Jack O'Connor and Outdoor Life
in the late 1950's and 1960's I would read every word Jack O'Connor wrote. He really liked the 270 Winchester and the 7x57.
That being said he was a strong advocate of accuracy and shot placement on big game. His attitude was that if you kept in practice and could shoot your gun accurately, and you chose your shots according to the situation any caliber was adequate for most North American big game.
There was a strong debate between Small bore fast and big bore fast between the gun editors of Outdoor Life and another gun magazine. This debate sold an incredible number of subscriptions to both magazines. Information was exchanged about the upcoming column before publication so that the responses could appear as real time. A monthly magazine took at least 6 weeks lead time to publish back then with 3 to 4 months planning and layout on each issue. Advertising sales were done in person, by phone, and by mail.
I read the competing magazine at my Uncles home and enjoyed the banter between Mr O'Connor and the other gun editor.
Between the two I realized that one must shoot accurately, and one must have an accurate gun and ammunition. Mr O'Connor taught me that it did not matter what caliber I shot, as long as I was competent with it and put the bullet in the vitals where the animal lived, I would harvest the animal.
I still use information imparted by both of these fine Gun writers and modern gun writers recycle the themes presented in their articles for the guys who do not have access to the older issues of hunting and firearms magazines published in the '50s. '60s, 70s, and even '80s.
The more the world changes, the more it stays the same.
