Jack and Elmer

[HollandNut]

Jack and Elmer , a couple of people who only need , even today , 30 years after Elmer's passing , their first names mentioned and might near anyone in our sport knows who they were ..

They were two polar opposites who did a good job of getting under each others skin .. I've herd it said that Elmer despised the ground that Jack walked on , and that Jack took a great bit of humor in Elmer's not liking him .. I've got most of Jack's books , a couple first printings , and no they are not for sale , and he pokes at Elmer a good bit , but if you didn't know anything about Elmer , you wouldn't see the poke ..

It's totally amazing to me that they were able to accomplish the things that they did given the equipment they had ..

When I think of Jack , I think of 270's and sheep hunting in some far off land I had never herd of in my ute ..

Elmer , I see a big hat and seegar and large caliber rifles and revolvers ..

But think of it , with exception of Nosler and Bill Steiger's bullets ( which were rarely available ) , bullet selection was poor , hence , Elmer and his 'heavy for caliber' bullets ..

Scopes by todays standards were in the dark ages , they never saw the variable power scope really come into its own during their lifetime ..

I doubt they would have ever guessed ( if they cared at all ) the industry that fell into place behind the militarys choice of the M16 , the first black rifle ..

But what would they have to say of our sport today ??

[TXGunNut]

I think Uncle Elmer would be right at home around here, can't say the same for Jack. As I've said before Elmer would keep the mods busy and his posts would be sprinkled with a few *'s.

[HollandNut]

well true , but I am thinking of the sport as a whole , not just our little corner of the world

[MT Gianni]

From what I understand Jack had most of his hunting trips paid for and Elmer guided others for most of his. I believe Jack would have his own cable show, Elmer would still ranch in Idaho and tell those who might listen how to do it right.

[Bullshop]

I think only one of them was a caster and he would most likely be sharing his experience and OPINIONS here.
I am a big fan of his.

[dakotashooter2]

Jack Benny and Elmer Fudd?

[Bullshop]

I don't think so but Jack might have.

[waksupi]

I knew an old cowboy who guided Jack on several hunts. Absolutely hated the guy. Not a real hunter, just a writer looking for carcasses to write about.

Come to think of it, he also knew Elmer personally, and thought he was a pretty good guy, although a bit of a knot head at times.

[doc1876]

Thanks for an early Sunday morning smile. about two "gods" of our times. I would have loved to have met either or both of them.

[alamogunr]

I have the books, "Gun Notes" Vol I & II that includes a lot of correspondence between these two gentlemen. Hard to determine if they seriously disliked each other or were just sparring.

[HollandNut]

I had heard that in private they really got along , true or not I cant say , I never met either of them .. I do have the picture I posted on another thread , and they are standing next to each other , which I find odd , if they truly did hate one another

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/GroovyJack/jackandelmer.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/GroovyJack/media/jackandelmer.jpg.html)

[Loudenboomer]

HollandNut That's a great picture of an era past. Thanks for sharing it.
Got any Idea on the Year?

[BrassMagnet]

I knew an old cowboy who guided Jack on several hunts. Absolutely hated the guy. Not a real hunter, just a writer looking for carcasses to write about.

Come to think of it, he also knew Elmer personally, and thought he was a pretty good guy, although a bit of a knot head at times.

If he wasn't a knot head at times, would he have had anything interesting to say? Would he have had any firm opinions worth listening to?
I prefer Elmer and Jeff!

[WILCO]

http://www.elmerkeithshoot.org/GA/

[HollandNut]

Thanks for the link WILCO , something else I have to read

Loudenboomer , the year is 1960 , and IIRC it was a shoot at one of Winchesters farms

I never cared for Jeff myself

[10x]

I had heard that in private they really got along , true or not I cant say , I never met either of them .. I do have the picture I posted on another thread , and they are standing next to each other , which I find odd , if they truly did hate one another

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/GroovyJack/jackandelmer.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/GroovyJack/media/jackandelmer.jpg.html)

I suspect most of their conflict was editorial animosity. They held a conversation regarding bore, bullet size, velocity, and ballistics in two different publications. Shooters would buy (or subscribe) to both publications to read the replies. The publishers loved it as it raised circulation which in turn raised advertising revenue.
Because of manual layout and printing magazines would take 2-3 months from the time the story was written until they hit the news stands. I am sure that Elmer sent Jack a copy of his next article and vise versa so that their articles would be in sync every month.

Two newspapers with editors that do not agree operating in a small town will be very successful where one would have a heck of a time scraping by. Folks read them to watch the disagreement.

[quilbilly]

I had heard that in private they really got along , true or not I cant say , I never met either of them .. I do have the picture I posted on another thread , and they are standing next to each other , which I find odd , if they truly did hate one another

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/GroovyJack/jackandelmer.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/GroovyJack/media/jackandelmer.jpg.html)
I do believe that is either a 28 ga or a 410 Elmer was shooting while everyone else has at least 20's and he did as well as the others. My kinda guy!!!

[WILCO]

Thanks for the link WILCO , something else I have to read.

You're very welcome.

[lbaize3]

I have recently re-read Elmer's SIX GUNS and consider a good deal of what he had to say very pertinent to our shooting today.

[MT Gianni]

Come to think of it, he also knew Elmer personally, and thought he was a pretty good guy, although a bit of a knot head at times.
Ric, I believe that you have just described most of the board members I respect here.

[searcher4851]

Great link. Thank you.