hide behind the wall while engaging appropriate targets. In real life, they're gonna get shot with a bullet coming thru the wall where they are hiding. OOPS, that wasn't in the training. Do some of these folks actually believe that a little board wall is gonna protect them from someone shooting back? ..........Widder

Indeed. Not only does the wear and tear from hard usage develop problems......... but the 'timing' and its functional efficiency is also effected by the OAL of specific ammo. We rarely, if ever, hear about the 336 or 1895 models developing timing issues and this is partly due to the ammo is very long for these rifles and the timing is not as critical. BUT, when it comes to the .38 special and all of the various OAL ammo that is used in the 1894's, OAL becomes a critical item even with just a minimal amount of wear on the timing ramp. Merry Christmas Y'all. ..........Widder

Looks like a TransvesCactus or Cactusvestite. ..........Widder

I think its hilarious,, also. Merry Christmas. ..........Widder

I have many. "An Old Christmas Card" by Jim Reeves is one of them. Noel, Noel is another. But one of my favorites comes from a video that I really enjoy. Apparently, this story (song) holds some truth and information about this event can be found on the internet or Google. Hope Y'all in enjoy.......... ..........Widder. (Merry Christmas from the Widder family)

My condolences also. Indeed, most of us have felt the same pain......the emptiness, loneliness, sadness. Even a picture of their paw print brings back fond memories with a large doze of sadness in our hearts. We lost little Benji a few years back. I still remember his playfulness and his eagerness to bite at my hand when I would move it around under the blanket. Its like a dog is a custom made friend from God. ..........Widder

But.... I don't indulge. But thank goodness St. Peter can read! ..........Widder

Your correct RYE. I should have clarified my usage of 'HENRY' was in reference to the Henry gun maker of our Henry rifles today. ..........Widder