As is usual, retreever/Mike was our host. My son, Chad, and I drove over from Carlisle. Charley showed up and Brian/Brian-Simmons and his son, Brian (too), came over from Jersey. Rigbyman/Marlin drove over from near Carlisle.

We met at a diner to get acquainted and reacquainted and have a little breakfast. Mike handed his scrapbook to Chad to keep him entertained on the drive from the diner to the range. It worked -- he was quite entertained and more ready than ever for our 2008 trip over.

As I recall, Marlin kicked things off with Mike's .450 No.2...and doubled it right off the bat. Nice look of surprise on his face...but, to be fair, that back trigger was light for me too...though Mike is clearly it's master.

Marlin with Charley's 7mm-somethingorother by Merkel. I should've got a photo a Marlin shooting his .400/.450.


Brian, the younger, with those cigar-sized .450 No.2 cartridges.


Chad with Mike's .450 No.2...here goes...

...and in recoil...with the "wooowwww!!!!" expression...

...and he earned the right to carry Mike's tusk...

Chad shooting Brian's .300

...and Mike's .375 H&H

...and Charley's 7mm-somethingorother...

...and some guy's Bushmaster 5.56mm...and I really should've got pics of him touching off Mike's and my doubles...

OK, those were a lot of pics of my son...but it's my flippin' camera, OK?

Here's Mike with his .450 showing us how it's done.


Me with my Merkel .470 making noise and holes.


The gang of big-bore misfits. Left to right: rigbyman/Marlin, Charley, Brian, Mike, Brian, Chad, Matt. Really wish this pic would've come out better.


Chad and I stopped by Cabela's on the way home. Life is good.


Thanks Mike. Chad also says to tell you thanks for the warthog target. Not sure if it'll go to the range or up on his wall.

Thank you Matt....Marlin doubled his Webley Scott 450/400..

I sure had fun and we burned up plenty of ammo also...

Brian & Brian Jr. glad to have you guys with us...
Chad you sure are game to shoot those bigbore rifles...Look out Africa Chad will be there next year....
Matt and I had fun shooting at 50 yds two shots and reload and shoot at 25 fast reloadings and fast shooting... I love it...
Also got to shoot a M1 Garand that Brian brought had fun with it also..

Thanks to all...

Mike

had a lot of fun holding the big bores and of corse shooting them as well .
thanks to all the guys for making us welcome and letting my son and i try their great big fun toys
now how the **** do i tell the wife i want one i defenatly want one!!!!

jr fell asleep on the way home as usual. too much fun i guess the grin still hasent worn off his face.

ill send badger matt some pics to post as soon as i can to post brian/brian jr

Looks like a great time!

Hey, Mike, what's the deal with the glove on your left hand? Did you have a falcon with you that we can't see in the pictures?

Our first Texas cold day 70 degrees had to keep my hand warm...

Mike

I had every intention of meeting up with yall, but I work the night shift, and I was at work from Friday night at 2200 until Saturday morning at 0800, so I was beat. I don't think that being really sleepy at a rifle range is a good thing. Hopefully I can meet up with yall next time you go out...

Gotta love a .450 No. 2. Three and a half inches of brass with a big bullet on top.

I would have to assume that a good time was had by all.

Very nice pictures ,a lot of fun ,thank you for sharing with us.Juan

While hunting in Pennsylvania i stopped at Cabelas too and i enjoyed it a lot ,you have a great country...here in Argentina everything is chancging for the million of gun owners.Juan

quote:

Our first Texas cold day 70 degrees had to keep my hand warm...

Mike

OK. Just as long as it's not some Michael Jackson thing...

Amen!

Mike, I was wondering about the glove too. I thought maybe it was some tatic to keep your hand from rubbing the finish off the gun.

Looks like a lot of fun was had by all !

Glad y'all had a great time!

The sun was shining and heated up the metal and when firing multiple shots hot gases raise the temp and will burn your finger tips...
The one time the barrels were warm and I fired one shot and damn it was like a radiator felt the heat come right across the barrels and had to stop and put on the glove...

Mike

A few more pics from Brian's camera... Check out the targets Mike brought.

Brian shooting.

A much better shot of the big bore gang.

That's what it's all about, hope we never loose that right!

Sorry to have missed it, helped wife with sick little ones,

maybe I'll make the next one, I've had a great time at each

one that I've attended.

Great pics, Mike. Is the tusk one of yours or someone else? I see your "mystery guest" didn't show...jorge

What's a PA shoot without CATS?

That tusk looks like it is driving Chad into the ground.

Hey Mike, Did you ever buy that double outright? I think you told me you did in Dallas, but I don't recall. Regardless, nice rifle and a sure one to keep for that great memory of the elephant hunt! jorge

Yes Jorge, I am the proud owner of that ele gun that took my giant bull ele in Tanzania...
Also we had a great time and the tusk is from my ele bull in Zim from 04...

Some others also did not make it...


Mike

Wow Mike, you'll have to bring it to the Valley and show it to me this summer. Maybe we can even bag a few of our giant ground hogs with it jorge

Absolutely... Mike