Free Downloads Letters From Elmer Keith: A Half Century Of Advice On Guns, Ammo, Handloading, Hunting, And Other Pursuits
The acknowledged dean of American gun writers, Elmer Keith began his writing career in 1926, when his first piece appeared in American Rifleman, and continued until 1981, when he suffered a disabling stroke. During this 50-plus year period, Keith wrote hundreds of articles for a wide variety of publications, including American Rifleman, Guns & Ammo and Outdoor Life. From these articles and his books (Sixguns, Big Game Rifles and Cartridges), Keith developed a loyal following with whom he corresponded regularly. At one point it is estimated that he averaged 300-500 letters each month to readers, answering questions about hunting, matching appropriate cartridges and firearms to specific targets, handloading ammo and related topics.Timothy J Mullin, a noted gun writer, corresponded with Keith and kept all the letters he received. Discovering that other recipients had also saved their letters, Mullin decided to collect as many as he could and compile them into a book. He ran advertisements in Shotgun News and placed a large sign at the Elmer Keith Museum in Salmon, Idaho, seeking letters from Keith. Soon, he started receiving copies from all over the country. Some letters dealt with hunting issues, others strictly guns and ammo (including the Magnum revolver cartridges Keith developed and for which he is best known: the .357, .41 and .44), but most were a mixed bag of practical advice, unfiltered commentary and insightful tales of life on the American frontier. Rounding out the compilation are never-before published photos of Elmer Keith, with his trademark cigar, 10-gallon hat and sixguns
Paperback: 222 pages
Publisher: Paladin Press; 1st edition (April 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1581606532
ISBN-13: 978-1581606539
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.6 x 10.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #596,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #15 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Firearms & Weapons > Ammo & Grenades #214 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Firearms & Weapons > Firearms #536 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hunting & Fishing > Shooting
Tim Mullin has compiled a bunch of letters Elmer Keith wrote to various people from across the country. It makes for interesting reading, as these missives were sent without benefit of a magazine editor toning them down for general public consumption.Especially eye-opening are his comments on Jack O'Connor, who he often refers to with derision as ".270", for O'Connor's slavish devotion to that cartridge, and the resultant loss of game Keith witnessed while guiding clients using .270s on elk hunts.(As someone who has shot over 20 head of thin-skinned game with an Improved .375, and never had an animal go over 10 feet before dying, I concur completely with Keith's recommended minimum of .33 caliber and 250 grains bullet weight dictum for game animals.)In the photo section at the end there's a pic of Elmer with me in 1978. Elmer is admiring the second .50 BMG rifle I built. I look pleased with myself. And yes, at age 21 I look a lot younger than I do now...
Husband is a true blue Elmer Keith admirer and this was an excellent choice for his collection. (I even enjoyed it!) A must for the avid gun collector... Amazing price! Superfast shipping ~ Secure packaging! Thanks so much!!
Years ago being the Firearms editor of a top line Firearms Magazine meant that he was required to answer the questions that readers mailed in. Timothy Mullen took up the challenge of finding copies of Elmer Keith's letters that had been saved by those that had received them from 1924 and 1981. Elmer did his own typing and was not a neither a great typist or speller. Some were even hand written, These letters give a good understanding of Elmer Keith one of the most respected Gun Writers of all time.
Old Elmer unbridled in these caustic observations of Jack O'Connor and well, EVERY writer of his time! I laughed, I whooped! Much like "Hell, I Was There", Old Elmer takes credit for designing everything from the Model 70 Winchester to damn near every cartridge of his era! The letters were reproduced exactly as he wrote them and believe me: THERE ARE LOTS OF TYPOS - so much you can barely get through some of them. Keith is at his best when he writes of hunting rather than being so bombastic about bullet performance and his "inventions". As far as Old Elmer is concerned no man should venture forth for any game - here or Africa with less than a .333 caliber and a 250 grain bullet! No matter 70% of all shooters couldn't take the recoil or blast, but you can't argue with success! Old Elmer especially hated the .270 and its "father" - actually going so far to elaborate on the time they were on a hunt at NILO Farm and supposedly Old Jack drew down on him with a 12 ga. autoloader and tried to kill him! He goes on and on letter after letter about that one! Despite the crude presentation, I enjoyed the letters. A Hemingway he ain't!
To start, if I hadn't read "Hell, I was there" I would maybe have had a different view of this work. That being said, Elmer Keith is "The Real Deal".No hype, no made up bull. What you see is what you get. I think that is why the other gun writers and gun rag editors of his time despised him.They had little REAL experience as he did. This book is a compilation of actual letters that Keith wrote back to individuals who wrote to him withquestions. There are some very revealing events that show the real character of some of the people of the time. I look forward to my next read by Elmer Keith. A look into the past with one of the real true writers of his time.
Very entertaining book. Every letter he wrote is in quite rough form, and full of typos and grammar errors, but that's what makes it real. From caliber selection to his constant barrage on Jack O'Connor, it makes for some interesting reading.
The book is a compilation of letters sent by Elmer Keith to people requesting information on problems on recommendation on problem with their firearms. It is very informative and will be passed on. It is full of information and facts . Well received . I expect many to find knowledge it it that they will also pass on I recommend this book to any one in the shooting fraternity..
This collection of letters Elmer Keith responded to is full of advice that leads into a story of his experiences, making for not only a good learning lesson, but an adventure as well.
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